Alison O'Connor
@alisonoconn
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Journalist, broadcaster, and commentator. Feminist. Opinions obligatory.
Joined December 2010
Is it too soon to ask just who are the Iona Institute?. Where do they get their cash? . Who appointed them guardians of our nether region morals? . Did we hear far too much from one small (& we now know hugely unrepresentative) group over the last month?.
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What a woman.
"Minister, please now. you don't tell the Ceann Comhairle what you're doing. "Please, a little respect for the chair, not a finger-pointing exercise". Leas Ceann Comhairle Catherine Connolly taking Stephen Donnelly to task in the Dáil last night
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Desperately sad news to hear of the death of @CMOIreland Dr Tony Holohan’s wife Emer. Impossible to imagine what life has been like over the past year. His resilience is extraordinary.
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Just dropped my nephew to (primary) school in Cork. My heart. At the door welcoming all the pupils was the most adorable golden retriever puppy. She’s the school dog - on a lead & sitting obediently. What a magnificent way for kids to start their school day.
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Excellent News. Just in. The word 'woman' is no longer to be disappeared from our Maternity Acts. Common sense has prevailed. Statement from Dept of Equality just now says "language has been slightly amended" and now reads “woman or other person”.
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Anyone else feeling just a little over whelmed at the prospect of all this additional out and aboutness- even though we’ve been yearning for it?.
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Will you look at that. Today’s @irishexaminer has a feature on the very special Adam King. There’s a cut out of one of his Virtual Hugs. Go on - you know you want to.
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Simply can't get my head around Health Minister Simon Harris and his wife and tiny baby daughter being trapped in their home by anti austerity protesters today. What sort of people would do that?.
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When the history of the Great Pandemic of 2020 is written I wonder how the Green Party’s contribution to the national effort will rate? . On the available evidence so far, nearing a zero, I’d suspect.
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Tuned into the Oireachtas Health Committee to hear Sinn Fein's David Cullinane thank "Ms Butler" for her answer. He then turned to "Dr Henry".That would be Professor Butler. It's the little things.
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Sitting at home on the sofa I’m thinking of all those working so hard to protect us from #COVID19 - doctors, nurses, Dept of Health, HSE, Ambulance personnel, and yes, even politicians. So many hard decisions to make, doing their absolute best, and no doubt exhausted.
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Such an impressive speech from Ursula von der Leyen on ‘sofagate’ - why it matters and how she felt hurt. I love that she included that fact.
VIDEO: Ursula von der Leyen speaks out about the 'sofagate' incident at the European Parliament this evening
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Unfair playing of the gender card there by Mary Lou saying Micheál would “mansplain” corporation tax. Gratuitous. #LeadersDebate #GE2020.
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Loving #LateLateShow so far. I think Patrick Kielty is a much needed palate cleanser for RTE right now. He’s super.
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Compare & contrast the smaller political parties - refusing even to contemplate forming a stable government to guide us through the next tough few years - with healthcare workers flinging themselves onto the frontline & actually risking their own lives. 🤔.
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Ok just voted in Harold’s Cross. When I remarked it was busy was told it’s been like that since early. “Never seen anything like it in terms of the supplementary register. All young people”.
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So I’ve alphabetised the cupboards, written a best seller, hoovered under all the beds, cleared out the attic, found a pair for every sock, deleted thousands of photos, finally learned to speak Irish, oh, and home schooled the kids to Leaving Cert level. How you huns all doin’?.
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What I love about @SimonHarrisTD contribution is how he seems to feel in his bones the reasons why Irish women need to access abortion. #rtept.
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Wowser! Look at this for a price differential. Strolling thru a @newlook store earlier & did a triple take at how much more Irish customers have to pay.
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Now take a bow @MiriamOCal and @mcculld - superb moderation. I really felt that 90 minutes was worth my while, also worth the licence fee. I’ll bet lots of people tuned in and stayed with it. #LeadersDebate #GE2020.
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Just devastated to hear Keelin Shanley has died. Honestly one of the most incredible people you’d ever meet. Gutsy, passionate, great fun, determined, a hugely talented journalist. Dazzled always, but never more so than when she was ill. So sad for Conor and Lucy and Ben.
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I have always known Eamon Ryan to be a man of immense decency and kindness. It is entirely unfair to cast him in any other light. He deserves our support.
I made a speech in the Dáil today about the scourge of racism in our society. In quoting from an article I read this morning, I repeated a racial slur, and I was completely wrong to do so. I want to apologise for any hurt caused. I know this particular word should never be used.
