CAP Talks: Europe’s farm ministers are in Ireland to hammer out a workable CAP for the next decade, with a grim starting point: a reported 22% budget cut that threatens the ambition of schemes. CAP & Entitlements: Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon is set to use the National Ploughing Championships to press the case for family farms as CAP design moves toward a new deal on entitlements and future payments. EU Budget Diplomacy: Taoiseach Micheál Martin heads to Bratislava for key EU budget talks, focusing on the next seven-year pot, enlargement and the war in Ukraine, with “frugal” states pushing major cuts. Citizenship Overhaul: New Irish citizenship rules are drawing fire as residence timelines are set to tighten, with critics warning it could make Ireland “less viable” for essential workers and split families. Legal Aid Crisis: The Law Society is urging an independent mediator as criminal legal aid reforms spark a standoff, with courts described as at a “standstill.” Israel Settlements Trade Sanctions: Foreign ministers from 12 countries, including Ireland, are moving to restrict trade linked to Israeli West Bank settlements, with the UK announcing bans on settlement goods and targeted sanctions on services. ECB Rates: The ECB is expected to raise rates again as eurozone inflation edges up, feeding into higher borrowing costs for Irish households and businesses. Local Government Spotlight (Galway): Galway City and County projects score national recognition, with multiple nominations in Chambers Ireland’s Excellence in Local Government Awards.