Zelenskiy says Europe to be included in Ukraine peace talks as he meets US envoys in Dublin

Main Points World leaders from across Europe met for the European Political Community summit today in the Convention Centre Dublin Political leaders are here to discuss the war in Ukraine and other major issues A security zone has been in force around the convention centre from Tuesday morning with no cycling, walking or vehicular access permitted A formal dinner was held in the National Gallery of Ireland this evening An informal meeting of heads of state or government of the EU will take place on Friday in the Convention Centre Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Europe will take part in the next round of Ukraine peace talks, following a meeting with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at Casement Aerodrome Key Reads Dublin road closures: See full list of disruption Protesters urge end to further military spending in Europe Bobby McDonagh : The traffic chaos is temporary. What happens this week in Dublin could have lasting impact Inside Politics newsletter: Stars finally align as strikes averted before showcase Dublin meeting Burnham promises Zelenskiy ‘complete support’ British prime minister Andy Burnham has promised Volodymyr Zelenskiy his “complete support” in the latest efforts to end the Ukraine war and said he would push for European representation in the US-brokered talks. Burnham co-chaired a group meeting on Ukraine with the country’s president at the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Dublin on Thursday. Burnham used the Dublin gathering to urge leaders from some 50 nations to ramp up pressure on Vladimir Putin to take peace talks seriously. He announced a fresh package of sanctions on Moscow, covering all 10 of Russia’s major oil producers. At the Ukraine meeting, Burnham said allies of Ukraine welcomed the resumption of peace talks but said Europe should play a part. - PA US envoys en route to Dublin for talks with Zelenskiy US envoys left Moscow for talks with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy after meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin. US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Putin in the Kremlin for more than two hours, according to state media. Putin asked Witkoff and Kushner to thank US president Donald Trump for arranging the talks between Ukraine and Russia, the first trilateral negotiations since February. Protest taking place in Dublin city centre The Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM) is holding a protest on Thursday evening against the European Political Community summit in Dublin. Protesters assembled at the Spire on O’Connell Street at around 5pm. In a statement issued ahead of the protest, chair of the IAWM, Sara O Rourke, said: “This escalation of militarism makes the future less safe for all people across Europe. It also signals a future of greater economic hardship for people, as money spent on weapons will be diverted from vital services across the EU. “We do not need more weapons; we do not need to prepare for more wars. We need to work to avert and build peace. “Why are these leaders not coming together to discuss peace and stability, an end to the war in Ukraine, an end to the genocide in Gaza, and sanctions against Israel?” Two men arrested for ‘public disorder’ in Dublin city Two males were arrested in Dublin city this afternoon for offences contrary to the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 as part of An Garda Síochána ongoing policing and security operation. They were both taken to a garda station in the city centre. One man has since been released “pending completion of an Adult Caution”. The other man remains detained. In a statement, gardaí said, the force has no further comment at this time. Taoiseach: Irish people have ‘deep understanding of community’ Irish people have a deep understanding of community. Our Gaelic term, Meitheal, describes friends and neighbours working together towards a shared goal. This tradition of cooperation captures the essence of the European Political Community. pic.twitter.com/nqB8kIJ0dY — Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) November 12, 2026 In a post on X, Taoiseach Micheál Martin wrote, “Irish people have a deep understanding of community. “Our Gaelic term, Meitheal, describes friends and neighbours working together towards a shared goal.” He said, “this tradition of cooperation captures the essence of the European Political Community.” Taoiseach re-affirms ‘unwavering support’ for Ukraine During a press conference of the European Political Community, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said “it has been a very busy and productive day. “Firstly we re-affirmed our unwavering support for and solidarity with Ukraine. “Secondly, we heard strong calls for closer co-operation in preventing and responding to hybrid activity, including in relation to our democratic processes. “Thirdly, I heard a strong commitment to leveraging technological developments to strengthen Europe’s innovative capacity. “Fourthly, we need to make clean and affordable energy available for our citizens and businesses.” Lastly, he paid tribute to the “great collaboration and partnership, right across our public service”. He extended his thanks to members of the gardaí, the Office of Public Works, civil servants, the departments of An Taoiseach, Foreign Affairs and Trade and “many, many others”. Taoiseach: US and Russia know ‘no progress’ without European input In response to questions from journalists during a press conference of the European Political Community (EPC), Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the presence of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the