Backbench TDs pushing for triple lock conversation
James Cox
Here, we take a look at the issues likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.
Triple lock debate
It looks like backbench TDs are likely to challenge the Government's plan to scrap the triple lock.
The triple lock requires UN approval before sending any more than 12 troops abroad. Government leaders have argued this allows the likes of Russia to block missions, including peacekeeping ones which Ireland is well respected for.
The Fianna Fáil parliamentary party will discuss the issue this week after several TDs signed a letter on the triple lock calling for a review as a "matter of urgency".
It reads: "This is in view of the fact that this constitutes a fundamental change in traditional Fianna Fáil policy as enunciated in successive ard-fheiseanna, policy manifestos, public statements."
The Programme for Government states: "We will continue to engage with international partners and we will reform the Triple Lock legislation whilst also ensuring that amendments to the legislation are in keeping with our values and policy of active military neutrality."
Peter Thiel controversy
Controversial billionaire investor Peter Thiel is due to front a conference at Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow in August, with talks including 'Navigating WWIII'.
Thiel has used his vast wealth to back right-wing political groups and figures. His company Palantir Technologies, an 'AI-driven decision' tech, has been used by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in Gaza.
Thiel, 58, is also a prominent supporter of US president Donald Trump and has donated millions of dollars to his campaigns.
The Ditch was the first Irish outlet to report on Thiel's 'Dialog' conference planning an event at Powerscourt. The report states that the event is due to take place from August 12th - 16th.
Dialog is an extremely secretive organisation that includes government officials, from the US and other countries, tech giants and right-wing influencers.
Other talks at the event reportedly include Build-a-Cult, Build-a-Party, Money (Does?) Buy Happiness and Bring Back Nuclear.
US outlet Wired has acquired documents belonging to Dialog, including a membership list. The list included Trump administration officials, two US senators, six members of the so-called Paypal Mafia (former founders and early employees who worked at PayPal in the late 1990s and early 2000s), a former Middle East chief of intelligence, a sitting ambassador to the United States, private equity billionaires, television actors and best-selling authors.
Names on the list included Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law and an informal White House adviser, US treasury secretary Scott Bessent, Texas senator Ted Cruz, and political commentator Ezra Klein.
Varadkar on Trump
Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said "you can really see the difference" in US president Donald Trump's health since their meetings, when Trump was in his early 70s.
Varadkar stepped down as taoiseach in April 2024. Since then, he has worked in a number of academic roles in the United States and published his autobiography, Speaking My Mind.
There has been a lot of focus on the health of Trump, who turned 80 last week. Despite the White House insisting Trump is in peak health, pictures of odd marks and bruises on his skin often go viral, while he appears to nod off in various meetings and public events.
In a wide-ranging interview with the Irish Independent, Varadkar discussed the fictional character he identifies with most, who he'd most like to have a pint with, and adjusting to life outside politics.
On the pint question, Trump came to mind.
Varadkar said: "I’d be curious to go for a pint with Donald Trump because he doesn't drink. I wonder would a few beers be good for him — he might mellow. I would have met him mostly during his first term when he was in his early 70s, and you can really see the difference [in his health]."
Diaspora strategy
The new diaspora strategy will include a key focus on Irish people abroad who are vulnerable due to their immigration status, according to the junior minister in charge of the plan.
Ireland's Diaspora Strategy 2026-2030 was published by Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora Neale Richmond at the Global Irish Civic Forum in Croke Park.
In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, Fine Gael TD Richmond said: "This is the most difficult period for undocumented Irish in America ever. When we talk about vulnerability it is a difficult space.
"One vulnerable cohort always there, but it is more pronounced at the moment, is those for whom immigration status is a big worry.
"That’s not just in the United States, it’s in Australia and other non-EU countries... but in America it is more pronounced now than it was previously.
"We would always have spoken about undocumented and worked with American friends to try and get them normalised and provide pathways, but - needless to say - the shutters have gone up on that with this administration and they are taking a very proactive anti-immigrant approach.
"This is causing huge concern and huge vulnerability, which is all included in our report. When we were putting together this report we took on a massive engagement process over the last year.
"We had 23 in-person consultations in 17 different countries. We also had the first ever Global Irish Survey which received over 10,000 submissions… we were quite blown away by that."
Deportation flights
Over €1.6 million was spent on deportation flights in the first four months of 2026.
Figures from the Department of Justice through the Freedom of Information Act, show €1,660,931.18 was spent on deportation flights from January 1st to April 15th.
€941,288.93 was spent on Enforced Returns conducted via commercial flights, while €719,642.25 was spent on Charter flights.
A charter flight is only used when there are a significant number of people of one nationality who have deportation orders and are to be returned.
A deportation order is issued if an individual is deemed to be living illegally in the State and does not take up an option for voluntary return to their home country.
There have been four deportation flights so far this year.
On Thursday, 42 South African nationals were deported from Ireland.
Abroad
Keir Starmer is under sustained pressure amid reports he could stand down next week as a leadership threat from Andy Burnham looms.
The UK prime minister has repeatedly vowed not to walk away from his post, even as public talk of a leadership contest or handing power to Burnham has gained pace among Labour figures since he won the Makerfield byelection on Friday.
The number of Labour MPs calling for Starmer to go has since topped 100 – just under a quarter of the party’s MPs – and includes some who signed a letter warning against a leadership contest just last month.
US vice president JD Vance and senior Iranian officials have arrived in Switzerland to formally launch negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme and build the fragile interim deal to end the war in Iran.
The framework was signed last week and US and Iran negotiators are now in a 60-day sprint to reach agreement on the technical details which hold massive implications for the world economy and global security.
