Ceasefire deal raises hopes for hostages in Gaza as Dáil focus returns to conflict

Before anything else, the most important news this morning is that you can see The Irish Times Inside Politics Podcast live next week. Hugh Linehan will host a discussion with all your favourite stars from the podcast next Wednesday evening, November 29th, at 6.30pm at Windmill Lane. Tickets – available here – are a risible €5. There may be jokes, and there will definitely be refreshments. Hurry and book your tickets before they are SOLD OUT!

Israel-Hamas War

There is hope this morning that some of the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza could be released as early as tomorrow, and that the incessant Israeli attacks will abate, even temporarily. A batch of hostages in exchange for a truce of a number of days seems to be the outline of the deal. Palestinians in Israeli prisons will also be released.

Following a Cabinet meeting in the early hours of this morning, Israel said it would halt operations for four days in exchange for 50 hostages, but opened the possibility of a longer ceasefire by indicating it would extend the pause for a day for every 10 more hostages released. You can follow the latest developments here.

Gaza will loom large in Dáil exchanges this morning, as it did yesterday, with a People Before Profit motion in Private Members’ business.

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Abortion

Jennifer Bray reports that the Oireachtas health committee is likely to back recommendations to ease restrictions on abortion introduced when it was first legalised after the 2018 referendum.

In a draft report, the committee is recommending that the Government move “without delay” to introduce the legislative changes recommended by barrister Marie O’Shea, who was tasked with examining the adequacy of existing laws by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.

In her review, Ms O’Shea recommended a series of liberalisations of the law – the decriminalisation of doctors, the removal of the mandatory three-day waiting period to access termination medication, and the introduction of a statutory obligation on healthcare workers to refrain from providing misleading information. Her review also found there is a lack of clarity around allowing abortion in the case of fatal foetal abnormality, save in straightforward cases.

After her report was published in April, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar indicated he would be “reluctant” and “uncomfortable” making changes. The Government then referred Ms O’Shea’s review on to the Oireachtas Committee on Health. Now, the committee looks set to refer it back to them, along with a recommendation to make the changes.

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You wait ages for a referendum and then two come along. After some confusion, the Government said it would proceed with parallel referendums in early March – the likely date is March 8th, International Women’s Day, would you believe – to get rid of the constitutional articles that refer to a woman’s place in the home and also broaden the constitutional definition of the family.

There will also be the addition of recognition for carers, but – crucially – no additional justiciable rights. At least, that’s what it looks like – the wording won’t be released until it has been rubber-stamped by Cabinet next week. To say there are misgivings about this around Government would be an understatement.

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Meanwhile, the Government confirmed it would seek to repeal the censorship laws that have been defunct for years but which made Ireland a laughing stock for several decades in the middle of the 20th century. Jack Horgan-Jones looks back at the way we were – and marvels at just how bonkers it was.

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There are a few lively committee hearings scheduled for today (see Playbook below). First up is the health committee this morning, where HSE executives will be questioned about how hospitals will cope with the demands of the winter flu season. More trolley waits and increased pressure on services is what’s in store, HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster will tell the committee. Jennifer Bray has the story.

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Playbook

There’s another Gaza motion this morning in the Dáil, this time put down by People Before Profit. Though it is almost certain to be defeated by a Government countermotion, which will be voted on tonight, the motion will allow Richard Boyd-Barrett and friends to rehearse their condemnations of Israel and demands for the ambassador to be expelled.

Later there’s statements on the forum on defence policy – remember the one allegedly designed to subvert neutrality but which actually didn’t? – and the final stages of the Finance Bill. Weekly votes at the civilised hour of 9.20pm and a reasonable adjournment half an hour later. Some fellas might even get to the pub.

In the Seanad, the Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne has a motion on the threats, and opportunities, etc, posed by artificial intelligence. At the committees, there’s a busy day with the HSE in at the health committee first thing this morning to talk about preparations for winter in the hospitals. Other highlights include the Dublin Airport Authority at the transport committee and the Fiscal Council at the Budget Oversight committee this evening. Full details of all business are here.

Oh, and there’s an election in the Netherlands today. Peter Cluskey’s preview is here.

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