The Week at Work

Final part of a three week session on Irish radical and working class history, that was held in the Spark in Phibsboro in April. The main theme today is the “social question” and what that meant in terms of Irish radicalism in the 19th century.It brings up writers such as Agnes Henry, Anna Doyle Wheeler, Bronterre O’Brien, William Sharman Crawford, and Eleanor Marx.More details and links to works by these writers can be found at conor-mccabe.com.

Third of four recordings made in the Spark, Phibsboro, in April 2025, dealing with Irish radical and working class history. Topics in this episode include Repeal and Chartism, Daniel O'Connell as a 19th century neoliberal, and working class resistance to the extractive, colonial, mode of production.

Second of three workshops held in the Spark, Phibsborough. Recorded on 10 April 2025 and continues the themes of the previous week, looking at historical materialism. Topics include Engels, Mao, Peadar O'Donnell, Brian O'Neill, The Ripening of Time Collective, and Mahdi Amel and the pitfalls of underdevelopment/world systems theory when applied to Ireland.

Recording of the first of three workshops on Irish radical history, held in The Spark, Phibsborough, 3 April 2025. The series will focus in on Marxism and history, Irish class consciousness and class struggle, and pioneer Irish socialists of the 19th century. Slides from the workshop available here - https://conor-mccabe.com/2025/04/04/irish-radical-history-no-1/

This week Dave and Conor discuss the European Court of Justice ruling that Ireland is owed €13.8bn in taxes due to illegal state aid. What are the implications for Ireland, and how does this illustrate the nature of the Irish comprodor economic system? If you want to support us, go to www.leftbloc.ie or www.patreon.com/leftbloc And don't forget to book your ticket for Scoil Cois Claí: https://leftbloc.ie/scoil-chois-clai-2024/

This week on the podcast, Clare and Michelle are joined by Stiofán O Nualláin to discuss Northern Ireland and British Elections Imperialist Labour Party Gaza Genocide Garda Violence Pilot Strikes Mass evictions from Direct Provision Centres & Much More!

This week Dave and Conor take a look at the EU and local elections where they review the performance of the parties, the media campaign and the strategies of the left. They also discuss, where to next... where will "left unity" come from?

On this weeks show, Dave, Conor and Michelle discuss: The Housing Commission Report The recognition of Palestine The Dublin 8 Artwork Project The EU Elections The real cost of a United Ireland

This week Dave and Clare talk to Conor Reddy about the ongoing Trinity College Dublin encampment and protests against complicity with Israel’s genocide in Palestine. Conor is a member of the Postgraduate Workers' Organisation of Ireland and a People Before Profit candidate in the upcoming local elections. Also discussed: Threats from Amazon Ireland if we don’t allow more data centres Shortages of energy and water Leila Doolin skydiving for Gaza on her 90th birthday (https://tinyurl.com/LeilasJump) Decriminalising drugs And much more…

This Week Clare and Michelle discuss Stardust Verdict Bloody Sunday Palestine - West Bank violence increasing - - Protests against weapons through Shannon for Israel. - Columbia students encampment - Banning of people speaking languages at protests - Google workers sacked for protesting Googles role in apartheid. - Communication Workers Union motion on An Post members not handling Israeli mail. - Eir and An Post workers pay rises - Unite policy conference - Labour Party Councillor brought to WRC - Josip Strok, Roderick O Gorman, IPO, policing, elections and the far right Hands - Ireland seeking to abandon ‘triple lock’

In this special episode Councillor Dean Mulligan hosts a public discussion with Clare Daly MEP and Palestinian activist Aseel Marabeh. The event took place on 3rd April in Swords. Dean introduces the event explaining the resistance at local council level to pro-Palestinian initiatives, while Clare Daly explains what is happening in the EU. Aseel gives a horrific breakdown of what is facing Palestinians, particularly in Gaza.

This week, Dave, Michelle and Stiofán Ó Nualláin discuss: Jeffery Donaldson Bertie Ahern Easter rising commemorations Dublin - a failing capitalist experiment? The Shannon 3 protest US Military use of airport Stripsearching and Special branch. Israel embassy trade threat BDS actions in the workplace Palestinian banking Defunding RTE The James Connolly Festival (www.jamesconnollyfestival.com) The Robert Tressell Festival (www.tressellfestival.ie) And much more... Support us at www.patreon.com/leftbloc

This week Dave, Clare and Conor discuss: A workers' rights Taoiseach All hail our new overlord Gannon gets salty with Pepper Unite victory in the Supreme Court Calls for suspension of EU Trade Agreements with Israel Genocide Joe and the continued attacks on Palestinians And much more...