EPC “underpins the value for Ukraine of the European Political Community and the sense of solidarity support that he has received from many of the countries around the table today”. “Both the US and Russia know that there can be no progress in terms of the European situation or European security or in long term resolution of the issue without a European input. “If you look at the financial supports from EPC member countries, the financial support from Europe, the defensive military support from many members of the EPC, it’s indispensable to Ukraine.” Martin said he thinks “the Americans themselves would accept that there should be [a] European voice at the table”. He said he would “await the outcome” of Zelenskiy’s meeting with the US envoys. He added that the purpose of the meeting is to “debrief president Zelenskiy in terms of the meeting today between the Russian president and Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are envoys of the US president.” When asked about clean and affordable energy, Martin said, “we have to consistently seek a way to try and reduce prices across Europe with grid connection, interconnectors.” He said one of the “medium-term” benefits of the EPC format is that there will be “very significant interconnectivity developed on the energy front, already some of that is happening”. On the menu Thursday night’s main event is a dinner for leaders at the National Gallery. Chef Mark Moriarty was selected by the Department of An Taoiseach to design and deliver the EPC summit official dinner, with a culinary brief set by Taoiseach Micheál Martin. The menu is as follows: Baked Potato Sourdough, Glenilen Farm Butter Celeriac Baked in Barley, Yeast, Hazelnut, Celeriac & Fino Sherry Sauce Sally Barnes Wild Irish Smoked Salmon from Co Cork, BBQ Butter Sabayon, Green Apple Striploin of Dry Aged Ridgeway Beef from Co Wicklow Artichoke, Seaweed. Roasted Bone Marrow Jus Gras served with Jenny McNally’s roasted cabbage, bacon, herbs Mashed potato Irish coffee gateaux Salted Irish milk sorbet Tea & Coffee Wines: LAbeille De Fieuzal Blanc, 2023, France Réserve de Léoville Barton 2019, France Pom O, Ireland Irish poetry and music on display for leaders in performance A cultural performance will take place for the leaders on stage during the dessert course of dinner in the Shaw Room of the National Gallery of Ireland on Thursday evening. Performers include Maynooth University Chamber Choir, Olwen Fouéré and Tolü Makay. The programme will last for around 10 minutes and will display performances of The Song of Wandering Aengus by WB Yeats, Tormán by Michael McGlynn and Danny Boy by Frederic Weatherly. Around 1,000 people take part in protest in Dublin city Ukraine should accept a peace deal similar to the one accepted by the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921, People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd-Barrett has suggested, reports Ronan McGreevy . “Young Ukrainians and young Russians are being conscripted into a hopeless war,” he said at a protest on Molesworth Street following a march from O’Connell Street by demonstrators who are pro-Irish neutrality and opposed to further Nato expenditure. “A neutral country like Ireland should be proposing peace and not escalating expenditure on war.” The Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM) organised the protest on Thursday evening against the European Political Community summit in Dublin, with support from the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign. He alleged that 143 Ukrainian residents living in Ireland have been sent back from this country to Ukraine to fight in the war against Russia. There was a heavy garda presence along the route and demonstrators were blocked from marching down Nassau Street in the direction of the National Gallery where EU leaders along with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, British prime minister Andy Burnham and Canadian prime minister Mark Carney were in attendance. Around 1,000 people took part in the rally with speakers that included Social Democrats TD Sinead Gibney and the actor Liam Cunningham. Watch: How has EU summit disrupted travel in Dublin People in Dublin share their experiences of getting around as travel restrictions come into force around the EU summit, reports Zara Morgan . Travel restrictions will remain in place on Friday. Accredited access only is permitted to the Convention Centre Dublin until Friday evening with restricted access for residents and business within the zone and no through traffic or public transport. For those attending Niall Horan’s concert at the 3Arena on Friday, no traffic or pedestrian access is permitted along North Wall Quay. Gardaí advise pedestrians to use the access route of Amiens Street/ Seville Place/ Spencer Dock Bridge/ Sherriff Street Upper/ North Wall Avenue before and after the events. No Luas services to the 3Arena will run before the event. However, a number of special Luas services will operate west from The Point. Leaders will depart from Dublin Airport from 3pm to 8pm and from 1pm to 8pm at Casement Aerodrome on Friday. A number of road disruptions will be in place during these times. US envoys argue for Europeans to be included in negotiations US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held talks with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Ireland. Shortly before 9pm, Donald Trump’s representatives convened for discussions at Casement Aerodrome on the outskirts of Dublin. After the meeting in Baldonnel on Thursday night, Kushner said that the US side had argued for the Europeans to be included in the negotiations. Witkoff said they were working hard on behalf of president Trump to bring an end to the war, but gave no