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Irish Examiner
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Committee calls for clarity on Government proposals to change triple lock
Further safeguards and clarity are needed in the Government's draft laws to change Ireland's system for deploying troops abroad, a committee has recommended. The Joint Committee on Defence and National Security published a report into the Government's proposals to change the 'triple lock', which is the requirement for Government, Dail and UN approval to send more than 12 Irish soldiers overseas. The main change would see the need for formal UN approval for such missions removed and replaced with a stipulation that the Defence Forces deployment would be in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. Irish troops on parade at Camp Shamrock near the border with Lebanon and Israel (Niall Carson/PA) The Government has argued this will prevent the permanent members of the UN Security Council — Russia, China, the UK, the US and France — from vetoing Irish peacekeeping missions. Critics see it as an erosion of Irish neutrality and a move towards European militarisation. The Government's Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 also looks to expand on the basis for Irish soldiers being dispatched outside the State. In its report published on Wednesday, the committee makes 27 recommendations asking for further safeguards or clarity on the draft changes. This includes a call to define what 'strengthening international security' means in the context of the Bill. It said that the legislation should specify that the phrase will not include the taking part in missions where cluster munitions or anti-personnel mines are used. 'The Joint Committee recommends that the legislation potentially explore definitions for how the terms 'conflict prevention' and 'strengthening international security' will be interpreted in Ireland and outline clear parameters and safeguards for deployment in these cases,' it said. It also recommended that 'at minimum' an independent legal review should be carried out before Irish troops are deployed abroad with an international force. The findings should be made available to Oireachtas members, and a version 'redacted where necessary' is made public. The committee also recommends that the proposals to increase the number of Irish troops allowed to be deployed without Dail approval from 12 to 50, should include 'at a minimum, oversight provisions' from two committees: defence and foreign affairs. Ireland has been taking part in UN peacekeeping missions since 1958 and the triple lock has been in place since 1960.
Extra.ie
11 hours ago
- Climate
- Extra.ie
Rare summer storm could batter Ireland as expert warns of 'worst case scenario'
Ireland may be in for an unwelcome blast of extreme weather next week, as a rare summer storm looms on the horizon. Weather models are suggesting the possibility of very strong winds sweeping across the country, but there is still some hope for calmer conditions to follow. Both the Global Forecast System (GFS) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) have flagged the potential development of a low-pressure system early next week that could bring stormy conditions to Irish shores. Ireland may be in for an unwelcome blast of extreme weather next week, as a rare summer storm looms on the horizon. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Irish weather expert Alan O'Reilly, who runs the widely-followed @CarlowWeather account on X, has been monitoring the charts closely and highlighted next Tuesday as the most likely day for disruption. 'When it comes on Tuesday – look at this – very, very strong winds right across the country. Now, it's a week out. It's very uncertain. It's going to chop and change but the GFS and the ECMWF are both showing the risk of a low pressure storm moving towards us on Monday or Tuesday, hopefully Tuesday,' he said on social media. While he urged people not to panic, he advised keeping an eye on developments. 'I wouldn't get too worried at the moment but it's certainly something to keep an eye on.' Monday evening update and an early look ahead at the long weekend including latest weather models showing risk of storm early next week. — Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) July 28, 2025 There's also a silver lining. O'Reilly suggested that even if strong winds do materialise, better weather may follow shortly after: 'The good news is that once that clears, high pressure looks more likely to move in for next week so it might be a short-term loss in terms of some wind and rain but then high pressure moving in so fingers crossed that we get that high pressure and the low pressure stays to the north.' For now, conditions will remain mixed in the lead-up to the weekend. According to Met Éireann, a good deal of dry weather is expected over the coming days, with temperatures remaining in the high teens. However, that's set to change by Saturday, August 2, when a band of rain moves in across the country, turning heavy at times. Sunday is expected to bring scattered showers, with temperatures holding steady in the mid to high teens. Providing some cautious optimism, O'Reilly added that the most severe projection from the ECMWF might not come to pass. Good news is the weather model ensembles show that the ECMWF model with storm next Tuesday is currently worst case scenario so hopefully won't end up that bad🤞 — Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) July 28, 2025 'Good news is the weather model ensembles show that the ECMWF model with storm next Tuesday is currently worst case scenario so hopefully won't end up that bad.'
