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Enda will be the 'most popular man in the world' next week

Here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening in Irish politics right now…

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Everyone’s talking about…

St. Patrick’s Day.

President Obama visit to Ireland - Day One Barack Obama and Enda Kenny pictured in Dublin in 2011. PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

The Taoiseach is jetting off to the US today for his annual St Patrick’s week visit.

Enda Kenny’s trip will kick off in Atlanta, where he will act as the grand marshal of the parade there on Saturday.

Dave Fitzgerald, chairman of the Atlanta parade, told local media his team is “absolutely delighted” Kenny is taking part.

The Irish Prime Minister is the most popular man in the world on St. Patrick’s Day. Out of the tens of thousands of St. Patrick’s Day parades around the world, we’re absolutely delighted, and extremely honored, that Enda Kenny has chosen to come to Atlanta to be Grand Marshal of the 133rd St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

During his visit, Kenny will meet Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and Mayor of Atlanta Kasim Reed. He’ll also meet representatives from Coca-Cola and a number of other major investors in Ireland, before giving a keynote address at the Irish Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta.

On Sunday, Kenny will speak at the SXSW Music and Conference festival in Austin, Texas about “how the Irish economy has been growing repidly” and our reputation as “a location for launching startups and a leading tech and innovation hub”.

The Taoiseach will spend St. Patrick’s Day itself in Washington DC, where he give President Obama his bowl of shamrock at the White House, and attend a luncheon hosted by House Speaker John Boehner.

Obama St. Patrick's Day AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Here’s where all the other ministers are jetting off to over the next few days – and who has to stay at home.

The agenda

  • As outlined above, the Taoiseach is heading to the US today - as is Tánaiste Joan Burton.
  • Dr Elaine Byrne (9.30am) and Frank McDonald (11.45am) will appear before the banking inquiry to discuss the relationships between politicians and bankers.
  • Communications Minister Alex White will be answering questions at 9.30am.
  • The health committee will debate the cost of prescription drugs at 9.30am.
  • The Public Accounts Committee will turn its attention to HSBC offshore accounts at 10am.
  • TDs will discuss the Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015 at 10.45am.
  • Leaders’ Questions will take place at noon.

Inside Leinster House

A former Labour Senator said he would “work out of a shoebox” if he had to, after being kicked out his office in Leinster House.

What the others are saying

  • Hundreds of drugs cases will be affected by the loophole which made certain substances temporarily illegal, reports the Irish Examiner
  • Arts Minister Heather Humphreys is “deeply disappointed” after Dublin City Council’s decision to vote against proposals for a 1916 interpretive centre on Moore Street, according to the Irish Times
  • The same paper reports that the department of health and HSE are working on a new multi-million euro plan aimed at tackling hospital waiting lists.

In case you missed it

  • President Higgins signed an emergency law yesterday, making loads of drugs illegal (again).
  • Enda Kenny and Joan Burton strongly criticised Gerry Adams in the wake of fresh claims about abuse in the republican movement, while Paudie McGahon urged Sinn Féin to “tell the truth” about what happened to him. 
  • Central Bank governor Patrick Honohan came to ‘loggerheads with Pearse Doherty at the banking inquiry.

Video TheJournal.ie / YouTube

On the tweet machine

TDs are very relieved certain drugs are now illegal … again.

Originally published: 9am

Read: Just how damaged is Gerry Adams?

Read: What have Enda and co achieved in the last four years?

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    Mute Paul O'Neill
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 6:44 PM

    Delighted to hear they’re doing well and I can’t wait for the cheap transatlantic flights. I have zero patience for people who complain that their 10 Euro flight to London was a little cramped!

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    Mute Darren Norris
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 9:56 PM

    They wont have transatlantic.

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    Mute Jason
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    Sep 4th 2014, 11:06 AM

    They will, once the price for aircraft drops.

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    Mute Boganity
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    Sep 4th 2014, 12:45 PM

    That means never.

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    Mute Jason
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    Sep 4th 2014, 1:02 PM

    Bog, Glen and Ablitive will tell us that another false flag is being planned, by the Z ionists or the Rothchilds, and that another 9/11 will happen, thats when the prices will fall.

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    Mute Gravel Pitt
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 6:42 PM

    Certainly the greatest Irish company of the modern era – it put Irish aviation on the map, is still growing fast and is up there with the best in terms of passenger numbers.

    Transatlantic next……

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    Mute Niall o' Sullivan
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 6:47 PM

    Transatlantic is a different kettle of fish. People pay big bucks and expect comfort and a decent standard of inflight service. They’ll need legroom for a start.

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    Mute Gravel Pitt
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 6:49 PM

    Niall. Ryanair know this….

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    Mute Niall o' Sullivan
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 6:53 PM

    True, but Jetblue have already said they’ll get they before Ryanair, and they already have a working agreement in other areas with Aer Lingus.

    Ryanair too have said their transatlantic flight business plan is entirely dependent on sourcing planes cheaply. There’s none available at the moment

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    Mute neeneee
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 7:04 PM

    Niall would you like to go into business with aer lingus?the constant threat of strike,the problems withe the pension fund,the spoiled staff they have,that are protected by a strong union that would strike if someone looked at them the wrong way?the constant dip in profits.

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    Mute Paul Furey
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 9:03 PM

    Irish aviation has been on the map a long time. It wasn’t Ryanair.

