:quality(70):focal(828x561:838x571)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/MQYVGB5GUFGJFLT7HEKGYPQQTE.jpg "Miriam Lord: Song and dance merchants of the Oireachtas can’t help themselves when Michael Flatley pays a visit")
Michael Flatley faced strong competition when he paid a flying visit to Leinster House on Wednesday. He might be one hell of a hoofer, but he...
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/QUA2KZRHY5OS7MLKIIAIYSXZOE.jpg "Miriam Lord: Fascinating turnabout as Mary Lou McDonald scoffs at Fine Gael’s claim to be party of law and order")
Not one, but two sessions in Dáil Éireann on Wednesday devoted to discussing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Half the morning and then half the afternoon...
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/SBBDTDQRVNDZTFJ2UW7TQUEXSI.jpg "Nine music festivals cancelled this year, more affected next year without State intervention, Dáil hears")
Events like this weekend’s Taylor Swift concerts in Dublin, and associated “Swiftmania” and “Swifties”, give the false impression that Ireland’s music scene is booming, but nine...
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/FZJXIXCXVJDCJDCCZWLE4RZ2UM.jpg "More than 25,000 passport applications in system ‘require action’ from individuals, says Martin")
More than 25,000 passport applications have been with the Passport Service for longer than three months because they “require action from the applicant”, Tánaiste Micheál Martin...
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/OITI4LVIDNCDPH4ADOVJ4MVYIE.jpg "Miriam Lord: We say never again. We voice outrage. We listen to the promises. Until the next time")
Never again, until the next time. Holly Cairns said it best: “Every time a woman is violently attacked we say ‘never again’.” Every time a woman...
:quality(70):focal(2705x954:2715x964)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/3EPB6EWODKWP53YOFCMDB6K4II.jpg "Dáil debate on EU migrant and asylum pact extended with vote delayed until next week")
Debate on the European Union migrant and asylum pact has been extended, and the Dáil vote delayed until next week, following a proposal from Government Chief...
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/U4IWBBZADKZVCHT7STIVYJUM7U.jpg "For election candidates, it’s never over until it’s over")
Two candidates have thrown in the towel this week only to revise their views when they thought transfers might turn in their favour. In 2019, Fine...
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/75YHZ65IVQJCUQOQX4ARK3G7CA.jpg "After three days of counting, clear winners and losers emerge in local and European elections")
Most reporters and political anoraks who have been involved in the past three full days of counting now feel like the characters of the classic 1970s...
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/2LDTB5DFNZPT3ESNJPM45H4TC4.jpg "Overheard: El Diablo’s grandson hopes to join the Haughey political dynasty at the second attempt")
Bertie Ahern is not the only grisly ghost of Fianna Fáil’s past trying to rehabilitate their reputation. Cathal Haughey, a son of Conor Haughey and grandson...
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/D4AWFXE2PRG7FNPCJDRMYBC6EI.jpg "Miriam Lord’s Week: Abs fab on the canvass as Richard Bruton goes topless to attract votes")
We see Richard Bruton is getting his abs out again. Not since politician and former porn star Cicciolina’s election to the Italian parliament in 1987 has...
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/Q5LVEGYGFVHPJPZNEDSYLTUA6E.jpg "Putin crack ignites fireworks before Simon Harris gets turkey and ham for beating a lettuce")
The Dáil was suspended after Minister of State Seán Fleming appeared to suggest People Before Profit TDs were “puppets” for Vladimir Putin. Video: Oireachtas TV The...