This week Michelle and Dave discuss: Palestine & the ongoing genocide Industrial Relations Act 1990 and Boycotting goods Sally Rooney:  ‘good friend’ in the White House. “the situation in the middle east” Two state solution Mary Robinson on RTE NI open for businesss SWSW festival Criminalising peaceful protesting Investor “activists” 94% of Forsa members voted yes to pay deal. 19 unions with public service members. SaveJobs – a coalition to preserve profits

This week Michelle and Conor discuss the care referendum result and the campaigns run by the three main left political parties: Sinn Féin, People before Profit, and the Social Democrats.

This week Aubrey and Conor look at Naomi Klein's new book on the rise of the far-right. Doppelganger, and discuss its relevance to what's happening in Ireland today.

161. This week Clare and Michelle talk about Palestine events, OPW block IPSC event, Seanad motion on Palestine, increased militrisation, investment in illegal companies, policing of Palestine protests, facial recognitiion technology, RTB report, Owen Keegan in RTB, Joan Collins bill Gaza Genocide Garda protester removal Housing Planning Developments Care referendum Opinion Polls & More!

This week Dave and Conor look at the strikes at Amazon's warehouse in Coventry, an upcoming trade union bill sponsored by Joan Collins TD, and Sinn Féin's recent dip in the polls.

This week David Gibney is joined by Eoghan Fox, President of the Galway Council of Trade Unions to discuss: The International Court of Justice ruling on Israel's Genocide Sinn Fein visiting Genocide Joe for Paddys Day New Public Sector Pay Deal Ryanair snap up gaffs in Dublin Guantanamo Bay and the inspiring former inmates trying to close it (book available here - https://www.connollybooks.org/product/dont-forget-us-here) And more...

This week, Clare and Stevie discuss the Genocide of Gaza, the South African case in the ICJ, the Irish Government response and the power of collective action. We discuss the upcoming local elections and referendum and the toxic discourse being driven by far right agitators, alongside discussions on housing, the EU, the DUP and Nothern Ireland politics and more!

This week Conor and Dave look at C. Desmond Greaves' biography of James Connolly, in particular the poetic license and myth-making that Greaves indulged in when filling in the gaps in Connolly's early days. It focuses on the account Greaves gave of Connolly's army career, and the issues with the sources used and story told. This episode was recorded in the Garden of Remembrance one Friday afternoon.

This week Conor McCabe and Aubrey Robinson discuss a recent paper by Pierce Daly (UCD) which mapped the location and intensity of institutional/corporate investment in the Dublin rental market. It is a rare example of detailed empirical analysis on the issue and we felt it deserved a discussion and analysis in itself. Link to the paper is below, along with one by Daniela Gabor and Sebastian Kohl which is referenced by Aubrey during the show. Pierce Daly. Institutional Investment in Housing: Financialisation 2.0 in the Case of Ireland - https://shorturl.at/IOWZ4 Daniela Gabor and Sebastian Kohl. My Home is an Asset Class - https://shorturl.at/goHTU

This week, guest Saoirse McHugh and Conor McCabe discuss the dynamics of class and capitalism in so-called 'rural' Ireland; the feebleness of the institutional Irish left (political parties, trade unions, research bodies) in dealing with these dynamics; and the rising threat of the far-right as it elbows its way into the vacuum. Recorded during a climate action march in Dublin on 9 December 2023.

This week Glenn and Michelle discuss: Truce in Palestine ended, Israeli bombardment restarted Role of mainstream media Division in our communities - rise of hate and the question of 'resources' Mary Lou tweet Rents reaching new records The Ditch investigations Data centres and COP Successes in the BDS campaign

This week Dave, Clare and Michelle discuss: The Parnell Square knife attack Dublin violence & classism Policing - water cannons, Facial recognition technology ICTU rally Palestine so-called 4 day pause in firing Surge in munition exemptions undermining our neutrality Attempts to scrapping the triple lock AIB applying banking sanctions? Homeless numbers record broken again AirBnb profits Mayo council execs as landlords Mechanical workers win big after strike threat

