The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

It was a pleasure to be joined for our first Sunday Special of 2022 by Dr Liqa Ur Rehman, Legal Assoc Seán Grant, Reporter with notewrothy.ie Maria Delaney and Ireland Thinks analyst Kevin Cunningham. We discuss the iniquity of Ireland's visa and Stamp system, the Suvern discourse on NI, classrooms and covid, the latest polls North and South, Happy Coup Year, Irish voters fed up of corruption and Wordle.

#FastAccessStamp4 on Social Media

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For our money, Virgin Media News Reporter, Rob O'Hanrahan has covered the pandemic and its impact on schools better and more consistently than anyone else.

So we were delighted that he joined us this morning to give us an overview of where we stand now, the communication missteps, mitigation strategies and the importance of keeping schools open WHILE making them as safe as possible.

Reminder that the Tortoise Shack Live Sunday Special is back. Register at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

It was a pleasure to be joined by Camilla Fitzsimons and Sinead Kennedy who are the people behind the new book, Repealed Ireland's Unfinished Fight for Reproductive Rights.

The book traces the history of the origins of the Eighth Amendment, which was drawn up in fear of a tide of liberal reforms across Europe. It draws out the lessons learned from the groundbreaking campaign in 2018, which was the culmination of a 35-year-long reproductive rights movement and an inspiring example of modern grassroots activism. It tells the story of the 'Repeal' campaign through the lens of the activists who are still fighting in a movement that is only just beginning.

You can get it HERE

Enter code TORTOISESHACK for 40% off!

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This Reboot Republic talks with Bulelani Mfaco, activist, educator, and asylum seeker living in Ireland in Direct Provision since 2017. Bulelani tells his story from growing up in Apartheid South Africa to his housing activism and why he could not return due to violence against the LGBT community. He also explains the positive impact of the right to housing in the South African Constitution, what home means to him, the necessity of safety and how direct provision is not home. He also explains why language matters and how the Government is using the language of direct provision but leaving many problems central to direct provision in place. He also talks hope, values and resilience. An incredible human story, an incredible guy. Bulelani is also a spokesperson for MASI, the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, and he explains how you can support them at www.masi.ie

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In this very special tortoise shack podcast Dr Caroline West of Glow West joins Martin and Tony to talk the year to come, the resolutions and revolutions they want to see and the things that they want to see left in 2021.

You'll also hear from Green Party Cllrs (Dublin & Belfast) Hazel Chu and Brian Smyth, former UN Special Rapporteur for Housing, Leilani Farha, full-time teacher and part-time Reboot host, Jana Lyons, Solicitor and hero Simon McGarr, Tallaght Person of the Decade Senator Lynn Ruane, Ana Liffey CEO Tony Duffin, Amnesty's Colm O'Gorman, Our Man in Stockholm Philip O'Connor, Business Post Journalist Killian Woods, the wonderful as always Ber Grogan, friend of the pod Marika Bourke, our very own 'Newcomer of the Year' Lefty Loyalist, Sam McIlwaine, Threshold's Anne Marie Reilly, Sunday Special Stalwart Oisin Murphy-Lawless, Solidarity PBP TD Paul Murphy, Mr Irish History Podcast Fin Dwyer, Madrid based Professor Joe Haslam, the Irish Examiners Mick Clifford and a fella called Blindboy.

All sung out by Mick Finnegan.

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We're back with part 2 of our review of 2021 and this time we're talking Political Personality of the year, Patron (that's youse) of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and our Highlights (yes, there were lots of highlights!)

You'll also hear from comedian, writer, actor and Roy Keane Stan, Tadhg Hickey, Social Care worker and all-round hero, Anne Marie Quilligan, Sinn Féin Senator, Lynn Boylan, Host of the Irish Times Inside Politics and my on and off rival, Hugh Linehan, Head of Religions at UCC and the best dressed man in Ireland, Amanullah De Sondy, the Irish Examiners award winning duo Aoife Moore and Paul Hosford, Sunday Special sensation and Dublin Inquirer reporter, Shamim Malekmian and filmmaker, director and (former) friend of the shack, Lenny Abrahamson.

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This Reboot Republic talks to Professor Emeritus of Economics of Trinity College Dublin, PJ Drudy about a new economics for society wellbeing and home. PJ lectured Rory on economics in his degree, and reveals how Rory was as a student! He also discusses the limits to understanding housing through a market theory of economics, as aspects such as housing demand do not capture need, it is based on ability to pay, which leads to exclusion. PJ and Rory discuss how markets fail all the time, and investor funds deliver housing as a profit generating commodity and therefore do not provide for housing need. They also talk hope in solutions such as the state building cost rental, affordable homes on scale, housing for disabled people, treating housing as a human right, and a culture change and the need for people to raise their voice to persuade for real change. PJ outlines a vision for an economics for society that places caring central.

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We decided to run our eye over the year and breakdown some of the best stories, actions, people, activists and everything in between. In this, part one, you'll get our Person of the Year, Achievement of the Year, Lowlight of the Year and Story of the Year.

You'll also hear from comedian Killian Sundermann, self-described education rent-a-gob, (the brilliant) Ciara Reilly, actor and writer, Noelle Brown, ISAG's and TCD's Prof. Tómas Ryan, actor, writer and comedian, Tara Flynn, Tortoise Shack Royalty, Emma DeSouza, Longford Mayor, Uruemu Adejinmi and Mr Polls himself, Harry McEvansoneya. Stay tuned to the end for a special message for tour guide Craig, aka Scottish Comedian, Eleanor Morton.

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This year the Sanctuaryrunners.ie are doing a virtual #RaceToTheNorthPole. With 5,628km to cover between 20th Dec to Christmas Eve, they're looking for support. Joining us to talk about it is one of their founders, Graham Clifford. We also discuss the info-for-all initiative and building bonds and communities even in the face of the pandemic. Always great to chat with Graham.

#SantaSanctuaryRun Virtual Run - JOIN US - email [email protected] to find out more #Solidarity #Friendship #Respect

It was a pleasure to be joined in the tortoise shack by UCD Students Union President, Ruairi Power to discuss their report into the student accommodation crisis. He tells us about the survey they conducted and how it shows a large majority of students are paying unaffordable rents for accommodation that often doesn't meet their needs. We also discuss the creeping impact on education, the student experience and student mental health.

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