Latest news with #MichealMartin
16 hours ago
- Politics
Ishiba, Irish PM Affirm Security and Economic Ties
News from Japan Politics Jul 2, 2025 18:51 (JST) Tokyo, July 2 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his Irish counterpart, Micheal Martin, met in Tokyo on Wednesday and affirmed their countries' cooperation in the field of security, including cybersecurity. Ishiba and Martin agreed that the security of Europe and that of the Indo-Pacific region are inseparable. They also vowed to further develop economic ties between their countries. Regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the two leaders agreed to continue to cooperate to bring peace to Ukraine. They stressed that no attempt to change the status quo by force can be tolerated anywhere in the world. They also shared concern about deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
BreakingNews.ie
3 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Mayo council official who suggested holiday home boycott rejected claims it was a hoax
A senior council official who suggested a boycott of holiday homes in Co Mayo rejected claims that it was intended as a hoax. In correspondence to councillors, the official also said that any messages sent by him to the housing committee were meant 'to remain within that group.' Advertisement Director of services Tom Gilligan said he was not 'in the habit of sending out hoax emails' and that in future he would mark his communications 'confidential' to make clear they were not to be circulated further. Mayo County Council was forced to make a public apology after Mr Gilligan's comments which suggested holiday homes were a major contributor to the housing crisis in the area. The comments even attracted the attention of Taoiseach Micheal Martin who said they were 'strange' and 'unfortunate.' In internal emails, the controversy descended into recrimination with one councillor rejecting claims that it was he who had released the email. Advertisement Fine Gael Councillor Peter Flynn wrote: 'A number of [committee] members contacted me Monday morning asking if I thought the email was a hoax which indeed I thought in the first instance until I read it more closely. 'When I got back to Westport Monday afternoon and read the email in full, you were the first person that I contacted advising you to recall the email.' Mr Flynn said he wanted to 'put it on the record' that he had not contacted anyone in the media about the controversial message. In response Tom Gilligan said he had never suggested Mister Flynn was the person who had sent on the email. Advertisement He added: 'I'm unclear as to why you or other [committee] members would think it was a hoax. 'I didn't realise that I was in the habit of sending out hoax emails. I got no email back from any [committee] member wondering was it a hoax?' Records released by Mayo County Council also detail an angry reaction from the public with one person saying the suggested boycott had a 'seething Trump like loathing.' The message said: 'We've all moved on from the Land League, but you seem to be caught in a time warp. Your proposal has that Trump feel about it. Identify a MAGA like group and play to their resentments.' Advertisement Another person, who said they were not a holiday home owner, said the boycott suggestion was 'absolutely unacceptable and disgraceful.' 'Such a proposal entails men, women and children being ostracised in the community and being refused goods and services,' said their email. One holiday home owner said they found the suggestion 'deeply unsettling.' Ireland Ireland's 67,000 empty holiday homes: Find out how... Read More They wrote: 'It is alarming to think that such an approach could lead to unintended consequences, including reduced property tax revenue for the council if homeowners feel unfairly targeted.' Another said they had bought their property in County Mayo when there was 'no local demand for housing' and wrote of their 'total outrage.' An email said: 'Mayo is one of the least populated counties in the country with an abundance of land. There is no excuse for a housing crisis in the county.' One person said it was 'bordering on hate speech' and said they were worried about getting 'flak' from their neighbours when they visited.
