“An approaching election could be in the offing,” Jarlath Burns implied as he made his move in the latest chapter of the ongoing tussle between the GAA and the Government this Monday. It seems this face-off may become a yearly event with Jones’ Road group rekindling their feud with their counterparts from cross-town Merrion Street.
It was Michéal Martin who originally sparked the opening round a year prior when matches involving Cork, Tipperary, Clare, and Limerick were shrouded in the GAAGo paywall, as opposed to being broadcast on public television. This incited extensive coverage both televised and in print, arguably surpassing the games themselves, including exhaustive Oireachtas committee hearings.
Martin attempted to rekindle the dispute over Christmas, but his chance was usurped by Taoiseach Simon Harris this spring, who blasted in last week, denouncing the GAA’s flawed approach towards streaming services.
After a thrilling weekend at the (SuperValu) Páirc Uí Chaomih, the Tánaiste from Cork readied himself and proceeded, as pointed out by a wag, Martin’s stance can be succinctly summarised as he desires all matches to be televised given the substantial funding GAA receives.
Specifically, the Cork matches.
However, Burns, the GAA president, isn’t going to be a passive political target and retorted with accusations of electioneering. His retaliatory remarks strike at a wider truth regarding the Government and their chiefs: every action they undertake for the forthcoming 10 months will be examined through the prism of the impending election – be it a theatrical political act or something more weighty.
While the Munster Hurling Championship certainly holds significance, whether it’s a scuffle with the GAA or issues dealing with immigration, the economy, affordable housing, or propping up local enterprises, all aspects will be honed in on as the electorate prepares to cast their votes.
Anticipate the GAA dispute to endure, but the focal point of the political discourse this week is likely to be immigration once more, with further cuts to benefits expected for refugees from Ukraine, as we bring to you today.
News update
Renewed attacks from Russia have been reported from Ukraine itself.
As the legal purchasing age for cigarettes rises, there’s currently a debate on whether the voting age should be lowered, with a political scientist and youth advocate providing their perspectives. Laura Slattery is advocating for the cessation of election broadcast restrictions.
There’s increased interest in understanding the impact of the UK ruling on the Rwanda law regarding the immigration scenario in both the Northern and Southern regions. A Ukrainian election candidate in Kerry, who owns the smallest car in the region, an Audi A1, challenges Danny Healy-Rae.
A notable football match at Dalymount Park between Bohs and Palestine is anticipated, with Gavin Cummiskey giving us a glimpse of the scene.
The Playbook indicates that the Cabinet convenes at 9:30 AM while the Dáil proceedings kick off at 2 PM with the Leaders’ Queries. Divorce laws amendment legislation will be introduced later in the day, followed by Taoiseach’s questions at 3:10 PM. Additionally, a private members motion by Sinn Féin scheduled on the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings, and Ossian Smyth will replace his party leader for oral PQs around 8 PM.
On the agenda for committee discussions are the national energy and climate plan on the Environment Committee at 11 AM, and the requirement for stricter regulation of English language schools in Ireland at the Education Committee simultaneously. Additionally. there will be discussions about parental bereavement leave legislation with officials and parents at 3 PM.
Meanwhile, Tánaiste Micheál Martin is expected at the Foreign Affairs Committee to look into NATO partnership programmes at 3:15 PM. Also, the Housing Committee is set to review the defective blocks grant scheme. Eamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment, and Michael McGrath, Minister for Finance, are on international official assignments in Paris, Bruges, and Brussels.
The afternoon session in the Seanad will engage in discussions on the Gambling Regulation Bill after dealing with commencement issues and the order of business.
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