927. Patrick Costello on CETA

Listeners will be aware of the amount of coverage we’ve given to CETA, and the ISDS (investor courts) that it signs us up for over the last few years. We have not been shy about our dislike… So it was a great boost when the case taken against the constitutionality of aspects of the deal by Green Party TD, Patrick […]

Go to Podcast

924. World Corrupt

It was a pleasure to be rejoined on the tortoise shack for the first time in a few years by activist and human rights campaigner, Nicholas McGeehan, to discuss the World Cup that’s about to kick off in Qatar. Nick has campaigned for the migrant workers rights since the cup was awarded and has a long history of calling out […]

Go to Podcast

926. The Revolving Door – A Noteworthy Investigation

Lobbying is part and parcel of our democratic process. But how transparent is it? Who is carrying it out? How is it regulated? Is there ways to improve public confidence in the process? Joining us to discuss their deep-dive investigation into this are journalists with Noteworthy/ The Journal, Cormac Fitzgerald and Stephen McDermott. We talk the revolving door between politics, […]

Go to Podcast

921. John Harris – The Strangers’ Case

It was a pleasure to be joined again by award winning political commentator, host of the Guardian’s Politics Weekly Podcast and the excellent Anywhere But Westminster series, John Harris. We talk about the rapid developments in UK politics, the rotating chairs, inhumane macroeconomic and immigration policies and reasons for hope, at least in the medium term if not right now. […]

Go to Podcast

918. Healthcare Should Be Based On Need, Not Ability to Pay

You may have seen a video I posted on twitter where economist, David McWilliams, said that Ireland doesn’t need an NHS as our two-tier system does a good job of quickly seeing those who can afford to pay and that this frees up room for the less well off. Needless to say, I disagree. Joining me to discuss this is […]

Go to Podcast

923. How Do You Solve a Problem Like Regina?

(This is one those regular patron exclusive podcasts we do, but our members asked us to put out on general release) Martin was just about well enough to talk about the twitter exchange between Senator Regina Doherty, Tony and himself. While the former Minister’s response is disappointing, it is not unexpected. We also discuss the ongoing Iranian protests, the proposed […]

Go to Podcast

922. US Midterm Elections – The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves

Central Banks across the globe have looked into their toolboxes and seen they’ve only got hammers. Unfortunately that means you and I are all seen as nails. Joining me to discuss the macroeconomic policy that is wreaking havoc, the weak politics and the crash to come, is Russian-Irish Economics Professor in Denver, Constantin Gurdgiev. We also discuss the US midterm […]

Go to Podcast

916. Ireland is Not Full; It’s Failing Us

This week we read, with some dismay, a factually inaccurate and legally dubious article about the plight of refugees in Ireland and the State’s response. One of the people who called it out was Irish Immigration and Human Rights lawyer, Wendy Lyon, and she kindly joined us to talk all about it. We discussed Ireland’s obligations under international and EU […]

Go to Podcast