July 2024 News
Politics
Roderic O'Gorman Elected as New Green Party Leader with 51.8% of the Vote
Roderic O'Gorman, a senior member of Ireland's Green Party, has been successfully elected as the party's new leader, securing 51.8% of the vote. His election reflects strong leadership and broad support within the party. This appointment marks a significant moment, ensuring O'Gorman will continue to play a key role in the current coalition government.
Following his election, O'Gorman swiftly met with Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin to discuss future cooperation within the government. The Green Party, founded in 1981 with a core focus on environmental issues, has taken on an increasingly prominent role in Irish politics in recent years. The party advocates for environmental protection, climate change action, the preservation of the Irish language, universal healthcare, and public ownership of water resources.
O'Gorman, who previously served as Green Party chair from 2011 to 2019, brings a deep understanding of the party’s policies and a clear vision for its future direction. His leadership is expected to guide the party through critical issues and ensure continued influence on national policy.
Economics
Greenlink electricity interconnector helps transform the Ireland-UK energy connection
The planned sale of the Greenlink electricity interconnector between Wexford and Wales, referred to as "Project Guinness," is anticipated to generate annual revenues between €90 million and €100 million once it becomes operational this year.
Investment bank UBS has sent initial offers to potential buyers for the 190km-long interconnector, which could be valued at up to €1 billion. The interconnector is owned by Partners Group, a Swiss private equity firm managing around $150 billion (€140 billion) in assets.
As an EU Project of Common Interest, Greenlink is recognized as one of Europe’s crucial energy infrastructure projects. It is the first privately financed electricity interconnector in Europe, supported by eight banks, including AIB, and partially funded by the European Union Connecting Europe Facility. Greenlink is set to be commissioned as early as September.
Ireland and China
1. Ambassador He Xiangdong Attends the Launch Ceremony of University College Dublin's 2024 International Cooperation and Exchange Program
On July 29, Ambassador He Xiangdong attended the launch ceremony of University College Dublin's international cooperation and exchange program. Ambassador He noted that this year marks the sixth anniversary of UCD's China-Ireland cooperative education and exchange program. He encouraged students to seize this valuable opportunity to advance their professional studies, deepen their understanding of Irish society and culture, and strive to become a bridge of friendship between the two countries and their youth.
2. China and Ireland Collaborate to Deepen Agricultural Cooperation
On July 25, the first "Expert Dialogue" of the 2024 World Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Conference was held at the International Conference Center of China Agricultural University. Sun Qixin, President of China Agricultural University, and Ann Derwin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of Ireland in China, attended the event and engaged in an in-depth discussion on this year's conference theme: "Climate Change and Agri-Food System Transformation." The dialogue was moderated by Fan Shenggen, Distinguished Professor at the university and Director of the Institute of Global Food Economics and Policy.
The "Expert Dialogue" took place in person, with Sun Qixin and Ann Derwin discussing topics such as the scientific research achievements of China Agricultural University in transforming the agri-food system, Ireland's climate actions, and experiences in sustainable agricultural development. They also explored the integration of industry, academia, and research; the role of young students in international exchanges; the participation of non-governmental organizations in reducing food waste; and China Agricultural University's efforts in promoting rural revitalization. Both sides reached several consensuses on sustainable agricultural development.
Society
Ireland Continues to Tighten Immigration Policies
On July 2, 2024, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee updated her Cabinet colleagues on new additions to the Safe Countries of Origin list: Brazil, Egypt, India, Malawi, and Morocco. With the inclusion of these five countries, the total number of safe countries will increase to 15.
Being designated as a Safe Country of Origin means that these countries are recognized to not have systemic persecution or armed violence. While citizens from these countries can still seek international protection in Ireland, they must provide grounds to demonstrate their need for protection.This classification underscores the Irish government's commitment to upholding international refugee protection responsibilities while also focusing on improving the efficiency of asylum application processing.Since the inclusion of Algeria and Botswana on the "Safe Countries of Origin" list, the number of asylum applications from these countries has dropped by 71%, setting a precedent for Ireland’s immigration management system.
Minister McEntee praised the initiative, stating, "Our goal is to ensure that those who genuinely need international protection receive assistance swiftly, while applications that do not meet the criteria are handled efficiently and orderly. This adjustment is an important step toward achieving that goal, reinforcing both the fairness and effectiveness of Ireland’s immigration system."
