AGP Executive Report

Media Trust: New Reuters Institute research published by Coimisiún na Meán finds Irish local radio is among the most trusted news sources, with 71% of people saying they trust it. Housing & Planning: Legislation to bring a register for short-term lets (like Airbnbs) to Cabinet is set to move ahead, with rules tied to EU requirements and planning compliance. Transport: Dublin Airport’s passenger cap is set to be axed within weeks after Cabinet approval of a bill allowing the cap to be revoked or amended. Health & Care: An audit into Children’s Health Ireland says it’s unclear how much NTPF-funded extra work is reducing children’s waiting lists, citing gaps in how core activity is measured. Elder Care Oversight: HIQA reports restrictive conditions were applied to nursing homes after inspections, including cases where registration was cancelled for serious risks. Justice Access: A deaf-blind man is taking a discrimination case to the High Court seeking legal aid over the HSE’s refusal to fund an Irish Sign Language interpreter for Braille training. Local Communities: Templemore faces a major housing push with plans for 56 new homes, while Cork’s IFI has approved €77,000 for salmon and sea trout restoration projects. Sports & Society: Movember urges reform of Ireland’s paternity leave supports, arguing fathers lose out financially and that paid leave is among the weakest in the EU.

G7 & Middle East: Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in France for the G7 with no confirmed bilateral meeting with Donald Trump, after Trump announced a U.S.-Iran peace breakthrough and an end to the Strait of Hormuz blockade—Carney said Canada will look at how to reinforce shipping stability. EU foreign policy: Helen McEntee welcomed progress on EU action on Israeli settlements and reiterated Ireland’s support for Ukraine as EU accession talks advanced. Troubles legacy law: Minister Jim O’Callaghan said the International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Act 2026 is now in operation, enabling sworn oral testimony for the inquiry. Housing & transport: Cairn Homes urged the Government to fund Dart+ South West now, arguing it could unlock 65,300 homes and that delays are blocking housing delivery. Children’s health: Children’s Health Ireland is “falling short” on best-in-class care, with an audit finding many urgent referrals miss clinically recommended waiting times. GAA broadcast rights: Kerry councillors backed a push for all championship games to be free-to-air from 2027, after confirmation of paywalled coverage for key matches. Sport (Ireland): All-Ireland SFC Round 3 fixtures were confirmed, including Dublin vs Donegal at Croke Park and Kerry vs Armagh in Killarney.

Jobs & Investment: OpenText says a €105m investment will create 400 jobs across Cork and Galway over the next three years, boosting work in AI, cybersecurity and cloud services as Ireland prepares for the EU Presidency. Road Safety: New figures show the number of fines for road traffic offences hit a post-pandemic high, while drink-driving testing rates remain low in some Garda divisions. Health & Community: Men’s Health Week is under way across the Midlands with local events from cycle rides to farmers’ breakfasts and men’s mornings supporting mental health charities. Politics & Economy: Preparations for October’s budget ramp up, with Tánaiste Simon Harris expected to focus on tax and childcare, while public sector pay talks are flagged as likely to be tough. All-Ireland GAA: The Round 3 draw is set for June 20/21, with Kerry hosting Armagh and Dublin taking on Donegal, plus Tailteann Cup semi-finals at Croke Park. Justice & Accountability: Survivors of Bill Kenneally’s abuse plan to press Minister Jim O’Callaghan to introduce a criminal offence of misconduct in public office. Weather: Met Éireann and local forecasts warn of heavier rainfall later in the week.

G7 Focus: Canadian PM Mark Carney says the G7’s top priority is reinforcing a potential, more durable US-Iran ceasefire, with Ukraine next on the agenda, as he warns of “global rupture” and urges middle powers to build “a dense web of connections.” AI and Security: Carney also used Ireland to flag “model risk” after US restrictions forced Anthropic to take its newest AI models offline, arguing countries must diversify rather than rely on a few providers. All-Ireland Football: Dublin beat Cavan 1-24 to 0-16 as Ger Brennan returned from suspension, setting up Monday’s Round 3 draw: Donegal, Armagh, Westmeath and Mayo face Dublin, Kerry, Meath and Monaghan, with home venue decided separately. Health Access: Rare Diseases Ireland says patients “cannot wait” for another review of drug approval processes, calling for real change after earlier work failed to improve access. Food Safety: The FSAI recalls pork mince from Lidl and SuperValu over possible Salmonella contamination, with shoppers told not to eat affected batches. Local Culture: Waterford’s “The Street Where You Live” explores identity through the city’s placenames, while West Cork actress Ayoola Smart readies for a Gate Theatre run of Wilde’s “An Ideal Husband.”

