Jane Matthews
@janematthews1.bsky.social
Nosy Parker/Political Correspondent @thejournal.ie
“Ireland is a neutral country but it is certainly not an indifferent country. And we appreciate it,” Zelenskyy says.
December 2, 2025 at 2:11 PM
“Ireland is a neutral country but it is certainly not an indifferent country. And we appreciate it,” Zelenskyy says.
“Ukraine is part of our European family. It shares the same values. It belongs in the European Union.” - Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
@thejournal.ie
@thejournal.ie
December 2, 2025 at 2:07 PM
“Ukraine is part of our European family. It shares the same values. It belongs in the European Union.” - Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
@thejournal.ie
@thejournal.ie
Zelenskyy’s message in the Áras visitors’ book:
“On behalf of the people of Ukraine I express my sincere gratitude for Ireland’s steadfast support during our fight against Russian aggression.”
Follow @thejournal.ie liveblog for the latest from his visit.
“On behalf of the people of Ukraine I express my sincere gratitude for Ireland’s steadfast support during our fight against Russian aggression.”
Follow @thejournal.ie liveblog for the latest from his visit.
December 2, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Zelenskyy’s message in the Áras visitors’ book:
“On behalf of the people of Ukraine I express my sincere gratitude for Ireland’s steadfast support during our fight against Russian aggression.”
Follow @thejournal.ie liveblog for the latest from his visit.
“On behalf of the people of Ukraine I express my sincere gratitude for Ireland’s steadfast support during our fight against Russian aggression.”
Follow @thejournal.ie liveblog for the latest from his visit.
“Michael Shine was one of the most prolific, if not the most prolific abuser in the history of the Irish health service.” - Louth TD Ged Nash has welcomed the scoping exercise announced by the Health Minister on the issues raised by victims of former doctor Michael Shine.
November 25, 2025 at 11:31 AM
“Michael Shine was one of the most prolific, if not the most prolific abuser in the history of the Irish health service.” - Louth TD Ged Nash has welcomed the scoping exercise announced by the Health Minister on the issues raised by victims of former doctor Michael Shine.
On the immigration reforms being brought to Cabinet by the Justice Minister today, SocDems TD Gary Gannon says there is “cruelty inbuilt” in them.
He says it “could not be further from the truth” that the opposition don’t want to debate these issues + is calling for one today.
He says it “could not be further from the truth” that the opposition don’t want to debate these issues + is calling for one today.
November 25, 2025 at 11:31 AM
On the immigration reforms being brought to Cabinet by the Justice Minister today, SocDems TD Gary Gannon says there is “cruelty inbuilt” in them.
He says it “could not be further from the truth” that the opposition don’t want to debate these issues + is calling for one today.
He says it “could not be further from the truth” that the opposition don’t want to debate these issues + is calling for one today.
Senator Frances Black says she has run out of patience with Tánaiste Simon Harris & the government when it comes to their promise to enact the Occupied Territories Bill.
A key election pledge from FF and FG last year, but progress seems to have halted.
A key election pledge from FF and FG last year, but progress seems to have halted.
November 17, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Senator Frances Black says she has run out of patience with Tánaiste Simon Harris & the government when it comes to their promise to enact the Occupied Territories Bill.
A key election pledge from FF and FG last year, but progress seems to have halted.
A key election pledge from FF and FG last year, but progress seems to have halted.
Ivana Bacik: “There has been enough foot dragging, there’s been enough stalling.”
Leaders of Sinn Féin, Labour, Social Democrats, PBP and the Greens have joined with Senator Frances Black to call for the Occupied Territories Bill to be enacted before Christmas.
Leaders of Sinn Féin, Labour, Social Democrats, PBP and the Greens have joined with Senator Frances Black to call for the Occupied Territories Bill to be enacted before Christmas.
November 17, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Ivana Bacik: “There has been enough foot dragging, there’s been enough stalling.”
Leaders of Sinn Féin, Labour, Social Democrats, PBP and the Greens have joined with Senator Frances Black to call for the Occupied Territories Bill to be enacted before Christmas.
Leaders of Sinn Féin, Labour, Social Democrats, PBP and the Greens have joined with Senator Frances Black to call for the Occupied Territories Bill to be enacted before Christmas.
Re starter homes:
November 13, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Re starter homes:
“Why is there no annual targets in this plan?”
“Because we are focused on activation,” Minister for Housing James Browne says.
“We want to get away from yearly targets,” he adds.
