{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/690b5df3317c91fd9a7765c9/6977e922f159e0c1376b9705?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Cabinet to approve Patrick's Day White House plans, and today's other top stories","description":"<p><br></p><p><strong>The Irish Times wants to hear listener feedback on our two news podcasts <em>In The News</em>&nbsp;and <em>Early Edition</em>.</strong></p><p><br></p><p><a href=\"https://www.research.net/r/ITNewsPodcast\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><u>This survey</u></strong></a><strong> is open to anyone who has listened to either&nbsp;<em>In The News</em>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<em>Early Edition</em>- whether you listen regularly, occasionally, or have listened in the past.</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>This survey should take around 3-5 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous. Thank you. </strong></p><p><br></p><p>Senior ministers are not entertaining suggestions the Taoiseach should boycott the White House this <a href=\"https://irishtimes.com/politics/2026/01/27/recommendation-for-formal-legal-review-before-irish-troops-sent-abroad-set-to-be-rejected/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">St. Patrick’s Day</a>. Pat Leahy writes the cabinet is expected to sign off on their annual programme at their weekly meeting. Other items on the agenda include the widening of eligibility criteria for homeowners who can <a href=\"https://irishtimes.com/politics/2026/01/27/controversial-rent-reform-legislation-expected-to-be-approved-today/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">qualify for retrofits</a>.</p><p><br></p><p>A Cork farmer will allege in the High Court this morning that armed <a href=\"https://irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2026/01/27/armed-gardai-used-taser-on-innocent-farmer-while-searching-for-gun-court-will-hear/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">gardaí twice used a Taser </a>on him during the raid of his farm in December 2015, and that he was “unlawfully assaulted and battered and falsely imprisoned” by them.</p><p><br></p><p>US president Donald Trump has he’s had a “<a href=\"https://irishtimes.com/world/us/2026/01/26/minneapolis-shooting-trump-is-unrepentant-as-republican-backlash-grows/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">very good call” with the Democratic governor of Minnesota</a>, following the fatal shooting of a second US citizen in the state by immigration agents that has sparked a fierce backlash.</p><p><br></p><p>Dart+ South West has cost the state 35 million euro, without a single shovel in the ground, nor construction even planned for another four years.</p><p><br></p><p>Forget your stocks and shares; how about trying to do something positive for the environment, while earning some money from the land? Fiona Reddan has the lowdown on the state’s various <a href=\"https://irishtimes.com/your-money/2026/01/27/current-incentives-are-very-attractive-how-to-earn-up-to-six-figures-by-planting-trees/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">tree incentive schemes</a>.</p>","author_name":"The Irish Times "}