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Wednesday 31 May 2023 Dublin: 12°C

# the morning lead

THE MORNING LEAD
Remaining Tathony House residents to stay put pending RTB ruling on mass eviction
A report by
Mairead Maguire
There are 10 remaining households facing an eviction they say is illegal.
This week
28th May 2023 - 31st May 2023
THE MORNING LEAD
Free speech fears and far-right conspiracies: the culture war over Ireland's hate speech bill
A report by
Stephen McDermott
A chorus of negative reactions to the bill has grown louder in recent weeks.
THE MORNING LEAD
Inside the military and diplomatic mission to evacuate Irish citizens from Sudan
A report by
Niall O'Connor
Earlier this week The Journal spoke to two officers who devised and planned the Sudan ECAT in which more than 200 people were rescued.
Last week
21st May 2023 - 27th May 2023
THE MORNING LEAD
Mountjoy's female prisoners without specialised rape counselling since last August
A report by
Eoghan Dalton
The situation has caused alarm for those working in the sector, as international research suggests at least half of female prisoners have been sexually abused.
THE MORNING LEAD
No funding being provided this year for development of more HSE eating disorder services
A report by
Hayley Halpin
Sinn Féin’s Mark Ward said there is “a lack of ambition and political will to deliver services that are so badly needed in our health system”.
The HSE confirmed there is no additional funding to develop new eating disorder teams in this year's National Service Plan.
Ward has said "there cannot be another Budget Day with no additional spending on eating disorder services".
Slow rollout of eating disorder services 'destroying lives'
THE MORNING LEAD
FactFind: What is the relationship between social inequality, drug use and drug-related harms?
A report by
Shane Raymond
A survey shows consequences of drugs differ across socio-economic levels, even as the prevalence of use doesn’t.
THE MORNING LEAD
FG ministers got hundreds of emails about evictions - but just 22 about gender and trans issues
A report by
Stephen McDermott
A party TD claimed earlier this year that transgender issues were a bigger issue for the public.
Last month
May 2023
THE MORNING LEAD
Green MEPs 'very' concerned by opposition to plan for restoring nature and rewetting Irish bogs
A report by
Lauren Boland
Two Green MEPs from Ireland and Germany gave an in-depth interview to The Journal on the proposed Nature Restoration Law.
THE MORNING LEAD
'Not going back to hostels': The Dublin tenants resisting eviction on Harrington Street
A report by
Jamie McCarron
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said that the RTB would be investigating the matter.
THE MORNING LEAD
'This isn't about bin collections': Weary Northern Ireland to vote in decisive election
A report by
Eimer McAuley
The Alliance party looks set to emerge as the third biggest party at local government level.
Today, voters across Northern Ireland will head to the polls to have their say in the first local council elections since 2019.
"This isn't about getting your bins collected. This is about the current form of Government in Northern Ireland, and the ongoing impasse."
Eimer McAuley reports on the issues being raised on the doorsteps.
'Wise up': Derry Girls actor channels Sister Michael to blast 'ignorance' of Stormont deadlock
On the election trail in Belfast: Local issues take back seat as Stormont stalemate looms large
THE MORNING LEAD
Restorative justice referrals decreased last year despite Government promise to build capacity
A report by
Lauren Boland
Restorative justice is a process that facilitates dialogue between victims and offenders.
THE MORNING LEAD
'They sent me an image of my photoshopped face on a pile of people being burnt'
A report by
Lauren Boland
A new DCU study published today reveals the hostility and abuse that women in journalism have faced online in Ireland.
THE MORNING LEAD
Holly Cairns says she'll talk to all parties after next election but 'change' is in the air
A report by
Christina Finn
The new Social Democrats leader spoke to The Journal in a wide-ranging interview.
THE MORNING LEAD
Irish Lotto's new 'schedule play' feature described as 'concerning' by problem gambling experts
A report by
Muiris O'Cearbhaill
The feature allows players to set up continuous plays for up to 12-months which Professor Colin O’Gara says is “increasing the frequency of gambling”.
