In other news, research by NUI Galway this year revealed that one in ten employees in Ireland have experienced workplace bullying, but reports of the experience of junior political staff - suffering at the hands of the politicians they work for - suggests the problem is even more prevalent in Leinster House.

Elsewhere, it's reported that members of the IMO have commenced a ballot for strike action over pay, while the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, says he wants he wants a public service pay deal that recognises "both the worth of the public service and budgetary realities."

Midwest Radio is the sole outlet (so far) reporting this morning that a public consultation on statutory sick pay opens today. Ireland is in the minority of EU nations where there's no legal obligation for employees to be offered the benefit. For more on this topic check out Dr Laura Bambrick's column on the Congress website: Opinion: The state of sick pay in Ireland is sickening.

Your moment of Zen this morning is a recommendation for the new film anthology, Small Axe by Steve McQueen, which kicked off last night with Mangrove. Small Axe continues next Sunday night with Lovers Rock.

Wear a coat this week, weather's not looking great, but I still hope you have a good one.

Niall