Here come the posters, but there’s lots to look forward to in Dublin and Galway byelections
Polling day for Dublin Central and Galway West to be set this morning for May 22nd
Independent Ireland
Danny Healy-Rae loses committee seat after vote against Government confidence motion
Kerry TD appeals in Dáil to be allowed remain on Agriculture Committee
Martin to carry on as FF leader into next elections and ‘fulfil my mandate’
Fuel support package ‘not permanent answer’, Martin says of energy crisis at annual 1916 commemoration event
‘Passion’ not ‘misogyny’ was why Independent Ireland TDs shouted at women Ministers, party says
More than 10 elected FF and FG representatives interested in joining party, leader says
Saying no is not Simon Harris’s favourite part of the job
The decent people who protested last week have a choice to make next time they’re on the streets
State’s authority will be challenged again. We need to be ready
Last week’s events are clear warning to Government and gardaí about scale of what may come
Government survives confidence vote after surprise Michael Healy-Rae resignation
Sharp exchanges in Dáil debate as Coalition accused of ‘abandoning the Irish people’ by Mary Lou McDonald amid fuel crisis
Michael Healy-Rae resignation: Is the Coalition now under threat?
The prospect of tougher times ahead for the Government is not unlikely as it looks weaker and more brittle
Opposition parties support fuel protests but stop short of endorsing blockades
Many TDs are preparing to support Sinn Féin’s motion of no confidence in the Government this week
Fuel protests: Coalition’s worst week shows Ireland unprepared for economic deterioration
Demonstrators’ blockades only lifted after Garda action and €500m of Government supports
Fuel protests: Blockades at Galway, Foynes and Rosslare Europort stood down
Wexford and Limerick protesters say they did not want situation to escalate
‘You know who’s in control’ - How the fuel protests brought the country to a standstill
The seeds of this week’s disruption were sown in meetings in late March and fomented in online forums and WhatsApp groups
Government critical of fuel protesters as demonstrations set to continue into third day
Ministers insist they will only speak to organisations such as Irish Road Hauliers Association and Irish Farmers Association
Fine Gael selects Senator Seán Kyne to contest Galway West byelection for party
Vacant Dáil seat stemmed from election of former independent TD Catherine Connolly as president
Sinn Féin leads a scattered field
Forming behind the party is an orderly queue of alternatives, all aware that the electorate is frustrated
The Minister says ‘Death’ is calling and you must not answer
Given the anticipated global St Patrick’s Day ministerial airlift, concerns have sprouted on what to do in case of emergency at home
California dreaming: Simon Harris’s west coast trip gets Sharon Stone seal of approval
‘He’s supposed to be the prime minister, so why is he carrying his own bag?’ - Micheál makes waves in China
The Dáil’s floodgates have opened and led to some Michael Collins cussin’
The Independent Ireland leader seemed to momentarily forget where he was during a watery Uisce Éireann debate
‘It’s the death knell for Irish farming’: Thousands attend Mercosur protest in Athlone
EU trade deal with South American bloc is ‘difficult pill to swallow’, say farmers
Miriam Lord’s Awards: Who gets the gongs for brass neck, cringe event and politician of the year?
