The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

(recorded Jun 18th) Joining me to discuss the end of this Dáil term is independent TD, Catherine Connolly. We had a lot to cover from her viral comments regarding the Confidence Vote, the failure to learn from Covid, the Climate Emergency, a deep-dive into housing issues in Galway, the 3three-tier asylum system and her considered thoughts on MEP's Mick Wallace and Clare Daly.

This is a broad and at times disheartening conversation on many of the issues facing Ireland and Irish democracy, but it's not without hope.

Join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

UK Political Commentator of the year, Guardian columnist and host of the Politics Weekly Podcast, John Harris, joined Tony to talk British politics, English nostalgia and the opportunity for a progressive coalition that will deal with the various real life crises and not engage in culture war nonsense.

Join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin, joined me to discuss the Mica Redress Scheme and the 80, yes 80, amendments that the homeowners wanted in the legislation that was guillotined through the Dáil.

We talk housing defects, industry and State culpability and how to stop these issues happening in the future. We also discuss the cost of living crisis, the Raise the Roof campaign and a lot more.

Join us and get these podcasts as they're recorded at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Some stories are just too good to spoil. So without giving anything away, I had a chat with Connacht based techie, Eilís Ní Fhlannagáin, about her journey, the activism that drives her and her key role in a truly remarkable story that proves that it is often better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

This is a real treat!

Join us for plea free podcasts at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

In what happens to be the last episode recorded before she died, Vicky is joined by Dr Sindy Joyce and Dr Amanda Haynes of the University of Limerick, speaking about the findings of their recently published report on Irish Travellers Access to Justice. They discuss the reasons for conducting the research and how they went about doing it.

They discuss the findings as they relate to issues of victims, stop and searches, arrests, detention and searches of homes. We see just how much members of the Traveller Community are under-policed and over-policed, and how this is traumatic and becomes inter-generational. This is a report of enormous significance which is equally upsetting, but which we commend to all our listeners to engage with. You can watch the launch of the project here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=1070251160543582

We are heartbroken. Rest in Power, Dr Vicky Conway.

Ulster Unionist Party member, LGBT Rights activist, writer and Political Commentator, Michael Palmer, joined me to discuss growing up gay in an Unionist community, the failures of the Good Friday Agreement, the 12th celebrations, the political stagnation in Stormont and much, much more.

Join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

You may have seen the investigation into the 'Potential fraud' in poultry farm planning applications:https://www.noteworthy.ie/factory-farm-pt1-teagasc-news-5800977-Jul2022/ Joining me to discuss this, the damage it can cause and what is happening now is Investigative Reporter with Noteworthy, Niall Sargent.

Niall talks about the recurring problems of light-touch regulation and how "chicken litter" (chicken shit to you and me) at such high volumes can and is causing environmental damage.

Join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

I've just been joined on the podcast by Neuroscientist and TCD Prof, Tomás Ryan to discuss the current Covid 19 Wave and ask why are we sleepwalking into another winter of discontent.

We discuss the most recent findings about Long Covid, repeat infections and the potentially devastating impacts it can have. Tomás outlines the mitigations that are open to government and society now and also explains why much of our commentariat are loathe to consider them.

Join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

If you have seen the shocking images of the 37 people killed at the Moroccan/Spanish Border enclave of Melilla you will know why so many people are correctly calling out Fortress Europe for its migration policy double standards.

Joining me to discuss these tragic and horrific events, the EU/Spanish Govts role in same and what it means for the looming food crisis is Madrid based journalist, Eoghan Gilmartin.

We also take a look at the other regimes the EU is doing deals with in order to outsource migrant abuses.

Eoganh's piece is available to read here:https://jacobin.com/2022/06/europe-spain-morocco-border-killings-psoe-sanchez/ and his podcast The Sobremesa Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts.

Join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

This Reboot Republic talks to Sharon Crandall who is being made homeless on Thursday. Her and her son are losing their rental home, and Sharon is going living in her car as she has not been able to find somewhere to live in the place she has lived for twenty years, West Kerry.

Sharon is upset, and explains in human terms the anxiety that being made homeless is causing her. She has a message for the Government - listen to the stories of the human impact of this crisis. This is a national policy and Government shame and failure - that thousands are being put through this trauma. Share this story around, tell your story, contact your TD, we cannot allow this continue.

https://www.whoismytd.com/