Tensions around lifting of government fuel supports with protest memories fresh
James Cox
Here, we take a look at the issues likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.
'Now is not the time to drop fuel supports,' Fine Gael TD says
A backbench Fine Gael TD has expressed "major concern" over the phasing out of government fuel support measures.
From September 1st, the Government is planning to phase out fuel excise cuts which were brought in following the national fuel protests which brought the country to a standstill in April.
This would see petrol rise by 9 cent and diesel by 10 cent. Fuels for Ireland has warned this could see diesel reach over €2 per litre, with the group adding that further protests are "inevitable" if support measures are removed.
Wicklow-Wexford TD Brian Brennan told BreakingNews.ie that the expected phasing out of fuel measures "should be stalled".
"Since this decision was taken fuel prices are continuing to rise. There is no sight of a resolution in the Middle East, therefore we must re-evaluate our position as a Government on fuel prices."
Brennan said he has had "numerous conversations" with Tánaiste Simon Harris on the matter, including one late on Monday night.
He added: "I am confident he is fully aware of the consequences for so many sectors within our economy especially agriculture and road haulage. And in the Tánaiste's words, 'everything is still on the table in relation to fuel supports'."
Brennan said many people in his constituency would be directly affected by the phasing out of the temporary supports.
"In my opinion the Government made their decision as there seemed to be stability in relation to oil prices and the geopolitical stability worldwide. But we are all aware today that world oil prices continue to rise and we are all well briefed on the volatility of the situation in the Middle East... so now is not the time to start dropping these supports."
A big issue around delaying the removal of supports would be the fact the Dáil does not resume until Wednesday, September 16th.
The supports could be returned at that point, but for the September 1st date to be pushed back, the Dáil would have to reconvene early from its summer recess.
Minister says specific penalties for driving wrong way on motorway may be introduced
Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has said driving the wrong way down a motorway may need to become a specific criminal offence.
O'Callaghan said gardaí will begin receiving pursuit training this year following the fatal M9 crash in Kildare at the weekend.
Five teenagers were killed after the car they were travelling in was driven southbound on the northbound carriageway.
Three sisters and a seven-year-old boy remain in hospital after their car was hit.
O'Callaghan said social media companies also need to clamp down on viral trends involving car theft and dangerous driving.
"This is an issue that is not unique to Ireland, this is an issue which is happening in other countries. Young men stealing cars, driving dangerously on the roads, and videoing it for the purpose of social media postings.
"So the social media companies have a responsibility... but I want the Irish public to know that the [Garda] Commissioner and myself are committed to stopping this."
Coimisiún na Meán contacts TikTok over illegal content following M9 crash
Coimisiún na Meán is in contact with TikTok over measures it is taking to deal with illegal content.
It is over the growing concern around young people posting content online depicting dangerous driving. Videos of a horrific crash on Sunday in which five teenagers died were uploaded to the platform.
The media regulator said it is also in contact with An Garda Síochána over the issue.
Green Party deputy leader Hazel Chu has accused the Government and Coimisiún na Meán of "failing to get to grips with algorithms that can amplify toxic and dangerous content online".
Following the M9 tragedy and reports that Coimisiún na Meán has contacted TikTok over content, Chu said: "Five young people have lost their lives and others are seriously injured. Our thoughts are with their families and everyone affected. But we have to ask how we reached a point where young people are prepared to risk their lives to try to one up each other online and where such dangerous behaviour can be rewarded by being amplified for clicks and engagement."
She added: "This is not just about taking down videos. It is about the algorithms that decide what gets pushed in front of young people in the first place.
"Ireland has had the regulatory levers in its hands for years. Yet we are still waiting for Government and Coimisiún na Meán to tackle this issue.
"The hypocrisy is stark. Ireland holds the EU Presidency, with child online safety identified as a priority, and we are hosting a major EU conference on online safety for children and young people in September. Yet at home, we are still allowing for platforms to profit from content that can damage children's wellbeing and normalise dangerous behaviour."
Abroad
Andy Burnham has said he is not embarrassed by an exchange of messages with someone pretending to be Donald Trump’s chief of staff, and insisted he handled the incident correctly.
The British prime minister was in contact with an individual who was impersonating the White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. He became suspicious after a number of messages and reported the incident.
US president Donald Trump's rating has fallen to the lowest level of his presidency at 33 per cent.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll was published on Monday.
Just 33 per cent of respondents in the four-day survey said they approved of Trump's performance in the White House, while 64 per cent disapproved.