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
A Marshall Plan is needed for loyalist communities, and so much more
The Twelfth of July passed off mostly peacefully, even if the effigy of mannequins dressed up as immigrants burned on a loyalist bonfire in Moygashel near Dungannon will leave a lingering bad taste in the mouth. The hostility towards outsiders displayed by the bonfire, however, holds important messages not about those who have come to Northern Ireland for a better life, but, rather, about some of those who never left. For some loyalists, outsiders threaten to dilute identity and a way of life, with feelings most acute where they feel most neglected, or most affected by the changes that have taken place around them. The offensiveness of the bonfire in the Tyrone village is an expression of hopelessness and desperation, attempting by way of a tribal display to declare who they are, rather than who they are not. Moygashel provokes two observations about loyalism, one where identity exists in a cycle of hopelessness and despair and another that demands urgent attention because of that hopelessness and despair. One should not, and must not, assume that the feelings represented by the bonfire speak for all loyalism, but they do point to a sickness at the heart of loyalist culture. too often dismissive, isolating and extreme. This is not just about emotion, but something buried deep in the heart of loyalist communities, supported by the continued existence of loyalist paramilitary groups. The formal process of engagement with loyalist paramilitaries now being mooted by the Irish and British governments offers hope that extreme elements can be confronted, or, better again, disbanded. The independent 'expert' body – announced, but not yet set up – that will get a year to report on the disbandment of paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland raises the prospect that serious action might follow. Importantly, though, the disbandment case must be so overwhelming that it exposes the futility of the argument made so often that paramilitary groups are needed to maintain communal safety and order in loyalist communities. Effigies of migrants in a boat burn atop a bonfire at Moygashel, Co Tyrone. Photograph Niall Carson/PA Everyone must see the benefits of such change, especially loyalist communities themselves and those within them who would most object, and resist efforts to bring about disbandment. For that to happen, the conversation must move far beyond condemnation and calls for tougher policing. Instead, real action is needed with deadlines and objectives that will be honoured, not just promised. Graham Spencer, University of Portsmouth Better policing is required to stop the criminality and exploitation that continues to blight poor loyalist districts and both remain the most obvious signs of the reach of paramilitaries in those communities. The report that ensues from whoever is chosen by Dublin and London to lead the scoping work should be clear on what is demanded of the paramilitaries, but, also, Stormont and London. So, what is needed? First, a group that brings together loyalist AND unionist leaders, along with a business and enterprise group involving loyalists and key business figure to drive economic progress in long-forgotten communities. Equally, efforts should be made to attract significant US/European investment in technology, manufacturing, sports and creative industries into loyalist areas, backed by assistance from Stormont and the Northern Ireland Office Loyalist communities should drive efforts to tackle sectarianism, while a civic forum should be established, too – along with a body whose job it should be to gather oral testimony from those who have lived in these communities for generations. Politicians, business, both local and international business, unionist politicians must also step up to the plate, using the 2018 transformation statement made by the three loyalist paramilitary groups as a template to lay out who should do what, and when. Importantly, loyalist paramilitaries must look honestly at their own histories, and, with help, give an honest and serious account of what they, The Troubles and the subsequent peace process did to their communities. Critical self-reflection is key. If change is to come, the focus must be on the lives that can in future be led in loyalist communities, rather than people seeking to win arguments about the disappearance of the paramilitaries themselves, if that can be brought about. Since the Belfast Agreement, loyalist leaders have claimed their role has shifted from paramilitarism to work in the community, but that 'transition' has come to mean a process without end. Good work on education and community programmes does exist within loyalist communities, but the contradictory and never-ending problem of transition is heightened when they continue to recruit new members. Significantly, the notion of transition is itself problematic in loyalist communities – or in unionism more generally – where there is no tradition or appetite for it. Here, transition means change and change means loss. The emphasis has always been on preservation and holding ground and the idea of transition risks being dangerous precisely because it is a criticism about what one has and so what one is. Change presented as 'transition' may be liked by conflict resolution theorists, but life is more complicated in a society where the architecture built up in conflict stubbornly continues to exist long after the guns have fallen silent. Yet without a structured and planned change loyalist communities will remain stuck in a cycle of hopelessness and despair. In such an environment the expression of identity as increasingly confrontational and hostile should come as no surprise. Graham Spencer is emeritus professor of social and political conflict at the University of Portsmouth