detail on any progress made. Russia ‘accepted’ prisoner exchange as US envoys meet with Zelenskiy Russia has “accepted” a prisoner exchange, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, in what he described as a “real result”. Zelenskiy was speaking following talks with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at Casement Aerodrome on the outskirts of Dublin which lasted just under an hour. “It will be the biggest, as Steve and Jared told me, the biggest exchange of war prisoners and our soldiers will come home,” he said. “I’m very thankful to all our negotiators. This is a real result, this is very important and successful for the families and to all of us that people will come home to their families.” Zelenskiy said the Americans also made progress to ensure European representatives will be at negotiations next week. “They will have a voice. This is important for us because the war is in Europe,” he added. - PA That is all for this evening. Follow along tomorrow for more coverage. Good night. Huge security operation gets under way Fifty heads of state are gathering in Dublin today to discuss the war in Ukraine and other major issues. The biggest security operation in the history of the State has been mounted in Dublin as Taoiseach Micheál Martin hosts the ninth meeting of the European Political Community. It is part of Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union We will bring you all the news from these events here today. Peace talks Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said last night he believes there is a “window of opportunity” to make progress on peace talks with Russia before the end of the year. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to fly into Dublin later today to brief Zelenskiy, having travelled from talks in Abu Dhabi to Moscow, where they were to meet Russian president Vladimir Putin. Witkoff and Kushner arrive in Moscow for Putin meeting Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have arrived at Moscow airport for their meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin, ahead of travelling to Dublin. Putin envoy Kirill Dmitriev shared a picture of their arrival, captioned: “Welcoming Steve and Jared to Moscow.” Donald Trump’s envoys will arrive in Dublin later today where they will brief Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy. BREAKING: Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrive in Moscow for a meeting with President Putin. pic.twitter.com/dp4mtgWaZi — Kirill Dmitriev (@kadmitriev) November 12, 2026 Traffic disruption Travelling around Dublin will be difficult today. The policing and security operation is the largest undertaken by An Garda Síochána in the history of the State. For a full list of the road closures around the city, click here . Garda drones at Convention Centre Garda drones will be deployed in the vicinity of the Convention Centre to support the policing and security operation. Gardaí said the drones will be active in the area until after the policing operation has ended. The ninth meeting of the European Political Community is the largest diplomatic event in Irish history. Garda UAS (drones) will be deployed in the vicinity of the Dublin Convention Centre to support the ongoing major policing and security operations. Garda UAS (Drones) will be active in the area until after the policing operation has ended. #KeepingPeopleSafe pic.twitter.com/jgvT2l8UpR — gardainfo (@Gardainfo) November 12, 2026 Ireland in talks to use Ukrainian drone technology for maritime security Ireland is in talks to use drone technology from Ukraine for maritime security, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said. Following a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Dublin on Wednesday, the Taoiseach said the Department of Defence is exploring a joint memorandum with its Ukrainian counterpart on drone manufacturing and technology. He said this was given Ukrainian expertise in unmanned drones, with Ireland able to avail of Ukrainian technology for unmanned drones that could be used for maritime security, Jack Horgan-Jones reports. Media ready for European leaders Our Europe Correspondent Jack Power is among the journalists waiting for European leaders at the Convention Centre. The beginning of what will become an almighty media huddle to catch European leaders for a word on their way in at the EPC pic.twitter.com/UbzJYDFlV6 — Jack Power (@jackpowerIT) November 12, 2026 Which European leaders are expected in Dublin? Some 50 European leaders are expected at the Convention Centre for the EPC. This will include French president Emmanuel Macron, German chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in Dublin on Wednesday evening. UK prime minister Andy Burnham will also be in Dublin along with Canadian prime minister Mark Carney. The meeting will be chaired by the president of the European Council António Costa, while European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen will also play an important role. Burnham is expected to co-chair a security and defence roundtable, attend a Ukraine meeting and hold a series of bilateral talks. The theme of the summit is Europe – strong, secure and connected. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are currently in Moscow to meet Russian president Vladimir Putin. They will touch down in Dublin later to brief Zelenskiy on peace efforts relating to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Dublin meeting could have lasting impact It’s easy to forget, in the midst of all the disruption, that today’s meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) at the Convention Centre in Dublin is the largest international meeting ever hosted by an Irish Government, Bobby McDonagh writes. It would be easy to get distracted by all of this kerfuffle and disturbance and focus principally on the many challenges of looking after more than 50 high-level delegations in such circumstances. Read the full story here . Taoiseach says ‘there will be positives for a long time to come’ from hosting EU summit Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said there will be positives for the country for a long time from the hosting of the EU summit in Dublin. He said he wanted to thank the people of Dublin “for putting up with this”. He acknowledged there had been “a lot of disruption” to traffic and other aspects of life in the city centre. “We have an obligation as well, as a country, in terms of our membership of the European Union. But there will be positives from this for the country for a long time to come, in my view. “I want to thank the Gardaí and our Defence Forces for the extraordinary amount of preparation,” he told RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland. “I’ve been to other EPC meetings in different locations since this first began in Prague in 2022. We have very senior people here. We’re in the middle of a war on the Continent, which means certain people here this week are vulnerable and potentially would be targets. “Also, at a lesser level, you’re looking at potential attempts at disruption and undermining of the meeting. You will recall that at previous European Council meetings in the last two years, there have been attempts to try and undermine the convening of the meeting, the holding of the meeting and cause disruption.” Europe needs to ‘speak with one voice’ in Ukraine peace talks - Taoiseach Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said Europe’s perspective needs to be heard in restarted negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, Jack Power reports. Speaking on his way into the European Political Community summit, Martin said he didn’t believe that had to be through a European envoy or nominated negotiator. “I don’t think there’s not necessarily one person, but there should be clear, coherent leadership from the European Union at that table,” he said. “I don’t know that, I hope there will be progress”, Martin said when asked about the prospects of a breakthrough in negotiations to end the conflict. Councillor says people feel safer with increased Garda presence in Dublin Independent Dublin City Councillor Ciarán Perry has said one of the side benefits of the EU summit being held in Dublin is the increased Garda presence that has led some communities to feel safer, Vivienne Clarke reports. “We held a meeting of the new local community policing partnership last night and a number of people attended from the north inner city and all commented how safe they felt being in the area with so many gardaí. “Even the senior gardaí attending acknowledged that police visibility directly impacts on the type of antisocial and criminal we see daily in the city centre and also in communities. “So people are seeing what can be done by Garda management when required.” Perry told Newstalk’s Claire Byrne show that increased policing levels encouraged people to come into the city centre and people to socialise in local communities. Seeing more gardaí on the streets “absolutely makes people feel safer, makes communities feel safer and absolutely discourages antisocial behaviour and drug dealing”, he added. However, he acknowledged that it would not be possible to maintain the level of policing currently visible in the city centre all the time. “I don’t think anybody expects us to have the level of policing that we currently see in city centre.” Travel advice for fans attending Niall Horan gigs Niall Horan fans are being warned of disruption ahead of his 3Arena gigs on Thursday and Friday night. As a result of the EPC meetings, there will be no Luas services to the venue before the shows. However, there will be limited special services running afterwards. North Wall Quay will have no car nor pedestrian access to the 3Arena, and concertgoers are urged to instead use Amiens Street, Seville Place. Spencer Dock Bridge, and Sheriff Street Upper. Remains to be seen whether Russia is serious about Ukraine peace talks - Taoiseach It remains to be determined whether Russia is serious about the Ukraine peace talks, the Taoiseach has said. He said the prisoner swap agreed between the two sides “does represent a significant measure in and of itself”, Political Editor Pat Leahy reports. “Maintaining channels of communication is very important,” he said, adding that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had a “channel to Moscow” which is “very important”. Obviously Europe will want a voice at that table particularly insofar as issues impact on Europe, because of the economic inputs, the security inputs and in terms of Ukraine’s membership of the European Union, he added. He stressed the importance of Europe’s “coalition of the willing” in supporting Ukraine, and pointed to the EU’s €90 billion loan to Ukraine agreed earlier this year. Martin sidestepped the question of who should represent Europe at the talks, but said there should be “a clear coherent leadership from the EU at that table”. He said that the EU had “stood strong” in the face of Russian aggression. “We know that many member states feel an existential threat because of what has happened in Ukraine and the potential if Ukraine was to fall for further aggression on the European Continent.” Asked about the meeting between Kushner and Witkoff and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy due in Dublin this evening and if there was likely to be a “breakthrough”, Martin responded: “I don’t know that. But I hope there will be progress ... I think the objective of