Pat Leahy

Pat Leahy

Political Editor

Pat Leahy is the political editor of The Irish Times

The negotiations could cover areas such as pay, economic and taxation policy and issues such as housing and childcare. Photograph: iStock
Pay agreement covering housing and childcare proposed in industrial talks

Such an agreement could trade pay restraint from unions for tax cuts and better services

UK foreign secretary Liz Truss says the aim is not to scrap the protocol completely. Photograph: Marco Bertorello / AFP via Getty
Brexit and the Northern Ireland protocol: What happens next?

Within Belfast, Brussels, London and Dublin, politicians get to grips with the protocol problem

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis currently has sole responsibility for calling a Border poll. File photograph: Neil Hall/EPA
Pat Leahy: We need clarity on criteria for calling referendum on Irish unity

Such a move should be part of a general re-examination of Belfast Agreement

The British ambassador to Ireland Paul Johnston said the British Government wanted a version of the protocol that was ‘more sustainable’. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
British diplomat justifies protocol move due to ‘changed times’

‘The world itself has changed’ since deal was signed, says ambassador in Ireland

Taoiseach Micheál Martin speaks to the media at the Grand Central Hotel, during his visit to Belfast Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Taoiseach condemns UK ‘get out of jail’ plan for Troubles crimes

DUP not interested in ‘sticking plaster’ approach to NI protocol, Donaldson tells Martin in Belfast

The Stormont building in Belfast, Northern Ireland. File photograph: Mark Marlow/EPA
Pessimism in Dublin over prospects of NI protocol breakthrough

UK government breaching agreement would ‘put everybody in a bad space’, Coveney says

Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond told an Ireland’s Future event at Westminister that a Border poll could conceivably be held in the next decade. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Fine Gael TD says Government should establish Irish unity committee

Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill demands clarity on criteria for calling poll on unification

In the Dáil, Taoiseach Micheál Martin was highly critical of the British move to depart from the Stormont House agreement on dealing with the legacy of the Troubles. Photograph: Collins
Government criticises British plans to set aside parts of Northern Ireland protocol

Taoiseach accuses Johnson of abandoning agreements to pursue domestic political goals

“We don’t want to nix it, we want to fix it and we will work with our EU partners to do it,” Boris Johnson said. Photograph: Andrew Matthews / POOL / AFP
Johnson dismisses risk of EU retaliation over plans to change Northern Ireland protocol

EU has ‘significant concerns’ about UK’s intention to change the protocol. Sefcovic says

British prime minister Boris Johnson: ‘To have the insurance we need, we need to proceed with a legislative solution at the same time.’ Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Johnson signals unilateral action on Northern Ireland protocol

Johnson insists post-Brexit deal will not be scrapped but ‘fixed’ after visit to North

Sinn Féin Stormont leader Michelle O’Neill, President of the partyŽin the Republic Mary Lou McDonald and Conor Murphy speak to the media after meeting Boris Johnson at Hillsborough Castle. Photograph: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press
UK government ‘placating the DUP’, says McDonald after ‘fairly tough’ meeting with Johnson

Nbody satisfied with Northern Ireland protocol and it must change, says British PM

Officials said last night that Taoiseach Micheál Martin would visit Northern Ireland next Friday for meetings with the party leaders, including Sir Jeffrey Donaldson of the DUP. Photograph: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision
Taoiseach calls for ‘pragmatism and commonsense’ from DUP over protocol

Evidence is growing of beneficial impact of Northern Ireland protocol, says Micheál Martin

Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill has accused the DUP of ‘punishing the public’ and ‘holding society to ransom’: ‘The DUP have failed on day one.’ Photograph: Paul Faith
North’s Assembly unable to function as DUP blocks speaker

British PM and Taoiseach to try break logjam while EU angry over London protocol threat

Boris Johnson says he might scrap the protocol to preserve the Belfast Agreement; the truth is that nobody in Dublin believes he cares a fig for the agreement. Photograph: Adrian Dennis/PA Wire
Pat Leahy: Brexit’s back, and this time it’s snarlier than ever

Boris Johnson trying to exploit North’s peace process for his own political purposes

Michelle O’Neill and Mary Lou McDonald during a Sinn Féin press conference at Parliament Buildings in Belfast after Sinn Féin became the largest party at Stormont. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Sinn Féin feels the momentum of Stormont victory

