Taoiseach Simon Harris announced that the government may contemplate the establishment of varying levels of child benefit rates. However, this won’t be addressed in the 2025 Budget. Mr Harris is an avid supporter of the universal child benefit principle, expressing concern for those children in Irish society with greater needs. The child benefit stands at €140 monthly per child, irrespective of family earnings. The Taoiseach discussed the potential for establishing a new child benefit rate specifically for children in greater need, but clarified that it would be an issue for future governmental discussion and not part of the current budget.
While visiting the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois, Mr Harris spoke on various subjects. He discussed the appointment of Michael McGrath, Ireland’s EU Commissioner, to the justice portfolio. The Taoiseach expressed that this appointment signifies a show of confidence from commission president Ursula von der Leyen in Mr McGrath. He further highlighted the portfolio’s increase in size and special responsibility for consumer protection.
In response to Sinn Féin’s intention to distribute €1 billion from Apple tax funds to disadvantaged communities, the Taoiseach criticized the idea as another attempt by the Opposition party at spending money recklessly. Mentioning the proposed direct funding for RTÉ, he stressed the government’s stance on keeping the license fee and refuted any discussion on the matter. He claimed Sinn Féin was seeking to create division in communities with their recent political endeavours.
The ploughing festival on Tuesday was graced by the presence of Mary Lou McDonald, the president of Sinn Féin, and Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill, who also serves as the vice-president. McDonald, in discussing the challenges of the past year, which included severe health issues afflicting both her and her husband, as well as the loss of her father, expressed the transformative impact it had on her perspective of the world and politics as a whole.
She emphasized the revolutionary effect of sorrow and sickness on not just the individual but also the family unit, citing major shifts in dynamics triggered by illnesses such as cancer. Whether her personal experiences had repercussive effects on her political activities or not, she suggested, was for others to judge. Nevertheless, she maintained, her experiences had nurtured in her an invigorated and profound appreciation for caregivers – those who take up the mantle of caring for those in need within our healthcare system and in familial contexts.
The festival was inaugurated by Michael D Higgins, the President. He outlined the key messages he plans to deliver during a special summit focusing on the United Nations’ future, set to take place next week in New York. He will highlight pressing global issues such as the severe hunger that threatens the wellbeing of 280 million individuals, the destructive implications of drought in Africa, and the world’s unsuccessful attempts to reach sustainable development targets.
Higgins voiced his indignation regarding the imbalance of global priorities, drawing attention to the escalating military expenses, which in 2023 hit a record-breaking $2.44 trillion. He opined that such expenditure had unequivocally surpassed the attention given to diplomacy, particularly evident in regions such as Gaza.
Higgins, aged 83, discussed his health condition after suffering a stroke earlier this year. He acknowledged his ongoing mobility issues which necessitated the use of two walking aids to maintain balance.