Sandra Hurley

Dublin

Political Reporter at RTÉ

RTÉ Political Reporter. My views are my own.

Featured in: Favicon

rte.ie

Articles

Call for urgent enactment of Occupied Territories Bill

1 week ago | rte.ie | Sandra Hurley

Senator Frances Black has urged the Government to move with urgency to enact the Occupied Territories Bill before the Summer recess. She was speaking following a meeting today with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris where they discussed her proposed legislation. Ms Black said she reminded the Tánaiste that the Government had made a promise to the Irish people before the election and now was the time to deliver. "Genocide is happening and children are starving and being killed.
Sinn Féin calls for full review into hip surgeries at CHI

2 weeks ago | rte.ie | Sandra Hurley

Sinn Féin has called on the Government to order a full review of hip surgeries at Children's Health Ireland following the revelations of unnecessary surgeries being carried out on children. A report commissioned by CHI into hip operations is going through due process and will then be provided to the Health Service Executive.
What can be expected from Govt's overhaul of asylum laws?

2 weeks ago | rte.ie | Sandra Hurley

The Government has announced a major overhaul of asylum laws, billed as the most significant reform of the area in the history of the State. So what is it all about? Here we look at the International Protection Bill 2025 and what it entails. New proposed lawIreland is already obliged to redraft its immigration laws to bring them into line with the EU Migration and Asylum Pact.
Govt unlikely to introduce Dublin tourist tax

3 weeks ago | rte.ie | Sandra Hurley

The Government is unlikely to move to introduce a so-called Dublin tourist tax, it is understood. Last week, it emerged that four local authorities in the capital were working on an agreed proposal to tax hotel rooms. The tax is estimated to bring in €12 million per year by adding the charge to tourists' bills for staying in hotels. Councillors have indicated that the money could be used to improve amenities in the capital.
Legal costs of €2.5m awarded to 'Grace' inquiry witnesses

3 weeks ago | rte.ie | Sandra Hurley

Legal costs awarded to witnesses at the 'Grace' inquiry have so far amounted to €2.5 million out of the total cost of €13.6m. On Tuesday, the long-awaited report into the Grace foster home abuse case in the southeast of the country was published. New figures released to RTÉ News by the Department of Children show that the Farrelly Commission has agreed costs of €2.5m to some of its witnesses who gave evidence over the past eight years.
Proposed new law published by Govt on short-term lets

4 weeks ago | rte.ie | Sandra Hurley

The Government has published a proposed new law which will create a register of short-term lets by May 2026. The register will be managed by Fáilte Ireland and it will provide a full picture of the stock of registered tourist accommodation across the State. Hosts offering such accommodation for periods up to and including 21 nights will be obliged to register with Fáilte Ireland and hold a valid registration number that must be displayed when advertising the property.
Support for Fine Gael at record low, poll suggests

4 weeks ago | rte.ie | Sandra Hurley

A new poll suggests Sinn Féin is the most popular party in the country while Fine Gael's support has fallen to a record low. Sinn Féin has jumped six points to 26% according to the Ipsos B&A survey published in the Irish Times. This poll measures support compared with its previous report on 23 November last year, just before the general election. Fianna Fáil has risen by one point to 22% while Fine Gael has dropped three points to 16%.
SF accused of wasting Dáil time with water charges Bill

1 month ago | rte.ie | Sandra Hurley

Minister for Housing James Brown has accused Sinn Féin of wasting Dáil time and inventing a phantom to fight by tabling a Bill to prevent the Government from reintroducing water charges. He said there are no plans to introduce a conservation charge for water contained in the new programme for government. And he said there is currently no statutory provision for introducing water charges as previous legislation was repealed.
Political accountability needed for failures at CHI

1 month ago | rte.ie | Sandra Hurley

Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald has said there must be political accountability for the failures at Children's Health Ireland. Ms McDonald said today's report into spinal surgeries amounts to a litany of failures. An independent statutory review of the use of unapproved implantable springs in spinal surgery at Temple Street Children's University Hospital found devices were implanted into three children and that "children were not protected from the risk of harm".
HIQA report into spinal surgeries 'devastating' - SF

1 month ago | rte.ie | Sandra Hurley

There are real implications for the board and management of Children's Health Ireland, and for the Government, following the publication of a report into the use of unapproved implantable springs in spinal surgery at Temple Street, according to Sinn Féin's health spokesperson. David Cullinane was speaking ahead of the publication of an independent statutory review into the use of the use of the springs.