The Communications Unit published a full set of divisional bulletins on Friday (9th December). You can access them here: 

• Civil Service
• Education
• Health & Welfare
• Local Authorities  / Muno
• Services & Enterprises

Kevin Callinan joined host Gavan Reilly and Children's Rights Alliance chief Tanya Ward on Newstalk's On The Record panel yesterday, for a discussion on the main stories featured in Sunday's papers. You can listen back to that HERE.

Among the topics they covered was the change of Taoiseach, due to take place later this week. Kevin outlined the need for a change in the approach of government to tackling the biggest challenges - housing, health and climate - and how a new social compact would help in that process. Meanwhile, the Business Post reports that "the potential for the housing crisis to fuel social unrest has been flagged as a key national risk for the coming year."

Elsewhere, as health sector workers from three of Northern Ireland's biggest unions are taking part in a strike today, ICTU general secretary Owen Reidy has warned that an escalation of industrial unrest is "inevitable" in the new year with Stormont departments' proposed pay settlements expected to fall well short of soaring inflation levels.

The Irish News editorial leads with 'Winter of Discontent'. Meanwhile, The Irish Times' polling on Irish unity reveals that a clear majority of voters in Northern Ireland are in favour of rejoining the European Union.

Following on from the 'laser attacks' on pilots reported on Friday, Fórsa's communications office provided comment on behalf of IALPA to the Irish Times' Jack Power: "A spokesman for the pilots’ association said if laser pointers are aimed at cockpits they can cause “flash blindness” for the flight crew...Obviously there’s an immediate concern for the safety of pilots, passengers and crew. It’s difficult to comprehend the motivation behind such attacks, but it is deeply irresponsible behaviour." The IAA also provided comment.

Zen

As I mentioned last week, I had a spell of recuperation recently that gave me a chance to catch up on a couple of classic movies. After The Big Sleep I stuck with the noirish mood and watched Chinatown again. Few films warrant the term 'masterpiece', but Chinatown comes awfully close, and sees this particular cast, crew, writer (Robert Towne) and producer (Robert Evans) at the top of their powers. It's a dark tale but well worth a viewing.

Have a great week.