Split opinions on Sitka spruce’s biodiversity value
Are such plantations ‘alive to all forms of native flora and fauna’ or do they ‘limit biodersity almost completely’?
Michael Healy-Rae
Miriam Lord: Sinn Féin’s ard fheis to see Kneecap workshop - and what’s with new Dáil seating plan?
A three-hour short programme sharpened Shinner appetites for Saturday’s packed agenda
Healy-Rae family downplay rift but tensions in Kerry were simmering even before fuel blockades
‘If there’s a row like that going on in Kilgarvan, someone better tell me,’ says Cllr Johnny Healy-Rae
Healy-Rae brothers under strain as Kingdom detente is broken
Inside Politics: Danny Healy-Rae denies feud as speculation mounts over Independent Kerry TDs’ political strategy
No ‘bitter row’ between the Healy-Raes following Michael’s resignation, Danny says
Reports of a rift between brothers following vote against confidence motion have been denied
Wildlife experts call for ‘misleading’ timber industry book to be removed from schools
Foreword by Michael Healy-Rae champions virtues of commercial Sitka spruce without referencing environmental harms
Two-for-one deal comes back to bite Healy-Raes
Cries of ‘Justice for the Kilgarvan One’ in the Dáil as TD mounts his doomed defence
Danny Healy-Rae loses committee seat after vote against Government confidence motion
Kerry TD appeals in Dáil to be allowed remain on Agriculture Committee
Energy supports and income-tax cuts possible in Budget 2027, Simon Harris confirms
Taoiseach Micheál Martin defended Coalition’s response to the fuel crisis and underlined the importance of renewables
The Irish Times view on the Government’s week: a palpable sense of unease
The damage runs deeper than one-day news events
Will Jim O’Callaghan’s Army threat against fuel protesters come back to haunt Fianna Fáil?
Inside Politics podcast with Hugh Linehan
Pace of events in Irish politics over the past chaotic week has been dizzying to say the least
Elsewhere in the world, a summer of travel disruption may be looming if oil supplies remain blocked by the Iran war
The Kingdom divided: mixed views in Kerry on Michael Healy-Rae leaving Government
In the heartland of the Healy-Rae political dynasty, opinions differ on whether the Independent TD was right to quit his junior ministry
Fundamental shift in political landscape
There is a troubling disconnect between the Taoiseach and voters. Micheál Martin must reconnect with the people or stand down
David McCullagh is a drawler whose sensitivity training needs a tweak, but it works
Radio: Oliver Callan indicates listeners are not the only ones discombobulated by the sonic makeover at RTÉ Radio 1
Taoiseach under pressure from Fianna Fáil backbenchers as Healy-Rae fallout continues
Three Fianna Fáil TDs issue statement strongly criticising direction of party
Grim warning on gas prices, Taoiseach under pressure, and broke Floyd Mayweather
Early Edition with Aideen Finnegan: Why does Ireland have the most expensive electricity prices?
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs believe both parties left damaged after tumultuous 10 days
Renewed questions over Taoiseach’s future while need to reconnect with core voters identified within Fine Gael
Micheál Martin probably wasn’t anticipating a second surprise attack from within
Opposition politicians watch on as cracks in the Government’s resolve deepen
Healy-Rae resignation: Foley expresses surprise, says no one in Government knew in advance
Healy-Rae put out video 24 hours earlier endorsing Government’s supports package, says Minister for Children
Healy-Raes’ withdrawal leaves three-legged Coalition stool looking a bit wobblier
Michael Healy-Rae resigns as junior minister amid fuel protest fallout as Government wins confidence vote but faces stability questions
Government survives confidence vote; cuts to fuel prices kick in; criticism of basic income scheme
Our top stories on Wednesday’s Early Edition podcast
Michael Healy-Rae looked like a man who had seen a ghost. Something was afoot
While the Government comfortably won the confidence vote, the Kerry TD looked uncomfortable as he prepared for his bombshell
Coalition suffers first major defection as Michael Healy-Rae resigns
Kerry TD charged the Government with having ‘let the people down’ and `losing its way, not listening'
Michael Healy-Rae resigns as Minister of State after Government ‘let the people down’
Coalition survives confidence motion in Dáil following handling of fuel protests
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
Michael Healy-Rae, the Minister who sympathises with protesters, has his cake and eats it
Radio: John Cooke keeps the peace amid an on-air cacophony while, on The Hard Shoulder, Shane Coleman warns of anarchy
The three reasons why the Government refuses to meet the fuel protesters
Opposition parties called for engagement with demonstrators but there is distrust of them within Cabinet
Michael Healy-Rae property business got €113,000 from State for housing Ukrainians last year
Junior Minister’s Roughty Properties has received €1.33m since late 2022 for accommodating refugees at Tralee property
Airbnb-style operators renting for over seven years may get planning reprieve
Operators will have to show tax compliance for the time they have been in business
Michael Healy-Rae: What does ‘Ireland’s wealthiest TD’ own and what is it worth?
