Lorcan Sirr is a researcher at the Dublin Institute Of Technology. He has a deep understanding of the ideologies that underpin our approach to cities and our over-reliance on the market to meet housing needs. Caitriona Devery got the super new Red Line Luas to Phibsboro to talk about housing, planning, and the long fingered tentacles of the Catholic Church.
Beyond The Pale.
Ever heard of a Housing Passport? Patrick McCusker takes a look at a scheme that’s been talked about by the government as a way of addressing the housing crisis, in which you can transfer your place on the waiting list to another county so as to start a new life in the countryside rather than spend several years waiting for a house in Dublin.
Ara Here.
Aramark is a giant multinational with its grubby fingers in all sorts of pies, not least the highly profitable Direct Provision system here in Ireland. But now a growing boycott movement against their on-campus canteens has sprung up in universities around the country. Tomas Lynch takes a look.
The Hateful Eighth.
Above: Paul Reynolds caught this very telling photograph at last year’s Rally For Life. Since its introduction in 1983 the 8th amendment has created an environment where responsibility of control for the pregnant woman is in the hands of the Health Care Provider. For practicing midwives, this is a scary position to be in. Polly Molotov is a registered midwife and general nurse and takes us through the problems it creates. It … Read More
The Boogeyman of Balance.
Listening to Marian Finucane interviewing anyone on a Sunday morning can be a slog but sometimes she makes a comment that sheds light on the modus operandi of the national broadcaster. Her “from both sides” comment when interviewing Katie Ascough last November got Sean Finnan thinking about RTÉ’s juggling act when it comes to balance.
Let’s Talk About Sex.
Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger is on the frontline fight for many issues but especially women’s rights and secular education. Last week she tabled the Provision of Objective Sex Education Bill which wants to ensure that children receive factual, secular sex education. Caitriona Devery spoke to her about the issues at hand.