Mercosur and the Simplification Scam

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack The great and the good fell over themselves to praise the recent John Collsion think-piece in the Irish Times. But nobody really stopped to ask "is he right?" In this Echo Chamber Podcast we are joined by Planning and Environmental Expert, Sabrina Joyce-Kemper and Solicitor, Fred Logue. Sabrina shares her lived access to justice experience as part of the Greater Dublin Drainage Project and Fred talks about the factual errors in the Collison piece. If you cannot attest a right, then you don't have it. Highly recommend you listen. New podcast with Gaza’s first female photojournalist Eman Mohammed out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-142429339

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack The EU continues to rollback hard won rights and protections around trade, work practices and environmental regulations all in the name of simplification and competitiveness. Now the previously maligned “free-trade” Mercosur is back on the agenda, consequences be damned. Joining me to discuss this and more is MEP Lynn Boylan, who is organising an event on Nov 6th around Trade Justice. More info here:https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/never-wast The Collison Fact Check podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-142411212

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack CW: Contains personal stories that some listeners may find upsetting. This week Israel broke the ceasefire with devastating consequences, killing over 100 people, including 46 children. Somehow most western media is reporting that they've now reinstated it. We live in terrible times. Our guest, Hala Al-Khatib is a 20-years-old writer and poet from Gaza and she speaks of the horrors that her neighborhood and all of Gaza went through on October 28, 2025. While Israel carried out the latest massacre, Hala was holding her breath; the IOF tanks visible from what is left of her destroyed home. Earlier in the genocide, she was injured along with some family members when Israel targeted a home on the other side of the street of her parents house. Her parents house now hosts her two sisters, who lost their spouses and homes, and her aunt who lost her home too. Despite all these difficulties, she is still hopeful and has plans for the future. Tune in for the full story. Constantin Gurdgiev podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-142410024

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack On the 30th of January 1972 a young Tony Doherty was playing marbles on the Bogside in Derry when word reached him that his father, Paddy had been shot. In the hours, weeks, months and years ahead the families of those who were murdered and injured on that day marched, campaigned and dragged the British State into apologising for what became known around the world as Bloody Sunday. Yesterday that journey (seemingly) ended when the mass murderer called Soldier F was found not guilty. Tony joins me to talk about the trial, the outcome, the Irish presidential campaign and much more. Dion Fanning podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-142188516 MEP Lynn Boylan podcast is out now here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-142349510

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this belter of an Echo pod we combine for the first time ever Mr irishelectionprojections.com's Harry McEvansoneya and thegist.ie's Simon McGarr and is was even more fun than I'd hoped. We talk about the main 3 stories arising out of Catherine Connolly's historic victory and the reasons much of legacy media seem to want to focus on the least important one. We talk winners, losers and the disconnect that this campaign has exposed between politics, media and the public. The Dion Fanning podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-142188516

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory is joined by tortoise shack editor and producer, Tony Groves and Mr irishelectionprojections.com, Harry McEvansoneya, to talk about the Presidential Election, the broad Left-unity movement that may emerge and the far right in Ireland. We also pit Rory's enthusiasm against Tony's cynicism and Harry looks at what lessons might be learned from what was a bit of a mad campaign. Harry's latest:https://irishelectionprojections.com/2025/10/21/2025-presidential-election/ Bloody Sunday, Soldier F and British Justice with Tony Doherty out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-141945374

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Noor Abu Mariam, is a Business Administration student, a writer, and the social media manager for Gaza Great Minds School. She is passionate about using storytelling and digital media to share the voices and experiences of people in Gaza. She shares how she saw body parts for the first time in her life while being displaced to the south from Al-Shatii refugee camp. Noor was displaced at least 15 times and despite all the upheaval she hopes to finish her degree and continue her graduate studies. She recounts how she lost her friend and aunt and how the last two years have changed her. Tune in for the full story The Presidential election podcast with Rory Hearne and Harry McEvansoneya is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-141790100

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Dr Cian Ó Concubhair is Assistant Professor in the Dept of Law in NUI Maynooth, lecturing in Criminology and Criminal Justice. His doctoral research examined police-media relations, and the power of news media and policing. So as the presidential election has gotten more 'law and order' political media coverage than ever before, I thought he'd be the perfect guest to talk us all through it, and I wasn't wrong. I really enjoyed this and got a lot out of it. Listen/watch and don't worry about me spilling water all over the place! Latest from on the ground in Gaza with Noor Abu Mariam:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-141721859

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Baraa Qandeel is a Palestinian poet, translator and writer from Gaza. She works in marketing and has suffered immensely during the genocide losing friends and family, and surviving an airstrike nearby that left her in shock for hours. She joins us from Gaza to talk about the ceasefire and what people around her think about it. She discusses conversations amongst her friends about their experiences in what she calls 'triggering sessions.' Tune in for more The Fionnan Sheehan vs Heather Humphreys vs Martin pod is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-141563126 Please support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/some-good-news-140335712

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Echo Chamber Podcast, Sinn Féin's Housing Spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin sits down with Tony to talk about Catherine Connolly, left unity, the groups that are shaping the government's housing policy and why social housing can be beautiful. He also correctly calls Tony deranged. But they don't fall out... Baraa'h Qandeel in Gaza on the "ceasefire" is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-141438094 Please support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/some-good-news-140335712