HERE IS THEJOURNAL.IE’s comprehensive guide to what’s happening in the political world this morning.

Everyone’s talking about 

The papers are full of talk about the reforms being planned by the new permanent Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan but there are more than a few grumbles about the government not opting for an external candidate given the problems that have engulfed the force in recent years.

Eamonn Farrell / Photocall Ireland Eamonn Farrell / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

“Her gender is being used to create an illusion of radical change,” the left-wing TD Clare Daly, who was among the first to publicly back the garda whistleblowers, said on Morning Ireland earlier.

The reality is that despite saying and appearing to do all the right things since taking over as acting commissioner in March, O’Sullivan was in the senior echelons of An Garda Síochána at a time when several controversies were unfolding. The only thing radical about her appointment is the fact she is the first female commissioner.

• Read: Being a woman makes no difference whatsoever — Commissioner

The agenda 

• 10am: The banking inquiry holds a private meeting in Leinster House
• 11.30am: Environment Minister Alan Kelly launches the government’s social housing strategy 
• 12pm: Enda Kenny takes Leaders’ Questions in the Dail 
• 2pm: Central Bank governor Patrick Honohan is before the Oireachtas Finance Committee 

What the others are saying 

• The Irish Independent reports that Arts Minister Heather Humphreys has reiterated that John McNulty was appointed to the board of IMMA “on merit”. 
• Fine Gael is struggling to raise money ahead of the next general election with the Irish Daily Mail reporting that less than a fifth of the tickets for its superdraw have been returned sold with two weeks to go. 
• The Department of Health has been privately lobbying for staff members at the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, to be cut, according to the Irish Times. 
• The University Times and Trinity News both report that Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald cancelled a visit to Trinity Sinn Féin last night as several people gathered to protest her visit and support Maíria Cahill. 

In case you missed it

• Michael Healy-Rae is really mad at whoever cut down the iconic Carrauntoohil cross. 
• David Norris criticised aspects of Dublin’s north inner city in his usual entertaining way. 
• Terminally ill patients will no longer have their medical cards reviewed. 
• It’s going to be illegal to purchase the services of sex workers. 
• Enda Kenny said that a number of people linked to Sinn Féin verbally abused women at a Limerick protest. 
• A Fianna Fáil TD called for pick-up artist Julien Blanc to be banned from entering the country. 

On the Twitter machine 

These lads were having fun in RTÉ last night…

Like Politics? Then ‘Like’ our dedicated Facebook page or follow our dedicated Twitter account

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More