Politea with Dee

This week, I have an exciting announcement! I then get into the tension between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael over student fees. There’s unfortunately another bike shed scandal. Labour has joined the call for a mini budget due to the cost of living crisis, and their no fault evictions bill passes to the next stage. Lastly, I give updates on the by-elections.

This week, I discuss the major changes to State housing for Ukrainians, a new free travel scheme for victims of domestic violence, and seven Irish citizens detained after a Gaza aid flotilla is intercepted illegally by Israel (This was filmed prior to them being released). Aontú puts forward a bill calling for voting rights in presidential elections to be extended to the North, and Holly Cairns introduces a bill aimed at improving abortion services in this country. The Public Accounts Committee met this week which led to the National Children’s Hospital saga getting even messier with over 100,000 defects flagged, and the CHI gets caught in ANOTHER lie. Radiotherapy machines are ageing out, a TD apologises for a controversial character reference, and Sinn Féin’s Ard Fheis sees a passing of a motion to ban foxing hunting.

This week, I break down the new rules on modular homes. I look at the bill seeking to restrict the transit and export of weapons through Ireland to Israel, which was shut down in the Seanad by government senators. I also discuss the abuse directed at Senator Eileen Flynn following her comments on the fuel protests and the tricolour. There are updates on the upcoming by‑elections, and the Council of State meeting held in relation to the International Protection Bill. I cover the Spring Economic Forecast and the European Commission’s decision to relax state‑aid rules in response to pressures linked to the conflict in Iran. Finally, I share the latest update on the construction of the National Children’s Hospital.

In this episode, I break down the fuel protests, the government’s no‑confidence vote including Michael Healy Rae’s shocking resignation, and the public letter released by three Fianna Fáil TDs calling out their party. I also get into the Social Democrats’ call for stronger solar supports, and Catherine Connolly’s move to convene the Council of State over the new international protection Bill. Lastly, I discuss the potential for a National Ambulance Service strike, and misogyny within the service.

This week we delve into Michael Martins performance at the White House. The never ending Moriarity Tribunal finally comes to end. At a Paddy’s Day parade teenagers made references to the Epstein Files in an extremely inappropriate way. A developer has received permission to construct 140 residential apartments on the Bessborough mother and baby home site where it is assumed the remains of 829 children remain. €30,000 was paid to CHI in 2022 by a contract holder to cover the cost of a staff Christmas party and this payment was not disclosed. Due to the illegal war in Iran, gas prices are up and effecting Irish households. Speaking at an Oireachtas Committee Senator Joe Conway made many comments about children with special needs such as “lots of children will present in their classroom as being needy or attention seeking"