Searlait ni Chochlain

We now have the Government response: Neither the PM nor 10 Downing Street nor the Cabinet Office knew the Foreign Office had decided to ignore the fact Mandelson had failed his security vetting. Call it the ‘know-nothing’ government. But it leaves a major question unanswered: why would the FO take it on itself to make such a huge judgement call — and not inform/consult Downing Street? What was in it for the FO? It hadn’t even necessarily wanted Mandy, unlike Starmer and the 10 Downing Street operation. Doesn’t add up.

And let us not forget that at one stage Starmer was implicitly blaming the vetting process for letting Mandelson through — ‘both due diligence and security vetting need to be looked at again,’ he said. Turns out the vetting process did its job. And was overruled.

Tough week in politics, but that is nothing compared to the pressure on workers, families & businesses. But government must continue our work. I am in Berlin today addressing Sudan’s shocking humanitarian crisis. Global events have big impacts on us at home.

Exclusive! Yesterday, the government handed out €15m to various media companies. You can find an analysis by media brand at the Coimisiun na Mean website. But here's the analysis by ultimate owner (€100k+ ultimate owner grants only, which account for €14m of the €15m).

CSO stamp duty data released today shows it plain. For six straight years funds and institutions bought more of Ireland’s new homes than first time buyers. That is the housing policy. Not words. Not spin. That is the reality. People have every right to be furious. It is obscene.