A training manual provided to eir employees by parent company Eircom warned them that they would face disciplinary proceedings if they obeyed Irish laws covering customer complaints.

The same manual also outlined a series of “trigger words” that would allow people calling the company with complaints to have their concerns dealt with in an expeditious fashion. If those words were not used, the concerns raised by customers frequently went nowhere.

In a case taken against the company by the communications watchdog ComReg before Dublin District Court, the telecommunications company pleaded guilty to 10 breaches of the law related to its failures to acknowledge customer complaints, to provide a complaint response within 10 working days, and to provide an email address to progress a complaint after 10 working days. These are requirements of regulations governing the telecoms sector.

But now eir says the documents were taken out of context and that ComReg made 'incorrect claims'. What is not in doubt is that customer mistreatment by telecoms companies is nothing new, says Consumer Affairs Correspondent Conor Pope.

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In 2016 US diplomats in Cuba’s capital reported a range of mysterious symptoms that were soon experienced by colleagues in other parts of the world.

Staff reported bloody noses, headaches, stomach issues, vision problems and hearing strange sounds. The phenomenon was quickly dubbed the Havana Syndrome and investigations began to try to ascertain its origin – or if it was a real illness at all.

Now, a new report led by US TV investigative show 60 Minutes has said Russian intelligence is responsible, that it is a hybrid warfare tactic.

The finding contradicts a US government report last year which suggested that the “anomalous health incidents” were not caused by an energy weapon or foreign enemy.

Julian Borger, Guardian world affairs editor tells In the News how the latest report is being received in the US – and Moscow.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey.

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In the most recent murder case where cannabis use was judged to be a factor, the court ruled that Diego Costa Silva killed his wife while in a state of cannabis-induced psychosis at their home in Finglas, Dublin on November 4th, 2021. A jury found him not guilty of Fabiola De Campos Silva’s murder, by reason of insanity. His was one of a number of murder cases to come before Irish courts in the past year where cannabis-use was judged to be a factor.

Dr Colin O’Gara, head of addiction services at St John of God Hospital in Dublin, tells In the News about the dangers of new, more potent strains of cannabis, what is cannabis-induced psychosis and the link between use of the drug and existing mental health issues.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey.

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In August two more sections of the quays in Dublin will become no-go areas for private cars. When the “bus gates” open on Aston Quay on the southside of the river, and Bachelor’s Walk on the northside, private cars will no longer be able to complete their journey from one of end of the city’s quays to the other. They are the first measures of the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan, which will restrict motorists driving “through” instead of “to” the city centre.

Some knotty problems still need to be ironed out - most notably how will Diageo transport Guinness from where it is made at St James’s Gate to the port for export if it can’t use the straightest route down the quays. And what is a bus gate anyway? Are taxis allowed use them? And cyclists? Dublin Editor Olivia Kelly explains the plan - and how it is a key part of a strategy to make Dublin a move liveable city.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan.

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Robert F Kennedy jnr is on the campaign trail, attempting to get on the ballot for the US presidential election.

A scion of the Kennedy political dynasty, he had hoped to challenge Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination but when that hope faded, he announced he would continue as an independent candidate.

The long-time environmental lawyer is the son of the former US attorney general and senator Robert F Kennedy, and a nephew of president John F Kennedy. He’s also a controversial figure not least for his anti-vaccine activism.

Dr Pippa Malmgren, former economic adviser to president George W Bush explains how RFK jnr could shake up the presidential race and tells why Americans who don’t want either Donald Trump or Biden just might be persuaded to vote for him.

Last week he announced his running mate and Irish Times Washington correspondent Keith Duggan explains why he chose California lawyer Nicole Shanahan, ex-wife of Google co-founder Sergei Brin.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey.

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Today on In the News we bring you an excerpt from another episode of our sister podcast, Inside Politics. Pat Leahy and Jennifer Bray joined host Hugh Linehan to talk about Simon Harris's appointment as Taoiseach and the details of his minimal Cabinet reshuffle. Did he go far enough to satisfy Fine Gaelers or voters looking for change? But first, they discuss the news that the reconstituted Government's first act will be to recognise the statehood of Palestine.

You can listen to the full episode on the Inside Politics podcast feed or on irishtimes.com. New episodes of Inside Politics are available each Wednesday and Friday wherever you get your podcasts.

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On Tuesday, Simon Harris will be officially voted into office by TDs in Dáil Éireann and become the new Taoiseach.

Harris, who is the youngest ever Taoiseach at 37, will then reveal his Cabinet reshuffle, by which he hopes to signal a fresh start for the Government and for the Fine Gael party.

But can the Wicklow TD turn youthful enthusiasm into meaningful action? And how will he decide bring on his Cabinet picks?

We ask Political Editor Pat Leahy about what we've learned about Harris since he took over as Fine Gael leader and the challenges that lie ahead for Ireland’s new Taoiseach.

Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Declan Conlon and Suzanne Brennan.

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Nearly three years have passed since Irish schools started reopening in March 2021 and children began returning to the educational environment that was abruptly erased from their lives the previous year.

In the months that followed children and teens, who had spent months locked in their homes keeping up with classes through Zoom lessons, began reacclimatising to the social environment of a busy classroom. For most, this was relief. But for a small but significant cohort, returning to school was not desirable or, in some cases, even possible.

Three years on, school absenteeism is on the rise, with reports that school refusal and school phobia have become a big issue for principals and school staff across the country.

Tusla has warned that “unexplained” school absences have quadrupled, raising concerns that thousands of young people are missing out on an education.

In the most extreme cases, there are serious health issues at play. But there are a whole host of other reasons why other children refuse to leave their homes in the morning and attend classes.

Irish Times health editor Carl O’Brien joins In The News podcast to discuss the rise of school phobia among Irish children, while Kerry Grantham shares the story of her son James – the once “happy-go-lucky” child who became “gripped with terror” shortly after starting secondary school in 2021.

Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.

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From stately townhouses to cinema screens and Turkish baths, Grafton Street has had a fascinating and varied history. But how did it evolve to become the premium retail street that it is today? And who now owns the ornate buildings that house some of our favourite shops and meeting spots? Dublin Editor Olivia Kelly and reporter Colm Keena take us on a fascinating virtual walk down Dublin's most salubrious thoroughfare, with a look at some of our best known landmarks.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan

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In Libya, former members of the Irish Defence Forces, including men who served in the elite Army Rangers Wing have been providing training for a militia headed up Libyan strongman, Khalifa Haftar.

It’s a lucrative business for the company called Irish Training Solutions but the work is an apparent breach of a United Nations arms embargo imposed on the volatile African country.

Naomi O’Leary broke the story in the Irish Times on Wednesday and the official response was swift. Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin called the revelations “deeply shocking”, saying that they cause “reputational damage to Ireland and our Defence Forces”.

O’Leary tells In the News about the sort of military training being provided by these former Irish soldiers, who is behind Irish Training Solutions, how much money is involved and, with providing military training in Libya specifically prohibited by the UN, what it means for the reputation of the Irish Defence Forces.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and Declan Conlon.

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