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# Dáil talk
State of the Nation: Why it's going to be a difficult day for Sinn Féin
Here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening in Irish politics right now…
HERE IS THEJOURNAL.IE’s comprehensive guide to what’s happening in the political world this morning.
Everyone’s talking about…
The Dáil will spend three hours debating allegations of sexual abuse by members of the Provisional Republican movement today with a special debate being held in the wake of the Maíria Cahill (below) controversy.
There are unlikely to be any specific announcements from Taoiseach Enda Kenny although his spokesperson confirmed last night that Kenny has been contacted by one individual alleging abuse in the republican movement.
Today will provide an opportunity for Kenny and Fianna Fáil’s Micheál Martin to heap political pressure on Gerry Adams. But will we hear fresh allegations of abuse in the Republican movement given that TDs have parliamentary privilege? Incidentally that’s something that senior gardaí aren’t happy about.
The agenda
- Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan is in Belfast for the talks on Northern Ireland
- 9.30am: The Transport Committee is due to discuss mobile phone coverage and the quality of broadband in rural areas
- 12pm: Enda Kenny takes another round of Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil
- 2pm: The Finance Committee grills the head of Permanent TDB Jeremy Masding
- 2.39pm: The Dáil hears statements on allegations regarding sexual abuse by members of the Provisional Republican movement.
- 4.30pm: The Public Accounts Committee is due to receive legal advice on the tax evasion dossier it received from a whistleblower last week.
- 8pm: The Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Arts Minsiter Heather Humphreys will be among those launching the plans for the 2016 commemorations at the GPO.
What the others are saying…
The Irish Independent says that senior politicians with secret offshore bank accounts used the tax amnesty to escape being exposed as Ansbacher account holders.
Mortgage holders on variable rates are being “fleeced” by the banks according to Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes. The Irish Examiner says he wants fixed interest mortgages of 10 years or longer to become the norm.
In case you missed it…
- Enda Kenny said he doesn’t need Garda protection from water protesters.
- Things got pretty awkward for Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin in China.
- Jan O’Sullivan said she would not be compromising any further on Junior Cycle reforms.
- Kerry wants to become an island if the roads aren’t fixed.
- We’re sending a very small number of troops to Sierra Leone.
- The Fennelly Inquiry will be delayed.
On the Twitter machine…
The question was asked, the possibility was ruled out…
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