Cabinet to discuss criminalising sex for rent and counselling notes in trials
It follows a commitment in the Programme for Government to criminalise those who seek sex for rent.
Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan will inform Cabinet of plans to address what has been branded as "highly exploitative behaviour by the introduction of two specific criminal offences".
This includes offering accommodation in exchange for sex and the advertising of accommodation in exchange for sex.
The provisions encompass both tenancies and licence arrangements.
The proposed penalty is a class A fine. This carries a maximum penalty of €5,000.
It is hoped that this will provide "increased protections for vulnerable individuals," as well as a potential deterrent to landlords or property owners currently engaging in such behaviour.
The General Scheme of Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 will also address the use of counselling records in sexual offence trials.
Victims have campaigned for this to be banned. However, the proposed changes from Mr O'Callaghan do not go this far.
Cabinet will hear that laws that allow counselling notes to be used were "designed to strike a balance between two competing rights", including the victim's right to personal privacy and the accused person's right to a fair trial.
Mr O'Callaghan will argue that it has become evident that the section is not operating as intended and that victims feel pressure to waive their right to a disclosure hearing.
Under the new plans, a judicial examination of the counselling records and a subsequent disclosure hearing will automatically take place wherever the accused seeks such records.
The change also seeks to "limit" the occasions when counselling notes can be used, stating they can only be disclosed when there is "a real risk of an unfair trial".
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, meanwhile, will bring the latest report from the National Economic and Social Council, the body tasked with providing him with strategic policy advice. The report is 'Deepening Compact Growth in Ireland'.
The report recommended reviewing development incentives "with a view to providing stronger incentives for brownfield development" and "increasing public investment to unlock land suited for compact growth".
It also calls for more flexible rent controls to support increased supply, as well as urging the Government to continue to seek reductions in the construction costs of apartments as well as houses and increasing investment in cost-rental homes.
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Mary Butler, the Minister for Mental Health, meanwhile, will inform Cabinet that the suicide rate has reduced by a quarter and is now the 11th lowest in the EU, according to the most recent official figures.
Preliminary figures for 2023 record 302 deaths, the lowest preliminary figure for over 20 years.
Between 2000 and 2021, Ireland saw a 28 per cent reduction in the suicide rate, falling from 12.9 per 100,000 in 2000 to 9.2 per 100,000 in 2021.
Cabinet will also be advised that previous self-harm remains the biggest risk factor for suicide, and that National Suicide Research Foundation Self-Harm Registry data highlights that between 2010 and 2023, self-harm rates decreased by 12 per cent.
A strategy to further reduce self-harm and suicide will be completed by the end of the year.
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers will bring the Annual Programme Report (APR) to Cabinet, which has replaced the annual Stability Programme Update.
Tánaiste Simon Harris will update ministers on the latest developments on trade, including ongoing negotiations between the EU and US, as well as the "accelerated" ratification of the EU-Canada trade deal, known as CETA.
The approach proposed would enable ratification not just of CETA but also of other EU-third country Investment Protection Agreements with similar models of investor-State arbitration schemes, such as Singapore and Chile.
Higher Education Minister James Lawless will inform Cabinet of his intention to sign the European Quantum Pact, a joint declaration by EU science ministers recognising the transformative potential of quantum technologies for Europe's scientific, industrial, and strategic future.
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RTÉ News
20 hours ago
- RTÉ News
First kite of pre-budget season flew over Leinster House
Bird watchers sometimes herald the sighting of the first swallow of the year as the start of spring. And, not to be outdone, political anoraks have a similar phrase too. The first kite of the pre-budget season flew high and mighty over a quieter than usual Leinster House this week, as the beginning of the Dáil's summer recess was interrupted by a potentially serious political row gliding into view. Not for the first time, it involved a once cast-iron pre-election promise whose carefully choreographed landing now risks becoming a victim of some not exactly unexpected post-election economic turbulence. And, not for the last time, the planned flight trajectory could yet be replaced by an all too public nose dive as the Coalition checks its political radar for signs of how to navigate its way between two competing financial priorities. Hospitality tax cut The reason for the situation is a Programme for Government promise which is now at real risk of being delayed. In the January document, which outlines what Government intends to do in power, the Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael-Independents Coalition confirmed that the existing 13.5% hospitality VAT rate would be reduced. That commitment, which was one of Fine Gael's key commitments in last November's General Election, was widely seen as indicating but did not explicitly point to this October's Budget as the moment the 13.5% rate would be cut to 9%. Such a move would support struggling restaurants, bars, cafes, pubs and hotels, and therefore help protect jobs. "Our Budget decisions could change depending on the economic environment we find ourselves in." But its near €1 billion price tag would mean less financial space for cost of living supports for the wider pubic, an issue that was made crystal clear as Government outlined its immediate economic plans this week. During a press conference at Government Buildings on Tuesday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers announced the Coalition's National Development Plan and Summer Economic Statement. The former outlined a €275bn capital projects war chest for the coming decade, including aspirational promises and dazzling numbers like €36bn for housing, €22bn for transport infrastructure such as the long-delayed Dublin Metro, and almost €10bn for health. But the latter was more pragmatic, detailing in practical terms how much money Government actually has to play with in its coffers right now - and, specifically, space for €1.5bn worth of tax cuts in Budget 2026. The figure may seem like a lot, and it is, but it still does not pay for everything voters want. And, inevitably, that