Good morning colleagues,

Budget 2026 is looming into view, as Pat Leahy reports in the Irish Times that the next budget will see "the complete elimination of one-off payments and a sharp reduction in current spending growth...as payments that have benefited the average worker by about €1,000 each are pulled back."

In news that will surprise nobody, ministers have been "facing pressure" from property owners and politicians to ease the planned crackdown on short-term letting. 

As discussed on RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme this morning, the organisers behind an upcoming trip to Ireland for 47 Palestinian children and coaches to play hurling have expressed their outrage over the likely cancellation of the visit. 

As your Zen this morning I offer a reminder that a sense of wonder can still unite us all.

Have a great day.

Niall Shanahan