The goal of two Sinn Féiners leading two governments on the island now seems closer

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney: ‘Don’t forget this treaty was designed and ratified and agreed by the British government under this prime minister.’ Photograph: Rebecca Black/PA
Brexit: UK public ‘needs to understand’ what Britain is doing – Coveney

Britain over-riding NI protocol would be ‘anti-democratic’, Simon Coveney says

Boris Johnson speaks with Team England track and field team leader Kelly Sotherton during a visit to the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on Thursday. Photograph: Oli Scarff/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Taoiseach warns British on protocol as EU-UK relations plummet

Martin says ‘unilateralism flies in face’ of approach that delivered peace process

British prime minister Boris Johnson speaking during the first day of a debate on the queen’s speech, in the House of Commons on Tuesday. Photograph: Jessica Taylor/AFP via Getty Images
UK to offer conditional amnesty for Troubles-related offences

Individuals will have to co-operate with commission for reconciliation and information

Prince Charles delivered the queen’s speech on Tuesday because Queen Elizabeth was experiencing ‘episodic mobility problems’. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Queen’s speech: Britain drops blanket amnesty plans for Troubles-related offences

Boris Johnson spoke to Taoiseach in advance of the speech in a call that featured disagreements

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson holds a press conference following talks with NI Secretary of State Brandon Lewis at Stormont on Monday. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
Long summer ahead as stalemate over NI protocol set to drag on

With elections done, negotiations are set to crank up, but there is little trust in Johnson

The North’s first minister in waiting Michelle O’Neill arrives at Stormont buildings with her Sinn Féin party members on Monday. Photograph: Mark Marlow/EPA
DUP urged to nominate deputy first minister as protocol deadlock deepens

Sinn Féin leader warns UK against using North as bargaining chip in talks with EU

Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the transition as ‘an important moment to demonstrate that in a fragmented political system we can have continuity in Government’. Photograph: Alan Betson
Government transition might prove trickier than expected

The big changeover in the Taoiseach’s office later this year may bring more uncertainty

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson speaks to the media after being elected for the Lagan Valley constituency. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Rise of Alliance could reshape North-South relations

View from Dublin: Period of wound-licking might occur before DUP re-enters Executive

Northern Secretary Brandon Lewis: ‘The protocol is causing problems in civic society, it’s causing problems with the Good Friday [Belfast] Agreement. Our duty to the people of Northern Ireland is to resolve those issues.’
London plans to dismiss elements of protocol played down by Dublin

Downing Street claims Northern Ireland protocol is damaging Belfast Agreement

New National Maternity Hospital planned for the St Vincent’s hospital campus, at Elm Park. Photograph: Dave Meehan
Government will not reopen National Maternity Hospital deal

Ministers intend to use two-week delay to reassure concerned TDs, sources say

Donegal TD Joe McHugh has announced he will retire when the current Dáil is dissolved. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Fine Gael TD Joe McHugh will not contest next general election

Donegal TD indicates intention to retire from politics when current Dáil is dissolved

Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Photograph: Alan Betson
North’s voters are moving beyond green versus orange, says Taoiseach

Martin says Belfast Agreement might have to be reworked ‘in fullness of time’

Cost of fertiliser has rocketed as a result of the war in Ukraine. Photograph: Alan Betson
Farmers set to receive up to €1,000 each to avert fodder shortage

Ministers to be asked to approve €55m scheme for farmers who grow silage

Taoiseach Micheál Martin: said that there is ‘an emerging generation that wants politics to work for them’ in Northern Ireland. Photograph: Alan Betson
Taoiseach calls on DUP to be ‘democratic’ and take their seats after Assembly elections

Micheál Martin also criticises Sinn Féin for sloganeering and ‘lack of substance’

The creation of more than 5,000 new higher education places in the past two years led to a drop of about 30 per cent in the number of school-leavers opting for PLC courses. Photograph: iStock
New university places lead to sharp fall in uptake of PLC courses

Proposal for extra third level funding and fee cuts to be considered by Cabinet

One respondent said ‘if Covid-positive patients did not want to move to the Covid ward they were left in their own rooms on non-Covid wards’. Photograph: Getty Images
‘Young and healthy’ frontline workers denied PPE during first Covid wave

‘Betrayed’ healthcare staff forced to share equipment such as goggles

The Citgywest Hotel and conference centre. It is already being used as a reception centre. File photograph: The Irish Times
Ukrainians will not get local authority houses, says Minister

