In other news, Anne-Marie Walsh reports in the Indo that the "days of blanket pay rises for all staff are over". That's it, done. No more. Why? "...as firms single out people with in-demand skills for the biggest wage hikes," according to a 'major' recruiter. OK...well, hyperbole aside, there's a premium of 30% going for IT, life ­sciences and financial services staff. 

Elsewhere, and perhaps reflecting the febrile geopolitics across the globe right now, an Irish delegation, led by Tánaiste Simon Harris, will take part in the G20 summit in South Africa for the first time. 

Meanwhile, RTÉ reports that unions have welcomed the inclusion of a bill that would end forced retirements in the Government legislative programme. The bill was published on Tuesday. ICTU's statement is here.

Zen 

Your Zen moment today is a cautionary tale about how some people can run amok if they are afforded too high a pedestal. Judi Dench and Mark Rylance seem like decent people....but don't be fooled.

Have a lovely day.

Niall Shanahan