Shane Ross set women in Irish sport back ‘about 20 years’, says Patrick O’Donovan
Ex-adviser to Ross takes issue with comments, saying sports bodies ‘roundly opposed’ O’Donovan’s 2016 plan
Patrick O’Donovan
Politician
2025 in culture politics: Arts Council’s IT crisis, RTÉ’s financial strain and Trump’s assault on the BBC
One of the many negative effects of the housing crisis is making Ireland a cold place for culture in all its forms
Free speech will be the big EU-US battleground in 2026 – and Ireland is in the crossfire
Ireland is in a highly precarious position as we head into 2026, on the faultline between our allies in the EU and the US administration and Big Tech
Online child safety could prove a major test for EU in battle with Trump
Anyone expecting a social media ban for Irish teenagers will be waiting and it’s not because we are bad parents
‘Spotify levy’ could fund next generation of CMATs and Fontaines DCs, says trade body
AIM Ireland believes Government tax incentives to develop indigenous music industry should be explored
Permanent women’s museum may be developed in Ireland
Similar initiatives elsewhere include the Vietnamese Women’s Museum and Glasgow Women’s Library
Europe’s failure to agree online child protection laws a ‘collective shame’, says Minister
Social media ban on under-16s a ‘sticking plaster on gaping wound’, Dáil hears
Tech firms would be ‘foolhardy’ to push back on online safety rules for children, Minister says
Patrick O’Donovan is to brief the Cabinet on plans to introduce a ‘digital wallet’ pilot programme to verify the age of social media users
Plan to verify people’s ages online with Government ID a ‘disproportionate response’
Civil liberty and digital privacy campaigners question legal basis for proposed digital wallets
New measures to strengthen safeguarding for vulnerable adults to be approved by Cabinet
New measures are designed to protect the elderly and people with disability, in both home and care settings
Tech sector expected to resist online safety plans
‘Era of platforms shrugging their shoulders and blaming the algorithm is over,’ Coalition source says
New digital wallet to be tested within months to restrict social media access in Ireland for under-16s
Attorney General is to advise on proposed age verification system but senior Government figures stop short of backing Australia-style ban
Could Ireland follow Australia and ban under-16s from social media?
Parents and schools are working together to impose community-wide bans on smartphones until their children reach certain ages
TV licence sales set to slump to record low this year
Almost 20,000 fewer licences purchased in year to end of November compared with same period in 2024
Plan to verify ages of children using social media in Ireland to be considered by Cabinet
Instagram and Facebook start closing accounts of young people in Australia believed to be under 16 following ban
The Irish Times view on public service media: struggling in a changing world
Coimisiún na Meán review outlines the familiar pressures on RTÉ
National Broadband Plan on track for completion next year
Almost 157,000 homes, farms and businesses are now connected to high-speed fibre broadband
Looming revenue pressure for RTÉ with 25% of people watching less than minute of TV weekly
Media regulator Coimisún na Meán’s review finds national broadcaster at ‘delicate juncture’
RTÉ ‘gets enough’ money from Government, says Minister for Media
State and licence-fee funding for broadcaster came to €222m last year
‘Rigorous’ pre-purchase checks needed in wake of spending debacles in arts and culture, says watchdog
Report by Dáil watchdog comes after botched IT project at Arts Council and separate issue with X-ray scanner at National Gallery
Arts Council chair vows to ‘rigorously’ pursue necessary reforms after botched IT project
Maura McGrath was not expecting to be landed with controversy over €6.7m spend on failed project when taking her job
Talks under way with US NFL about hosting another game in Dublin in 2026
Early Government estimates put economic benefit to State from September fixture at €64m
Cabinet to hear profitable NFL football match in State may mean second fixture arranged
Minister for Health to recommend inquiry into management of scoliosis cases
Financial support for RTÉ ‘not bottomless’, Minister warns as figures released
State and licence fee funding rises to €222m last year compared to commercial revenues of €160m
RTÉ increases provision in accounts for historic payments including to widow of former director general
Broadcaster also seeking to establish ownership of piece of art which has been in RTÉ’s possession for many years
Whither RTÉ’s latest annual report?
Document of 2024 is on track to be published much later than in recent years
Census: Search for centenarians to offer unique perspective on Ireland in the past century
Anyone born before April 18th, 1926, is asked to contact the National Archives
Why is it that IT projects do not come in on budget and on time?
Expert says issue is not unique to Ireland or the public sector
Micheál Martin’s damage limitation might be too little too late after all
O’Donovan tells lovely wee stories, insomnia inspires McCullagh and Sinn Féin slip up on no-shows
RTÉ’s twisty new soap opera stars Ray D’Arcy and, now, Brendan Courtney
The host sounds awkward standing in for his departed colleague
Disappointment at lack of tax incentive for regional film and TV productions in budget
Minister for Culture Patrick O’Donovan says he wants to ‘revisit’ enhanced tax credit for regional productions
Everyone is knocking great enjoyment out of the Fianna Fáil drama that overshadowed budget day
Opposition and everyone else are knocking great enjoyment out of the presidential drama, too
Basic income support scheme for artists to be made permanent and opened to new entrants in budget
Negotiations down to the wire, with five big-spending departments yet to agree their budget allocations
TG4 board seeks pay rise for its director general
Irish language broadcaster says salary for its ard-stiúrthóir has not increased in nearly a decade
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