Sorry, what?

UPDATE: Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte outlining this position in today’s Dáil priority questions.

“The programme for Government commits to examining the role and collection of the television licence fee in the light of the existing and projected convergence of technologies and the transforming of the television licence into a household based public broadcasting charge to be applied to all eligible households and applicable businesses, regardless of the device used to access content or services.”

“In line with this commitment, my Department is involved in the ongoing analysis and policy development work that is necessary in advance of implementation of any change that may be required.”

“Whatever the system of funding, the rationale for providing funding will continue to apply and any change that may be implemented must continue to provide a secure funding base for public service broadcasting and content.

“It is also important that any change to the system of funding should take account of the reality of new mechanisms to access such content and services and the pervasiveness of such content in today’s society. Publicly funded public service broadcasting and content are now available to everyone on an ever-increasing range of platforms and devices and, in fact, access is not dependent on the ownership of a device.

“In short, everyone benefits from the availability of these services, regardless of how content is accessed or relayed to the public and, therefore, it is my view that the cost should be borne by society as a whole.”

Thanks Oireachtas Retort

iwasaki-4iwasaki-3iwasaki-2Among many other intricately wrought marvels, Japanese artist Takahiro Iwasaki creates impossibly small and delicate architectural sculptures resting on mundane objects. Many of these went on show in 2011 at the Constellations exhibition at The Cornerhouse in Manchester.

You may also like his floating mirrored temples (currently on show at the 7th Asia pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art)

colossal/designboom

this-mysterious-creature-washed-up-on-a-beach-in-west-wales-image-1-571456729Lines close at 1pm.

A Montauk Monster (redux) washed up on the Pembrokeshire coast.

Just ‘over the ‘way’

“Immediately I thought it was a horse but it had claws like a bear and a body of a pig. Surprisingly it didn’t smell.”

Claws like a bear.

Body of a pig.

It must be ours.

What is the mystery beast washed up on a Tenby Beach (Wales Online)

Screen Shot 2013-02-26 at 11.21.00Don’t let the hoodie and the smile fool you.

“Seminars in UCD with third-year students on the meaning of a republic in the early 1920s. A latecomer, who said she couldn’t get parking, temporarily interrupts spirited contributions. She lives in Milltown, a 10-minute walk away. The mind boggles.”

Historian Diarmaid Ferriter, there.

Fair point though, in fairness.

Or puritan, de Valera-ian petulance.

YOU decide.

Diarmaid Ferriter (My Education Week, Irish Times)

UPDATE:

Screen Shot 2013-02-26 at 11.56.55

Walking route. Estimated time: 28 minutes.
Screen Shot 2013-02-26 at 11.56.07Driving route: Estimated time: 10 minutes.

(Google Maps)

Broadsheet.ie