The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

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Why the Government has to Re-instate the eviction ban: the landlords' strike, mortgage arrears & how to build affordable homes for sale

In this Reboot Republic, Rory and Tony discuss the on-going fallout of the Governments terrible decision to lift the eviction ban, the latest data from the RTB showing 11,000 notices to quit issued in 2022, with 84% for no fault evictions, revealing a tsunami of housing distress unless the Government reinstates the eviction ban, the landlord's strike by selling up to deter further renters rights, the growing issue of mortgage arrears and how the state must step in a build affordable homes for sale.

The Fr Peter McVerry and Spicebag podcasts are available now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-81082874

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The Good Friday Agreement sought to make real the concept of a rights-based society in Northern Ireland. Human rights commitments to be protected in legislation included the incorporation of the European Convention of Human Rights, a Bill of Rights, a Single Equality Act, an Irish Language Act, and equality duties to be placed on public authorities. Of the aforementioned commitments, the ECHR is the only one to be properly implemented while the remaining human rights protections continue to be poorly effected or ignored entirely.

In this episode Emma is joined by Professor Colin Harvey, Director of the Human Rights Centre, Queen's University and Rights Activist Alexa Moore to explore the undelivered promise of a Northern Ireland Bill of Rights.

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Street Art, Multiple Personas & Social Change with Asbestos

This Reboot Republic talks to the Irish artist, Asbestos, whos been creating work on the street and in a variety of media since 2003. He outlines his recent work on a mural on home in Cork, how he uses the concept of masks and personas to create dialogue and provoke a reaction to the world we are trying to navigate, and how he can cover his work with masks and identity and how he uses that for social change campaigns, and his run in with the Taoiseach and the irony of their use of his art.

The interview with Fr Peter McVerry is available now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-81082874

Yes, we address the "dispute."

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In a tortoise shack exclusive, Green Party (for now?) TD, Neasa Hourigan, joined us for the first time since her her decision to vote against the government in relation to the temporary moratorium on no-fault evictions. It gets feisty.

We discuss classism and crappy communications within the Green Party, the consistent allegations of bullying and misogyny, their achievements and or failures in Government relative to the ambitions set out in the Program for Govt, that Neasa helped negotiate and yet voted against.

We also talk about Neasa's journey into politics and why she has stayed in a party that we think clearly would rather she'd just leave.

Our #Echo1000 Episode is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-only-80336544

Lost in implementation is a limited six-part series exploring the unfinished work of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. While focus for the 25th anniversary is on celebrating the glory days this podcast will be taking a harder look at the unimplemented aspirations of 1998.

Hosted by writer and activist, Emma DeSouza and produced by the tortoise shack's Tony Groves. Episode one will be with you shortly.

Music and artwork by Jake DeSouza

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

You might have seen the videos of Eamon Ryan getting confronted by students in Trinity College who are deeply unhappy with the Green Party in Government. I say more power to them.

Joining me to discuss this is one of the people involved in the protests and co-founder of the Postgraduate Workers Organisiation, PhD Researcher and PBP rep for Dublin North West, Conor Reddy.

We discuss the impossible conditions postgrads are facing and why the system is excluding people from University research roles based on money and not ability. We also chat protest and the need to force the government to not continue with their pro-homelessness policies.

Our podcast on the Garda Eviction artwork is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-80921124

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Despite all the domestic woes, there's still a global climate emergency playing out that needs our attention. Our guest is Green Party MEP, Ciarán Cuffe and he's working on legislation that has been dubbed the renovation wave which aims to reduce emissions from buildings across the EU. He's also been duped Hard-Left by Brietbart for wanting to do so, who knew!

We also talk Neasa Hourigan's 15 month suspension, the Green Party values in coltiion, beef with his Irish MEP colleagues and how Ireland's neutrality must be protected in the increasingly militaristic European Union.

The episode with Neasa is available now:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-80818225

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Just before Sinn Féin tabled legislation to extend the temporary moratorium on no-fault evictions, the Ceann Comhairle accepted a Government amendment that would scupper the vote. It seemed most unparliamentary to us, tbqhwy.

Joining us to discuss this, the Land Development Agency report, the unreported homelessness figures and the latest in auction politics, is Sinn Féin housing spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin.

Then Martin and I have a very very patreon-member only chat about the less reported news including the Kellie Harrington interview fallout. Strong language throughout.

Register for the live online Reboot Republic podcast for free here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/80424388

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You'd be forgiven for feeling a sense of deja vu as we watch banks crash, fold, merge and or rattle bailout buckets. But, as always, it's more nuanced. Rejoining us to make some sense of it all on is listener favourite, Prof Richard Murphy.

Richard breaks down the economic woes and gives his insights into not what only is happening, but what could happen next. More importantly we discuss what should happen in order to avert a new crisis and actually turn it into an opportunity.

(Note: Episode 1000 and access to Wednesday's live Eviction Ban special is on the patreon link)

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In a tortoise shack special, independent housing consultant and former No 10 Special Adviser on housing and local government to Prime Minister Theresa May, Toby Lloyd, joined Tony and Housing Lecturer, Dr Lorcan Sirr to talk all things housing.

Toby explains how a lifelong left wing activist and social housing advocate found himself as a Tory Government Special Advisor and how, even amongst the Brexit chaos, there were small wins to be had. We discuss the opportunity there is in a house price correction and what multi-faceted approaches are required to de-financialise housing.

Thanks again to Lorcan Sirr for setting up this podcast.