Protests are being held at a number of the country’s most struggling A&E departments today, with locals encouraged to actively voice their frustration at the ‘worsening A&E crisis’ in Irish hospitals.

#gript

https://gript.ie/ae-protests-to-take-place-over-unmitigated-disaster-of-waiting-times-and-overcrowding/

Dr MATT TREACY looks at new reports on the shortage in housing and the contradictions in thinking and policy-making that is hampering the response of both government and opposition while families grow more desperate for homes.

#gript

https://gript.ie/2022-ends-with-the-housing-crisis-intact/

“This is about the credibility of Europe”: European Parliament vice-president arrested on corruption charges and suspicion of bribery.

#gript

https://gript.ie/eu-parliament-vice-president-arrested-on-corruption-charges/

ON THIS DAY: 12 DECEMBER: Feast Day of St. Finnian, father of Irish monasticism


#gript

https://gript.ie/on-this-day-12-december-feast-day-of-st-finnian-father-of-irish-monasticism-3/

A secondary school in Blanchardstown is unable to provide students with three key courses as it struggles with staffing shortages as housing costs drive teachers out of Dublin


#gript


https://gript.ie/dublin-parents-frustrated-at-lack-of-gov-action-over-loss-of-three-subjects/

“There is an absolutely urgent need to increase as quickly as possible both the number of disability respite beds and indeed the number of staff to make them operational and available to families,” said Deputy Nolan.

#gript


https://gript.ie/recruitment-challenges-severely-impacting-disability-respite-services-carol-nolan/

A sobering Parliamentary report has warned that more than four million elderly people in Britain will have no children to help look after them in twenty years’ time — with the future looking “extremely hazardous” for the UK’s ageing population.

#gript

https://gript.ie/four-million-elderly-people-will-have-no-children-to-look-after-them-within-20-years/

As Ireland considers joining a European military force, the head of NATO has a dire warning about what could happen to Western militaries if the Ukraine war continues to escalate:

#gript

https://gript.ie/ukraine-war-may-go-horribly-wrong-says-nato-chief/

“Are we to simply dismiss the Canadian experience as something alien and abnormal? Their own assisted suicide regime as something so monstrous it could never possibly happen here? That would be a mistake. Canada must serve as a warning for Ireland”.

#gript

https://gript.ie/canadian-paralympian-asks-for-stairlift-is-offered-assisted-suicide-instead/

JOHN MCGUIRK: When it comes to teachers, Aodhán O'Riordáin wants "a more diverse workforce".
But that's not what parents want - parents just want good teachers.
#gript
https://gript.ie/aodhan-we-need-more-diverse-teachers-who-dont-speak-irish/

JOHN MCGUIRK on why the state funding of politics is a disaster, and we should bring back the Tent:
"Political Parties are no longer selecting candidates with you the voter in mind – they are selecting candidates with the diversity inspectors in mind."
#gript
https://gript.ie/bring-back-the-galway-tent/

EU and IEA warn of energy shortages next winter at launch of new report recommending energy saving measures and use of low emission biogas


#gript

https://gript.ie/eu-and-iea-warn-of-potential-energy-shortages-next-winter/

JOHN MCGUIRK: In the case of Leo Varadkar's indiscretion, as in so much, the Government's priority is to ensure that it is illegal for you to see or hear those things or arguments it fears you seeing, or hearing. They seek a new era of state censorship.


#gript


https://gript.ie/martins-disgraceful-proposal-varadkars-law/

"This is a fascinating subject matter. The author is not alone in the feeling that there is an increase in what he calls ‘bullsh*t jobs’ in the western world, the type of jobs that feel pointless and of no real value to wider society and the economy."

DUALTA ROUGHNEEN reviews DAVID GRAEBER's book

#gript

https://gript.ie/review-bullshit-jobs-the-rise-of-pointless-work-and-what-we-can-do-about-it-by-david-graeber/

ON THIS DAY: 13 December 1955 : Death of Grace Gifford Plunkett, Artist and Irish Republican

#gript

https://gript.ie/on-this-day-13-december-1955-death-of-grace-gifford-plunkett-artist-and-irish-republican-2/

BEN SCALLAN: “Windmills are not going to power a modern 21st century developed country. If this fusion technology ever becomes a reality, it is the only realistic solution to the government’s carbon conundrum, and they should be promoting it with all their might.”

#gript

https://gript.ie/could-a-nuclear-fusion-breakthrough-be-the-future-of-irish-energy/

New Zealand has outlawed the sale and purchase of tobacco for future generations - though the country’s libertarian party is not happy:

#gript

https://gript.ie/new-zealand-outlaws-tobacco-for-future-generations/

Two teenage boys have had their sentences for the attempted oral rape and sexual assault of a 14yr old girl fully suspended - do judgements like this act as a deterrent?


#gript

https://gript.ie/why-is-being-a-teenager-an-excuse-for-attempted-rape/

"No TD was elected to tell people how to manage their betting, or their drinking, or their eating. The sooner they realise that the better. Especially given all the other exemptions they allow for a person’s private business, even when conducted in public."

MATT TREACY writes...


#gript

https://gript.ie/gambling-bill-provides-another-outlet-for-the-new-puritans/

FACTCHECK: Does Newstalk's claim that climate change-induced extreme weather is causing increased deaths in Ireland stand up?


THADE ANDY writes

#gript

https://gript.ie/does-newstalks-claim-that-climate-change-induced-extreme-weather-is-causing-increased-deaths-in-ireland-stand-up/

JOHN MCGUIRK reviews the plot of this year's hottest Christmas caper: The true life story of how 13 migrants fooled their way into Ireland, and then just disappeared from right under Helen McEntee's nose.
#gript
https://gript.ie/helens-13-the-mysterious-case-of-the-missing-migrants/