June 2024 News
Politics
1. Ireland Holds Local and European Parliament Elections in June 2024
In June 2024, Ireland conducted local elections alongside the European Parliament elections.
The voter turnout for the European Parliament election was 49.84%, resulting in the election of 14 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). Fine Gael secured 4 seats with 20.79% of the total vote; Fianna Fáil also won 4 seats with 20.44% of the vote; and Sinn Féin obtained 2 seats with 11.14% of the vote.
The results of the local elections have also been fully revealed: the two major coalition government parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, triumphed over Sinn Féin. The voting results show that Prime Minister Simon Harris's Fine Gael and its governing partner Fianna Fáil each received 23% of the "first preference" votes, while Sinn Féin's vote share was only 12%. Independent candidates collectively received 21% of the votes.
Although Sinn Féin has maintained a leading position in most polls over the past three years, its support rate has recently declined. According to Reuters, this is because more and more voters view immigration as the most pressing issue, whereas Sinn Féin has focused on housing issues. Sinn Féin originally hoped to win the national election in March next year and then join the coalition government, but that would require around 30% of the vote. Analysts point out that the current situation is not optimistic for Sinn Féin.
Ireland and China
1. Celebrate the 45th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Ireland
On June 20, Ambassador He Xiangdong and his wife hosted a reception to celebrate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Ireland. Ambassador He and Speaker of the Irish House of Commons, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, delivered speeches, while Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, sent a congratulatory letter. Ambassador He reviewed the historical exchanges between China and Ireland and highlighted the significant achievements in friendly cooperation across various fields over the past 45 years. He emphasized that as long as both sides adhere to mutual trust and benefit, cooperation and mutual success, and seeking common ground while reserving differences, they will surely create a brighter future for China-Ireland relations. Speaker Seán Ó Fearghaíl stated that Ireland and China are important partners with a long-standing relationship deeply rooted among the people. He expressed admiration for China's development achievements and affirmed that Ireland will continue to promote the development of China-Ireland relations with a rational, pragmatic, and mutually respectful approach.
On June 20, the Chinese Embassy in Ireland, in cooperation with the Irish Examiner, jointly published a special issue to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Ireland. The front page of the special issue featured an article by Ambassador He Xiangdong titled Chinese Dragon and Celtic Tiger Share Strong Relationship on Irish Examiner. Ambassador He stated that over the past 45 years, political mutual trust between China and Ireland has continually strengthened, practical cooperation has deepened, and cultural exchanges have expanded, bringing tangible benefits to both countries and their peoples. China is willing to work hand in hand with Ireland to inject new momentum into the development of bilateral relations, create new opportunities, and uncover new highlights, contributing more stability and positive energy to the world.
2. Asia Matters Business Summit Cork Held on June 24, 2024
On June 24, 2024, the Asia Matters Business Summit Cork was held in Cork County, Ireland. Under the theme of "The China Ireland Tourism Summit," this significant event promoted the unique strengths of Chinese-Irish partnerships that Cork has developed with Chinese peers.
Ambassador He Xiangdong attended the China-Ireland Tourism Forum in Cork. Ambassador He emphasized that tourism serves as an important bridge for mutual understanding and communication among nations. He highlighted that China and Ireland, both with rich cultural heritage and abundant tourism resources, should further explore the potential for tourism cooperation. He also advocated for measures to facilitate more convenient exchanges between people, aiming to foster greater development in cultural, tourism, and other areas of cooperation between the two countries.
Society
1. Population Growth Reaches Record High with 3.5% Increase in 2023
According to the latest data released by the European Commission, Ireland experienced unprecedented population growth in 2023, with an annual increase of 3.5%, marking the largest increase on record. This significant growth not only indicates changes in Ireland's demographic structure but also reflects the challenges the country faces regarding immigration and housing issues.
Estimates from the Annual Macroeconomic Database of the European Commission’s Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs (AMECO) show that by the end of 2023, Ireland's total population had risen to 5,348,700, compared to 5,165,000 at the end of 2022, a net increase of 183,000 people in one year. This growth rate not only far exceeds the average levels of recent years but also breaks the previous record of a 2.95% population increase during the Celtic Tiger economic boom period (2006-2007), marking a new milestone in Ireland's population growth history.
