Outspoken Minister with a portfolio for growthINTERVIEW : Simon Coveney has found himself overseeing one of the few departments where optimism is justifiedThu Dec 29 2011 - 00:00
Fine Gael and Labour at odds over policy, says CoveneyDIFFERENCES OVER policy have led to tensions within the Coalition in recent weeks, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine…Thu Dec 29 2011 - 00:00
FF Bill seeks more 'transparency'New legislation being proposed by the Opposition would correct an anomaly which prohibits the Financial Services Ombudsman from…Thu Dec 29 2011 - 00:00
Coveney says 'friction' in CoalitionDifferences over policy have led to tensions within the Coalition in recent weeks, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine…Thu Dec 29 2011 - 00:00
Not quite a walk in the ParkA bitter process of elimination made Michael D Higgins the only choice for Ireland’s patron saint of politicsTue Dec 27 2011 - 00:00
Green economy and sustainability at heart of Government's recovery planA PAPER to be published today by the Department of the Environment states that the “green economy” must be put at the heart of…Fri Dec 23 2011 - 00:00
Minister warns 11 TDs over tax rebellionMINISTER FOR the Environment Phil Hogan has warned 11 TDs that their threat to boycott the €100 household charge would bring …Fri Dec 16 2011 - 00:00
Tánaiste says State is open to visit by PopeTHE GOVERNMENT is willing to invite Pope Benedict to Ireland despite the closure of the Irish Embassy to the Holy See, Tánaiste…Thu Dec 15 2011 - 00:00
Rift with Britain could seriously threaten survival of EU, says MartinFIANNA FÁIL Leader Micheál Martin said the rift opened with Britain at the European summit last week could seriously threaten…Mon Dec 12 2011 - 00:00
Greens set sights on 5 Dáil seatsTHE GREEN PARTY will have recovered enough to win five Dáil seats in the next general election, according to a strategy outlined…Mon Dec 12 2011 - 00:00
Concern mounts that euro zone 'firewall' plan may not end turmoilA DRASTIC new plan to settle the debt crisis triggered anxiety in Brussels as diplomats questioned the feasibility of the initiative…Sat Dec 10 2011 - 00:00
Taoiseach cagey on referendum issueTAOISEACH ENDA Kenny arrived at the summit with two priorities preying on his mindSat Dec 10 2011 - 00:00
Schäuble confident after EU dealGerman finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble has said he is confident that agreements reached at an EU summit this week will solve…Sat Dec 10 2011 - 00:00
Team of 12 advisers to advise Taoiseach during crucial summitBEHIND THE SCENES: A TEAM of about 12 senior Government officials are travelling to Brussels to advise Taoiseach Enda Kenny …Thu Dec 08 2011 - 00:00
Kenny announces review of payments to young disabledTHE GOVERNMENT will formally acknowledge its climbdown on disability allowances today when the Minister for Social Protection…Thu Dec 08 2011 - 00:00
Labour TD expelled for opposing budgetNEWLY ELECTED TD for Dublin West Patrick Nulty was last night expelled from the Labour parliamentary party after voting against…Wed Dec 07 2011 - 00:00
A vast spinning exercise meant few surprises on the day Political CorrespondentA large number of well-flagged cutbacks will make for uneasy backbenchersTue Dec 06 2011 - 00:00
Blanket cut in child benefit and €50 fee for medical card scrapped for BudgetANALYSIS: Late changes to the Budget as Government changes tack to arrive at €3.8 billion savingsMon Dec 05 2011 - 00:00
First budget not 'most difficult', claims FFTHE COALITION’S first budget next week could be its least difficult during its term of office despite imposing almost €4 billion…Thu Dec 01 2011 - 00:00
Minister sees Ireland returning to 1950s standards if euro failsCOMMITTEE: A MINISTER yesterday painted a dramatic picture of living standards in Ireland regressing to the 1950s in the doomsday…Wed Nov 30 2011 - 00:00
Fianna Fáil condemns 2% VAT riseFianna Fáil in government would not include the 2 per cent increase in VAT in its budget, its finance spokesman has said.Wed Nov 30 2011 - 00:00
Increase in carbon tax planned for budgetCARBON TAX which applies to domestic heating and motor fuels will be increased by a minimum of €5 per tonne in the budget despite…Tue Nov 29 2011 - 00:00
Coillte head to take 15% voluntary pay cutCHIEF EXECUTIVE of Coillte David Gunning, has announced he will take a voluntary pay cut of 15 per cent, two days after being…Tue Nov 29 2011 - 00:00
Opposition claims of conflict over contents of budget dismissedTHE GOVERNMENT has dismissed claims by Opposition parties there are tensions or conflicts between both Coalition parties over…Thu Nov 24 2011 - 00:00
Coalition considers cut in social chargeTHE GOVERNMENT is considering reducing the rate of the universal social charge for lower paid workers as part of an effort to…Wed Nov 23 2011 - 00:00
