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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer no longer believes transgender women are women, according to his official spokesman, following a recent UK Supreme Court ruling that defined women by biological sex under equalities law. This marks a shift from Starmer's previous position. In March 2022, as opposition leader, he told the Times: "a woman is a female adult, and in addition to that transwomen are women, and that is not just my view - that is actually the law." When asked if the Prime Minister still held this view, his spokesman stated: "No, the Supreme Court judgment has made clear that when looking at the Equality Act, a woman is a biological woman." The spokesman added: "That is set out clearly by the court judgment." Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the government of executing a U-turn, claiming Labour ministers needed the […]

President Michael D Higgins has led Irish tributes to Pope Francis, praising the pontiff's "warmth" and "unique humility" following the Vatican's announcement of his death this morning. President Higgins stated that Pope Francis "sought to show in the most striking and moving of ways, the extraordinary importance of the spiritual" as a source of global ethics. He highlighted the Pope's "consistent invocation of a shared humanity" and advocacy on "vital issues" including global hunger, poverty, climate change and justice—topics they discussed across five meetings during Francis' papacy. "During his visit to Ireland, Pope Francis spoke of the scandal of child abuse, including in the Church, and its consequences for victims and families. On such matters, and on others such as attitudes towards women and those of the LGBTQ+ community within the Church, Pope Francis sought to play a positive role," […]

Newly qualified teachers may soon become eligible for permanent contracts after just one year in a post, according to a new measure announced by the Minister for Education. Helen McEntee unveiled the policy change as hundreds of teachers prepare to attend their annual trade union conferences, with the INTO Congress beginning in Galway. "I am determined to address job security and make teaching a more attractive, sustainable career," McEntee stated. "Allowing newly qualified teachers who are starting in September to gain a permanent contract a year earlier will help teachers to place their careers on a more stable footing much sooner than before. This will provide teachers with the certainty that they need, particularly when applying for mortgages." Job insecurity remains a significant concern for younger teachers, especially at post-primary level. Many report difficulties finding secure full-time positions despite widespread […]