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    Mute neeneee
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 9:56 PM

    It may have been on the map alright.but Ryanair turned the whole aviation industry on its head and made the cost of flying more affordable for people like me and you

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 11:30 PM

    AL need to pony up about 4 years profit to stabilise the pension fund. How can they grow with that millstone around their necks?

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    Mute neeneee
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    Sep 4th 2014, 7:55 AM

    Let Michael o Leary take over it.

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    Mute Gravel Pitt
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 6:36 PM

    Great company

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    Mute Boganity
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    Sep 4th 2014, 12:43 PM

    You don’t aspire to much do you ?

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    Mute Martin Ryan
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 6:46 PM

    Used Ryanair for the first time last week Dublin to Birmingham €20 great service.

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    Mute Dara O'Brien
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 9:46 PM

    Are you the 60 yr old who does the ‘two’s company’ ad?

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    Mute Boganity
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    Sep 4th 2014, 12:46 PM

    How do I get a gig as a paid hack for Ryanair on comments pages ?

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    Mute Thomas
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 7:31 PM

    Brilliant company just follow the rules and it’s simple and cost effective. Fly to Liverpool every 3 weeks and generally costs me about 40 return. Couldn’t do it without Ryanair as aer lingus charge about 100 to 120 return for same flights

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    Mute Declan Humphreys
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 9:40 PM

    Even on weekends when Liverpool are playing at home ??

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    Mute Fergus Fring
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 7:28 PM

    Please please please make an announcement on a transatlantic route, Ryanair.

    New York for a long weekend, happy days!

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    Mute Niall o' Sullivan
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 8:41 PM

    It’ll be at least 5 years time.

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    Mute Darren Norris
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 9:57 PM

    They will never do it niall

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    Mute J
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    Sep 4th 2014, 12:07 AM

    Transatlantic not gonna happen.

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    Mute Goldberg
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 8:39 PM

    Got a return flight to Brussels with them for less than 50 euro – bargain

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    Mute Inntalitarian
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 9:31 PM

    Got €12 return to Berlin in 2009, cheaper than the Aircoach!

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    Mute Sean D
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    Sep 4th 2014, 4:32 AM

    It’s not 2009 anymore. The days of those kind of prices to places like berlin are long gone.

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    Mute Larissa Nikolaus
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    Jan 5th 2015, 4:56 PM

    I paid 78 € for a return trip to Berlin, which is cheaper than what I’ll have to fork out to the Deutsche Bahn fro then getting to my home town from Berlin.

    Ryanair may not offer the best service, but they’re sure as heck have mostly the cheapest airfare on offer.

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    Mute Joe Howard
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 9:32 PM

    Cheap flights to New York would make a huge killing for them. But I fear an 8 hour flight with zero leg room, no entertainment panel thingy in the headrest and probably landing 2 hours drive away from your supposed destination might put off some people. Paris Beauvais is well outside Paris and is nearly €70 return on bus. It all adds up. Still, Aer Lingus is overpriced and overrated.

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    Mute Katie Does
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    Sep 4th 2014, 10:47 AM

    If they provide wi-fi on transatlantic they won’t need the entertainment panel.

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    Mute Tigerisinthezoo
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 10:27 PM

    Haven’t flown Ryanair in a while. Lately it has been AerLingus. I love the new menu on AerLingus. The cheese board is really nice and the prices are cheaper than in the terminal.

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 11:31 PM

    A cracking toasted sandwich in fairness

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    Mute J
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    Sep 4th 2014, 12:08 AM

    You’re not supposed to eat the board aswell.

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    Mute Justin McNulty
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 9:51 PM

    Fair play Ryanair

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    Mute Monty
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 6:47 PM

    A little too full? Is there people standing now?

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    Mute Dara O'Brien
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 9:48 PM

    Yes, there is, they is standing so they is.

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    Mute Loop De Loop
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 10:59 PM

    Well done Ryanair. Keep it up.

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    Mute Paul McNevin
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 8:26 PM

    Cool the Jets.

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    Mute john smith
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    Sep 4th 2014, 8:35 AM

    10 euro to New York one seat you mean .o the crew have to fly there and back do a 19 hour duty no rest o yeah you can do that hitter almighty doesn’t recognise unions

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    Mute Rob O Reilly
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    Sep 4th 2014, 1:42 PM

    It will be a 10 euro fare but the taxes and charges will be another 150. Probably only 5 seats at that price too. It’s nonsense that he is waiting for cheap planes . American Airlines use 757 ‘ s from the 70 ‘ s to fly the route and they are cheap to buy/lease.

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    Mute john smith
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    Sep 4th 2014, 8:28 AM

    Michael you were an account you have 300 aircraft of course you will have carried more passengers .don’t need to be a rocket scientist to work that one out .

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    Mute tom
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    Sep 4th 2014, 12:31 PM

    Ryanair did not turn aviation on it’s head, deregulation did. Anybody who thinks we would still be paying extortionate air fares if it wasn’t for Ryanair probably also believe that if it wasn’t for Henry Ford we would all still be on bicycles. Deregulation brought about low fares. If you didn’t have Ryanair in Ireland we would have Easyjet.

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    Mute Gavin Scott
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    Sep 4th 2014, 10:59 AM

    As long as they keep landing, I can deal with bag rage

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