Shane Ross: As I near 40 years off the drink, Sinéad Gibney's sobriety makes me feel a rare sense of solidarity with a Soc Dem
When the TD was invited on to Oliver Callan's show to talk about alcohol warning labels, I expected a boring lecture. How wrong I was
Today at 00:30
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is losing his cool too often these days. He has always been prickly about Mary Lou's jibes, but other opposition leaders are getting under his skin.
His favourite retort is directed at Labour leader Ivana Bacik or the Social Democrats' Cian O'Callaghan. Almost weekly, after they have berated him across the Dáil chamber, he taunts them about how they bottled going into government. According to his narrative, he was interested in including them in a coalition last December. They went through the time-wasting motions, purely for the optics. They entered superficial talks but, according to him, they were never serious.
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Irish Independent
5 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Shane Ross: As I near 40 years off the drink, Sinéad Gibney's sobriety makes me feel a rare sense of solidarity with a Soc Dem
When the TD was invited on to Oliver Callan's show to talk about alcohol warning labels, I expected a boring lecture. How wrong I was Today at 00:30 Taoiseach Micheál Martin is losing his cool too often these days. He has always been prickly about Mary Lou's jibes, but other opposition leaders are getting under his skin. His favourite retort is directed at Labour leader Ivana Bacik or the Social Democrats' Cian O'Callaghan. Almost weekly, after they have berated him across the Dáil chamber, he taunts them about how they bottled going into government. According to his narrative, he was interested in including them in a coalition last December. They went through the time-wasting motions, purely for the optics. They entered superficial talks but, according to him, they were never serious.
Irish Independent
5 hours ago
- Irish Independent
The Sunday Independent's View: Ireland can take Pride in progress on gay rights
The idea that the international community is waiting on the lead of a small island in the north Atlantic is easy to mock. Ireland was certainly unable to find many allies when leaders met in Brussels last Thursday to discuss the fate of EU-Israel economic ties in light of the Gaza war. The watered-down statement that eventually emerged deplored the 'catastrophic humanitarian situation' and called again for a ceasefire. But with hundreds of Palestinians now being killed as they seek aid, Taoiseach Micheál Martin lamented that more was not being done to put pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu's government. There is, however, one issue on which Ireland has undoubtedly led the way. When he took his place on O'Connell Street at the head of yesterday's Dublin Pride march, Micheál Martin did so as the leader of the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. The 2015 referendum was carried by 62pc of voters. Ten years on, the likelihood is that the Yes vote would be even more emphatic. Ireland is a far more progressive place to live than it has ever been Irish society in past decades was always more complex and diverse than the caricature of an oppressed Catholic theocracy that persists in popular myth. What is beyond question is that the country today, while by no means perfect, is a far more open and progressive place in which to live than it has ever been. Dublin's first Pride march in 1983 took place when homosexuality was still illegal. The numbers taking part could be counted in the dozens. Yesterday saw more than 12,000 participants and up to 100,000 people line the streets to show support. Other events were held around the country, including for the first time in Kilkenny, the last county to join the party. There is no downside to these changes. Whatever else is wrong with Ireland in 2025, a tolerance of who others chose to love is not one of them. ADVERTISEMENT These advances must not be taken for granted. In his message to Dublin Pride, President Michael D Higgins paid tribute to all who 'paved the way for progress when marching was not safe, who gave voice to truths that were long silenced and who set the foundations for the inclusive Ireland that we continue to strive towards today'. He urged parade-goers to remember them 'with gratitude'. There was a grim reminder this year that many countries have still not won such freedoms. The right-wing populist government led by Viktor Orban in Hungary, a fellow member of the European Union for more than two decades, passed legislation this year banning yesterday's Budapest Pride march and has even threatened to jail organisers and use facial recognition software to identify and fine marchers. That the right to peaceful assembly is under threat again in the heart of the EU is profoundly shocking. Pride marches are a threat to no one. Irish politicians can take justifiable pride, pun intended, in the part they played in moving this country beyond such ugly battles. If only they could put the same collective energy into solving more intractable challenges to inequality — such as housing, our crumbling infrastructure and health — there would be even more to celebrate.
