The Len Ganley Stance
by Niall Shanahan

The tragic death of Sinéad O'Connor and Donal Lunny's 17-year old son Shane will be referred to the National Review Panel (NRP) for investigation.

 

Social Justice Ireland's latest report, published today, says households in the private-rented sector, dependent on subsidies such as the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), are at greatest risk of being “driven into poverty” by housing costs.

 

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is included among examples of organisations that demonstrate the type of cross-Border co-operation that's shaping a 'new future'  as "Practical work on the ground often trumps wider political considerations," which is positive news amidst the resurfacing of some nasty sectarian comment.

 

Elsewhere, the Sinn Féin leader caused a bit of a kerfuffle last week with comments about the civil and public service. Lo and behold, the Sindo has a columnist with an axe to grind and a fresh angle at which to grind it. On last Friday's panel on Claire Byrne's radio programme Louise O'Reilly TD and former INMO chief Liam Doran played down Mary Lou's comments, that clip is available here, skip ahead to 08:56 for a listen.

 

Zen

 

As it's Monday I'm administering a triple-shot booster of Zen in order to get 2022 off to a decent start. First up, a family story on Twitter that encompasses kindness, memory, kinship and loss. Next, the news you've all been waiting for. Yes, those Birkenhead surrealists Half Man Half Biscuit are back with a new albumThe Voltarol Years. While we haven't heard it yet, song titles such as Tess Of The Dormobiles, Grafting Haddock In The George  and Oblong Of Dreams do sound promising. Finally, a reminder of the Biscuits' early work, and their tribute to snooker referee Len Ganley.

 

Have a great week, and a wonderful 2022.

 

Niall

 

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