Throughout the early days of this week, I was on the move, journeying from Brussels to Luxembourg and then returning, to report on an EU finance ministers’ assembly. The scenic views during the 3½-hour train ride were the only consolation for the lack of wifi and unreliable data and mobile service. Thankfully, I had thought ahead and brought with me Intermezzo, Sally Rooney’s intriguing new novel.
This week it was revealed that Michael McGrath will undergo his EU commissioner verification hearing on the 5th of November. He will be assessed by MEPs from various European Parliament committees on his acumen for the justice commissioner role. There is a precedent in the parliament to reject at least one out of 26 selected commissioners, as was seen five years ago when three were rejected. Currently, the ex-Fianna Fáil minister is not perceived as particularly threatened, but circumstances can always change unexpectedly. As events develop, I’ll be recounting how the hearings are likely to progress.
This week, when I wasn’t engrossed in Intermezzo, there were several stories worth noting:
1 Amidst Israel’s intensifying strikes, Sally Hayden’s ongoing coverage from Lebanon stands out. She has reported from a village near Saida, where Israeli missile attacks claimed at least 45 lives, and also spoke with hospital workers treating further victims. Her reporting subtly yet powerfully conveys the devastating human impact of the war.
2 An utterly astounding story unfolded this week, courtesy of reporter Olivia Kelly, who revealed the peculiar tale of a female genital mutilation conference organized in Dublin. The event promoter tantalisingly suggested that notable figures, such as Richard Branson, would be in attendance, causing some campaigners to fork out significant sums for the event. A “power breakfast”, wher guests supposedly would mingle with rich philanthropists, was nothing more than a small gathering of advocates and scholars in Buswells Hotel’s rooms, featuring a sprinkling of muffins.
Even though I began reading this telling report on Budget 2025 by Pat Leahy and Jack Horgan-Jones a bit late, I found it an indeed revealing narration of behind-the-scenes manoeuvring that led to its formulation. The account is incredibly detailed, even down to the description of Snack bars set aside for consumption during the negotiations.
Despite being in Brussels, the whispers that were doing rounds in the Leinster House following the Sunday Times shocking revelation of an Oireachtas member’s alleged entanglement with Russian intelligence agents were palpable.
As a native of Marino, I feel a special kindship with those from Drumcondra. On that note, I was thrilled when one our finest exports, indie artist Orla Gartland, unleased a new album this month. She had an enlightening conversation with Lauren Murphy about her fresh recordings, an interaction worth perusing.
The podcast I’m currently engrossed in is Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan. In a recent episode, he hosted Ben Smith, an American journalist I deeply admire. Apart from setting up the news platform, Semafor, Ben has lent his journalistic prowess to the New York Times as their media columnist. His reports are simply worth every penny of a NYT subscription. He and Hugh delve into the significant transformations witnessed in media and journalism recently.
An opinion piece from the Financial Times circulated in the EU Brussels “bubble” caught my attention. It argues that for the EU to truly transform, the Nordic and Baltic countries, in partnership with Ireland and the Netherlands, should spearhead the much-needed reforms. The article by Martin Sandbu is a wake-up call, particularly as the region lags behind global powerhouses such as the US and China, with Germany and France, the traditional EU influencers, grappling with internal political crisis.
More to this, it’s worth noting that this week’s widely read stories are: drummer Larry Mullen from U2 battling with renovations done on his Howth property; dismissal by Ireland and Unifil of Israel’s demand to withdraw peacekeepers from the Lebanese border post; and chilling accusations levelled against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs that bear a striking resemblance to a horror movie script.
The discovery of a deceased woman in a residence in Belfast followed her reports of falling victim to severe crime in the preceding weeks. The often overlooked grief of losing a sibling was personally addressed by Anna Geary, who highlighted their irreplaceable presence especially in the absence of parents.
The forthcoming week promises intense activity in Brussels as the leaders of the 27 EU nations convene for a summit scheduled for Thursday. A significant portion of the European Council’s dialogue is anticipated to centre around their agreed stance on the conflict in Lebanon. Ireland is likely to advocate for assertive wording in any collective declarations and persist in urging the EU to take affirmative steps to hold Israel accountable for its conduct in Gaza and the West Bank.