The Taoiseach has said it is vital to work toward phasing out the use of vapes over time.
His remarks follow plans to bring a proposal to Cabinet today to prohibit the sale of single-use vapes, reports RTE
Micheál Martin noted that the move also involves curbing advertising and other actions that will be part of the new legislation.
He added that when the smoking ban was implemented in 2004, vapes were not yet on the market.
“I often describe vapes as the revenge of the tobacco industry,”, reports RTE
He criticised efforts to target young people so they become addicted to nicotine and effectively become “a captive market.”
It is understood that Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill will aim for the prohibition to take effect six months after the Act commences, reports RTE
She is also expected to seek Cabinet approval for additional controls on other nicotine products, such as tobacco pouches, to be incorporated into the legislation.
The proposed legislation is titled the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill.
A prohibition on selling or supplying single-use vapes was introduced in Northern Ireland in June.
This made it a criminal offence to distribute such products, carrying a potential penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine, reports RTE
Businesses there were granted a six-month period to adjust by selling remaining stock.
A fresh €56m funding package for cross-border projects is expected to be presented to Cabinet by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris.
The funding, under the Shared Island Initiative, is expected to support improvements in transport, cultural activities, emergency services, research, biodiversity, and public amenities, reports RTE
Coimisiún na Meán will receive €14m to enhance ongoing cross-border reporting, including further support for a sound and vision programme.
There will also be funding for a new Public Service Obligation air route between Dublin and Derry, planned to begin operations in 2026.
It is anticipated that this route will greatly improve links between the northwest and Dublin, helping to stimulate economic growth, reports RTE
Almost €6m will go to emergency services to boost cooperation and capacity, including joint training for fire services across Ireland.
Funds will also support the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, which promotes initiatives to help pollinators such as native bees flourish.
Separately, details of Government investment in sports clubs nationwide are expected to be shared with Cabinet this morning by Minister for Sport Patrick O’Donovan, reports RTE
The Community Sports Facilities Funding, formerly Sports Capital, will open for applications within the next six months.
Once the scheme opens, clubs can apply for grants, with allocations expected to begin by late next year.
In 2024, the scheme provided €230m for community sports, €23m for equipment, and €173m for general funding, reports RTE
The allocation for this year is expected to be even higher.
Meanwhile, another professional American football game may be staged in Dublin next autumn, following indications that the recent Steelers versus Vikings game at Croke Park was the second highest-grossing overseas NFL match ever.
Minister O’Donovan is expected to inform Cabinet that talks are already underway about hosting another game in 2026, with several teams being considered, reports RTE
Initial financial analysis shows that this year’s match generated several million euro more than initial projections.
At the end of September, in the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Dublin, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Minnesota Vikings 24-21.
A full Croke Park crowd of 74,512 saw Kenneth Gainwell rush for 99 yards and two touchdowns, while Aaron Rodgers added another score, reports RTE
The latest national plan to advance the rights of women and girls was unveiled in Dublin today.
It sets out the Government’s five-year strategy to promote gender equality through steps such as improving access to education, leadership roles and economic inclusion.
The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, said that despite substantial progress for women, more work is required to reach full equality between men and women, reports RTE
The plan follows public consultation on areas considered important, with research and public input used to capture broad experiences, identify key concerns, and outline how best to address current challenges, reports RTE.
The new strategy seeks to expand on previous initiatives in areas including leadership, socio-economic issues, visibility, engagement, healthcare and achieving gender equality.
It was launched this afternoon by Minister Foley, reports RTE
At the event, Minister Foley also unveiled the Government’s Gender Pay Gap Portal, which will allow employers with more than 50 staff to publish their gender pay gap on a central public site.
Among those attending were Joanne O’Riordan, disability rights activist, and Carlien Scheele, Director of the European Institute for Gender Equality. Sisters Ciara, Saoirse and Laoise Murphy, winners of the 2025 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, were also present, reports RTE
Women at the launch spoke about the value of coming together to highlight challenges, ensure inclusivity, and push for equal opportunities.
Meanwhile, Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless is due to brief Cabinet on his Apprenticeship Expansion Programme 2024, reports RTE
Almost €13m has already been allocated to support new apprenticeships in a range of trades.
A new action plan is currently being prepared for the period 2026–2030, reports RTE.
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