Harry McGee

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Harry McGee

In December, when Government-formation talks were under way, a Fianna Fáil TD stopped for a chat on the steps of Leinster House. At that time there was still a possibility that Labour might be willing to make a deal. This Fianna Fáil TD clearly preferred that option. “My gut instinct is to be supported by a bloc,” he mused. “Labour is a bloc. The Independents have been trying to create one but the reason they are Independent is they have no whip.

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Harry McGee

A decision by Sinn Féin vote against an Opposition Bill seeking to ban fox hunting was “deeply troubling” and potentially undemocratic, the acting Social Democrats leader has said. A Private Members’ Bill to ban hunting was introduced to the Dáil on Wednesday by People Before Profit TD Ruth Coppinger. Bills are not normally voted on at that early stage and are given leave to pass to the second stage for a full Dáil debate.

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Harry McGee

Ryan Tubridy would have no major problem dealing at an appropriate time with the issue of €150,000 in controversial payments made to him by RTÉ, a source close to the broadcaster has said. However, there are unresolved issues between the former Late Late Show host and his former employer, including an outstanding data access request, the source said. “It would be unreasonable to expect the issue (of the €150,000 payments) to be dealt with until those other matters have been resolved,” they added.

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Harry McGee

The non-jury Special Criminal Court and the Offences Against the State Act are set to be repealed after more than 50 years in existence following the acceptance by the Minister for Justice of the recommendations of an expert review group. Jim O’Callaghan told Cabinet colleagues this week that the emergency powers, introduced in 1972, had served the State well but an updated approach was needed for the modern security landscape. The Act established the non-jury court as a counter-terrorism measure.

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Harry McGee

Ryan Tubridy, the former Late Late Show presenter, has not repaid RTÉ a sum of €150,000 he received as part of a controversial payment deal in 2020 that was not disclosed publicly, RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst has confirmed. Ryan Tubridy was to be paid a total of €225,000 over three years by RTÉ as part of a deal brokered by him, his agent Noel Kelly and the station in 2020. He agreed to participate in three corporate events for Late Late Show sponsor Renault in return for the payments.