The Times reports on Fórsa’s recent survey highlighting that civil and public servants are likely to vote for candidates who support pay increases for them. The cost of living and their own wages are the most important issues that will influence the vote of the union’s members, coming ahead of health, housing, climate change and childcare, according to the research.

The first survey of how parents are treated when they lose a baby in pregnancy has revealed a lack of consistency in care across the 19 Irish maternity units. The National Maternity Bereavement Experience Survey, published by health watchdog Hiqa, found that 10% of bereaved parents were either not offered hospital support, or supports did not exist.

Elsewhere, Aer Lingus Regional pilots have voted to strike in a dispute over pay, conditions and union recognition. Members of the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (IALPA) in Emerald Airlines have been voting over the past week on whether to take industrial action, including a strike, at the airline that flies the Aer Lingus Regional network. More on that here. 

Hundreds of asylum seekers will remain on the streets in the coming days with only six offered accommodation on Thursday. The Coalition is struggling to contain rising tensions around the country, as hundreds of recently arrived asylum seekers remain without State-provided accommodation. 

In other news, People Before Profit have introduced a bill to the Dáil to ban private jets from flying in Irish airspace. The legislation would prohibit private jets from flying over Ireland, with certain exceptions for reasons such as medical evacuations and national security, in a bid to reduce the colossal greenhouse gas emissions produced by aviation.

And finally, music fans woke up to some good news this morning after it was announced that music retailer HMV will make a return to Ireland this summer, almost seven years after it closed its last store here. His Master’s Voice, known worldwide for its iconic logo showing a dog listening to a record player, closed its last five stores in the Republic of Ireland in 2016 after it entered administration.

The store will have three floors and is planned to open by mid-July of this year.

Have a good day everyone.