Elsewhere in the news today, representatives from unions including the NUJ, SIPTU, Connect and Unite will appear before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Media this afternoon to discuss 'Governance and Culture Issues' at RTÉ, while former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson is due in court.

In economic news, the Government is forecasting a budget surplus of €8.6 billion this year and cumulative surpluses of €38 billion over the next four years on the back of windfall corporate tax receipts.

As the finance minister warns Cabinet colleagues that "Corporation tax receipts cannot be relied upon in the future," the Irish Times editorial advises to use the surpluses 'wisely': "The flush state of the exchequer finances carries risks, tempting politicians on all sides to outbid each other on pre-election promises - but also offers the opportunity to invest."

Meanwhile, The Journal reports that the HSE spent €21.6 million with the University of Limerick-owned recruitment firm Unijobs between the start of 2022 and June 2023 on hiring administrative staff, but it cannot say how many were brought on board.  

Elsewhere, the Clare Echo reports on next week's opening event of the Féile Finn in Corofin featuring Kevin Callinan.

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Zen

Suzanne Simard has already been named as one of the world’s 100 most influential people based on her research into the life of trees. In the past 10 years the idea that trees communicate with, and look after, each other has gained widespread currency. 

Simard's Ted Talk on How Trees Talk to Each Other has had eight million (and counting) viewers, while Hollywood has come calling in the form of Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal. Their respective production companies have bought the film rights to Simard’s book, Finding the Mother Tree. 

For more on this...erm...growing field of research, check out the long read via the image above. 

Have a great day.

Niall