Following last week's representations to the Oireachtas health committee by Fórsa and other unions, the Irish Examiner on Friday offered its view on the rate of assaults on health staff, and reports that some have been singled out for racist abuse and intimidation: "It is a curious perversion of the notion of patriotism to consider verbal abuse of hardworking medical staff as contributing to the welfare of the nation. Yet somehow these protesters can accommodate it."

The #IrelandForAll coalition launched on Friday, and the Irish Examiner coverage describes the coalition as including Fórsa, Siptu, Le Chéile, the National Women’s Council of Ireland, Unite, Masi, Amnesty International and Black and Irish, "as well as the new local community groups that have sprung up in response to anti-migrant protests in their areas." Fórsa's involvement also gets a mention in the Irish Times coverage.

Fórsa is readying and rallying ahead of Saturday's Ireland for All - Diversity not Division rally this Saturday in Dublin. Our colleagues Dylan Archbold, Amy Moran and Andy Pike have been doing sterling work behind the scenes on this, and we hope to have a strong, visible presence on Saturday. Details here.

Elsewhere, the Business Post reports that Revenue is pushing for Deliveroo drivers and other “gig economy” workers to be taxed at source, while IBEC has told an Oireachtas committee that that regulatory barriers across the island of Ireland "are preventing the labour market from being as dynamic as it could be," and "among the key barriers to maximising an all-island economy."

Meanwhile, the Indo has reported that the Government has formally established the new Irish Air Navigation Service semi-State company, which will be responsible for levying charges on commercial aircraft using Irish airspace, a role currently undertaken by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).

Zen

The unique voice of Lisa O'Neill makes a welcome return with her much anticipated album All Of This Is Chance, which was released last Friday. Described in the Irish Times review as 'otherworldly', I'm looking forward to her Dublin show later in the month. Here's a taste of the new album, the evocative and lovely Old Note.

Have a great week.

Niall