It is the story of the year and in 2020, that's really saying something. Rejoining us on the podcast is one half of the team that broke it, Aoife Moore.

Aoife talks to us about how she and her colleague, Paul Hosford, unraveled the web and got to the story. We talk about what it means for a government that was already struggling to gain the public's confidence and what might happen over the coming days.

Hint: Tony's prediction has already not come to pass.

Here's 30 minutes about the importance of good journalism. Enjoy.

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As part of our coverage of the second wave and it's impact on the health of the Health Service we were joined by Professor of Health Systems, Anthony Staines and GP Dr Maitiu O Tuathail. This is a terrific insignt into what living with the virus means as opposed to crushing it. Professor Staines talks about our options and the ways these aims can be achieved and Dr O Tuathail describes the current situation in GP Practices. Both men talk us through what changes they would like to see and give us their solutions to the many problems that Covid-19 has only exacerbated.

Note: The #GolfGate scandal broke mid-pocast and you can hear our live reactions. Full version available on patreon. Professor Staines is on twitter @astaines & Matt is @DrZeroCraic

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As part of our members 'giveback' we've just recorded another Live Online pod on the events of the past week and some of the stories that might have slipped under the radar.

The panel this week was the voice of the Echo Chamber Podcast, Martin McMahon, DCU Law's and soon to be Policed Podcast Host, Dr Vicky Conway, host of the brand new PAC Woman Podcast, Linda Hayden, Tony Groves and extended Tortoise Shack family member, Saoirse McHugh.

This is a fast moving review of the week, with some laughs sprinkled in.

To hear the full podcast, including Q&A and to attend the next similar event join us on: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Only a few weeks ago Environmental Law Officer with the Irish Environmental Network, Attracta Uí Bhroin came on the tortoise shack and warned us that a piece of Fine Gael legislation from the last government that would make access to justice more restrictive might end up in the new program for government. How right she was.

New Minister for State and Green Party Senator, Pippa Hackett, seems to be in quite a rush to get her new Bill through at a time when there is little or no oversight and not enough time for a proper public consultation. Attract outlines what this all means and puts into context why it matters to everyone, whether your in Dingle or Donegal.

This podcast is also a call to action. Let's #DitchPippaHackettsBill and fix the problems now, rather than pay for them later on.

Email your submission to [email protected]

Support our podcast: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

The government is in disarray and perhaps it's biggest challenge is only a few days away, the reopening of schools. Joining us to discuss this are Lecturer in Education ICT at the Marino Institute, Ciara Reilly, Primary School Teacher and INTO member, Jana Lyons and Lecturer in Education at Maynooth University, Camilla Fitzsimons.

This is a terrific discussion that touches on the very real concerns of teachers, students and parents. The panel outline the challenges that schools, teachers, pupils and the Dept are facing in the coming weeks and crucially, they offers real workable solutions. I know the golf stuff will dominate the news, but make time to listen to this.

The tortoise shack needs support. Join us and you'll get access to exclusive content and live events: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

With a second wave now around us and some very mixed messages from our government, we decided to look at the health of the health service. Joining us to talk about what we've come through, where we are now and in an ideal world, where we should be going next is Consultant Rheumatologist, patient advocate and "normal sensible person", Dr Laura Durcan.

Laura breaks it all down in an accessible way and offers solutions to the Public vs Private issue and more. Laura came highly recommended by her colleagues. I'm not surprised. This is a great listen.

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This Reboot Republic podcast talks to current Young Journalist of the Year, Jack Power of the Irish Times, about the distressing eviction of nine tenants in Phibsborough, Dublin City last week. This took place just weeks after the government removed the COVID eviction ban. We discuss how the eviction unfolded, the way property investment funds can evict tenants so easily, and are unaccountable to tenants, we also talk about the the proactive response from housing activists such as Dublin Central Housing Action, the new tenants union CATU, and local community that supported the tenants to get back into their home. We go into the need to reintroduce an eviction moratorium and for the Attorney General's advice to be challenged. We also discuss current tenant protections and our ongoing call for referendum on the right to housing.

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As we near the time for schools to start reopening with what seems to be a 'let's hope for the best' strategy, we decided to talk to our friend in Stockholm, Philip O'Connor, about the Swedish experience and what impact them NOT closing the schools has had. Philip talks us through the variances of outcomes in the Nordic/Scandinavian region and breaks down in an accessible way the steps taken in Sweden that make it an outlier. Then we discuss Philip's exciting new US Presidential campaign project, Outside it's America - 50 States in 50 days and 50 podcasts.

To learn more and to support this project head to kickstarter.com/projects/philipoconnor/outside-its-america-50-podcasts-50-states-50-days

and check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1AzJAL5Tts

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August and the Dáil recess is usually a quiet time in the news. But Covid changed everything. So we got the growing Tortoise Shack family together, in front of an online audience of our members, to discuss what is happening. We discuss the racist attack on the Canal, the 'illegal eviction', the Tanaiste's dogwhistle, Mr Brightside Day Drinking and creeping Covid-19 numbers.

Linda Hayden of our new podcast, The PAC Woman Podcast talks about living in a second lockdown. Caroline West of The Glow West Podcast breaks down the after effects of her having Covid-19 five months on. Then another new contributor, Vicky Conway (new podcast Policed, Coming Soon) talks about the Garda response to the eviction and the attack on the canal. Tony and Martin were also there.

To support these podcasts and to get access to them live please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

We are joined by UCC Professor of Chemistry, John Wenger, who specialises in atmospheric chemistry, air quality and climate change. Prof Wenger and 200 of his worldwide peers wrote to the World Health Organisation (WHO) about the dangers posed by covid 19 spreading through aerosol transmission. As we near the time that classrooms are scheduled to open up, John talks us through the main concerns and issues facing schools, but also importantly offers solutions to reduce the spread. This is a must listen.

For more see: www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/modes-of-transmission-of-virus-causing-covid-19-implications-for-ipc-precaution-recommendations

To support us (we need the support) please go to patreon.com/tortoiseshack