LAST UPDATE | 23 Jun 2025

GOOD MORNING.

Here’s all the news you need to know as you start the day.

1. Iran promises retaliation after US bombing

Iran has promised retaliation against the US for the attack on its nuclear sites over the weekend.

The US struck three nuclear facilities with the bunker-buster bombs on Saturday night as it waded into the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, which saw more exchanges of fire in the early hours of this morning. 

2. AI in the Oireachtas 

Irish political parties are beginning to develop policies around the use of artificial intelligence (AI) after MEP Ciaran Mullooly revealed he used it to write a letter to the President of the European Commission. 

3. EU-Israel agreement 

Simon Harris is set to attend a meeting with his EU counterparts in Brussels today, where a report on Israel’s breaches of its agreement with the EU will be discussed. 

The weekend’s US bombing of nuclear sites in Iran, however, will likely dominate today’s proceedings. 

4. Inflation 

House price inflation has reached a ten-year-high, according to the latest report from property website Daft.

Prices increased nationally by 3% during the second quarter of this year, with the typically listed property cost reaching €357,851.

5. Prison population 

Europe’s prison system is increasing, with many countries around the continent, including Ireland, experience dangerous levels of overcrowding.

According to analysis of the latest data from Eurostat, Europe’s central statistics database, there was a 3.2% increase in the continent’s prison population in 2023.

6. Kyiv attacked 

Ukraine has said that “another massive attack” on the capital Kyiv has killed at least five people, a day after the country’s top military commander vowed to intensify strikes on Russia.

7. Climate Crisis

The latest ‘Climate  Conversations’ survey by the government has found that the public believe that the government is seriously underperforming in its climate action.

8. Coming home 

Tánaiste Simon Harris has said that three Irish citizens and their dependents were helped to depart from Iran overnight and will now travel home. 

9. Bombing for ‘peace’ 

In the space of of less than two weeks, the US position on the Israel-Iran conflict has been marked by contradiction and confusion that resembles the Trump administration’s haphazard approach to tariffs and trade policy.