https://tortoiseshack.ie/feed/podcast/

In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks with Professor Emeritus John Sweeney of Maynooth University about the reality of climate change that is here now, social justice and inequality and climate policy, Ireland's failing to meet its carbon budgets, and what is needed to be done in agriculture, transport, and at a European Union level. 

Dean and Sparky sit down to chat with their friend singer songwriter Ciarán Moran. Ciaran bring us on a young songwriters journey from his mothers house in Dublin's North Inner City to headlining gigs in New York. He tells us about the options and opportunities he got in the local youth club and the choices he made growing up in Inner City Dublin.

A member-only podcast for you this morning. Lots covered and a heads up on what’s happening later this week.

In this third part of our ongoing coverage of RTE and their rogue employment processes Martin is joined by Matt McGranaghan and former RTE News Presenter, Angie Mezzetti, to discuss the events at the Oireachtas Media Committee. You'll also hear, via Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin, some voices who neither OPLA, nor the Unions nor RTE wanted to be heard. You cannot rebuild a National Broadcaster on th...

A look at the state of politics in the US, UK and Ireland. Some flavour of guests lined up next week and a chat about how Fianna Gael planted the seeds for the polarisation we are witnessing domestically all in pursuit of their (intentionally?) failed trickledown economic policies. Finally we post a passionate Naomi Klein's speech about the Jewish exodus from Zionism.

Hebh Aljamal, who grew up in New York, is a remarkable Palestinian-American journalist, who currently lives in Germany and is shockingly facing legal prosecution because of her Palestine activism. In this episode of PalCast, Yousef Aljamal, Helena Cobban and Tony Groves speak about the German position on Israel in relation to its history, and their declared commitment to human rights! From Berlin...

While Dean and Sparky are working on their upcoming episodes we thought it would be nice to share with you there first episode. You can hear that the buzz was there from the very beginning. Enjoy!

Since the broadcast of the TV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, we have all been disgusted by the treatment of Post Masters by the bullyboy corporation, Post Office UK. It was truly shocking and upsetting to see. But what if we were to tell you that your local Post Master was being treated much worse by An Post all across Ireland? Don't believe us? We didn't want to believe it either. But here ar...

Mahmoud Mushtaha rejoined us from Cairo for a chat about his evacuation from Gaza, the happiness of being in the world and the heartbreaking guilt of getting out without his family. He speaks about the shock of arriving in Egypt, the future he dreams about and the six months of genocide that he lived through. CW: some content listeners may find upsetting

Green Party Cllr Hazel Chu has, it’s fair to say, had more than a bumpy few years. From the Lord Mayor’s Office during Covid to the racially charged protests where she’s been the target of abuse, who’d want to be a local politician? Hazel rejoins us to talk about this and why she is seeking reelection at what is, in her opinion, a crucial moment for Irish democracy.

Elbit Systems, Israel’s leading weapon manufacturing, is playing a major role in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Huda Ammori, a co-founder of the Palestine Action Group spoke to PalCast co-hosts about the role of Israeli firm in the genocide in Gaza, campaigns against Elbit; successes and failures. Ammori, who is facing court cases because of her activism, argues that Elbit Systems, an arm of the Is...

(Featuring Martin's performance with Christy Moore) For 100 weeks now musician and and activist Martin Leahy has traveled from West Cork to Leinster House to protest about the housing crisis and play his Housing Activist Anthem, Everyone Should Have a Home. He rejoins us to talk about his activism journey, his protest music and the friends he’s made along the way. Well done, Martin!

One of those podcasts where we said that we would talk for 15 minutes about the latest news, only to get so pissed off about a dozen things that we needed 30 minutes. Member-only!

In July 2018, the Public Accounts Committee and the Ministers for Social Protection, Finance and Media were all fully aware that the 'Eversheds Review', RTE's own bought and paid for legal advice, exposed that RTE owed more than it was worth for decades of bogus self employment, this is that story. This podcast features music from comedian and actor Michael Fry, narration from musician Matt McGran...

Sparky and Dean do a deep dive into the darkness to try and find some light. We also get to hear these two friends playing a lovely song together.

In this Reboot Republic, Rory and Tony talk with Hugh Brennan of the O Cualann Co Housing Alliance about the work that Hugh is doing to actually build affordable housing and the blockages and lack of support he is facing from the Government and Department of Housing. Hugh outlines what is needed in order to build affordable housing. Not-for-profit affordable housing providers need additional fundi...

As Israeli forces withdrew from Khan Younis, after four months of military operations they were ambushed by Palestinian fighters. Israel, it's clear, did not achieve its two stated goals of releasing the hostages and of eliminating Hamas. However once the IOF retreated, dozens of bodies of Palestinians were found decomposed. Over 45,000 houses in Khan Younis were destroyed and entire neighborhoods...

Listener favourite, Prof Richard Murphy, has just published this: https://taxingwealth.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Taxing-Wealth-Report-2024-Summary.pdf and in between chatting to Bloomberg and the Guardian about it, he managed to find 40 minutes to talk to us. And it's another belter. In fact it might even change your perception of what the word Tax means. It'll certainly challenge the current...

In this very special podcast recorded live at Whelan's in Dublin you'll hear a brilliant performance of 'Palestine' from Aziz, Ara and the Accidental Rapper, then writer, activist and author, Daniel Maté talks Israel, US and Judaism post-October 7th, then (the legend) Caoimhe Butterly talks solidarity, trauma and humanity and finally Daniel and Sean Mulrooney perform Joni Mitchell's Slouching Towa...

In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks with Dr. Ciarán O'Carroll, Climate & Sustainable Transition expert and Lecturer in Sustainability Leadership at TU Dublin, about strategies in climate action, from putting social justice central to all climate policy and action, from lifting farmers out of poverty to addressing housing and migration, Ciaran outlines core ideas on policy and economics, coalit...

Many hundreds of thousands of people used to wake up to the voice of Broadcaster, Presenter and Writer, Keith Walsh. But nobody would have been aware of how precarious his job was with the National Broadcaster. In this exclusive interview Keith tells us about his years at RTE, how he was managed out the door and how he has now fought and won his battle against them. As Martin has said before, RTE...

In what is probably the last podcast we do before Martin leaves to join RTE's Dancing with the Stars we talk Dan O'Brien's bad weekend, Simon Harris' Charge of the Lightweight Brigade, far right gobdaws and another Pol Corr joining the Govt Spin Unit.

The EU, which has advocated for human rights globally, has failed in Gaza. Some EU politicians understand the reality in Gaza, but they only talk about Rafah and humanitarian aid. Others understand but they refrain from talking and a third group don’t know (or don't want to know?) what is going on. Israel, on the other hand, continues its atrocities; burning Al-Shifaa Hospital and killing 7 intern...

We were all appalled to witness yet another atrocity carried out by the Israeli Occupation Forces, this time targeting and killing staff of an internationally recognised organisation, World Central Kitchen. But it leaves us asking what will it take for the international community to act to stop the slaughter? Joining us on the tortoise shack is UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Defenders, Mar...

Tommy Greene has covered the dangers posed to drinking water due to the environmental collapse of Lough Neagh well before it became a political football. But now that Stormont is up and running you might think things are looking (fresh water-wise) clearer? But he rejoins us to tell us why that's not the case. Great reporting by a great journalist. Thanks Tommy again