The Sunday Business Post reported yesterday that the Department of Employment Affairs is investigating a claim by a former Ryanair pilot, represented by IALPA, about alleged bogus self-employment arrangements at the airline (subscriber only). The report is based on a dossier (seen by the SBP) supplied by IALPA to the department.
Elsewhere, Highland Radio reports concerns about an increase in violent attacks and assaults by some patients at Letterkenny University Hospital. Fórsa’s Richy Carrothers responds.
Speaking at a seminar to mark the 50th anniversary of the civil rights movement at the weekend, Fr Peter McVerry said at least 500,000 people in the Republic are in housing situations that are causing them “serious distress.” He said the Government was facing a “catastrophe”, with the housing crisis set to deepen.
The seminar, We Shall Overcome, took place at Liberty Hall. Another speaker was veteran campaigner Bernadette McAliskey, who said Brexit is causing panic and fear in Northern Ireland, particularly among immigrants trying to figure out what EU laws will apply to them.
The transport minister says he’s not aware that there’s “universal opposition” to a proposal for a third terminal at Dublin Airport (there would appear to be quite a bit actually).
Meanwhile, Kilkenny County Council’s spending comes under scrutiny, a consultant responds to the Taoiseach's recent comments about Christmas leave for medical staff, while Noel Whelan criticises the media’s reporting on our health services.
President Michael D Higgins paid tribute yesterday to the 200,000 Irish men who fought in the “great conflagration” and referred to the reticence in Ireland to recognise the human reality of the conflict. Marking the Armistice centenary at Glasnevin cemetery, Mr Higgins said this was reflected in an “official amnesia that left a blank space in our public memory”.
That ambiguity, or blank space, is further reflected upon by Diarmaid Ferriter in his Irish Times column.
The Sunday Business Post featured a lengthy piece by Stephen Kinsella, in praise of public services and the people who work to deliver them. Kinsella has a lot to say, parts two and three of his thoughts on public services will appear over the next two Sundays.
The Irish Times reports: Dedicating himself to the building of “a real and beautiful Republic of inclusivity, creativity, imagination, love and indeed joy”, Michael D Higgins was inaugurated as President of Ireland for his second term at Dublin Castle on Sunday night.
Miriam Lord provides this morning’s Zen. She describes last night’s presidential inauguration as “A happy event. A bit like fitting the nation with replacement windows to keep out the draught for another seven years.”
Have a good week.
