Social media age limits: Von der Leyen hits on control-shift alternative
Providing proof of age will present big obstacle to EU plan
Patrick O’Donovan
Politician
EU to bring in minimum age limit of 15 to set up social-media accounts
Tech giants will be required to verify age of users under draft proposals due this week
EU to curb teenage access to social media but stop short of outright ban
Move comes amid concern Big Tech cannot be trusted to protect children from harmful content
Irish screen industry joins global call for ‘Netflix levies’ to fund local film and TV
Government has effectively shelved the proposal despite recommendations from media regulator and cross-party committee
Children need EU states to agree on social media ban, says O’Donovan
Minister calls for unity of purpose, as in the future, people will say, ‘you had the opportunity to do something for us, and you did nothing’
Simon Harris says he holds out hope that GAA integration will ‘get over the line’ in 2027
Organisations want guarantees around protection and promotion of women’s sports, says minister
Local tragedies as worthy of commemoration as national events, Taoiseach says in Dromcollogher
Fire in Limerick cinema claimed lives of 48 people in September 1926 after a candle fell on a reel of nitrate film
Minister Patrick O’Donovan says life has changed ‘dramatically’ since falling ill in Brussels
O’Donovan was attending an event for Ireland’s EU presidency when he became unwell in Brussels
Plan to set 13 as EU-wide minimum age for social media access to be discussed
Fianna Fáil MEP calls on European Commission to take a stronger line against social network Meta following the conclusion of a US legal action
Minister for Communications Patrick O’Donovan to return to duties after illness
TD previously revealed his epilepsy and said his ‘worst nightmare’ was that people would think he was drunk during an episode
New Arts Council chief takes on a troubled organisation in tough political climate
Shona McCarthy will need to retain support of an Arts Minister not reluctant to speak his mind
RTÉ’s top 10 highest earners in 2025 included nine members of senior management
Former radio presenter Claire Byrne is the only on-air talent to feature in top 10 highest paid staff last year
The Irish Times view on the digital wallet: a solution seeking a problem
The likely uses for the wallet remain unclear
Australia’s ban on social media for under-16s has jolted EU into belated action
Minister for Communications Patrick O’Donovan wants restrictions on online access for children in place by the end of this year
Ireland’s new digital wallet could store driving licence, birth cert and passport
The use of the app will not be compulsory and older forms of ID will still be usable
Politicians bemoan RTÉ’s failures, then make them worse
No enterprise could absorb an 18-year price freeze on its primary revenue stream while costs keep climbing
Dunderrow sexual abuse survivors secure mediation process with Government over redress
Group of 19 women in their 60s and 70s plan legal action against the State
Imma warns it will not be able to fund pensions this year
Allocation of €321,000 sought in Budget 2026 to cover costs but only €45,000 granted, says museum
Patrick O’Donovan ‘safe and well’ and recovering with family after falling ill in Brussels
Minister last year revealed he was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2016 and managing the condition ever since.
New trail highlights Irish roots of nearly half of US presidents
Series of commemorative trees and interpretive panels will celebrate the historical connections between Ireland and leaders of the United States
Screen time can damage under-twos’ development, landmark UK study warns
Researchers warn screen use at such a young age may increase overstimulation and have implications for eye health and childhood obesity
State should buy Easter Rising ‘flag of truce’, FF TD says
White linen handkerchief used by Capt Michael William O’Reilly due to be offered for sale in upcoming auction
New An Post CEO’s salary should reflect ‘risks on the horizon’, O’Donovan suggests
Board proposed annual salary of about €360,000 for David McRedmond’s successor
Minister’s wording when talking about the Ireland-Israel match was unwise
Patrick O’Donovan may regret leaving Ireland’s players to tackle the dilemma alone
Key issues on future for An Post underlie tensions with Minister
‘Talk of resignations and expression of frustration’ over CEO pay, borrowing limits and strategy
An Post CEO pay row, EU Gaza blame game, accidental bird reserve and thanking bus drivers
Early Edition with Aideen Finnegan
Row erupts between An Post and Minister over proposed €360,000 salary for new CEO
Directors held special meeting last Friday and have written to Patrick O’Donovan about their concerns
Ireland ready to restrict social media for children even without EU agreement, Minister says
Move would be ‘embarrassing’ for the EU, Patrick O’Donovan says
Confirmation of neutral venue for Ireland-Israel match prompts criticism from Opposition
Sinn Féin, Labour and Green Party say games should be stopped over Israel’s treatment of Palestinians
Gavin Cooney: FAI doesn’t want to find out what repercussions of boycotting Israel game would be
The bottom line is authorities don’t want to pay the price for a principled stand
Ireland could require digital ID to access porn websites
State agency suggests stricter age verification for online porn, similar to a law enacted in the UK in 2025
Mick Lynch: FAI must take a stand and refuse to participate in Israel game
Only fair for football association to be compensated for deciding Ireland team cannot in all conscience fulfil fixture
Government to back FAI’s bid for 2029 Women’s Champions League Final in Dublin
State approval sought for €75m funding package to underpin post office network
Special needs assistant workforce development plan to be brought to Cabinet
Role of SNAs to be professionalised after Government backed down on plans to reduce number of educational assistants in schools
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