RTÉ's Brian O'Donovan reels in the years as he reflects on the five years that have passed since the first Covid pandemic restrictions were implemented, and reflects on the role of remote working as it has emerged since then, making reference to our recent dust-up with the DSP.

Elsewhere, the Irish Times counsels a reader on a workplace grievance issue, while the Irish Times reports that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host the first St Patrick's Day reception at Downing Street later this evening, while new figures released by TD Rory Hearne reveal that 17 of the 31 local authorities didn’t collect any money owed under the Derelict Sites Levy in 2023. 

In the Irish Examiner, Vivian Geiran writes Tusla failings reflect deep-seated problems with cost and demand, but adds that the new apprenticeship model for social workers via the UCC masters programme "should see an improvement in numbers and diversity entering the job."

Meanwhile, many students with special needs at second level struggle to decide what to do after school, as it's reported that Leaving Cert students sitting the English exam in future are likely to face oral tests at the end of fifth year.

Finally, as the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) warns "spiralling weather impacts were experienced across the planet in 2024 leading to “massive economic and social upheavals from extreme weather”, Ireland's Climate Change Advisory Council has advised that investment must be scaled up immediately because Ireland needs to be “much better prepared for the next major weather event”.    

Zen 

My introduction to the work of Gene Hackman was his Lex Luthor in the 1978 film Superman. As a tyrannical, follically-challenged and narcissistic billionaire, intent on playing dangerous games with the fate of the planet, wreaking havoc to boost his personal property portfolio and flanked by an ignorant sidekick, his excellent performance in that film might, today, be considered prescient.

His recent passing was sad and strange, and he leaves an incomparable legacy as a character actor. If I could only recommend one performance, I'd go for his portrayal of a conflicted surveillance expert in Francis Ford Coppola's The Conversation. David Shire's soundtrack amplifies the paranoia and doubt underlying this Nixon-era thriller. Highly recommended.

Have a lovely day. 

Niall Shanahan