Ireland

Ireland faces scrutiny over significant delays in establishing essential healthcare services, particularly a mother and baby psychiatric unit, which remains unlocated after nearly a decade. Concurrently, an Oireachtas committee is reviewing the clinical basis for maintaining the three-day waiting period for abortions, potentially paving the way for legislative changes. These issues underscore ongoing challenges in health and social policy.

New reports have brought to light the alarming extent of child trafficking in Ireland, emphasizing a severe problem of under-identification and victim-blaming for children forced into criminal activities. Separately, parents of children attending a special school in Cork are demanding an overhaul of appointment systems and the provision of full-time multi-disciplinary therapists, highlighting systemic issues in special education services. Budget 2027 planning is also in focus, with discussions around extending fuel excise duty cuts and adjusting renewable energy grants.

In other domestic news, Limerick dominated the GAA Hurling All-Stars nominations. Internationally, Spanish authorities have allowed a US extradition case against an activist who resided in Dublin to proceed, while global leaders are reportedly becoming desensitized to Donald Trump's 'shock-and-awe' tactics at the UN.