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Irish Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Miriam Lord's Dáil end-of-term awards: from cute hoors to rookie errors and good operators
School's out for summer. Some TDs are skipping lightly home with their end-of-term report cards. Others are losing their schoolbags and hoping nobody notices. It's no big thing this year. Continuous assessment is how it goes in politics; and where the class of 2025 is concerned their Dáil and Seanad journeys are just beginning. The general election may have happened last November, but business in both Houses of the Oireachtas only started in January. Business proper took months to get going thanks to the mammoth opening schmozzle over independent deputies who signed up to support the Government muscling in on the Opposition's speaking rights. READ MORE The row derailed Micheál Martin's big day in the Dáil when his election as Taoiseach had to be abandoned amid chaotic scenes in the chamber. The rules were tweaked to allowed these independents, along with government backbenchers, a chance to table questions to the Taoiseach directly after the Opposition's slot. The controversy, which considerably delayed the working of the Dáil, has blown over for now, although the backbenchers and independents attempts at grilling the Boss have been such a damp squib one has to wonder why they bothered making such a fuss about it in the first place. Most unexpected controversy award went to skorts. Here Sinn Féin Oireachtas members stand in solidarity with camogie players who had called for the right to choose between shorts and skorts when playing. Photograph: Sinn Féin But this episode will be not forgotten by the Opposition. Unlike most of the term which followed. Just seven Bills have been enacted this year. That first one was a vital piece of emergency legislation, nobody said. It allowed the Government to increase the number of Junior Ministers on its books to mob proportions and festoon five of its domesticated independents with Super Junior status. The committees are only getting into their stride now. The sluggish start didn't give politicians much of a chance to shine. Much of the new intake barely got a look-in. Maybe some of them might have the makings of a report card by the end of the year. In the meantime, here's a few who made it on to the summer prizegiving list for their performance so far. Top of the class: Jim O'Callaghan Traditionally, this tends to go to a party leader. But none them has had a stellar start. The politician who has stood out in what has not been a particularly competitive field so far is Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan . He has proved the most proactive member of Cabinet so far, he doesn't tend to waffle and his Dáil performances have been measured and conciliatory. Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill is a close second in a very difficult portfolio. Best senator: Michael McDowell He's been at this politics lark forever now and maybe there are other Seanad performers who deserve a look in, but Michael McDowell has had a great term. Still busy on the legislative front, still the best speaker in the Upper House and still happily batting away the bouquets from people who want him to run for president. He was first senator elected to the 27th Seanad, topping the poll in the National University constituency. No wonder he's been padding contentedly around the Leinster House campus, smiling like a Chesire Cat. Opposition best boy: Alan Kelly The former Labour leader is full of beans these days and when he isn't asking probing questions about Garda accountability (he seems to have a terrific source or two), he's happy out chairing the showbiz Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport. Deputy leader of the Labour Party Alan Kelly is the standout Opposition figure. Photograph: Stephen Collins/Collins Guaranteed a few headlines there and AK-47 isn't going to miss them. Opposition best girl: Jennifer Whitmore The Social Democrat TD for Wicklow is more low-key than best boy Kelly, but that's not a bad thing. Jennifer is consistently good with her contributions across a range of issues and her Leaders' Questions clash with constituency colleague and Tánaiste Simon Harris on the last day of term showed she can mix it with the best of them as she called out a Government of 'epic wasters', which was 'reckless and feckless' with a giveaway budget before the election, but was now 'moralising' about financial restraint. Another Opposition TD who doesn't go in for showboating is Sinn Féin's Pat Buckley (Cork East) who is very considered and thoughtful in his contributions, particularly on social issues. Fianna Fáil's occasionally difficult backbencher, John McGuinness, also had an excellent term. He was elected Leas-Cheann Comhairle and had the satisfaction of hearing the State apology to Lucia O'Farrell, who had long campaigned for the truth surrounding the death of her son Shane, who was killed by a driver out on bail. McGuinness was one of Lucia's staunchest allies all through the years when most TDs had moved on. Cutest hoor in class: Micheál Martin/Michael Lowry This is a tie between Micheál Martin and the independent deputy formerly known (by the Taoiseach) as the disgraced TD for Tipperary North, Michael Lowry . Hard to imagine that Micheál once told the Dáil that Michael was not fit to be a member of that august house after the Moriarty tribunal found that Lowry, a former Fine Gael minister, attempted to help businessman Denis O'Brien secure the State's second mobile phone licence in 1995. This didn't stop the Taoiseach striking a deal with Lowry and his group of Regional Independent TDs who became, in the words of Mary Lou McDonald, 'the wobbly leg of the Coalition stool'. Taoiseach Micheál Martin struck a smart deal with independent TDs. