From top: Direct Provision protest in  Dublin ciuty, 2017: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with RTÉ’s Dr Gavin Jennings in east Cork this morning

This morning.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar gave a 16-minute interview to RTE’s Morning Ireland from Fine Gael’s ‘think-in’ at Garryvoe Hotel in east Cork.

During the interview, Mr Varadkar spoke about Brexit, protecting the Single Market, the Good Friday Agreement, potential border checks between the Republic of Ireland and the North.

Plus why he thinks Fine Gael will do well in the next general election – despite more than 10,000 people homeless, nearly one million people on hospital waiting lists and potential plans to reintroduce a border.

At the end of their discussion, journalist Dr Gavin Jennings raised comments made by Independent TD Noel Grealish at a meeting in Oughterard, Co Galway on Wednesday evening.

A video of Mr Grealish’s comments can be watched below:

Dr Jennings asked Mr Varadkar if he’s “comfortable” accepting support in the Dáil from the Independent TD.

Mr Varadkar said:

“I didn’t hear his comments and I understand there’s no audio recording of his comments but, if that’s what he said, I think he should withdraw those remarks and, at the very least, make a statement on it and clarify them.

“Bear in mind, what we’re talking about here are refugees. They are people who are, in many cases, fleeing war and fleeing persecution and it’s the right thing I think that we, as a country, should take people in.

“We would want someone to take us in if we were in a similar situation.”

Dr Jennings put to Mr Varadkar that the Direct Provision system is now 20 years old [a system which was set up as a temporary measure in 1999 without legislation].

He then asked Mr Varadkar if it’s time to end Direct Provision.

The Taoiseach said:

“I often hear people say that but, end it and replace it with what? You know, we’re not in a position to give a house or an apartment to every asylum seeker. We’re just not in a position to do that and it’s also important to bear in mind what Direct Provision is.

“You know, Direct Provision is something that we offer asylum seekers, it’s not compulsory. You can leave at any time. We now allow asylum seekers to work so actually many do work and leave and provide for their own accommodation. Many also live with fiends and families.

“So Direct Provision is something that we offer people. It’s accommodation, it’s food and board, it’s spending money as well. It’s not that it’s compulsory.”

Listen back in full here

Varadkar calls on Grealish to withdraw remarks on asylum seekers (RTE)

Meanwhile…

Poster for an installation at the Little Museum of Dublin from September 29 to October 5

You Can Leave At Any Time (Dublin Theatre Festival)

UPDATE: video removed

Wait for it.

This morning.

On Cork’s 96FM Opinion Line with Pj Coogan.

Dee writes:

PJ spoke to Tom O’Flynn from Tolisons Service Station Mayfield [Cork] in relation to some unexplained activity taking place at night in the shop, which is located [on the old Youghal Road] between two funeral homes.

Liam from Cobh Supernatural Investigators has offered to check out whether any supernatural activity is occurring in the building….

Listen here

This morning.

More than 2,000 volunteers will take to the streets for Barnardos National Collection Day.

Rachel Boyce writes:

Barnardos children’s charity works with more than 17,700 children and families each year and have over 550 families waiting for a service around the country.

Barnardos spoke to children in the run up to the National Collection Day to see what is important to them – they spoke about their home, school, family and friends…

Barnardos

RTE headquarters in Donnybrooke, Dublin 4; Senator Ronan Mullen

The senator said the top paid celebs at the station [RTE] are not so “indispensable” to justify such extravagant pay.

“The talent is good, but it is not so exceptional to think that there is no other talent coming through the ranks.

“In fact, you could argue that RTE build up the talent and help create the name.

“It has never been established that particular individuals provide such indispensable service to the nation that fees of €300k or €400k are unavoidable.”

In fairness.

Senator Ronan Mullen to introduce laws to cap salaries of RTE stars such as Ryan Tubridy, Joe Duffy and Ray D’Arcy (Craig Farrell, The Irish Sun)

Rollingnews

GetMunch.ie

Launched last night.

Delivering snacks, condoms, skins and soft drinks between 9pm-2/3am in Dublin 24 but ‘hoping to expand’.

Biba Baskin writes:

Can’t quite figure out what their target market is…

GetMunch (Facebook)

GetMunch (Instagram)

Last night.

Houston, Texas.

US Democratic Party Presidential candidate front-runner Joe Biden during a televised debate last night

Joe Biden was both the strongest – and weakest – candidate on stage (The Guardian)

Joe Biden’s big night (CNN)

Pic: Getty


Dinah Brand – Garden

How lo-fi can you go?

Regarding this video from esoteric Dublin guitar hombres Dinah Brand the answer is very lo-fi indeed.

The scratchy home video footage complements the angular alt.rock sound that calls to mind ’90s college radio stalwarts Pavement and Built To Spill.

The duelling guitars of singer Dylan Phillips and Stephen Ryan (on loan from The Drays) form the bedrock of the group’s ragged charm.

Garden is taken from their current album Thank You Driver (top).

Nick says: I’m with the Brand.

Dinah Brand

Last night.

O’Connell Bridge, Dublin 1.

Via Wikipedia:

Davide Martello, also known as Klavierkunst is a German pianist of Italian descent. He is known for travelling around conflict zones to play his baby grand piano, which he tows behind his bicycle using a powered trailer.

Martello has been recognised by the European parliament for his “outstanding contribution to European cooperation and the promotion of common values”.According to his website his aim is to play in every capital of the world.

In fairness.

Davide Martlello

Top pic via Davide/ second pic via Donny Keane

Broadsheet.ie