Merz’s bold first steps are all the more remarkable from this strong Atlanticist and fiscal conservative

It hardly seems credible that such an extraordinary rule should be in place at this time

There is opportunity here for Ireland, but planning, infrastructure bottlenecks and investment must all be addressed

Whoever is elected from the forthcoming conclave should take up the baton on climate change

There has been little of the fresh thinking and renewed vigour that one might have hoped for from a new administration

This first electoral test for the Labour government has sigalled voter disillusionment, while Reform UK makes gains

The ham-fisted political handling of this week’s events is hard to credit - it has been a dreadful start for the Government’s housing policy

The Government is annoyed that the issue was not more clearly flagged at an earlier stage

Research by the Irish Times as part of an ICIJ project shows how Beijing tries to extend its reach abroad

Pressure on housing has led the Government to introduce new legislation to clamp down on platforms such as Airbnb

It was the largest power cut in modern European history, and its causes remain unknown

Business and consumers are still paying higher interest rates than the EU average

Politics continues to stymie progress in key areas such as health, education and the environment

International mediation by the UN and the friends of both countries is vital

The frightening shift in US policy and its worldwide consequences are not getting enough attention

Polls show consistently that Canadians believe Mark Carney can do a better job than his rival in dealing with the US president

Not for the first time under this president, it seems hubris and narcissism are driving policy

The plan is driven by a desire by the councils to get another source of revenue which they can control

It is astonishing that this prime land has yet to be redeveloped for housing.

The core principle of an arm’s length relationship between the public service broadcaster and the government of the day must be maintained