John Fitzgerald writes in today's Irish Times about the report by the Housing Commission, and warns of stalling investment in rental housing, and the lack of capacity in Irish banks to provide the necessary funding for the country's housing needs.

Elsewhere, Cork Harbour will host a ship and its crew of human rights activists this weekend who are sailing to Gaza to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of the Palestinian territory, while TUI members at Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) have voted to take strike action in September over the transfer of a teacher. 

Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman for Children has paid more than €100,000 in settlements with the Revenue Commissioners in respect of staff who were incorrectly categorised as contractors rather than employees. 

Zen

Your Zen moment this morning marks the 45th anniversary of one of the greatest punk songs of all time. California Über Alles was the debut single by Dead Kennedys, and was released this week in 1979. The song has had a huge influence on a wide range of artists. My introduction to it came from the version by the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy in 1992.

Have a lovely weekend.

Niall