means difficult choices for the coalition to make, including when it comes to promises previously given. Despite both Mr Martin and Mr Harris saying in recent months that the cut will happen, Mr Donohoe told reporters that the expected hospital VAT reduction from 13.5% to 9% was not as certain as previously indicated. Rarely one to misspeak, Minister Donohoe explained that if the hospitality VAT rate is reduced it is important "to be open" about the fact "trade offs" with other sections of society may be necessary. "I have always made clear my intention with regard to that [the hospitality VAT cut]," he said. His use of the word "intention" rather than anything stronger peaked the interest of attending reporters. "But I have also said there are trade offs, and there are consequences to that," he said. "And there are therefore other things that we are not going to be able to do. "If you were to bring forward a tax package that was to fund a full year measure that was in relation to the VAT, the cost of that would be nearly a €1bn." "And then if I was to add to that other measures we've done in the past, we would have a tax package that is far bigger than what I believe would be safe," he said. He added: "Our Budget decisions could change depending on the economic environment we find ourselves in." A pre-budget kite, in other words. And one that has caused if not a split, then certainly some friction, within the Coalition as competing political priorities have emerged. Internal Coalition friction While Minister Donohoe's comments were likely designed to point out the reality of the dilemma for Government rather than specifically rule out the hospitality tax cuts this year, they did open the door to the prospect within at least some sections of the coalition. By Wednesday, several Government sources had indicated privately that the cut should be delayed until July 2026, with Fianna Fáil members - including the wily long-time Limerick City TD Willie O'Dea - among those to publicly nudge forward the argument. Speaking on Friday on RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme, Deputy O'Dea said given the limited scope for tax reductions in the upcoming budget, he would "like to see it [the €1.5bn in available tax cuts] more equitably divided", with "an increase in tax credits and tax bands in line with inflation" his priority. Asked if this is because it would be difficult to convince voters to support helping the hospitality sector first, given a disputed reputation for price gouging by some businesses in that sector, Deputy O'Dea said: "It's not just a question of would it be hard to sell to the public, it's would it be good for the economy." Responding to suggestions of friction in the Coalition over the situation, he added: "I wouldn't describe it as friction, people have different views and that's what Coalition government is about." "I don't understand what kind of kites the Government are flying in relation to this cut for the hospitality industry, the Government are sewing massive seeds of confusion on this yet again." Deputy O'Dea's view was echoed privately by numerous Fianna Fáil TDs, and a smaller number of Fine Gael colleagues, who questioned how prioritising help for businesses instead of cost of living supports for the wider public might play out. And senior Government sources did little to kill off the suggestion when asked. But Fine Gael TD and Minister for Enterprise and Tourism Peter Burke - the politician responsible for the sector - had a different view during a hastily organised press briefing at Government Buildings on Thursday. Asked if he would acknowledge the hospitality VAT tax rate cut will now be delayed until next summer, Minister Burke responded: "Absolutely not acknowledging that, any negotiations will form part of the budget. "We're now still in July and it's very important to note the Budget will consider all options in every different sector." Opposition criticism The opposition, it is fair to say, were less than impressed over the apparent confusion over whether the hospitality tax cut would still go ahead on 1 January or be delayed until at least next July. Labour TD Duncan Smith said bluntly: "I don't understand what kind of kites the Government are flying in relation to this cut for the hospitality industry, the Government are sewing massive seeds of confusion on this yet again." That view was shared by other opposition TDs, including Sinn Féin's Donnchadh O'Laoghaire who said the Coalition needs to find a way to help both the hospitality sector and the wider public through cost of living supports. And it was echoed too by non-political groups representing those in the sector, which became locked in a war of words over what should happen next. Responding to the watering down of the previous tax cut promise, Restaurants Association of Ireland Chief Executive Adrian Cummins said: "If the VAT rate doesn't reduce to 9% from January 1, you'll see more and more closures" and resulting job losses, noting more than 200 restaurants have already closed this year. However, the view was countered by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions general secretary Owen Reidy. "The proposal to cut the VAT rate at a time of huge economic uncertainty flies in the face of all available evidence, and would amount to nothing less than economic vandalism," he said. "The Government has identified many laudable priorities as part of its programme for Government: housing, reductions in child poverty, and investment in disability services. "Given that ministers have been giving serious warnings about economic uncertainty, why would they prioritise a corporate handout costing almost €1bn?" Government dilemma That latter point goes to the heart of the difficulty now facing Government, and in part helps to explain the early nature of this week's at times contradictory pre-budget kite flying. While there is a strong argument for the need to protect businesses, and therefore jobs, in the hospitality sector during a period of intense global financial uncertainty, few politicians would want to be seen to be doing so at the expense of supports for households during that same economic turbulence. In that context a calculated delay to the hospitality VAT rate cut plans makes some sense, as it would allow Government to continue to argue it will - eventually - keep its promise while giving itself more short-term financial space to protect the wider public. That plan, however, comes with a significant catch, in that the hospitality sector is insistent a delay to the tax cut will see people lose their jobs. But, more than one Government TD has privately noted this week, not delaying the tax cut in order to have more space for wider public cost of living supports would put households at risk and give opposition parties an obvious line of attack the coalition could do without. The first kite of the pre-budget season has now soared into view. Depending on which way the economic and public wind blows, it could yet lead to an unexpectedly bumpy political ride.
