The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

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There is a huge shortage of rental properties across the country, yet thousands of potential homes are illegally let on the short-term Air BnB style market. Well UCC law students, Brian O’Kane and Peadar Ó Rathaille, decided to do something about that and have been sending planning enforcement complaints to Cork City Council, to tackle non-compliant lettings of companies like Air BnB. and it's working.

We talked to the two lads and got them to explain the process, how it works and more importantly how you (yes, you) can do it as well.

You can get in touch with the lads here:https://twitter.com/rudeireann?s=21&t=mlzDFywvIydGLrB-iM1RVQ

The podcast on Niall Collins with Roman and Eoghan from the Ditch is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-81894998

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The Good Friday Agreement pledged "to facilitate and encourage integrated education" as an essential part of creating "a culture of tolerance at every level of society".

But most of the north’s schools remain split into two categories - Maintained which have links to the Catholic Church and mainly cater to Catholic pupils, and Controlled which are state-run and mainly cater to Protestant pupils.

In the 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement integrated schools have only increased by 4%.

In this episode Emma Desouza is joined by Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong and Paul Caskey, Campaign Director, at the Integrated Education Fund to discuss how progress can be made to advance integrated education in Northern Ireland.

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Tortoise Shack regular and Senior Reporter with the Sunday Business Post, Killian Woods, came over to talk about the latest news in the Irish and international housing markets, the Patrizia fund having the craic, the problem with our housing data and what might lie ahead for home construction in 2024.

The Jana Lyons INTO podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-81735551

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Yesterday at 1:20pm a man attempted to cut his way into a house in order to carry out an illegal eviction. The tenant, Dr Muhammad Raheel, confronted the landlord, who then approached him with an electric saw telling him that he'd split him open. The Doctor reported this attempted assault to his local Garda station. Nothing happened.

Dr Raheel joined me, alongside several of his colleagues, to talk about this horrendous day, the events that led up to it and the message it sends to the immigrant medical community.

Please listen.

Here's the video:https://twitter.com/LiqaDr/status/1647996333083574273?s=20

The podcast on how you (yes you) can stop illegal Air BnB's is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-81499621

6

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We did a very, very patron-only podcast on the news of the week where we looked at the explosion of Fine Gael angst about Leo Varadkar, the little Englander's going insane over Biden and what is happening in the US in terms of abortion and culture wars.

Then friend of the pod and drug decriminalisation advocate, Dr Garrett McGovern, joined us to talk about the bumpy beginning of the Citizens Assembly for Drugs. A very impactful conversation. #SaferFromHarm

Full episode available now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-81589614

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A little while ago we were invited to facilitate and record two discussions at Unite the Union, as part of the May Day Badge Appeal. In this first live podcast Tony is joined by MASI's Lucky Khambule and United Against Racism's Memet Uludag with the theme of Against the Hate. Both Lucky and Memet talk about the far right, our (3 tier?) Direct Provision system and the solidarity that is more powerful than hate.

Buy the cool badges:https://t.co/Yt8FU9lFLp

The latest podcast with Sunday Business Post Snr Reporter, Killian Woods, is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-81405068

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Join Emma in conversation with Daniel Holder, Director at the Committee on the Administration of Justice, to explore post-conflict and post-reform policing and justice in Northern Ireland. This episode examines the Agreement, asking whether it delivered transitional justice or a stopgap on legacy and the impact of the UK government's Legacy Bill.

The podcast on Joe Biden's visit and the NI Local Elections is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/81454043

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The scenes of violence and brutality carried out by the IDF and Israeli settlers in occupied territories have shocked and appalled many in 2023. But the international community remains almost silent. Why?

Joining us again is Gaza-based journalist, Issam Adwan, who describes the scenes there now following a night were Israel showered Gaza with 50 tonnes of deadly military munitions.

We also discuss the events in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and why the anti-government protests in Israel, did not go so far as to include the plight of Palestinians and if anything the stalemate has made the violence worse.

The Mine Workers of America live podcast is available now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-80966244

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In this Reboot Republic, Rory & Tony talk to Fr Peter McVerry about the reasons behind the lifting of the eviction ban, how the Government knew about the figures facing eviction, yet still went ahead, the political machinations around the decision, the need to reinstate the ban and make the tenant in situ scheme work.

Then we hear from Enya Kennedy, a mother of three who tells of her traumatic experience of living for 7 months in emergency homeless accommodation showing that emergency accommodation is not suitable - people need homes.

For the Spicebag interview click here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-81168820

Here it is, our 1000th Episode. Thanks for listening, sharing, liking, hating and helping us highlight, fight and tackle the issues that matter as an independent activist-based platform. What a journey.

Please come onboard for the next 1000 at patreon.com/tortoiseshack