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Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Opposition TDs decline invitation to Fourth of July celebrations at US embassy
A number of Opposition TDs have said they will decline their invitation to attend Fourth of July celebrations at the US embassy. With 10 days to go until the event, TDs and senators have come out to publicly state that they will be boycotting, with at least one protest already planned. Labour TD Conor Sheehan said he "couldn't think of anything worse" than to attend the event at the present moment. Mr Sheehan said his stance is down to "what the US government is involved in, both in terms of illegal wars overseas but also in terms of the persecution of people in the US". Party colleague Ciarán Ahern echoed this sentiment, adding that the current US administration is doing its best to undermine global co-operation on issues such as climate and trade at every step. Sinn Féin's foreign affairs spokesperson Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said the party will continue to engage with the US administration to safeguard Irish interests and raise concerns about international issues, in particular Gaza, but added: However, it would not be appropriate to attend a celebration given US policy in the continued arming of Israeli forces to commit genocide. Social Democrats' foreign affairs spokesperson Senator Patricia Stephenson confirmed that she would not be attending, but said she does not speak for everyone in her party. She said it would not be appropriate to attend because Donald Trump's administration "does not necessarily align with the values of our party". Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman, who did not attend last year, said that he has not seen an invitation but is unlikely to attend. People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger will not attend the event, but will be protesting as part of the Dublin 15 Palestine Group. Aontú and Independent Ireland did not rule out attending, citing the importance of maintaining the important relationship between the two countries. Peadar Tóibín said that as long as his diary is clear, he has no issue attending the event, given the tens of millions of Irish living in the US and the many shared ties and objectives. While people will have, obviously, difference of opinions in terms of the Trump regime, potentially, there is no doubt in my mind, that we need to continue to build a positive relationship with the American administration. Independent Ireland said it will discuss it as a party over the coming days but leader Michael Collins said communication is very important when it comes to negotiating peace. Mr Collins said it is also important to keep lines of communications open with the newly appointed ambassador. US businessman Edward Walsh was sworn in as the US ambassador to Ireland last week and is due to move into the Phoenix Park residence soon. The annual event sees politicians and other well-known public figures attend the US Independence Day celebration at the ambassador's Deerfield Residence in Phoenix Park. Last year also saw politicians boycott and members of the public protest near the venue over the US providing support to Israel as it continued its bombardment of Gaza. Read More Pentagon report says US strikes on Iran nuclear sites only set back programme months
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
‘I couldn't think of anything worse to attend': Some Opposition TDs snub invite to US Independence Day celebration
A series of Opposition TDs have said they will not be attending American Independence Day celebrations being organised by the United States embassy. However, others are considering going due to the ties between Ireland and the US. Invites have been issued to TDs and Senators for the event next week. Labour TD Conor Sheehan said: 'I will not be attending. I couldn't think of anything worse to attend'. READ MORE He accused the US of being involved in 'illegal wars overseas' and 'the persecution of people' through immigration raids. Social Democrats Senator Patricia Stephenson said: 'we won't be attending', adding: 'given the context of the US administration at this time it's not really appropriate'. Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman said he did not attend the same event last year 'in light of the US continued support for what's happening in Gaza so I think it's probably unlikely I'll be in a position to attend'. Party colleague Senator Malcolm Noonan said: 'I've already declined.' People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger – who has been highly critical of US support for Israel's war in Gaza – said she is part of the Dublin 15 With Palestine Group and 'we'll be outside protesting because what's happening in the world is just incredible ... We would call on all TDs to boycott it'. Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins said his party is not ruling out going to the event and will discuss the matter. He said 'if we shut the door', it would amount to 'lessening a chance of peace out there'. He also highlighted the importance of American companies employing people in Ireland. Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said he had to check his diary but 'we'll have no problem attending'. He said Ireland and the US have a 'phenomenal relationship' and while people may have a difference of opinion with Donald Trump's administration 'there's no doubt in my mind that we need to continue to build a positive relationship'.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Opposition TDs to boycott US Embassy for July 4 celebrations
TDs in Labour, Social Democrats, People Before Profit and the Green Party have said they will not attend the upcoming event, while TDs in Independent Ireland and Aontú said they will consider attending. The annual event sees politicians, media, business leaders and civil groups invited to attend but in recent years opposition parties have chosen to boycott. Labour TD Conor Sheehan said he could not 'think of anything worse' than to attend the party. 'I know a few of us have received invites to the July 4 celebrations. I will not be attending. I couldn't think of anything worse to attend at the present moment, given what the US government is involved in, both in terms of legal wars overseas, but also in terms of the persecution of people in the US around these immigration rates,' Mr Sheehan said. His party colleague Ciarán Ahern also said he would not attend the event, stating that their decisions to withdraw from a number of global agreements, including the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Trade Organisation. Social Democrats Senator Patricia Stephenson also said she would not attend saying to do so would be 'inappropriate'. 'I just think, given the context of US administration at this time, it's not really appropriate. It doesn't necessarily align with the values we will be supporting,' Ms Stephenson said. While People Before Profit TD Ruth Coppinger said she would be protesting outside the event and called on all TDs to boycott the event. 'I'm part of the Dublin 15 With Palestine group, which covers the Phoenix Park as well, it's very near it. So we've organised a protest from our local group. We'll be going but we'll be outside protesting, because what's happening in the world is just incredible,' Ms Coppinger said. While Roderic O'Gorman of the Green Party said he also boycotted the event last year, other opposition TDs said it was important to maintain relations with the US. 'While people would have obviously difference of opinion in terms of the Trump regime, potentially, there's no doubt in my mind that we need to continue to build a positive relationship with the American administration,' Aóntu leader Peadar Tóibín said, who added that his party have no problem attending. Leader of Independent Ireland Michael Collins said he would be discussing attending the event with his party colleagues but that going to events like the July 4 celebrations was an opportunity to engage with the US administration on peace.
