Ellen Coyne
@ellenmcoyne.bsky.social
Political correspondent at The Irish Times 📰 Part of the Inside Politics podcast 🎙️
One in five vape shops selling addictive products to children, inspections reveal
www.irishtimes.com/health/2026/...
www.irishtimes.com/health/2026/...
One in five vape shops selling addictive products to children, inspections reveal
Proposed law to ban disposable vapes should go further, says Fianna Fáíl TD
www.irishtimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:47 AM
One in five vape shops selling addictive products to children, inspections reveal
www.irishtimes.com/health/2026/...
www.irishtimes.com/health/2026/...
Calling for a “rules-based” immigration system is a “classic left-wing position” for a party that supports the working class, Mary Lou McDonald has said.
Sinn Fein leader contests claim her party is not left wing
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Sinn Fein leader contests claim her party is not left wing
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Mary Lou McDonald says left should support ‘rules-based’ system on immigration
‘We are not a kind of a luvvie outfit,’ says Sinn Féin leader of her party’s approach to policy
www.irishtimes.com
January 1, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Calling for a “rules-based” immigration system is a “classic left-wing position” for a party that supports the working class, Mary Lou McDonald has said.
Sinn Fein leader contests claim her party is not left wing
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Sinn Fein leader contests claim her party is not left wing
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Happy NYE - here's part two of our festive inside politics AMA open.spotify.com/episode/2Y68...
What are the chances of a border poll in the next ten years?
open.spotify.com
December 31, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Happy NYE - here's part two of our festive inside politics AMA open.spotify.com/episode/2Y68...
Today's splash: my interview with Simon Harris, where he said that a number of people in homelessness don't have a housing right in Ireland. The tanaiste also claims he was shut down on the issue of immigration
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/hous...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/hous...
December 31, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Today's splash: my interview with Simon Harris, where he said that a number of people in homelessness don't have a housing right in Ireland. The tanaiste also claims he was shut down on the issue of immigration
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/hous...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/hous...
What is it like when an IPAS centre suddenly leaves a town? And why is it so hard to find out why there's been a sharp increase in cancelled contracts with these centres?
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
‘We were heartbroken when they left’: removal of asylum seekers from Wicklow village raises questions
Tynte House in Dunlavin, Co Wicklow, is one of 22 contracts for international protection accommodation centres that ended in 2025
www.irishtimes.com
December 30, 2025 at 11:06 AM
What is it like when an IPAS centre suddenly leaves a town? And why is it so hard to find out why there's been a sharp increase in cancelled contracts with these centres?
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
Merry Christmas from Inside Politics 🎅🏼 it's our festive AMA part 1️⃣🎄 open.spotify.com/episode/6G18...
Ask us anything: presidential nominations, a Minister for Defence and the centre holding
open.spotify.com
December 24, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Merry Christmas from Inside Politics 🎅🏼 it's our festive AMA part 1️⃣🎄 open.spotify.com/episode/6G18...
‘No doubt’ migration has played part in housing crisis and homelessness, says Taoiseach
Our interview with Micheál Martin in Cork this week
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Our interview with Micheál Martin in Cork this week
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
‘No doubt’ migration has played part in housing crisis and homelessness, says Taoiseach
Martin ‘hurt and taken aback’ by commentary over what his team knew about Jim Gavin’s issue with former tenant, he tells The Irish Times
www.irishtimes.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:11 PM
‘No doubt’ migration has played part in housing crisis and homelessness, says Taoiseach
Our interview with Micheál Martin in Cork this week
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Our interview with Micheál Martin in Cork this week
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Like the townsfolk of Whoville, the Taoiseach seems to have survived an attempt to steal Christmas out from under him.
Not unlike the Grinch, his detractors seem to have come unstuck by maths. Was their abortive heave two sizes too small? 🎄
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Not unlike the Grinch, his detractors seem to have come unstuck by maths. Was their abortive heave two sizes too small? 🎄
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Martin’s detractors unstuck by basic maths
Taoiseach would be wise to pay attention to the end of The Grinch on the eve of the Dáil Christmas recess
www.irishtimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Like the townsfolk of Whoville, the Taoiseach seems to have survived an attempt to steal Christmas out from under him.
Not unlike the Grinch, his detractors seem to have come unstuck by maths. Was their abortive heave two sizes too small? 🎄
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Not unlike the Grinch, his detractors seem to have come unstuck by maths. Was their abortive heave two sizes too small? 🎄
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
True scale of domestic abuse in Ireland to be established through new national study
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/soci...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/soci...
True scale of domestic abuse in Ireland to be established through new national study
Existing figures based on people who report abuse not a reliable barometer of problem as many never seek support
www.irishtimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:07 AM
True scale of domestic abuse in Ireland to be established through new national study
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/soci...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/soci...
Plan to cap value of homes eligible for vacant property grant scrapped
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Plan to cap value of homes eligible for vacant property grant scrapped
Ministers will consider introducing a new grant to convert unused properties above retail units into residential accommodation
www.irishtimes.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Plan to cap value of homes eligible for vacant property grant scrapped
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
New data centres in Ireland could need additional energy supply that is almost equal to the peak electricity demand for the entire country.
5.8GW = almost record peak winter electricity demand for the entire country
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
5.8GW = almost record peak winter electricity demand for the entire country
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
New data centres may need additional electricity supply close to Ireland’s peak demand
Expected new demand for data centres of 5.8GW would exceed Ireland’s 2030 offshore wind target of 5GW
www.irishtimes.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:25 AM
New data centres in Ireland could need additional energy supply that is almost equal to the peak electricity demand for the entire country.
