IRELAND

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…

The Taoiseach of Ireland, Micheál Martin, recently expressed that Ireland stands to benefit significantly if the United Kingdom successfully negotiates an advantageous economic deal with the United States. He pointed out that while it’s still "early days" in the discussions about such a deal, he firmly believes that any enhancement to the UK economy would have a positive ripple effect on Ireland. During a press conference, Mr. Martin was queried about Ireland's potential role in the UK-US negotiation process, especially…

Trump is a 'Great Friend of Ireland', Says Taoiseach In a recent statement, Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar expressed his thoughts on former President Donald Trump's relationship with Ireland, calling him a “great friend”. The warmth in Varadkar's words echoes a sentiment shared by many who recognize Trump's longstanding ties to the Emerald Isle. “It’s important to remember that leaders come and go, but friendships can last a lifetime,” Varadkar remarked, highlighting the significant cultural…

Evaluating the EU's Response to Trump's "Fair and Reciprocal Plan" As the dust settles on President Donald Trump's announcement regarding the "fair and reciprocal plan" for tariffs, one must ponder: How concerned should Ireland and its European allies truly be? The rhetoric wielded by the president appeared to target multiple sectors linked to Ireland—ranging from the pharmaceutical giants to tech behemoths like Apple, not to mention various agricultural goods and the infamous EU Value Added Tax (VAT). His remarks echoed…