Leo Varadkar

Consumers feel they can get a better deal north of the Border

Irish government ministers warned banning cheap alcohol in next budget will continue to send shoppers to Northern Ireland

The Irish government is being warned that new laws banning the sale of cheap alcohol could reduce tax returns because people are going Northern Ireland to buy beer, spirits and wine.

Trading places: Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin. Photo: Maxwell Photography/PA Wire

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Philip Ryan Opinion Government reshuffle: Leo Varadkar will become Taoiseach but which ministers could lose their top table role?

The only thing that’s clear from the Programme for Government is that the Taoiseach’s Office will change between the leader of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael 10 days before Christmas .

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Shane Ross Opinion Mary Lou McDonald works her wizardry in Oz

What is Mary Lou McDonald up to in Australia? The Dáil had hardly adjourned for the summer recess before the Sinn Féin leader was jetting off to Oz. She never paused for breath; there was no weekend off after a tiring session, not to mention a family holiday in her beloved Spain. Mary Lou embarked on a punishing schedule on the other side of the world.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar speaks to the media following a visit to the Museum of Orange Heritage in Belfast (Credit: Laura Hutton/PA Wire)

Northern Ireland ‘only works when Britain and Ireland work hand in glove’, says Leo Varadkar

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has called for a reset of Anglo-Irish relations as the UK prepares to install a new Prime Minister.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald (Photo: Brian Lawless)

Sinn Fein hit approval record high amid sharp decline in support for Republic’s coalition Government – poll

Support for the coalition Government is on a sharp decline, according to a poll published today.

Annual 12th July parade through Newry city, Co Down, this morning. (Credit: PACEMAKER BELFAST)

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Sam McBride Opinion Top Orangemen vow to defeat NI Protocol as they denounce PM, Taoiseach and US President

The Orange Order’s two most senior figures have delivered hardline anti-protocol speeches from Twelfth platforms, backing the DUP in staying out of Stormont until “a clear irreversible process that rids us of this treacherous protocol”.

Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard (Liam McBurney/PA)

Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard accuses Leo Varadkar of ‘flip-flopping’ on Irish unity issue

Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard has said Irish unity is too important an issue to "constantly flip-flop on" as he hit back at claims from Tanaiste Leo Varadkar that a border poll would not be "appropriate" at this time.

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Lindy McDowell Opinion Can Boris bounce back again and match Queen in popularity stakes?

In a royal turn-up for the books, a survey in the Sunday Independent found Queen Elizabeth II had a higher approval rating than all the Republic’s political leaders.

Irish police send Leo Varadkar ‘leak’ investigation file to Director of Public Prosecutions

DETECTIVES investigating Tánaiste Leo Varadkar over the leaking of a confidential government document to his friend Dr Maitiú Ó Tuathail have sent a file the DPP who will decide whether any person should face criminal charges.

SDLP candidate Cara Hunter shared photos of her crumpled election leaflets on Monday, adding that three men in The Heights area of Coleraine left them like this after a 'sectarian' attempt to intimidate her

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Eimear McGovern Opinion I can’t help but feel a touch of sympathy as anger towards politicians reaches new heights

Unless married to one, very few of us could claim to love our politicians — but with election season in full swing and the cost of living crisis having sunk in long ago, anger towards our current and future political representatives has reached new heights and is taking on worrying proportions — so much so I can’t help but feel a touch of sympathy for those out knocking doors ahead of May 5.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney. Credit:Frank McGrath

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Viewpoint Opinion Protest a right, but it must be peaceful

There was shock and concern over the hijacking and hoax bomb alert at a peace event attended by Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney 10 days ago.

Protest: An anti-protocol rally on the Shankill Road in Belfast last June. Credit: Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph

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Gavin Esler Opinion Botched Brexit has shattered the idea of a ‘United’ Kingdom

Drive up the Shankill Road in west Belfast and you come to a series of billboards about the Troubles. As you would expect, they tell stories from a loyalist perspective, featuring atrocities committed by republicans.

Humble pie: Ian Paisley cut a forlorn figure in Parliament last week. Credit: Brian Lawless

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Suzanne Breen Opinion What a fool Ian Paisley has been… century after Carson and in midst of their Brexit betrayal, the penny finally drops over Tory infidelity

We are accustomed to a bold, brash Ian Paisley, but the DUP MP’s voice was laden with dejection and despair as he spoke in the House of Commons about the Tories’ Brexit betrayal.