tonight’s meeting is to debrief president Zelenskiy on the engagement by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with president Putin and so it’s a moving situation.” He said that the meetings today and tomorrow were an opportunity for Zelenskiy to brief European leaders about the peace talks. “But we do hope that there is a realism there now. Our view up to now is that Russia hasn’t shown any genuine interest in a peaceful resolution of this conflict. It remains to be seen whether that has changed.” Photos: Leaders arriving at Convention Centre for European Political Community summit Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrives at Convention Centre Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has arrived at the Convention Centre for the European Political Community summit. He held a bilateral meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin after flying into Dublin on Wednesday evening. Zelenskiy will meet US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner later on today when they arrive in Dublin from Moscow. They are in Russia to meet president Vladimir Putin as peacemaking efforts continue amid Russia’s war on Ukraine. It remains to be seen if there will be any serious developments towards peace in the conflict, with Martin earlier expressing doubt over Russia’s intentions. Putin ‘backed into corner’ over Ukraine invasion Latvian prime minister Andris Kulbergs has said Vladimir Putin has been backed into a “corner” by his decision to invade Ukraine, Jack Power reports. The Russian leader is trying to shift the focus of peace negotiations to contentious topics for Europeans, namely the security architecture of the Continent, to distract from his own challenging position, the Baltic politician said. Europeans are reluctant to open up that can of worms because it encompasses the presence of Nato troops and defensive infrastructure, which Putin would love to roll back and weaken, close to the Russia border. Another Baltic leader, Estonian prime minister Kristen Michal, said Europe was falling into a “trap” by letting these wider questions be drawn into any talks about ending the war. Mark Carney arrives, saying attendance part of Canada ‘moving closer to Europe’ Canadian prime minister Mark Carney arrived and was greeted warmly by Micheál Martin, Pat Leahy reports. He told reporters that his presence at the summit today is “part of a process of moving closer to Europe”. Lots of interest in the non-European guest, Canada’s Mark Carney pic.twitter.com/RWFeMaLG0U — Jack Power (@jackpowerIT) November 12, 2026 European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen pledged that Europe would continue to support Ukraine in war and in peacetime. She said the commission is preparing another package of sanctions against Russia – the 22nd package – and also a proposal to support Ukraine financially in 2027. She left without taking questions. French president Emmanuel Macron has arrived at the Convention Centre French president Emmanuel Macron has arrived at the Convention Centre. Macron came up with the concept of the European Political Community (EPC) after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He was greeted by Taoiseach Micheál Martin as he arrived. ‘There is no more US support,’ Macron says Asked if he believed the US envoys could bring back positive news from Moscow, French president Emmanuel Macron replied: “I don’t know - I have no inside information,” Pat Leahy reports. He added: “There is no more US support – at the end of the day we will be the ones to decide and define our security.” ‘It is long past time for Russia to stop this immoral war’, Taoiseach says in opening address The Taoiseach welcomes European colleagues and Mark Carney “no stranger to Ireland or to Europe”. Martin talks about the term ‘meitheal’, “neighbours coming together for a shared goal”. He also thanks Emmanuel Macron for starting the European Political Community. “We want to secure Europe, where citizens are free from war and all forms of threat, including hybrid. “It is long past time for Russia to stop this immoral war,” he adds. Zelenskiy appeals for continued European support Volodymyr Zelenskiy is next to speak. “We need to make sure Europe becomes a regular part” of Russia/Ukraine peace negotiations, he says. “Putin’s wars are about his attitude towards others, not some sort of permanent confrontation with Europe that was impossible to avoid. “We are waiting for more details and Europe needs to pay close attention. “As for the frontline, our positions are strong and this is a direct result of co-operation, thank you so much, and joint defence projects,” he says. Zelenskiy mentions the recent restrictions of Starshield in Ukraine, operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. “This directly affects our ability to intercept Russian drones. We are trying to get details from the American side, so far we know very little. “If someone in America is making decisions that treat Ukrainian territory as if it is no longer Ukrainian, we know where things are going.” He finishes with an appeal to Europe to continue supporting Ukrainian territory, and sanctions on Russia. Watch: European leaders at Convention Centre for EPC Leaders posing for ‘family photo’ European and world leaders are currently posing for the ‘family photo’. An EPC family photo is the official group portrait of all the heads of state, government leaders, and European institution presidents who attend a European Political Community (EPC) summit. Donald Tusk thanks Dublin Civil Defence members who helped victims after Krakow shooting Polish prime minister Donald Tusk, who is in Dublin for the EPC sumit, has thanked members of Dublin Civil Defence who assisted after the