Lifting Lockdown – Portugal with Joao Pina Ep.291

Across the globe countries are trying to plot their way out of the Covid-19 lockdown. So we went back to Portugal to speak with friend of the shack and Deputy Vice-Leader of the Socialist Party (the Party of Government), Joao Pina, to ask how the EU’s most successful Left Wing Government are dealing with the task. From talking about the […]

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Whistleblower Aid Ireland with John Tye & Matthew Kenny Ep.293

From the Trump impeachment to the Harvey Weinstein cases, the role of whistleblowers has been crucial in the uncovering of malfeasance and criminality. In both of these recent high profile cases legal counsel was given by members of Whistleblower Aid. Their founder and CEO, John Tye, who was himself a U.S National Security Agency whistleblower and Matthew Kenny, who is […]

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#EndDirectProvision with Wendy Lyon Ep.288

Tony was joined by immigration and human rights solicitor, Wendy Lyon to discuss Ireland’s immigration system and the struggle to get access to justice for those left living what can be a life stuck on pause for years. We discuss the life limiting nature of Direct Provision and how the Covid-19 pandemic has only exacerbated what was already a breach […]

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Lenny Abrahamson on #NormalPeople

It was a great treat to be joined for another of our Tortoise Shack Live in #LockDown podcasts by filmmaker, director and Live Line content creator, Lenny Abrahamson. Caroline, Tony and Martin ask Lenny about the (unforeseen?) success of Normal People, the good and bad reactions to the sex scenes and the thought and care that went into the consent […]

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The Green Dilemma with John Gibbons Ep.287

While Martin is off sunning himself (in hospital), Tony talked with campaigning journalist and climate activist, John Gibbons about the price the Green Party must extract in order to enter government with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. John talks about the need to be in government and the healthy scepticism we share for any deal with the two parties that […]

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A Humanitarian Crisis – with Réiseal Ní Chéilleachair

How can you stay home during the Covid-19 pandemic if you have nothing to eat? Our guest is Head of International Advocacy at Concern Worldwide, Réiseal Ní Chéilleachair and with over 12 years experience of working in some of the worlds poorest countries she understands that the hunger can be more deadly than the virus. She outlines what Covid-19 means […]

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Mary Lou McDonald – Live in #LockDown Ep.285

On Wednesday Sinn Féin Leader, Mary Lou McDonald, joined us and an audience of Tortoise Shack members for a live podcast. We discuss the health of our democracy, the response of sections of our current system to the general election result and what Sinn Féin should and can be doing in these extraordinary times. In this hour long conversation we […]

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Ireland’s Renewable Energy Potential with Dr Rory Monaghan

Just before the world ground to a halt and everything became about Covid-19, we were joined on the phone by lecturer in energy systems engineering in NUI Galway, Dr Rory Monaghan, to talk about Ireland’s potential for renewable energy. Given the Fianna Gael overtures to the Green Party we thought it timely for our listeners. Rory explains where we stand […]

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