The Irish Times, Indo and RTÉ reported the new pay deal secured for pilots by Fórsa/IALPA at Emerald Airlines on Friday.

In economic news, public expenditure minister Paschal Donohoe told Newstalk yesterday that Ireland is only “technically” in a recession, while the Examiner reports that the IMF has found that the Irish economy "has so far avoided the so-called 'Dutch Disease', where a focus on certain booming sectors like oil and gas can lead to a decline in other sectors, despite the dominant role played by multinationals."

Also in the news this morning is US vice president Kamala Harris's call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, as Israel remains absent from planned peace talks in Cairo. 

The Irish Times reports that teacher unions the TUI and ASTI are planning to survey their members to gauge support for a potential merger which would create a single union representing almost 40,000 teachers at second and third level.

The same paper reports that two 17 year-old children were among those who slept in tents in near-freezing temperatures in Dublin city centre over the weekend, as Gardaí in Cork uncover a large human trafficking network involved in the exploitation of dozens of vulnerable migrant workers across the country. 

Elsewhere, Tusla says ten private companies were paid €58 million between them to run emergency accommodation for children in State care last year, while the Donegal News reports that An Garda Síochana have launched a new Irish language learning resource for Garda personnel in collaboration with Gaelchultúr. 

Meanwhile, a survey by the Institute of Directors (IoD) Ireland has found that almost two-thirds of directors and business leaders have cited the “personal or reputational risk” as the main deterrent to sitting on State boards. The Indo reports the same findings with an entirely different slant, reporting "RTÉ scandals and crises at other government agencies haven’t sapped appetite among qualified directors to join state boards."

Zen

Vicar Street last Thursday night played host to Dublin band ØXN, packing the place out despite this being only their fourth or fifth live performance. The atmosphere was electric, the band on top form, and the audience in the palm of their hands. They opened with this tune (below). Barely a smartphone was held aloft the whole evening. Magical stuff.

Have a great week.

Niall