The Tories did slightly better, and Labour slightly worse, than both had led us to expect ahead of yesterday's local elections in England. Unlike Ukip, the Lib Dems did rather well, while Sinn Féin's Orfhlaith Begley met expectations in the West Tyrone by-election.

While plenty of today's ink is reserved for the continuing cervical screening story - Fórsa had this to say yesterday - a scathing report on maternity services at Portiuncula hospital knocks it off some of the front pages. The Journal's piece has a link to the full report, and it's more uncomfortable reading, I'm afraid.

Hot on the heels of the 'Great Fórsa Quiz,' which last night raised an undisclosed sum for Focus Ireland, most titles bring news of further soaring rents this morning.

Fórsa also issued a special ebulletin to members in big voluntary sector branches after Industrial Relations News confirmed yesterday that the HSE review of pay in section 39 agencies is about to be served up.

Meanwhile, the INMO (which backed the Public Service Stability Agreement) is threatening to ballot for industrial action over money, while the Irish Times reports on a proposed pay deal for Siptu members in the IAA.

I also hear it might be time to change your Twitter password.

In happier news, I've recently been gloriously returned to the world of vinyl Zen. While dusting down me 45s, I came across this unBEATable classic. Most appropriate for today's anniversary, albeit delivered in a bizarre early-1980s TOTP stylee.

Enjoy the weekend. It's not as long as you think.

Bernard