Canada-Ireland ties: Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to “return home” to Co Mayo today, visiting Aughagower—his grandparents’ birthplace—before meeting President Catherine Connolly and engaging with Taoiseach Micheál Martin as he heads into the G7 in France. G7 strategy: At Trinity College, Carney urged middle-power countries not to chase US favour, arguing for a “third path with impact” by teaming up with like-minded partners. Health and care: National Carers Week (8-14 June) spotlights family carers, with calls to recognise and better support people who care for loved ones. Drug crisis: Ireland’s crack cocaine use is rising fast, with treatment demand up sharply and users describing the drug as highly accessible. Cost of living support: The Holiday Hunger Pilot Programme is extended for another year, backing free meals for about 42,000 children during summer breaks. Transport policy: A new €8,500 EV grant pilot under the ICE2EV scrappage scheme is set to start July 1. Sport (Sunday): Cavan host Dublin in All-Ireland SFC Round 2B, while Tyrone face Mayo in Round 2A.

All-Ireland Football: Meath booked a Round 3 spot with a 1-24 to 1-20 win over Derry at Celtic Park, turning things around in the second half after a shaky start. All-Ireland Football: Monaghan also advanced, beating Roscommon 1-20 to 0-14 in Clones with a much sharper second-half showing and a first championship clean sheet. Canada-Ireland ties: Canadian PM Mark Carney is in Ireland “home” for talks with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, agreeing a new bilateral co-operation framework covering trade and investment, life sciences, research and innovation, plus security and defence. Global politics: Carney used Trinity College to argue the post-Cold War rules order is breaking down, urging “middle powers” to team up rather than chase favour with the US ahead of the G7. Water disruption: Uisce Éireann says crews are restoring supply after a major outage hit parts of Cork’s northside, with pressure expected back by around 6pm. Weather: Met Éireann is forecasting a warmer weekend with highs around 22C, and households are being urged to dust off hot water bottles as nights cool down. Sports abroad: Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney praised Boston’s “electric” World Cup atmosphere as the Tartan Army packs the city. Arts & culture: Sasha Donnellan’s Irish-rooted bridal and occasionwear spotlighted Roz Purcell’s Celtic-inspired wedding gown.

Hospital Pressure: Ireland has hit a record 1,008,600 people on public hospital waiting lists, with first outpatient waits up sharply and GI endoscopy numbers rising by almost 39% year-on-year. Health Innovation: RCSI researchers say they’ve built a new low-cost mitral heart valve model that mimics real tissue behaviour under realistic heart pressures, aiming to speed up better treatments. Domestic Violence Law: Cabinet approval paves the way for “Jennie’s Law” and a domestic violence register managed by the Courts Service, with victim consent required before names appear publicly. EU Politics & Security: Ireland’s EU presidency priorities keep security front and centre, while neutrality faces fresh warnings about Russia’s reach. Canada Ties: Taoiseach Micheál Martin welcomes Canadian PM Mark Carney for a two-day visit, with trade, innovation and people-to-people links on the agenda. Culture & Media: Netflix renews Irish drama “House of Guinness” for Season 2. Public Safety: Gardaí are investigating a fatal Limerick crash involving a Swedish man allegedly linked to a contract killing plot. Business & Jobs: Dublin sustainability tech firm Superfy targets a €2m funding round later this year.

FAI-Israel Row: Ireland’s Nations League home game against Israel is being moved to a neutral venue overseas and played behind closed doors after protests, with Opposition calling it a “cop out” while the sport minister says the decision follows a rules-based system. Football & Protests: The FAI says UEFA approved the change, citing “operational challenges,” as campaigners push for a boycott and warn of wider consequences for Irish football. Women’s Sport Spotlight: Katie Taylor says a Croke Park fight could be the perfect end to her career, while Women in Sport coverage spotlights sprinter Orla Comerford and the push for equal visibility. Tech & Investment: CameraMatics, an Irish fleet-safety AI firm, raises €49m with ISIF and AIB backing to expand internationally. Local Crime: A man in his 20s faces court after €24,000 of cannabis was seized in a Dublin raid. Culture & Community: Clonakilty’s Street Carnival marks its 10th anniversary, and Monaghan launches a major environmental community fund to back local Tidy Towns and climate action. Food Buzz: A viral Dublin Italian sandwich shop draws crowds queuing for chicken parm and porchetta. Housing & Money: CSO data says Irish households saved €1 in every €8 in early 2026, with €6.6bn saved in the quarter.

