The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

In this episode of Policed: The Beat Vicky speaks to Liam Herrick, Executive Director of the ICCL, about the Justice Minister's statement this week that it is intended to introduce the use of Facial Recognition Technology in Irish policing. Liam explains what FRT is, what it can do and why we should be hugely concerned at its use by any police force. He also outlines the international context and the moves towards its elimination. You can read more about the ICCL's I Do Not Consent petition here

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Joining me this morning is Beirut based Irish journalist, Hannah McCarthy to discuss the fallout from Sunday's Lebanese election. She outlines how the parliament is divided in more ways than just religious divisions and what that means for a functioning government.

We discuss the economic crisis, how Lebanese officialdom is profiting from the EU's refugee 'Pay to Stay Away' policy and Hannah explains the way Palestinians are excluded from participating in Lebanese democracy, parts of the society and its systems. A great listen.

Do follow Hannah at @Hannahmc_carthy and join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

On Tuesday May 31st at Noon the National Traveller Mental Health Network are holding a protest outside the Dáil. Joining us to discuss the reasons for the protest and why we need feet on the streets are Chairperson of the Network, Mags Casey and Traveller Activist, Rose Marie Maughan.

We discuss the tragic reality behind the shocking mental health statistics for the Traveller community and why it is unacceptable that plans and reports to address this remain largely unimplemented.

Please do come out Tuesday and or let your local TD that this has to stop.

It was a pleasure to be rejoined on the tortoise shack by Press Secretary for the US Debt Collective, Braxton Bevington, to discuss the latest in what is happening in the labyrinthine misery inducing US student debt "market."

President Biden has pledged to address this in what is seen as a populist move in advance of the midterm elections. Braxton tells us that they are less that impressed by the plans as they will not take into account socioeconomic circumstances and is ultimately unjust.

In Irish terms this is very significant as the main scandal embroiled company handling this debt, Maximus, have recently lobbied the Irish government to handle "job activation" schemes. Watch this space.

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This Reboot Republic discusses the mass eviction of approximately 100 residents from their homes in the Shannon Arms Apartments on Henry Street in Limerick.

The evictions are being undertaken by several landlords, including Supermac’s owner and multimillionaire, Mr. Pat McDonagh. We talk to El/len Reid-Buckley, a sociologist, writer and artist based in Limerick and Communications Officer for the Limerick CATU Branch and Danny Brennan, the CATU Limerick Members Defence officer and member of Praxis: The Artist Union of Ireland.

We also hear from the tenants themselves how distressing this is, being evicted from their homes, but with the lack of rental property, there is literally no where for them to go. They will be made homeless. You can support the tenants by signing the petition:

https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/stop-the-shannon-arms-evictions-in-limerick-city

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In this important episode of Policed the Beat Vicky goes on a solo run, talking through one aspect of GSOC's 2021 Annual Report - data on deaths in custody. It's the first time we've been given such data ever. Vicky talks through what it means, but also the serious questions it generates. Do listen and recommend us!

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(It is no exaggeration to say that this is one of the most shocking and important podcasts we've ever done. But it does contain details that some listeners may find disturbing)

Joining us on the tortoise shack is Research Fellow at NUI Galway, Dr Jo Murphy-Lawless for a conversation you simply must listen to. Jo tells us about the underlying crisis and the current structures that are incapable/unwilling to resolve them within our health service.

We discuss the patriarchal cabal that profits from the current system, the troubling "silver teapot" mindset in some areas of care and the outrageous lack of transparency around tragic maternal deaths. There is so much more in this, please do listen. We were shocked.

Check out the Elephant Collective on twitter @El_Collective

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In this Reboot Republic Rory and Tony analyse some of the big housing and economic issues of the last few weeks. We discuss the pathetic affordable housing figures, rising rents, and the potential impacts of rising inflation, interest rates and recession, what is coming down the line? And what impact it will we have. We highlight some positive signs on a referendum on the right to housing but get angry about the reemergence of the homelessness crisis with a 30% increase in children homeless with their families in just 10 months.

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With interest rates heading up, inflation zooming ahead and US banks laying off mortgage staff we asked Colorado based economist, Constantin Gurdgiev what he thought was happening in the housing system, both in Ireland and globally.

We talk about the danger for Ireland's beggar thy neighbour tax regime and the shrinking of globalisation. Constantin outlines the dangers of recession and the balancing game Central Banks are playing between quelling inflation and killing the economy. We also talk Ukraine and the energy crisis that is here to stay as we divest from Russian fossil fuels.

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It was a pleasure to talk with Project Manager of wearenotnumbers.org, Enas Fares Ghannam on what is coincidentally the 74th Nakba Day.

Enas explains the work they do and how telling personal stories gives a voice to the voiceless. We discuss the killing of "iconic and beloved" journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh and the shameful acts of aggression by Israeli police at her funeral. She tells me about what Shireen meant to her as a young woman and to so many of her friends and colleagues.

We also talk about the Nakba and Enas shares her families story and explains to me how the events of that day continue to shape the present.

You can support the We Are Not Numbers project at:https://wearenotnumbers.org/get-involved/

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