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Anyone else feel they’ve the same 3 lockdown outfits on constant rotation? .When all this is over these garments are destined for a bonfire.
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Norma Foley should bust us with media appearances over the next while. We may not like some of what she is saying but she is well able to talk and is well versed in the detail. #rtept.
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You know if that @IrishTimes result holds up it will show that the citizens - our representatives at the @CitizAssembly - were indeed representative when it came to their votes just a little over a year ago. Just saying’.
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Magnificent public service journalism from @KatieGHannon. It follows years of dedicated, enthusiastic, painstaking, time consuming, dogged, pig headed, committed, unwavering, extraordinary work. Bravo. #whistleblower.
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I’m in a restaurant listening to 2 young men discuss how difficult it is for women to give birth, breastfeed, not breastfeed, care for a tiny baby, recover from birth. Would it be odd if I turned from my sandwich and embraced the 2 of them while holding back tears?.
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I suppose it’s no surprise to hear that a no of the people trying to get home from abroad took off on cheap holidays after schools closed last week (Imagine!) .Expecting now to be brought home at the State’s expense and a no giving Dept of FA staff a hard time. Sigh.
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‘It is now deemed timely to conclude the work of NPHET’. @CMOIreland . I’ll be raising a Friday night toast to the #NPHET gang. They done good by us. Thank you.
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Referendum tummy, anyone? . Me nerves are totally shot.
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It’s been less than 24 hours but we are enraptured. Meet Badger who has brought so much joy to the house. Collected from the wonderful people at the ISPCA in Longford. His mother was rescued from a badger baiter - so it makes it all the sweeter. #adoptdontshop
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We were so lucky to have @CMOIreland Dr Tony Holohan in position when the pandemic struck. He did us all great service during an exceptionally challenging and sad time in his own life.
Thank you @CMOIreland Tony Holohan for your outstanding service to the Irish people, during the pandemic, and over 21 years in the CMO office. Your dedication, and steadfast advice was crucial to Ireland’s response, and saved lives. Every success in your new role at @tcddublin.
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They won’t thank me for pointing it out, but listening to @SimonHarrisTD just now on @TodaywithClaire , he could give lessons to his Cabinet colleagues on the art of political communication.
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Why don’t @IrishRail just ditch the WiFi? .It’s would save having to go in & turn it off each time. Totally useless. They get many things right but not internet connectivity.
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Passed this at the entrance to the old Central Hotel Dublin earlier. Amazing Zelensky likeness.
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Have just seen this clip. What an utterly horrendous year for Mary Lou McDonald. Unbelievable to go through all she did and to not to reveal (understandably) a really significant part of it until now. She deserves a lot of sympathy.
Sinn Fein leader @MaryLouMcDonald on the show this morning discussing the recent passing of her father, as well as her husband's cancer diagnosis while she was recovering from a hysterectomy last year. #IrelandAM
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Most of us worrying right now about DEATH and DYING, but navel gazing Fianna Failers on the airwaves & in the newspapers washing their dirty leadership laundry. Give me strength.
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It’s been understandably over shadowed but what a moment when @SenKamalaHarris becomes first female Vice President.
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Interesting that @MaryLouMcDonald not just doing a great job for the Yes side tonight but also, I reckon, making lots of people look at Sinn Fein differently. #CBlive.
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10th year of school runs (13th if you count nursery). Already he’s back in routine. That’s his ‘you won’t forget me will you’ look. #backtoschool
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It’s a legitimate debate whether he’s too old for a second term but Joe Biden is in extraordinary shape for 80. Incredible mental acuity, not to mention energy. You’d be exhausted just observing his pace!.
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Can appreciate that @MichealMartinTD doesn’t want to be accused of queue jumping on the vaccine. But he, the Tanaiste and other ministers should be vaccinated ASAP. If ever we needed all hands on deck it is now.
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What buoying me up this afternoon are thoughts of my aunt - 87th birthday today - capable of driving herself earlier to get her vaccine from her GP. Some woman!.
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That seemed to go as well as it possibly could. Serious kudos to Micheal Martin for making his way through the Trump minefield and carrying the whole thing off. And the travelling Irish journalists can definitely hold their heads up. Serious EU belting though.
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Important life lesson #1 during this period of domestic confinement: . *No matter how much time you spend in the house you never get on top of the laundry.
