Good day,
While the theory of relativity claims that nothing can outpace light, Irish Premier Simon Harris seems keen to challenge this notion. When he’s not sprinting across the country greeting everyone he encounters, he’s sending positive vibes to Taylor Swift, creating social media content about his daily activities or posting picturesque sunsets.
Having only taken up his post a few months back, Harris pledged that his stance on certain divisive issues, like the TV licence fee, would become apparent by the summer recess. However, it swiftly became evident that any significantly contentious or burdensome matters could easily be pushed aside. This was true for the postponed referendum on a unified patent court, and the Green Paper proposing changes in disability reform.
The problematic hate speech legislation might face a similar fate. Journalist Pat Leahy reveals that the much-debated hate speech and hate crime Bill is not anticipated to reappear before the Oireachtas during the summer recess, leading to speculation about its passage before the forthcoming general election. The Bill was temporarily shelved in the Seanad last year due to queries raised about its definition of gender, most notably by Senator Michael McDowell.
Informed sources disclosed that the Bill is unlikely to return to the Oireachtas prior to the summer recess as originally suggested. This suggests the delay could extend till autumn, considerably narrowing the opportunity for its passage before the impending elections. Despite multiple reassurances from government officials about the Coalition’s continuity until its term ends in March next year, few in the political sphere hold this view. Most parties are prepping for a potential autumn election, making it doubtful if there would be adequate time for the Bill’s enactment.
Would this transition the issue into a potentially contentious election debate? Likely so. The likely outcome of such a scenario would be intriguing, particularly how politicians who have earlier extended their support for the proposed laws respond when investigated by an inquisitive public during the competitive atmosphere of the election.
The founders of the Social Democrats also announce their departure.
Gossip early on Tuesday hinted at some movement within the Social Democrats and by lunchtime, it was official: former co-leaders Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall announced they would be stepping down from national politics at the forthcoming elections. For team members who have been working closely with them, this development wasn’t unexpected. It was clear from their stepping down as co-leaders in February 2023 that this was forthcoming.
Alongside the news update, we also provide an analysis on their decision, scrutinising how their exit will create a gap in the party, particularly due to the wealth of experience they share – almost half a century’s worth of Dáil knowledge. This withdrawal of wisdom and innate understanding of the institute will be a setback for younger party members and their dedicated personnel, who have worked side by side them for several years.
The task ahead for Holly Cairns is now to identify two potential representatives who will be able to fill the void in Dublin North West and Kildare North, Additionally, they would need to ensure that these candidates establish a rapport with the electorate in a limited timeframe.
However, one thing is clear – a wave of veteran TD retirements due from all sides of the political stage before the forthcoming election will surely transform the look of the 34th Dáil.
Recommended reads include “Miriam Lord: Girl power in the Dáil as”two very potent politicians” take centre stage”. The RTÉ chief has subtly taken aim at politicians’ scrutiny as the broadcaster receives its latest €20 million bailout.
The legal team of Donald Trump has succeeded in having his criminal sentencing in the recent “hush money” trial delayed by the Manhattan district attorney’s office to allow for a review of their argument that the recent US Supreme Court ruling places Trump’s conviction and the whole trial in question.
In the Dáil, tensions were high: Labour leader Ivana Bacik criticized Minister of State Emer Higgins for her “Fine Gael dog whistling” comments regarding her intervention in the prospective Dublin City Council Transport Plan.
Marie O’Halloran, our parliamentary correspondent from the Dáil shares: Taoiseach Simon Harris and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald had a tussle over a Government choice to waive the law’s requirement for the former DIT college’s redevelopment on Aungier Street, a state-owned land, to include social and affordable housing.
On the agenda today, we kick things off with Current Affairs at 9.10am, succeeded by Private Member Discussions, where the Labour Party will advance a resolution concerning violence anchored in gender bias. Leadership Discussions will proceed at midday, after which questions pertaining to policy or legislative matters will be raised. Following, Simon Harris, our Taoiseach, will entertain queries at 1.05pm. Administrative affairs are slated to commence at 1.50pm, during which declarations aiming to address all shades of domestic, sexual, and gender-based aggression will be made. Micheál Martin, the Tánaiste and the Defence Minister, will propose a motion for validation by the Dáil, focusing on a report that scrutinizes the Defence Forces engagement with the United Nations in 2023. At 8.49pm, the Government’s proposed automatic-enrollment pension savings scheme will be brought before the Dáil; discussions on amendments introduced by the Seanad are anticipated. The Dáil’s assembly will consequently be suspended at 10.39pm. The comprehensive itinerary may be accessed here.
Senate Ireland
The initial programmes have been organized for 10.30am, trailed by an hour later by the Order of Business. Next, Senators will deliberate on the Health Miscellaneous Provisions Bill- which seeks to strengthen the authority of a legally and policy maker to introduce regulations for obtaining medicinal products. An afternoon tete-a-tete is scheduled at 2.30pm to debate the Defence Amendment Bill, looking to establish an institution referred to as the Comhlacht Formhaoirsithe Seachtrach Óglaigh na hÉireann. The projected law would enforce penalties for the unauthorised usage of the Irish Defence Forces moniker, Óglaigh na hÉireann. Several paramilitary organisations, inclusive of the Provisional IRA, have previously taken the liberty of using the title. This initiative takes inspiration from the Bill suggested by Senator Malcolm Byrne in 2021, aiming to safeguard preferential usage of the title Óglaigh na hÉireann exclusively for the Defence Forces. A legislative proposal designed to pave the way for setting up a specialised treatment centre for residential as well as outpatient attention to spinal scoliosis cases in children and adults will be on the table for discussion at 7pm. It has been garnered that the Government does not resist this. The Senate’s session will be temporarily halted at 9pm.
Committees.END
At half-past nine in the morning, the Joint Health Committee is set to receive briefings from officials of the HSE on the topic of both Child and Adult Mental Health Services (Camhs) and other subjects of interest. Following this, at 10 o’clock sharp, the Joint Committee on European Affairs will commence an interactive session to deliberate on the main agenda of the Hungarian leadership of the European Council. The assembly will get an opportunity to engage with Mr Gergely Bánhegyi, the diplomat from Hungary. Concurrently, the new Minister for Enterprise, Mr Peter Burke, will present his principal goals and pertinent legislation before the Joint Enterprise Committee. At half-past one in the afternoon, Eamon Ryan, the Minister for Transport, is scheduled to appear before the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications to elaborate on the Government’s freshly devised approach for tackling and minimizing traffic buildup. At the exact same instance, the issue of depenalisation, decriminalisation, diversion, and legalisation will be the subject of discussion of the Joint Committee on Drugs Use, which will be attended by members of the Irish College of General Practitioners and Justice Sheehan.
For other notable updates, do visit the Oireachtas website’s landing page.