Reboot Republic - Rory Hearne by Tortoise Shack Media
Reboot Republic is the innovative Podcast that delves beyond the headlines and soundbites and pulls up the roots of our Social Crises to unearth progressive solutions. We talk to world leading experts, politicians, activists and everyday change-makers. This not about tinkering around the edges. Hosted by Lecturer of Social Policy in Maynooth University and Social Justice Campaigner, Dr Rory Hearne and independent podcast nerd Tony Groves, we look beyond the political speak for real, globally tried and tested solutions. Reboot Republic aims to be the podcast for an optimistic and inclusive future and not the polarised present. There is another...
393. Women’s Equality & Feminism
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks with Orla O Connor who has recently announced that she is leaving her role as Director of the National Women's Council of Ireland. We talk about Orla's 23 years of experience of campaigning for women's equality and social justice in the National Women's Council, the learnings and lessons of campaigns like the Repeal Referendum, intersectionalism and what is or should be a vision for feminism today - for all women, from those in homelessness to needing childcare, to care workers, and the need to come together to challenge...
1470. Your Illegal Public Services Card
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack “In 2015, while at home looking after our new baby, my wife received a letter from the Department of Social Protection telling her that she needed to attend a social welfare office to be photographed for a Public Services Card or have her child benefit payment cut off. As she did not want to drag an infant out to a government office she solved this problem the sensible way. She handed me the letter and said "Deal with that."” These are the opening lines of the latest Gist with friend of the shack, digital righ...
392. The ‘New’ Plan – Protecting Renters or feeding them to the Vultures?
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack What are the new rental measures? In this Reboot Republic podcast Rory and Dr Michael Byrne from UCD break down the latest rental measures and explain what they are, what is the likely impact on rents and supply, and who will actually benefits. The verdict? TBD. The Week in Housing newsletter is a weekly one-page analysis of new housing research and policy. Read it here: https://theweekinhousing.substack.com/ The illegal Public Services Card with Simon McGarr:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-131317106 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts...
A new way forward for the Irish economy
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks to economist Michael Taft about the impact of tariffs on the Irish economy and jobs, our over dependence on US multinational investment, how we can create a diversified strong indigenous economy, the importance of collective bargaining, workers rights and wages, cooperative and community led enterprise and civil society and progressive parties working together in Raise the Roof. Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641
389. Finding Hope and Community when Everything Is Broken – Abubaker Abed
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic Rory & Tony talk to the incredible young Gazan journalist Abubaker Abed about his journey from Gaza to Ireland, the importance of solidarity and speaking up, the daily reality of surviving a genocide, and what Ireland can do to show a common humanity when the world turns its backs on the Holocaust of the 21st Century. Liam Cunningham on Gaza and the cost of speaking out:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-129443800 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641
€2,000 Average Rents!
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic Rory & Tony discuss The national housing disaster - how it is worsening and while its an acknowledged emergency, the government appear to be about to bend to the landlord lobby and lift the minimal protection that exist for renters . Rory outlines the rent cap protest he's organising for Wednesday evening and Tony sets out the investor model and why its unreliable. Do check out Dr Michael Bynre's https://theweekinhousing.substack.com/ Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-129326641 The Abubaker Abed podcast is out now...
1452. Maybe I’m Amazed with John Harris
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Listeners know tortoise shack regular John Harris as that fella who writes about politics and hosts one of them podcasts for the Guardian. Many of you will have seen his award winning series Anywhere But Westminster. So when he told me a few years ago that he was working on a book about his neurodivergent and autistic son James, I knew it would be a great read. I was wrong, it's a brilliant read. John joins me know to discuss the book, autism, family ups and downs and how music not only helped...
388. Government U-Turns and a New Housing Crisis Solution
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic Rory and Tony take a critical eye to the big issues of the week discussing Rorys idea on a state savings scheme to build affordable homes, the emotional pain of Gaza and solidarity, what does the latest poll tell us about the state of the parties and how the government is u turning again on commitments this time on living wages & workers protections. The John Harris podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-127125764 Donate to Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-to-126186702
387. Facing down Trumps dystopia with Grace Blakeley
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic podcast Rory talks with economist and author of ‘Vulture Capitalism: How to Survive in an Age of Corporate Greed,' Grace Blakeley. We discuss what is going to happen to the economy under Trumpism, the isolation and alienation in our societies, and what can we do in the face of this - building community, solidarity and action to create more equal societies, challenging austerity of Governments and creating spaces of identity and belonging based on solidarity as an alternative to the rise of the far right. The RTE Clarity po...