THE MORNING LEAD
EPA reveals Ireland's good and bad bathing sites as improvement continues
A report by
Jamie McCarron
79% of 148 bathing sites surveyed have ‘Excellent’ water quality while 97% meet the minimum standard.
THE MORNING LEAD
Regulator 'encouraging' energy suppliers to pass on price reductions 'as soon as possible'
A report by
Christina Finn
The CRU says it is ‘very concerned’ about the impact of high energy prices on households and businesses.
THE MORNING LEAD
FactCheck: Is the Govt correct to claim that 400 people are buying their first home every week?
A report by
Shane Raymond
Last week, a Government statement included a suggestion from the Taoiseach that 400 people in Ireland are buying their first home every week.
THE MORNING LEAD
Automatic pension scheme should not invest in fossil fuels, Government told
A report by
Lauren Boland
A new auto-enrolment pension scheme for workers has undergone scrutiny as the government prepares to put forward legislation.
A newly published report advises that investment funds in the scheme should not be allowed to invest in fossil fuels.
It also recommends that a minimum percentage of the funds should be invested in renewable energy development.
THE MORNING LEAD
Healthcare assistant 'asked to follow and watch' rival union members, WRC told
A report by
Eoghan Dalton
The former staff member has taken a constructive dismissal case against charity Cheshire Foundation Ireland.
THE MORNING LEAD
Targets missed in at least 70% of GSOC complaints investigated by gardaí
A report by
Alice Chambers
Most cases handed to and completed by gardai last year exceeded time limits.
Median length of garda-led investigations has never been near the agreed timeframes
Gardaí investigating gardaí brought in to prevent GSOC becoming “snowed under” by “less serious” complaints
This year
2023
THE MORNING LEAD
FactFind: Was the 2008 crash caused by building too many houses?
A report by
Shane Raymond
A suggestion Ireland risks building too many homes ignited controversy.
Experts said that too many homes had been built where there was little demand.
“The laws of supply and demand ... were not applying to the housing market" - inquiry chairman.
However, economists said the current demand for homes is far from being met.
THE MORNING LEAD
Stardust: One week in, here's what has happened in State's largest ever inquest
A report by
Tadgh McNally
Families of loved ones who died in the fire have spent the week reading pen portraits.
THE MORNING LEAD
TikTok lobbied Govt on security issues weeks before advice not to use app on official phones
A report by
Stephen McDermott
The company addressed what it described as “heightened interest” in the app’s security.
National Cyber Security Centre issued advice to Government departments last week.
Newly released correspondence shows TikTok wanted to "ensure that the government can be confident" with the company's policies and processes
THE MORNING LEAD
First batch of 200 modular homes for Ukrainian refugees to be ready next month
A report by
Christina Finn
A target of delivering 700 units has been missed by Government.
THE MORNING LEAD
‘Don't take it as fact’: Irish citizens in Sudan urged to ‘clarify’ information on social media
A report by
Diarmuid Pepper
Irish citizens still in Sudan have also been advised to stay where they are if it is safe to do so.
THE MORNING LEAD
North Sea Summit: Ireland and UK need to cooperate on offshore wind energy, says Eamon Ryan
A report by
Lauren Boland
Nine countries have agreed to ramp up capacity for harnessing offshore wind to generate power.
THE MORNING LEAD
'Extreme' recent advancement of Artificial Intelligence raises concerns for copyright holders
A report by
Jane Moore
A UCD assistant professor told The Journal that a conversation about how we use AI is needed.
THE MORNING LEAD
Govt called upon to conduct 'full safety audit' of HSA's oversight of Stryker plant
A report by
Eoghan Dalton
A local TD has alleged there were 11 incidents of concern covering an 18-month period at the site.
