The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

I've just finished recording with Green Party MEP, Ciaran Cuffe who is busy working away in Brussels. We discuss Putin's war in Ukraine and the EU response. We look at how this disaster is impacting supply chains in terms of food security and energy prices. We look at the Energy Charter Treaty and some of the work Ciaran is doing on aviation fuel and the energy performance of buildings in the EU.

Tickets for Tortoise Shack Live Easter Bank holiday: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tortoise-shack-live-easter-sunday-special-tickets-296620518957

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There was disappointment recently when the Government announced 2 Citizens Assemblies, but not the one on Drugs as promised in the PfG. Joining me to discuss this is long-time campaigner for a harm reduction model and Labour TD, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. He outlines why he became active in the decriminalisation of drug users area, what his time as Minister for Drugs was like and how Snr Civil Servants and Conservative Parties make progress very difficult. We also discuss the idea that Tánaiste Leo Varadkar could become Taoiseach later this year despite being the subject of a criminal investigation and what he made of the No Jobs for Convicts political theatre.

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It was a pleasure to be joined by DCU Prof Anthony Staines and Doctor Liqa Rehman to talk about the week that was. Martin even made his first appearance in a month! We discuss the great news on the Stamp 4 campaign, the worrying news around Covid numbers, some of the latest from Ukraine, what is happening in the US in women's reproductive healthcare and the laws targeting Trans people and we talk Iran firing missiles into Iraq.

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We just finished recording with MEP Luke Ming Flanagan. We discussed the controversy around the EU resolution to condemn Russia, the failure to act on illicit funds, the solidarity that is not extended to all people, food insecurity and a shocking attempt to use this crisis to stymie more environmentally aware agriculture. It even got a little bit heated.(Recorded 9th March).

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I'd heard of Aubrey McCarthy from people involved in homelessness and addiction services. But I'd never spoken with him. When he put his name forward for the TCD Seanad by-election it gave me an excuse to hear about this man who always seemed larger than life. Aubrey tells me what drives him, how he looks at himself as a "see a need, fill the need" problem solver and how his relentless enthusiasm keeps him pushing to implement changes years before politics catches. Do have a listen!

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Listeners will be familiar with lecturer, analyst and Irish Army whistleblower, Tom Clonan. What you might not know is that he is running in the Trinity College Seanad by-election.

Tom tells me why he's running again, the issues that he wants to tackle should he get elected, what has happened in the Arms Forces since we last talked, he also shares his thoughts on the war on the continent of Europe and how we need to start talking now about a Shared Island now.

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Hazel Chu could never be considered dull. The former Dublin Mayor has thrown her hat into the ring for the Trinity College Dublin Seanad election. She joined me to explain why she's doing it, what she'd like to achieve if successful, her key focus areas, her place in the Green Party and tackling the status quo.

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In this powerful and important panel, Vicky speaks to Selina and Louise McDermott who lost 3 siblings in the Stardust disaster. They speak openly about what it was like at the time of the fire and the impact on their family. Joined by Senator Lynn Boylan and solicitor Darragh Mackin we also cover how the state has failed the families through previous investigations and why the upcoming inquests are so important.

We are calling on you all to email your TD and the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee [email protected]

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Last night I was joined by Russian-Armenian-Irish man and now US based Economics Professor, Constantin Gurdgiev to get his thoughts on the war raging in Ukraine. Constantin discusses how Ukraine was viewed when he was growing up in the old Soviet Union and the ways the democratisation has bumped along. He talks about how the younger generation of Russia might be the best hope for peace. We also discuss the wider economic outcomes and of course the geopolitical realignment that are happening in front of our eyes.

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Today the Ukrainian Parliament gathered in person to pass emergency laws and show unity to the world. Joining me to discuss the latest from Kyiv is MP Lesia Vasylenko. She tells me why they risked getting together in possibly the worlds most targeted building, the emotions of the day and the unfolding tragedy that is the continued destruction.

Donate to Ukrainian humanitarian appeal: https://www.concern.net/donate/ukraine-crisis-appeal

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