Making history in November, a majority of Northern Ireland’s Assembly members voted in favor of same-sex marriage for the first time. Fifty-three ministers supported the motion, while 52 voted against. But the motion was immediately blocked by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) who submitted a “petition of concern” requiring that the proposal achieve a cross-community majority … [Read more...] about Same Sex Marriage Wins Historic N.I. Vote
Politics
Changes to J-1 Visa Requirements
The two sponsoring bodies that administer the vast majority of Irish participants in the J-1 Summer visa program have announced a plan to introduce a new requirement for applicants to secure a job prior to arriving in the U.S. beginning in the 2016 application cycle. The change affects applicants from countries in the Visa Waiver Program, which includes Ireland, as well as … [Read more...] about Changes to J-1 Visa Requirements
Turmoil in Northern Ireland
As we go to press, the Northern Irish peace process faces one of its greatest challenges. First Minister Peter Robinson, the Democratic Unionist Party leader resigned his position in September, along with several other DUP ministers, following the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) claim that individual members of the Provisional IRA (PIRA) were involved in the killing … [Read more...] about Turmoil in Northern Ireland
Global Irish Parliamentarians
Gather in Dublin
In September, 44 political representatives with Irish connections from the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and France convened in Dublin for the first-ever Global Irish Parliamentarians’ Forum, hosted by Minister for the Diaspora Jimmy Deenihan. The forum was established to foster Ireland’s relationship with its diaspora and included briefings on Ireland’s economic development … [Read more...] about Global Irish Parliamentarians
Gather in Dublin
Kenny and Higgins Make
State Visits to U.S.
Two Irish leaders graced America’s eastern shores this fall – Taoiseach Enda Kenny and President Michael D. Higgins both visited the United States in late September of the year, the latter making his sixth official state visit of 2015.
Kenny received an honorary degree from Connecticut’s Quinnipiac University, home of Ireland’s Great Hunger Institute.
“Quinnipiac is proud to … [Read more...] about Kenny and Higgins Make
State Visits to U.S.