Fórsa has welcomed a new report on aviation that includes advice that warnings against non-essential air travel this Christmas should be toned down to allow Irish people come home by providing affordable Covid testing at airports.

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport also recommended Government to re-establish the State airports’ authority to take charge of Cork, Dublin and Shannon, with the three operating as separate companies under its umbrella. Fórsa gave a guarded welcome to this recommendation, as the reintegration of Shannon into the DAA group would have been more desirable. You can read more about Fórsa's response to the Oireachtas Transport network's report here.

This analysis piece takes a closer look at Shannon airport and its independence.

Fórsa's Andy Pike appeared on LMFM and East-Coast FM yesterday, welcoming the prioritisation of all school staff in the roll-out of the Covid vaccine.

Meanwhile, our colleague Linda Kelly continues to work hard campaigning whilst on maternity leave, calling for Government to lift the current restrictions on maternity care. The HSE will now allow partners of pregnant people attend their 20 week pregnancy scan and any surgical interventions off the back of the campaign. Heartened by this action, Linda said "it can only be a matter of time before they open up other parts of the pregnancy journey to that same essential support person." Sending solidarity your way, Linda, and to the many women who will benefit from this action.

And finally, today's Zen is something festive hailing all the way from the music capital of the world, Mullingar. I hope you enjoy The Academic's take on this Christmas classic.