Quantum Leap for Ireland: Horizon Quantum says it will place a second, trapped-ion quantum computer in Dublin, aiming to strengthen Ireland’s deep-tech and frontier computing ecosystem. EU Asylum Overhaul: The International Protection Act 2026 begins, putting new screening and faster border procedures in place under the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Cost of Living Pressure: The ECB raised interest rates again, warning inflation risks are spreading—bad news for Irish mortgage holders. Energy Support Critique: ESRI says Ireland’s energy price cushioning is too “untargeted,” leaving vulnerable households less protected than higher-income groups. Justice System Spotlight: Herald deputy editor Richard Canny wins a Justice Media Award for legal journalism on probation services. Culture & Literature: Trinity graduate Virginia Evans wins the Women’s Prize for Fiction for The Correspondent. Road Safety Push: RSA launches a summer breathalyser campaign after alcohol-linked crashes caused deaths and serious injuries. Business Expansion: Popeyes accelerates Republic of Ireland growth via a €6m Applegreen partnership, creating 450 jobs. Sports Farewell: Leinster confirms James Lowe will leave after the URC final at Croke Park.

FAI and Israel fixtures row: In the Dáil, Sport Minister of State Charlie McConalogue warned that if Opposition motions to boycott Ireland’s Nations League games against Israel had passed, Ireland “would not have a team” at the 2028 Olympics—after Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats pushed for a full boycott or Israel’s exclusion from sport, but the Government amendment carried 81-68. Abuse inquiry vindication: Survivors of child sexual abuse by Waterford basketball coach Bill Kenneally say they feel “vindicated” after Judge Michael White’s report found serious dereliction by senior Garda officers and criticised the South Eastern Health Board’s handling of complaints. ECB and inflation: The ECB raised rates for the first time since 2023, citing Middle East war-driven inflation pressures, while warning growth risks for the eurozone. Health system pressure: New figures show 1,054 young people waiting for CAMHS in the South West, with 351 waiting over a year. RTÉ justice win: RTÉ podcast First Conviction won top honours at the Justice Media Awards, with the case still before the Court of Appeal. Nature warning: Minister Christopher O’Sullivan urges “Check, Clean and Dry” to stop a plague affecting white-clawed crayfish in the River Camac. Research investment: SETU is set to play a role in a €460m national research push through new Rinn centres.

Homelessness & Housing: Housing Minister James Browne admits the homelessness crisis will stay “a challenge” for the next couple of years and won’t give a timeline for when numbers will start to fall, saying current output of cost-rental and social homes isn’t meeting demand. Research & Health Tech: Ireland announces €460m for seven new Rinn research centres, aiming to create 577 research roles and boost PhD training, while RCSI researchers unveil a low-cost artificial mitral valve model to better study heart disease. Digital Safety: The Government says people accessing pornography websites could be required to use a digital Government ID to prove they’re over 18, as part of online safety compliance. Public Health & Events: Toronto health officials detail World Cup preparations, focusing on infectious-disease monitoring and likely risks like norovirus. Crime & Justice: Gardaí investigate after cannabis worth over €500k is seized at Shannon Airport. Business & Jobs: Applegreen plans up to 450 jobs as it opens Popeyes outlets across Ireland. Education: A new UCD study finds Irish children’s reading and maths worsened after the pandemic, with poorer pupils falling further behind.

EU Presidency Focus: Taoiseach Micheál Martin says Ireland’s July 1 EU Council presidency won’t pause Dáil work, with priorities including energy, competitiveness, Ukraine support and protecting children online, while ministers flag “far greater” safeguards for minors and EU-wide rules on the digital age of majority. Homelessness & Ageing: An Independent Senator says his office is “inundated” with older homeless people, citing research that homelessness accelerates ageing and worsens health outcomes. Industrial Development Bill Clash: Enterprise Minister Peter Burke faced grilling over “very sinister” amendments to the Industrial Development (Amendment) Bill, with critics warning about reduced oversight tied to military-relevant activity. Road Testing Pressure: Learner-driver numbers rose in Galway, while Tuam test waits remain around seven weeks—still below national averages. Health Breakthrough: The HSE Drugs Group has recommended approval of Givinostat for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, affecting about 100 children in Ireland. Dublin Beach Sewage Issue: Two popular beaches in Dublin are closed to swimmers for summer after a sewage pump failure. Court & Privacy: Virgin Media removed an episode from streaming after a High Court dispute over footage of a man’s dead body. Children’s Online Safety: Ireland also pushes for EU rules on children’s access to online services, including privacy-preserving age checks.

