Cormac McQuinn profiled both the proposed new public service pay deal and Kevin Callinan in this piece in Saturday's Irish Times.

Public opinion on the proposed deal, as measured in a an Ireland Thinks poll in the Sindo, indicates a little under 50% believe the 6.5% offer as 'about right', while 29% believe it's 'too high' and the same number again believe it's 'too low', while the INMO's executive has recommended the deal to its members.

The Business Post reports that the deal will see public service pensions boosted as "the increases will be designed to match pay rises being given to existing public sector workers in the new €1.6 billion public sector pay deal," as Kevin confirmed he had written to the DPER minister on the matter.

Elsewhere, Fórsa has raised concerns with Minister Anne Rabbitte about a lack of engagement on the reinstatement of 220 therapist positions in schools, a measure announced last Friday.

Meanwhile, as Fórsa prepares to announce an additional workplace taking part in strike action in the community and voluntary sector later this month, Ashley Connolly spoke to RTE's Drivetime programme last Thursday to explain why members had decided to engage in strike action over inadequate funding and pay in the sector. You can listen back to Ashley HERE (from 1:44:56).

I don't know about you but my heart sinks a little whenever somebody launches into a rendition of Raglan Road. A lot of punters think they can do it, but it's deceptively hard to do it justice. Besides, Luke Kelly set a near-impossible standard. Nevertheless, your Zen this morning sees this bunch of lads on a DART train manage not to make a hames of it.

For a Zen bonus, watch comedian Joe Lycett deliver his enthusiastic verdict on the incoming British PM. Sarcasm rarely plays this well.

Have a great week.

Niall