The Irish Times' coverage of the perfusionist dispute leads with Striking theatre staff say settling pay claim would save HSE substantial agency costs, as People Before Profit reports "Scalpel?" "Scalpel." "Solidarity?" "Solidarity!".

The Connaught Tribune reports Perfusionists on picket line over pay at UHG as Fórsa blames HSE for dispute while Cork radio is abuzz with the story on Cork 96fm and Cork 103. Midwest 96fm reports that some planned cardiac surgeries were cancelled yesterday.

The Galway edition of the Irish Independent reports from the Galway picket, while the Echo (front page photo), Cork Beo and the Irish Examiner report from the CUH picket. Brian O'Donovan also reported for RTÉ's One News bulletin from the Mater Hospital picket, which is not yet online.

In other news, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has warned that the Government will need to borrow in the coming years to fund commitments to two sovereign wealth funds that were originally created to capture windfall corporation tax receipts, "as it pursues the fastest spending growth in the European Union."

A new ESRI report shows that immigrants have made a higher fiscal contribution than Irish-born residents over the past two decades.

Your Zen this morning is the jazz drum solo performed by a faulty air conditioning unit...this time with fresh accompaniment. 

Have a great day. 

NS