Main Points
- Ahead of Leaders’ Questions, Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy spoke about the “alarming rise in the serious threats and online abuse directed at a significant number of members of the houses of the Oireachtas, of all parties and none”.
- Taoiseach Micheál Martin corrects statement by Aontú leader Peader Tóibín during discussion on missing boy Daniel Aruebose
- Taoiseach also answers queries on scoliosis surgery, disability supports and rental market during Leaders’ Questions
- Independent Ireland has written to Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy asking for a minute’s silence to be observed in the Dáil on Wednesday afternoon in memory of the assassinated US right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk.
- Security is very tight around Leinster House as protests often mark the return of the Dáil.
Best Reads
- Ronan McGreevy’s account of all the colour at the ploughing.
- Conor Pope explains the history of “blackface”.
- Jack Horgan-Jones’s analysis on what Gareth Sheridan’s second nomination means.
- Michael McDowell’s column on the moral emptiness of Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK.
- Don’t mix sports and politics. Thankfully Fintan O’Toole has ignored that dictum in his opinion column comparing Ryder Cup preparation with the approach to other pressing issues in Ireland.
The Opposition is trying to put pressure on the Government to include a fresh round of electricity credits for households in next month’s budget.
The demand was made by Sinn Féin and Labour in the Dáil on Wednesday amid rising energy bills and the continuing “cost-of-living crisis”, reports Cormac McQuinn.
The Coalition has said there would be no one-off measures in Budget 2026, which will instead focus on permanent measures to help households and invest in infrastructure.
Mary Lou McDonald told Micheál Martin that half a million customers were last week informed by energy companies that “they’ll be hit with massive electricity bill hikes from next month”.
The Sinn Féin leader criticised the Government for its plan to exclude electricity credits in the budget, saying: “You’re effectively telling households, ‘Tough you’re on your own’.
“You can’t leave households high and dry, and you must include energy credits in the budget.”
The Taoiseach said recent cost-of-living packages were brought in due to spiralling inflation after the Covid-19 pandemic.
“There will be supports in the budget for those most in need. We will be targeting resources towards those who will be impacted the most by the increase in energy prices,” Mr Martin said.
In other political news, Sinn Féin has urged ministers to reject the proposed €1 million exit package for the head of the DAA, Kenny Jacobs, agreed as part of a deal which will see him leave the airport operator.
Sinn Féin said the package represented “an insult to workers and families”, Martin Wall reports.
The party urged the Oireachtas committee on transport to seek the DAA to appear before it next week about the background to Mr Jacobs’ departure from the state-owned commercial company.
The Irish Times reported on Tuesday that the board of the DAA had reached an exit agreement with Mr Jacobs following a mediation process.
In case you missed it, the case of Harvey Morrison Sherratt was also raised earlier in the day during Leaders’ Questions.
Mary Lou McDonald, Ivana Bacik and Holly Cairns all raised the topic.
Ms McDonald said Harvey was “failed by Government” and that his story “is not an isolated case”, Cormac McQuinn reports.
The Taoiseach offered his deepest condolences to Harvey’s parents.
Mr Martin said “it is an extraordinarily traumatic thing to happen to any family, but in these circumstances, even more traumatic in terms of the experiences that the family and Harvey had with the hospitals”, which he described as “unacceptable”.
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has expressed her sincere condolences to Harvey’s family, saying their pain “can never be eased”.
“What we can do now is to try, and what we’re determined to do is to drive change,” she said.
Ms Carroll MacNeill said, in the weeks since the young boy’s passing, she has asked HSE CEO Bernard Gloster for “a timeline of Harvey’s care from a multidisciplinary perspective”.
She said she had received a draft version of this document, but it would not be finalised until Harvey’s parents “have had an opportunity to feed into their perspectives”.
“Their voices must be heard,” she said.
Ms Carroll MacNeill said she and Tánaiste Simon Harris would meet Gillian Sherratt and Stephen Morrison “shortly”.
“We will continue to drive improvements to try to get a better service in CHI,” she said.
Also raising Harvey Morrison Sherratt, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said he would table a motion of no confidence in Simon Harris “at the next opportunity”.
Mr Tóibín said there had to be accountability at the highest level over the young boy’s tragic death.
“This is no country for young children, and it’s no country for many people who have disabilities at the moment,” Mr Tóibín said.
“I do think that we have reached a watershed moment in terms of how people with disabilities have been treated in this country.
“It is the most tragic experience that any parent will ever have to go through – to lose a child – and to lose a child in such excruciating circumstances, for the want of proper treatment, is absolutely wrong.”
Mr Tóibín said there needed to be a full statutory inquiry into the treatment of children in CHI hospitals, echoing calls made by Harvey’s parents, Stephen and Gillian.
During the same discussion, Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward again raised the story of Harvey Morrison Sherratt, who died in July following a sudden deterioration in his health.