The Journal
a day ago
- The Journal
An Post sales just topped €1 billion - so why does it want to cut services?
Paul O'Donoghue THE HUMBLE POSTAL service has been a fixture of Irish life for generations. That now seems at risk. A major row last week over the future of An Post grabbed news headlines – including claims and counterclaims over the financial health of the organisation. Around the time when the postal service was due to appear before an Oireachtas committee, the An Post CEO said a minister leaked information from Cabinet. Meanwhile, rumours swirled of an organisation in a bad economic position. Very exciting stuff. But when you look past all the heat and noise, one key point emerged - An Post wants to cut mail delivery days. The details still have to be ironed out. But reports suggest mail would be delivered on fewer days per week as a way of cutting costs. However, this report emerged at the same time as An Post confirmed fairly encouraging numbers for 2024. Last year, sales at the organisation topped €1 billion for the first time ever, up from €922 million in 2023. It also reported a profit of €5.6 million, compared to a €20 million loss the year before. So if the company is growing and profitable – why does it want to cut mail delivery days? Shifting mail habits The simple reason – delivering traditional mail, such as letters and postcards, every day of the week isn't particularly lucrative anymore. Mail volumes are falling – with a wealth of communication options such as phones and email, people don't use letters as much as they once did. An Post reported that mail volumes fell 7.6% in 2024. Maybe a one year decline of about 7% doesn't sound particularly big? But the problem is the long-term trend. Say a number drops by 7% each year for a decade. After 10 years, it will have roughly halved. And mail volumes have been falling for longer than that - go back to An Post's 2010 annual report , and it also reported a 7% drop in mail volumes. Advertisement The point being – Irish people send far fewer letters now than they did 10 or 20 years ago. Because of this, there's less mail revenue for An Post. This has been somewhat compensated for by the rise in parcel deliveries from people shopping online, which has boomed since Covid. An Post reported that parcel deliveries jumped by 12.6% in 2024. Which comes back to why An Post wants to cut mail delivery days. It wants to focus more on the side of its operations which is growing and makes more money – parcels. Not the part which is shrinking – letter delivery. Cutting costs The logic of delivering mail on fewer days is to minimise costs. For example – say it costs An Post €500 to send out 1,000 letters in a day (these numbers are pulled out of the air for illustration purposes). If it delivers letters five days a week, it spends €2,500. If it could deliver all those letters in four days instead, it only costs the organisation €2,000. And the same number of letters get delivered. An Post alludes to this in its 2024 annual report, saying customers are 'demanding reliability over speed'. This also means there is logic to An Post's decision to recently raise stamp prices , even as mail volumes fall. Delivering higher-priced mail on fewer days makes more financial sense than delivering lower-priced mail every day. In tandem with this, the organisation will increasingly focus on its growing parcel deliveries. International trend This proposal to reduce delivery days is not unique to An Post. Postal services across the world are looking at similar measures in the face of falling traditional mail volumes. In New Zealand, the state postal service only delivers three times per week to urban areas, and five per week to rural addresses. Last year, New Zealand's government proposed reducing this even further , to two days in urban centres and three in rural areas. Again, to cut costs. The organisation also plans to have parcels and mail delivered by the same person. Denmark has taken things even further again. PostNord, the country's state-run postal service, will cease all letter deliveries by the end of 2025 . The country's Transport Minister not-very-reassuringly reassured people they will still be able to send mail via the 'free market'. Related Reads War of words breaks out on the airwaves between An Post boss and a minister — what's going on? The announcement came in the same week that Germany's Deutsche Post announced it will cut 8,000 of its 187,000 workforce . Why are all these countries doing this? Postal services tend to be state owned. With the fall in mail volumes, the postal services often start making financial losses, even with the growth in parcels. Once losses start mounting, the choice for governments is either to subsidise/invest in the service, or cut it. And many are choosing to cut. Some insight into the numbers was provided earlier this month by the UK's Royal Mail. While the body is privately-owned, it's dealing with the same issues as the state-owned postal services. Ofcom, the UK's postal watchdog, has given it the all-clear to cut mail deliveries for 'second-class' letters to every other weekday and not on Saturdays. It said doing this would reduce Royal Mail's costs by at least £250 million a year – a significant amount for an organisation which only recorded an operating profit of £149 million in 2023. An Post future To bring this back to An Post. The €5.6m profit it made this year might sound good. And it is, for an organisation operating in a very difficult market. But given its sales of €1 billion, An Post has a profit margin of less than 1%. That's a very slender buffer which could easily be erased by any number of economic shocks. Ofcom's figures give some indication of the financial benefit of cutting mail delivery days. So it's easy to see why An Post would want to follow suit. It's also worth noting that a report from Grant Thornton just a few months ago suggested that the post office network needs funding of €15m annually over the next five years , up from its current €10m per year. If it doesn't get it, there are warnings of widespread post office closures. While An Post reported good numbers in 2024, its long-term future is still uncertain. So management wants to put it in as secure a financial position as possible. Now, are the proposed changes good for An Post customers or workers? Probably not. Consumers will get a reduced service, while employees face delivering the same volume of mail on fewer days. But while An Post is publicly owned, it operates as a business. Given that, its proposals are very much in line with global trends. There's an argument that An Post should be run more as community service, delivering mail every day, even if it doesn't make the best business sense. However, that isn't how the company is set up now. Until its operating mandate changes, An Post will aim to run itself in a way that puts it in the most secure financial position possible. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Man allegedly put tracker in child's car seat to ‘monitor' his ex-partner in ‘insidious' safety order breach
The man, who is aged in his 30s and from Dublin, appeared before Judge Patricia McNamara at Tallaght District Court. Garda Gavin Cribbin objected to bail under the O'Callaghan principles, citing eight alleged breaches of a safety order during June and July 2025. The court heard the most serious breach involved a small tracking device allegedly hidden in the seat where the couple's child usually sits. The device was discovered on June 29, after the injured party's relative - a passenger in her car - received an alert on their phone warning that a tracker was nearby. The complainant used two separate apps to confirm the presence of the device and eventually located it tucked into the child's car seat. The court heard the accused had allegedly borrowed the seat to facilitate a custody exchange - and it was alleged he later admitted to a relative that he had planted the tracker. Detective Sergeant Ruth Finnegan told the court it was "an AirTag-type of device". Judge McNamara described the tracker incident as 'particularly insidious' and said it formed part of a worrying pattern of behaviour that posed a real risk of interference with the complainant. The accused is facing eight alleged breaches of the safety order, four of which relate to email contact. The court heard the man was only permitted to contact the injured party regarding child access but allegedly sent around 50 emails a day over three consecutive days - some of which were described as abusive and made no reference to child access. One message allegedly contained repeated verbal abuse, and the complainant eventually blocked his email address. The injured party gave evidence in court, saying she had been in a relationship with the man for almost a decade and that they share children. ADVERTISEMENT She was granted a two-year safety order in April 2025, after applying earlier in the year. 'He won't stop contacting me or intimidating me,' she said. 'I feel like he's going to snap one day.' The woman described how daily life had become fearful and tense, saying she felt sick when she realised she was being tracked. 'I don't know what it will take for him to leave me alone,' she told the court. She also described a custody handover on July 12, where the man allegedly shouted abuse in front of the children, followed her on foot, and initially refused to hand the children over. Garda Cribbin said that while no explicit threat had been made, the tracking incident was of particular concern and reflected what he called an 'evolution of behaviour' that was becoming more serious and invasive. Defence solicitor John O'Leary said his client maintains the presumption of innocence and pointed out there was no history of violence. Refusing bail, Judge McNamara said she was satisfied there was a real risk of interference with the injured party and refused bail under the O'Callaghan principles. She said: 'There is a presumption of innocence, but I am satisfied from what I've heard that there is a possibility of interference with the applicant in the safety order.' She described the tracker allegation as 'particularly insidious,' adding: 'It's not even the emails, even though they're quite abusive - it's the allegation that he borrowed a car seat and put a tracker in there to monitor her movements.' Judge McNamara noted that the injured party had expressed fear and that the behaviour appeared to be escalating. The man was remanded in custody to appear via video link at Cloverhill District Court at a later date. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