The Irish Sun
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Blow for millions of Irish workers after tax break decision as coalition blasted over new €100bn splurge details blunder
HARD-PRESSED workers are in line for little to no income tax breaks in the upcoming Budget amid concerns about the impact of Donald Trump's tariffs. The Advertisement 5 Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has a €1.5billion tax package to play with Credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire 5 Minister Jack Chambers issued a warning about the impact of tariffs Credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire 5 Coalition leaders announced a €100billion building plan for the future of the country Credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire The Summer Economic Statement fires the starting gun on Ireland pulled in bumper On the back of this, the Government is planning to spend €116billion in next year's Budget – an increase of €9.4billion on last year that the coalition leaders will now chop up on new measures. Finance Minister Advertisement Read more in Money Just last month, the Government committed to slashing the VAT rate for restaurants and cafes from 13.5 per cent to nine per cent – a move that will cost €1billion. This will leave just €500million for other tax cuts including the rent tax credit, the help to buy scheme and income tax changes. And that's before the impact of Donald Trump's tariffs are baked into the Budget, with the Finance Minister warning that they will have to cut back their Budget plans if a In last year's Budget before the general election, the Coalition spent more than €1.5billion slashing income taxes and the USC which boosted the average worker by around €1,000. Advertisement Most read in the Irish Sun With the Government committed to cutting the VAT rate for the hospitality sector at a cost of €1billion – it looks like workers will be left with little to no boost in their pay packet in the upcoming Budget despite the ongoing Challenged on this at today's announcement, Minister Donohoe told the Irish Sun: "It would not be right to grow the scale of our tax package with everything that we are confronting at the moment." Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe breaks down Trump tariff impacts on Irish He said the Irish economy generates between €1.3 and €1.5billion each year through income growth. Minister Donohoe added: 'If we were to have a bigger tax package than that, I don't think it would be the right thing to do given all we are confronting. Advertisement 'But the exact component of what the tax package and the other tax measures that will be in it, I can't answer that question until Budget day.' The Irish Sun pointed out that the Government is willing to commit to VAT cuts for hospitality businesses before the Budget but will not discuss whether workers will be given a break. TRADE-OFFS Minister Donohoe replied: 'I'm answering directly the question regarding what are the trade-offs in relation to this. 'It is really important to be open about what the trade-offs are. Advertisement 'If you were to bring forward a tax package that was to fund a full year measure in relation to VAT the cost of that would be around €1billion and then if I was to add to that other measures that we have done in the past, we would have a tax package that is far bigger than I believe would be safe.' Instead of breaks for workers, the upcoming Budget will focus on three main areas – increase investment in Ireland, improve public services and build up the country's financial resources to guard against future shocks. SPENDING COULD BE CUT BACK Today's Budget spending plan was based on a situation where there are no trade tariffs between the US and the EU. However, with 10 per cent tariffs currently in place and US President Donald Trump threatening to hike that up to 30 per cent – it looks like the Budget spending will have to be cut back before the announcement that is due in October. Advertisement Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers issued a grim warning about the impact of tariffs with one third of the country's income coming from corporation taxes - €15billion of which could be wiped away. 'If we were to have a bigger tax package than that, I don't think it would be the right thing to do given all we are confronting." Paschal Donohoe He said: 'If there is a serious economic deterioration we absolutely will have to revisit what we're setting out today to be responsible and that is in the context of the changing global position. BUDGET WARNING 'So this is very much caveated by what could happen in the coming weeks and we won't make decisions that aren't sustainable or affordable for the Irish economy – that is absolutely clear.' The Budget warning came on the same day that the Coalition leaders revealed their plans to spend €100billion on building projects over the next five years – but wouldn't reveal what projects. Advertisement The Government parties have spent weeks negotiating a review of the National Development Plan which sets out what will be spent on building roads, hospitals, public transport, housing and energy infrastructure over the next five years. This includes how the Government will spend the €14billion Apple tax windfall and the billions made from the sale of the State's shares in AIB. FEW DETAILS The last NDP included a list of projects that were being funded across the country