The Irish government, led by Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin, is set to present a joint memo to Cabinet outlining a new bilateral political agreement with Ukraine. The agreement expresses strong solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal invasion and supports Ukraine’s right to defend itself under the UN Charter.
The deal aligns with Ireland’s policy of military neutrality and emphasizes non-lethal assistance to Ukraine. The government has already provided significant humanitarian and military support to Ukraine, in addition to welcoming refugees under the Temporary Protection Directive.
In other news, the mandatory retirement age for gardaí is set to increase to 62, following regulations to be signed by Mr. Harris and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. This change aims to enhance the recruitment and retention of garda members.
Furthermore, Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien will update the Cabinet on planning reform, with a focus on increased efficiency in decision-making processes. The government is committed to passing the Planning Bill and boosting new home deliveries to address the housing crisis.
Lastly, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Patrick O’Donovan, will propose a housing fund of €600,000 to support students from Traveller and Roma backgrounds who have experienced care accommodation, reflecting efforts to address educational disparities.