Refurbished council homes will be given to people already waiting on social housing lists

Guy Verhofstadt said MEPs must ‘fight hard’ to ensure that the proposals be turned into the ‘reforms that the EU needs’. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
EU reform: End of veto among proposals to be considered

Conference on the Future of Europe’s 325 recommendations will now go to EU leaders

‘The days of burning turf – in significant quantities at least – are numbered; everyone knows it.’ Photograph: Alan Betson
Pat Leahy: Turf wars do not bode well for wider climate action agenda

Political system only beginning to grasp scale of changes decarbonising economy and society entail

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan fronts up for the Government today, with turf again expected to take centre stage at Leaders’ Questions. Photograph: Alan Betson
Irish politicians focus on the mundane as Ukraine burns

Inside Politics: Turf continues to dominate exchanges in Leinster House

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
McDonald’s legal action against RTÉ ‘worrying’, says journalists’ union

NUJ secretary says defamation action could have ‘chilling effect on press freedom’

David Frost said he was surprised the EU was resisting British demands to thoroughly renegotiate the protocol. Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty
Frost accuses Dublin of ‘disrupting the balance’ in Northern Ireland

Former Brexit negotiator for UK says Belfast Agreement under threat as a result

A spokesman for Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said ‘the EU remains fully committed to working with the UK . . . following the chaos caused by Brexit.’
Coveney heads for US to meet Biden administration officials

Minister to discuss NI protocol after British signals of law to shelve parts of mechanism

Eamon Ryan met with angry backbenchers from both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
Threat of nuclear war looms but Irish politics transfixed by turf

Inside Politics: Inevitable that Government will water down proposals – but won’t set aside completely

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty
Sinn Féin’s growing litigiousness towards media is a clear trend

Political opponents and many in media perceive an attempt to muzzle criticism of party

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has taken legal action against RTÉ. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Mary Lou McDonald takes High Court case against RTÉ over alleged defamation

Action part of growing trend by Sinn Féin to use courts against claims they say are false

The Dáil resumes today for the long summer term, which will see TDs at Leinster House until mid-to-late July. Photograph: Alan Betson
Ukraine, housing and cost-of-living on agenda this Dáil term

Inside Politics: Government must assess whether it is making progress on key issues

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar: it is one thing for him to be disqualified from office as a result of being charged with a criminal offence; it would be quite another for him to be disqualified because the DPP cannot deliver a decision in time. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill
DPP unlikely to allow her office to be dragged into a political controversy

If no DPP decision by end summer then Varadkar issue will become live political matter

Asked if they agreed that the Government ‘should further cut taxes on electricity and fuel to help people deal with cost-of-living increases’, 93 per cent said they agreed
Public seeking more action as rises in cost of living bite, poll shows

Vast majority say they are affected by rising costs, Irish Times/Ipsos poll finds

Among workers currently working remotely some or all of the time, most expect to continue to work from home some of the time, the poll found. Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA Wire
Strong support for hybrid model allowing work from home, poll shows

Pandemic has changed working habits permanently, Irish Times/Ipsos poll indicates

Younger voters are much more likely to oppose restrictions, older voters are more likely to be worried about Covid. Photograph: Patrick Bolger/Bloomberg
Sharp division over future of Ireland’s Covid-19 restrictions, poll shows

Irish Times/Ipsos poll finds 80% of voters believe Government handled pandemic well

French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen: Her victory would shatter brittle western unity on Ukraine, and put an ally and admirer of Vladimir Putin at the head of a nuclear power and key member of Nato. Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP
Pat Leahy: Election of Le Pen would destroy EU

If Macron loses French presidency, the effect on the bloc and Ireland will be catastrophe

The Government will almost certainly argue that upgrading Ireland’s military defences, especially naval and air defences, is about self-defence, not taking part in a military alliance. Photograph: Getty Images
Tinkering with Irish neutrality is like trying to defuse a political bomb

Majority of public wants to remain neutral despite wide support for Ukraine, poll shows

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney and his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba walking with Ukranian special forces and Garda ERU to lay flowers at a memorial wall in Kyiv on Thursday. Photograph: Department of Foreign Affairs
Overwhelming support for retention of Ireland’s military neutrality