5.8GW = almost record peak winter electricity demand for the entire country
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
5.8GW = almost record peak winter electricity demand for the entire country
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
open.spotify.com/episode/4rNg...
That interview, digital wallets, mercusor, assessments of need and everything else that made it into our wrap of the week 🗞️ 🎙️ 🎧
That interview, digital wallets, mercusor, assessments of need and everything else that made it into our wrap of the week 🗞️ 🎙️ 🎧
That interview, Fianna Fáil's review and thorny issues for the Government
open.spotify.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:17 PM
open.spotify.com/episode/4rNg...
That interview, digital wallets, mercusor, assessments of need and everything else that made it into our wrap of the week 🗞️ 🎙️ 🎧
That interview, digital wallets, mercusor, assessments of need and everything else that made it into our wrap of the week 🗞️ 🎙️ 🎧
Fourteen cases taken against State over age verification of international protection applicants
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Fourteen cases taken against State over age verification of international protection applicants
Tusla confirms it ‘does not conduct age assessment in the strict statutory sense’ on people presenting as unaccompanied minors
www.irishtimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Fourteen cases taken against State over age verification of international protection applicants
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
In my *personal* opinion, the second half of this podcast is a testament to Hugh's seemingly limitless patience as a presenter.
open.spotify.com/episode/1FUH...
open.spotify.com/episode/1FUH...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:19 PM
In my *personal* opinion, the second half of this podcast is a testament to Hugh's seemingly limitless patience as a presenter.
open.spotify.com/episode/1FUH...
open.spotify.com/episode/1FUH...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Why is the government trying to get rid of assessments of need for children who need to be in a special class or a special school?
Why is the government trying to get rid of assessments of need for children who need to be in a special class or a special school?
Why routine assessments for children with special needs are being scrapped
For parents scrambling to find places in special schools for 2027, a new system is on the way
www.irishtimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:16 PM
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Why is the government trying to get rid of assessments of need for children who need to be in a special class or a special school?
Why is the government trying to get rid of assessments of need for children who need to be in a special class or a special school?
The failure to agree European-wide online child protection laws is to the “collective shame” of political institutions, the Minister for Media has said.
www.irishtimes.com/politics/oir...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/oir...
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
www.irishtimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:43 PM
The failure to agree European-wide online child protection laws is to the “collective shame” of political institutions, the Minister for Media has said.
www.irishtimes.com/politics/oir...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/oir...
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan has warned that the European Court of Human Rights is interpreting “inhuman and degrading treatment” too broadly, which is limiting the ability of member states to deport foreign criminals.
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
European court interprets inhuman and degrading treatment too broadly, says O’Callaghan
Ireland shares concerns over challenges posed by convention on human rights in relation to migration and deporting criminals, Minister tells meeting
www.irishtimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan has warned that the European Court of Human Rights is interpreting “inhuman and degrading treatment” too broadly, which is limiting the ability of member states to deport foreign criminals.
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Legally binding age classifications for websites and apps, similar to age ratings that exist for films and television shows, could be introduced under reforms proposed by a Government taskforce.
www.irishtimes.com/health/2025/...
www.irishtimes.com/health/2025/...
Age classifications on websites and apps could be introduced under online safety reform plans
Online safety taskforce was set up in recognition of social media’s harm to children’s physical and mental health
www.irishtimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Legally binding age classifications for websites and apps, similar to age ratings that exist for films and television shows, could be introduced under reforms proposed by a Government taskforce.
www.irishtimes.com/health/2025/...
www.irishtimes.com/health/2025/...
This would be a massive change for parents of children with additional needs - Children with additional educational needs will not need assessment to access classes or schools
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/soci...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/soci...
Children with additional educational needs will not need assessment to access classes or schools
Minister for Children Norma Foley announces Government will replace existing process with new system
www.irishtimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:42 PM
This would be a massive change for parents of children with additional needs - Children with additional educational needs will not need assessment to access classes or schools
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/soci...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/soci...
Looks like the Government could be set for a privacy row over its plans to introduce age-verification for social media with a new digital wallet. Echoes of the Public Services Card controversy here ...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Plan to verify people’s ages on line with Government ID a ‘disproportionate response’
Civil liberty and digital privacy campaigners question legal basis for proposed digital wallets
www.irishtimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Looks like the Government could be set for a privacy row over its plans to introduce age-verification for social media with a new digital wallet. Echoes of the Public Services Card controversy here ...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
New digital wallet to be tested within months to restrict social media access in Ireland for under-16s
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
December 6, 2025 at 8:31 AM
New digital wallet to be tested within months to restrict social media access in Ireland for under-16s
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Plan to verify ages of children who use social media in Ireland to be considered by Cabinet
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Plan to verify ages of children who use social media in Ireland to be considered by Cabinet
Instagram and Facebook have started shutting down social media accounts of children in Australia believed to be under 16
www.irishtimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Plan to verify ages of children who use social media in Ireland to be considered by Cabinet
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
People objecting to infrastructure projects could be offered damages to avoid delays
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
December 4, 2025 at 7:08 AM
People objecting to infrastructure projects could be offered damages to avoid delays
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
New infrastructure plan: Government expects legal challenge to judicial review reforms
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/hous...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/hous...
New infrastructure plan: Government expects legal challenge to judicial review reforms
Report warns court challenges and overly complex regulatory system could stall infrastructure improvements
www.irishtimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:19 PM
New infrastructure plan: Government expects legal challenge to judicial review reforms
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/hous...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/hous...