On Thursday evening journalists with the Ditch, Roman Shortall and Eoghan McNeill, hosted an online chat about on the latest developments in the Niall Collins controversy and Tanaiste Micheal Martin's extraordinary comments about them, their work and their political affiliations.

They invited along Martin, Tony of this parish, as well as writer and journalist, Paulie Doyle and politically motivated artist, Spicebag. 

So if you missed it live, you can listen back now!

Invest the 20bn surplus in housing & climate-with economist Michael Taft

In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory talks with economist with SIPTU Michael Taft, about what should be done with the budget surpluses of 20bn (and even could be 40bn). 

Michael outlines why the 20bn should  not be saved away for pensions (which should be covered by taxation) and used to invest in key areas like housing (we discuss construction capacity and a public construction company) and Climate - in developing public wind energy and retrofitting. This is a historic possibility to address key social issues - we should use it in public investment not waste it on 'subsidising' the market.

There is too much talk nowadays about culture wars, but what if we told you that the Government are rushing through a piece of cultural legislation, the Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023, that could make our actual historic and cultural sites more vulnerable to "progress"?

Joining us on the podcast is Dr Thomas Muinzer and he outlines what is happening, why it is a step backwards from the 1994 National Monument Act introduced by the-minister Michael D Higgins and why we should all be paying attention.

Please contact your TD and let them know that they should press pause on this Bill until the very real concerns are addressed:https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/ or 

First flushes of love can be super exciting, but can also obscure emotionally abusive behaviour. Mary Hayes from Women’s Aid talks to me about how to spot the signs of emotionally abusive behaviour in relationships and where to seek support.  Find Women’s Aid at @womens_aid or 1800341900 and @toointoyou

Leo Varadkar continually told the Dáil that our "eviction ban" was a winter ban similar to that in other countries. So I decided to test those similarities with our friend and regular contributor in Helsinki, Finland, Dan Nikstrom. Needless to say the facts don't support the Taoiseach's claim. We also discuss the rise of far right culture wars in countries previously bastions of social democracy and the scary electoral success some are having with these "issues."

Human rights run like a thread through the Good Friday Agreement, including a right to Equality of Opportunity, but what does this aspiration mean in practice? And do the people of Northern Ireland really have equality of opportunity? Emma is joined by Women's Sector Lobbyist Elaine Crory, and Shrapnel Podcast Host Sam McElwaine to discuss the challenges and barriers to equality of opportunity and how this aspiration has not been felt by some of the most marginalized in society.

Martin, Tony and Sam Mcilwaine sat down to chat about the news of the week both sides of the border and to get Sam's report from his very productive few days at Queens University for the Agreement talks that took place earlier this week. This might be the first time you'll hear about Gerry Adams, Jamie Bryson and Coddle in one conversation.

We also talk Fox Views $770m settlement, Calpol as the most stolen item in Tesco, our corporate tax windfall and Martin's re-watching of The Day After Tomorrow. 

Rejoining us on the podcast to discuss the biggest political social media story of the week are Roman Shortall and Eoghan McNeill of https://www.ontheditch.com/ 

We go through the facts about the property dealings of Fianna Fáil TD Niall Collins and his wife Eimear Collins (nee O'Connor) and what it says about standards in public office. We also discuss the almost complete silence about what are very serious issues from mainstream media and some of the reasons for them.

Finally we talk An Bord Pleanala and the current state of the board. 

Ireland is experiencing an economic boom that would make Jeff Bezos blush, yet we're increasing the working poor at Ebenezer Scrooge percent. What gives?

Joining us to talk about the need to move away from a failing wealth redistribution model towards a more equal pre-distribution future is UCD's Associate Professor, Aidan Regan. Enjoy!

It was a pleasure to be rejoined on the podcast for the first time in 2023 by primary school teacher and INTO union activist, Jana Lyons,  (speaking in a personal capacity) to discuss the recent changes and actions within her profession.

We discuss that payrise and what message it sends to ordinary members and we delve into the real issues and challenges facing teachers outside of the manufactured "gender" debates that seem to make the news with alarming regularity at the moment.