Sign in

Ellen Coyne

@ellenmcoyne.bsky.social
1.7K followers 403 following 727 posts

Political correspondent at The Irish Times 📰 Part of the Inside Politics podcast 🎙️ author ✍🏻 Dirty Dancing

PostsRepliesMedia
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Abbey Theatre redevelopment mired in red tape while projected cost nears €500m www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
irishtimes.com
Abbey Theatre redevelopment mired in red tape while projected cost nears €500m
Scheme back and forth with Department of Culture and still requires approval of Department of Public Expenditure
112
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Earlier this week, we revealed one example of a large childcare franchise overcharging parents - these crèches are only caught if and when parents notice and complain. Now, that's changing: first review of childcare fees to target creches overcharging parents www.irishtimes.com/ireland/soci...
000
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
About 150 women have been turned away for private care by consultants at the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) over the last six weeks, as private maternity services begin to end in Irish hospitals. www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
irishtimes.com
About 150 women turned away for private care by National Maternity Hospital consultants
End of private maternity care in publicly funded hospitals ‘will be a real problem’, says former NMH master
000
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Following our report on Saturday, Charlie's Childcare has now backed down and said it will not be pulling out of core funding - as it had threatened to multiple times when it was being probed for overcharging parents.
083
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Niche pop cultural figure, Taylor Swift
011
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Parents have been overcharged thousands of euro a year by childcare providers that have hiked fees despite promising to freeze them in exchange for hundreds of millions of euro in public funding www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
irishtimes.com
Dublin creche raising fees after being ordered to refund more than €100,000 to parents
Charlie’s Childcare had signed up to State funding scheme, agreeing to keep fees at 2021 levels in return
162
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Seventeen consultants on public-only contracts at the Rotunda were given written permission by the master of the Dublin hospital to carry out private care, against the wishes of the Minister of Health. www.irishtimes.com/health/2026/...
irishtimes.com
Rotunda allowed 17 consultants on public-only contracts to give private care
Seventeen consultants on public-only contracts received written permission by Dublin hospital’s master to carry out private care
121
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Minister to seek legal advice on publishing potentially ‘sensitive’ Aughinish Alumina report www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
Minister to seek legal advice on publishing potentially ‘sensitive’ Aughinish Alumina report
Peter Burke unable to offer clarity on nature of information provided to inquiry by Ukraine and Sweden
010
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Dunderrow sexual abuse survivors secure mediation process with Government over redress www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
Dunderrow sexual abuse survivors secure mediation process with Government over redress
Group of 19 women in their 60s and 70s plan legal action against the State
010
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
‘Going out was impossible’ – assistance dogs change children’s lives but need funding www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
‘Going out was impossible’ – assistance dogs change children’s lives but need funding
Sheer demand mean Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland turns away 700 families. My Canine Companion runs a lottery system, where around 2,000 families compete for 100 places each year.
140
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Occupied Territories Bill set to be signed into law within weeks following Seanad vote www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
Occupied Territories Bill set to be signed into law within weeks following Seanad vote
Final attempt to include services in high-profile legislation fails
020
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Minister for Housing James Browne raised the concerns directly with Cabinet colleague and Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan about the high risk that refugees could become homeless this month when they are transferred out of their accommodation www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
Homelessness ‘risk’ for hundreds of refugee families sparks exchange between Ministers
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan downplayed concerns of a Cabinet colleague and said refugees were moving to Dublin because of a ‘desire to live in this region’
120
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Personal records of children who were “boarded out” from religious institutions will be withheld from a new public archive set up to remember the abuse of women and children in 20th-century Ireland. www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
Records of children ‘boarded out’ from religious institutions to be withheld
Personal data to be kept out of public archive set up to remember institutional abuse victims
010
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
The swifties on staff at the NYT not worth their salt
010
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
‘This is about not annoying the Americans’: Clarity sought on Occupied Territories Bill www.irishtimes.com/politics/oir...
irishtimes.com
‘This is about not annoying the Americans’: Clarity sought on Occupied Territories Bill
Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee asked for evidence regarding Government’s reason for excluding services from contentious legislation
464
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Simon Harris briefs social media influencers on upcoming saving and investment scheme www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
Simon Harris briefs social media influencers on upcoming saving and investment scheme
Details to be revealed in Budget 2027, with investment accounts expected to open next year
000
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
The head of a prestigious Irish-American scholarship has accused the Government of engaging in a “baseless whispering campaign” designed to scupper its chances of raising private funds. www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
Government accused of role in alleged campaign to undermine fundraising for Mitchell fund
Irish-American scholarship scheme will not have any scholars again in 2027 due to funding issues
100
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
What would scrapping the three-day wait for abortion mean for pregnant women? www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
What would scrapping the three-day wait for abortion mean for pregnant women?
