Don’t miss out on any of the week’s events.
Public talks
Clearly, most of the talks on this week had to be organised long before it was confirmed that the Government would heed public health advice, but it’s still nice to think that it’s such a busy week for public talks to help keep our minds’ off how much we miss mindless chats over tea that don’t involve Zoom.
First up we have People Before Profit, with a talk on Monday on the Covid crisis and care homes.
Tuesday brings a wealth of options. The ESRI is looking at social transfers and deprivation in Ireland: a study of cash and non-cash payments tied to housing, childcare and primary health care services. Sponsored by the Trinity Long Room Hub, the Global Irish Network is hosting an event no Irish Universities and Imperial legacies. The UCD Sutherland School of Law and NASC, Migrant and Refugee Rights Centre are holding a series of short seminars discussing the recommendations of the Day Advisory Group, starting with Dr Catherine Day, Bulelani Mfaco (MASI) and Fiona Finn (NASC).
Social Justice Ireland has its annual policy conference and CATU Belfast is holding a virtual session on tenants’ rights and housing law on Wednesday.
Only eight months ago the Belfast Trades Council looked at the Northern Ireland Executive’s blueprint for future governance. On Thursday they’ll be revisiting the debate and looking at what ‘no going back’ to the pre-Covid framework might mean. Connolly Books will be discussing Peadar O’Donnell.
Activism
Debenhams workers have been out on the streets for 220 days. Yes, 220 days. If the Dáil or a Debenhams shop is within your 5km then take your daily stroll down to support the banner drops and socially distanced demonstrations.
Oireachtas
The Dáil week starts off with Sinn Féin’s motion on protecting communities from unlawful use of scrambler and quad bikes in public spaces. On Wednesday there’ll be statements on community policing and crime, the Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Decisions on Supervision Measures) Bill 2019, and the Labour Party’s Working from Home (Covid-19) Bill 2020. Thursday will see statements on domestic violence, third-level education, and a motion on the report of the Special Committee on Covid-19 response.
The Seanad is back on Tuesday, with statements on Traveller accommodation and the Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill. There’ll be statements on Level 5 restrictions and on flooding on Wednesday.
It’s always worthwhile keeping an eye on the committees. On Tuesday the Minister for Education will be discussing her key priorities for the Department and Coillte CGA and the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will be discussing the challenges facing the forestry sector.
On Wednesday you can tune in the discussions on the Conference on the Future of Europe, whatever is going on with the National Children’s Hospital and the National Broadband Plan, even more prevarication on the Official Languages Act, how Covid-19 impacts the sports sector, and Ireland’s progress on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
On Thursday expect representatives of the education trade unions to speak with clarity and coherence on ensuring that schools are open in a manner which is both safe and sustainable and for them and their members to get savaged anyway.