The Journal
14 hours ago
- The Journal
Dublin awash with colour as thousands take part in Pride parade
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE have taken to the streets of Dublin to mark this year's Pride parade. Organisers said there were more than 12,000 people marching in the annual parade. This year's event also celebrated a milestone 10 years of marriage equality. The capital's streets were filled with an array of colour, music and dance as the parade made its way to Merrion Square's Pride Village for speeches and entertainment. Among those taking part was Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Labour leader Ivana Bacik, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers. Citing the previous work of the Government to address gay rights and equality, Martin told the crowd at Merrion Square that he is aware 'our work is far from done'. Martin was forced to raise his voice as a small number of protesters shouted for better trans rights and health care access during his speech. Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin with Lord Mayor Emma Blain at the Pride parade in Dublin City centre today. Justin Farrelly / © Justin Farrelly / © / © The Fianna Fáil leader said: 'LGBTIQ+ people in Ireland today still face a myriad of challenges, and the Government is committed to bolstering our efforts to address these challenges and delivering for our LGBTIQ+ citizens. 'There are global trends of increased harassment and persecution of LGBTIQ+ people across the world, which make many of our LGBTIQ+ citizens feel deeply concerned and unsafe. 'This is not the vision for Ireland that we are striving to build.' Martin continued: 'Our goal is to build a society in which LGBTIQ+ people can live safe, inclusive, healthy and fulfilling lives in an accepting and compassionate Ireland. 'The new LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy will promote and respect the right of LGBTIQ+ people to live their lives safely, free of harassment and violence. 'It will advance health and wellbeing outcomes through improved investment and access to a range of health services. 'It will build on initiatives already undertaken within the business community and by employers so that LGBTIQ+ people are enabled to participate fully within the workplace. 'This new strategy will seek to deliver a fairer and more inclusive Ireland, and Government departments and state agencies are determined to work together to that end.' The grand marshal of Dublin Pride, Ruadhán Ó Criodáin, who has long advocated for LGBT+ rights, told the crowd in Merrion Square: 'We all want better futures for the next generation of queer people, but without education or health care, trans people can't see those futures for ourselves. 'I know you won't let our community die for the want of a future. I know that each of you will stand with trans people, I know that you will stand up and fight back. 'I know that you won't give in to the transphobe you've seen take hold in the UK, because we are stronger than that. 'The far right and the TERF (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminism) movement want to divide the LGBT community.' 'They want to isolate your trans siblings, because then it'll be easier to tear us all apart. Advertisement 'If they come for us first, they will come for all of you next. But I won't let that happen to my community, and I know you'll promise me the same. 'There is no LGBT without the T.' Dublin Mayor Emma Blaine said: 'Today, we march through the heart of our capital, a city that celebrates diversity, embraces inclusion and champions equality. 'Pride is more than a parade. It's a powerful statement of love, of visibility and of resilience. 'It's a celebration of how far we have come and a reminder of the work still ahead. 'Dublin has a proud history of standing up for the rights of its citizens. 'We remember today, the trailblazers, the activists and the everyday people who fought and continue to fight for dignity, respect and justice.' She added: 'To our LGBTQ+ young people, know that you are valued, you are seen, and you belong, this city stands with you. 'To all the allies here today, thank you for walking beside us, not just today, but every day.' Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The parade started at O'Connell Street at 12.30pm, and travelled along Eden Quay and Custom House Quay before crossing the Talbot Memorial Bridge, up Lombard Street and Westland Row before finishing at Merrion Square. The non-ticketed festival at the Pride Village included music, food stalls, acts and speeches on the main stage. In his last year as president, Michael D Higgins offered his warmest greetings ahead of the Pride parade. He said: 'This annual celebration is a vital affirmation of the rights, dignity, and joy of our LGBT+ communities. 'It is a time, too, to remember with gratitude the courage of those who paved the way for progress when marching was not safe, who gave voice to truths that were long silenced, and who set the foundations for the inclusive Ireland that we continue to strive towards today. 'In recent years, great strides have been made in advancing the rights and recognition of LGBT+ people in Ireland. 'In celebrating Pride this year, we are also marking the 10th anniversary of the Marriage Equality referendum, a moment that spoke of the kind of Ireland we aspire to be: inclusive, generous, an Ireland that is unafraid to affirm the equal worth of all of our citizens. 'Yet, we must also acknowledge that the journey is not complete. 'A truly inclusive society is one where all can live authentically and creatively, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, where all can participate fully, and where all voices are not only heard but valued, in all their richness and diversity. 'Pride remains a vital expression of that vision in challenging us to deepen our commitment to human rights, to solidarity, and to the kind of republic that cherishes all of its people equally. 'In a time when hard-won rights are being questioned in many parts of the world, such vigilance and unity are more vital than ever.' There were road closures in the city centre.