The Journal
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Opposition TDs call for young people to hit the streets on housing in 'Raise the Roof' protest
TDS FROM SINN Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, the Green Party and People Before Profit have urged the public to take part in a housing protest outside Leinster House later today. The Raise the Roof protest will kick off at 6pm ahead of a private members' motion on homelessness from Sinn Féin later in the evening. The Sinn Féin motion, backed by other opposition parties, is calling on the Government to take emergency action to alleviate the housing crisis and to dramatically increase investment in public housing. Speaking on the plinth yesterday ahead of the protest, the Labour Party's housing spokesperson TD Conor Sheehan particularly urged young people and renters to join today's protest. Sheehan accused the Government of 'gaslighting' renters and argued that the overhaul of rental regulation announced last week by the Government will 'throw renters under the bus'. 'It will particularly negatively affect people my age. I'm in that 25 to 39 year [old] bracket, most of my friends are either living at home with their parents or they've been forced to emigrate,' Sheehan said. Advertisement Speaking ahead of Sheehan, the Social Democrats' housing spokesperson TD Rory Hearne said the measures proposed by the Government last week will further reduce homeownership. 'The Government is justifying the increase in rents to incentivise the supply of housing, and this is only going to make the housing disaster worse, and that's why we have come together to bring this motion,' he said. Sinn Féin, Social Democrats, Labour, the Greens and PBP are calling on young people in particular to join tomorrow's housing protest outside the Dáil at 6pm. Labour's Conor Sheehan says this government does not care about renters and is 'gaslighting' them with supposed fixes. — Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) June 16, 2025 The TDs also questioned where the emergency legislation promised by Housing Minister James Browne and Tánaiste Simon Harris is in relation to extending the Rent Pressure Zones across the country. Last week, Harris said publicly that emergency legislation will be put in place this week , however, no time has been set aside on the Dáil schedule to facilitate a debate on the matter. Why a Tuesday? Asked if it would be more impactful to organise the protest on a weekend, when people impacted by the housing crisis all over the country may be better placed to participate, Sinn Féin's housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin said today's event is just the first in a series. 'There's also a Saturday rally in Cork, not just for the good people of Cork, but for people from Munster, and some of us will be travelling down from Dublin as well,' he said. He added that Raise the Roof and its affiliate organisations will be meeting later this month to map out a programme of activities, 'which will include a lot more opportunities for everybody to protest.' 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 Daily Mirror
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Housing protest expected at Dail as Government accused of 'assaulting' renters
The opposition has accused the Government of "gaslighting" and "assaulting" renters ahead of a large housing protest expected to take place outside Leinster House on Tuesday evening. The "Raise the Roof" protest will gather outside the gates of Leinster House from 6pm to coincide with a joint Dáil motion submitted by the opposition. The initiative, initially put together by Ireland's trade unions, will hold another protest in Cork on Saturday. The Dáil will debate an emergency motion on housing on Tuesday, calling on the Government to "dramatically increase" investment in public housing, introduce stronger taxes on vacancy and dereliction and greater use of Compulsory Purchase Orders to bring empty homes back into use. It also calls on it to introduce a rent freeze rather than changing Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs), introducing a ban on no fault evictions and restoring full funding for the Tenant in Situ scheme. Last week, the Government introduced new measures which they claimed will "protect renters". This includes extending the RPZ cap nationwide to limit rent increases to 2 per cent. It will also create six-year tenancies and introduce no fault evictions. However, the plan to allow landlords to increase rents after six years or when a tenant leaves voluntarily has been widely criticised. Speaking at Leinster House, Sinn Féin's housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin further criticised Government action on housing. He said: "[The motion contains] things that we think could be done immediately, would make a real difference and we want to see them implemented. "These proposals have the support of all of the affiliates of the Raise the Roof coalition. "The Raise the Roof campaign is going to be showing, in its numbers, the strong support from civil society, trade unions, political parties, but also, crucially, people impacted by the housing and homelessness crisis that these are the kinds of emergency measures they want to see, not the all out assault on renters In the private rental sector we've seen from the Government essentially allowing all rent over a period of time to be reset to market rents." Labour's housing spokesman Conor Sheehan, meanwhile, suggested that the measures announced by Government "will throw renters under the bus". He suggested that there was anecdotal evidence that landlords were already putting up rents ahead of the introduction of nationwide rent controls and the change to RPZ legislation next March. He added: "This government does not care about renters and when it claims it cares about renters, it is gaslighting renters. "The confusing, incoherent, ill thought out measures that they introduced last week, or said they would introduce, are going to send rents skyrocketing."
