National Statement by Taoiseach Micheál Martin to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly 24th September 2026

Check against delivery

President of the General Assembly,

Distinguished Heads of State and Government,

Secretary-General,

Excellencies,

A chairde, friends,

The United Nations is entering its ninth decade at a moment of great uncertainty and challenge for the global community.

Conflicts are having devastating effects on the most vulnerable.

The impacts of the climate crisis are felt in every corner of our world.

Hard won rights are being rolled back.

Narrow self-interest is breaking the bonds of solidarity which have so often lifted us to meaningful progress.

The international legal order is under tremendous strain.

New and emerging technologies that offer unlimited potential could also, without human

Community Sport Facilities Fund 2026

• New grant management system, SPRAOI, goes live on Monday 28 September
  

The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD and the Minister for State for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue TD today announced that a new grant management system for the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF), SPRAOI, will go live on Monday 28 September.

Clubs and organisations not previously registered with the Department can register on

Ministers host the Launch of the European Week of Sport

Today (23rd September 2026), Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue TD, have hosted the launch of the European Week of Sport at the Sport Ireland Campus. This official opening ceremony at the National Indoor Arena was held in cooperation with the European Commission and Sport Ireland.

The ceremony included contributions from Minister O’Donovan, Minister of State

Minister Byrne calls for stronger EU-UK relations at British Irish Chamber of Commerce event

Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, will today (23 September) deliver a keynote address to open the British Irish Chamber of Commerce’s EU Presidency event in Dublin City Hall.

The event, entitled “Reducing Friction: Addressing UK-EU Trade Barriers”, will bring

EU regional and local leaders adopt Mullingar Declaration at midlands meeting of Committee of the Regions

Today leading politicians from across the EU met in the Mullingar Park Hotel to discuss strengthening communities. The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) Bureau discussed “Thriving and sustainable communities – building a Europe that works for all territories.”

This meeting of the CoR’s External Bureau concluded with the adoption of the Mullingar

Historic wedding relics of Joseph Plunkett and Grace Gifford set for display at Kilmainham Gaol Museum

The chalice and other altar vessels used at the wedding of Joseph Plunkett and Grace Gifford in 1916 have been lent to the Office of Public Works (OPW) by St. James’ Parish and the Archdiocese of Dublin for public display in Kilmainham Gaol Museum.

The night before his execution on 3 May 1916, Joseph Plunkett married his fiancé Grace

Minister O’Donnell encourages nursing home providers to submit claims before the Nursing Home Resident Environment Enhancement (REE) Scheme closes for applications on 20 November 2026

• €10 million Nursing Home Resident Environment Enhancement (REE) Scheme is assisting nursing homes to improve and upgrade their premises and helping to meet compliance with regulations.
• Up to €25,000 is available to each qualifying nursing home for eligible works under the scheme.
• Claims can be made for eligible works carried out between 1 January 2025 and 20 November 2026.

The Minister of State for Older People and Housing, Kieran O’Donnell T.D., reminds nursing home providers that the Nursing Home Resident Environment Enhancement (REE) Scheme will accept applications until 20 November 2026.

With the aim of enhancing the daily lived experience of nursing home residents, up to

European Commission drafts proposal for a new public procurement regime

The Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers TD, and the Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement, Digitalisation and eGovernment, Frank Feighan TD, have welcomed the adoption by the European Commission of a proposal for a new regulation to modernise and simplify the EU's public procurement framework, published 9th September 2026.

The proposal aims to streamline procurement processes across the European Union,

Taoiseach Micheál Martin to undertake political and community programme in New York

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will today (23 September) undertake a series of engagements in New York, as part of his visit for the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week.

The Taoiseach will meet with New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. With Governor Hochul, the Taoiseach will announce $90,000 in Irish Government funding, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, for the

Minister Richmond announces new funding for Global Partnership for Education at UN High-Level Week

The Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD, has today announced funding of €40 million to the Global Partnership for Education. The funding will be provided over the period 2026 to 2030.

Today, more than 270 million children around the world are out of school. Ireland's