Author Archives: Bodger

This morning.

“(I was) strongly critical of the whole approach down through the years, down through the decades in international trade, particularly around the dispute resolution where the environmental community among others like social justice organisations said that the power of the corporations within that was too strong, so that was our primary concern regarding CETA and other trade deals that were being done.

“But, there are three developments in the last three years that give me reassurance, some of those concerns are starting to be addressed in a way that is progressive.”

Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan on RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland.

Eamon Ryan says he will urge Green TDs to change their mind on CETA (Independent.ie)

Meanwhile…

FIGHT!

Staying in next Monday?

Linda Ní Ghríofa writes:

Sol – an inspiring film about a little boy’s journey through grief premieres in Ireland and the UK on the darkest night of the year, the Winter Solstice – Monday 21 December at 6:30pm.

The animated, 28-minute film aims to bring light and comfort to families with young children as the darkest year in modern times draws to a close.

Emmy award-winning Irish actor, Fionnula Flanagan voices Sol’s grandmother alongside Myra Zepf (author and winner of Ireland’s Children’s Book of the Year prize) voices Sol’s mother. Sol himself is voiced by 12 year old Zana Akkoç. The film’s song has been recorded by Moya Brennan, member of Celtic folk band, Clannad.

Sol will broadcast simultaneously in Irish on TG4, in Welsh on S4C, and in Scots Gaelic BBC ALBA at 6:30pm on December 21. It will also be available to view in the UK on CiTV with English subtitles at 7:30pm.

Paper Owl Films

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin O Broin and Sinn Féin spokesperson on Climate Justice, Senator Lynn Boylan talking to the media on the plinth of the Dail yesterday

This morning.

Leinster House, Dublin 2

Sinn Féin will today use their private members’ time to introduce the Homeless Prevention Bill to the Dáil which would require local authorities to put in a homelessness prevention plan in place for families and individuals 60 days before they become homeless.

Via Irish Examiner:

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin  Ó Broin said: “The situation today is if I’m at risk of homelessness and my notice to quit expires in 60 days and I go to my local authority, they tell me to come back in 60 days time.

“What this would do is make local authorities far more proactive in putting in place solutions for people before they become homeless.”

The party is claiming the Government is undercounting the number of people who are homeless by up to 20%.

Deputy O’Broin added:

“There are many more people, in fact about 20% more than the Department of Housing’s report indicates, who are in emergency accommodation funded by other Government departments.

“So for example, on any given night there are almost 600 adults and children in domestic violence refuges funded by Tusla and their lead department.

“There are over 1,000 adults and children who are former asylum seekers, but have secured international protection and leave to remain, but are trapped in direct provision, essentially using it as emergency accommodation funded by the Department of Justice.

“There are several hundred individuals in religious hostels that don’t receive any Government funding and therefore they’re not counted at all.Too few, too dear — plan for 350 affordable homes comes in for criticism from opposition

“And of course on any given night we have between 90 and 100 rough sleepers.

“The real level of homelessness in terms of people who tonight will be in emergency accommodation or sleeping on the streets, is over 10,000, 20% higher than the Government’s official figures.”

Government undercounting homeless figures by up to 20%, Sinn Féin claims (irish Examiner)

Last night.

Claire Byrne Live on RTÉ One.

Frozen ‘vials’ of the ‘covid vaccine’ arrives to be ‘administered’ to a mannequin.

Meanwhile…

Ah Here.

Government set to sign off on Covid-19 vaccination plan (RTÉ)

Meanwhile…

Glen Hansard and Bono on Grafton Street, Dublin at Christmas 2013

Free Friday?

The Late Late Show Busk for Simon.

Jennifer O’Brien writes:

Ten years ago, Glen Hansard first took to Grafton Street with an ensemble of well-known musician friends to raise money for Ireland’s homeless, a tradition that Glen has kept going since. This year, the traditional Christmas Eve busk cannot take place in Dublin city centre, but The Late Late Show will be bringing the magic of that Grafton Street evening directly into viewer’s homes in aid of the Simon Community.

U2’s Bono and The Edge will perform on the night, pledging their support for Glen and the Simon Community, as will a cast of Ireland’s top musical talent including Imelda May, Hozier, John Sheahan, Finbar Furey, Shane MacGowan, Danny O’Reilly, Roisin O, Declan O’Rourke, Lisa O’Neill, and Kodaline’s Steve Garrigan and many more.

Ryan will also interview special guest Philip Powell, who was staying in a hostel when he struck up a friendship with Glen Hansard and became a staple performer of the Grafton Street busk. Philip will speak of his experiences of being homeless on and off for two decades.

Bono and The Edge will perform a beautiful acoustic version of U2’s Walk On, as well as lead a special Christmas number for viewers, and chat to Ryan about their experiences with the busk, the power of music to carry people through, and life off the road from the band.

The Late Late Show Busk for Simon on RTÉ One Friday at 9.35pm.

RollingNews

UK’s Secretary of State for Health Matt Hancock

This afternoon.

The House of Commons, London, UK.

Britain’s Health minister Matt Hancock confirmed that the UK is experiencing a “new variant” of the coronavirus .

He said:

“Over the last few days, thanks to our world-class genomic capability in the UK, we have identified a new variant of coronavirus which may be associated with the faster spread in the South of England.

“Initial analysis suggests that this variant is growing faster than the existing variants.

“We’ve currently identified over 1,000 cases with this variant predominantly in the South of England although cases have been identified in nearly 60 different local authority areas.”

UK detects new virus strain as London to move to Tier 3 (RTÉ)

AP

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris

This afternoon.

In statehouses across America, 538 electors will formally cast their votes for either Joe Biden or Donald Trump based on the popular votes in their states.

Biden and Harris are expected to receive 306 electoral votes, topping 232 for Trump. The electoral votes will then be counted at a special joint session of Congress on January 6. before Biden and Harris are inaugurated Jan. 20.

Vermont kicks off voting as first ballots cast in Monday’s Electoral College meetings – live updates (USA Today)

Meanwhile…

Part of a 22-page preliminary report compiled by a  7-member team from Allied Security Operations Group

“The allowable election error rate established by the Federal Election Commission guidelines is of 1 in 250,000 ballots (.0008%). We observed an error rate of 68.05%. This demonstrated a significant and fatal error in security and election integrity.”

This afternoon.

Lansing, Michigan, USA

A Michigan judge has decided that supporters of President Donald Trump may publicly release and discuss information they’ve collected from an analysis of voting machines and data in Antrim County…

…Judge Kevin Elsenheimer of the 13th Circuit Court had ordered “forensic imaging” of the Dominion Voting Systems voting tabulators and related software after Antrim County resident William Bailey filed a lawsuit that challenged the integrity of the election equipment, citing errors in how the county initially reported its unofficial results.

Antrim, Michigan Forensic Reports

Michigan judge allows release of report on Antrim County voting (The Detroit News)