Two-thirds of voters do not want to see any change, Irish Times/Ipsos poll finds

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney will discuss support for tougher EU sanctions against Russia with the Ukrainian government. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
Simon Coveney to discuss EU membership bid with Ukrainian government in Kyiv

Minister for Foreign Affairs arrives in Ukraine in UN Security Council first

The State of the Parties: Sinn Féin, 33 per cent (down two); Fianna Fáil, 23 per cent (up three); Fine Gael, 22 per cent (up two); Green Party, 3 per cent (down two); Labour, 4 per cent (no change); and Independents/others, 15 per cent (no change).
Opinion poll: Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael regain ground against Sinn Féin

Extended period of decline for FG in polls since formation of Coalition has abated

As well as seeing Fianna Fáil gain by three points to 23 per cent, Taoiseach Micheál Martin enjoys an eight-point jump in his satisfaction ratings to 51 per cent.
Sinn Féin juggernaut stalls in first post-Covid opinion poll

Analysis: Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil will be encouraged by slip in support for high-flying Sinn Féin

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar told reporters on Tuesday that any move to alleviate cost increases based on borrowing now might require additional taxation in the future. File photograph: Dominic McGrath/PA Wire
Latest forecasts suggest lower than expected budget deficit despite war

Additional measures on inflation set to be approved by Cabinet

‘ I find the entire situation that we are in regrettable,’ Taoiseach Micheal Martin said. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos
Watt report on Holohan secondment understood to contradict Taoiseach

‘There should have been more transparency about this from the outset,’ Martin says

A child arrives on a train from Odesa in Ukraine in Przemysl, Poland. Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty
Fears grow in Government about Irish capacity to house Ukrainian refugees

Large halls with camp beds may have to be used as hotel and B&B space dries up

Secretary general of the Department of Health Robert Watt is due to present his report to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly on Monday. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Robert Watt to defend his role in now-scrapped Holohan TCD appointment

Senior civil servant’s report expected to say Donnelly was aware of proposed secondment

Taoiseach Micheál Martin after placing a wreath at the graves of the executed leaders at the Fianna Fáil Easter Rising 1916 Commemoration, at Arbour Hill, on Sunday. Photograph: Damien Eagers
Irish neutrality needs to ‘evolve’ in response to Ukraine war, Taoiseach says

Martin says State should work with other countries to ensure its security

Taoiseach Micheál Martin speaks at The annual Fianna Fáil Easter Rising 1916 Commemoration will take place at Arbour Hill. Photograph: Damien Eagers
‘Lessons have to be learned’ from Holohan TCD controversy, Taoiseach says

Micheál Martin says he has full confidence in Department of Health secretary general Robert Watt

Prime minister of Finland Sanna Marin and Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Photograph: Kimmo Brandt/EPA
‘Evolution’ of neutrality likely to be Government’s favoured approach

Ireland needs to decide whether it will play a greater role in the defence of Europe

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, and the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, during a press conference on the publication of exchequer returns this week at the Department of Finance. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos
Intricate dance of the pay deal about to begin again

Unclear whether talks will focus on new pact or extension to current deal

Food prices are rising more slowly, but there is concern these increases will continue for some time. File photograph: Getty
Coalition to discuss further cost of living measures

Ministers fear fresh package of supports would soon be overtaken by price increases

John Callinan faces huge challenges in the international environment, unrest in the North, Dublin’s relationship with London and the legacy of Covid, along with domestic housing and health.
John Callinan: A long apprenticeship leads to top Civil Service role

Diplomacy, decency and fairness will help Fraser replacement tackle challenges ahead

Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien has asked local authorities to identify sites that could be used for temporary or permanent housing as part of efforts to provide accommodation for potentially tens of thousands of people fleeing the Russian attack on Ukraine. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/ Collins
Properties linked to Fair Deal scheme could be used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees

Ministers told average of 580 people a day fleeing to Ireland daily due to Russian invasion

John Callinan photographed with then taoiseach Bertie Ahern in May 2008. Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins
John Callinan appointed as secretary general of Department of Taoiseach and Government

The dual role makes him the most powerful civil servant in the country

Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath: Each additional 1 per cent on the public pay bill costs about €250 million in a full year. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Public sector pay deal talks set for later in month

Inflation puts unions and members under pressure as conference season looms

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath: their calls for caution may go unheeded as leaders throw more money at inflation. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Pat Leahy: The squeezed middle are back, and they’re mad as hell

