In today's news it's reported that the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) is set to ballot its members on amalgamating with Unite trade union, as Unite official Brendan Ogle's WRC case receives the same detailed coverage by Stephen Bourke in the Irish Times and Irish Independent.

New data from the CSO shows workers across the country are making more money, with average weekly earnings up by 2.1% in the final quarter of last year when compared with the same period of 2022. That's interesting news in the case of one particular teacher in the country, while it's also reported that Gardaí had the highest average weekly earnings in the public sector in Q4 2023.

The Irish Times reports that Tusla placed vulnerable children into unregulated emergency accommodation run by a company which “fabricated” pre-employment screenings of staff, while university lecturers have warned that plans to reform Leaving Cert science subjects risks giving an unfair advantage to students in private schools.

Recently appointed members of the External Oversight Body for the Defence Forces have told the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence that establishing "a complaints system that members trust and believe in" will be key to transforming the culture within the force. Separately, it's reported that senior officers of the Defence Forces have witnessed significantly escalated tensions on the border between Syria and Israel since the start of Israel’s assault on Gaza last October.

Elsewhere, the head of TUD has written to staff to provide assurances on governance following criticism by the HEA, while the WRC has heard a case in which a former teacher at Templeogue College said she was penalised after she and her colleagues raised concerns about student discipline.

In other news today there's a good piece by Jen Hogan on new measures to address school bullying and whether or not they can actually work, and residents in Glasnevin are concerned about the effect of tunneling for the Metrolink on their homes.

Zen

Your Zen this morning is an old clip of Halle Berry turning up to accept her Golden Raspberry award (or 'Razzie') for her performance in Catwoman. The Razzies is a parody award show honouring the cinematic failures of the year. Berry receives her 2004 award with class and humour. 

Have a brilliant day.

Niall