It's reported that South Dublin County Council is seeking court orders requiring the removal of an “uncontrolled” development of modular homes allegedly being built without planning permission on a site in Brittas, Co Dublin. 

TIm O'Brien looks at the experience of long distance commutes, and illustrates the scale of the M7/N7 traffic coming in to Dublin each morning, with average hourly traffic eastbound at Kill peaks at just under 5,000 vehicles per hour by 6.30am. 

Elsewhere, nearly half the Irish population rely on private health insurance while the cost of private claims has risen by a third since the pandemic. 

Fórsa members at Waterford's Coast Guard Search and Rescue base were the subject of a Dáil discussion this week as SInn Féin TD David Cullinane raised the issue of crews obliged to work 24-hour shifts, but that are being recorded as only 16.5 hours under 'factoring' rules. Our colleague Eugene Gargan is to address an Oireachtas committee next week on the matter. 

The group of unions at PTSB (FSU, Mandate & Unite) have confirmed a new pay deal for 2026. Members backed the deal in a ballot that concluded yesterday, securing 4% from 1st January. Meanwhile, taxi drivers are to stage a six-day protest targeting Dublin city centre and Dublin Airport from Monday in a phase of “major escalation” over fixed fares introduced by Uber. 

The Fórsa member news bulletins drop this morning, featuring news and updates from across the divisions.

Your Zen this morning is last weekend's Other Voices performance from Dingle by The Scratch. I saw these guys supporting Iggy Pop at In the Meadows in June. They knock out a big delightful juggernaut of dancy vibes and tunes. Great fun. Can't imagine Pull Like A Dog would've been suitable for Eurovision anyway..

Have a lovely weekend.

NS