Ireland, set to assume the EU presidency on July 1st, faces intense scrutiny over its alleged capture by big tech, with critics urging its recusal from digital sovereignty negotiations due to a history of lax data regulation enforcement and economic dependency on tech giants.
The Irish government is investing €228m in rail infrastructure between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, extending hourly Dublin-Belfast trains until 2030. Additional funds are allocated for cricket facilities, port development, canal restoration, and early years educator training, totaling over €1bn from the Shared Island Fund.
Ireland's government has approved a plan to terminate state-provided accommodation for approximately 16,000 Ukrainian migrants and reduce housing benefits for another 42,000. The scheme, targeting Ukrainians who arrived before March 2024, will begin in August with a minimum three-month notice period. The Accommodation Recognition Payment will be cut from €600 to €400 monthly. The move has drawn criticism from pro-migrant groups and opposition politicians who label it "immoral and unethical."
The Irish government has announced a €755m fuel support package after nationwide protests brought major motorways and Dublin's main street to a standstill. The package includes grants for hauliers (€300-€1,350 per vehicle based on fleet size), support for farmers using green diesel (€200 per 1,000 litres), and is backdated to March when diesel prices exceeded €1.90 per litre. Ministers insist the package was in development before the protests.
