Author Archives: Bodger


This morning.

Merrion Street, Dublin 2.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar arriving at Government Buildings today for a meeting of the party leaders ahead of a full cabinet meeting later this afternoon to discuss the full lifting of covid restrictions.

Where is your…oh, forget it.

Sam Boal/RollingNews

This morning.

Hic.

Meanwhile…

This morning.

We’re back, baby.

RollingNews

Last night.

Good times.

Previously: But Enough About Me

Thanks ESB

From top: the long-promised Dublin MetroLink; Paolo Serpi, Italian Ambassador to Ireland

“Try to imagine what it means to have done four, no, five lines in Rome. In a city like Rome, to dig 100m down in Rome, what does that mean? But we have done it!

“I want to know if we can do something, we, as Italians, for you?

“I don’t care if the Irish underground in Dublin is made by the Italians. I am just metaphorically breaking your… I don’t want to use bad words, but if you make a common effort you can do it!”

Italian Ambassador Paulo Serpi expressing concern about delays to Dublin’s MetroLink rail line.

Combattere!

Italian ambassador concerned by Dublin MetroLink delay (Irish Times)

Thanks ESB

From top; Limerick, Cork and Dublin Bots

‘sup?

Mark at Jam Art Prints writes:

We have 1 (yes, one) of Rob Stears‘ Limited Edition Giclée Print – Big City Bot in A2 size to give away to the winner of this week’s competition.

The winner can choose between Limerick, Cork or Dublin.

To enter, please name our three city bots (above)…

Lines must close at 6.45pm.

Jam Art Factory

Jam Art Prints

The Jam Art Print competition appears here every second Thursday.

Save Poolbeg

Last night.

White House, Washington, USA.

US President Joe Biden marked his first year in office with a wide-ranging news conference defending his accomplishments as a poll showed the lowest approval ratings of his presidency.

He asked:

“What are Republicans for? What are they for? Name me one thing they’re for.”

Biden ends first year as president with ‘bleak, discouraging’ marks from the public (NBC)

This morning/afternoon.

Public Accounts Committee.

Seemed to go well.

RTÉ in talks with Google about payment for its content, but household broadcasting charge faces boycott (Independent.ie)

Meanwhile…

Austria’s chancellor Karl Nehammer

This afternoon.

Via Reuters:

Austria’s conservative government said it was launching a national lottery to encourage holdouts to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, hours before parliament passed legislation that would introduce a national vaccination mandate.

About 72% of the Austrian population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, one of the lowest rates in Western Europe.

Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer said at a press conference of the social democratic opposition leader Pamela Rendi Wagner, with whom the measure was being negotiated, said he wanted there to be a financial reward for getting vaccinated, adding: “We have learned from the past and we have seen that a vaccination lottery is the best possible way to set up such a system.”

It could be you.

Austria adds a lottery to COVID vaccine mandate to win over holdouts (Reuters)

Reuters

Above from left: Pauline Tully TD, Sinn Fein Spokesperson on Housing Eoin O Broin TD and Padraig Mac Louchlainn TD

This morning.

Leinster House, Dublin 2.

Sinn Fein Spokesperson on Housing Eoin O Broin TD launching to the media on the plinth a bill which would ensure that the past bad building by rogue developers would be considered when any new planning permissions are decided.

Deputy O’Broin said:

“We have seen how negligence or failure to build to an adequate standard has affected thousands of homeowners across the state.

“From Priory Hall, the Leinster pyrite defects, the pyrite and mica defective block scandal, fire safety and other structural defects in apartments and duplexes and dodgy home extensions, homeowners have been left questioning how these homes were allowed to be built in the first place.

“This bill is a small but important measure to put a stop to rogue builders with a record of bad building by enabling local councils and An Bord Pleanala to say no.”

Sinn Féin Bill to ensure rogue builders don’t get planning permission – Eoin Ó Broin TD (Sinn Fein)

Sam Boal/RollingNews