385. It’s not like 1933 or is it?
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory is joined by the always brilliant Soairse McHugh for a chat about all things despondent and rise in popularity of things that we thought had been settled back in the 1930’s… The Grace Blakeley podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-125909419 Donate to Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/shoutout-to-mr-126186702
386. Dáil Speaking Row and the ESRI Rental Market Report
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory is joined by producer Tony Groves to talk the continuing fallout from the Lowry Lackeys, the Ceann Comhairle's role, the ESRI housing report and then take your (frankly excellent) questions. The Mexican 'Extermination Camps' podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-125079339 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-your-124980167
384. Why the Left are Losing on Housing
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory is joined by UCD's Dr Michael Byrne (his substack:https://theweekinhousing.substack.com/ is a weekly must read) to discuss the hybrid-housing market that we have and why Mick feels that the Left are losing in their messaging around housing. A great conversation. Support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-your-124980167
383. Progress Ireland vs Reboot Republic?
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory sits down with Exec Dir at Progress Ireland to discuss the (newish) think tanks goals and values, Seán's view that growth is essential and the reaction to their suggestion that small homes should be added to back gardens in an attempt to alleviate some of the housing supply shortage. The Week in Housing Podcast with Dr Michael Byrne is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-124069292
382. Do the Government Really Want to End Homelessness?
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic episode Rory is joined by guest co-host and Head of Social Justice and Policy at SVP, Louise Bayliss, for a discussion about the latest developments (or disappointments) in our politics, the widening poverty gap, the impact of the housing crisis on other parts of our society and then they answer some of our tortoise shack member questions. The Shed-Sits or Small Homes Reboot is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-123781939 SpiceBag - Dignity for Palestine Details here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/ramadan-mubarak-123298347
381. Housing Failure as Government Policy
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic pod Rory is joined by producer Tony to discuss the latest Dáil shenanigans, the government’s continued backpedaling on pre-election promises and to answer your (excellent) questions. We will try to do a Question Time segment regularly, so please do send us in yours as well as any ideas, suggestions or feedback on the patreon feed. Thank you. The latest Reboot with the wonderful Lousie Bayliss is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-123311633 Donate directly to Palestinian medical student Rajeh via PayPal:anas.kassab.2000@gmail.com
380. Rebooting Reboot
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic (Reboot) Rory chats with producer Tony about his first few weeks in the Dáil, the new government's attempts at stroke politics, the government misleading the public with phantom new homes, the opportunity for cooperation on the opposition benches and then he answers some of your questions.
1373. GE2024 – The Candidates, Rory Hearne
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack I'll be honest, this is not really a candidate interview. There are a couple of mean questions. But it's more touching base with our friend Rory and wishing him well for Friday. How could we not? For all our GE 2024 coverage, including the results podcasts to come please go to patreon.com/tortoiseshack
374. A Real Housing Solution: Cost Rental Homes
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory discusses the new (at least new to Ireland) affordable rental housing model: cost rental housing. He talks with authors of the new report, The Impact of Cost Rental Housing: Security, Affordability and Place, Dr Michael Byrne, Dr Cian O Callaghan and Rosemary Hennigan of Tuath Housing and Aengus Hennessy a resident in new cost rental housing. Cost rental housing is public housing for those earning incomes above social housing thresholds, and new tenants highlight its importance for giving real long term stability, in contrast to private rental, the...
#2. ‘My Mam Thought I was Mad’ – Sadhbh Coffey Duff
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this episode of Sparks Will Fly, Ray is joined by Reboot Republic Host, Rory Hearne to chat with their very special guest, plumbing apprentice, Sadhbh Coffey Duff. This is a belter of a conversation with a wonderful young woman. Please give it a listen. Music is by the soon-to-be legend, Meryl Streek. The GE 2024 Candidate Pods are here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-115656727
379. The human toll of the war on Lebanon with Sally Hayden
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Podcast Rory and Tony talk with Sally Hayden, Irish journalist and award winning author of My Fourth Time, We Drowned, about the reality of the Israeli invasion and attacks on Lebanon. Sally has been living in Beirut since January and describes what she has seen and the experiences of people on the ground, as she has written about in her regular Irish Times articles. We talk about Israel's psychological war, the ill state of international human rights and the dehumanising of people that has accelerated over the last year. The GE 2024 C...
378. Labouring Forward with John Harris
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic we talk once more to award winning journalist and podcaster with the Guardian, John Harris about the tensions, achievements and neoliberal technocracy of the new Labour Government in the UK. We dig into the disconnect between the big parties and ordinary people. We also talk about autism, disability and the waste of energy that are the culture wars. Finally John tells us about his new book that'll be out early in 2025. The GE 2024 Candidate Pods are here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/114681387 Donate to Rory's marathon for Gaza:https...
