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# State of the Nation
This political giant is coming to Ireland for the first time today
Here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening in Irish politics right now…
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Everyone’s talking about…
Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, will visit Ireland for the first time today.
He will meet the Taoiseach, Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan, Education Minister Jan O’ Sullivan and Health Minister Leo Varadkar to discuss trade and investment links, and cooperation in education and tourism.
It’s the first visit to Ireland by an Indian leader in more than half a century.
During his visit, Modi will also meet representatives of the Indian community in Ireland at a special event organised by the Indian Embassy in Dublin.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Flanagan said: “Despite the geographic distance between us, our histories are entwined, with strong historical links between the independence movements in both our countries.”
Our people to people links remain strong to this day. The Indian community makes an enormous contribution across Irish society from small family businesses to the IT sector and particularly in health care across the country.
“There is much potential that remains untapped,” he added.
The agenda
- Environment Minister Alan Kelly announced details of the Village and Town Renewal Scheme – a €30 million initiative to improve rural areas – at the National Ploughing Championships.
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Government Building to meet the Taoiseach, Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan and a number of other ministers.
- Enda Kenny is travelling to Brussels with European Affairs Minister Dara Murphy for an extraordinary meeting of EU heads of state or government to discuss Europe’s overall approach to the refugee and migrant crisis.
- Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe will answer questions in the Dáil at 9.30am.
- The Foreign Affairs Committee will discuss the refugee and migrant crisis at 10am, as will the EU Committee at 12.30pm.
- Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald will introduce the Marriage Bill 2015 to the Dáil at 10.45am.
- Leaders’ Questions will take place at midday.
- The Petitions Committee will meet representatives from Irish Water and officials from the Department of the Environment to discuss issues around the installation of water meters at 4.15pm.
- Private Members Business at 7.30pm will focus on a Fianna Fáil motion about hospital waiting lists.
Inside Leinster House
Things got a bit awkward on the plinth yesterday.
What the others are saying
- Ireland is ready for a gay Taoiseach, according to the results of an Irish Exmainer/ICMSA opinion poll.
- The Examiner also notes that the State paid nearly €20,000 for the Taoiseach’s car and limousine hire in July.
- On its front page, the Irish Independent quotes Enda Kenny as saying gangs are using night-vision goggles to evade gardaí after robberies.
- The Irish Times notes that Northern Secretary Theresa Villiers has appointed a panel to help assess the status of the IRA and other paramilitaries.
In case you missed it…
- On their first day back in the Dáil TDs had a row and Enda opened a newsroom.
- The Taoiseach gave a big hint as to when the general election will be.
- In an op-ed, a former advisor to Alan Shatter said Enda Kenny and the Attorney General should resign following the Fennelly report.
- An emergency law was signed by Transport Minister Pascahal Donohoe to close a drink-driving loophole.
- Fianna Fáil said it will not push to hold a referendum on repealing the 8th Amendment if in government after the next election.
Good day for…
Enda Kenny: A confidence motion in the Taoiseach was passed by 94 votes to 52 – meaning he’s safe, for now.
Bad day for…
Paschal Donohoe: The Transport Minsiter had to sign emergency legislation to close a drink-driving loophole and he came under fire when it emerged plans for an underground Dart line have been delayed.
On the Twitter machine…
You never know Ciara, there could be a few of you...
Originally published: 9am
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