Happy fourth
by Hazel Gavigan

Former President of Ireland and Chair of The Elders, Mary Robinson addressed #BDC19 at the Trinity Business School yesterday, delivering a keynote speech on climate change. She emphasised the importance of a just transition and this message was echoed in the motions that followed. Fórsa President Ann McGee spoke to one in particular which calls on the Government to ensure investment in jobs and communities as it takes action on the Paris Climate Agreement

 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also spoke and acknowledged the great work of trade unions. In his speech he pledged to offer seven- and eight-year-old children free GP care from next year - but doctors immediately warned that tough negotiations lie ahead. In her passionate and emotive response to the Taoiseach's address, Patricia King urged him to tackle the shame and hurt felt by children experiencing homelessness.

 

Dr Laura Bambrick's address to Conference is covered in the Indo where she told #BDC19 that hikes in the State pension age will cost workers at least €26,000, plus benefits including free travel and the fuel allowance.

 

More than 500 HSE ambulance staff are to stage a further 24-hour work stoppage in the middle of this month in pursuit of union representation rights.

 

And finally, in honour of her gig at the Trinity Summer Sessions last night where she spoke on the importance of fighting for equality, today's Zen is Janelle Monáe's Glastonbury performance of Make Me Feel. Only fitting to feature an American artist on the fourth of July! 

 

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