@thejournal.ie
“Because we are focused on activation,” Minister for Housing James Browne says.
“We want to get away from yearly targets,” he adds.
@thejournal.ie
November 13, 2025 at 10:34 AM
“Why is there no annual targets in this plan?”
“Because we are focused on activation,” Minister for Housing James Browne says.
“We want to get away from yearly targets,” he adds.
@thejournal.ie
“Because we are focused on activation,” Minister for Housing James Browne says.
“We want to get away from yearly targets,” he adds.
@thejournal.ie
At the launch of the long awaited housing plan this morning - Minister for Housing James Browne says the scale of homes needed is now far beyond previous estimates.
He says the new plan is built around two pillars: supporting people and activating supply.
He says the new plan is built around two pillars: supporting people and activating supply.
November 13, 2025 at 10:01 AM
At the launch of the long awaited housing plan this morning - Minister for Housing James Browne says the scale of homes needed is now far beyond previous estimates.
He says the new plan is built around two pillars: supporting people and activating supply.
He says the new plan is built around two pillars: supporting people and activating supply.
And sin é, Connolly will now make her way to the Áras.
November 11, 2025 at 1:09 PM
And sin é, Connolly will now make her way to the Áras.
In her maiden speech, Connolly says that as President of Ireland she will ensure all voices are heard and tolerated.
“In 2025 as I assume the privilege of office, we face the existential threat of climate change and ongoing wars, both of which are intrinsically linked.”
“In 2025 as I assume the privilege of office, we face the existential threat of climate change and ongoing wars, both of which are intrinsically linked.”
November 11, 2025 at 12:55 PM
In her maiden speech, Connolly says that as President of Ireland she will ensure all voices are heard and tolerated.
“In 2025 as I assume the privilege of office, we face the existential threat of climate change and ongoing wars, both of which are intrinsically linked.”
“In 2025 as I assume the privilege of office, we face the existential threat of climate change and ongoing wars, both of which are intrinsically linked.”
The first round of applause of the day was as Michael D Higgins arrived
November 11, 2025 at 12:19 PM
The first round of applause of the day was as Michael D Higgins arrived
Leaders of the opposition there beside Simon Harris’s wife Caoimhe and Micheál Martin’s wife Mary, who I believe is beside Mary Robinson’s husband Nick. Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins just out of shot beside Roderic O Gorman.
November 11, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Leaders of the opposition there beside Simon Harris’s wife Caoimhe and Micheál Martin’s wife Mary, who I believe is beside Mary Robinson’s husband Nick. Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins just out of shot beside Roderic O Gorman.
A lovely version of Danny Boy by the Army No. 1 Band while we wait for President elect Catherine Connolly to arrive - tough crowd though, no applause. ❌
November 11, 2025 at 11:40 AM
A lovely version of Danny Boy by the Army No. 1 Band while we wait for President elect Catherine Connolly to arrive - tough crowd though, no applause. ❌
There’s Sabina Higgins now with a warm welcome from Michelle O’Neill.
November 11, 2025 at 11:24 AM
There’s Sabina Higgins now with a warm welcome from Michelle O’Neill.
We’re in place in St Patrick’s Hall ahead of the inauguration ceremony later this morning. Some final rehearsals for the Army No. 1 band while guests begin to arrive at Dublin Castle.
A colleague has just passed out KitKats while we wait for the action to begin.
A colleague has just passed out KitKats while we wait for the action to begin.
November 11, 2025 at 10:45 AM
We’re in place in St Patrick’s Hall ahead of the inauguration ceremony later this morning. Some final rehearsals for the Army No. 1 band while guests begin to arrive at Dublin Castle.
A colleague has just passed out KitKats while we wait for the action to begin.
A colleague has just passed out KitKats while we wait for the action to begin.
Minister for Tourism Peter Burke says the “extortionate” prices charged by some Dublin hotels this summer is something he plans to address in this year’s Budget.
“It really sends out a bad message for Irish tourism,” he says, adding that it’s not acceptable.
@thejournal.ie
“It really sends out a bad message for Irish tourism,” he says, adding that it’s not acceptable.
@thejournal.ie
August 25, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Minister for Tourism Peter Burke says the “extortionate” prices charged by some Dublin hotels this summer is something he plans to address in this year’s Budget.
“It really sends out a bad message for Irish tourism,” he says, adding that it’s not acceptable.
@thejournal.ie
“It really sends out a bad message for Irish tourism,” he says, adding that it’s not acceptable.