The nine-year-old, who had scoliosis and spina bifida, had waited years for spinal surgery.
Last year Harvey’s name disappeared from a Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) active spinal surgery waiting list. No specific reason has yet been given to the family as to how this occurred.
By the time Harvey received spinal surgery last December, the curve had reached the point where it could not be fully corrected.
“His spinal curve caused his ribcage to twist around his lungs and heart, severely restricting his breathing,” Mr Ward said.
The TD said the only way to honour Harvey’s legacy is to make sure there are “no more Harveys” and to ensure all children who need treatment get it in a timely manner.
“The Tánaiste Simon Harris said back in 2017 [when he was Minister for Health] that no child would have to wait more than four months on [scoliosis] surgery. The Tánaiste broke his promise to Harvey and to other children,” Mr Ward said.
“Unless there’s a radical overhaul of CHI and there’s real accountability, including at ministerial level, then Harvey will never get justice and there will be more Harveys.”
The Dáil is now hearing statements on the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030.
Several deputies have outlined the long waiting lists that many people with disabilities were facing.
Sinéad Gibney, Social Democrats TD for Dublin Rathdown and former chief commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, said her party “broadly” welcomed the strategy, but much more needed to be done.
Ms Gibney said people who were born in Ireland with a disability, or who acquired one, faced “much worse” outcomes than anyone else in the country in terms of education or employment.
“So we have a huge road to travel before we land at a really inclusive society.”
All children who need a special school place or a special class in a mainstream school in September 2026 will know where they are going before the end of this year, the minister in charge of the sector has promised.
Michael Moynihan, junior minister with responsibility for special education, was addressing the Oireachtas committee on disability matters on Wednesday, reports Kitty Holland.
Urging parents whose child will need a special education place next year to notify the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) by October 1st, he told members: “Students will be advised of where there is a school place as early as possible. Our commitment to you is that we will have those decisions before Christmas 2025.”
During Taoiseach’s Questions several TDs have spoken about the case of Daniel Aruebose, who went missing at age three about four years ago. Human remains have been found at a site in Donabate, north Dublin, which was being searched by gardaí as part of their investigation into Daniel’s disappearance.
People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Paul Murphy said it appears the State became aware Daniel was missing because of social welfare payments. He asked what this says about the State that social welfare payments are better tracked than children.
Daniel is not the only troubling case, Mr Murphy said, raising that of Kyran Durnin (6) who was reported missing from his home in Drogheda, Co Louth in August 2024. The last reported sighting of the child was in May 2022.
Mr Murphy asked what will be done to ensure the State stops failing children.
Next, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said it is incredible that a three-year-old boy would go missing from State care. He said Daniel has been failed by the State, and it is “horrific and damning” that the State was searching for two boys who were in State care or known to State care.
Responding, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he does not accept the “automatic impulse” to blame the State. “I think there has to be a better analysis of this in advance of jumping to blame,” he said.
Turning to Mr Tóibín’s comments, he said it was incorrect to say Daniel went missing from State care. Saying such is an example of the deputy’s “propogandising”, Mr Martin said.
Daniel did not go missing while in State care, the Taoiseach said, adding: “We need to await the outcome and get the facts first before jumping to conclusions.”
He said he has been watching Mr Tóibín’s approach to these types of situations, and he seems to blame Tusla, the child and family agency, “in every case”. Mr Martin said he thinks this is “wrong” and “unfair” to Tusla workers.
When Daniel was born he was initially given up for adoption and was in foster care for about 18 months. However, his parents then had a change of heart and the child was returned to them. Tusla oversaw the case for all of those developments, but ceased its involvement with the child and his family in 2020.
Oireachtas committees are back to work too.
On Wednesday, the Joint Oireachtas Media Committee published a report containing its recommendations on the Coalition’s Broadcasting Amendment (Amendment) Bill.
The committee has recommended that the Government press ahead with plans to introduce a content levy on streaming services like Netflix, despite opposition from Fine Gael Minister for Media Patrick O’Donovan and disagreement within the Coalition over the proposal, Ian Curran reports.
The committee has been scrutinising the proposed legislation in the months before the Dáil summer recess, hearing evidence from stakeholders, including the main broadcasters, trade unions and representatives from domestic streaming services and the commercial television production sector.
If you’re looking for some afternoon reading, Fintan O’Toole’s latest column compares Ryder Cup preparation with the approach to other pressing issues in Ireland.
“The truly depressing thing about the Ryder Cup project is that unlike, say, treating children with scoliosis or providing assessments for children with autism or tackling the poverty that now affects one in every five children, it will be achieved flawlessly,” O’Toole writes.
“Imagine if paediatric spinal surgery was a global spectator sport.”
