# Government

All time

# Last Orders

Department clarifies that hotel bars must close at midnight - even for wedding guests

All activities associated with bars must cease at midnight, a spokesperson said.

52.5k

Nov 18th 2021, 3:20 PM

# Climate Change

Government rolls back on plan to set up statutory office for Just Transition Commissioner

The plan to set up this commission was included in the Programme for Government.

8.9k

Oct 20th 2021, 12:43 PM

# Budget

Government urged to invest portion of sugar and betting tax in physical activity

The Federation of Irish Sport also has three other key ‘asks’ in its pre-budget submission.

14.4k

Updated

Sep 29th 2021, 5:21 PM

# new baby

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris and wife announce birth of baby boy

The Taoiseach congratulated Harris and his wife Caoimhe on the arrival of their second child.

29.1k

Sep 22nd 2021, 10:37 PM

# Merrion Gate

Explainer: Why are people still talking about the Zappone/Coveney/Varadkar controversy?

There have been a lot of twists and turns. But why does it all matter?

Leo Varadkar, Simon Coveney and Katherine Zappone have been drawn back into controversy this week.

Developments included deleted and revealed texts, FOI requests and an Oireachtas committee.

Orla Dwyer takes a look back at what happened in late July and what the situation is now.

32.6k

Sep 4th 2021, 12:05 AM

# tent talks

Government to ‘engage’ with Electric Picnic festival organisers

The Cabinet Covid-19 sub-committee met today to discuss the next steps in the easing of restrictions.

13.3k

Aug 27th 2021, 6:24 PM

# Live Music

Events and hospitality reps welcome new guidelines, but question Government communication

“We were told that there would be no further restrictions lifted until September.”

13.7k

Aug 6th 2021, 5:36 PM

# pandemic

Legal experts call for clarity on relationship between NPHET and government

A report said the public health team became the “de facto decision maker” rather than simply an adviser to government.

31.3k

Aug 4th 2021, 7:25 AM

# covid recovery

Government changes URL for site to request Covid recovery cert after spelling error

The initial URL of the website spelled certificate incorrectly.

63.1k

Updated

Jul 23rd 2021, 10:29 PM

# Indoor dining

Taoiseach says 'there's an obligation' on everyone to follow indoor dining rules ahead of Monday's reopening

A government statement said good indoor ventilation is “essential”.

87.6k

200

Updated

Jul 21st 2021, 6:24 PM

# ANTIGEN TESTING

Expert group to assess rollout of rapid antigen tests in 'various sectors'

Dr Tony Holohan said earlier this month that antigen testing is “just not as good as PCR”.

9.1k

Jul 1st 2021, 2:28 PM

# Coronavirus

Minister claims he was speaking in 'personal' capacity when he called for second opinion on NPHET advice

NPHET issued advice to government yesterday.

71.6k

146

Updated

Jun 29th 2021, 9:21 PM

# Delta Variant

Tighter travel restrictions on arrivals from Britain into Ireland take immediate effect

The Irish Government is closely monitoring the spread of the Delta variant here.

Fully vaccinated people travelling from Great Britain will still need to self-quarantine for at least five days.

There are no self-quarantine requirements for those travelling from the North - unless a passenger is travelling from Britain via Northern Ireland.

In the week up to Monday, there were 2,270 new cases of Covid-19 - a drop of 21% on the previous week.

91.5k

Updated

Jun 15th 2021, 9:55 PM

# Solutions

The government could help solve the housing crisis if it borrowed several billion euro, says ESRI

Ireland faces another decade of rising prices and rents unless the government spends money building homes, the ESRI says.

14.4k

Jun 3rd 2021, 8:00 AM

# New Rules

NPHET recommends indoor dining and international travel to resume in July

The public health experts also recommended allowing up to 5,000 spectators in large outdoor stadiums from 2 August.

The Cabinet will meet to sign off on the eased measures.

5,000 spectators are set to be allowed attend outdoor events from 2 August.

The Health Minister has said: "NPHET’s view is the trajectory is positive."

78.4k

113

Updated

May 27th 2021, 11:01 PM

# Israel

Dáil passes motion condemning Israel’s de facto annexation of Palestinian land

A People Before Profit amendment to Sinn Fein’s motion was defeated.

38.3k

May 26th 2021, 9:32 PM

Voices

Brendan Ogle: It's time to stop gaslighting the public over income inequality

The trade unionist takes issue with how household income is quantified and discussed in the public domain.

37.2k

May 24th 2021, 7:00 AM

# Housing

Cabinet approves Affordable Housing Bill aimed at boosting supply

Aspects of the bill, including its shared equity scheme for first-time buyers, have been criticised.

51.8k

111

Updated

May 4th 2021, 11:07 PM

# level 3 plus

At a glance: Everything you need to know about the reopening plan announced tonight

These are all the key dates you need to know.

The government agreed to ease a number of Covid-19 restrictions on a phased basis from next month.

Inter-county travel, more outdoor meetings and increased numbers at funerals and wedding services from 10 May.

