Why did mooted move against Martin end before it began? Not for the first time, recent days have seen Fianna Fáil engulfed in rumours of its own making that a heave against the party leader, now 15 years in his role, is imminent.

The latest potential heave against Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin ended before it even began this week.

But there are reasons why the mutiny is off, for now, and why that could change in the months to come.

My RTE News analysis:

www.rte.ie/news/analysi...

EU commissioners are likely to meet to discuss middle east crisis and the fuel impact on Europe on Monday.

But it's understood no specific statement on what EU member states could do to address the energy crisis will be made until at least Wed April 22.

No SNA cuts, €19m funding 'a sticking plaster' - Fórsa The announcement that there will be no reductions of special needs assistants for the next school year, along with an additional €19 million in funding, has been called "sticking plaster" by Fórsa.

RTE news : No SNA cuts, €19m funding 'a sticking plaster' - Fórsa

www.rte.ie/news/educati...

No reduction to SNAS for next school year - Govt An extra €19 million will be allocated to fund special needs assistants following a meeting of Government party leaders and several ministers last night.

RTE news : No reduction to SNAS for next school year - Govt

www.rte.ie/news/politic...

Mandelson arrested on suspicion of misconduct in office Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the Metropolitan Police said.

RTE news : Mandelson arrested on suspicion of misconduct in office

www.rte.ie/news/uk/2026...

Councils urged to zone more land for housing Minister for Housing James Browne has again urged local authorities to zone more land for housing.

RTE news : Councils urged to zone more land for housing

www.rte.ie/news/politic...

Ukraine nears four years of war, no breakthrough in sight Next Tuesday marks four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine by land, sea and air.

RTE news : Ukraine nears four years of war, no breakthrough in sight

www.rte.ie/news/world/2...

Impact of tariff fiasco will take time to become clear The full ramifications of what Donald Trump has announced in relation to tariffs may not become clear for some time, leaving exporters to the US facing more uncertainty, writes David Murphy.

RTE news : Impact of tariff fiasco will take time to become clear

www.rte.ie/news/analysi...

Govt won't 'over-dwell' on resolving SNA review - Martin Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the Government "will not over-dwell" on resolving the special needs assistant places controversy, despite declining to give an exact timeline for when schools and fam...

RTE news : Govt won't 'over-dwell' on resolving SNA review - Martin

www.rte.ie/news/2026/02...

Govt monitoring US tariff situation closely - Harris Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris said the Goverment is "monitoring the situation closely" following the US Supreme Court ruling on tariffs.

RTE news : Govt monitoring US tariff situation closely - Harris

www.rte.ie/news/busines...

Ireland’s time in EU hot seat has potential for plenty of awkward moments Government approach to tricky debates around defence, Big Tech and US relations will be closely watched during EU presidency

Ireland’s time in EU hot seat has potential for plenty of awkward moments

'No point' giving SNA review completion date - minister There is "no point" in announcing a target completion for a review of special needs assistant allocations, Minister of State for Special Education Michael Moynihan has said.

RTE news : 'No point' giving SNA review completion date - minister

www.rte.ie/news/2026/02...

Taoiseach to mark new Chair of Irish History at Cambridge Taoiseach Micheál Martin will travel to Cambridge University today to mark the establishment of a permanent chair of Irish history at the world-renowned institution.

RTE news : Taoiseach to mark new Chair of Irish History at Cambridge

www.rte.ie/news/ireland...

Want to know what happened in Irish politics this week and only have 20ish minutes to spare?

Then the latest RTE Your Politics podcast might be for you (includes tenuous basketball references...):

podcast.rasset.ie/podcasts/aud...

President Connolly's first 100 days in office Exactly 100 days ago, Catherine Connolly stood in the historic surrounds of St Patrick's Hall in Dublin Castle as she outlined her plans as Uachtaráin na hÉireann alongside former presidents, current ...

RTE news : President Connolly's first 100 days in office

www.rte.ie/news/ireland...

