# Dáil
Last week
21st May 2023 - 27th May 2023
# Special Needs
Government could reimburse parents who go private to assess children’s needs, Dáil told
The Taoiseach said the proposal was being assessed in response to questions from the Labour Party.
Last month
May 2023
# GAAGO
Virgin Media says RTÉ and GAAGO have questions to answer over rights deal
The broadcaster said it was never approached about the possibility of airing some GAA matches alongside RTÉ.
# gaa go
Not realistic to expect all GAA matches to be televised, says Taoiseach
The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have expressed differing views on whether some GAA matches should be streamed behind a paywall.
# Dáil
Varadkar suggests Paul Murphy should be quizzed on 2014 Jobstown protest in heated Dáil session
Varadkar said it is the job of Dáil Éireann to hold ministers to account.
April
April 2023
# Niall Collins
Answer Qs, survive the punches: that's how political scandals were handled. Until now it seems.
Is accountability slipping, the Tánaiste was asked this week.
# Politics
Fine Gael TD Michael Creed confirms he will not contest next general election
The Cork North West TD is a former Minister for Agriculture.
# Niall Collins
Fianna Fáil TD Niall Collins issues statement regarding allegations surrounding sale of land
Collins has been the subject of allegations relating to the disposal of land in recent days.
# safety deposit boxes
New Bill aims to unlock 'treasure trove' of memorabilia held in old safe deposit boxes
Under the Bill, any items of historical interest that were unclaimed would be displayed in the National Museum of Ireland.
# visit to ireland
Dáil may be recalled if Biden wishes to address Oireachtas, Tánaiste indicates
Biden is expected to arrive in Belfast next Tuesday and travel to locations around Ireland before departing on 15 April.
March
March 2023
# military abuse
Ex-army officer tells Dáil of offence culture & need for Chief of staff powers to suspend wrongdoers
Cathal Berry, TD, calls for discipline powers to be given to Chief of Staff to deal with alleged abusers in military.
# eviction ban
Barry Cowen sorry 'if people find' comparison between eviction ban and free sweets offensive
‘It wasn’t my intention to offend them. Sure what more much more do you want me to say?’ the TD told Claire Byrne.
THE MORNING LEAD
FactCheck: Did the Government miss its social housing targets for three years in a row?
The claim was made in a Dáil debate on the eviction ban.
# eviction ban
Government wins counter motion vote against extending eviction ban
Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan voted against the government’s counter motion, which passed 83 votes to 68.
# rental income
Seven TDs officially declared themselves as landlords for the first time in 2022
25 TDs derived an income from being a landlord last year.
# recruitment crisis
Increasing Garda retirement age to 62 under consideration, says Taoiseach
Varadkar has spoken to the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris about the measure.
February
February 2023
# Redress
TD says Mother and Baby Home redress is 'madness', Varadkar accuses her of 'demonising' govt
Catherine Connolly clashed with the Taoiseach during Leaders’ Questions today.
# dying with dignity bill
Government 'dragging its heels' on forming committee on assisted dying, says Gino Kenny
The committee to discuss the ethical and constitutional issues of assisted dying has not yet been filled with members of the Oireachtas.
# an coimisiún toghcháin
New Electoral Commission formally established with Supreme Court judge as chairperson
One of the commission’s responsibilities will be reviewing Dáil Éireann and European Parliament constituencies and local electoral area boundaries.
# Public Art
Bill aims to make it easier to allow for large scale public murals
Eoin Ó Broin’s legislation aims to facilitate ‘good quality public art’, while also including some ‘reasonable’ restrictions.
# Redress
'I was the child of a fallen woman': Boyd Barrett gives powerful speech in Mother & Baby debate
The TD said the mother and baby home system perpetrated “shocking, perverted, twisted stuff”.
# redress scheme
'Mothers had their children ripped out of their arms': 24,000 people excluded from redress
The Mother and Baby Home redress scheme was sharply criticised by the opposition in the Dáil this evening.
# Dáil
Legislation that would allow gardaí to wear body cameras set to be tabled today
The Bill will allow for recording from body worn cameras, helicopters, aircraft, Garda dogs, drones, mobile devices and tablets.
# disability payments
State 'didn't have a leg to stand on' over non-payment of disability allowance, says Varadkar
A secret Cabinet memo revealed that the State could have been liable for up to €700 million in DPMA claims.
Voices
Opinion: Will it take a miracle for State to do right thing on Mother and Baby redress scheme?
The proposed redress scheme – which is expected to pass in the Dáil today – is deeply flawed, James Smith writes.
This year
2023
Voices
Analysis: The six-month rule for Mother and Baby Homes redress does not add up
Barrister Seán Beatty says the government’s six-month rule around compensation is impossible to justify.
# SIPO
Tánaiste questioned over Donohoe controversy: 'I’m going to wait to see what Paschal has to say'
The minister said he would address matters that were put to him yesterday by opposition members.
Last year
2022
# Housing
Housing minister to face motion of no confidence in the Dáil next week
The motion being tabled by People Before Profit-Solidarity will take place just days before the Cabinet reshuffle.
# Northern Ireland
Von der Leyen quotes The Saw Doctors when speaking about Brexit in the Dáil
Talks between the EU and UK will be done with an ‘honest heart and an open mind’, says EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
# coalition woes
The Green Party convention takes place in Athlone - and it has a decision to make on housing
Housing will be the main issue of the next election – the Green Party should know this.
# vicky phelan
TDs pay tribute in the Dáil to 'fearless' Vicky Phelan
The CervicalCheck campaigner died yesterday.
# Marc MacSharry
Complaint made against Marc MacSharry over 'verbal attack' on Leas Cheann Comhairle
MacSharry accused Catherine Connolly of ‘discrimination’ by consistently putting him at the bottom of the speaking order.
Varadkar withdraws ‘hypocrite’ remark in fiery Dáil debate over leak probe
Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall accused the Tánaiste of impugning her good name.
# energy costs
‘No reason’ why anyone in financial hardship should lose power this winter, McGrath says
Minister Michael McGrath told the Dáil ‘sufficient supports’ are in place to protect people.
# your stories
Will Budget 2023 make any difference to you? We want to hear your stories
We’d love to hear your stories today. Will Budget 2023 help you, what’s your view?
Varadkar says Ireland’s ‘very high’ rents are ‘out of kilter’ with similar countries
It came after Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty accused the government of ignoring proposals that would “put money back into people’s pockets.”
# history made
Violet-Anne Wynne makes history by being first TD to bring baby into Dáil chamber
She received a cross-party round of applause as she stood holding the baby.
# factfind
FactFind: How many current TDs own houses that they rent out?
Some TDs who had residential tenants let did not declare the rental income
There are 160 TDs in the Dáil - but it isn't entirely straightforward to find out which of them also derive an income from renting houses.
An analysis by The Journal sought to find out, using the Dáil register of interests and by contacting individual TDs.
# New term
Dáil back after summer break with a cost-of-living Budget and rotating Taoiseach on the agenda
The next two weeks will be whirlwind.
# Dáil
Investigation: TDs who own rental property but haven't declared rental income
One TD registered 18 properties and no rental income.
TDs are required to declare any additional incomes above €2,600.
Six TDs did not mention any rental income, despite their declaration of ownership of rental properties.
A seventh said he had declared rental income correctly but this was not reflected.
# troy controversy
Housing Minister says TDs should have to declare rent arrangements they have with councils
Darragh O’Brien said that there would be “learnings” from the Robert Troy controversy.