As costs escalate, political pressure is building on a beleaguered Government

Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan: Electricity companies may be required to offer their lowest rates to all customers. Photograph: Gareth Chaney
New cost-of-living measures expected in coming weeks

Government scrambles to alleviate impact of fuel prices and rampant inflation

Minister for Culture and Media Catherine Martin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Scepticism about plans to make social media directors liable for allowing harm

Plans were discussed by Minister for Media Catherine Martin and Fianna Fáil senators

Minister for the Environment and Transport Eamon Ryan pictured at the SEAI Energy Show at the RDS on Thursday.
‘We need to do more’: Ryan promises new proposals on cost of living

Proposals around time-of-day-pricing, fuel allowance and ‘helping families with children’

Minister for Culture and Media Catherine Martin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Social media directors could be liable for allowing harm under new proposals

Minister for Culture and Media discusses proposal with Fianna Fáil senators

Refugees fleeing Ukraine earlier in the month. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty
Cost of housing Ukrainian refugees ‘creates challenges’ in budget, says Martin

Taoiseach signals ‘targeted approach’ to increasing vaccine take-up among refugees

People who have fled the war in Ukraine in Przemysl in Poland: Irish officials say 14,611 refugees had arrived by Tuesday, with three-quarters needing accommodation. Ireland could have 30,000 arrivals by the end of April. Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty
List of 500 ‘significant’ properties identified as possible housing for Ukrainian refugees

Bill for refugee accommodation, health and education may hit €1.7bn for 2022

Ukrainian refugees on a bus after it crossed the Ukrainian border into Poland at the Medyka border crossing. Photograph: Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP
Ireland’s humanitarian aid for Ukrainian refugees likely to be €2.8bn next year

Cost is expected to ‘ramp up significantly’ this year as more arrivals follow the initial cohort of 10,000 refugees

Cork will lose out on hosting the America’s Cup, which is the most high-profile yachting race in the world. File photograph: iStock
Ireland withdraws its bid to hold the America’s Cup yachting competition in Cork

Simon Coveney championed the bid for the most high-profile yachting race in the world

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald at the annual Friends of Ireland luncheon on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, US, on St Patrick’s Day. Photograph: PA Wire
Sinn Féin’s US politicking underlines issues with its approach to Irish unity

McDonald and co are presenting a united Ireland as imminent despite the evidence

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukraine’s president, addresses lawmakers via video link at the Bundestag in Berlin. Photograph: Liesa Koppitz-Johanssen/Bloomberg
Reaction to Zelenskiy’s comment on Ireland ‘overstated’, says Taoiseach

Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba says ‘Ireland is at the forefront within the EU’

Us president Joe Biden and Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, in Brussels. Photograph: Doug Mills/ The New York Times
Brussels diary: Positively overjoyed Taoiseach puts positive Covid test behind him

Journalists return to vast atrium of Lipsius building for first time in over two years

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaking online at a meeting of the European Council. Photograph: AFP via Getty Images
Taoiseach plays down Zelenskiy remarks that Ireland ‘almost’ stands with Ukraine

Move by Ireland on international crimes is welcomed Ukrainian minister

US president Joe Biden, French president Emmanuel Macron and British prime minister Boris Johnson at Nato headquarters in Brussels on Thursday. Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Western leaders rally to close ranks against Russia over Ukraine invasion

Calls from Kyiv for intervention rebuffed but West vows more aid for Ukrainian resistance

Taoiseach Michael Martin: ‘There can be no moral equivalence around this war. Certain countries need to get off the fence on that.’ Photograph: PA Wire
Europe facing ‘long haul’ over Russian invasion, says Taoiseach

Martin says Ireland open to further sanctions as he criticises India’s stance

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar. File photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
‘Flexibility’ on EU VAT rules sought to ease energy prices rises, Varadkar says

Tánaiste says he expcts 5th package of sanctions against Russia

Hospitals have been advised to cancel elective procedures and focus on critical work, such as cancer care and emergency departments. Photograph: Alan Betson
Covid-19: No new restrictions says Taoiseach as 23,125 new cases reported

Health advice unchanged but calls for public to consider behaviour with regard to masks

Screengrab from video issued by The White House of the meeting between Micheál Martin and US president Joe Biden, which took place via videolink last week after the Taoiseach tested positive for Covid. Photograph: The White House/PA Wire
Martin to attend EU summit as he exits Covid quarantine