Dáil register of members’ interest has drawn attention to Kerry junior minister’s huge property portfolio and State contract to accommodate Ukrainians
Government has ‘no immediate concerns’ about disruption to oil supplies
Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae calls for measures to reduce fuel prices
Has Kerrygold changed? The butter mystery lighting up social media
Plus: Caoilfhionn Gallagher moving on up, Michael Healy-Rae’s New York Times shares and the demise of O’Devaney
Five TDs tell Dáil register they have stopped renting out properties
Overall, 58 TDs declared land or properties aside from their own homes in their returns for 2025
Miriam Lord: Driven demented by the infernal Dáil bells – and Danny Healy-Rae’s Nokia
FF’s Malcolm Byrne wants a composer-in-residence in Leinster House, which might distract from the constant ding-donging
The new short-term letting rules: has the tourism sector won at the expense of housing?
Ban on planning for new short-term lets in places with more than 20,000 people is seen as a victory for tourism over housing
Unclear how many short-term lets could be returned to residential use under crackdown
Department of Housing says ‘significant number’ of properties will be brought into long-term market
The Irish Times view on short-term lets: Government rhetoric rings hollow
There is a reluctance to make difficult trade-offs to address housing crisis
U-turn on regulating short-term lets: striking a balance or a sop to Michael Healy-Rae?
With two rental properties and 300 Airbnbs, Killarney is a battleground for housing need versus tourism
Short-term let restrictions will only apply to towns with populations over 20,000 after Government rowback
Minister for Tourism says opposition from Norma Foley and Michael Healy-Rae not the reason for change of approach
U2’s Larry Mullen plays a blinder at the agriculture committee – surely some mistake?
Farmers’ groups called for the head of the Bord Bia chairman Larry Murrin, some mixing him up with the famous drummer
Storm Éowyn one year on: ‘It took away the last few things my son enjoyed ... his world really narrowed’
People who were affected by the storm are already dreading the next big weather event
Why is Ireland so badly governed? Here’s why...
Road Safety Authority requests show our TDs are not doing the jobs they are elected to do
Michael Healy-Rae loses the room with grandstand performance over Mercosur
Mixed messages and ‘red-line’ threats didn’t win favour with fellow Independents
Ireland’s rejection of Mercosur sees Coalition concerns trump EU politics
Michael Healy-Rae’s intervention dashed any chance of voting for trade deal between the EU and South American bloc
Independent TDs stand firm in opposition to Mercosur trade deal
An Irish vote against contentious trade deal risks burning political capital in Brussels
EU vote on Mercosur trade deal with South American nations takes place on Friday
Government should vote against agreement even if Ireland is only opponent, Michael Healy-Rae says
Miriam Lord’s look back at 2025 and predictions for the year ahead
With a healthy majority thanks to Independents, the Coalition should have time to get a grip on the issues of most concern to voters
Miriam’s Lord’s week: Fianna Fáil election fiasco report bundles Jim Gavin under the bus
Micheál Martin and his team ease back on the contrition and their inept handling of the presidential election campaign
Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Sinn Féin oppose Bill to ban fox hunting
Réada Cronin says she will continue trying to persuade Sinn Féin ardfheis to ban ‘abhorrent, cruel, barbaric’ activity
Mercosur: Ireland’s opposition to deal may depend on ‘blocking minority’, Tánaiste suggests
Fears of farmers’ protest ‘with 10,000 tractors in Dublin’ if Ireland backs EU deal with South American bloc
Don’t think twice, it’s all right to get a selfie in Leinster House
Mix-ups over photos and Bob Dylan, memories of a cow called Thatcher, and Mr Angry meets his match
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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Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices