# Oireachtas
Last year
2022
# EU
Ursula von der Leyen thanks Irish people for their support in welcoming Ukrainian refugees
Von der Leyen will also address a joint sitting of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
# 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.
# stepping down
Paul Reid finishes last day as CEO of the HSE
Reid said he was ‘feeling emotionally drained saying goodbye to staff’.
# 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.
# vaping
Oireachtas Health Committee seek age restrictions on e-cigarettes and ban on flavourings
The committee asked the Minister for Health to look at other countries where ages for vaping and smoking are 21.
# Oireachtas
Coveney tells committee that new Defence Forces funding will be 'about people'
“I don’t believe that it’s possible to deliver something more ambitious,” Coveney said this evening.
# Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Ukraine's Zelenskyy will address both houses of the Oireachtas in early April
Ukraine’s charismatic leader accepted an invitation to address the Dáil and the Seanad.
# stardust inquest
Stardust campaigners call for jurors to be paid using portion of €8 million budget
The bill was brought forward by Sinn Féin senator Lynn Boylan and will be introduced in the Seanad tomorrow.
# remote voting
'You could do it overnight': Referendum on letting TDs vote remotely described as 'unnecessary'
A bill seeking to amend the Constitution by allowing remote voting to take place is going before the Dáil today.
# Emergency
'Immediate steps' should be taken to protect Ireland's hedgerows, committee to hear
The Agriculture Committee will hear from participants on hedgerows and the draft CAP Strategic Plan.
# Oireachtas
'There isn't any time to lose': Committee chair defends ambition of proposed carbon budgets
Senator Alice-Mary Higgins said the proposed budgets “can be strengthened” but TD Brian Leddin said more ambition is not “realistic”.
# champagne gate
Oireachtas committee set to quiz Coveney on champagne celebration
The Foreign Affairs Minister will face questions from an Oireachtas committee next week on a June 2020 champagne celebration in his department.
# Leinster House
Marc MacSharry compares Ireland to 'Marxist Republic' after claiming Oireachtas staffer opened his post
The saga began when MacSharry tried to circulate a report on the impact of Covid-19 on mental health last July.
# Oireachtas
Criticism of British Ambassador's refusal to appear before Good Friday Agreement committee
Aontú TD Peadar Tóibín said the decision to refuse the invitation was “a disgrace”.
# Emissions
Oireachtas climate committee votes in favour of approving proposed carbon budgets
The proposed budgets setting out limits on greenhouse gas emissions still need the green-light from government.
# department officials
Coveney to be asked to appear before committee over department lockdown gathering
The Minister for Foreign Affairs has ordered an investigation into a gathering of his officials in June 2020.
# Season's Greetings
Five TDs spent almost €4,000 between them printing Christmas material using Oireachtas facility
51 different TDs and senators used the Oireachtas printer in the run up to Christmas.
51 different TDs and senators used the printer in the run up to Christmas.
Figures released under Freedom of Information show that the total cost of Oireachtas printing before Christmas was €6,428.96.
All time
# Rent cap
Oireachtas passes legislation to cap rent increases at 2% per year
The legislation aims to cap rent in line inflation or 2% per annum, whichever is lower.
# Séan Ó Fearghaíl
The Dáil's Ceann Comhairle has tested positive for Covid-19
Seán Ó Fearghaíl will work from home and his Dáil duties will be carried out by the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.
# antigen tests
Parties to pay for politicians' antigen tests while Oireachtas staff to get tests for free
The Oireachtas says antigen tests will not be free to TDs and Senators.
# Report
No evidence doping rules in Irish horseracing lower than international standards
The finding was made in a report by the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee.
# Sorry
'It wasn’t a job offer': Coveney says Zappone should have been told role wasn't a 'done deal'
The minister said his mistakes in recent weeks had contributed to what has become a political embarrassment.
Coveney acknowledges "making mistakes in recent weeks" and that this has created "a political embarrassment for the Government"
In hindsight , Coveney says it would have been helpful for him to respond to Zappone's text to tell her that it was not a job offer, but rather a concept.
The minister called Zappone on Sunday to tell her their text messages were being released
# Zapponegate
Coveney received a text but not a 'formal invitation' to Zappone event at Merrion Hotel
The minister is facing scrutiny from an Oireachtas committee over Katherine Zappone’s appointment as a UN envoy.
# Legislation
Taoiseach says Covid has 'exacerbated' volume of legislation, as politicians discuss President's letter
Michael D Higgins says he received nine Bills in one day.
# Assisted Dying
Establishment of Special Committee to examine Dying with Dignity Bill recommended
The Justice Committee said today that the proposed legislation has “serious technical issues”.
# Oireachtas Committee
'You feel you're not welcome in Ireland': TDs told of anti-Traveller 'hate speech' during Covid-19
Representatives of Pavee Point appeared before the Oireachtas today.
Johnny Ward: Racing chiefs saddle up to face Oireachtas quizzing
Jim Bolger’s recent comments have prompted lots of questions.
# Children
‘I am not a vector’: Oireachtas committee hears from children affected by the pandemic
The Children’s Committee heard from a group of young people on their experiences since March 2020.
# Air Travel
Aer Lingus losing €1 million a day because of Covid-19 and travel restrictions, says airline's chief executive
The airline’s CEO and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer appeared before a committee this morning.
# Public Opinion
Ireland's Covid measures consistently less restrictive than majority wanted – ESRI
‘Overwhelming majority’ have supported public health measures and would have preferred them to be more restrictive.
Voices
Kathleen Funchion: 'I fear the Mother and Baby Home developments have only compounded an existing and deep hurt'
Funchion, who is chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Children, describes her shock over recent issues with the Mother and Baby Home Commission.
# Oireachtas
National Cyber Security Centre director salary should be up to €290,000, Committee hears
Four leading cyber security experts spoke to the Oireachtas Committee on Communications today.
# Ransomware
Officials from National Cyber Security Centre to address 'urgent' meeting of TDs and Senators over HSE hack
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications Networks meets this morning.
# easing restrictions
Another 'outdoor summer': Here's when to expect this week's Covid re-opening decisions
There could be more easing in terms of households meeting outdoors and in sports.
As well as the schedule for May the Taoiseach is expected to give some indications of the plan for June this week.
The main announcements are expected on Thursday night, with NPHET set to convene on Wednesday.
It comes amid the easing of some restrictions on sports today and the reopening of outdoor attractions like zoos.
# Summertime
Minister 'optimistic' fans will be able to attend test sporting events during the summer
Minister of State for Sport Jack Chambers says Ireland can learn from what other countries are doing.
# Social Media
Facebook 'concerned' over plans to regulate online political advertising in Ireland
An Oireachtas committee will hear submissions from Facebook and Twitter today on the proposed Electoral Reform Bill.
# Good Friday Agreement
When should the UK call a border poll in Ireland? Calls for clarity on this 'quite remarkable' question
The decision to hold a referendum is ultimately one to be taken by the UK’s Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
# Frontline
Frontline healthcare workers should get pandemic compensation, INMO to tell Oireachtas committee
An Oireachtas committee will meet with healthcare representative organisations later this morning.
# oireachtas costs
Special advisers to Government ministers' earn over €4.5 million in salaries
The advisers’ pay ranges from €67,659 to €180,276, with 18 of them earning more than €100,000.
# on the house
TDs and Senators rack up over €2,000 in arrears at Dáil bar and restaurant
Figures obtained by TheJournal.ie show how much was owed by Dáil staff last month.
