A surreal, weirdly plausible short by H1 Films and Stephan Ziotescu telling the story of genetically engineered product mascots, their inevitable exploitation and mistreatment and the ultimate consequence of that.  

laughingsquid

Yesterday.

In the Dáil.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald told Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy that information from the homeless charity Inner City Helping Homeless indicated that there were no emergency beds available for 86 homeless people by 11.30pm on Tuesday night and they subsequently slept rough.

Mr Murphy responded by saying “no one will be turned away” from a bed as the cold weather initiative is under way – despite Ms McDonald having just told him that 86 people had slept rough.

The figure was disputed by Director of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive Eileen Gleeson last night.

Meanwhile, today…

Anthony Flynn, of Inner City Helping Homeless, tweetz:

With the continuous talk of beds for anyone who’s wants them the number of people sleeping rough last night rose. 77 men & 15 women a total of 92 people forced to sleeping in freezing tempatures. This is completely unacceptable the Minister must today respond!

Anyone?

Meanwhile…

Yesterday: “No One Will Be Turned Away”

From top: Today’s Irish Examiner, Fianna Fail deputy leader Dara Calleary, Tánaiste Simon Coveney in the Dáil this afternoon

This afternoon.

In the Dáil, during Leaders’ Questions, which were taken by Tánaiste Simon Coveney.

Fianna Fáil deputy leader Dara Calleary raised the nurses’ strike and asked what the Government has done in recent days to off-set the further strikes which are planned to take place next Tuesday and Thursday and in later weeks.

Mr Coveney repeated much of what the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said during Leaders’ Questions the past two days – namely that the Government “understands the resolve” of the nurses but the Government cannot give pay increases to one section of workers within the public sector pay service agreement without expecting another section to also seek pay increases.

He said the Government wants the State’s industrial relations mechanisms, chiefly the Labour Court, to work with nursing unions to come up with recommendations and he called on nursing unions to “fulfil their obligations” too.

He also noted the “extraordinary disruption” the strike action caused yesterday but thanked the nurses for their “huge cooperation” in providing essential services.

Mr Calleary asked Mr Coveney about an article on the front page of today’s Irish Examiner which claims that the nurses on strike “could see salary rises and pension increases under the existing pay deal frozen and blocked if they don’t call off their all-out strike”.

The article states:

“…Health Minister Simon Harris and a spokesperson for Finance Minster Pashcal Donohoe confirmed officials will “legally consider” imposing penalties in what will be seen as a hardline response to the industrial action.”

Mr Calleary asked Mr Coveney if he could confirm the contents of the article. He also put it to Mr Coveney that he “allowed” the story to be published.

Mr Coveney said the Government “doesn’t give permission to any paper” to print what they wish and that decision is taken by newspapers and their editors.

Mr Coveney confirmed the Government is “taking legal advice…consistent with the pay agreement that everybody signed up to with their eyes open”.

Watch Dáil proceedings live here

Ministers may block nurses’ pay incentives (Fiachra Ó Cionnaith, Catherine Shanahan, Evelyn Ring and Juno McEnroe)

9, Berkeley Street, Inns Quay, Dublin 7

In September 2016.

Ellen Coyne and Catherine Sanz, of The Times Ireland edition, went undercover at an ‘abortion advice’ centre on Berkeley Street, Inns Quay, Dublin 7.

The journalists secretly recorded a counsellor at the clinic advising that abortions cause breast cancer and can turn women into child abusers.

Further to this…

Previously: Behind The Blue Door

Look into the eyes.

Not around the eyes.

Related: Fitzgerald says she is a ‘credible’ candidate for European election (Independent.ie)

Where is everyone?

Anyone?

‘sup?

This morning.

Launching Denim Day for Dementia were Alzheimer Society of Ireland ambassador, blogger Louise Cooney with Cooper the dog, Alzheimer National Helpline Volunteer Bob Quinn (above left) and The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Branch Development Officer Davina Smith (right).

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s annual Denim Day for Dementia fundraising campaign will be held on Friday, March 8 with a target of €25,000 for dementia services.

Alzheimer Society of Ireland

Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland

Concerned about youth mental health?

Want to help make a film?

Read on.

Irish filmmaker Nathan Fagan writes:

‘Flicker’ is an upcoming short drama exploring the experiences of Danny, a young college-age Dubliner, whose life begins to unravel after becoming the victim of a violent assault.

‘Flicker’ dramatises the psychological after-effects of violence and the subtle pressures – both internal and external – that often stand in the way to recovery. The film will explore the internalised shame and stigma that often surrounds mental health issues among young Irish men. .

Flicker is currently raising funds (€3,000) for production via Indiegogo

The new short film will be written and directed by directing team, myself and Luke Daly , otherwise known as Luna. It’s produced by Aaron McEnaney, for Irish production company Bold Puppy, and shot by DoP Kevin Minogue. It will feature a number of Ireland’s most exciting up-and-coming young actors.

Flicker: irish Short Film (Indigogo)

An After Skool whiteboard illustration featuring a the words of the late British philosopher and writer Alan Wilson Watts (1915-1973). To wit:

…best known as an interpreter and populariser of Eastern philosophy for a Western audience, his philosophies seem to transcend ego, politics and limitations. His monologues have a powerful way of connecting distant abstract ideas with the present moment and his words have a unique way of putting life into perspective. Life is a gift.

likecool

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