The Taoiseach said: "Hope is returning."

70.9k

Apr 29th 2021, 8:27 PM

AS IT HAPPENED

Taoiseach announces reopening plan with haircuts, click-and-collect and garden meet-ups back from 10 May

Cabinet agreed a range of measures this afternoon.

149k

Updated

Apr 29th 2021, 7:00 PM

# leaking

Tánaiste has spoken to gardaí about GP contract leak

A spokesperson said Leo Varadkar made a full statement to gardaí and “answered all questions”.

17.4k

Apr 18th 2021, 12:08 PM

# in the spotlight

Dublin training session a fresh headache for GAA as they close in on return to play date

Members of the Dublin squad were reported to have gathered for a training session at the Innisfails GAA club.

7.2k

Apr 1st 2021, 12:58 PM

# Vaccination

Explainer: Gardaí and teachers unhappy as Ireland dumps vaccine roll-out plan to follow aged-based UK model

The overhaul of the vaccine categories follows recommendations from NIAC.

80.8k

132

Updated

Mar 30th 2021, 9:37 PM

# Vaccines

Fully vaccinated people from two households now allowed to meet indoors without masks or distancing

This measure takes effect immediately.

25.0k

Mar 30th 2021, 6:46 PM

# Return to Play

GAA county senior teams can train from 19 April, golf courses and tennis courts open from 26 April

The Government announced the latest on the easing of restrictions this evening.

20.0k

Updated

Mar 30th 2021, 6:31 PM

# Coronavirus

'Cautious... that will be the guiding star': Cabinet sub-committee concludes meeting on Covid-19 recommendations

The meeting took place this evening and a full Cabinet meeting will take place tomorrow.

58.7k

Updated

Mar 29th 2021, 11:42 PM

# zero covid

FactCheck: No, the Tánaiste did not say lockdown would continue 'indefinitely'

Leo Varadkar was talking about the Zero Covid strategy and mandatory hotel quarantine.

25.1k

Mar 25th 2021, 6:00 AM

# Podcast

The Explainer: Why is the government changing the Living With Covid plan again?

We take a look for this week’s podcast episode.

29.6k

Feb 25th 2021, 7:50 AM

# Return to Play

Inter-county GAA to resume at Level 4 with May start at earliest for 2021 season

Inter-county training is unlikely to resume until after 5 April.

29.4k

Feb 23rd 2021, 9:58 PM

# Living With Covid

Here's what's in the new Living With Covid roadmap

Taoiseach Micheál Martin made the announcement this evening.

Level 5 restrictions will remain in place until 5 April

Schools will begin a phased reopening from 1 March

The childcare sector will begin to reopen from 8 March

The government will consider some easing of restrictions after 5 April

148k

331

Feb 23rd 2021, 8:19 PM

# Top Job

Majority of Italians signal support as 'Super' Mario Draghi sworn in as new prime minister

The veteran politician formerly held the top job at the European Central Bank.

9.2k

Feb 13th 2021, 2:10 PM

# Italy

Mario Draghi says he has enough support to form Italy’s new government

Draghi has also submitted the names of his Cabinet members to President Sergio Mattarella, who has the job of naming them.

8.6k

Feb 12th 2021, 8:06 PM

# level 5

Travellers into Ireland to be subject to mandatory quarantine at home or in a hotel, government says

Micheál Martin announced the extended measures this afternoon.

59.0k

Updated

Jan 26th 2021, 6:16 PM

# level 5

Level 5 lockdown to be reviewed next week, but government expected to extend restrictions to late February

Government sources state that it is still their intention to get schools reopened in February.

103k

Updated

Jan 20th 2021, 9:45 PM

# Advice

Factfind: Did the government actually follow NPHET's advice heading into December?

This week, Health Mininister Stephen Donnelly denied the government had gone against public health advice.

58.7k

Jan 14th 2021, 12:05 AM

# every contact counts

Government monitoring case numbers but no restrictions on the cards this side of Christmas

Those in government circles are looking at the rise in cases in Europe, stating that Germany is a worrying example.

14.0k

Dec 14th 2020, 5:57 PM

# student nurses

Explainer: What is the current situation with unpaid student nurse placements?

The government last week voted against a motion to pay student nurses on placement.

23.4k

Dec 9th 2020, 12:05 AM

# Lockdown

Taoiseach says 'active consideration' will be given to NPHET's Level 5 advice as leaders set to meet tomorrow

The Government will now have to decide if it will accept NPHET’s recommendation.

423k

539

Updated

Oct 16th 2020, 10:05 PM

# new measures

Coronavirus: Entire country to be placed under Level 3 restrictions from midnight on Tuesday

NPHET had recommended that the country enter Level 5 – the highest level of restrictions.

183k

194

Updated

Oct 5th 2020, 9:09 PM

# Living With Covid

'The outcome will be the same': Nationwide move to Level 3 will not stop spread of Covid-19, expert warns

Professor Sam McConkey believes case numbers will continue to rise if the Government rejects NPHET’s advice.

51.2k

Oct 5th 2020, 5:13 PM