A Green Social Justice Approach for Climate & Inequality
Please join us at patreon.com/toroiseshack In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory discusses a new approach to addressing both climate and inequality - in changing the narrative and moving towards transformative changes, such as public investment in warmer green homes for everyone, with Dr Ciaran O'Caroll, Lecturer in TU Dublin and climate analyst. We also discuss the Budget, data centres, and a green social justice approach to the climate transition. The General Election Starting Gun podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/114250721 Donate to Rory's marathon for Gaza:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735
375. Budget 2025 – Tokenism not Transformational
Please join us on patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory dissects Budget 2025 with Michael Taft, economist , and Susanne Rogers of Social Justice Ireland and they find more tokenism than transformation, We discuss how the Budget was actually regressive - those on higher incomes gained more - it failed to take transformative action on housing, health or child poverty. Michael points to a broad public retrofitting scheme as one measure that would have used the billions for transformation. Rory is also joined by Mike Allen of Focus Ireland who highlights how shockingly there was not one mention of homelessness...
372. Early Childhood Education: A Public Model
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic podcast Rory discusses the crisis in childcare and how a public system of Early Childhood Education and Care would work, with Orla O Connor and Eilish Balfe of the National Women's Council of Ireland, and Lynette Monk, manager of a Community Childcare and Afterschool Service, who was also involved with SIPTU's Big Start Campaign. The childcare and early years education sector is in a crisis -from lack of places, unaffordable fees, under valuing and low pay of staff, there is a clear need for a new approach, a public...
373. Factchecking the Taoiseach’s Homelessness Claims
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack n this Reboot Republic, Rory alongside Adam Boyle, Solicitor with the Mercy Law Centre, factcheck Taoiseach Simon Harris' claims that "homelessness numbers are heavily impacted by the fact we are seeing many people seek protection in our country, seek asylum in our country". We highlight how asylum seekers are not included in the homeless numbers the Taoiseach references, how the majority of people presenting as homeless are doing so due to evictions from the private rental sector or household breakdown (which is often hidden homelessness). We also discuss the policy origins of homelessness...
371. Budget2025 – We Can End Child Poverty & child Homelessness
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this podcast Rory discusess the issues of rising deprivation and homelessness amongst Ireland's children, with Tanya Ward, Director of the Children's Rights Alliance. The number in children experiencing enforced deprivation has increased from 200,000 to 257000 between 2021 and 2023, while the number of children homeless with their families has increased by 87% since 2021, yet we have billions in Budget Surplus. We discuss how the lifting of the eviction ban resulted in an increase in children and families in homelessness and the on-going cost of living crisis for families, the failure of government to implement targeted measures...
369. Budget 2025 – Boston, Berlin or Copenhagen?
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this podcast Rory talks to Dr Tom McDonnell, Director of the Nevin Economics Research Institute, about the state of the Irish economy, and the upcoming Budget, why it is wrong to frame it as a 'give-away' budget, how we have record economic growth and yet deprivation has increased to 17%, why the Budget should invest in a wellbeing economy - in housing, a public construction company, public childcare, universal healthcare and climate transition. We also discuss how Ireland's economy is a neoliberal one, where the market dominates, and how we could become more...
370. Highest Ever Homelessness: What can be done?
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks with Louise Bayliss, Advocacy and Campaigns Coordinator with Focus Ireland. The latest homelessness figures show that we have the highest recorded homeless in Ireland, with the number of children homeless with their families at 4,401 children, an 87% increase since the Governments plan Housing For All in 2021. We discuss the traumatic impact of homelessness on children and families, and what are the solutions: including a re-instating of the ban on no fault evictions and allocating priority to families homeless in social housing. Homelessness is not evitable, and we must...
368. Trauma informed solidarity with Anne Marie Quilligan
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks with Anne Marie Quilligan, a qualified social worker and Traveller activist about her experiences growing up in Limerick, community, discrimination, Traveller homelessness and the Carrickmines tragedy, the parallels between anti-asylum seeker and anti-Traveller racism, and what a trauma informed approach to exclusion and solidarity means, we discuss the need to build cross society connections to challenge the rise in the far right. The Ditch Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/47414904 Gaza Appeal:https://www.patreon.com/posts/109090405
367. More Landlords Than Ever!
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory chats with Tony about the latest data that rips up the long running “landlords are fleeing the market” narrative and shows how the lifting of the no-fault eviction ban is having such a devastating impact in terms of homelessness. They also discuss Rory’s decision to try and retain the Soc Dem seat currently held by the soon-to-retire Roisin Shortall. Tickets for our Live Show:https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-tortoise-shack-tells-an-echo-chamber-exclusive-tickets-1002392050607?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&_gl=1*1f8z42w*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjYyMzc5OTcyLjE3MjQ4MjU4NjI.*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*MTc...
