Joe Biden intervened in Birmingham Six case in 1990
Newly-released state papers reveal that the US president-elect, when a senator, called for the case of the six Irishmen convicted of the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings to be reopened
Politics: A year of chaos, coronavirus and compromises
The first ever FF-FG coalition made 2020 truly historic, but the real political earthquake was the impact of Covid-19 on our economy and society
Martin backs broadcasting charge for all households
New levy would replace €160 television licence, and would have to be paid even if households didn’t own a TV
McDonald tells Sinn Féin supporters to stop being ‘pig ignorant’ online
The party leader has spoken out in the wake of a number of complaints from opposition politicians about ‘pile-ons’ on social media
Taoiseach announces third lockdown with a ‘heavy heart’
Rate of growth in new cases means it is responsible to assume mutant Covid-19 strain is here already, Martin says
Facebook urged government not to make it liable for hate speech
Social media giant said it should not be legally responsible for posts by platform users under any new hate speech laws
O’Brien granted coursing licence despite warnings over virus risk
Darragh O’Brien ignored Green Party, fellow minister Malcolm Noonan and experts’ warnings about spread of deadly RHD2 virus in hare population
New law to cut firms’ late filing fines by €7.5m
Longer deadline for submitting annual tax returns will reduce pressure on companies, but halve income of Companies Registration Office
Minister vows to reinforce ban on ‘no win, no fee’ solicitor offer
Seán Fleming says the move is to be part of a plan to ‘turn off the the tap’ on personal injury claims and reduce the cost of insurance
Former Kenny adviser lands top job at PwC
Andrew McDowell was also in the running to replace Phil Hogan on the European Commission
Student PUPs cost state at least €20 million per month
Minister stands over granting of benefits to people in full-time education, but there are misgivings in government
Coveney backs idea of more overseas missions for Army
Minister for Defence has acknowledged this would require boosting numbers by at least 1,000 personnel
Greens fail to reach accord over party leaders’ CETA change of mind
Eamon Ryan and the other three Green ministers’ move to ratify the economic and trade agreement with Canada has led to protests that CETA, strongly opposed within the party, was not discussed during talks on government formation
Comment: RTÉ documentary failed to address Irish politicians’ pitiful response to the Famine
In The Hunger, the Westminster government was criticised strongly for not halting food exports, yet in August 1847 the issue received little or no mention in Irish election candidates’ addresses
Troops ‘will suffer’ if cross-border healthcare scheme is scrapped
Programme is used by rank-and-file members of the defence forces who cannot afford private health insurance to get hip and knee operations in the North, PDForra warns
Analysis: Stanley apology could represent a marked policy shift for Sinn Féin
For possibly one of the first times ever, a party TD has publicly acknowledged that an IRA attack is not something to be eulogised
Taoiseach warns of January lockdown as cases rise
Government seeking to avoid more restrictions after Christmas — or even before, as has happened in Germany
Comment: Voters in any referendum on a united Ireland must be informed on what it would look like
A new report urges meticulous preparation for a poll and its consequences
‘The pandemic showed up the inequality of those who have safe spaces, and those who don’t’
Belvedere Youth Club had to close down from March until June, leaving 350 children who rely on it without a safe space. Now it needs €200,000 a year to keep going
Government planning Brexit bailout for food exporters in event of no deal
Coveney: focus of help should be on maintaining market share in UK. ‘Naive’ to think Britain will come back to the table at a later date