Greatest effect would be for women who, for various complex reasons, seek an abortion close to the end of their first trimester
000
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Councils to be backed by Government when pursuing permissions geared to aid home building www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
Councils to be backed by Government when pursuing permissions geared to aid home building
Housing infrastructure fund selected projects which Minister described as ‘shovel-ready’
000
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Days seem to be numbered for mandatory three day wait www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
051
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Melbourne wellness influencer found short of breath and clammy after unassisted free birth hours before death www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
theguardian.com
Melbourne wellness influencer found short of breath and clammy after home birth hours before death
Stacey Warnecke, 30, died from a treatable complication after giving birth without any trained medical staff, an inquest hears
112
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
‘I felt nobody had my back’: What the Rotunda row says about public v private maternity care Perspectives from private hospital, public hospital and home birth maternity services www.irishtimes.com/health/2026/...
irishtimes.com
‘I felt nobody had my back’: What the Rotunda row says about public v private maternity care
Mothers and medical professionals share their views as differences between public and private maternity care in the State are brought into sharp focus
021
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Today's front page: Consultants bring legal challenge to ban on private care in new public surgical hubs www.irishtimes.com/health/2026/...
000
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
People in Ireland who use pornography websites could be required to use a digital Government ID to prove they are over 18. New digital wallet to be used to "support compliance" with online safety code rules for access to porn www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
Ireland could require digital ID to access porn websites
State agency suggests stricter age verification for online porn, similar to a law enacted in the UK in 2025
000
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
I spoke to the Baby Tribe podcast about free births and the birth activism movement in ireland open.spotify.com/episode/2sQs...
open.spotify.com
133: The Freebirth Movement: Choice, Risk and Accountability
The Baby Tribe · Episode
030
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Eight women who were under the private care of a public-only consultant at the Rotunda Hospital will now transfer to new doctors for the rest of their pregnancy and the delivery of their babies. www.irishtimes.com/health/2026/...
irishtimes.com
Eight women under private care by public-only consultants at Rotunda to switch doctors
State’s busiest maternity hospital backed down in dispute over private care
011
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
A serious dereliction of duty by gardaí, knowledge of abuse in a Waterford political dynasty and the historical blindness of the State towards child abuse all detailed in report into the “cruel,” “exploitative” and “horrific” crimes of child abuser Bill Kenneally www.irishtimes.com/ireland/soci...
040
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Rotunda backs down and agrees to Minister’s demands on consultants taking private work www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
Rotunda backs down and agrees to Minister’s demands on consultants taking private work
Maternity hospital’s board to ‘bring its arrangements into line with Government policy’
050
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Abusers convicted of serious domestic violence to be named on public register for first time www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/20...
irishtimes.com
Abusers convicted of serious domestic violence to be named on public register for first time
Domestic Violence (Judgments) Register Bill 2026 to be known as Jennie’s law in honour of murdered Jennifer Poole
110
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Independent Ireland TD defends high number of PQs submitted as concerns raised over use of AI www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
Independent Ireland TD defends high number of PQs submitted as concerns raised over use of AI
Issue of politicians allegedly using AI was raised at the Dáil business committee last month
000
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Rotunda board given until this evening to provide list of public-only consultants giving private care Over the weekend it emerged the minister will refuse to meet with the board until the hospital backs down www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
Rotunda board given until this evening to provide list of public-only consultants giving private care
HSE had warned hospital its response will determine whether process of withholding or withdrawing of funding is triggered
011
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Spoke to In The News about free births - link to my weekend long read below in case you missed it ... open.spotify.com/episode/1Xrc...
open.spotify.com
What is the 'free birth' movement and why is it becoming more popular in Ireland?
In The News · Episode
110
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Meanwhile - today's front page on how the Rotunda hospital has doubled down on its defiance of a Government order to stop public-only consultants treating private patients in a challenge to public health policy. Inside read on the dispute also on page 9 www.irishtimes.com/health/2026/...