@thejournal.ie
No hints from the Tánaiste on whether childcare fees will be cut in the Budget.
Asked by The Journal if parents can expect fees to be cut in Oct, he said the government is committed to reducing it to €200 over the lifetime of the govt.
Specifics are a matter for Budget Day, he said.
Asked by The Journal if parents can expect fees to be cut in Oct, he said the government is committed to reducing it to €200 over the lifetime of the govt.
Specifics are a matter for Budget Day, he said.
August 1, 2025 at 10:42 AM
No hints from the Tánaiste on whether childcare fees will be cut in the Budget.
Asked by The Journal if parents can expect fees to be cut in Oct, he said the government is committed to reducing it to €200 over the lifetime of the govt.
Specifics are a matter for Budget Day, he said.
Asked by The Journal if parents can expect fees to be cut in Oct, he said the government is committed to reducing it to €200 over the lifetime of the govt.
Specifics are a matter for Budget Day, he said.
Taoiseach pours cold water on any suggestion that there will be government supports for exporting businesses impacted by US tariffs.
“It has to be a strategic approach, not a handout approach,” he says.
“It has to be a strategic approach, not a handout approach,” he says.
July 28, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Taoiseach pours cold water on any suggestion that there will be government supports for exporting businesses impacted by US tariffs.
“It has to be a strategic approach, not a handout approach,” he says.
“It has to be a strategic approach, not a handout approach,” he says.
Latest figures show 4,844 children living in homelessness in the State.
Asked if we are going to cross the 5k threshold, Housing Minister James Browne says “it’s going to be very difficult to prevent”.
“The sense of direction, unfortunately, has been growing upwards,” he says.
Asked if we are going to cross the 5k threshold, Housing Minister James Browne says “it’s going to be very difficult to prevent”.
“The sense of direction, unfortunately, has been growing upwards,” he says.
July 1, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Latest figures show 4,844 children living in homelessness in the State.
Asked if we are going to cross the 5k threshold, Housing Minister James Browne says “it’s going to be very difficult to prevent”.
“The sense of direction, unfortunately, has been growing upwards,” he says.
Asked if we are going to cross the 5k threshold, Housing Minister James Browne says “it’s going to be very difficult to prevent”.
“The sense of direction, unfortunately, has been growing upwards,” he says.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is highly critical of the new visa requirements being introduced for J1 students travelling to the US.
Describing them as “excessive” he said he does not approve of them.
He adds that they create fear and anxiety for young people.
Describing them as “excessive” he said he does not approve of them.
He adds that they create fear and anxiety for young people.
June 23, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is highly critical of the new visa requirements being introduced for J1 students travelling to the US.
Describing them as “excessive” he said he does not approve of them.
He adds that they create fear and anxiety for young people.
Describing them as “excessive” he said he does not approve of them.
He adds that they create fear and anxiety for young people.
Musician Meryl Streek kicked off the protest with a performance of his song about the housing crisis “If This is Life”
#Raisetheroof @thejournal.ie
#Raisetheroof @thejournal.ie
June 17, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Musician Meryl Streek kicked off the protest with a performance of his song about the housing crisis “If This is Life”
#Raisetheroof @thejournal.ie
#Raisetheroof @thejournal.ie
“A home is a human right. Dignity is a human right. Our renters cannot be again, put to the pin of their collar and screwed because the government wants to lick the boot of cuckoos and vultures and big investment funds,” Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald says.
@thejournal.ie
@thejournal.ie
June 17, 2025 at 5:48 PM
“A home is a human right. Dignity is a human right. Our renters cannot be again, put to the pin of their collar and screwed because the government wants to lick the boot of cuckoos and vultures and big investment funds,” Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald says.
@thejournal.ie
@thejournal.ie
People Before Profit’s Paul Murphy says today’s Raise the Roof housing protest outside the Dáil has to be a launchpad for further action.
“We cannot wait for the next election, we cannot wait until there are 20,000 homeless people.”
@thejournal_ie
“We cannot wait for the next election, we cannot wait until there are 20,000 homeless people.”
@thejournal_ie
June 17, 2025 at 5:35 PM
People Before Profit’s Paul Murphy says today’s Raise the Roof housing protest outside the Dáil has to be a launchpad for further action.
“We cannot wait for the next election, we cannot wait until there are 20,000 homeless people.”
@thejournal_ie
“We cannot wait for the next election, we cannot wait until there are 20,000 homeless people.”
@thejournal_ie