The Taoiseach has just days to decide whether to call a general election as Fine Gael TDs have ramped up pressure on Mr Varadkar to go to the country before Christmas. With Brexit stalled due to the EU's granting of a 'flextension' and an early general election looming in the UK, Fine Gael sources say there is now a 50-50 chance there'll be an election under way in Ireland by the weekend.

 

The Union of Students in Ireland and Siptu have joined forces to campaign for improved terms and conditions for postgraduate students who carry out teaching and other work in third level colleges. The charter also calls for a living wage for those workers involved. 

 

Elsewhere, UCC Student’s Union has set up a food bank for students in need. It is hoped that the initiative will improve student wellbeing by ensuring their basic needs are met and this will then have a positive knock-on effect on the mental health of students.

 

It is reported that the ESB is not ruling out closing two peat-burning power plants in a move that could cost hundreds of jobs at Bord na Móna.

 

TUI members are balloting for industrial action in Dundalk IT as it was revealed that a proposed new “fifth school” may operate outside of current practices and agreements. It is also seen by staff as the “failure of DkIT's President's Office and Institute Administration” to pursue Technological University status. Industrial action elsewhere saw Siptu members at the SK biotek pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Swords begin a picket yesterday evening following the refusal of management to attend the Workplace Relations Commission.

 

Today marks 81 years since the first radio broadcast of H. G. Wells' 'War of the Worlds' narrated by Orsen Wells which allegedly caused mass panic at the time as people believed Earth was truly being invaded by aliens. The BBC is set to air a TV adaptation this year so today's Zen is that trailer, starring Rafe Spall and Poldark’s Eleanor Tomlinson.