In Dublin, more than 470 staff at Beaumont Hospital and 250 medical consultants across the State have backed a boycott of Teva Pharmaceuticals, an Israeli company that is a major drug supplier to the HSE. 

Elsewhere, Cork TD Ken O'Flynn has "slammed" the HSE over thousands of posts remaining vacant. The Independent Ireland TD described the figures as 'a shocking indictment of government mismanagement.'

Meanwhile, PTSB, in which the Irish state owns a 57% stake, has put itself up for sale, and State funding for RTÉ rose by €29 million last year but Minister for Communications Patrick O’Donovan has warned the station Government support “is not endless, it is not bottomless”.

While the tourism industry has been struggling with a fall-off in tourist numbers with many businesses reporting a decline in revenue this summer, new CSO figures show the number of visitors this year increased, but their visits are shorter and they're spending less money.

Your Zen this this morning is a wee blast from Springsteen's Nebraska, seeing as how it's topical.

Have a great day.

NS