Evening Standard
6 days ago
- Politics
- Evening Standard
‘A voice of the people': Joe Duffy praises callers as he presents final Liveline
Irish premier Micheal Martin called in to praise his kindness, and said it would often happen that civil servants would run into him and say 'Liveline's gone mad, we've got to do this that and the other'.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
RTÉ's Joe Duffy kicks off final Liveline show as callers include Taoiseach Micheal Martin
There was an audience present in RTÉ Studio 1 for his final show, including past callers and former colleagues. Taoiseach Micheal Martin called in to thank Duffy for giving the public a voice, spoke about their friendship and his kindness after the death of his daughter. 'Thank you sincerely, you are and were the voice of the people. You gave the people a platform,' he said. Meanwhile, Duffy has played down rumours that he will launch a presidential bid. He will host the show, which he has fronted since 1998, for the final time this afternoon. Despite speculation that the veteran broadcaster would be well-placed to enter the race to succeed President Michael D Higgins later this year, Duffy said he has not been asked to run. Speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, the Liveline host said: "Ah no, I could see the Áras from Claddagh Green [in Ballyfermot], I'd say that's the closest I'll ever get to it.' Asked whether he has been approached about mounting a presidential bid, he said: 'Ah no, I haven't. No, I haven't. "And even if… I'm still a part of RTÉ until Monday, effectively, and if I say…if I had... Anyway, no, I will not lose the run of myself. I will not lose the run of myself. "There's some great, great names that have been mentioned so far.' Learn more Tánaiste Simon Harris is among those paying tribute to the presenter ahead of his last show today today, describing it as 'the end of an era'. In a letter to the veteran broadcaster, he said: 'I know today is a day of mixed emotions for you and your family as it marks the end of one chapter and the start of a new one. 'I know I can speak for many of us when I say you will be sorely missed.' He said Duffy has served as 'a friend, a therapist, an advocate, and a voice for many people across the country every lunchtime' and hopes he knows the impact his work has had. The broadcaster reflected on some of the major issues covered on the show while he was at the helm, including how it contributed to the closure of "head shops' in 2010. "The head shop campaign was the only time – out of all the things we've done over the years thanks to the listeners – that I was physically threatened,' he said. Earlier this morning speaking to Morning Ireland, Duffy said he was threatened twice – once in an underground car park and another on the street when he was 'spat at'. He said it was an issue he was 'very passionate about' and while he couldn't go to the protests, he "painted every single placard" for an event held in Clontarf. "It's the voices on Liveline. The less I talk the better, I find. It's the voices of the callers and it's a privilege.' He said his career in RTÉ started 'almost accidentally' as he was working as a probation officer with the hopes of becoming a producer when he became a reporter for Gay Byrne's programme. Duffy said he received a number of letters in the early days of being on air for his Ballyfermot accent, but that Byrne was 'such a supporter'. "He was very private. And we bounced off each other. He used to give out to me when he retired, he used to text me on Liveline, giving out to me.' He added that Byrne was 'so intense' on the idea that it was the public that 'pay our wages'. Byrne told him: "People trust us, keep it that way. Stop on the street if people want to chat to you, what's the big deal? Just stop, enjoy." 'And I do – I do like meeting people and I do like being on the Luas and talking to people, and being on the 130 and talking to people,' Duffy added. Duffy said he made a habit of sending cards to those who called in to the show to thank them, describing it as 'a joy'. During yesterday's show, listeners were calling to say goodbye to him and wish him a good retirement, while the presenter teased today's programme and described it as "special". "I know nothing about it. I will be here, and I hope you will join us," he said. Speaking during the show in May, when he announced he would retire at the end of June, he said: "After 37 wonderful years here in RTÉ, and 27 years presenting Liveline, it has been an incredible honour and privilege to be part of a programme that relied entirely on trust: the trust of our listeners. "People felt they could pick up the phone, ring Liveline, and share their lives, problems, stories – sad, bad, sometimes mad and funny, their struggles, and their victories. "I never took that for granted, not for a single minute. RTÉ has been a great place to work. Public service has always been at its heart. And now, after many happy years, I've decided the time has come to move on. "I would like to thank you the listener for tuning in each and every day. It has been an honour to sit in this seat and hear your stories.' Born in January 1956, in Mountjoy Square, Dublin, and raised in Ballyfermot, Duffy originally pursued social work at Trinity College Dublin (TCD). He became one of the first from his area to go to TCD and was actively involved in student politics and went on to serve as President of the Union of Students in Ireland. He led protests on campus, highlighting access to education, and spent two weeks in Mountjoy Prison as a result. After working in the probation service, he joined RTÉ as a radio producer in 1989 and made his name on The Gay Byrne Show. He presented programmes like Soundbyte before taking over Liveline in 1998. In his 27 years in the Liveline hot seat, both Duffy and the programme itself have become national institutions, with the programme frequently attracting 400,000 listeners. RTÉ Radio One's flagship phone-in show will now welcome a new host, with Katie Hannon tipped to take over from Duffy, who she has regularly filled in for in recent years. The speculations increased after it was announced on Tuesday that the Upfront with Katie Hannon TV show will not return in September, possibly paving the way for her to take over the Liveline gig. It is understood that a stand-in presenter will host the show on Monday, with the permanent successor being announced over the summer.
Barnama
6 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Irish Premier Calls For EU Sanctions On Israeli Settlers In Occupied West Bank, Far-Right Ministers
BRUSSELS, June 26 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin has called on the EU to impose sanctions on violent Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, as well as far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, over their role in escalating tensions, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. Speaking ahead of the European Council summit in Brussels on Thursday, Martin stressed that the EU must take stronger action, including reviewing its Association Agreement with Israel, to ensure compliance with international human rights standards. He also criticised Israel for dismissing independent reports on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, urging it to engage with objective assessments rather than outright denouncing them.