141
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
🚨 🔍 Investigation: Women and babies have died and been left at risk of life-threatening complications from a rise in “free births” – when women choose births without medical supervision – the country’s directors of midwifery have said. www.irishtimes.com/health/2026/...
irishtimes.com
Rising number of ‘free births’ raises alarm among midwives
Lack of medical supervision can put women and babies at risk of life-threatening complications, new policy paper states
240
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Prestige or patient choice? Inside the row between the Rotunda and the Government over private maternity services www.irishtimes.com/health/2026/...
irishtimes.com
Prestige or patient choice? Rotunda resists plan to stop public-only consultants offering private maternity care
Dublin hospital picks public fight with HSE and Minister for Health with threat looming of State funding being withdrawn
100
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Minister for Health casts doubt on Rotunda insurance in row over private maternity care www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
Minister for Health casts doubt on Rotunda insurance in row over private maternity care
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill says she expects compliance with Government policy from consultants ‘paid richly’ on public-only contracts
101
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Parents using childcare to benefit from cap on maximum fees from September www.irishtimes.com/ireland/soci...
irishtimes.com
Parents using childcare to benefit from cap on maximum fees from September
Childcare providers will be required later this year to share more data with the Government about fees
010
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
A Kingdom divided: Michael Healy-Rae’s explosive interview shows split in Kerry dynasty www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
A Kingdom divided: Michael Healy-Rae’s explosive interview shows split in Kerry dynasty
Differences between Michael and Danny Healy-Rae, and their children, threaten the unity of one of Ireland’s most prominent political families
000
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
The Rotunda maternity hospital has been warned it could have its funding pulled if it does not withdraw permission for consultants on public-only contracts to practise privately on its premises. www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
Rotunda told funding could be pulled over public-only consultants providing private care
Minister for Health says ‘last thing’ she wants is conversation on cuts, but Government policy is clear
232
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
‘No information’ to show Limerick plant’s alumina helps Russia kill Ukrainians, Minister says Govt again contesting export figures and claims Limerick plant gave the wrong data to the CSO www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
irishtimes.com
‘No information’ to show Limerick plant’s alumina helps Russia kill Ukrainians, Minister says
Peter Burke says CSO figure that 83 per cent of Aughinish Alumina’s exports go to Russia is ‘not accurate’
373
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
Amount of Irish-made alumina exported to Russia hits highest level since start of Ukraine war www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
More than 80% of Irish-made alumina exported to Russia in first quarter of 2026
Figure emerges as Taoiseach argues sanctioning Aughinish Alumina would cause more harm to EU than Russia
174
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
Post-byelection bitterness ends honeymoon of the left’s Connolly coalition www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
Post-byelection bitterness ends honeymoon of the left’s Connolly coalition
Fianna Fáil, the largest political party, bombed in the byelections but divisions among the left-wing parties drew most attention
020
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Back on Inside Politics after a couple of weeks off 🏝️ open.spotify.com/episode/7MAV...
open.spotify.com
Are Sinn Féin drifting away from an uneasy left-wing alliance?
Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan · Episode
030
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Aughinish Alumina warns EU restrictions on Russia trade could hit Irish national grid www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
irishtimes.com
Aughinish Alumina warns EU restrictions on Russia trade could hit Irish national grid
Investigation set out Co Limerick plant’s role producing alumina used to supply Russian arms manufacturers
120
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Ban on services from occupied Palestinian territories could harm Ireland most, says Martin www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
Ban on services from occupied Palestinian territories could harm Ireland most, says Martin
Bill banning goods imports from Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories due to be agreed by Government
000
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Left-wing parties round on Sinn Féin over policy direction www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
Left-wing parties round on Sinn Féin over policy direction
Differences fracturing progressive alliance formed during Catherine Connolly’s presidential campaign
120
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Five pregnant women who were forced to sleep rough in Dublin last year were among more than 100 mothers who gave birth at the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) while either homeless or at risk of homelessness. www.irishtimes.com/ireland/hous...
irishtimes.com
More than 100 mothers who gave birth at NMH last year were homeless or at risk of it
Having a baby while living in emergency accommodation one of top five reasons for new family homelessness in Dublin in 2025
155
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
OPW spends €375,000 on politicians’ security in three years on Garda advice www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
OPW spends €375,000 on politicians’ security in three years on Garda advice
Many politicians upgrade home security, including lighting, cameras and panic buttons
100
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Energy crisis: Simon Harris floats one-off payments for heat pumps and efficient cars www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
Energy crisis: Simon Harris floats one-off payments for heat pumps and efficient cars
Tánaiste doubles down on transition from fossil fuels despite pressure over carbon tax
021
Ellen Coyne @ellenmcoyne.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Gillian Sherratt says talk of Sinn Féin byelection heave is attempt to ‘smear’ party www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
Gillian Sherratt says talk of Sinn Féin byelection heave is attempt to ‘smear’ party
Disability rights campaigner lost out to Janice Boylan in selection convention for Dublin Central
000