Medical laboratory scientists are taking part in a 12-hour strike today, as The Journal reports that newly qualified doctors, nurses and other medical professionals are leaving Ireland "in pursuit of a work-life balance, better pay and more opportunities."

RTE Radio One's Saturday with Katie Hannon programme featured an interview about pay and inflation with Kevin Callinan, you can listen back here. Kevin told Hannon that the cost of living issue will top the agenda at this week's Fórsa conference.

In Saturday's Irish Times Harry McGee reported that unions in the public and private sectors will intensify pay increase demands this week following the latest figures which show a substantial leap in the inflation rate.

Breaking news in business as we entered the weekend is that Dalton Philips, the daa chief executive, is leaving after almost five years to take up a new role as chief executive of the Greencore Group. 

The Sunday TImes reported yesterday that there's a distinct gender pay gap at the top of the civil service. Responding to salary figures published by the paper, Orla O'Connor of the NWCI said the “glass ceiling was still intact” in the civil service.

Zen

Read the incredible story of 61 year-old Igor Pedin who, accompanied by his dog Zhu-Zhu, walked the 225km from besieged Mariupol to the relative safety of the Ukrainian-held city of Zaporizhzhia.

Safe travels to those of you heading to Killarney for conference. Have a great week. 

Niall