The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

This week Tony was joined by Policed host Dr Vicky Conway and special guests PBP Clondalkin Rep, Darragh Adelaide, Writer and Activist, Emma DeSouza and Irish Examiner Reporter, Aoife Moore. We talk about the dropping of restrictions, the return of politics "before" Covid, the Govt saying that we need more Cuckoo funds, the disrespect shown to the All-island Women's Forum peacebuilding conference, the ludicrous ongoing NWCI spat, the latest from Ukraine and more.

To attend these regular live shows and help us keep the mics on please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Moscow based Irish journalist and educator, Alan Moore joined me to discuss the latest on the Ukrainian border, what is happening behind the scenes and why he feels, despite the usual suspects banging the drums of war, it won't happen. We also delve into how the Afghan students he helped relocate are getting on. As always some great insights from Alan.

Tickets for our upcoming live show in Dublin are available HERE

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And yes, that is David O'Doherty singing at the end.

We were mid patron only podcast when tortoise shack fav, Deputy Vice-Leader of the Portuguese Socialist Party, Joao Pina, WhatsApp'd to say that he was free. So we just added him to the zoom and it was well worth it.

Joao tells us how the snap election occurred, why he feels they defied the polls and discusses the very real threat that having a "nazi- adjacent" far right grouping in opposition means. We discuss the plans to tackle inequality and take a look at how his governments plan to tackle housing differs from our international fund driven model. As always, some great insights.

Note: we have a few blips in the connection in the first minute or 2, but they are all gone in the remainder.

Tickets for March 6th are available now HERE

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(I was a bit under the weather when we recorded this, so apologies if my voice is a bit scratchy) Ukrainian Govt MP and Head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Maria Mezentseva, joined me to discuss the latest in the continuing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. We discuss the 2014 annexation, the Donbas region, Russian speakers and a human rights approach. Maria talks about a strong and successful Ukraine as a deterrent to Russian territorial claims and why she feels that NATO expansion, if it happens, is something the majority in Ukraine would support.

(Note: Maria was at a military airport during this recording and while I was delighted to have this conversation as someone who is anti-war I found the whole thing disheartening.)

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Senator Lynn Ruane has 25 years of experience of drugs, from use to support services to advocacy. Suffice to say she understands the topic in great detail. So with a government seeming to drag it heels the last few weeks and months have been difficult. Lynn explains how every day we delay real action like the citizens assembly on drugs another life will be lost. Lynn outlines the international best practices, the need to put hope in action and why, despite it all, she doesn't give into the anger and is pushing to deliver the type of change that will tackle the inequality, trauma and socioeconomic circumstances that make a life of addiction seem better than the alternative.

Don't forget we are in the Sugar Club on March 6th. Tickets are available HERE

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This is the recording of our most recent Live Sunday Special with Fianna Fáil's Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, Socialist - Loyalist, Sam Mcilwaine and Writer, Chair of the Women's Forum and Sunday regular, Emma DeSouza.

We went on a deep dive on the political events across this Island and into a serious conversation on the upcoming NI election and the future of the NI Protocol. We discuss the Glasnevin Monument, more Collusion cases, inflation fears and how our market income inequality leaves us more exposed in a booming economy. We then discuss Political Accountability in the age of champagne parties, Golfgate and Boris Party Boy Johnson.

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It was a great pleasure to be joined on the tortoise shack by comedian, online sketch creator and satirist, Matt Green.

(If you don't know him you're in for a treat: @mattgreencomedy)

Matt talks about how his standup comedy is very different to his social media sketches and how finding his audience online has helped him creatively in both mediums. He talks British politics, culture wars, satire in the era of buffoonery and much more.

It's no secret that I am a fan of his stuff. So this was a treat. I hope you agree.

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We spoke to Ciara in November (episode 173, Disabled, Homeless & Sleeping in My Car) and in this episode she talks to us again about how she is still in her car, and staying on and off with friends. She is part of the hidden homeless. She talks about the impact on her - of feeling invisible, and shame, but determination to get appropriate housing for her needs, that is close to her support network. She highlights the hidden homeless crisis for disabled people and those with medical needs. This is not acceptable.

We are again asking listeners to contact the Minister for Housing about Ciara's case.

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It was a great pleasure to be joined in the tortoise shack by Dr Arsalan Shahid. We discuss how he came from Pakistan to Ireland in 2016, had to give up his ambition to become a surgeon because of our non-training of immigrant doctors, was married in early 2020 and how now, after an earlier miscarriage, he and his lovely wife Namra Javed are due their first child any day now. All of this would be a time for celebration except the Irish state has refused a visa to Namra's mother a 3 month visa to help them after the birth of the baby. This is a cruel and ludicrous situation and we're urging you all to ask Minister Helen McEntee to intervene here.

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Note: The Sunday Special is live for members from 12 and will be on the patreon feed shortly afterwards.

It was a pleasure to be joined in the tortoise shack by Crime Correspondent with the Irish Daily Star, Michael O'Toole and I convinced him to do most of it while we were recording.

Mick explains how growing up in North Belfast the impact that the Bloody Sunday atrocity had on him and the community he comes from.

We then took had a deep-dive into court reporting, social media, the advice he gives young journalists, Ireland's defamation laws and the fear of getting sued, some of the most difficult cases he has covered and how public commentary can derail cases.

I really think people will get a lot out of this podcast and maybe we can all take 10 seconds to think before we hit tweet. I know it's a lesson I needed.

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