The Taoiseach said the Government is “absolutely not” creating a “free-for-all” rental market, as Independent TD Brian Stanley.
Mr Martin said “very substantial protections” for tenants have been implemented “over the last five years, compared to what was there before”.
“We’re creating a national rent pressure zone, ultimately it will be the entire country.
“But the bottom line is, we need more supply of houses. We significantly need a substantial increase in the supply of housing. That’s the key, in my view, because without additional supply, we are going to have a very challenging rental market.”
Mr Stanley is now raising the “out-of-control rental market”.
“Average rents in a lot of areas now are over €2000,” Mr Stanley said.
“Families and workers are under significant pressure. Notices to quit are on the increase.”
He said some landlords are evicting people ahead of next March, when they will be able to reset the rent levels to market rent between tenancies.
The Taoiseach said the Government is committed to working with stakeholders in the sector.
He said there was “significant participation of people with disabilities in the formulation, delivery and announcement” of the recently launched National Disability Strategy.
“I’ve created a disability unit in my own department to drive change, and we’re going to do it over the lifetime of this Government.”
Some activists have criticised the strategy, saying it is vague and lacks ambition.
In her first day back in the Dáil since maternity leave, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns thanked all those who offered support and congratulations since the birth of her daughter on the day of the general election last November.
She also remembered Fianna Fáil’s Patrick Gerard Murphy, a county councillor for west Cork, who died last week.
“He was an outstanding disability advocate, and he worked tirelessly for the Bantry area. He will be sorely missed,” Ms Cairns said.
She criticised the “grossly insufficient” support given by the Government to the disability sector.
The Taoiseach did not commit to a cost-of-living package in the budget, but said the Government will prioritise efforts to tackle child poverty and health and housing issues, as well as supports for people with disabilities and their families.
“But the budget, fundamentally, is an investment in the future of the country. We are prioritising capital investment, and we do need to catch up on infrastructure,” Mr Martin said.
Labour leader Ivana Bacik is also raising Harvey Morrison Sherratt. She said she met with his parents, who went through a “dreadful, dreadful trauma”.
As well as discussing long waiting lists in health, Ms Bacik brings up the cost-of-living and housing crises, asking how the Government will address these issues in the budget next month.
She notes that Fianna Fáil “crashed the economy in 2007″ and said the current housing and health crises are “really hurting children more than anyone”.
Responding, the Taoiseach offered his “deepest condolences” to Harvey’s family.
“It is an extraordinarily traumatic thing to happen to any family but, in these circumstances, even more traumatic in terms of the experiences that the family and Harvey had with the hospitals.”
Mr Martin said efforts are being made to tackle waiting lists, noting ongoing engagement with the Health Service Executive, Children’s Health Ireland and other stakeholders.
He said “very significant resources have been allocated by government to CHI”.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald is now raising the case of Harvey Morrison Sherratt, who died on July 29th following a sudden deterioration in his health.
The nine-year-old, who had scoliosis and spina bifida, had waited years for spinal surgery.
Ms McDonald said Harvey’s parents, Gillian Sherratt and Stephen Morrison, are “heartbroken, shattered by the loss of their beautiful little boy”.
She said many other children remain on long waiting lists.
“The longer they wait, the more complex surgeries they will require. The risk of permanent paralysis is very real. The fear of becoming inoperable is very real.”
Ms McDonald called on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to outline what he will do to address the “neglect” of these children.
Ahead of Leaders’ Questions, Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy spoke about the “alarming rise in the serious threats and online abuse directed at a significant number of members of the houses of the Oireachtas, of all parties and none”.
“This abuse often emanates from unverified profiles on various online platforms which facilitate unsavoury discourse and foster unhealthy narratives that bear little resemblance to fact or reality,” Ms Murphy said.
“In my capacity as Ceann Comhairle I have a duty to safeguard both this assembly, its members and the wider public interest. This chamber must remain a secure environment for the conduct of parliamentary business.
“In addition to my concern for current members, I am concerned that this environment may deter decent people from entering public life.
“If we allow a culture of fear and intimidation to take root, we risk losing the very essence of democratic representation. It is incumbent upon us all to collectively defend the integrity of political debate and cultivate an environment that encourages participation without fear or reprisal.”
Ms Murphy said a recent report on the abuse faced by politicians needs to be supplemented by “concrete legislative proposals”.
She requested a meeting with all party leaders and groups with a view to formulating an “appropriate consensus response” to the issue.
She concluded her remarks by saying: “As we embark on this term, I urge all members to reflect on the tone and tenor of their deliberations.”
On Monday it was reported that violent threats against Tánaiste Simon Harris and his family are being treated as a “national security” issue by gardaí, who are employing anti-terrorism legislation to catch the perpetrators.
Gardaí now believe at least one of the threats came from overseas and have asked Interpol for assistance in coordinating with other police forces.
