Fifteen Irish citizens evacuated from Israel

​Tánaiste Simon Harris said safe removal would not be without danger
Fifteen Irish citizens and their dependants were successfully evacuated from Israel yesterday and will make their way home in the coming days.
Tánaiste Simon Harris confirmed last night that the group had been assisted to leave the country in an operation led by Austria.

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The Journal

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Harris 'remains to be convinced' developer tax breaks are the most effective tool to boost supply

TÁNAISTE SIMON HARRIS has said he remains to be convinced that tax breaks for developers is the most effective tool when it comes to boosting housing supply. Speaking in Brussels this morning, where he is attending a Foreign Affairs Council meeting, he referenced an interview with top builder Sean Mulryan in the Business Post newspaper this weekend, whereby the developer dismissed the idea that tax breaks is the solution to Ireland's housing crisis. The Ballymore founder and chairman said tax reliefs were 'not the answer', stating that getting more land zoned and infrastructure built should be priority. Advertisement 'The fact that those who are responsible for building many houses actually suggested other practical steps that could be more impactful. When I talk to people who are in the industry, and indeed, when I talk to many people who just want a home in Ireland, in what is a housing emergency, I think the most important thing is that we get the viability measures right,' said the Tánaiste this morning. Harris said there's a range of ways to make construction more viable, particularly apartments. The next 'big move' government will take is the publication of the National Development Plan next month, which will set out and fund faster delivery around areas such as wastewater treatment and other 'big blocks' holding up construction, he added. 'I remain to be convinced that tax is the most effective tool, but there are definitely more measures we need to take on viability,' said Harris. While the Taoiseach said last week that he did not want to speculate on any potential tax breaks for property developers, stating that 'very significant priority' will be given to the housing issue in the upcoming Budget. Related Reads New rental regulations will allow landlords increase rents if previous tenant leaves voluntarily Nearly 800 council houses are lying vacant in the State for over a year, according to data Naming new housing tsar a priority for Taoiseach but DPER 'blockage' frustrating the process 'Housing remains the number one priority in all of our plans, budget, national and the development plan,' said Micheál Martin. The National Development Plan, due this summer, will be key, he said, stating that creating certainty in policy to attract private sector investment is going to be crucial. Earlier this year, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe strongly came out against the reintroduction of Celtic Tiger-style tax breaks for property developers, putting him at odds with the Taoiseach who said the government was exploring the idea of possible tax breaks for private housing developers in a bid to boost supply. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal

Extra.ie​

an hour ago

• Extra.ie​

Harris: World risks losing all control of Iran crisis

The US strikes on Iran represent an 'extraordinarily dangerous escalation' of the conflict in the Middle East, Tánaiste Simon Harris said on Sunday. Mr Harris said that an escalation was more likely than ever, and the international community was at risk of 'losing all control' of the conflict. He and Taoiseach Micheál Martin called for an 'urgent' de-escalation and a negotiated solution on Iran's nuclear facilities. They said they were yesterday in close contact with their European counterparts before a meeting of EU foreign leaders of EU leaders later in the week. The US strikes on Iran represent an 'extraordinarily dangerous escalation' of the conflict in the Middle East, Tánaiste Simon Harris said. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos 'Diplomacy and dialogue is ultimately the only way to resolve these issues,' Mr Martin said. 'Iran should commit not to develop nuclear weapons and disavow its nuclear and uranium enrichment programme. Nuclear safety is an issue here, modern warfare is very destructive. 'It is civilians who ultimately suffer, and that is why we need an end to these wars and bring an end to conflict.' Harris and Taoiseach Micheál Martin called for an 'urgent' de-escalation and a negotiated solution on Iran's nuclear facilities. Pic: Sasko Lazarov/ Mr Martin said the escalation on Sunday should not draw attention away from the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. 'We shouldn't lose sight of the catastrophe still unfolding in Gaza, while the war between Iran and Israel continues,' he said. 'What is happening in Gaza is appalling and a breach of international humanitarian law, and again, innocent civilians and children are being starved there, and we need that to come to an end.' Staff from Ireland's embassy in Tehran left the country on Friday as the embassy was closed, and updates are being provided on over 300 Irish peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon. Mr Harris said there were no plans to withdraw Irish troops and 'decisions are being made constantly' to ensure their safety. Micheál Martin said the escalation on Sunday should not draw attention away from the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Pic: Leah Farrell/ When asked whether he supported Donald Trump's strikes on Iran, Mr Harris said: 'I think it's resulted in an extraordinarily dangerous escalation of a conflict that already best be described as a tinderbox. 'We're now entering a moment of particular danger, because I think the chances now of a spiral of escalation are more likely than ever before, and there is a real prospect now of the international community losing all control of this very, very volatile conflict.' He said there was only a 'very small' number of Irish citizens, many dual nationals, seeking an evacuation, and they were working with European counterparts. 'Thank God we woke this morning to the International Atomic Energy Agency saying they haven't detected any increase in radiation,' he told RTÉ Radio. US president Donald Trump. Pic: Daniel Torok/The White House via Getty Images He said there was a diplomatic process in train and his understanding from readouts was 'there was a commitment from the Iranian side to further talks'. Mr Harris said Ireland and Europe are 'fully united in the clear view' Iran should not be let to nuclear weapons. 'The way to address this was always through a negotiated solution. Any alternative to that is simply too dangerous for civilians, for the Middle East region and for global security,' he said. 'Together with my EU counterparts, we will in the coming hours and days discuss and review the latest developments and consider the next steps Europe can usefully play to support de-escalation.' Minister for Culture Patrick O'Donovan said people woke up on Sunday 'terrified, really, to be quite honest, about the prospect of what's unfolding'. He told RTÉ's The Week In Politics it is 'terrifying' for citizens in Iran and Israel. 'It does take great people to make leaps of faith in particular places in time to come forward, whether it was in relation to [Anwar el-Sadat] in Egypt, and later in relation to Bill Clinton and what he did, we now require people to actually get people around the table,' he said. Minister for Culture Patrick O'Donovan said people woke up on Sunday 'terrified, really, to be quite honest, about the prospect of what's unfolding'. Pic: Leah Farrell/ 'Because ultimately, as the Taoiseach said, this is terrifying, not only for the innocent communities who are living in both countries, but as well for neighbouring countries in the Middle East, who we all hope are not drawn into a much bigger conflict.' Mr Harris is engaged in a major diplomatic outreach aimed at saving the Irish UN presence in Lebanon. He was in Brussels yesterday at a meeting with his European counterparts. He has been briefed on the situation in the Middle East from the Defence Forces and will continue to discuss options about the mission with Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy. The Tanaiste will impress on his foreign counterparts the absolute need for the mission to continue, in order to ensure stability and peace in the region. Ireland has over 340 troops deployed at Camp Shamrock. Separately, the Tánaiste has been briefed by the Chief of Staff on a number of incidents that took place in Southern Lebanon in recent days. All Irish Troops are accounted for and well. Responding to the American attack on Iran, Mr Harris said: 'I am closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East following military action by the United States on three nuclear facilities in Iran overnight. 'I am also very conscious of the large presence of Irish peacekeeping troops in Southern Lebanon and their safety is of paramount importance. 'We remain in close contact with our Embassies in the region and are supporting those Irish citizens who wish to leave.

Irish Daily Mirror

2 hours ago

• Irish Daily Mirror

Warning for Irish students as US demands public social media access for visas

Irish people and students applying for certain US visas will be instructed to set their social media profiles to public as part of a new 'comprehensive and thorough' vetting process. The US Embassy in Dublin further confirmed that it will resume taking applications for visas shortly. Last month, the US State Department instructed embassies to halt some visa appointments until further guidance was issued. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was reported to have said in an internal communication that there are 'plans to issue guidance on expanded social media vetting for all such applications'. This caused concern for Irish students who were in the process of applying for J1 visas ahead of the busy summer period. The US Embassy in Dublin has now confirmed that it will restart taking visa applications but that there will be new requirements for social media profiles. This includes for J visas, used by people like students and teachers and F and M visas, both used by students travelling to the US to study. The new rules will require those applying for visas to set their social media accounts to public. A spokesman said: 'The US Department of State is committed to protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process. A US visa is a privilege, not a right. 'We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to US national security. 'Under new guidance, we will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications. 'To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to public.' The embassy stated that visa applicants will be required to list all social media usernames or handles of 'every platform they have used from the last five years' on their application forms. It also warned that 'omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas'. The spokesman continued: 'The US Embassy in Dublin will resume scheduling F, M, and J nonimmigrant visa applications soon. Applicants should check our visa scheduling service for appointment availability. 'Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission.'