Three multinationals paying 46% of Corporation Tax - IFAC The State's fiscal watchdog has estimated that almost half of the Corporation Tax collected by the State is paid by three multinational companies.

RTE news : Three multinationals paying 46% of Corporation Tax - IFAC

www.rte.ie/news/busines...

Spend on Ukrainian accommodation almost halved since 2024 The amount of money being spent on safe accommodation for Ukrainian refugees in Ireland has almost halved since 2024, an Oireachtas committee will hear later today.

RTE news : Spend on Ukrainian accommodation almost halved since 2024

www.rte.ie/news/2026/02...

Podcast: 'It's a race' - cyber threats on the increase The cyber security situation is "already worse" than believed late last year, the director of the NCSC, Richard Browne has said.

The cyber security situation is "already worse" than believed late last year, the director of the National Cyber Security Centre, Richard Browne has said

Repairing damage caused by Storm Chandra could cost €50m The cost of repair works for public roads, buildings and overblown trees damaged by Storm Chandra is likely to be in the region of €50m.

RTE news : Repairing damage caused by Storm Chandra could cost €50m

www.rte.ie/news/2026/02...

Review of SNA allocations paused, says Minister The Minister for Education has announced a pause to the review of Special Needs Assistant allocations.

RTE news : Review of SNA allocations paused, says Minister

www.rte.ie/news/educati...

525 scoliosis surgeries cancelled by CHI in last 4 years New figures reveal that 525 scoliosis surgeries on children have been cancelled by Children's Health Ireland hospitals over the last four years.

RTE news : 525 scoliosis surgeries cancelled by CHI in last 4 years

www.rte.ie/news/2026/02...

Irish data watchdog opens probe into X over Grok images The Data Protection Commission has announced that it has opened an inquiry into X over the use of the AI tool Grok to generate sexualised images of adults and children.

RTE news : Irish data watchdog opens probe into X over Grok images

www.rte.ie/news/busines...

Taoiseach rejects calls for State Troubles apology Taoiseach Micheál Martin has rejected calls for an apology for the conduct of the State during the Troubles.

RTE news : Taoiseach rejects calls for State Troubles apology

www.rte.ie/news/2026/02...

MEP's ex-partner has jail sentence increased on appeal A man who previously received a four-month prison sentence for offences under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act against his former partner - now a Sinn Féin MEP - has had...

RTE news : MEP's ex-partner has jail sentence increased on appeal

www.rte.ie/news/courts/...

Charlie at 102: 'Troy Parrott brought it all back' Ahead of the release of a new documentary on his life and career, Charlie O'Leary spoke to RTÉ Sport about his gratitude for so many golden memories - and his hope that the Boys in Green are about to ...

RTE news : Charlie at 102: 'Troy Parrott brought it all back'

www.rte.ie/sport/soccer...

Olympic skier's Irish family excited ahead of debut event Often referred to as the lake county, Westmeath is certainly not associated with alpine skiing. In fact, its landscape is quite the opposite and considered flat and boggy. And while the county has pro...

RTE news : Olympic skier's Irish family excited ahead of debut event

www.rte.ie/news/ireland...

Finally a sport I understand! @winterolympics.bsky.social

The crime boss, the by-election and the dying wasps Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch has announced he will be running in the upcoming Dublin by-election. But who is the man behind the Hutch organised crime gang and how is he dealing with difficult questions fro...

RTE news : The crime boss, the by-election and the dying wasps

www.rte.ie/news/analysi...

McGrath favours 'EU-wide approach' for teen media safety EU Commissioner Michael McGrath has said he is in favour of examining a potential "common EU-wide approach" to when teenagers and young people can access social media, in response to growing concerns ...

RTE news : McGrath favours 'EU-wide approach' for teen media safety

www.rte.ie/news/europe/...

On today's programme:

* Barry Cowen

* Kathleen Funchion

* Aodhan O Riordain

* EU commissioner Michael McGrath

Watch now (11:20am on RTE One) or at midnight on Sunday.