The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

We need a new direction in housing: Lets protest & Raise the Roof on November 26th

In this Reboot Republic, Rory, talks to members of the Raise the Roof coalition about why we need a new direction in housing policy and what difference it will make if people come out and join the housing protest on November 26th at 1pm in Parnell Square, Dublin. I talk to Macdara Doyle of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and Raise the Roof, Bernard Joyce of the Irish Traveller Movement, Louise Bayliss of Focus Ireland and James O Toole, resident of Tathany House. Its time for us to stand across society, to stand up together. Please Be There!

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It was a pleasure to be rejoined on the tortoise shack for the first time in a few years by activist and human rights campaigner, Nicholas McGeehan, to discuss the World Cup that's about to kick off in Qatar.

Nick has campaigned for the migrant workers rights since the cup was awarded and has a long history of calling out sportswashing, so it was brilliant to get him on to outline the violations, the LGBT concerns, the FIFA role in this and how global capital is preying on human capital. A great insight from one of the best in the human rights arena.

Tickets:https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/tortoise-shack-live-getitdoneballymun-tickets-417062163157

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A future of ecofascism and climate catastrophe or build a better future for all?

The climate catastrophe and neoliberal capitalism is taking us on a highway to hell; hope is not a strategy and we need to see real action. But how can we get it?

In this Reboot Republic, we talk to John Gibbons , environmental journalist about the climate catastrophe facing us, the need for systemic change, communicating ideas, and how we can address inequality and climate to build a better world. Neoliberalism was a terrible idea and failed, but we need to replace it by reducing inequality and a more humble, fulfilling, inclusive way of living.

From climate change – disruption, climate refugees, there is a need to reimagine how we go forward – there is a battle for a better future –where there are two possible futures -bulding a better future for equality and climate - a smaller humble future or eco fascism chaos and collapse.

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Tickets:https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/tortoise-shack-live-getitdoneballymun-tickets-417062163157

Lobbying is part and parcel of our democratic process. But how transparent is it? Who is carrying it out? How is it regulated? Is there ways to improve public confidence in the process?

Joining us to discuss their deep-dive investigation into this are journalists with Noteworthy/ The Journal, Cormac Fitzgerald and Stephen McDermott. We talk the revolving door between politics, special advisers and the world of lobbying. We look at SIPO and their powers or lack off and we discuss how their 2 month investigation has left them with more questions that we'd all like to see answered.

Article here:https://www.noteworthy.ie/proposal/revolving-door-ministers-121-Sep2020

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Tickets:https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/tortoise-shack-live-getitdoneballymun-tickets-417062163157

It was a pleasure to be joined again by award winning political commentator, host of the Guardian's Politics Weekly Podcast and the excellent Anywhere But Westminster series, John Harris.

We talk about the rapid developments in UK politics, the rotating chairs, inhumane macroeconomic and immigration policies and reasons for hope, at least in the medium term if not right now.

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In this Reboot Republic Rory talks to Orla Hegarty, School of Architecture and Environment, UCD and Killian Woods, Senior Business Reporter with the Sunday Business Post about the housing crisis and property market - what is going on, what interests are driving policy - the lobbyists for speculative developers, what is likely to happen, and key measures needed, the links between tackling climate and housing emergencies, and how we can develop state capacity and construction sector capacity to ensure the building and retrofitting of homes.

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Tickets for Ballymun:https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/tortoise-shack-live-getitdoneballymun-tickets-417062163157

You may have seen a video I posted on twitter where economist, David McWilliams, said that Ireland doesn't need an NHS as our two-tier system does a good job of quickly seeing those who can afford to pay and that this frees up room for the less well off. Needless to say, I disagree.

Joining me to discuss this is Consultant Geriatrician in the Mater Hospital, Colm Byrne. He outlines he's belief that healthcare based on need and not ability to pay is both the most humane and economically sensible model. We discuss the fact that Private Healthcare is unprofitable and relies on the Public System to cover it's losses via cherry-picking procedures they can charge more for. We also discuss a realistic timeline for implementing Slaintecare under the current government and under one who was actually serious about levelling the field.

Tickets:https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/tortoise-shack-live-getitdoneballymun-tickets-417062163157

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This week on the Shrapnel Podcast I am joined by Lauren Kerr.

Lauren was an Ulster Unionist Party candidate for East Belfast in the early 2022 assembly election, in which the UUP grew their share for the area.

Lauren was the first openly lesbian candidate for East Belfast and uses her voice to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community within the UUP and unionism.

Lauren has been involved in politics for 15 years and also has a keen interest in football.

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Ballymun Tickets:https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/tortoise-shack-live-getitdoneballymun-tickets-417062163157?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks to Dan Nickstrom, who is an Irish man living in Helsinki, Finland. We talk about how things are done in there - on healthcare (Dan's child has scoliosis and got treatment in Finland), childcare and housing.

How do they do it? It is about the culture, the attitudes the role of the State and City Council delivering these key aspects of our lives as a social right. We talk about why there is no stigma about social housing in Finland and how they ended homelessness. There is 10,000 properties to rent in Helsinki, and 1,600 under €1,500 a month. There is just 350 to rent in Dublin and 1 under €1,600 a month. Why is this? What can we learn from what they do there? And we chat hurling in Finland, naturally. Up the Déise!

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(This is one those regular patron exclusive podcasts we do, but our members asked us to put out on general release) Martin was just about well enough to talk about the twitter exchange between Senator Regina Doherty, Tony and himself. While the former Minister's response is disappointing, it is not unexpected.

We also discuss the ongoing Iranian protests, the proposed hate speech legislation and what is happening with the tech meltdown.

Tickets:https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/tortoise-shack-live-getitdoneballymun-tickets-417062163157?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

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