Ireland and China
1. Li Qiang arrives in Dublin for official visit to Ireland
In response to an invitation from Irish Prime Minister Varadkar, Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived at Dublin International Airport by charter plane on the evening of January 16th local time to begin his official visit to Ireland. During the visit, Li Qiang stated that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Ireland. Over the past 45 years, China and Ireland have always adhered to the principles of mutual respect and equality, successfully achieving friendly coexistence and win-win cooperation between countries with different historical cultures and political systems. Especially in recent years, under the strategic guidance and joint efforts of the leaders of both countries, China-Ireland relations have maintained a healthy and stable development, yielding fruitful results in various fields. The development concepts of China and Ireland are similar, their interests coincide, and there is broad prospects and great potential for bilateral relations and cooperation. China is willing to work together with Ireland to effectively implement the important consensus reached by the two countries' leaders, promote continuous new achievements in the mutually beneficial strategic partnership between China and Ireland, and bring ongoing benefits to both countries and peoples.
One of the topics discussed during this visit by both China and Ireland is the "resumption of Irish beef exports to China." This topic could help China-Ireland economic and trade relations to maintain a basic balance and a trend of significant growth in "small amounts but large increases." During this visit, China unilaterally announced visa-free entry for Irish citizens, which is of great significance to Ireland. As the seventh European country to receive unilateral visa-free treatment from China soon, Ireland will play a role in improving EU-China relations.
2. Ireland will serve as the guest of honor at the Fourth China International Consumer Products Fair
Officials from the Hainan International Economic Development Bureau engaged in discussions with representatives from the Embassy of Ireland in China, in Haikou, about the upcoming activities for the guest nation at the 4th China International Consumer Products Expo. Ireland is set to be the guest nation at this 4th Expo. Currently, the Embassy of Ireland in China is actively organizing and preparing the Irish national pavilion. This pavilion will be designed to showcase Ireland's key industries, focusing on sectors such as spirits, agricultural products, shopping districts, tourism promotion, as well as life and health, and will accordingly plan various related events.
The year 2024 will mark Ireland's fourth participation in the China International Consumer Products Expo. During this prestigious event, a number of premium Irish enterprises and brands will display their products. Many Irish companies have expressed their positive outlook, viewing the Expo as an excellent platform to introduce their high-quality consumer goods to the Chinese market and are hopeful that this significant platform will help usher more top-quality products into the Chinese market.
3. Riverdance returns to China
Riverdance, celebrated as a pivotal theatrical show, has made its return to the stage in Beijing. The team celebrates its 25th Anniversary with delicacy, adjustments and creation. The show graced the Beizhan Theatre with eight performances from January 16th to 21st, concluding an extensive two-month tour that spanned 23 cities across China. It has been 21 years since the show first appeared at the Great Hall of the People in China in 2003, and 15 years since it appeared at the CCTV Spring Festival Gala in 2009.
Riverdance is a representative tap dance work and a treasure of Irish art. Over the past 25 years, this dance drama has maintained a long-lasting and vigorous vitality. The drama not only shows beautiful body language, but also embodies the spiritual connotation of the Irish nation - they are romantic by nature, bold and free-spirited, and love singing and dancing, and their unique history of national struggle adds a touch of depth to their romanticism.
Politics
1. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar attending World Economic Forum in Davos
On January 18, the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, in which discussions focused on the war in Ukraine, the cost of living, the global economy and international trade, as well as dealing with the climate crisis. On the evening of the 17th, Varadkar arrived and attended a dinner hosted by the IDA Ireland, where he held talks with the CEOs of several multinational companies, including Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Amazon, and Open AI ,among others. He emphasized that Ireland had enduring economic potential and stability, and had always actively promoted European cooperation.
In addition, Varadkar held political talks with the Leader of the British Labour Party, the Belarusian Opposition Leader, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, the President of the European Parliament and the President of Moldova.
2. Michael O'Flaherty elected Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner
On January 24th, 2024, Michael O'Flaherty, an Irish human rights lawyer, was elected Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe. In an interview with RTÉ, he stated that he was "very relieved" and "extremely honored" to become a Commissioner for Human Rights. In addition. He referred to his own experience in Northern Ireland and his willingness to actively use his experience to contribute to conflict resolution.
The Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, congratulated Mr. O'Flaherty and commended him for his human rights expertise and leadership, as well as his charisma and personal qualities.
Mr. O'Flaherty has served as Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, Professor of Human Rights Law and Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the National University of Ireland, Galway and Director of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.
3. DUP agreed to restore power-sharing in North Ireland
In the early hours of January 30th, 2024, Jeffrey Donaldson, the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party of Ireland (DUP), said that the DUP had voted to end its boycott of the power-sharing government at Stormont and agreed to restore the mechanisms in Northern Ireland. Donaldson made a statement that their aim was to create the conditions in which devolution can be restored on a sustainable basis and can make a real and meaningful difference for all people in Northern Ireland. This means that Stormont Executive will be back and running in a matter of days after almost two years of suspension.
The DUP withdrew from devolution after Brexit with the Northern Ireland Protocol and the subsequent Windsor Framework, claiming that the agreements weakened Northern Ireland's position within the United Kingdom.
