The art of not owning the decision
The Dáil returned from recess to an agenda shaped less by legislation than by a football fixture. Both Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats used their Dáil time this week to call on the government to stop Ireland's UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel going ahead. The government held its line throughout: not our call, a matter solely for the FAI. After a series of votes, the Dáil supported the government's amended motions by 81 to 68.
It was, in communications terms, a well-executed holding position. Ministers consistently declined to own the decision, with Tánaiste Simon Harris urging the FAI to "bring clarity" while simultaneously insisting the government had no role. The opposition disagreed. The FAI obliged by making the decision for them. This morning the association confirmed that UEFA has approved moving the October fixture to a neutral venue overseas, behind closed doors. Three weeks of political pressure, two Dáil motions and a government majority produced an outcome no minister had to announce.
The challenge for government is that this particular tension is not going away. Wednesday saw the launch of Ireland's EU Presidency policy programme at Dublin Castle, built around the priorities of competitiveness, values and security. It is a programme designed for the conference room and the Council chamber. The public mood - on Gaza, on migration, on who plays whom under the tricolour - is harder to choreograph. The Taoiseach said he is "not concerned" about the Presidency being overshadowed by controversies, which is precisely the kind of thing you say when you are.
The Presidency programme is a document largely written for Brussels. The next six months will test whether the government can hold that agenda while domestic politics keeps writing a different one.
Political Update
Government sets out agenda for upcoming EU Presidency
The Irish Government has published its programme for Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU, setting out an agenda centred on competitiveness, simplification and resilience. The programme highlights a broad legislative agenda spanning industrial policy, financial services, digital regulation, energy, security and climate action.
Key priorities include advancing the Single Market through measures such as the 28th Regime, Industrial Accelerator Act and Chips Act 2.0, while negotiations on the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework will also be a major focus. In the digital sphere, Ireland aims to progress the Digital Networks Act, Cloud and AI Development Act and cybersecurity reforms.
Energy priorities include the European Grids Package, ETS reforms and decarbonisation measures. The programme also emphasises regulatory simplification through a series of omnibus packages covering tax, digital, environmental and food legislation.
Security and resilience feature prominently, with work planned on defence, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure and crisis preparedness. Enlargement, trade diversification and strengthening EU-UK relations will also form key elements of the Presidency agenda.
Economic Update
Fiscal watchdog raises concerns over corporation tax spending
The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) has warned that Government plans to continue spending most corporation tax receipts from multinational companies will require borrowing to finance contributions to two long-term savings funds. The council said this undermines the original purpose of the funds, which were established to save potentially volatile corporation tax revenues rather than spend them.
IFAC estimates national debt will rise from €220 billion to €250 billion by the end of the decade as borrowing is used to fund the savings vehicles. Chair Seamus Coffey said five-sixths of corporation tax receipts are now being spent, despite growing concerns about Ireland’s dependence on a small number of multinational taxpayers, particularly Eli Lilly, Microsoft and Apple, which account for half of all corporation tax revenue.
The council also criticised Government spending overruns and projected expenditure growth, warning that spending is rising faster than the economy’s sustainable growth rate. It called for stronger fiscal rules and larger budget surpluses to better protect Ireland against future economic downturns.
Sustainability Update
Thousands of properties at risk from coastal erosion, report warns
A University of Galway working paper commissioned by the Climate Change Advisory Council has warned that coastal erosion poses an immense threat to Ireland and requires urgent Government action. It says homeowners cannot be left to “be washed away” and calls for legal and financial mechanisms to support the relocation of homes, businesses and infrastructure from vulnerable areas.
Risk surveys have been completed in only eight of Ireland’s 19 coastal counties, but already show almost 2,300 properties and 570 kilometres of roads are at risk, with exposed properties expected to double by 2050. The report urges a shift from monitoring erosion to implementing a national coastal erosion masterplan, including planned relocation, zoning guidance, high-resolution risk data, funding and compensation structures, and clear agency responsibilities.
It also recommends mandatory natural hazard disclosures in property sales. The paper warns that failure to act could deepen social inequalities, cause mental health trauma and lead to far higher long-term costs.
Around the world
EU urges Albania to halt actions that could undermine accession process
The European Commission has warned Albania that a controversial luxury resort project linked to Jared Kushner could jeopardise the country’s EU accession ambitions if it fails to comply with environmental standards. The development, planned within the protected Vjosa-Narta area on Albania’s southern coast, has sparked a week of nationwide protests, with campaigners arguing it threatens sensitive wildlife habitats including flamingo breeding grounds, seal populations and turtle nesting sites.
Brussels has urged Albania to align fully with EU environmental legislation, including the Birds and Habitats Directives, and reiterated concerns over recent changes to the country’s protected areas and strategic investments laws. The Commission said the project could affect Albania’s ability to close the environment and climate chapter of EU accession negotiations.
Albanian authorities insist no final proposal has been submitted and that construction has not begun. They have pledged a full environmental impact assessment and public consultation process. The project is also the subject of an investigation by Albania’s anti-corruption prosecutor.