Destruction: The memorial at Dublin’s Glasnevin Cemetery which was severely vandalised

Gail Walker Opinion When it comes to equating victims of conflict, the writing is on the (desecrated) wall

As an example of how not to handle ‘legacy’ on the island of Ireland, just look at last week’s sorry events in Dublin’s Glasnevin Cemetery.

Varadkar is criticised for claiming NI Protocol has been ‘success’

A DUP MP has criticised Leo Varadkar after he said it has become "very clear" that the Northern Ireland Protocol is working.

Influence: Bertie Ahern. Credit: Liam McBurney

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Alex Kane Opinion Say it quietly, but maybe Bertie Ahern was right about loyalists’ issues with Brexit Protocol

When I first heard the news that Bertie Ahern had made a reference to loyalists in the “ghettos [of east Belfast] and in the areas where you’re likely to get trouble” and accused them of “not having a clue about the [NI] Protocol, not a clue”, I have to admit it made me angry.

Torched: Damage to a bus hijacked and set on fire in Newtownabbey

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Gail Walker Opinion We’d rather criticise coverage of a bus hijacking than admit a hard truth: NI hasn’t moved on

A bus hijacked and set on fire in Newtownabbey, its driver traumatised, its passengers caught up in sinister mayhem. The second such attack in days, the cost of replacing the vehicles will be in excess of £200,000.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson: Irish Government should use ‘influence’ to encourage EU to scrap NI Protocol

The Irish Government has been urged to use their “influence” to encourage the EU to scrap the Northern Ireland Protocol, according to Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.

DUP’s Sir Jeffrey Donaldson urges Varadkar to adopt fresh approach over Brexit protocol ahead of meeting

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said his meeting with Leo Varadkar today will be “meaningless” unless the Tanaiste adopts a new approach on the protocol. Mr Varadkar is in Northern Ireland for talks with political and business leaders which will be dominated by post-Brexit arrangements and Covid recovery. He met Sinn Fein Finance Minister Conor Murphy last night ahead of talks with Sir Jeffrey today. But the DUP leader said: “A fresh visit from Leo Varadkar to Northern Ireland will be meaningless unless he comes with a fresh approach.

Irish government ministers warned banning cheap alcohol in next budget will continue to send shoppers to Northern Ireland

Philip Ryan Opinion Government reshuffle: Leo Varadkar will become Taoiseach but which ministers could lose their top table role?

Shane Ross Opinion Mary Lou McDonald works her wizardry in Oz

Northern Ireland ‘only works when Britain and Ireland work hand in glove’, says Leo Varadkar

Sinn Fein hit approval record high amid sharp decline in support for Republic’s coalition Government – poll

Sam McBride Opinion Top Orangemen vow to defeat NI Protocol as they denounce PM, Taoiseach and US President

Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard accuses Leo Varadkar of ‘flip-flopping’ on Irish unity issue

Lindy McDowell Opinion Can Boris bounce back again and match Queen in popularity stakes?

Irish police send Leo Varadkar ‘leak’ investigation file to Director of Public Prosecutions

Eimear McGovern Opinion I can’t help but feel a touch of sympathy as anger towards politicians reaches new heights

Viewpoint Opinion Protest a right, but it must be peaceful

Gavin Esler Opinion Botched Brexit has shattered the idea of a ‘United’ Kingdom

Suzanne Breen Opinion What a fool Ian Paisley has been… century after Carson and in midst of their Brexit betrayal, the penny finally drops over Tory infidelity

Gail Walker Opinion When it comes to equating victims of conflict, the writing is on the (desecrated) wall

Varadkar is criticised for claiming NI Protocol has been ‘success’

Alex Kane Opinion Say it quietly, but maybe Bertie Ahern was right about loyalists’ issues with Brexit Protocol

Gail Walker Opinion We’d rather criticise coverage of a bus hijacking than admit a hard truth: NI hasn’t moved on

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson: Irish Government should use ‘influence’ to encourage EU to scrap NI Protocol

DUP’s Sir Jeffrey Donaldson urges Varadkar to adopt fresh approach over Brexit protocol ahead of meeting

Unionists must prepare for border poll, warns ex-adviser

Hospitality industry lost ‘huge amount of revenue’ over guidelines confusion

Government TD apologises for Attorney General’s intervention on Covid rules

Mistakes were made in Zappone appointment, says Coveney

Katherine Zappone declines special envoy role after criticism

Electric Picnic organiser confident festival will go ahead in September

Lindy McDowell Opinion Unionist outreach needs to amount to more than Arlene Foster on the GB News sofa