Carers Support Grant: A small but welcome boost for Ireland’s family carers as the €2,000 Carer’s Support Grant reaches 147,000 people, tax-free, after survey findings show many are “overwhelmed” and often at breaking point. Waste and recycling: Cork’s households and businesses are driving a 70% surge in brown bin waste collections, with 1.4m households now using food-waste recycling services. Childcare disruption: Parents across Dublin, Kildare and Meath face sudden creche closures due to staffing and delayed Garda vetting, forcing some to take “fake sick days” or scramble for emergency care. Media regulation: Radio stations are calling for tighter scrutiny of Coimisiún na Meán over spending and levy-setting powers ahead of an Oireachtas hearing. Energy and research: Ireland is set to invest €460m in seven advanced tech research centres under a new national network, while a proposed 600MW long-duration energy storage project in Carlow would use green hydrogen for grid support. Sports and politics: The Dáil is set to debate further motions on Ireland’s autumn Israel football internationals, with the Government insisting the FAI decides and security planning underway. Rail accountability: Irish Rail will face politicians over the collapse of a €50m traffic management system, after delays and failures by contractor Indra.

EU Presidency Prep: Helen McEntee and Kaja Kallas met at Iveagh House as Ireland nears its 1 July EU Council Presidency, with priorities set to centre on competitiveness, values and security, including support for Ukraine and Middle East developments. Energy & Climate Agenda: Climate/energy minister Darragh O’Brien outlined EU-wide work on grids, energy security and affordability, opening European Sustainable Energy Week with Commissioners Jørgensen and Hoekstra. Disability Rights: Emer Higgins delivered Ireland’s UNCRPD national statement in New York, including events on disability in conflict and assistive technology. Food & Farming: Teagasc research says Ireland’s land-based systems can meet annual protein needs for 20m people (rising to 35m with digestibility), while a former EFSA chair warns Brazil may not meet the EU beef safety deadline. Health Drug Push: Taoiseach Micheál Martin faced pressure in the Dáil over access to Skyclarys for Friedreich’s Ataxia, with hopes for a July decision. Legal & Media: Elon Musk and X challenge Ireland’s media regulator at the High Court over how complaints are handled under the Digital Services Act. Housing: A Dublin council flat mould case saw a mother awarded €12,500 after damp aggravated asthma. Sports & Culture: Fontaines D.C. mourned manager Trevor Dietz; and Ireland’s Women’s World Cup qualifier vs France has O’Sullivan and Murphy returning to the starting XI.

Rotunda row: Dublin’s Rotunda Hospital has moved to stop consultants on public-only contracts from treating private patients, aiming to avoid funding loss after a stand-off with the Government. Health & disability: A public consultation opens ahead of the 20-year review of the Disability Act 2005, while a new obesity study finds a clear split between public blame on personal choices and experts pointing to environmental drivers. Carers Week: Ireland marks Carers Week 2026 with events nationwide for the 600,000+ family carers. Justice & asylum: Cabinet is set to discuss a new appeals structure for international protection applicants (TARA) and also Jennie’s Law, creating a public register for serious domestic violence convictions. Sports & politics: Ministers face pressure over Ireland’s Nations League fixtures with Israel, with campaigners threatening judicial review and calls for a boycott. Tech & consumer: Irish iPhone users won’t get Apple’s new Siri AI features in Europe, and from July 1 a new €3 customs duty may hit low-value online parcels. Business: Apache Pizza plans 120 new jobs with 12 new stores, while WHSmith and SOLUM roll out electronic shelf labels across travel retail. Crime: A man is in critical condition after a “barbaric and brutal” knife attack in north Belfast.

EU Foreign Affairs & Security: The European Commission’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is set to meet Taoiseach Micheál Martin to discuss Aughinish Alumina after Irish authorities probe claims the firm’s alumina may have reached Russian military supply chains. Sports & Diplomacy: The FAI is seeking UEFA approval to move the Republic of Ireland’s Nations League home game against Israel to a neutral venue, with Budapest tipped as a likely option. Health & Public Contracts: The Rotunda Hospital has agreed to stop private maternity care under public-only consultant contracts, while the Government extends the deadline for an audit of private work. Business & Tech: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has landed a multimillion-euro AI-powered transformation deal with Canada Life, including modernising data centres and infrastructure across Europe. Local Economy: Limerick Chamber warns of a funding deficit and project delays holding the Mid-West back, calling for faster delivery on housing and transport. Education & Exams: Leaving Cert Irish Paper 1 is widely seen as fair and accessible, with students relieved to see predicted topics. Community & Youth: €1.218m in funding will boost volunteer recruitment and expand youth clubs nationwide. Environment & Heritage: Mayo’s Moorehall Nature Reserve and Walled Garden is moving from planning toward delivery as tenders are sought for the next phase.