Latest
This week
22nd December 2024 - 25th December 2024
Political Awards
These are the winners and losers from the Irish political year 2024
As picked by The Journal team.
This year, The Journal team announced its political awards via The Candidate podcast.
We hand out a number of gongs for awards such as the Minister Who Gets Shit Done, the Must Try Harder Merit and chat about the Ah Here Moment of the Year and Whoopsie of the Year.
The top award, Politician of the Year, was put to a vote which was counted by PR-STV.
The Big Interview
Mary Lou McDonald: 'I can safely say 2024 was the toughest year of my life'
Apart from her party not performing as she would have wanted in the election, McDonald has experienced personal challenges this year.
Last week
15th December 2024 - 21st December 2024
laois councillorSinn Féin will speak to Caroline Stanley in January over issues that 'need to get ironed out'
BID FOR THE ÁRAS
McDonald says 'multiple people' capable of leading Sinn Féin as she rules out presidential bid
A run for the presidency is not on the horizon for McDonald, she tells The Journal.
34th dailA pickpocketing seagull, a spoiled vote and a resignation - all this on day one of the new Dáil
This month
December 2024
government formation talks
Regional Independents pivot towards power while rotating Taoiseach now a certainty
The term time for the rotating Taoiseach is yet to be decided.
Frederick Street South
Army bomb squad at Social Democrats HQ after suspicious package sent to TD Eoin Hayes
Hayes, a TD elected to Dublin Bay South, was suspended with immediate effect from the Social Democrats parliamentary party this week.
Grace case'Outrageous': Strong criticism as report into sexual abuse of woman with intellectual disabilities delayed six years
SocDems'Embarrassed is an understatement': SocDems says it's taken 'a knock' with Hayes controversy
Robert TroyEthics watchdog confirms it decided against publishing non-routine reports prior to general election
final cabinet meetingTánaiste to seek approval for Ireland to intervene in South Africa’s case against Israel
AnalysisFall from grace for Soc Dems TD reminds newbie politicians to take a leaf out of Ben Dunne's book
government formation talks
FF and FG teams to hold first meeting today as big question mark hangs over 'parity of esteem'
Who will be the third wheel of government is yet to be decided.
Get in FormationGovernment formation talks step up a gear with Micheál Martin and Simon Harris due to meet
New Kids on the Block
FF and FG to debate next moves today - as possible Independent Alliance 2.0 waits in the wings
Is the Independent Alliance band getting back together?
Galway East TD Sean Canney says there is a myth out there that Independents only deal in parish pump politics.
Wexford TD Verona Murphy says she has no bad blood with Fine Gael.
AnalysisMinisters for Health and Disability lost their seats. One reason for it is all politics is local
Let's talk
Who's going into this government, then? And who gets to be Taoiseach - and for how long?
Sources say Fine Gael will push for a rotating Taoiseach deal, while Labour are viewed as a preferred option, but option still open for independents.
Last month
November 2024
rotation once againIt's pretty much deadlock: FF and FG in driving seat if parties join forces once again
party leader interview'I don't know what he's at': McDonald 'gobsmacked' at Martin's comments about the Troubles
ge24
Who's 'jiving' into Government? No clear answer as gloves fail to come off in final TV debate
McDonald says FF and FG can’t be allowed ‘jive’ their way back into Government Buildings.
AnalysisFG conceding FF likely to take more seats leaving Martin in position to become next Taoiseach
conscious uncoupling
Kate O'Connell looks to eat FG's lunch in Dublin Bay South but party exit coming up on the doors
Independents could be the kingmakers after the next election and O’Connell says she will back a FG/FF led government.
Bray campaign trail
Mary Lou told she's the only person that could 'take on Donald Trump' next St Patrick's Day
The Sinn Féin leader was in Bray Co Wicklow yesterday where she visited homeless and youth mental health charities.
ge24
Sinn Fein promises mini-budget, property tax abolition and reducing president's term to 5 years
Mary Lou McDonald says she would not immediately resign after the general election if Sinn Fein has a poor result.
Sinn Féin says it will abolish student fees if in government.
The party will legislate to ensure that civil servants are held accountable.
War of WordsMartin disagrees with O'Dea's comments that McEntee is the 'worst justice minister' in Ireland's history
doesn't take the biscuit
Micheál Martin hasn't eaten a biscuit in 30 years and other insights from a canvass in Rathmines
The bike shed, rising rents, disability services and the cost of childcare were all raised with the Tánaiste and Jim O’Callaghan.
Labour lash out at FG sick leave U-turn as cracks emerge between prospective coalition partners
Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil had been eyeing up Labour as possible future partners in government, if the numbers added up after the election.
carers means testA big spending promise to scrap means test for carers - but FG says it's fully costed
