IRELAND

Ireland has joined forces with eight other EU member states to urge the European Commission to investigate how goods produced in illegal Jewish settlements in the Occupied Territories can be aligned with international law. This important initiative is co-signed by Belgium, Finland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot emphasized this shared commitment on social media, stating, "This follows the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, which clearly…

Taoiseach Michéal Martin Strives for Ireland’s Leadership in Maritime Policy Taoiseach Michéal Martin has expressed his aspiration for Ireland to emerge as a "leading nation" in global maritime policy. His remarks came as he arrived in France to participate in the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), currently taking place in Nice until Friday. As we commemorate a decade since the historic Paris Agreement, which set ambitious targets for limiting global warming, the spotlight now…

Immigration Updates: The Impact of Recent Deportations in Ireland In a recent development, the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) confirmed significant deportation efforts that involved family members alongside those ordered to leave the country. Specifically, out of the individuals deported, five children and nine women were included. This situation raises profound questions about the emotional toll on families when deportation processes unfold. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan…

In the past three years, nearly 2,000 US military aircraft and civil flights carrying declared munitions have made stops at Irish airports. Data collected and analyzed by RTÉ News indicates that only 0.1% of applications from civil aircraft seeking permission to land or traverse Irish airspace were denied between 2022 and 2024. This high approval rate stems from what the Department of Transport describes as the "nature of the total munitions of war proposed to be carried." US civil aircraft are required to seek permission…

Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, expressed increasing frustration over Hungary's recent actions that appear to undermine fundamental rights and the rule of law. "As a net contributing EU member state, it’s challenging for us to witness these developments," he stated, underscoring Ireland's commitment to upholding EU values. Today, Ireland joined 20 other EU member states in a collaborative statement accusing Hungary of violating core EU principles through legislation targeting LGBTQ+ individuals. This…

In a significant development, Ireland, along with five other nations, has voiced its concerns over Israel's proposed expansion of military operations in Gaza, denouncing it as a "dangerous new escalation." The foreign ministers of Ireland, Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain came together to express their "grave concern" regarding the anticipated military actions. They articulated that such escalation would "only exacerbate an already catastrophic situation for the civilian Palestinian population and threaten…

The number of residents in Australia born in Ireland has now surpassed 100,000, according to recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). As of June, there were 103,080 individuals born in Ireland living in Australia, a significant increase from 94,540 just a year prior. This growth reflects an increase of over 8,500 people. Remarkably, the Irish-born population in Australia has nearly doubled in the last two decades, showcasing a remarkable growth rate of 87% since 2004, when only 55,020 were residing there.…

Ireland is poised to join a collaborative alliance of European nations focused on sharing intelligence regarding potential threats within EU waters. Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris, has granted permission for the Defence Forces to officially participate in the Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE). This move aims to enhance the country’s maritime surveillance capabilities. CISE is a voluntary and decentralized network designed for sharing maritime surveillance information among EU and EEA countries…

The US Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, recently reignited controversy by labeling Ireland as his preferred "tax scam." This remark was made during an appearance on the business and technology podcast, All-In, where he passionately stated, "We're going to try and fix a whole bunch of these tax scams. Ireland is my favourite." Lutnick went on to express concerns about the significant presence of US multinational corporations in Ireland, particularly in the pharmaceutical and technology sectors. He claimed, "They have…

For the eighth consecutive year, Finland has been recognized as the happiest country in the world, according to the World Happiness Report. This achievement is often attributed to the nation's picturesque lakes and robust welfare system, which significantly enhance the overall mood of its citizens. Moving forward in the rankings, Ireland has climbed to 15th place, up from 17th in 2023, demonstrating an upward trend in its citizens' happiness. Meanwhile, Afghanistan continues to hold the unfortunate title of the unhappiest…