Drug Use – Harm Reduction vs State Snobbery

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack podcast, solicitor Cathal Malone discusses the impact of proposed (resulting in dozens of solicitors walking out) changes to Ireland's criminal legal aid fee structure, the long-time underfunding of the justice system, and the broader implications for access to justice. The conversation highlights the disconnect between policy intentions and real-world effects on vulnerable populations. Minister Jim O'Callaghan's run of doing Crazy Jim O'Callaghan stuff continues. Elaine Crory on Jeffrey Donaldson, Sexual Violence and Rape Myths:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-162722611 Author of If You Cannot Say Genocide, Yahia Lababidi podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-162503281

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack podcast, Senator Lynn Ruane returns to talk about the cross-party Oireachtas Committee Report on Drug Use. She discusses the report's recommendations, harm reduction, decriminalisation, and trauma-informed care, emphasising the need for evidence-based policies and community-led initiatives to reduce drug-related harm. We also get into the Government and Garda response. Do not skip this one. Petro Speech: https://portside.org/2022-09-24/colombian-president-gustavo-petro-calls-end-war-drugs-historic-un-address Oireachtas Report:https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/committees/34/drugs-use/ Constantin Gurdgiev on Trump, the AI economy and more:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-161617099

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Eoin Ó Broin is back to discuss Ireland's housing crisis, recent legislative changes, and strategic solutions to address homelessness and housing affordability. We also get involved in cross-party efforts (or lack thereof), policy reforms, quick wins, and urgent actions needed to improve housing conditions. There’s also chat about his role on the Sinn Féin front-bench and Eoin’s feelings about the new Barak Obama centre. Lynn Ruane podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-162385343 Reporting from Occupied Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-162124288

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode, Tony is joined by PBP TD Paul Murphy to dig into the lay of the land in Irish politics, the current left-wing strategies for change, future coalition possibilities, and the influence of global corporations on our current political realm. Paul explores and gives his take on the challenges and opportunities for building a progressive government in Ireland that does not include Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael. Contantin Gurdgiev on US politics and the global economy:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-161617099 Two Palestinian journalists on life and reporting in Occupied Palestine: https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-162124288

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Sondos Sabra is a Palestinian writer from Gaza and co-author of Voices of Resistance, currently pursuing a master’s degree in Creative Writing in the UK. She joins us to discuss her experience of the genocide, the harsh reality of the famine she endured, the loss of several of her family and the heartache of planning for a future when everything is stuck in a worsening present. Paul Murphy wants to go into Government podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-160886543

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "This week Jim O'Callaghan, the Minister for Justice, stood up and explained why his plan to give the Garda Síochána powers to use AI to surveil the public didn't need the safeguards set down in EU law." Tony and solicitor Simon McGarr jump into the recent legislative proposals and developments surrounding biometric data and AI law in Ireland. Simon examines the implications of new bills, what these mean in terms of EU regulations and laws, and the potential risks to privacy and civil liberties. Welcome to the Ballad of Biometrics, Vol 2. Paul Murphy wants to go into Government podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-160886543

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack podcast, Tony and Nicolas Dale Leal, a Mexico-based journalist with El País, discuss the intersection of politics, football, and current events in Latin America and beyond. They examine the impact of protests during the World Cup in Mexico, the political landscapes in Colombia, Peru, and Brazil, and the influence of global figures such as Bukele and Lula. Nicholas gives his assessment of the Colombian Presidential Election and the optimistic view is not that great. But hope springs eternal, then it kills you. Liam Cunningham podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-159915188 Support the Hind Rajab Centre:https://www.ionadhindrajab.org/

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack “The People's Forum on Peace and Neutrality has been organised in a context where the EU policy of rearmament, with an increased reliance on weapons production, calls in to question its origins as a peace project and its commitment to UN authority, diplomacy and peaceful conflict resolution.” Joining me this evening from the Neutrality Roadshow is Rory Rowan and (legend) Niamh Ní Bhrian to discuss the even this weekend that’ll feature the likes of Francesca Albanese and (tortoise shack exclusive reveal) Michael D. Higgins. Beyond the forum, this is a great conversation about a battle for neutrality that we need to take to this uncaring government. The Jim O'Callaghan Humpty Dumpty podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-160993442 Tickets:https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/peoples-forum-on-peace-and-neutrality-june-19th-and-20th-tickets-1991047790539?aff=oddtdtcreator&_gl=1*bv64pw*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTgwOTIyODY4NC4xNzgwNTcxNjg4*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3ODA1NzE2ODYkbzEkZzEkdDE3ODA1NzE3OTEkajYwJGwwJGgw

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Mohammed R. Isdodi is an English language student from Al-Azhar University whose studies were interrupted by the war. He rejoins us from a "hub" in Gaza City to update us on the latest situation on the ground, the struggle for basics like clean water and his work with others of telling their stories of the last almost three years. He offers a poignant insight into something he has written about the Gaza he walks through today and the one that exists now only in his mind. Mikey Cullen's Sumud Flotilla Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-160504651 Liam Cunningham podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-159915188 Support the Hind Rajab Centre:https://www.ionadhindrajab.org/

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack podcast, Tony is rejoined by writer, commentator and activist, Emma DeSouza to analyse the recent riots, racially motivated violence and social unrest in Northern Ireland. Emma explores the underlying causes, societal impacts, and the role of social media, political rhetoric and some mainstream media players. They try to emphasise the importance of community resilience, constructive dialogue and the need to improve the lot of everyone on this shared island of ours. Simon McGarr on Minister Jim O'Callaghan's Humpty Dumpty moment:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-160993442 Mikey Cullen on the Sumud Flotilla:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-160504651 Support the Hind Rajab Centre:https://www.ionadhindrajab.org/