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill Micheál bagged a cohort of supporters with benefits who will remain loyal once they are minded, further cementing his government's grip on power. As he will probably bow out at the next election, if not before, the Lowry stroke won't come back to bite him. As to the kingmaker formerly known as the disgraced deputy for Tipperary North, he's thrilled with himself. He couldn't look happier if he was giving the two fingers to that Dublin socialist, Paul Murphy. Mr Congeniality: Cian O'Callaghan The acting Social Democrat leader never seemed comfortable with the tricky situation surrounding prodigal TD Eoin Hayes, who pulled off a shock victory for the party in Dublin Bay South only to be exiled from the parliamentary party for misleading colleagues over when he got rid of shares he held in a company with links to the Israeli military. On one of the many occasions Cian was asked about the party's on-off relationship with Eoin (he came in very handy for ballast when they needed an extra body for committee appointments), he declared awkwardly: 'I said hello to Eoin just last week.' Happily, word came through on Friday that the suspension has been lifted. They have killed the fatted calf and now they can all say hello to each other whenever they want now. Prizes for honesty and courage: Minister of State and Chief Whip Mary Butler and Sinn Féin senator Nicole Ryan During statements on Pride Week, Mary was one of many TDs to speak on the subject. But as it was the penultimate day of the Dáil term, those statements got very little attention. The Fianna Fáil TD for Waterford said she was speaking not only as a minister, 'but as a proud mother, ally and advocate for the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in Irish life. I am especially proud of who I am and who my family is. My son is a transgender young man and seeing him grow into his own identity reminds me daily of the urgent need for compassion, dignity and fairness in public policy. 'Sometimes the debate in relation to trans issues rages on social media without facts or understanding. It can be very hurtful. We should all reject those nasty opinions from people who do not understand the hurt and pain for young trans people who have to navigate a difficult enough pathway in their lives.' Sinn Féin's Nicole Ryan won plaudits for speaking out in the Seanad about domestic violence. Photograph: Sam Boal/Collins Cork-based senator Nicole Ryan was loudly applauded by her colleagues in the Upper House for her moving contribution during a debate on the Domestic Violence Bill. She told how she witnessed domestic abuse as a child, living in a violent home from the age of four to seven. 'As a child, when you're developing through that stage, it shapes how you see the world' she said. 'For two decades, I lived in the shadow of shame.' She learned how to read people. 'I would know the kind of mood that he'd be in by the way that his foot crossed the threshold of the front door.' Her mother escaped, 'but none of us got out unscathed'. Senator Ryan said she was sharing her story 'to stand up for all the other young children that are out there that are living in these homes'. Best gaffe: Darragh O'Brien The Minister for Transport wowed all the guests at the British Ambassador's summer garden party with a lovely speech made all the more enjoyable by the many nice things he had to say about his friend Jonathan, His Majesty's envoy to Ireland. Except that the ambassador's name is Paul. Second place in this highly contested category is Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty, for delivering a high-decibel, passionate speech in the Dáil about rip-off grocery prices, fulminating about Irish-owned grocery chain SuperValu being owned by a major American food distribution company. He was one of three SF speakers who made the same mistake, having been fed the wrong information in their supplied scripts. Most unexpected controversy: skorts The row over allowing elite camogie players to choose between wearing shorts or skorts ended up in the Dáil. Minister of State Charlie McConalogue had to deal with it. 'It is important that they come together to find a resolution that is comfortable for everyone,' he wittered, oblivious to the reason why the athletes rebelled in the first place. Most unexpected venue for the launch of a presidential campaign: The High Court Michael Flatley's declared intention to run for the Áras was revealed by his barrister during a High Court case the choreographer has taken in relation to works carried out at his Castlehyde mansion in Co Cork. Flatley is even going to move back to Ireland in the coming weeks to push for a nomination. Rookie error prize for thinking out loud: James Lawless As he confidently breezed through a radio interview with RTÉ's Justin McCarthy at the end of June, the Minister for Higher Education addressed the one-off cash support which students heading to college had enjoyed for the last three years. To fee, or not to fee, that is the question. Well, James? He revealed that student fees 'as things stand' were likely to go up by a whopping €1,000. Chaos ensued. It could have been worse for James as angry constituents piled around the country with complaints about higher fees. But when Fine Gael began muttering about the increase, pressure eased on the Kildare North TD. Amid talk of a rift between the two coalition parties, the FF deputies circled the wagons around James and rallied to his defence. (Even if they were privately raging.)
