He would ask Ben to whip it up.
For the day what’s in it.
Kirsten writes:
In light of the Constitutional Convention making its report on marriage equality today. and since we’re supposed to have a hot and sunny weekend, your readers might like this!
Ben & Jerrys have temporarily re-named Mint Chocolate Chunk to EngageMint Party to, says Ben, “encourage everyone across Ireland to take action now on this important civil rights issue”.
Also: Jerry? Dumped?
Dublin at lunchtime.
Thanks Michael McLoughlin
A new tax on maternity benefit came into effect yesterday. It’s being reported the tax will see women lose up €2,700 a year, or €103 a week.
Hang on.
The Irish Examiner reports:
“The tax will contribute €15m to the exchequer in 2013, and €40m per full year from then on.”
“But the National Women’s Council expressed concern that many women were not aware when the reductions in benefit would take affect.”
“Its policy advisor Ann Irwin explained: “It’s a very mean-spirited move in a lot of ways. Even the commission on taxation has said that maternity benefit should remain outside the tax net. It’s there for mothers to nurture children when outside the workforce.
“The benefit payments are an important acknowledgment for mothers of the cost of having a baby in Ireland.”
Maternity benefit tax could cost women up to €3,000 (Irish Examiner)
Related: Gilmore defends maternity benefit tax (March 8, 2013 Irish Examiner)
H/T: Unreported Mum
Pic: Wefare.ie
Perishing mass-dodgers.
Fresh from Campus.ie’s Student Hub.
Adam Fleetwood, of Campus.ie, writes:
“There’s some really interesting results in there. One of the most striking statistics is that it shows 88% of students would like to see abortion made either freely available or under medical supervision.”
“The survey was taken by just under 4,000 students from every college and institution in the country.”
“One third of students feel they are not happy with their course and would choose a different course again, with the same portion feeling their college prospectus wasn’t an accurate reflection of what their course turned out to be.”
They’re on the unprotected reefer, Joe.
Graphic also by Campus.ie
Take their word for it.
Gwan the drinks/GAA/IRFU lobby.
Full report here
Alcohol sponsorship ban would hurt sports industry – Cttee (RTE)
Research The City tweetz:
Want a flat or house? Is it a choice? This map of Dublin shows how limited our housing choices are.
Rob O’Farrell writes:
“Interesting street art on Grattan St in Cork.”
Andy from the Royal Institute recreates one of his favourite demonstrations from the 2012 RI Christmas lectures: a suspended track made from 2000 powerful rare earth magnets formed into a Möbius strip around which a levitating superconductor travels, floating both above and below the track.
