On Friday last the Government responded to news of the union's ballot result on the community and voluntary sector pay deal, while our North West colleague  - and Sligo-Leitrim Council of Trade Unions president Pat Fallon - criticised the government's record on its commitments to workers at Sligo’s annual May Day ceremony at the weekend.

Two stories today serve illustrate the continuing and urgent influence of the 'MAGA' administration in the US. The Government is to speed up ratification of the European Union-Canada trade deal (CETA - opposed by Irish trade union due to concerns about labour standards, public services, consumer rights, and weaker environmental regulations) which was shelved in a Supreme Court judgment during 2022.

Meanwhile, Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke is to meet with the heads of 19 agencies and offices under his remit in a bid to "slash red tape for SMEs." This follows the government's response to intense lobbying by the business sector, and resulting delays to both the Living Wage and pension auto-enrolment schemes.

Finally, Cliff Taylor writes about the "crisis of accountability at the top of the Irish public service" and about how demands for a "radical reset" have been met with assurances about the status quo.

Zen 

Your Zen moment this morning is welcome news of the return of a horrible creature to the deep dark woods. 

Have a lovely week. 

Niall Shanahan