lost for words
Promised interpretation standards for asylum applications not being introduced by deadline
Poor interpretation undermines asylum seekers’ credibility and delays their cases, say lawyers.
How I Spend My Money
Money Diaries: How is your spending and saving going? Would you like to keep a diary for us?
The Journal reader
Gaza
Varadkar says he is abused on the street about Gaza, as Tánaiste says sanctions not ruled out
Varadkar said Israel has become “blinded by rage” and is not even listening to the advice of its close ally the United States anymore.
Taoiseach says he has been "shouted at and abused" by the public over the government's response to Gaza
Tánaiste says Ireland could impose travel ban on West Bank settlers even if EU does not make collective decision
UNRWA chief will meet with Micheál Martin in Dublin this week
Evening Wrap
The 5 at 5
Five minutes, five stories, five o’clock…
rising costs
Government approves additional €500 million for Children's Hospital, pushing costs over €2 billion
The new funding brings the previous budget of €1.73 billion – which was already well above initial spending forecasts – to €2.24 billion.
Eurovision
Linda Coogan Byrne: Why is Irish radio afraid to play Bambie Thug?
Linda Coogan Byrne
Gaza
Rafah crisis: Simon Coveney accuses Israel of 'behaving like a rogue state'
Coveney was speaking as the international outcry over Israel’s planned offensive in Rafah grows.
whom it concerns
RTÉ confirms [previously redacted] names of 20 people interviewed for Toy Show musical report
The original Grant Thornton report, which was published last month, anonymised those who were interviewed.
Shrove Tuesday
Pancake Tuesday: Some tasty twists on the old favourite recipes
Alex Petit
Good Morning
The 9 at 9
Here’s all the news you need to know as you start your day.
Planning
Planning: 'Proposed law designed to scare local groups off potential challenges'
Rose Wall & Gavin Elliott
EU Enlargement
Irish public support Ukraine joining the EU, but don't want to see membership fast-tracked
Polling also found a fifth of the public believe the EU’s response to the war in Ukraine to be “very bad”.
The Journal/Ireland Thinks poll found 72% of Irish citizens support Ukraine joining the EU.
The same poll found that 39% of Ireland are not in favour of Ukraine getting its application to join fast tracked.
This comes as accession talks began in December and additional war-time relief funding was just approved.
Investigation
Asylum-seeker support workers expected to act as interpreters without specialist training
Experts concerned that ‘cultural mediators’ being asked to provide “interpretation services” beyond their required skill set.
Cultural mediators were introduced to speed up the asylum application process
Advocates say the lack of clarity around role risks harming asylum seekers
UN body who trains them says mediators "not legally accountable" for applications
ceasefire now
Tom Clonan: Israel has pursued the relentless massacre of innocent Palestinians in Gaza
Tom Clonan
have your say