Culture
1. Northern Ireland's Moravian Church Listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Moravian Church, located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, has officially been granted UNESCO World Heritage status this month, placing it alongside globally renowned landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon National Park, Machu Picchu in Peru, and Northern Ireland's own Giant's Causeway.
Built in 1759, the church is celebrated for its distinctive Moravian architectural style. It sits in the village of Gracehill, which features a green-centered layout that has preserved the original design of the Moravian settlement. This site offers a valuable window into the study of early colonial settlements and the spread of cultural traditions.
As Northern Ireland's second World Heritage site—following the inclusion of the Giant's Causeway in 1986—the successful inscription of the Moravian Church is the result of years of dedicated effort and collaboration. From the meticulous restoration of the heritage buildings to providing expert advice, financial support, and driving the nomination process forward, each step reflects Northern Ireland's strong commitment to preserving its cultural heritage and taking concrete action to protect it.
2. Galway International Arts Festival held Successfully
The Galway International Arts Festival (GIAF) 2024, held from July 15 to 28, saw record attendance, with over 400,000 visitors. Free events attracted thousands, including 13,379 attendees at Patricia Piccinini's visual arts exhibit in a single day.
GIAF's co-productions, Reunion and Unspeakable Conversations, received five-star reviews. Additionally, the festival introduced new accessibility measures, such as ISL-interpreted performances, closed captioning, a touch tour, and sensory backpacks, all of which were well-received.
GIAF is one of Ireland's largest and most influential arts festivals, held annually in the summer in Galway City. Since its founding in 1978, GIAF has become a gathering place for artists and audiences from around the world, showcasing a wide range of art forms, including theatre, music, visual arts, dance, literature, street performances, and talks.
3. West Cork Literary Festival was successfully held
The West Cork Literary Festival took place in and around the town of Bantry from July 12 to 19, 2024, featuring a diverse program that included masterclasses, readings, workshops, author interviews, book launches, and a wide range of other events.
This year's festival welcomed notable visitors such as Anne Enright, Colm Tóibín, Adania Shibli, David Nicholls, Dolly Alderton, and Paul Lynch.
The West Cork Literary Festival is one of Ireland's most renowned literary festivals, typically held each summer in West Cork, with its main events centered in Bantry. The festival attracts writers, poets, playwrights, novelists, and non-fiction authors from Ireland and around the world. It is dedicated to celebrating the literary arts and fostering interaction between the public and writers.
Gaeilge
1. RTÉ Announces New Pay Structure for Irish-Language Broadcasters
On July 12, Ireland's national broadcaster, RTÉ, officially unveiled a new pay structure for employees in its Irish-language broadcasting department. This marks the end of a long-standing pay inequality, where Irish-language program editors were typically paid less than their counterparts in English-language broadcasting.
Previously, Irish-language radio editors earned between €50,000 and €67,000 annually, while salaries for English-language radio producers ranged more widely, from €53,000 to €83,000. This disparity had sparked widespread public debate about linguistic equality and professional fairness.
Under the new pay structure, Irish-language program editors will receive the same salaries as other RTÉ radio producers. This change not only recognizes the hard work of Irish-language broadcasters but also reinforces RTÉ's commitment to linguistic diversity and cultural equality.
Notably, the new pay structure will apply to all future hires in the Irish-language broadcasting department and has already taken effect for all current employees. However, RTÉ has made it clear that there will be no retroactive compensation for the previous pay differences.
2. Éamon O’ Cuív announces he will not stand in the next general election
Éamon O’ Cuív, the highly respected former Minister for the Irish Language, has officially announced that he will not participate in the upcoming Dáil election. His decision has garnered widespread attention within both political and cultural spheres in Ireland.
O’ Cuív is renowned for his exceptional contributions to the Irish language, making him one of the most active politicians in the promotion and protection of the language since the founding of the state. Under his leadership, the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language was successfully developed, the Official Languages Act was introduced, and the Office of the Language Commissioner was established—providing crucial legal and organizational support for the Irish language’s official status and use. During his time as Minister, O’ Cuív also made substantial investments in infrastructure within Gaeltacht regions, significantly improving the living and learning conditions of Irish-speaking communities. His efforts laid a solid foundation for the preservation and growth of the language.
O’ Cuív stated that his decision not to run for re-election was made after careful consideration. However, he emphasized that he will continue to fulfill his responsibilities diligently until the end of his current term, remaining committed to advancing the cause of the Irish language.
