Fianna Fáil TD for Meath East and party spokesperson for Education, Thomas Byrne, joined Martin and Ewan MacKenna of the Black Eye Podcast, to discuss the Leaving Cert and trying to make the best choices in difficult circumstances.

We also discuss Government formation, the unwillingness to work with Sinn Féin and the type of programme for government Thomas believes a FF/FG coalition will deliver. This is a strong and at times testy interview, but we appreciate Thomas taking the time to talk with us.

Join us on: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Tony was joined by immigration and human rights solicitor, Wendy Lyon to discuss Ireland's immigration system and the struggle to get access to justice for those left living what can be a life stuck on pause for years.

We discuss the life limiting nature of Direct Provision and how the Covid-19 pandemic has only exacerbated what was already a breach of human rights in the ugly for profit current model.

For more information visit: masi.ie

Our next live in lockdown pod is tomorrow, Wednedsay the 13th at 7:30pm with Dublin Old School writer, actor and poet, Emmet Kirwan.

Register: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

It was a great treat to be joined for another of our Tortoise Shack Live in #LockDown podcasts by filmmaker, director and Live Line content creator, Lenny Abrahamson. Caroline, Tony and Martin ask Lenny about the (unforeseen?) success of Normal People, the good and bad reactions to the sex scenes and the thought and care that went into the consent putting consent on screen.

We also get an insight into Lenny's upcoming project, A Mans World - the Emile Griffith Story.

Then our brilliant members, including some familiar voices ask some terrific questions. Enjoy.

To support us and come along to our next "live" pod join us on: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

<< Back To The Echo Chamber

While Martin is off sunning himself (in hospital), Tony talked with campaigning journalist and climate activist, John Gibbons about the price the Green Party must extract in order to enter government with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

John talks about the need to be in government and the healthy scepticism we share for any deal with the two parties that have thus far specialised in producing plans to be great at something at sometime in the future.

The clock is ticking: Electoral Destruction or Climate Devastation?

Join us: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

How can you stay home during the Covid-19 pandemic if you have nothing to eat? Our guest is Head of International Advocacy at Concern Worldwide, Réiseal Ní Chéilleachair and with over 12 years experience of working in some of the worlds poorest countries she understands that the hunger can be more deadly than the virus.

She outlines what Covid-19 means for humanitarian programmes, the impact it is having on those who are already extremely poor and how the economic impact has the potential to worsen these already difficult situations. Réiseal also outlines steps governments and citizens can take in a human rights based model that can avert the worst outcomes of this pandemic.

To learn more or donate go to concern.net

Maybe try the Long Jump Challenge by attempting to jump 2 meters, nominating 2 friends and donating €2.

On Wednesday Sinn Féin Leader, Mary Lou McDonald, joined us and an audience of Tortoise Shack members for a live podcast. We discuss the health of our democracy, the response of sections of our current system to the general election result and what Sinn Féin should and can be doing in these extraordinary times.

In this hour long conversation we talk about the challenges facing the country, the real changes the people who voted Left want to see, Covid-19 and a lot more. We end with some excellent questions from the audience.

To join us for our next live pod and to help this project keep going join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Just before the world ground to a halt and everything became about Covid-19, we were joined on the phone by lecturer in energy systems engineering in NUI Galway, Dr Rory Monaghan, to talk about Ireland's potential for renewable energy. Given the Fianna Gael overtures to the Green Party we thought it timely for our listeners.

Rory explains where we stand currently, the advances in technology and the untapped resources that are just off our coastline. We also discuss the need for large scale investment into renewable energy, the fascinating tender process involved and the need to bring the public in on the plans.

We hope to do a longer interview under better circumstances with Rory in the near future.

Join us: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

It was a great pleasure to be joined via zoom by Country Programme Manager in Malawi with Irish Rule of Law, Seona Dillon McLoughlin, to discuss the fascinating and crucial work they do in places like Malawi, Vietnam and Myanmar.

Seona explains how using the law helps tackle injustice, inequality and corruption. She also talks about the differences access to justice can make and the role they are playing now during the Covid-19 pandemic in what is one of the worlds poorest countries.

Really enjoyed this chat.

Check out irishruleoflaw.ie for more and to see if you can help.

Join us: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Guardian Columnist, features writer and co-creator of the excellent series Anywhere But Westminster, John Harris joined us along an audience of our Tortoise Shack members for a conversation about the UK's response to Covid-19 and how it's exposing and deepening the inequalities that already existed pre-pandemic.

We also discuss what might be around the corner politically and economically; we even almost nostalgically talk about Brexit before a Q&A at the end.

Thanks to John for his time and to our members for joining us.

Featuring shoutouts to Sonic the Hedgehog, Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes.

To come along to our next 'live' pod go to: patreon.com/tortoiseshack - we rely on you!

In our first ever #TortoiseShackLive in Lockdown, Caroline, Tony and Martin were joined by Associate Professor at DCU Law & Gov and member of the Policing Authority, Dr Vicky Conway and Digital Rights Expert and Surveillance and Human Rights Lawyer with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, Elizabeth Farries and lots of you, our Tortoise Shack family.

We talked the emergency powers given to the police, the UN Special Rapporteur's letter about the Public Services Card and answered lots of great questions from the audience. Thanks so much to Vicky and Elizabeth for their time and to our brilliant and engaged members.

To be "at" the next show join us at: patreon.com/tortoiseshack