A new global survey has revealed that Irish workers are increasingly willing to turn down job offers that do not include the option to work remotely or in a hybrid arrangement.

President Michael D Higgins marked Bloomsday yesterday and said the protection of public libraries and their staff from attacks by the far right should be regarded as a priority for everyone in a civilised society and not just a job for An Garda Síochána.

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has weighed in on the Aer Lingus/IALPA dispute, accusing pilots of “industrial blackmail” in voting for strike action, while speculation about the impact of industrial action continues.

Balloting continued throughout the weekend and the paper ballot closes at 11am. Results should be known by the afternoon, and props to our colleagues keeping the ballot open 24/7 over the weekend. 

Meanwhile, the Irish Times and other media outlets report that as many as 60,000 “remanufactured” previously used laptops will be sourced for civil servants over the next four years under a €30 million spending plan. 

Elsewhere, the University of Galway has been accused of hiring too many managers and not enough teachers.

Zen

Your Zen moment this morning is an interview with one of my musical heroes, John Cale. The Welshman was a founder member, along with Lou Reed, of The Velvet Underground. One of the single most influential bands of all time, David Bowie makes a convincing case that they were more influential than The Beatles.

In this interview Cale champions hip hop as "the new avant garde" and reveals his latest listening habits, which include Dublin's own Lankum ("Their songs, he says, “just creep up on you. They have so many things going on. So much character.”)

Lankum played a blistering set to a happy crowd last weekend in Kilmainham. Under glorious skies they played a heap of favourites, including this, which has finally been released as part of Lankum's new live album. It's a glorious thing.

Have a great week.

Niall