Varadkar’s Unity Call vs Harris

Although no longer the leader of Fine Gael or the taoiseach, Leo Varadkar has put forth a substantial agenda for the forthcoming general elections, with a daring challenge for all political groups to commit to the concept of Irish unity. He believes that the unification sentiment, which many people merely aspire to, should be transformed into a tangible goal for the coming Irish government, irrespective of who takes power.

One might question whether this is Varadkar capitalising on Sinn Féin’s distinctive policy, or inadvertently assisting it? His discussion with Mark Hennessy at Indiana’s Notre Dame University provided a riveting insight, even suggesting the possibility of the Dáil conducting sessions at Stormont occasionally following unification.

Would this be a step too far for Simon Harris? It certainly seems to exceed the stance of Fianna Fáil’s leader, Micheál Martin.

It wouldn’t be shocking if Sinn Féin took Varadkar’s unity plea as a steppingstone in their argument for a border poll.

Will Sinn Féin have sufficient time to regain its appeal prior to the general elections?

As the week of international engagements in the Big Apple winds down, Simon Harris, Micheál Martin and Eamon Ryan are poised to return to domestic affairs, colloquially referred to as Small Potatoes politics. Simon Harris is scheduled to return stateside in a couple of weeks for a celebration at the White House hosted by US president Joe Biden.

The Cabinet’s weekly meeting, delayed until today, is anticipated to dive straight into policy matters. Jack Horgan-Jones, on his survey for us yesterday, has pinned down a few key points up for discussion.

Harris is set to present the outcomes of the Dublin city taskforce investigation to his fellow Cabinet members within the following fortnight. Additionally, he plans to share an update about an extensive new strategy for the north inner city, developed from the north inner city taskforce initiatives. The proposal includes installing more CCTV cameras in locations ridden with large-scale antisocial behaviour. It also suggests subsidising primary school children for attending extracurricular activities and forming new clubs catered towards them.

Yesterday saw both the current Green Party leader, Roderic O’Gorman, and his antecedent Eamon Ryan making headlines. Ryan has been designated as leading the climate adaptation discussions at the imminent COP assembly of the United Nations, according to Kevin O’Sullivan.

According to reports, O’Sullivan is expected to orchestrate discussions during future UN climate negotiations in Azerbaijan, aiming to amplify support to make vulnerable nations more resilient against the impacts of climate change.

Meanwhile, O’Gorman fiercely defended a Government plan where homeowners and landlords receive a tax-free monthly payment of €800 for providing housing to Ukrainian refugees.

Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty expressed criticism towards this scheme, advocating that only host families should have access to the scheme and arguing against inclusion of properties that should otherwise be part of the private rental market, as reported by Marie O’Halloran. Retorting to Doherty, both O’Gorman and Labour leader Ivana Bacik voiced their concerns. They warned Doherty against targeting Ukrainians amidst a burgeoning housing crisis, with O’Gorman predicting dire impacts like homelessness for thousands of Ukrainians.

In a curious tale of a security hut costing a whopping €1.4 million, echoes have been made of a prior incident involving a bicycle shed worth an astounding €335,000. Questions about why the security hut boasting granite, glass and an elegant curved copper roof was so costly were raised amongst journalists and politicians alike. It has been confirmed by John Conlan, Chair of the OPW, that it indeed cost €1.4 million while serving at the Oireachtas Finance Committee, eliciting shock from Tánaiste Micheál Martin in New York who decried the figure as ‘ridiculous’.

Conlon justified the expense, indicating that many unforeseen elements were included, such as intricate security measures and a variety of electronic and mechanical components. There was also resistance from the OPW to the Oireachtas Commission, with its chairman, Seán Ó Fearghail, criticising the hefty price associated with the bike shelter. Conlan mentioned that the OPW had proposed an uncovered bike stand in the space between Leinster House and the Government Buildings at a trivial cost, but this idea was dismissed by the Commission due to safety concerns.

Morning Updates include Miriam Lord’s commentary on the exorbitantly priced shelters, and a meeting report by Shauna Bowers on the Oireachtas Health Committee, which centred on the skyrocketing expenses of the NCH. Fine Gael senator Jerry Buttimer has joined the party’s slate for Cork South Central. Late Tuesday, the Taoiseach held a meeting in New York with Mahmoud Abbas from the Palestinian Authority; Jennifer Bray gives her report and analysis of the trip.

The Cabinet agenda today: from 9 am to 12 pm, Helen McEntee and Charlie McConalogue, both ministers will be taking parliamentary inquiries separately. This will follow with the Leaders’ Questions at 12 pm, and the Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Bill 2024 – Second Stage at 13.49pm. At 19:23pm, either a Private Members’ Bill or a Committee Report will be presented, with the Dáil Adjournment set for 20:38pm.

In Seanad, at 11.45pm the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 will be introduced. The government is keen to have this important Bill endorsed before the impending elections. The Motor Insurance Insolvency Compensation Bill 2024 – Second Stage will take place at 14.45pm.

Committees include the Committee of Public Accounts at 9.30am, reviewing Financial Statements 2023 from Uisce Éireann. Simultaneously, the Social Protection Committee will review ESRI’s Report on Poverty, Income Inequality and Living Standards in Ireland: Fourth Annual Report.

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