Labour's promises refuse to go awayBACKGROUND: WHEN TÁNAISTE Eamon Gilmore was reminded recently of his oft-quoted “it’s Frankfurt’s way or Labour’s way” warning…Tue Nov 22 2011 - 00:00
Cut to child benefit still 'live' option for budgetTHE CONTROVERSIAL proposal to cut child benefit by €10 a month remains a “live option” for Government ahead of three successive…Tue Nov 22 2011 - 00:00
Document detailed plans for taxes, jobs initiatives and credit union sectorBERLIN LEAK: THE GOVERNMENT document made public by a German parliamentary committee contained new information on taxes, job…Sat Nov 19 2011 - 00:00
Howlin rejects criticism of extent of quango cullALMOST 50 State quangos will be abolished or amalgamated by the end of 2012 under the programme for public service reformFri Nov 18 2011 - 00:00
Real decisions about Ireland's future being made in Berlin and elsewhereLEAKED DOCUMENTS: When you are a programme country you no longer have full control of your destinyFri Nov 18 2011 - 00:00
Budget 'leak' in Berlin sparks complaint by GovernmentTHE GOVERNMENT has complained to the European Commission over the release in Germany of a document disclosing confidential details…Fri Nov 18 2011 - 00:00
Rabbitte warns of potential benefits for debtTREATY CHANGE: A SENIOR Minister has said that while the Government does not want to hold a referendum on further change to …Thu Nov 17 2011 - 00:00
Awaiting the 'unknown unknowns' in budgetDirt tax, old reliables and VAT set to be hiked but Michael Noonan will have to do more than that to find €3.8bnThu Nov 17 2011 - 00:00
A wobble within Labour but full-scale mutiny not on cardsBACKGROUND: A GOVERNMENT with a huge majority can sometimes find itself in a more perilous place than one defending a wafer-…Wed Nov 16 2011 - 00:00
Minister to tell Dáil of response to regulator's position on interest ratesTHE GOVERNMENT will give its first formal response in the Dáil today to a letter from Financial Regulator Matthew Elderfield …Tue Nov 15 2011 - 00:00
Lenihan wanted radical FF reformsTHE LATE Fianna Fáil TD Brian Lenihan proposed radical organisational changes for Fianna Fáil in a document he was working on…Mon Nov 14 2011 - 00:00
Prison and metro plans put on hold as cutbacks take effectSOME OF the most ambitious infrastructure projects ever planned by the State have been deferred for at least five years as part…Fri Nov 11 2011 - 00:00
Major banks rebuff Government over mortgage rate cutsTHE THREE major banks in the State rebuffed the Government’s efforts to get them to lower interest rates during a “tense” and…Thu Nov 10 2011 - 00:00
Projects scrapped by €750m capital cuts to be namedTHE GOVERNMENT will disclose details today of the major infrastructure projects that are to be dropped as a result of a €750 …Thu Nov 10 2011 - 00:00
Budget to cut social protection spending by €700mTHE DEPARTMENT of Social Protection will bear the brunt of cuts in next month’s budget, accounting for €700 million of the €2…Wed Nov 09 2011 - 00:00
€700m cut for social protectionThe Department of Social Protection will bear the brunt of cuts in next month’s budget, accounting for €700 million of the €2…Wed Nov 09 2011 - 00:00
Ministers indicate rate cut possible on Anglo bailoutTWO SENIOR Ministers have raised expectations of substantial reductions in interest on the €47 billion bailout deal for Anglo…Mon Nov 07 2011 - 00:00
Coalition's climate policy shift condemnedTHE GOVERNMENT’S shift of policy on climate change has been criticised by the Green Party and environmental bodies but praised…Fri Nov 04 2011 - 00:00
Hogan seeks break for farm emissionsANALYSIS: Climate change policy and economic growth are not at odds in the Minister’s 38-page reportThu Nov 03 2011 - 00:00
Noonan urges ECB to provide 'wall of money'CONTAGION: MINISTER FOR Finance Michael Noonan has said the European Central Bank must put up a “wall of money” to prevent contagion…Thu Nov 03 2011 - 00:00
Hogan shifts policy on climate change as Bill 'not a priority'A RADICAL shift in policy on climate change is to be outlined by Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan today, when he announces…Thu Nov 03 2011 - 00:00
Officials criticised over €3.6bn errorThe Department of Finance has this afternoon released its file of correspondence with the National Treasury Management Agency…Thu Nov 03 2011 - 00:00
Who could want this for Ireland, asks KennyIRISH REACTION: TAOISEACH ENDA Kenny has said he is not surprised the Greek government has decided to put the rescue package…Wed Nov 02 2011 - 00:00
Coalition reflects on ambitious referendums target after defeatTHE GOVERNMENT may have to delay ambitious plans to hold at least 10 referendums during its term of office following the defeat…Tue Nov 01 2011 - 00:00
Howlin says sorry for criticising commissionTHE MINISTER FOR Public Expenditure and Reform has apologised unreservedly for what he said was a “cack-handed” criticism of …Tue Nov 01 2011 - 00:00