with specific details on how much each road, hospital or railway line would be allocated. However, this time around the Government have simply allocated cash to specific departments with detailed cash commitments only given to a handful of major projects. Advertisement 'If you were to bring forward a tax package that was to fund a full year measure in relation to VAT the cost of that would be around €1billion and then if I was to add to that other measures that we have done in the past, we would have a tax package that is far bigger than I believe would be safe.' Paschal Donohoe For example, some €2billion is being allocated to the Dublin Metro project – a railway line that will link the city centre with the airport and has been in the planning phase for decades and has already cost €300million. However, there were no cash promises for specific roads, hospitals or housing projects, with Coalition leaders instead claiming that these would be announced over the coming weeks by specific ministers. 'FUNDAMENTAL MESSAGE' Taoiseach He said: 'The last NDP was too big a document if I'm frank. The fundamental message today is the overall investment that is going to be allocated to infrastructure and housing. Advertisement 'It is quite unprecedented. Each minister will have to prioritise and they have work to do with their stakeholders and departments in terms of prioritising the allocation of their funding and prioritisation is going to be key.' Housing received the biggest Budget boost from the €100billion NDP review with €36billion given to Minister James Browne. DEPARTMENT ALLOCATIONS This was followed by the Department of Some €3.5billion will be used to boost the country's electricity grid and €12billion will be used to improve water infrastructure across the country, which will help build more homes. Advertisement Taoiseach Martin also confessed that the Government was now scrapping the 2:1 spending rule at the Department of Transport that saw twice as much cash spent on public transport than on roads. The rule was brought in by former Transport Minister Eamon Ryan but Martin today claimed it was 'unworkable' – despite being Taoiseach when it was introduced. COME CLEAN PLEA Opposition parties today blasted the Government's new National Development Plan for being scant on details as they called on the Coalition to come clean with where the cash was being spent. Advertisement He said: 'Ministers are scant in detail but they are now going to have to explain which Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne claimed the huge boost in funding for housing will not help solve the He said: 'No amount of money can solve the housing crisis if the government refuses to change its approach to providing social and affordable homes - today's 46-page document gives me no reason to believe that it intends to do otherwise. 'Last month's shocking Advertisement 5 Workers are in line for little to no income tax breaks in the upcoming Budget Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 Opposition parties blasted the National Development Plan for being scant on details Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The 42
22-07-2025
- Business
- The 42
Two swim organisations settle legal row over 'duplicate' Dublin swims
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS BETWEEN two swim groups over who is the rightful owner of two annual Dublin swims have reached a settlement. At the end of June, Leinster Open Sea (LOS) filed proceedings against Swim Ireland regarding the ownership of the annual Dublin City Liffey Swim and the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Swims. It included an application for an injunction to prevent Swim Ireland from organising 'duplicate' Liffey Swim and Dún Laoghaire Harbour races. Today, Swim Ireland has said that it is 'delighted' to announce that a settlement has been reached that 'unequivocally reaffirms Swim Ireland's proprietary rights and long-standing stewardship of these cherished events'. Advertisement There was confusion last year as both LOS and Swim Ireland ran competing Liffey Swims after a row broke out over who should host the landmark swim. Leinster Open Swim had been the organiser of the event for a number of years, but had done so recognised by Swim Ireland. Competitors wait on the quays to take part in the 90th Annual Liffey Swim through Dublin in 2009. Niall Carson / Alamy Stock Photo Niall Carson / Alamy Stock Photo / Alamy Stock Photo A rift between the two, which included Swim Ireland stating that it had 'governance concerns' over the operations of Leinster Open Sea, resulted in the separate bodies ploughing ahead and holding their separate swims at the same location. Swim Ireland's statement today said that it welcomed LOS's acknowledgement that 'Swim Ireland owns all property rights in both the Dublin City Liffey Swim and the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Swim, which have been running since 1920 and 1930 respectively'. It added that it is hopeful that 'all organisations involved in aquatic sports will eventually choose to operate within established national governance frameworks, ensuring consistency and fairness for all participants.' It extended an invitation to all clubs and organisations to affiliate and collaborate. Subject to final licence from the relevant local authorities, one Dublin City Liffey Swim and one Dún Laoghaire Harbour Swim, will proceed as scheduled for 2025, delivered by Swim Ireland. The Dún Laoghaire Harbour Swim is set for 3 August, and the Dublin City Liffey Swim for 13 September. Leinster Open Sea's legal representatives have been contacted for comment. Written by Emma Hickey and posted on