In this weeks episode Dave and Michelle discuss the continued genocide in Palestine including:  Israel bombing boats in Gaza to starve population Israel’s Heritage Minister suggests nuking Gaza and sending civilians to Ireland Doctors in Israel call for continued targeting of hospitals WCNSF acronym - child with no remaining family left Irish citizens in Gaza prevented from leaving SF call to expel the Israeli ambassador Silencing dissent - Web Summit, Amazon, Pharma, Gofundme and Wix Football community politics Sunday indo poll on ceasefire Artist boycott 600+ academics calling on unis to suspend ties with Israeli institutions Role of media Also discussed: European far right in in Kilkenny Intel is Hell Garment workers strike in Bangladesh Scrapping air passenger cap Traveller homes Household media charge Gardai propaganda Good IRA v Bad IRA If you want to support us you can do so at www.patreon.com/leftbloc

Lifelong activist, socialist and feminist, Bernadette McAliskey, addresses the topic of Nationalism & the Far Right at An Scoil Chois Claí 2023.

This week Clare O'Connor is joined by Dr Sean Byers of Trademark Belfast to discuss ongoing Israeli war crimes and bombardment of Gaza, international Palestinian solidarity and Trade Union Actions , The Fog of War, DUP Rollback, Liberal legislating and more!

Dave Gibney and Clare O'Connor are joined by Conor McCabe as we look at Budget 2024 and what the main opposition parties would have done differently. We address housing, health, education, climate, taxation and carers, among other items.

This week, Clare and Michelle discuss Palestine, Israel and EU imperialism Student & PHD strikes Budget 2023 Estate Agents ramping up rental costs Drug Hauls & the war on drugs And much more!

Michelle and Glenn take a look at the mainstream media reaction to the far-right protest that took place outside Dáil Éireann upon its return, which has been riddled with bothsidesing and false equivalence. This segues into a chat about the Garda handling of everything from protests to illegal evictions. Michelle, fresh in from attending a demonstration outside Waterford Garda Station, gives a firsthand account of the community response to an illegal eviction that took place a few weeks ago. Housing is covered extensively later in the episode before taking a look at some other interesting stories that emerged throughout the week.

This week Dave and Clare discuss: Scoil Chois Claí 2023 Housing, tax reliefs and inflating prices Mary Lou and health Cosmic events in Portmarnock and alien cakes Russel Brand USC lobbying & much more… Support us at www.leftbloc.ie

This week Michelle talks to Glenn Fitzpatrick and Mebh McDaid about: - Electoral reform in the South - Workers Rights under attack - Ryanair - Free State mindset - Future of Ireland’s drug laws: Gardai vs evidence base - UBI and “a new social contract” - Bernadette Devlin new journo role - Scoil Chois Claí preview - EPA and pushback on meat consumption, what of the “just transition”? & More...

This week Michelle and Clare discuss Deaths in homeless services Failure of state services in duty of care. Policing responses on homelessness and far right Budget 2024 and the myth of scarcity AIB profits and sell offs Climate boiling Bray Air show Industrial action And more!

On this week’s The Week At Work, Michelle Byrne speaks to Caoimhe Ní Dhónaill, anti-casualisation officer in University and College Union (UCU) Queens University Belfast (QUB) branch and Professor John Barry, a green representative in UCU at QUB. We hear about the UCU QUB industrial action covering pensions, casualisation, pay and pay gaps and more. We also discuss the neoliberal agenda in education, the role of the university in the climate crisis and solidarity.

This week Michelle talks to Dean McGrath from the South East Irish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign to discuss his recent visit to Palestine and the ongoing oppression there.

Part 2 of this weeks show with Clare and Dave discussing: Climate change and preparing for a 2 degree increase in temperatures  Interview by Mebh McDaid with the Iceland workers at the Talbot street occupation SAG-AFTRA strike and superstar solidarity Cluster munitions and Ireland’s role in their supply Commentators seeking a nuclear war And more...