If you need to catch up on the Eoin Hayes ‘blackface’ controversy, the latest episode of the In the News podcast has you covered.
As we await Leaders’ Questions at 2pm, Jack Horgan-Jones has an update on Arts Council spending.
The council spent almost €1 million with outside consultancy firms in the 18 months up to this summer, new records show.
The spending included hundreds of thousands on legal advice, with €244,000 in 2024 and €320,000 in the first six months of this year, paid to Beauchamps solicitors.
Spending at the Arts Council, which administers grants and support programmes for the arts nationwide, has been under significant scrutiny since it emerged earlier this year it had spent €6.7 million on a mothballed IT project.
Across the water, US president Donald Trump has arrived at Windsor Castle to meet senior members of the British royal family on the first full day of his state visit to the United Kingdom.
In his column, Michael McDowell writes about the moral emptiness of the visit.
“The grotesque charade of Trump paying his second state visit to London, this time to meet King Charles, underlines the fact that no other western government wants to host any such event.”
Read the full article here.
Independent Ireland requests a minute’s silence in Dáil for Charlie Kirk
Independent Ireland has written to Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy asking for a minute’s silence to be observed in the Dáil on Wednesday afternoon in memory of the assassinated US right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk, Harry McGee reports.
Party leader Michael Collins said the request was in the name of Mr Kirk but would include all people who have been either killed or hurt by political violence.
Asked if such a motion would be viewed as contentious and might rub people the wrong way, Mr Collins said it was not only for him but for everybody who has been affected by, or threatened with, violence.
“We’ve seen tourists in this country continuously being threatened, which had to be condemned in some way. We are standing here today for Charlie Kirk, because that was an absolutely atrocious murder of a human being, regardless of his political views.”
He added: “We certainly feel that this is sending a clear message that you don’t attack people whether you are a politician or anything else.
“The anger and violence towards politicians since I was elected in 2016 have gone to very high and dangerous levels.”
Presidential election
Looking at the presidential election, a fourth candidate is halfway there in terms of securing a nomination.
With the support of Tipperary County Council and Kerry County Council, businessman Gareth Sheridan might make it on to the presidential ballot paper come October 24th.
There are a few lessons to take away from this and the votes cast so far, Jack Horgan-Jones reports.
Eoin Hayes controversy rumbles on
On Monday evening, Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes issued an apology for wearing brown make-up on his face and hands while dressed up as former US president Barack Obama for a Halloween party some 16 years ago.
In a statement, Mr Hayes said: “What I did was completely inappropriate and a huge mistake. I condemn racism in all its forms and do not condone that behaviour under any circumstances.”
He’s still in the party – for now – but two Soc Dems members in Dublin have quit the party, in part citing the controversy.
Local election candidate and chairman of the party’s branch in Dublin West, Luke Daly, and his partner and party secretary in the constituency, Jack O’Reilly, have bowed out.
Conor Pope breaks down the origins of blackface and why it is so offensive.
National Ploughing Championships
The three confirmed presidential candidates – Heather Humphreys (Fine Gael), Jim Gavin (Fianna Fáil) and Catherine Connolly (Independent) – were all canvassing at the National Ploughing Championships on Tuesday.
Some 78,500 people attended the opening day of the three-day event.
A glimpse of what lies in store for the successful candidate was apparent when President Michael D Higgins arrived in a five-car entourage led by two gardaí on horseback, Ronan McGreevy reports.
Bob Geldof has said being president of Ireland would be interesting “up to a point”, but that he doesn’t have the time.
The Boomtown Rats singer was linked to a possible Áras bid after it emerged he discussed the issue with Taoiseach Micheál Martin over the phone late last month.
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Geldof (73) said “fairly high-powered” people rang him to see whether he was seriously considering a run, to which he responded no, as: “Literally, I have no time.”
He said they pushed further, asking him to talk to the Taoiseach about it. “He got the same lobby saying: ‘Will you talk to Geldof?’ ... So Micheál called me.”
Read about what they discussed here.
Outside of Leinster House, the hunt for another presidential candidate continues apace with a small number of hopeful Independents making pleas to councils across the State.
Meanwhile, the other big political set piece of the autumn – the National Ploughing Championships – continues apace in Screggan, Co Offaly.
Aside from that, we can look forward to a three-week period of pre-leaking about what’s in the budget ahead of October 7th, reports Harry McGee.
There is tight security around Leinster House as members of the Oireachtas return for a new term on Wednesday.
Committees began their work earlier today but the Dáil itself doesn’t resume until Leaders’ Questions at 2pm.
After a two-month break, some fireworks are expected.
Welcome to today’s politics live story where we will be updating you on all the big stories of the day as the Oireachtas returns after the summer break.
We’ll also bring you all the latest developments in the lead-up to the presidential election.
