There was a time when the Dáil’s Easter break would mean politics taking something of a holiday.
But given the news treadmill hasn’t let up since about June 2016, of course that’s no longer the case.
Here are five things to watch this week.
Former US President Donald Trump does little dance at a political rally, 05-11-2022. Image: Archie Carpenter/UPIONE
In Norway, there’s a weird Easter tradition where they get really into criminal fiction over Easter.
The crime thriller while waiting for the Easter Bunny is like watching Die Hard while waiting for Santa Clause if you’re a Norwegian.
Why? I haven’t a clue - but this year they might be getting some true crime on the international stage.
On Tuesday former US President Donald Trump will turn himself into Manhattan police after being indicted by a grand jury on charges relating to hush money paid to a porn star.
Now imagine you’d read that sentence even 10 years ago; how insane it would seem.
Trump’s lawyer has said he won’t appear in court in handcuffs – but he will do the perp photoshoot.
He reportedly told advisors he wanted to be photographed in handcuffs, something any other politician would avoid like the plague.
But of course, it’s something he could sell to his base as the corrupt ‘big state’ coming to get their political hero for wanting to drive change.
Separation of court and state has always been part of successful democracies. The US is blurring those lines at a dangerous time.
Fr Peter McVerry speaking to protesters facing eviction from Tierney House protesting outside Dublin County Council offices on Wood Quay. Photo: Sam Boal/RollingNewsTWO
Leo Varadkar fights a priest?
Speaking on South East Radio, campaigner Fr Peter McVerry claimed Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien didn’t want to lift the eviction ban.
He claimed Taoiseach Leo Varadkar overruled the Minister, demanding the ban be lifted this past weekend.
A spokesperson for the Taoiseach told me the claim is “100% incorrect and without any foundation.”
It’s worth watching the fallout from this as, up to hours before the decision was made, some Government sources were briefing the press the ban would be extended, raising questions about whether it was, in fact, a last-minute intercession from the Taoiseach which swung the decision.
Bertie Ahern As I Remember ItTHREE
Get ready to be swamped by the coverage of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
The deal was signed on the 10th of April 1998 meaning there will be events on Good Friday itself and through to next Monday followed by the visit of US President Joe Biden to Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Though, as we reported last Friday, that trip does have something of a question mark over it due to the ailing health of former US President Jimmy Carter.
A man installing a rooftop solar panel array. Image: Radharc Images / AlamyFOUR
While the Dáil’s away the Cabinet will play.
Ministers will have their weekly meeting on Wednesday this week with an historic deal on corporation tax on the agenda.
Finance Minister Michael McGrath will brief on plans for companies with a turnover of more than €750m to pay 15% corporation tax.
Signing up to the global deal will also see some tax which has been processed in Ireland go to other countries meaning a loss of billions to the exchequer.
Plans to scrap VAT on solar panels also go to Cabinet, a move which could reduce the cost of installation by €1,000.
Finland Prime Minister Sanna Marin speaks at a press conference after the European Council, 14-12-2019. Image: AlamyFIVE
Finally, the EU’s coolest Prime Minister looks to be on the way out.
Finland’s Sanna Marin and her Social Democrats picked up extra seats but saw coalition partners lose out meaning the impetus is on the centre-right National Coalition Party to form a new Government.
Marin was the world’s youngest Prime Minister when she took office in 2019 at the age of 34 and led a majority female Cabinet.
One of the biggest criticisms of the millennial role model was she partied too much – no, seriously.
Though, ultimately, it was largely concerns about spending and public debt which undid her government.
She brought Finland from neutral to NATO after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and, according to some of my sources in the Irish Government, was great craic to have a pint with.