Taoiseach has two successive negative Covid tests ahead of departure from the US

Inflation in the Irish economy is expected to surge to 8.5% or even higher in the coming months. File photograph: Hollie Adams/Bloomberg
Major cost-of-living shock expected in months with inflation forecast to hit 8.5%

ESRI says price squeeze will see real incomes fall and lower than expected growth

Ukrainian refugees Ivan and Maria Matvichuk who arrived from Nikolaev on Saturday. Photograph: Tom Honan
Councils asked to find vacant buildings to help house Ukrainian refugees

Current supply of accommodation for those fleeing Russian invasion may soon run short

Taoiseach Micheál Martin: he participated in Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting remotely. Photograph: Getty Images
Taoiseach to decide on Wednesday if he can attend European Council summit

Micheál Martin remains in Washington after his positive Covid test last week, and is said to be ‘symptom-free and feeling well’

A young Ukrainian refugee boy, who fled the Russian invasion, at the Dublin Airport reception facility. The centre will act as a one-stop shop with services such as the processing of social protection numbers and help with finding accommodation. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni
Massive effort to house tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees under way

Officials evaluating potential sites and facilities throughout the country

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: ‘We’re not sure if the funding or the distraction of hosting Euro 2028 is really going to benefit grassroots football.’ Photograph: iStock
Bid to host Euro 2028 a ‘distraction’ from needs of Irish football – Labour

Cabinet backs Irish and UK effort to host event but costs and benefits will be evalutated

A woman reads a book to Ukrainian children in a playground at a summer camp, turned into a refugee center in the tiny resort town of Kiten, on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. Photograph: Nikolay Doychinov/AFP via Getty Images
Up to 40,000 Ukrainian refugees expected in Ireland by end of April

Government identifies 500 buildings to house those fleeing the war

US president Joe Biden speaks during a virtual meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in the Oval Office of the White House on March 17th in Washington, DC. Photograph: Erin Scott-Pool/Getty
Pat Leahy: Reflections on the Taoiseach’s Covid-hit week in Washington

No Oval Office meeting, but Martin used trip to clearly position Ireland with the West

Handout screengrab from video issued by The White House of the bilateral meeting between Taoiseach Micheal Martin and US President Joe Biden via videolink. Photograph: The White House/PA Wire
‘God love him’: Sympathy for the Taoiseach as Washington trip affected by Covid

Micheál Martin had been having the week of his life until disaster struck

A large crowd gathered in Temple Bar in Dublin on Thursday following the St Patrick’s Day parade. Photograph: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie
Taoiseach to remain in US until next week following positive Covid test

US President Joe Biden meets virtually with Micheál Martin in the Oval Office on Thursday. Photograph: by Nicholas Kamm / AFP via Getty Images
Martin to miss EU meeting as Covid-19 leaves him isolating in US

Leaders speak of Ukraine and North during St Patrick’s Day event held virtually

Taoiseach Micheál Martin: spoke to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy by telephone on Wednesday. Photograph: Oliver Contreras/PA Wire
Taoiseach rules out sending weapons to Ukraine

Call for foreign fighters to assist in war against Russia taken up by 20 Irish men

US president Joe Biden speaks during a virtual meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in the Oval Office of the White House on March 17th, 2021 in Washington, DC. Photograph: Erin Scott-Pool/Getty
US president meeting to go ahead virtually as Taoiseach tests positive for Covid

Martin was due to meet Biden in Oval Office for traditional Shamrock ceremony

Taoiseach Micheál Martin speaking at a press conference, during his visit to the US for St Patrick’s Day. Photograph: Oliver Contreras/PA Wire
There ‘will be a price for war’, says Taoiseach, not ruling out recession

Donohoe warns wage demands in pay talks could add to inflationary pressures

There were 1,081 Covid-19 patients in hospital on Wednesday morning. File photograph: The Irish Times
Philip Nolan plays down Covid rise which may be part of ‘exit wave’

More than 4,000 healthcare workers off due to Covid amid unprecedented hospital demand

Due to rising numbers of Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland, ‘significant pressure on accommodation in the coming days’ is likely. File photograph:
Fears mount over State’s capacity to house Ukrainian refugees

‘There is a capacity point,’ says one Minister, noting growing concern about what to do next

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