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Problems with ambulance cover in Louth raised in Seanad
It follows the revelation on last week that the town has been left with no ambulance on occasions due to difficulties with the Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch System. This decides which crews and where should respond to the 1200, 999 calls the National Ambulance Services receives across the country every day. However the system has a tendency to occasionally over prioritise what later emerges as non emergency calls leaving places like Drogheda without any ambulance crews. Now the Seanad is to summon the Health Minister Jennifer McNeil Carroll to appear before it to explain what exactly is going on. Senator Comyn told the Seanad: "I want to raise an issue of serious concern that was reported in the Drogheda Independent this week relating to ambulance cover in Drogheda and the wider north-east region. "Paramedics quoted in the article say that Drogheda is regularly left without a local ambulance as crews are being dispatched long distances for non-urgent calls that could and should be managed differently. "The core issue appears to be the advanced medical priority dispatch system, AMPDS which paramedics say is over triaging and sending highly trained emergency responders to calls for things like shaving cuts, stomach aches and high temperatures while real time critical emergencies go uncovered. "This has created a real fear among frontline responders that a life threatening emergency could occur with no unit available to respond quickly." She said she knows the National Ambulance Service has defended AMPDS on clinical grounds but the concerns raised by the paramedics in the DI are credible and come from professionals working on the ground. She stated: "An awareness campaign highlighting alternatives for patients would be timely. Patients can use GPs, go to their local pharmacist or use the doctor on call service.. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more "There is a misconception that getting an ambulance to the accident and emergency department will get a patient seen sooner but that is not always the case. "There issues deserve constructive and transparent discussion. For that reason I ask that the MInister for Health Deputy Carroll McNeil come before the House to address these concerns, clarify how AMPDS is being monitored on a nationwide basis and assure communities in the north east and around the country that they will not be left exposed in moments of serious crisis." The Leader of the Seanard Senator Sean Kyne said Alison Comyn had raised an" interesting" case in terms of the over-triaging of ambulance calls which means the more urgent calls are not being dealt with. He said: "I will certainly request a debate with the Minister for Health on the ambulance service."
RTÉ News
22-07-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Inquiry begins into prescribing of anti-epilepsy drug
An inquiry has begun into the historical prescribing of an anti-epilepsy drug which can cause birth defects if used during pregnancy. The non-statutory inquiry into the use of sodium valproate, sold under the brand name Epilim, is scheduled to last between 12 and 18 months. It is estimated over 1,000 children have been impacted in Ireland since the 1970s. The inquiry, which will be chaired by barrister Bríd O'Flaherty, will be divided into a number of strands. The first will be the review phase, which will establish a timeline of the use of the drug including information on safety and regulation. The Department of Health said the inquiry will have responsibility to request documentation from a range of stakeholders and will be obliged to record any difficulties where such requests are refused. The second phase will be made up of oral statements from affected families. These sessions will be held in private. Other phases will focus on assessing the health services' current capacity to respond to safety issues related to the use of anti-seizure medications in women. The department said necessary data regulations were passed last week in the Dáil and Seanad. Families have been campaigning for years for an inquiry to be held and have welcomed the fact that it began today. The department has previously said sodium valproate is an effective medication for some and those taking it should not make any changes to treatment without first discussing it with their doctor. The department has also previously said while sodium valproate is an effective and essential treatment for some patients, it can cause birth defects, neurodevelopmental disorders and autism in children whose mothers take such medicines during pregnancy.
