We have cast our eye over the Programme for Government (PFG) and assessed it from the point of view of the issues relevant to The Iona Institute, that is, family policy, the future of Church-run schools, RSE, gender ideology among other things. The good news is that no new referendums are planned, or new Citizens’...
A new survey from the Dublin Chamber of Commerce (DCC) finds that a lack of affordable childcare affects employers’ ability to attract new employees. Aebhric Mc Gibney of DCC was interviewed today on Morning Ireland about the survey, and as usual no consideration was given to all the parents of young children, especially mothers, who...
What is the current state of religious freedom in the world? The latest report from the prestigious Pew Research Centre finds, not good. The report, issued last month, covers 2022, and finds that curbs on religious practices and beliefs remained at high levels worldwide. The study, which assesses government-imposed restrictions and societal hostilities towards religion...
The number of euthanasia cases continues to rise in Canada, according to the latest official report on the topic, raising further alarm, particularly among disability rights groups. Even some early supporters of ‘Medical Assistance in Dying’ (MAID) are now voicing concerns. Last year, 15,343 Canadians died by euthanasia or assisted suicide, according to the ‘Fifth...
New figures from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, confirm the growing demographic crisis facing Europe. Last year, deaths across the EU outnumbered births by almost 1.2m, and this is only going to get worse. Births have not outnumbered deaths since 2012. This is a consequence of fertility rates being well below replacement...
Divorce will affect children for the rest of their lives, well into adulthood, but people don’t want to hear this because it makes them feel bad about their decisions, says Spectator columnist, writer and broadcaster, Bridget Phetasy. A piece she wrote a few months ago called “How divorce never ends”, is based on her personal...
The assisted suicide bill regrettably passed its second reading in the UK House of Commons last week, with 330 MPs voting in favour and 275 against. Among Labour MPs, 58pc supported the bill, as did 60pc of Reform Party representatives, while only 19pc of Conservative MPs backed it. On the plus side, more Labour MPs...
On Friday, the UK House of Commons will vote on a bill by a Labour MP to introduce assisted suicide in England and Wales. Some interesting opposition to it has emerged. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said a whip would not apply and Labour party members could “vote their conscience”, but some important members of...
Persecution of Christians around the world has increased further over the past two years from already high levels, according to a new report from Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), published this week in Ireland for the annual ‘Week of Witness’. The problem has worsened not only in individual countries but across continents and...
A major new study shows that unmarried individuals are much more likely to experience depression than those who are married. The study looks at seven different countries, including Ireland. Unmarried people include those who are single, divorced, separated, or widowed. Specifically, the analysis found being unmarried is associated with an overall 86pc higher risk of...