This week Clare and Dave have split the episode in to two parts to discuss: Left Bloc’s festical Scoil Chois Claí 2023 on Inis Oírr Housing & blaming victims RTE, the strawman and deconstructing public service broadcasting Companies delisting from the Irish stock exchange Climate change and preparing for a 2 degree increase in temperatures  Interview by Mebh McDaid with the Iceland workers at the Talbot street occupation SAG-AFTRA strike and superstar solidarity Cluster munitions and Ireland’s role in their supply Commentators seeking a nuclear war Report on the Future of Youth Work

This week Dave Gibney, Michelle Byrne and Glenn Fitzpatrick discuss: RTÉ and the future of Public Service Broadcasting Ireland Thinks Poll Spanish ambassador to Ireland on NATO Rise of the right across Europe Iceland and strategic insolvencies Water services workers on strike FG Selective outrage on fast fashion  And much more…

This week we have a special episode about Cuba with Michelle Byrne, Liz from the Communist Party of Ireland (CPI) and Sam Galvin (Chair of Unite Youth). They discuss the May Day Brigade, the US blockade, Healthcare, climate and farming, children, the family code, participatory democracy, culture, Committees for Defence of the Revolution (CDR) and trade unions in Cuba, International Conference and how we can show solidarity with the Cuban people.

This week we have a special episode from the James Connolly Festival where Dave Gibney hosts a discussion between Eddie Dempsey, Senior Assistant General Secretary from the RMT, Denise Curran, President of Mandate Trade Union and our own Michelle Byrne, Trade Union Left Forum (TULF). The discussion is: Trade Unions: Radical or Redundant   Join the Left Bloc Community on WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GrpI1ETKXHN5UMjPyjVfzY

This week Michelle and Glenn discuss: Red C poll / Coalition “rift” and anti immigrant sentiment Performance of Gov parties vis a vis what is happening at societal level (industrial disputes, call for wage increases etc) Media Blackout on PANA poll Clare Daly advocates for peace on RTÉ Upfront Decay of US economy (based off this piece https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2023/05/27/china-economic-alternative-us-led-financial-order/) Tax Breaks and the Squeezed Middle Forsa conference, HSE outsourcing and pressure on the health system Emerald Air (Aer Lingus regional) dispute IWU Iceland workers dispute update Tech workers unionising with FSU and impact of anti-trade union legislation ICTU calls for minimum wage increase, a living wage and abolition of discriminatory rates of page based on age Peace and Neutrality Alliance poll - 87% support ceasefire Irish multinational in Columbia disrupting peace And much more…

This week Dave and Michelle are joined by Stiofán O’Nualláin to discuss: Elections in the North The erosion of Irish neutrality Migration, climate and rise of hate Iceland workers strike Debenhams workers win WRC case Corporate veil protecting employers Sacked Murphy 4 - Unite campaign An Scoil Chois Claí - Inis Oírr details And much more… Join the Left Bloc Community on WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GrpI1ETKXHN5UMjPyjVfzY

Michelle spoke to Jamie Murphy, acting General Secretary of the Independent Workers Union (IWU) about the union and it’s most recent campaigns with Iceland store workers, bogus self employment of Home help workers by the state and more. Support the Iceland workers strike fund here: https://gofund.me/b4cbe2df

This week Dave, Michelle and Clare discuss: International Workers’ Memorial Day International Workers’ Day Political Festivals Government to defend ESAT case Government attacks independent media Homelessness Far right protests on Paul Murphy's house Varadkar eyes surplus for tax cuts The Stardust Inquest & More….

This week Clare is joined by Amy Rafferty member of Connolly Youth Movement and Left Bloc member to discuss Her recent article on LeftBloc.ie , Good Friday Agreement celebrations and it's economic legacy Abortion Review & the effort to stall progress Niall Collins & The Ditch Investment Funds and Social Housing 10 billion rainy day fund while the world burns, Who will pay the 8 billion euro penalties for our carbon emissions? & More! Support us on www.LeftBloc.ie and on patreon.com/LeftBloc

Episode 131 On this weeks The Week at Work, Clare O Connor and Lorna Bogue discuss: Housing LDA and Land Hoarding 1.5 billion underspend on housing budget Ireland argue against ECHR right to clean, healthy, sustainable environment Class Politics Irish Neutrality Garda bodycams and facial recognition software Stardust Inquest starts tomorrow ....and More!

This week Stiofán Ó Nualláin is joined by Mebh McDaid as they take over The Week at Work for one week only! They discuss: Eviction ban Latest polls GFA anniversary UDA feud Strike action And more...

Episode 129. This week Michelle, Clare and Glenn discuss the eviction ban, the IPCC Report, coalition politics, Labour party promises, Irish Neutrality, Geopolitics and Organising where you stand.

This week Michelle and Stiofán Ó Nualláin discuss: Eviction ban, Labour V Soc Dems, Windsor Framework, Biden, Pension protests And more... Like the pod? Support us at www.leftbloc.ie