366. With Proper Planning, Healing Can Happen
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory speaks with a brilliant panel of Ber Grogan of Mental Health Reform, Charles O’Mahony NUIG lecturer and Mental health, human rights & disability law & policy researcher and Ciara Glynn, mental health peer, activist and of the wonderful team at Solace Cafe, to discuss the issues facing people in need of mental health services and those who are struggling to deliver in this unequal and unfair financially driven society. The Latest from the SpyCops inquiry is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-110376652 The Gaza appeal is here:ht...
365. Inequality: What Can We Do with Profs Kate Pickett & Richard Wilkinson
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory chats with Professors Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson, authors of several ground breaking and massively influential research on inequality including the Spirit Level (2009), the Inner Level (2015), and Act Now ( 2024, multi-author). We discuss how and why more unequal societies do worse in terms of trust, health, wellbeing, and environment, and what can be done to achieve more equal societies. A must-listen for anyone interested in inequality. Gaza Appeal:https://www.patreon.com/posts/look-what-you-us-109090405
364. Dereliction Blues
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic episode Rory talks tackling Ireland's blight of dereliction and solutions, with Jude Sherry and Frank O Connor of Anois. Four years on from Jude and Frank's first Derelict Ireland tweets, we look back and see the cultural change in attitudes, as the public has demanded action on Ireland's scandal of huge numbers of derelict buildings while a generation are locked out of a home. This is a podcast of hope and solutions. The Gaza Appeal:https://www.patreon.com/posts/look-what-you-us-109090405
363. Ireland Says Yes – Inequality & NAMA
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory is joined by Tony Groves to discuss the big issues of recent weeks including , the anti-immigrant protests, Sinn Fein's statement, rising inequality and the Government, and a history of NAMA and how its land should be immediately transferred to a public home building agency. Derelict Ireland Podcast here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-108852398 Gaza Appeal here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/look-what-you-us-109090405
361. Climate Action and Social Justice Go Hand in Hand
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this reboot republic podcast, Rory chats with Saoirse Exton, climate activist and youth advisor to the UN Secretary General, and Professor Mary Murphy, author of Creating an Ecosocial Welfare Future. We discuss the recent elections and analyse why the Green vote declined in the failure to put social justice and cost of living issues central to green politics. We discuss the ideas presented at the Rethinking Growth Conference, and new ideas for climate and green politics and activism: around nurturing community, local democracy, addressing housing, feelings of insecurity, and growing inequalities. New...
Coolock – ‘No Lessons Were Learned After the Riots’
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack This is not the Community of Coolock: After the Protest Finding Positive Ways Forward In this Reboot Republic, Rory discusses the fallout from the protests in Coolock and finding positive ways forward for communities with Cllr John Lyons, Cllr Daniel Ennis and Niamh McDonald of the Hope and Courage Collective. We discuss the strategy of the far-right and leaders spreading hate, the fact that the protests and violence does not represent the majority of the community in Coolock, the contradictions in the policing and state interventions, the need to engage in dialogue with...
360. Why are the Government opposing affordable housing?
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot podcast Rory talks to Rosie Lynch of Workhouse Union about what is happening to community led affordable housing initiatives in Ireland. We ask why is the Government not supporting community led affordable housing? It appears once more the market is king in housing policy as investor funds like Bartra get funding to build social and affordable housing but the Government wont fund affordable housing providers like O Cualann. Community led housing, as explained by Rosie, is a really viable alternative affordable housing model that can address both the housing crisis...
System Failure: I’m 42 and Homeless
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks with Dwayne Woods, artist manager, music publicist and mental health advocate, who just last week was made homeless by repeated state failures to support him from avoiding becoming homeless. He tells his story which challenges the Government spin that describes homelessness as having complex causes, and shows its state failure - housing failure, that is causing homelessness. Dwayne's story is powerful and heartbreaking. Please share it. The Whistleblower vs the Public Accounts Committee Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-106599653 The Gaza Appeal...
388. Generation Rent: Living in Fear
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks to Jenny Roche, who, with her family, is facing eviction from their home in Galway. Jenny is a lecturer in film in NUI Galway and has been living in her rental home for 19 years. She tells her housing story of living in fear, anxiety, the impact on her child, and how she is overholding because there is no where to go and she refuses to be evicted into hidden homelessness. This is the tsunami of evictions we've warned about and with almost 19,000 notices to quit served to...
357. Rory’s Return
Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory talks with Tony about the last few weeks of his candidacy for the Midlands North-West MEP election, the highs, lows and everything in between. They also discuss the results and dig into some of the outcomes and what learnings the broad left must take after what was a mixed bag of voting. The Eoin Ó Broin post-election and planning bill podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-106538176 The Dignity for Gaza Appeal is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/nuseirat-dr-105860337