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“Why does it have to be my masterpiece, why not my mistresspiece?”.So asked 8yo as she placed her pumpkin on the counter. *Contending for proudest maternal moment ever.
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Bryan Dobson told by Mary Lou McDonald not be ‘barking down the line at me’. He had posed an entirely legitimate question asking her to respond to SF TD Chris Andrews tweet that Hamas attack was a direct response to Ireland & EU not holding Israel to account. @RTENewsAtOne.
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Am actually feeling sick to my stomach at what Joanne Hayes has, and continues to, endure. 'Ireland was a different place in 1984', Gda Suptnt Flor Murphy said earlier. Funny it doesn't feel so much like that today.
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As of now Joe Duffy is my HERO - featuring the menopause for the 5th programme in a row on @rteliveline. I hope there is political attention being paid in terms of the services needed to be provided for women.
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Mega Killarney hospitality alert‼️ Got to station in a taxi - realised I’d left handbag in hotel lobby. Taxi driver Colm brings me back to hotel & then back to station & refuses payment for last 2 journeys!.
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The thing is - even if Biden wins - it will remain a matter of appalling atrociousness that so many million human beings voted for Trump.
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“Dead babies in septic tank in Ireland” .This story made headlines all over the world. And the Pope missed it or wasn’t shown it? .This defies logic. It’s just impossible to get your head around it.
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This Kerry CAMHS story would sicken you to your stomach. The distress of parents & children involved is unimaginable. It may centre around one doctor but clearly an absolute systemic failure.
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He looks around 18 and he’s fabulous.
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A public health ad campaign reminding joggers to keep the hell away from the rest of us is sorely needed. Otherwise permission to carry a teeny tiny taser gun - nothing more than a pinch, but enough so you'd feel it.
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It’s not often something so outrageously hyped - not to mention needed - lives up to billing. But boy this #LateLateToyShow just keeps on giving. I LOVE IT!! .*Ryan is magnificent.
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Our politicians, diplomats & civil servants deserve huge credit for their performance during the long and lunatic Brexit process. V special mention to @simoncoveney who played a stormer. ‘Today is a day of relief tinctured with some sadness,’ M Barnier, just now at press conf.
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The power of that contribution from Mary Robinson on Israel/Gaza just now on @RTENewsAtOne. Coming up on her eightieth birthday she has such authority. Sometimes we don't realise how lucky we are to have her.
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Just listened back to former Taoiseach John Bruton on @TodaySOR on why we shouldn’t Repeal the 8th. My goodness may he never need the compassion he so atrociously lacks in his approach.
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Female Sec Gens of Gov Departments are rare things so congratulations on this major achievement to Oonagh McPhillips just appointed to the job in the Department of Justice.
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No exaggeration to describe @fotoole as a giant, not just of Irish journalism, but far further afield. What a mind! .Here's hoping he will be continuing his column.
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All told that was exceptionally good communication from the Government. Language inclusive, embracing, and supportive, rather than that of ‘lock down’, penalties and division. Not an easy swallow for the Opposition but they’ve done it.
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An @IrishRail train guard just jumped down onto a wet & grotty rail track to rescue my train (return) ticket. Talk about customer service. Wouldn’t take as much as a cup of coffee afterwards.
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'Don't you dare lecture me,' Micheal M tells Mary Lou McD in Dail basically saying he had a far tougher childhood in Cork than she in leafy south Dublin. 'My background was far different where we grew up. I know a thing or two about people being in difficulty in early life.'.
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Imagine it all turned out differently, Sinn Fein, new partners in Government, Mary Lou the Tanaiste. What might this 👇 have done for Covid public health credibility or new Government relationships?.
► VIDEO: Thousands of people congregated in Belfast today for the funeral of former IRA man and Sinn Féin official Bobby Storey
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Two things that really cheered me up on my beautifully sunny walk just now:.The woman happily sunbathing in her bikini outside her front door. The owner of our local Harold’s Cross Spar telling the nurse from the GP Surgery that her takeout coffee was free of charge.
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WHO are these people?? What goes on in their mind?.
Eleven character references were handed in today on behalf of a man who raped and abused his partner and her son and who the Central Criminal Court heard had made the family's life a "living hell".
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Very significant news from @SimonHarrisTD in Dail that our teproduction rate is now below 1.
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I've been inundated wt bile and invective fm keyboard warriors &feel double the empathy wt @joanburton fr what she went thru in real life.