THE MORNING LEAD
Varadkar 'reluctant' to make changes after review of state's abortion laws seeks end to three-day wait
A report by
Christina Finn
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly will bring a memo to Cabinet on Tuesday on the report’s recommendations.
THE MORNING LEAD
Not one modular home ready for Ukrainian refugees as government way off target of 700
A report by
Eoghan Dalton
The programme aims to house people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Only seven sites for modular homes to accommodate families fleeing the war in Ukraine have been found so far.
These sites have a combined capacity for 312 rapid-build homes - but it's some way off the government's own target of 700 homes.
One Social Democrats TD said the low delivery 'smacks of the government making a high-level decision and then not putting in the work to implement' the programme.
THE MORNING LEAD
Indian nurses recruited by HSE wait months in Ireland without their children before starting work
A report by
Eimer McAuley
Twenty-nine migrant nurses who were recruited to one Dublin hospital were promised six weeks of paid accommodation, and then told they would have to leave after a week on arrival.
Twenty-nine migrant nurses who were recruited to one Dublin hospital were promised six weeks of paid accommodation, and then told they would have to leave after a week on arrival.
One mother-of-two from India hasn't been able to find a house to rent so her family can join her, Eimer McAuley reports.
THE MORNING LEAD
Government text messaging system for large-scale emergencies in Ireland expected next year
A report by
Muiris O'Cearbhaill
A public warning system for Irish citizens is expected to be put in place next year.
THE MORNING LEAD
Addiction experts, campaigners concerned over 'transparency' of new Citizens' Assembly
A report by
Eoghan Dalton
The intervention comes ahead of the Citizens’ Assembly for drugs getting underway this weekend.
THE MORNING LEAD
Biden tour of Ireland comes to Dublin as President to visit Áras, Oireachtas and Dublin Castle
A report by
Christina Finn
The US president will address the joint Houses of the Oireachtas this afternoon.
THE MORNING LEAD
One year on, the international operation to demolish the Kinahan gang continues step by step
A report by
Niall O'Connor
The sanctions and reward were launched in an event at Dublin Castle last year.
THE MORNING LEAD
Officials to bypass Stormont deadlock to publish review of island's rail network
A report by
Eoghan Dalton
The All-Island Strategic Rail Review is examining how to improve links between the island’s regions and major cities.
The study requires the approval of governments in both jurisdictions due to its 32-county nature.
Draft proposals are understood to involve reviving long-dormant lines - but the plan requires the return of Stormont.
Should the impasse continue in Northern Ireland, transport officials will see whether recently passed legislation will allow the release of the review.
THE MORNING LEAD
With a ceasefire in place, Yemenis are still suffering from the weapons of war
A report by
David MacRedmond
With a fragile truce in place after eight years of civil war, the people of Yemen are still falling victim to the conflict.
Yemeni Landmine Records said 32 people were killed by landmines and other unexploded ordnance in January this year.
The Journal speaks with the head of the ICRC weapons contamination unit.
THE MORNING LEAD
Questions raised over 'lack of resources and detail' for Govt's tenant-in-situ scheme
A report by
Eoghan Dalton
The government has set a target of 1,500 properties to be acquired under the tenant-in situ-scheme.
THE MORNING LEAD
'We've seen more working people and others who wouldn't be homeless in normal circumstances'
A report by
David MacRedmond
While some have predicted a sudden, large increase in homelessness after the lifting of the eviction ban, others say the increase will be more gradual.
Homeless charities have spoken about the breadth of people being affected by the housing crisis.
Depaul has detailed concerns over people's access to medical care.
Elderly people are at particular risk of becoming homeless after eviction.
Landlords issued more than 4,300 notices to quit in final quarter of 2022, new figures show
'100% incorrect': Taoiseach denies claim he overruled Housing Minister to end the eviction ban
THE MORNING LEAD
Tourist season set to take 1,300 beds from system housing refugees
A report by
Christina Finn
Pod-style modular homes which will be delivered in a shorter time frame, but may not last as long, are being considered.