Irish Post
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
President Michael D. Higgins to release spoken word album
PRESIDENT Michael D. Higgins is to release a spoken word album featuring his poetry set to music by Myles O'Reilly. The 10-track album is due be released on September 5, not long before the end of Higgins' second term as president in November. The title track, Against All Certainty, has already been released and is available now via streaming platforms. 'Incredibly interesting life' Higgins, 84, began his political career in 1973 when he was appointed to the Seanad by Taoiseach Liam Cosgrove. He later served two terms as TD for Galway West and for several years was Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht. However, throughout his political career, he also worked as a writer, broadcaster and poet. He had a regular column for the music magazine Hot Press and has had four poetry collections published, as well as a number of non-fiction books. Against All Certainty is the president's debut spoken word album and will feature 10 of his most well-known works. "Listeners can expect to find themselves fully transposed into the incredibly interesting life and times of the poet before he became Ireland's President, from childhood to adulthood," press for the album states. The album was recorded in Áras an Uachtaráin, the official residence and office of the President of Ireland. The tracks will be set to musical compositions by O'Reilly, a member of the band Juno Falls, who has also directed a number of music videos and documentaries. 'Prodigious poems' Against All Certainty will be released on CD, hardback CD book and vinyl formats by Claddagh Records. Irish novelist, playwright and poet Sebastian Barry, who was Laureate for Irish Fiction from 2018 until 2021, hailed the president's work. "These are truly prodigious poems by Michael D. Higgins — not just a milestone in his own work but in Irish poetry," he said. President Higgins will step down from his role later this year, having served the maximum two terms. The album is available to pre-order from Claddagh Records by clicking here. See More: Claddagh Records, Michael D Higgins, Poetry
BreakingNews.ie
17-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Seanad count challenge: Returning officer had no reason to doubt accuracy of vote, court told
A returning officer who refused a former Seanad candidate's request for a full recount of the vote during the recent election has told the High Court he had no reason to doubt the accuracy of the count. Martin Groves, the recently retired clerk of the Seanad, said a narrow margin of votes separating Cllr Angela Feeney and the final successful candidate in the agricultural panel was not grounds in and of itself to direct a full recount of votes. Advertisement Cllr Feeney, a Labour Party councillor in Kildare, was eliminated on the 23rd count by a margin of .116, or one-ninth, of a ballot, missing out on the final seat to Fine Gael's Maria Byrne in January's election. Each valid Seanad ballot paper is deemed to have a value of 1,000 votes. The total valid poll for the 11-seat agricultural panel was 95,667 votes. Cllr Feeney, a member of the Labour Party's central council and former head of Technological University Dublin's school of languages, law and social sciences, has brought a High Court petition challenging the conduct of vote counting for the agricultural panel. Cllr Feeney's case claims there should have been a full recount of the ballots, rather than simply a repeat of the 23rd count. Cllr Feeney wants the election result overturned and a recount ordered. Advertisement Giving evidence at the hearing of Cllr Feeney's action on Wednesday, Mr Groves said legislation allows returning officers conducting Seanad election counts discretion to direct full recounts in circumstances where they are not satisfied with the accuracy of the count. Mr Groves said his discretion to direct a full recount of votes is restrained by those circumstances. He said a narrow margin separating candidates was not a reason in and of itself to order a full recount. During the count, after considering Cllr Feeney's request for a full recount, Mr Groves said he concluded he had no reason to doubt the accuracy of the count, noting that no errors were uncovered following two partial recounts. Advertisement He said there were lots of potential circumstances where he would begin to doubt the accuracy of the count. On Thursday, Dr Eoin O'Malley, a political scientist and professor at Dublin City University, told the court he was 'surprised' Cllr Feeney was not granted a recount. Dr O'Malley, an expert witness called by Cllr Feeney's side, stipulated that he did not have expertise or experience with Seanad counts, but had experience of observing Dáil election counts. He agreed with Conor Power SC, for Cllr Feeney, that recounts in election counts with tight margins can lead to greater satisfaction with the outcome of the election. Advertisement Dr O'Malley said he believed part of the reason for the granting of recounts in those circumstances is to satisfy all candidates that the count has been conducted fairly and properly. In the case of Cllr Feeney, Dr O'Malley said it would have been better for democracy and the electoral process had a recount been granted, and noted it would have been quicker and cheaper than pursuing the issue through the courts. He said he believed that granting Cllr Feeney the recount could have satisfied the candidate that there were no errors in the count. The trial, before Mr Justice Míchéal O'Higgins, continues.
