A special cabinet meeting on the cervical cancer controversy takes place later today, following an eventful evening during which HSE boss Tony O'Brien fell on his sword. The development was welcomed by Vicky Phelan and Emma Mhic Mhatúna, but the Examiner's Catherine Shanahan wonders whether anyone else will want the job.

 

The move followed significant 'who knew what and when' revelations at the Public Accounts Committee, and my guess is that this theme will continue to cram plenty of news and opinion pages over the weekend.

 

The AHCPS has followed Fórsa's lead by criticising Peoplepoint. Its  annual conference takes place today.

 

Elsewhere, the Central Bank governor has warned of a possible fall in house prices, DPER must pay some of the costs arising from the failed GRA sick leave case, and the charities regulator is to impose a governance code in the sector later this year.

 

In company news, RTÉ reports that cost-cutting will continue in eir, planning delays have promoted Apple to scrap plans for an €850 million data centre in Athenry, and An Post is fearful of hard Brexit impacts. On that subject, Noel Whelan opines that a collapse of Brexit talks would now be preferable to the likely alternative.

 

I discovered the brilliant poetry of a young man called Kayo Chingonyi last weekend. Today's Zen consists of him reading a couple of short works including (wait for it) his Fisherman's Song.

 

Enjoy whatever weather we get.

 

Bernard