Early Edition

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has arrived in Dublin for his first official visit here. It comes at a fraught time for peace negotiations, with Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff visiting the Kremlin at the same time as President Zelenskiy meets Irish leaders.Fresh information has been revealed about President Catherine Connolly’s controversial trip to Syria in 2018, when she was photographed in the vicinity of a militia group leader. Colm Keena has been speaking to the Irish activist and Assad supporter who facilitated Clare Daly and Mick Wallace’s trip the year before.A number of our reporters are covering the proposal to dename Herzog Park in Dublin’s Rathgar, and remove the reference to former Israeli president Chaim Herzog.Ella Sloane profiles the Belfast-born, Dublin-raised man who would go on to be leader. Olivia Kelly reports on a stormy meeting of Dublin City Councillors over the proposed denaming. Ronan McGreevy examines similar controversies down through the decades over renaming streets. And the letters to the editor feature two sample perspectives on the issue.Finding a restaurant that provides decent food, service and ambiance at moderate price is increasingly difficult these days. Our restaurant critic Corinna Hardgrave, however, has picked 12 particularly good value eateries from across the country. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’re commuting to work right now on a jam-packed train or bus, you’ll want to read Cliff Taylor’s look ahead to the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce report.Considering whether to go to Prague for the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup play off against the Czech Republic? Dubliner Cóilín O’Connor has lived there since 1995 and has a few tips on how to avoid the sky high air fares.What’s it like to learn Irish again as an adult? Completely different, reports Jack White. He’s been speaking to a number of people taking evening classes at Conradh na Gaeilge. “Raging I didn’t do this years ago,” says one.And “regift the bejaysis out of it,” says Conor Pope. Our Pricewatch editor is doling out his top tips for a cheaper (and greener) Christmas 2025. There’s some “helpful” advice from some of our readers too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A decision has been made not to remove tricolours erected across Dublin city, over fears it could put council workers at risk. Conor Gallagher has been investigating the proliferation of Ireland flags hung on lamp posts across the country.The manner of Enoch Burke and his family’s combative approach to protesting can be traced back through the decades, and according to Diarmaid Ferriter, is particularly similar to the catholic anti-divorce crusaders of the 1980s.The number of people being served notice to quit their tenancies has risen again, mostly due to landlords selling up. Niamh Towey has been analysing the latest figures from the Residential Tenancies Board.And if you’re looking for some inspiration for your next read, you might be interested to see who won big at last night’s Irish Book Awards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Around 20 male International Protection applicants slept rough on a wintry Tuesday despite thousands of beds available. Sources have told Kitty Holland officials want to them to “demonstrate homelessness” in order to prove their need.Meanwhile Pat Leahy analyses Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan’s claim that immigration is increasing at the fastest rate in the EU, and Ireland can’t cope.The HSE tried to conceal the fact it was on the cusp of awarding a state contract to the company at the centre of a false Garda vetting scandal. Jack Power reveals a review of Good People homecare’s dealings with Túsla, resulted in an employee being prohibited from any further work with vulnerable children.Monday’s drug-related attack on a woman in Clondalkin in Dublin was akin to “cartel tactics,” a Garda source has told Conor Gallagher.And Ukrainians on the streets of Kyiv have told Eastern European correspondent Dan McLaughlin that Donald Trump’s “peace plan” with Russia is a “total betrayal.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Flying blind” and “budgeting like there’s no tomorrow” – the government’s management of the economy is being roundly criticised by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council.A group of Ranelagh residents have launched a legal challenge to the Metrolink project – with the potential to stall the long-awaited underground rail line.Consumer Affairs correspondent Conor Pope is urging caution in the Black Friday online shopping frenzy.The RDS has been renamed the Laya Arena in a new naming rights partnership, while a bill to rename Dublin Airport after this former Taoiseach has progressed in the Dáil.Presented by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Minister for Justice and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces must hand over the names and contact details of people who may have blocked, or simply ignored, complaints of abuse within army ranks. Ellen Coyne has the details.Nursing home owners want immigration rules relaxed so they can hire more workers from outside the EU, UK and European Economic Area. Martin Wall says they’re seeking changes to the so-called 50/50 rule.Tech workers in Ireland think the general public has an unrealistic idea of who they are and what they really do. Three of them have been speaking to Hugh Linehan in the first of our series, The Professionals, which looks at Ireland through the lens of different categories of worker.And winner of The Traitors Ireland, Vanessa Ogbonno, has been chatting to Tony Clayton-Lea for Me and My Money. She describes herself as a saver, but her most extravagant purchase ever was a bit of retail therapy to take the sting out of losing a football competition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The crisis-hit homeless charity, the Peter McVerry Trust, has revealed a former CEO signed off on spending for a peacock enclosure at one of its residential sites. Sarah Burns is reporting on the astounding revelation at the Public Accounts Committee yesterday.The Republic of Ireland men’s team will face Czechia in the first of potentially two qualifying play-offs next year. Is that a game we can realistically win? Gavin Cummiskey is speaking to In The News.The husband of an Irish citizen, detained by ICE agents in the US as part of Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, has given emotional testimony at a congressional committee about Donna Hughes-Brown’s treatment in custody. Keith Duggan has been speaking to Jim Brown about his bid to free the 59 year-old.And reader Shane McLoughlin has been in touch in a letter to the editor about how “low salaries, inconsistent public services and an impossible housing market were key reasons” why he emigrated to Australia. He doesn’t think the government’s attempt at persuading skilled construction workers to move home is connected to reality when nothing has meaningfully changed in the six years he’s been living in Melbourne.Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A suspected Russian spy ship, off the coast of Scotland, is believed to planning to enter Ireland’s wider waters. Conor Gallagher is writing about the Yantar today and why it’s provoking a strong diplomatic response in Westminster.Plans for the long-awaited Metrolink project could require up to 8,000 workers; many of whom may have to be housed in Ireland for the duration of construction. Martin Wall has been covering yesterday’s Oireachtas Committee meeting.The teaching of religion in schools in Northern Ireland will have to be made compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights after a landmark Supreme Court ruling.And Ed Power is reviewing the new track from hip-hop trio Kneecap; their first release since a British court dismissed a terrorism case against Mo Chara in September.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe’s surprise resignation yesterday prompts a cabinet reshuffle and questions over Ireland’s future fiscal strategy.Child and family agency, Túsla, has been criticised over its welfare and protection services in Dublin’s north inner city.Kathy Sheridan is taking umbridge with the Housing Minister James Browne over the issue of subdividing family homes into flats.And Neil Briscoe is answering a reader’s question regarding home battery storage. Are they worth the significant outlay? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris asked his Polish counterpart for help in resolving a child abduction case involving a young girl with dual Irish-Polish citizenship. Orla Ryan has the story.A leading psychologist diagnoses the causes behind Ireland's lengthy waiting lists for child mental health services.Winter arrives early this week in the form of an 'arctic air mass' - find out what to expect.The eruption of joy following Ireland's World Cup qualification win over Hungary continued into Monday - especially on Portland Row, home of hat-trick hero Troy Parrott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland’s dream of returning to the World Cup is still alive after the men’s national team beat Hungary in Budapest on Sunday afternoon. What next for the boys in green? Read our match report and Ken Early’s soccer column.   In this era of scarce and unaffordable housing, Ireland’s suburbs are undergoing a transformation, with old patterns reversing. Our new series looks how the suburban landscape is changing.   He’s been called Spain’s answer to Charlie Kirk. Guy Hedgecoe looks at the growing appeal of young far-right activitst Vito Quiles.   And with Miss Piggy is set for the Barbie treatment, film critic Donald Clarke recalls his fraught encounter with the hostile muppet.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government really understands this is its last chance to get housing right, writes political correspondent Ellen Coyne, who has been analysing the latest strategy to solve the housing crisis.“I’m nearly 70 and he would still slip me a fiver,” John Mackey’s niece Pat Schan tells Mark Paul. The family of the murdered Irish man in London has been speaking fondly of their uncle, following the conviction of his killer yesterday.Sinn Féin says it won’t tolerate far right elements in the party, after confirming it expelled a member who’s house was raided, and partner arrested, in a cross border investigation into the alleged plot to destroy Galway Mosque.Denis Staunton’s letter from Beijing outlines the peculiar reason his friends cancelled long-standing plans to have him over for dinner. Bad feng shui. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A teacher at Scoil Aoife near Citywest in Dublin tells Kitty Holland that pupils living in the International Protection centre are being harassed and intimidated.Conor McGregor’s attempt to overturn a civil jury’s finding that he was responsible for the rape of Dublin woman Nikita Hand, is to be examined by a panel of Supreme Court judges today. Mary Carolan explains the process.Donald Trump’s threat to sue the BBC should act as a warning bell for RTÉ and all public service institutions, writes Laura Slattery.Consumer affairs correspondent Conor Pope has been speaking to butchers and retailers about the threat posed by bird flu this Christmas. There’s good news and bad news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Early Edition is a new podcast from The Irish Times, bringing you four of our top stories in under ten minutes each morning from Monday to Friday.On today’s episode:There’s a plot twist in the row between DAA, which runs Dublin and Cork airports, and its CEO Kenny Jacobs over a €1m exit deal. Current affairs editor, Arthur Beesley breaks it down.There’s been a sharp increase in the number of Irish men seeking treatment for porn addiction. A leading psychiatrist speaks to health correspondent Shauna Bowers.From today, physical boarding passes are a thing of the past on Ryanair flights. Conor Pope says you must use your smartphone to avoid a €55 charge.And London correspondent Mark Paul contemplates accents, as his Dublin-born children begin to speak like their English friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Early Edition: President-elect Catherine Connolly will be inaugurated this afternoon. Follow our live blog on irishtimes.com. Caroline O'Doherty has the latest from the Cop 30 climate summit in Brazil. A well-known burger restaurant is going to court to argue that it is not 'fast food'. And meet the patients fighting for small but meaningful improvements to our health care system. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A morning news update from The Irish Times. Our top stories five days a week. Coming soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.