Ireland to host first-ever national pavilion at COP31 during EU Council Presidency

• Pavilion will support Ireland’s role leading EU negotiations and put Irish and European climate action before a global audience in Türkiye
• Programme to span electrification, climate finance, just transition, decarbonisation and support for Small Island Developing States
• Sponsors announced for Pavilion, showcasing Irish business engagement in climate action

Ireland will have its own pavilion at the UN Climate Change Conference for the first time when COP31 opens in Türkiye next month. Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien has confirmed the pavilion will be a central part of Ireland’s presence at the conference, which takes place while Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

As holder of the Presidency, Ireland will lead negotiations, alongside the European

Government launches Our Rural Future 2026-2031 An ambitious new policy to drive rural development and strengthen rural communities

• Focus on rural enterprise and employment, tackling rural isolation and strengthening community resilience
• A new strategic rural investment initiative will help unlock major capital projects at regional level
• New policy sets out 34 commitments to support the continued growth and prosperity of rural Ireland
• Accompanying Action Plan for the period to end 2028 sets out 234 practical measures and timelines for delivery

The Government has today (Tuesday, 27 October 2026) launched an ambitious new Our Rural Future policy, setting out 34 high-level commitments to strengthen rural communities, support local economies and improve quality of life across rural Ireland.

Building on the significant progress achieved under Our Rural Future 2021-2025, the new

Minister O’Brien completes CIÉ Pension reform process, paving the way for pension increases

Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, has today signed the Statutory Instruments necessary to give effect to the agreed reform of CIÉ Pension Schemes.

This brings to a close a significant and long-running process and paves the way for payment of a 5% pension increase to nearly 5,000 eligible CIÉ pensioners.

The reform follows extensive engagement between CIÉ Group and the CIÉ Trade Union

Taoiseach and Minister Lawless launch national platform to position Ireland as global leader in digitally-enabled historical research

Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, have today brought forward a significant strengthening of the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland (VRTI) project. Housed within Trinity College, the VRTI was established to re-create the archives lost in the fire in the Four Courts in 1922.

The VRTI aims to position Ireland as a global leader in digitally-enabled deep historical

Minister Browne announces end to turnkey acquisitions for social housing

Applications to cease by end 2027

New measure will ensure many more homes available in social and private sectors

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD today announced that he is going to introduce a cessation of Turnkey Acquisitions for the delivery of social housing with a much greater emphasis on own-build homes by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) going forward.

This change is envisaged to take place at the end of next year – with the final date for the

Minister Jim O’Callaghan announces the removal of 24 Romanian nationals by charter flight on grounds of criminality

The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan has confirmed the successful completion of a charter flight to remove 24 Romanian nationals from the State on the grounds of criminality.

In accordance with the Free Movement Directive, removal orders were enforced against 24

Minister Calleary announces Oireachtas na hEorpa, an evening of Irish-language culture in Brussels to mark Ireland's EU Presidency

• Minister Calleary announces signature Irish-language cultural event for Ireland's EU Presidency
• Event to take place on Thursday 3rd December 2026 at the Albert Hall in Brussels
• "Glórtha Gael ag Treisiú Ceangal 1500 Bliain" to tell the story of Irish speakers in Europe over 15 centuries
• Performance in Brussels and livestream worldwide to showcase the Irish language to European and international audiences

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, today (Monday 19th October) has announced that Oireachtas na hEorpa - Glórtha Gael ag Treisiú Ceangal 1500 Bliain will take place in Brussels on Thursday, 3 December 2026. The

Minister McEntee welcomes Budget 2027 funding for Irish Aid, market diversification and passport services

• Irish Aid Budget to increase to €855 million, a €14 million increase on funding announced in Budget 2026;
• €3 million in funding to support women and girls in Afghanistan;
• Reconciliation Fund to increase to more than €11 million in 2027, including to support cross-community initiatives in Northern Ireland;
• Increased allocation for Passport Service to meet expected growth in the volume of passport renewals next year;
• Additional €1.25 million to support international market diversification and sports diplomacy;
• Funding of €19.5 million for Emigrant Support Programme in 2027, the highest funding under the programme to date.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, the Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD, and the Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD, have welcomed support for Ireland’s global engagement and Irish diaspora in Budget 2027.

In 2027, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will continue to invest in

Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade on the anniversary of the 7 October 2023 terrorist attacks

Today marks three years since the horrific and indiscriminate terror attacks by Hamas and other groups on Israel on 7 October 2023.

We recall the horror and brutality of these shocking attacks and the unimaginable terror and panic that they inflicted.

Over a thousand people were massacred. The largest loss of life and the deadliest single day

Ministers Naughton and Murnane O’Connor encourage schools to take part in new Active School Flag ‘Run Around the EU’ Challenge

Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton and Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor have encouraged all primary and special schools to take part in an exciting new Active School Flag three-week running challenge.

From September 28 to October 16, the ‘Run Around the EU’ challenge is asking pupils and