At top: Watching the Budget 2022 address in Buswell’s Hotel, Dublin 2

This afternoon.

Dail Eireann, Dublin 2

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has completed his Budget 2022 address which included a ‘zoned land tax’, €25 million to establish a ‘basic income scheme for artists’ and 50 cents on a packet of fags.

Daylight robbery.

Budget 2022: What we know so far (RTÉ)

RollingNews

Merchant’s Arch, Dublin

Rob Cross writes:

My restored and colourised 1969 photo taken by photographer Elinor Wiltshire featuring a couple browsing through books in Merchant’s Arch…

Name those jammers (and LPs), anyone?

Yesterday: Cobbled Together

Meanwhile…

Ah now.

Paddy Moloney at the National Concert Hall in 2004

This afternoon.

The death at 83 has been announced of the founder and leader of The Chieftains, Paddy Moloney.

RIP.

Paddy Moloney, The Chieftains founder, dies (RTÉ)

RollingNews

Meanwhile…

The gang of six.

Great bunch of lads.

UK Brexit Minister Lord David Frost

This morning.

Brexit: What is the Northern Ireland Protocol and why are the EU and UK still fighting over sausages? (Sky)

Meanwhile…

Um.

Minister for Health Stepehen Donnelly arrives at Dublin Castle this morning

This morning.

Dublin Castle, Dublin 2.

Meanwhile…

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has hinted face masks may remain as part of “sector specific measures” past October 22, and not just for public transport, shops and hospitals.

Despite Cabinet ministers signing off earlier this year on masks only remaining in those settings, Mr Donnelly opened the door to masks remaining in other situations as part of “sector specific measures”.

“The intention is that there will be continuing requirements in relation to mask wearing in a range of settings including healthcare settings, indoor retail and on public transport,” he said.

“Face masks may also continue to be needed to be worn in certain environments as part of sector specific measures to ensure a safe environment.”

Donnelly hints face masks may remain as part of ‘sector specific measures’ (Independent.ie)

Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

Zach James Douglas – Anyone Else

Zach to the future.

Breaking up is hard to do for Dublin songwriter and producer Zach James Douglas (top) on this single from his new EP ‘6×3‘, out now on Faction Records.

Zach has drafted in Manamon – his childhood friend and singer with his old band Little One – to deliver the lead vocal.

Zach explains:

“In “Anyone Else” I consider the unexpected feeling of self shame that ensues once you have been broken up with. It is a retrospective comparison of the sentiment felt by both parties in the aftermath, with a focus on the bitterness and resentment that I had to deal with.

“This resentment is not, as some may presume, towards her new partner, but instead is directed towards how seamless the transition was for her. It describes my struggle to come to terms with how quickly she was capable of moving on and meeting someone new, while to this day, I still struggle to engage in a conversation with a woman without feeling an insurmountable sense of guilt, shame and sadness.”

Nick says: How do you mend a broken heart?

Zach James Douglas

This morning.

Dublin Castle, Dublin 2.

Arriving for a cabinet meeting to discuss Budget 2020 – released later today –  were from top: Minister Eamon Ryan, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe.

€1bn of new spending, tax cuts expected in today’s Budget (RTÉ)

Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

This morning.

Anyone?

This morning.

Via The Texas Tribune:

The order marks a significant reversal after Abbott previously gave private businesses the choice to mandate vaccines for workers. An Abbott spokesperson said in late August that “private businesses don’t need government running their business.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott bans any COVID-19 vaccine mandates — including for private employers (Texas Tribune)

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