DUP was not satisfied with the Northern Ireland Protocol and subsequent Windsor Framework, and has boycotted the coalition with Sinn Féin since 2022, resulting in a long period of dysfunction of local executives in Northern Ireland and a lack of local government. The recent agreement between DUP and central government of Northern Ireland means an end to the boycott of joining local government in Northern Ireland.
Economics
1. Irish house prices bucking EU trend as they keep going up
Rising house prices in Ireland are bucking the EU trend, according to a new study by Eurostat. Prices in the 20-member eurozone fell 2.1pc in the three months to September last year, compared to the same period the previous year. Prices were down 1pc in the 27-member EU, year on year.
In contrast, Irish property prices experienced a 1.4% year-on-year increase in the third quarter and a 1.5% rise compared to the second quarter (April to June period). While prices in Ireland had slightly declined earlier in 2023, it seems that this trend has come to an end. Analysts anticipate a price upturn in the coming year, especially in regions outside Dublin, driven by population growth and the potential for interest rate reductions.
Ian Lawlor, the Managing Director of Lotus Investment Group, stated that all indications suggest that property prices in Ireland are likely to stabilize and show significant growth this year. Many real estate agents predict a continued rise in property prices, especially outside Dublin.
2. Ireland begins new controls on UK exports
New regulatory measures for imports entering the UK from the Republic of Ireland have come into force. The measures mandate that companies complete customs declarations in advance of shipping products across the Irish Sea. Exports of agricultural food products are also required to notify UK authorities beforehand and, in certain cases, be accompanied by an export health certificate. Goods that fail to properly complete the necessary documentation and submit it at least 24 hours in advance will not be permitted to board ferries from Ireland to the UK.
These control measures, intended for implementation several times in recent years, have been repeatedly delayed due to a lack of readiness by British regulatory authorities. Since the announcement of the enforcement plan in August last year, Irish and UK government agencies have been actively engaging to expedite the readiness of Irish exporters, logistics providers, ferry operators, and other businesses.
It is important to note that these requirements do not apply to goods transported from Ireland to Northern Ireland.
Society
1. Storm Isha and Jocelyn sweep across Ireland
On January 22, 2024, the state-owned Irish electricity company ESB announced that over 235,000 households, farms, and businesses were left without power nationwide following the passage of storm Isha. It was said that it would take several days for power to be fully restored in some areas. The following day, the Irish Meteorological Service issued an orange weather warning, predicting that storm Jocelyn would bring strong southwest and west winds, accompanied by intense and destructive gusts, to Ireland. As the storm approached, power outages, fallen trees, and damaged power lines were reported across the country, further disrupting the current transportation. Dublin Airport experienced multiple flight delays or cancellations, with a few flights diverted to other airports.
Culture
1. Paul Lynch has won the 2023 Booker prize
Irish author Paul Lynch has won the 2023 Booker prize for his fifth novel Prophet Song, set in an imagined Ireland that is descending into tyranny. It was described as a “soul-shattering and true” novel that “captures the social and political anxieties of our current moment” by the judging chair, Esi Edugyan.
Lynch was born in 1977 in Limerick, grew up in County Donegal and now lives in Dublin.
2. Irish Writer Paul Murray won 2023 Nero Book Awards with The Bee Sting
On January 30, 2024, the website of Nero Book Awards announced its 2023 category winners. Irish writer Paul Murray topped the fiction category for his novel The Bee Sting. This book tells the story of a middle-class Irish family facing financial crisis in the post 2008 Irish bank crisis period, with inspiration in part from Brexit and the pandemic.
The Bee Sting was Shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2023, and also is the Winner of The An Irish Post Book of the Year 2023
Gaeilge
1. Daily Irish speakers are in a minority in almost 90% of Gaeltacht areas
The latest census data (2022) was analyzed by the Irish news website Tuarisc.ie, defining “daily Irish speaker” as "people aged three and above who use Irish every day outside the education system", which is the most accurate measure of the public use of Irish. The data show that 20% of the population in the Gaeltacht, or 20,261 people, use Irish every day outside the education system, and daily Irish speakers are in the majority in only 20 of Ireland's 150-plus Irish-speaking constituencies. Between 2016 and 2022, the proportion of daily Irish speakers decreased by about 50% in 82 constituencies compared with 2016, while it increased in 32 constituencies and remained roughly the same in 39 constituencies.
There were 3 constituencies in Southwest Connemara with daily Irish speakers taking up more than 2/3 of the population, which was the highest proportion of daily Irish speakers in the 2016 census. But this time, the frequency of Irish use there decreased, and there is no constituency in the country with more than two-thirds of daily Irish speakers.
2. Belfast Irish-language rappers Kneecap secure Audience Award at Sundance Film Festival
Kneecap, a trio of Belfast Irish rappers, has won an Audience Award at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in Utah, USA for their autobiographical film, which takes on a fictional version of their life in post-troubles Belfast.
"We are delighted to have such an award bestowed upon the first Irish language film at Sundance." Kneecap members said. "Hopefully it will give people in Ireland the confidence to pursue the arts through their native tongue."
