Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

GOOD MORNING

The 9 at 9 Internal Government polling reveals concerns over anti-immigrant attitudes, RTÉ bailout to be approved and Trump seeks to block Biden’s war chest.

LAST UPDATE | 24 Jul

GOOD MORNING.

Here’s all the news you need to know as you start your day.

Trump seeks to block Biden’s war chest

1. Donald Trump’s campaign team has filed a complaint with the United States’ Federal Election Commission which argues Vice President Kamala Harris cannot use donations which were given to President Joe Biden’s campaign, local media reports.

Biden’s team had raised over $90 million during his campaign and Trump is alleging that the team cannot transfer those funds to Harris by re-naming its campaign.

New Autism Strategy

2. The Government is set to adopt a new autism strategy later today, as well as “significantly increase” the number of college places for therapies such as speech and language therapy.

The Autism Innovation Strategy which will be approved today aims to “improve understanding and accommodation of autism within society and across the public system”.

Non-disclosures banned for sexual harassment

3. The use of non-disclosure agreements in cases of sexual harassment will be banned today.

It is expected that the legislation will be passed through the Oireachtas in the autumn when the Dáil returns in September. The change comes following a private member’s motion by Independent Senator Lynn Ruane.

The law aims to address the power imbalance that can occur between employers and employees and the practice of NDAs being used to conceal discriminator behaviour.

Housing on Cathal Brugha Barracks to be objected

4. Tánaiste Micheál Martin is to recommend against the relocation of Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin to make way for housing. 

The Tánaiste will bring a memo to Cabinet today on feasibility studies carried out on the viability of relocating the barracks to a greenfield site, which is estimated to cost in the region of €499 million.

Moving the military barracks could create the potential for just over a thousand homes in the city centre.

Barrister strike

5. Criminal barristers across the country are beginning a third day of strike action today as the dispute over pay restoration continues.

The strike means cases will not proceed at the Central Criminal Court and in courts across the country today, placing further pressure on the backlog of cases currently in the court system.

A gathering of criminal barristers will also take place outside the Four Courts in Dublin.

Problem alcohol use

6. Close to 8,200 cases were treated for problem alcohol use last year, according to figures from the Health Research Board.

A total of 8,163 such cases were treated last year, the highest figure since 2012, when 8,609 cases treated for problem alcohol use were reported.

Last year’s figures are also a 10% increase on 2022, when 7,421 cases were treated for problem alcohol use.

Anti-immigrant attitudes ‘significant issue’

7. In our lead story today, Conor O’Carroll reports that an unpublished research paper by the Department of Integration noted that the majority migrants living in Ireland believe that anti-migrant attitudes are “a significant issue in Ireland”.

A draft of the unreleased report, dated April 2024, was released to The Journal under Freedom of Information legislation showed that 72% of migrants “generally agreed” that anti-migrant attitudes are a “significant issue”, with almost half saying they “strongly believed” it.

Over 7,500 responses – from individuals and organisations – were recorded as part of an online survey that specifically sought input from migrants living in Ireland and people with a migrant background on the challenges of integrating into Irish society. 

RTÉ Bailout to be approved

8. RTÉ will get €725 million in public money over the next three years as part of the new ‘multi-annual’ funding model set to be approved by Cabinet today.

The TV licence fee is set to be retained with An Post to receive €6 million in Exchequer funding over the same period in a bid to improve collection rates and update technology of the database.

A technical group will be set up to come up with proposals to reform the current TV licence system and improve collection rates, with a report due back to government in three months.

Five charged in connection with Dublin riots

9. Five people been charged in connection with ongoing investigations into the Dublin riots last year.

Gardaí arrested nine people yesterday after conducting ten searches at separate locations across Dublin city. Four people, one woman and three men, were charged and appeared in court yesterday afternoon. 

The remaining five people, all men, have now been charged. They will appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice this morning.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.