leo-varadkar

Irish supermarkets engage in price war on milk and butter: What it means for consumers and the industry

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In a rare move, top retailers in Ireland have slashed prices on two grocery essentials, giving consumers a much-needed break. The action began with Lidl’s announcement that it would be reducing prices on its own-brand milk by about 4% at 6 pm on Friday, which prompted Aldi, Tesco, and SuperValu to follow suit within just … Read more

Reintroduction of Mortgage Interest Relief Considered by Irish Government After ECB Rate Hike

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The recent decision by the European Central Bank (ECB) to raise interest rates for the seventh time since last July has put immense pressure on mortgage holders in Ireland. As a result, the reintroduction of mortgage interest relief is currently being negotiated within the Government ahead of the upcoming budget, according to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. … Read more

“May Bank Holiday Break Sparks Political Tempests, Kangaroo Court Talk, and Organized Crime in Ireland”

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After the May bank holiday, there were plenty of interesting discussions in the Dáil. There were mentions of Mexican imports, political scandals, and imported wood chips from Brazil and peat from Latvia. Matt Shanahan of the Regional Independents mentioned the lack of government commitment to the southeast compared to Dublin and Cork, causing John Paul … Read more

Obituary: Mary Kerrigan, Barrister, Journalist, and Political Adviser

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Mary Kerrigan, a prominent barrister, journalist, and political adviser, has passed away in Dublin after an illness. She began her career in journalism, spending 15 years with the Irish Press titles before becoming the Fianna Fáil press director under the leadership of then Taoiseach Albert Reynolds. Later, she practiced as a barrister, was a member … Read more

Ireland Joins North Sea Plan to Quadruple Offshore Wind Energy Generation and Build International Grid

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Ireland has joined a group of eight European countries in a pledge to quadruple wind energy generation and develop “islands” linking offshore energy infrastructure in order to create a vast power generation network. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says that Ireland’s inclusion in the North Sea plan is key to avoiding being left out of European plans … Read more

UK prime minister calls for Northern institutions to operate every year for next 25, at Belfast Agreement conference

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The UK government’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has recently called upon unionist political parties in Northern Ireland to cooperate with Westminster in order to restore powersharing in the region. Sunak’s comments follow a prolonged period of political deadlock in Northern Ireland, which has seen the Stormont Assembly inactive for over three years. With … Read more

“Leaders gather in Belfast for final day of GFA summit to restore Stormont and guarantee Belfast Agreement”

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Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar joined an illustrious gathering of top UK and EU leaders in Belfast for the final day of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) summit. Alongside UK Cabinet Ministers, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Trade Secretary Liz Truss, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Varadkar discussed … Read more

Sinn Fein is facing calls to clarify the extent of its knowledge of Jonathan Dowdall’s links to criminality before his election as a party councillor in 2014. The call follows an admission by senior Sinn Fein TD Eoin Ó Broin that the party had discussed a 2011 shooting incident at the home of Dowdall’s uncle with Dowdall before the 2014 elections. Dowdall was jailed in 2017 for offences involving the “waterboarding” of a man at his home. He subsequently pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of facilitating murder by booking a room in Dublin’s Regency Hotel.

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Sinn Féin is facing pressure to clarify whether it was aware of links between former councillor Jonathan Dowdall and criminality prior to his 2014 election by the party, following revelations that Sinn Féin officials discussed a 2011 shooting at Dowdall’s uncle’s house with him prior to the local election. Dowdall was jailed for involvement in … Read more

“Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and President Joe Biden discuss challenges posed by China”

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US officials have revealed that Joe Biden and his Irish counterpart, Leo Varadkar, recently discussed the challenges posed by China and other pressing issues. As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, global leaders are seeking solutions to a host of economic and political dilemmas. In this article, we explore … Read more

The Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use, established following a resolution of the Irish Dáil in February, has begun in the Grand Hotel in Malahide. The 99-member assembly has been asked to consider legislative and policy changes aimed at reducing the harmful impact of drugs in Ireland. The assembly will hear from national and international experts over the coming months before presenting its recommendations to the Oireachtas at the end of the year.

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The Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use has held its inaugural meeting in the Grand Hotel in Malahide, marking the start of the “most extensive, engaged discussion on the issue of drug use” in Ireland’s history. Over two days, and in subsequent meetings until October, more than 90 members will hear from a variety of national … Read more