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"We will get through this. We will prevail" There's @LeoVaradkar hitting all the bases, and doing a superb job in addressing the nation. In the midst of all of this awfulness we are very lucky in many ways.
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In all my decades in Dublin this passageway - Frederick Lane - has smelt manky, but now it’s rubbish strewn aswell. Poor Dublin. Looks so neglected & down at heel right now. Depressing.
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This is lovely.
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Irish summer holidays 2023. Furry socks, fleece blanket, candles lit at 5.30 to provide illusion of heat. Awaiting arrival of latest storm.
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Well how about that then? So hugely deserved. No journalist I know works for the story and cares about it the way @KatieGHannon does. #wimballybunion.
.@KatieGHannon receives the Mary Cummins Award for outstanding journalism. Standing ovation in appreciation of her brilliant work on Maurice McCabe and other stories. @wimballybunion
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Not usually prone to retweeting video clips of myself but wondering am I being paranoid or accurate here?
Vicky Phelan case: The Irish state has a problem dealing with women
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Good speech by the Taoiseach. Hit the important notes. There were days - weren’t there - when getting to this stage was just impossible to imagine. MM is absolutely correct - we, as a society, have been rather amazing. Big back claps all round!.
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Really positive news from NPHET briefing. Philip Nolan confirming reproductive rate for virus gone below 1. Our efforts are really paying off. "Really significant progress," says @CMOIreland. Needless to say feckin virus will bounce back in a second, so have to keep pressure on.
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Such is my level of despondency this morning I can’t even muster a desire to hoard loo roll.
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I wish I lived in a bungalow. That way I wouldn’t be daily enraged at the rest of my family utterly ignoring the universal signal of my leaving their stuff on the bottom step of the stairs.
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Great news. Women GAA players will now get the same money as the men €1,200. At present women get €400!! Junior minister @jackfchambers said the change would be introduced this year. @TodaywithClaire.
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Cheers everyone! 🍾 .The joy. The relief. #BubblesforBiden (# borrowed from @philipnolan1)
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Celebrating his 14th birthday - Maxi, the light of our lives, who always, always wants the rubs to last longer, & who has made the last few weeks so much more bearable. Chicken 🎂 coming up later. #rescuedog
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So very proud of 15yo Maxi Lopez who came 2nd in the veteran category in the online Harold’s Cross Community Festival Dog Show. Big congrats to Ivy, the rescue turkey, who scooped the overall pandemic pet prize.
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School principal’s have to get 3 tenders for builders, plumbers etc AND be ready to reopen in 4 weeks??.Get ya away outta that - yer havin’ a laugh. Schools face delays in reopening as builders must tender for work.
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Wondering how Paschal Donohoe, Helen McEntee, and now Simon Harris, feel about spending their considerable personal political capital on defending Leo’s document-sharing -with-friends approach. Not good, I’d wager.
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Well - as the teens would say - serious beef right now between @MaryLouMcDonald & @boucherhayes. She’s certainly not appreciating his journalistic efforts to ask questions on the party’s new immigration policy.
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Those kite surfers who forced rescue services to go get them deserve to be fined - very heavily. #Opehlia.
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What a dickhead.
Mattie McGrath commenting on abortion committee. “The fat lady hasn’t sung here. and I don’t mean the Chairperson” of the committee
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When will we hear from Health Minister Stephen Donnelly about his various communications on Sunday - 3 in total - with @CMOIreland. There are a number of questions to be answered, most pertinently relating to the idea that NPHET went off on a wild solo run that ended up on L5.
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Watching the #SixOne News with my 10yo and it’s just fantastic to see 2 female anchors on screen & to explain to her they are 2 super journalists who more than deserve this big gig.
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Expected to feel far more upbeat this morning. A lingering sadness at the empty home-schooling space at the kitchen table.
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Finding it difficult to take this on board tonight, but they are explaining the reasons and necessity for it really well. I’ve a feeling it will all seem more “doable” in the morning.
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Trying to think of another occasion (ever) that Micheal Martin has been so ‘daring’ in an appointment. Jack Chambers is bright & ambitious - but stepping straight into finance from a jr ministry, with a pre election budget around the corner? That’s a big ask of anyone.
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The dissonance between the @CMOIreland thread on today’s really scary virus figures, and the text just in from a friend out for a city centre walk: “Town is hopping,” she wrote.
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Just when you think she cannot get any better - Miriam Lord at her absolute best. Taoiseach on Tour loses the run of himself.via @IrishTimes.
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