Keep an ear out for Ashley Connolly on Kildare FM this afternoon just after 2pm. Ashley will be talking about the motion to conference on Friday calling for statutory paid leave for victims of domestic violence, which was also picked up by the Irish Times and Irish Examiner, along with plenty of regional news outlets.

Ashley is in demand too for the union's call on employers to draft menstrual health policies, reported in the Indo and the Irish Examiner, and The Journal, which also quotes DLR branch activist Roisin Cronin.

A Citizen's Assembly on the future of local government in Ireland has been told that the Irish system of local Government is the "weakest and most under funded in the EU with a Council of Europe Report in 2013 indicating that local authorities here have “less autonomy, less authority and less power” than counterparts even in Putin’s Russia."

Continuing the post-conference conversation on social dialogue and the social wage, RTE's Mary Regan reports that discussions have taken place on the possibility of an overarching agreement between the Government, unions and employers that would cover areas beyond pay including taxation, help with childcare costs and improvements in public services (also in the Irish Times).

Meanwhile, Brian O'Donovan shares his thoughts on the possibility of an "uphill battle" ahead in public service pay talks. In the Irish Times Jack Horgan-Jones' metaphors are less topographical but equally combative.

The Irish Times reported Patricia King's comments as she addressed conference on Friday last, and her warning that there's a real threat "the current round of wage claims linked to surging inflation will end in strike at firms that do not recognise their employee’s difficulties."

Also of note in this morning's news is a policy briefing paper from Social Justice Ireland which says the State’s response to the Ukrainian crisis has included a “heavy reliance” on the community and voluntary sector to provide supports to migrants.

Elsewhere, a new Oireachtas Committee report is set to recommend that a vacant homes tax should be considered by Government while a forthcoming zoned land tax should be increased beyond the planned 3% rate.

In case you missed it, here's the roundup of conference news from Friday, 20th May.

Zen

One of the home comforts I was looking forward to, as I made the journey back from Killarney at the weekend, was watching the finale of the wonderful Derry Girls. It concludes as a cultural phenomenon at the peak of its powers. I shall miss Sister Michael.

Have a great week.

Niall