Russia sanctions Irish politicians
Russia has banned entry to 52 Irish politicians and officials including Taoiseach Micheál Martin, accusing Dublin of waging "an aggressive anti-Russian propaganda campaign".
The ban also included Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and a number of Oireachtas members.
It was the latest in a barrage of largely symbolic moves by Russia against prominent figures from Western countries that have condemned its war in Ukraine.
Housing targets
Another fiery exchange between the Taoiseach and Sinn Féin leader took place in the Dáil chamber, after the Government admitted it is revising its housing targets.
Speaking at leaders’ questions on Wednesday, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald accused the Taoiseach of using “misinformation” to defend his Government’s record on housing.
Accusing Sinn Féin of being a “party of catastrophe”, Micheál Martin said that “progress is being made, but I’m very clear that we need to make more progress than that”.
House price inflation
House price inflation slowed further in September as higher interest rates and rising costs dampen demand.
Residential property prices rose by 10.8 per cent in annual terms, down from an annual increase of 12 per cent in August, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.
In Dublin, residential property prices saw an increase of 9.4 per cent, down from 9.8 per cent in August, while prices outside Dublin were 11.9 per cent higher than a year earlier.
Gemma O'Doherty fined
Former journalist Gemma O'Doherty has been convicted and fined in her absence for breaching Covid-19 regulations by leaving her home in Dublin and travelling to Cork in December 2020 for an anti-lockdown protest.
Cork District Court heard evidence that the 54-year-old was among a group of people at an anti-restrictions protest on Grand Parade, Cork city, on December 12th, 2020.
Abuse survivors urged to come forward
Survivors of abuse by the Spiritan religious order have been urged to come forward to tell their story.
Independent experts have been appointed to engage with victims and survivors of historical abuse at schools and institutions run by the Spiritan Congregation, formerly the Holy Ghost Fathers.
Fr Martin Kelly, on behalf of the Spiritan Congregation, offered a public apology to all victims and survivors who were abused.
Tax reforms
The State’s fiscal watchdog has said a series of contentious new taxes is one way to help wean Ireland off relying on corporation taxes and to address its aging population.
In September, the Commission on Taxation and Welfare proposed “substantial” increases in land and property taxes, VAT hikes, congestion charges in urban areas, and the phasing out of relief on private health insurance premiums.
The “broad-brush” assessment, published by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, found that if all the tax changes recommended were implemented, it would increase revenues by around 5.3 per cent of the national income.
