Derry and the North West has the potential to thrive in a united Ireland says Ballyarnett Councillor Sandra Duffy. The Sinn Féin Councillor was commentin.
Bishop of Killaloe advises against communions and confirmations clarechampion.ie - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from clarechampion.ie Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Combative style key to choice of Robert Watt as top health mandarin Salary rise of €80,000 to €292,000 a year indicative of desire to pursue ‘reform’ agenda
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Robert Watt’s time in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform was due to end in April after a decade there in the top role. File photograph: Collins
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Sometime before lunch on December 23rd Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath quietly abandoned long-held traditions that have governed pay for top officials.
There is concern about large building sites bringing in workers from different counties, including the North, which could exacerbate the situation with the virus. However, the housing crisis is ever present and ministers are conscious of the impact of the construction ban on this issue.
Level 5 restrictions
It is unclear when Level 5 restrictions will be lifted, but you can be sure it won’t be any time soon. There is no appetite for easing restrictions until Monday, April 5, the very earliest, and most ministers and their advisers believe the highest level of Covid regulations will be in place right up until the start of May.
“I’ve actually been out and about with him and seen the response that he gets – he’s an extremely hard worker,” he added.
Asked if Mr Martin should lead Fianna Fáil into the next election, Mr O’Brien said: “Why not? Of course he should, absolutely.”
The Housing Minister’s comments are sure to spark debate within Fianna Fáil where TDs regularly discuss who should replace Mr Martin as leader before his term in the Taoiseach’s Office ends.
Mr O’Brien’s intervention also comes against a backdrop of a string of poor opinion poll results since the general election which showed the party with around 11pc of public support.