recent shooting in Krakow. Six people were killed after a gunman opened fire in the city last week, with many others injured. Six Dublin Civil Defence volunteers were on a trip in the city when the attack occurred, and rushed to help victims who were injured. In a social media post, Tusk wrote: “I’m in Dublin now and I would like to thank the six members of the Dublin Civil Defence who were in Kraków on November 7 for their city break and who immediately rushed to help the victims of mass shooting. Friends, your extraordinary response saved many lives. You’re our heroes.” I’m in Dublin now and I would like to thank the six members of the Dublin Civil Defence who were in Kraków on November 7 for their city break and who immediately rushed to help the victims of mass shooting. Friends, your extraordinary response saved many lives. You’re our heroes. — Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) November 12, 2026 Photos: EU leaders pose for ‘family photo’ Israel responds to political pressure, McEntee says Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee said that Gaza had not been mentioned in the morning session, but she had “no doubt” that the issue would also be raised later today and also in tomorrow’s meeting of EU leaders, Pat Leahy reports. Israel, she said, responds to political pressure. “Absolutely the intention that it will be on our agenda today but tomorrow as well when we’ll have an opportunity specifically to raise it,” she said. “It is absolutely unacceptable that what is a deteriorating situation has now been compounded even more because of the bad weather, because of the floods over the last few weeks and now were seeing continuous attacks on innocent civilians in Gaza … We need to act. Europe has not acted quick enough or been strong enough in our response, and the humanitarian aspect of this now needs to be front and centre. “We know when political pressure is put on that Israel has opened up the humanitarian corridor, they have allowed more aid to be brought in to people. “We need more than tents now. There’s 150,000 tents sitting on the border, there’s 500,000 blankets, there’s 300,000 tarpaulins – we need that and we need much more. That will only come from political pressure.” Doherty accuses Government of ‘pretending all is well’ while people struggle with bills Sinn Fein finance spokesman Pearse Doherty claimed the Government is rolling out the red carpet and “dressing up the country” for European leaders and “pretending all is well” while people in Ireland are living with bills they cannot pay, Marie O’Halloran reports. In the Dáil he said the Government is “staging a glossy showcase of Ireland as a modern, progressive, and prosperous nation. But the people you govern are not living in that showcase”. He said the job of any Government is “to make life easier for its people. However, the Minister and his Government are making it harder while dressing up the country for visiting leaders and pretending all is well.” But people dealing with the cost-of-living crisis are being “fleeced at every turn”. He called on the Government to “stop the performance” and do what Sinn Féin had repeatedly called for and remove the carbon tax on home heating oil, provide households with energy credits, help people with the cost of their groceries, and “stop the energy companies ripping their customers off and make them pay their fair share through a windfall tax”. Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke told him he had set out the “Sinn Féin policy of promising everything”, but “who pays and what are the consequences”. He said: “The critical question here is that you haven’t tackled high prices, you just have paid the bill. “You haven’t done what the Government has done, and that’s looking at supply chains, trying to reduce the cost of groceries on the shelves, trying to support people who are most vulnerable through targeted measures.” Gardaí deployed to north inner city for EU summit but ‘not when local community needs it’, TD says The Government has been accused of deploying Garda resources into the north inner city of Dublin for visiting EU leaders but not when the local community needs it, Social Democrats TD Daniel Ennis pointed to the Tusla report on Thursday that primary school children as young as eight are being groomed into drugs gangs and crime. “I have a nine-year-old son and I am raising him in the north inner city, so this worries me. It really hits home for me because I come from the north inner city, live there and represent it.” He said “we have seen the deployment of resources into the north inner city this week when the State needs it, but we do not see it when the community needs it”. “Where is the same urgency when these communities are crying out for resources and protection from these drug gangs? Children are being petrol-bombed in their front sitting rooms, but there is still no action and still no resources.” He asked why the Government is “throwing resources into it one week for EU meetings but not into communities that have needed them for generations”. Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke said the work to rejuvenate city centre and empower communities should not be compared “to Ireland taking to a stage on the geopolitical landscape, working to get peace and to try to bring Ireland’s values to a European stage”. He insisted “we will always stand by communities that are under pressure”. The Government “takes very seriously any impact on children” with “record levels of support for An Garda Síochána”. He also pointed to the work of the Dubin City Taskforce and the work to rejuvenate the city centre and “empower communities and ensure they have resources”.

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