Ireland's Central Statistics Office (CSO) has conducted an in-depth analysis of the reasons behind this population surge, attributing most of the growth to the influx of over 100,000 Ukrainian refugees since February 2022. Immigration has become one of the main driving forces behind Ireland's population growth.
2. Ireland Enacts Public Health (Tobacco) Amendment Act 2024
In June 2024, the Irish government officially enacted the Public Health (Tobacco) Amendment Act 2024, aimed at further curbing the national smoking rate by raising the age for tobacco sales. This forward-looking legislative initiative marks a significant step for Ireland in the field of public health, making it the first EU country to increase the minimum age for tobacco product sales to 21.
The new act raises the legal age for purchasing cigarettes and other tobacco products from 18 to 21. This change aims to reduce youth smoking rates by limiting teenagers' access to tobacco. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly stated after the enactment of the bill: "As a government, we have a responsibility to protect public health, especially the younger generation, from the harms of tobacco. Raising the tobacco sales age to 21 will not only effectively reduce youth smoking but also indirectly protect those under 18."
To ensure a smooth transition, the government will implement a transitional policy during which adults who are already 18 but not yet 21 will still be allowed to purchase tobacco products for a certain period.
3. Pilot Association Strike Further Disrupts Flight Operations
Recently, the strike action initiated by the Irish Air Line Pilots' Association (IALPA) has further severely impacted flight operations. According to Aer Lingus, over 270 flights were forced to cancel in the last week of June alone due to the strike, affecting multiple domestic and international routes, including the popular Dublin to New York route. Statistics show that at least 20,000 travelers have had their plans disrupted, needing to reschedule their journeys or seek alternative transportation.
The strike by the Pilot Association has been ongoing for 22 months, with multiple negotiations failing to reach a consensus. The Irish Labour Court has not intervened or arranged new negotiations, causing the dispute to escalate. This incident highlights the significant impact of labor disputes on the aviation industry and underscores the urgency of resolving such conflicts.
Culture
1. Celebrating Bloomsday
Every year on June 16th, thousands of literary enthusiasts gather to celebrate Bloomsday, commemorating James Joyce and his groundbreaking work, "Ulysses." This annual event is named after the novel's protagonist, Leopold Bloom. Participants dress in Edwardian costumes, recreate scenes from the book, and visit significant locations mentioned in the text. Highlights of Bloomsday Festival include: Stories and Songs of Dublin’s Writers: Wilde, Behan, O Casey, Joyce performed by comedian Gary Cooke in Pipers Corner, “nature tour in Sandymount” inspired by the “marriage of trees” from the Cyclops episode of Ulysses, and walking tour following the exact route of Father John Conmee S.J. in the “Wandering Rocks” episode.
On June 22, the Embassy of Ireland in China held an open day event. This was the first time the Embassy had opened its doors to the Chinese public, aiming to raise awareness about Ireland. The open day was themed around "Poetry," in response to the celebration of Bloomsday.
2. Colm Tóibín Wins 14th Würth Prize for European Literature
On June 4, at the Carmen Würth Forum in Künzelsau, Germany, the 14th Würth Prize for European Literature was awarded to Irish writer Colm Tóibín. The prize honors his "artistic portrayal of characters in novels and short stories, and his clear explication of literature in essays and lectures." The jury, composed of 2022 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate Annie Ernaux and several German scholars, emphasized that Tóibín brings the introspective art of the 19th century, mastered by Jane Austen, George Eliot, and Henry James, into the 21st century, exploring themes of technology, the modernization of civilization, and complex gender relations.
The Würth Prize for European Literature was established in 1998 by the foundation of the German industrial giant Würth Group and is awarded biennially to a European writer in recognition of their "literary contribution to the cultural diversity of Europe." Currently a professor at Columbia University's School of the Arts, Colm Tóibín has solidified his position as a leading contemporary Irish writer with novels such as Brooklyn, Nora Webster, and The Magician. In addition to his novels, he is an accomplished playwright and has been nominated for the Man Booker Prize three times.
Gaeilge
1. Údarás na Gaeltachta Has Its New Chair
Siobhán Ní Ghadhra has been appointed as the chairperson of Údarás na Gaeltachta, with a term until the end of the year. Siobhán Ní Ghadhra is a television producer who has received awards including 2 Emmy Awards in various fields as television and animation. Currently, Siobhán Ní Ghadhra is also a member of TG4's board.
