The Ditch editors

Robert Troy asked minister about approval for state body’s new premises – now provided by brother-in-law

Ex-junior minister Robert Troy intervened in the Dáil to ask education minister Norma Foley for an update on new headquarters for a state body – which is now being provided by his brother-in-law. 

Analysis – State Failures: The PSNI and the Structuralism of Stupid Things

I love stories of professional incompetence in a data protection context. I find them fascinating. I know that data protection sounds extremely boring, extremely unfascinating.

‘Hidden gem’: Fine Gael councillor letting investment property on Airbnb – despite failed planning application

A Fine Gael county councillor has been letting an investment property on Airbnb despite a failed planning application to use the dwelling as short-term accommodation. 

Management company of Celtic Tiger development accused of ignoring fire safety concerns

Multiple affidavits accused the owners' management company (OMC) of a Dublin housing estate of ignoring serious fire safety concerns, The Ditch can reveal.

Helen McEntee paid state funds to company owned by Fine Gael man charged with charity theft

Justice minister Helen McEntee paid an ex-Fine Gael county councillor charged with alleged charity theft almost €29,000 in state funds for secretarial services.

Analysis – State Failures: The Rebel Song of the Good European

Being a good European is not the same as doing what is good for Europeans, including those who live in one of the union’s smaller member-states. 

SIPO hid Varadkar donation statements from public and Oireachtas – finally admits their existence

SIPO concealed from the public and Oireachtas false donation statements submitted by taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

Tony Holohan, Finian McGrath ignored whistleblower's account of illegality in health service

While he was chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan ignored whistleblower Shane Corr’s account of lawbreaking across the Irish health service.

Analysis – State Failures: Without Consent, Without Redress, Without Justice

With the Irish state sitting on a budget surplus of around €16 billion this year, the government still voted this summer to exclude around 24,000 mother and baby institution survivors from redress.

Senior council official leasing six properties to local authority

Carlow County Council’s director of services is leasing six apartments to Wexford County Council – which used to employ him as a senior housing officer.  Pádraig O'Gorman owns eight rental properties and he struck a deal with Wexford County Council to lease six for social housing – just six

Analysis – State Failures: Siding with North against South, with Colonisers against the Colonised

It comes as no surprise that the Irish government does not actually reduce its emissions. Each year the Irish government buys carbon credits from other countries as evidence of its compliance with European Union climate legislation.

Taoiseach didn’t declare 2018 donations – finally acknowledged five years later

Leo Varadkar submitted a further two false statutory donation statement declarations to SIPO, it can be revealed.