The Journal and the Indo have that IMO ballot story, while some regional titles report that "SIPTU members employed across the Local Authority and State Agency sectors will be joining fellow members throughout the country as they commence industrial action on September 30th."

It's worth having a look at Richard Colwell's polling analysis in the Business Post, which reveals that 53% of respondents believe public servants' wages should automatically keep pace with inflation: "...the important point is less the policy itself than what sits behind it. People want to feel fairly treated, matching inflation feels fair, and they express opinions on this basis...fully two-thirds of voters say they would support further public protests if energy costs continue to rise, despite the mass disruption this caused earlier in the year. This no longer feels like a debate solely about petrol or home heating. Rather, it reflects a much wider belief that everyday living costs remain too high and that government should be doing more to ease the pressure."

Elsewhere, Martin Wall reports in The Irish Times that consultants rostered to work on Saturdays under new contracts with the State saw just five patients over the course of a 12-week pilot project in Letterkenny: "...a report on the Saturday consultant-led acute medical assessment unit pilot at Letterkenny University Hospital found there had been “no measurable improvement in emergency department flow, hospital avoidance, admission rates or inpatient length of stay”. It said the pilot, carried out between April and June, project, incurred additional agency staffing costs while reducing weekday consultant availability. The report recommended that the “current Saturday acute medical assessment unit model be discontinued”.

As our Fórsa delegation heads for the Ploughing Championships, the forecast is for mixed weather on opening day today, including some ‘heavy’ showers. Wednesday is expected to be dry before wetter conditions on Friday. 

At the WRC, a phone shop worker who was made redundant three days after telling company bosses that his manager was claiming bonuses by marking down sales of phone cases as repair jobs has won nearly €11,000. Also at the WRC, an Aer Lingus pilot and IALPA member who claims he was sacked for blowing the whistle on alleged “toxic” fume events on commercial jets has described how he believes he came to suffer a brain injury while in command of a flight three years ago. 

Your Zen this morning is a trailer for Ludwig, the comedy/drama detective series which is in its second season on BBC One. Late to the party (because I don't have BBC), I'm enjoying catching up on the Virgin Media Player. David Mitchell is the socially awkward puzzle expert solving crimes with his sister-in-law, played by the brilliant Anna Maxwell Martin. If you've seen Motherland, you'll know how good she is.

Have a great day.

NS