Author Archives: Bodger

This afternoon.

Further to yesterday’s Liveline on RTÉ Radio One where host Joe Duffy berated Republic of Ireland forward Callum Robinson for not taking the jab…

…via Ewan MacKenna (full article at link below)

“This is not pub talk, it’s science,” howled Joe Duffy on Wednesday afternoon.

Thereafter, in a nonsensical hour about Callum Robinson who has had Covid twice, the conversation talked about how he wouldn’t get into Azerbaijan without being vaccinated (he has a Covid passport), how 15 months of vaccines have been great (vaccines began 10 months ago), how Robinson may really be a public figure to promote anti-vaxxers (what do we even put in these brackets), before Joe proudly told us that: “I respect his choice but if you’re not vaccinated you should stay in your bedroom”. (He also suggested we “take one for the team”, this in a year when he took home €392,494 while speaking to those losing everything and telling them we’re in it together.)

I get it.

Lie with dogs and catch fleas, but the problem with Liveline is that it not just captures much of the national mood, it creates and influences it. And while no doubt a hugely successful programme, that alone should not be the remit of the national broadcaster.

Can’t it do better? Sure, correct what is wrong, but do that on both sides rather than being a hustle through the brain-dead badlands, a proud strut through the carcasses of enlightenment.

For what little it’s worth, I think Robinson should get the vaccination. I’d advise anyone to, but advice and abuse are not the same thing. Like it or not, it is his choice, and even if it’s for the wrong reasons, the science remains. This is what’s been lacking throughout a testosterone fueled tearing apart of him. [more at link below]

Forgive Me RTÉ For I Have Sinned – It’s Been Two Months Since My Last Vaccination (Ewan MacKenna)

Yesterday: Callumny

RollingNew/Getty

This afternoon.

Barrack Street, Cork.

Via Irish Examiner:

Gardaí were at the scene this lunchtime awaiting the arrival of Garda scenes of crime experts. They will undertake an inspection of the discovery in situ in an effort to confirm that the skeletal remains are human and to establish whether the remains are historic or more recent.

Garda probe after discovery of possible human remains in former Cork pub (Irish Examiner)

Chief Executive of the National Treasury Management Agency Conor O’Kelly

This afternoon/

Public Accounts Committee hearing.

The Chief Executive of the National Treasury Management Agency Conor O’Kelly said that the Rainy Day Fund stood at €1.5 billion at its peak.

Via RTÉ:

However, all of the money was used during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“There is no funds in the Rainy Day Fund as we speak,” Mr O’Kelly told the PAC today.

Mr O’Kelly also said the NTMA oversaw loans to Aer Lingus of €150m during the pandemic, and is in talks with the airline to see if it needs more assistance.

The NTMA also loaned the the Dublin and Cork airports operator Daa €40m, he added.

Mr O’Kelly told the committee that Ireland borrowed just under €36 billion since the start of the pandemic at an average interest rate of 0.16%.

NTMA chief says Rainy Day Fund is empty (RTÉ)

RollingNews

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe outside government buildings this morning

This afternoon.

Merrion Street, Dublin 2.

The cabinet will discuss whether Ireland should sign up to global corporation tax reforms that will see our ‘cherished’ 12.5% rate increased to 15%.

The deal brokered by the OECD offers little choice.

Via RTÉ:

The plan proposes changes to where companies would pay their taxes, that the Department of Finance has estimated could reduce Ireland’s tax take by €2bn a year.

The 12.5% tax rate has been a cornerstone in Ireland’s successful foreign direct investment offering for decades and has been fiercely defended by successive governments.

While it accepted parts of the plan governing where companies should pay their tax, it objected to the reference to a global minimum tax rate of “at least 15%” being included in the plan, arguing it created uncertainty because the phrasing would mean the rate could be increased further at a later date.

Donohoe says he is expecting revised corporation tax proposals (RTÉ)

RollingNews

UN/WELL

An exhibition of sculpture, photography and painting by Dublin born artist Ana Carey (top) at the International Bar, Wicklow Street, Dublin 8 from Thursday, October 9.

Ana says:

My exhibition is a journey back to art. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder some years ago. Long before this happened I have always been intrigued with the human form. I have explored the strength and frailty of both the human body and human spirit through sculpture, photography and painting.

Ana Carey

Thanks Alan Bracken

Here’s How

The current affairs podcast presented by William Campbell (right) goes country.

William writes:

Is there something wrong with rural Ireland? Is there a common reason for its various social and economic and social problems? And if so, is there someone to blame, or even something we could fix? The Here’s How podcast talks to an academic expert on rural affairs, UCD’s Dr Karen Keaveney (above).

Listen here

Last night/this Morning.

Project Veritas released the fifth video in its COVID vaccine investigative series featuring Pfizer insider Melissa Strickler, who revealed apparently leaked internal emails that show executives telling staff to be secretive about the use of human fetal tissue in laboratory testing of the COVID vaccine.

Whistleblower Goes On Record, Reveals Internal Emails from Chief Scientific Officer & Senior Director of Worldwide Research  (Project Veritas)

Previously: Follow The Scientists

This morning.

Anyone?

Thanks Alan Bracken

From top: Tom Burke snapping Charles Haughey and Liam Lawlor in 1990; Enda Kenny in 2010; Leo Varadkar in 2016; Gerry Adams and Sinn Féin TDs in 2011 and keeping warm outside Leinster House in 2009

Yesterday.

The death of veteran Irish journalist and former Irish Independent photographer Tom Burke at the age of 78 was announced. Mr Burke joined the paper in 1967 and recorded everything from the Troubles to Nelson Mandela’s visit, but is best known for capturing events at Leinster House.

RIP

Tom Burke: A legendary photographer who was a true professional and a gentleman (Independent.ie)

RollingNews

Ruth Negga

On The Late Late Show…

….Linda Pototzki writes:

Oscar-nominated actress Ruth Negga will join Ryan to discuss her incredible career both on-stage and on-screen as well as her new film Passing.

Model Rosanna Davison will talk to Ryan about her turbulent journey to motherhood…

Peter Schmeichel will be on the show to talk about his hugely successful spell at Manchester United and the pride he feels in his own son – Leicester and Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel…

Andrew McGinley will discuss life after the deaths of his three young children at the hands of his wife and the children’s mother, Deirdre Morley.

This week will also chat with Steve Garrigan from Kodaline who will be talking about a life dealing with shyness, anxiety and panic attacks…

Plus, we will have Mick Flannery and Susan O’Neill singing a beautiful duet called Are We Free? Clannad legend Moya Brennan will perform her new single with world-renowned accordion player Liam O’Connor.

The Late Late Show on RTÉ One tomorrow at 9:35pm.

RollingNews