Greetings,
Today is a turning point for the families of the Stardust disaster deceased, who have been demanding an official apology from the state for over four decades. Ordinary parliamentary proceedings, including Leaders’ Questions, have been deferred in the Dáil to make way for the impending apology from Taoiseach Simon Harris set to happen after two in the afternoon. The ensuing conversations are projected to continue till roughly six in the evening. The victims’ families will be observing from the gallery above the Dáil chamber.
The much-awaited state apology has been the heart of appeal for the kin of the 48 young victims who perished in the 1981 fire. The Taoiseach’s words will be closely monitored by the grieving families.
Before offering the apology, Taoiseach Harris is scheduled to inform the Cabinet about it. This comes in the wake of last week’s inquest jury verdict pronouncing that the victims were illegally killed. As reported this morning, the Government will endorse last week’s verdict along with the jury’s recommendations. The Justice Minister Helen McEntee, along with other related ministers, will be requested by Harris to keep close track of the execution of these recommendations.
In addition to this, it will be the responsibility of the Department of Taoiseach to plan appropriate tributes post consultation with bereaved families. The question of recompense has not been fully addressed, with the current focus primarily being on the state apology.
Taoiseach Harris interacted with survivors and the relatives of the Stardust victims in a meeting over the weekend, which he characterised as “humbling and emotional.” He spent the prior days acquainting himself with every victim’s profile for better understanding of their individual identities.
The resulting verdict from last weeks’ proceedings, which dissected more than 90 days’ worth of evidence from 373 witnesses, stands as a crucial victory for the aggrieved families. This day will thereafter be marked as a significant moment in their long and arduous path towards justice.
The Cabinet will place housing, immigration, and economic updates at the top of the agenda.
Patrick O’Donovan, the newly appointed Minister for Higher Education, is set to make one of his first significant pronouncements in the role today. He will announce plans for the additional provision of 1,000 student accommodations across three universities. This expansion of student housing has been made possible through a considerable fund of €100 million from the National Development Plan, which is being described as a “windfall”.
In the government’s content that will be put forth to the Cabinet, the strategy is to concentrate on introducing 1,014 dedicated student accommodations at three universities. This plan includes 493 units at UCD, 405 at DCU, and 116 at Maynooth University.
Significantly, one-third of these new provisions will be reserved for students receiving Susi grants or those coming from low-income households. Construction of these units is slated to begin this year at DCU and Maynooth University, with UCD’s project expected to kick off in early 2025.
In tandem, Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman is expected to put forth a proposal to fast-track the recognition process for childminders so that they can enrol with Tusla and become eligible for existing childminding subsidies. Notably, childminders who haven’t registered with Tusla, the agency overseeing children and families, currently may not benefit from the childcare scheme due to the lack of a centralised registration system for childminders.
Meanwhile, Minister for Finance Michael McGrath is due to present the 2024 Stability Programme Update (SPU). This report will offer insight into the economic condition of the nation and mark the onset of preparations for the 2025 Budget.
The Department of Taoiseach will also provide an update regarding the Government’s Housing For All scheme. The need for this comes on the back of a private cautioning to ministers that an additional 120,000 homes will be required by 2030.
In a bid to further tighten immigration laws, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee is set to propose a fast-tracked application process in the cabinet meeting. This expedited system will be applicable to arrivals from whichever country has had the greatest influx into Ireland over the preceding three months. Currently, Nigeria has the highest number of arrivals, and under this proposed new system, applicants’ cases will receive a decision within 90 days.
In a discussion with Jack Horgan-Jones, Joe O’Brien, the State Minister for Integration, remarked that ex-taoiseach Leo Varadkar didn’t intensely push governmental sections to source accommodation for homeless asylum seekers.
Frequently asked queries regarding Ireland’s newest national park, Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara have been addressed.
Allegations against Donald Trump reveal that he implemented ‘election fraud’ to shroud a reimbursement made to an adult film actor, as disclosed in a ‘hush money’ trial.
A comprehensive interview with Nancy Pelosi was conducted by Pat Leahy at the American ambassador’s residence in Phoenix Park. Pelosi insisted that Donald Trump could not possibly regain US presidency and affirmed it wouldn’t transpire.
The Dáil’s agenda for today majorly focuses on an state apology for the Stardust tragedy victims and their families. Taoiseach Simon Harris will present the formal apology at 2pm and following discussions will last till around 6pm. Later, information regarding Public Expenditure from Minister Paschal Donohoe will be solicited. Late in the evening, trendy issues will be considered and the Dáil will wrap up at 11.43pm.
The Seanad will touch base on business matters at 2pm and then engage in a conversation about the exchange of passenger data between Canada and the European Union. The Research and Innovation Bill will be deliberated further at 3.45pm.
Today’s committee rooms will be buzzing with numerous discussions. Early in the day at 10am, the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage will examine preliminary legislation looking at the general scheme of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024. Additionally, the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action will have dialogue with creators of Ireland’s Climate Change Assessment report at 11am. Later in the afternoon at 3.30pm, the Joint Committee on Justice will debate over the EU’s migration pact. These substantial proposed amendments to immigration rules have been the subject of intense debate across the EU and are expected to be analyzed further next week in the Dáil.