It was a weird political year, featuring a humiliating presidential election for the Government parties and a far happier time for the Opposition
Dáil votes by narrow margin not to restore abortion Bill that ends three-day wait for termination
Legislation passed second stage in previous Dáil but TDs decided by 73 to 71 to reject Bill
Ireland worst in EU for transgender healthcare with four-year wait times, Dáil hears
Labour’s Marie Sherlock says young people ‘self-medicating on the black market’
Cork homes lie empty for 15 years amid delays in connecting to wastewater network
Uisce Éireann says ‘there is no capacity for new connections’ at Carrignavar near the city
Challenge to Bob Vylan concert at Vicar Street dropped by councillor
Objection by Independent Ireland’s Linda de Courcy was found not legitimate by judge who granted venue’s licence
After their grand day out at Dublin Castle, TDs were rolling in the aisles in Dáil
Verona Murphy hatched a comedy line, but deputy Michael Collins was counting his chickens already
High Court stays final orders in Athlone international protection accommodation case
Protests took place last year over plan to develop tented accommodation on site to rear of existing direct provision centre
Call in Dáil for immediate byelection to fill Catherine Connolly’s Galway West seat
Deputies pay tribute after she became first sitting woman TD to win presidential election
Former TD Eamon Ó Cuív declines to rule out return to contest Galway West byelection
Among other potential contenders is the president-elect’s son, Stephen Connolly
Combined support for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael at historic low
Satisfaction with Taoiseach Micheál Martin has taken a significant hit in today’s Irish Times Ipsos B&A poll
Lack of enthusiasm among Fine Gael supporters for Heather Humphreys
Thus far, the 2025 campaign has been eventful, to say the least
Budget 2026 to include support for holiday locations such as west Cork and Kerry
Taoiseach signals support for holiday locations such as Cork, Kerry and west of Ireland
Independent Ireland leader ‘not happy at all’ with councillor seeking to halt Bob Vylan gig in Dublin
Linda de Courcy took legal proceedings to try to stop a Dublin concert by controversial punk-rap duo
Independent Ireland councillor takes legal action in bid to halt Bob Vylan gig in Dublin
Pro-Palestine rap music duo scheduled to play headline show in November in Dublin
Maria Steen complains she was shut out of presidential race after nominations shortfall
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín says Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and others ‘pulled up the ladder’ to stop conservative from challenging them
Maria Steen ‘hopeful’ she can still get on ballot paper for presidential election
But campaigner admits time running out to get 20 nominations needed from TDs, senators
Maria Steen seeking three more nominations before deadline to get on presidential election ballot paper
Independent Ireland’s decision adds four TDs and a considerable boost to Steen’s efforts to get on the ballot paper
Presidential race: Sinn Féin’s ‘game changer’ candidate may be a show of weakness
If Heather Humphreys wins it will be with the assistance of Gavin’s transfers, and vice versa
On Dáil’s first day back, Eoin Hayes looked lost and unsure where to sit
Independent Ireland’s Michael Collins asked for minute’s silence for assassinated Charlie Kirk
Presidential race: Party ‘open to meeting’ Tony Holohan and Michael Flatley on nominations
Mary Hanafin says it would be ‘insult’ to presidency if FF does not run candidate
Irish Times poll: Support for Government parties holds steady as Sinn Féin slumps
Despite gathering economic worries and concern about multinational sector, Government parties show little movement in support since April
Ireland’s dissatisfied voters are moving, but not towards the left
Coalition’s chief rivals, Sinn Féin, slip back significantly and Independents make gains
So far nobody wants the Presidency and its quarter-of-a-million euro salary. Why?
Campaign savagery proves the system works because it weeds out the inexperienced, self-deluded and fantasists
Miriam Lord’s week: Influencer Richie Herlihy’s foul-mouthed review of Dáil restaurant leaves a bad taste
Richie Herlihy met none of the TDs he wouldn’t get along with, but if he had, he would have given them a piece of his mind
‘La-Z-Boy’ recliner requested for Leinster House office by TD to ‘enhance the workspace’s comfort’
Independent Ireland TD Kenneth O’Flynn looked for 10 separate items for his parliamentary office including a La-Z-Boy recliner. Photograph: Stock image
Independent Ireland ‘open to nominating presidential candidate’
Party yet to decide if it will put forward one of its own members or join with others in backing an independent
Oireachtas committee chair appointments under way ahead of Dáil return next week
Dispute over speaking time for Independent TDs had held up decisions to hand out key roles with €10,880 salary top-up
Sinn Féin to chair Oireachtas justice and defence committees
Government parties take lead positions on housing and infrastructure panels
Conor McGregor presidential bid: All but one of 188 councillors would not vote for MMA fighter, survey shows
Councillors are bracing for a chaotic bid to seek presidential nomination
Opposition leaders stop short of no confidence motion in Verona Murphy
Opposition stops short of tabling motion of no confidence in Ceann Comhairle following her decision to push through vote on controversial changes
Greens to lose €850,000 a year, Social Democrats and Aontú to gain in new funding allocation
Exchequer funding given to nine parties obtaining at least 2 per cent of first preferences
‘Very challenging’ for new government to be in place after next meeting of Dáil, Fianna Fáil TD says
Minister of State James Browne says ‘significant progress’ made in negotiations before Christmas
Explain Irish politics to visiting foreign relatives with Pat Leahy’s informed sceptic’s guide
Wondering about how you’ll explain Irish politics to visiting foreign relatives – or to yourself? Wonder no more
Analysis: What next for climate policy now the Greens are out of government?
A campaign where the main parties downplayed climate issues and shunned hard choices bodes ill for ambitious climate policies in the next programme for government
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Stardust
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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