BEN SCALLAN: Despite alarm bells about the energy crisis already being sounded, the government decided to put up the tax on certain kinds of candles earlier this year, making life that much harder in the event of blackouts this winter:

#gript

https://gript.ie/irish-government-put-up-tax-on-candles-ahead-of-energy-crisis/

"If Covid lockdowns have led us to a 15-year backlog for medical treatment, with all the excess deaths and suffering that will cause, the very least we need are some answers."

NIAMH UÍ BHRIAIN writes...

#gript

https://gript.ie/15-years-to-flatten-the-curve-real-price-of-covid-lockdown-now-coming-to-light/

Independent TD for Laois Offaly, Carol Nolan, has said that her offices are dealing with an increasing number of families who say their children are being left with no means of travelling to school following last minute refusals by Bus Éireann to offer school transport tickets for the forthcoming academic year.

#gript

https://gript.ie/families-students-abandoned-as-school-bus-places-refused-at-the-last-minute/

The National Parents Council is encouraging parents from “diverse backgrounds” to join its board. Anybody who is a parent is free to apply.


#gript

https://gript.ie/national-parents-council-seeking-new-board-members/

“I was in shock yesterday. I couldn’t speak”: The owner of a small coffee shop in Athlone has told Gript of her shock after receiving a bill of over €9,800 from Electric Ireland for just over two months’ worth of electricity.

#gript

https://gript.ie/its-unbelievable-coffee-shop-billed-almost-e10000-for-electricity/

RTÉ has failed to issue a formal public apology to Eurovision winner Dana Rosemary Scallon after excluding her from an RTÉ Eurovision TV celebration. One close source told Gript that the failure to issue an apology to the Eurovision star is ‘extraordinary’.

#gript

https://gript.ie/no-public-apology-from-rte-over-dana-exclusion-despite-public-backlash/

The Ukrainian request for aid from the Irish Armed forces poses questions about our neutrality that are not just black and white, writes JOHN MCGUIRK:
#gript
https://gript.ie/does-irish-neutrality-mean-leaving-landmines-in-the-ground/

"Only fools pay their rent to the council" writes JOHN MCGUIRK, of news that over €105m in rent owed has gone unpaid, with no obvious consequence:
#gript
https://gript.ie/in-ireland-only-fools-pay-rent-to-the-council/

Gary Kavanagh breaks down why the GPAHE document is not a report, why there is no rise of ‘far-right’ extremism in Ireland, and discusses the possible motivation behind claims that there is.

#gript

https://youtu.be/SBJWlcQGhiA

"Suspended for refusing to partake in fantasy": strong reactions to Enoch Burke's case on social media

#gript

“He advised migrants, if challenged at Dublin Airport, to “make a big noise” and claim asylum. A gang organiser told an undercover reporter that the trips from Dublin Airport take place “every day”.”

#gript

https://gript.ie/albanian-traffickers-exploiting-soft-irish-border-taxi-route-to-enter-uk/

BEN SCALLAN: With everyone savaging Eamon Ryan for mishandling the country’s energy supply, it’s worth asking if he is actually the one at fault for the crisis, or is there a more inconvenient culprit:

#gript

https://gript.ie/is-eamon-ryan-really-to-blame-for-the-incoming-energy-crisis/

"Suspended for refusing to partake in fantasy": strong reactions to Enoch Burke's case on social media

#gript


https://gript.ie/suspended-for-refusing-to-partake-in-fantasy-strong-reactions-to-enoch-burkes-case-on-social-media/

A TD has said that it is “criminal” that a Galway 70-turbine windfarm capable of powering 50,000 homes was decommissioned earlier this year and now sits idle during the energy crisis.

#gript

https://gript.ie/td-says-its-criminal-that-windfarm-left-idle-during-energy-crisis/

JOHN MCGUIRK: Why should Enoch Burke be compelled to refer to a person, even a child, in a way that he feels is fundamentally dishonest?

#gript
https://gript.ie/enoch-burke-and-the-philosophers-they-them/

MICHAEL COOK: A brilliant cartoon about false roads to what everyone desires

#gript


https://gript.ie/this-is-a-powerful-animated-guide-about-where-not-to-seek-for-happiness/

ON THIS DAY: 1 SEPTEMBER 1914: Death of Martha, the last passenger pigeon

#gript

https://gript.ie/on-this-day-1-september-1914-death-of-martha-the-last-passenger-pigeon-2/

An investigation has revealed that ambulance dispatches and 999 calls dealing with concerns about abortion pills have soared by 64% since NHS abortion pills by post were legalised in Britain in 2019 – a measure which was made permanent this week.

#gript

https://gript.ie/64-increase-in-999-calls-ambulance-dispatches-over-abortion-pill-concerns-uk-investigation-finds/

Q1 2021 was the absolute height of the pandemic in Ireland, with over 9,000 recorded deaths from all causes.
So why were deaths in Q1 2022 at an almost identical level, with deaths from everything but Covid rising dramatically?
#gript
https://gript.ie/the-weirdly-unchanging-cso-death-figures/

The Save Navan Hospital Campaign is to “significantly ramp-up” its campaign to stop the local A&E from closure according to local TD and Cathaoirleach of the Campaign Peadar Tóibín TD.

#gript

https://gript.ie/save-navan-hospital-campaign-to-significantly-ramp-up-protest-over-ae-threat/

Amid the ongoing cost of living crisis, a new public sector pay deal could see TDs taking home an extra €6,500 per year, bringing their total salary to almost €108,000.

#gript

https://gript.ie/tds-set-to-receive-a-e6-5k-pay-rise-bringing-salaries-to-e108k/