After being kidnapped in Colombia in 1997, Marino Restrepo experienced a radical conversion and now leads a lay apostolate dedicated to evangelisation around the world. He talks about his life, his mission, and the challenges facing Catholics today. #gript
“Just not good enough”: IFA President Tim Cullinan says there should be a debate on whether Ireland should restrict or ban certain aggressive dog breeds, as is happening in the UK. #gript
A protest is an assault on democracy but voting to restrict protests is apparently just dandy; Minister Catherine Martin gets involved in lease agreements for religious groups; and El Salvador’s murder rate falls yet lower.
Irish Green Party Minister Joe O’Brien repeatedly refuses to say whether he would fund a conservative NGO, before adding: “It needs to be in line with government policy of the day.” Question by Ben Scallan. #gript
John and Sarah are joined from the Seanad by Senator Ronan Mullen, in an episode that covers Colette Colfer’s stand against her university’s new gender policy, an update on the hate speech bill, and a question about whether the Seanad is a more hostile place than it used to be. PODCAST: https://gript.ie/podcasts/despatches-from-the-seanad/ Available on Spotify […]
Roderic O’Gorman is finding it difficult to answer questions; the merging of the NGOs and Irish politics; and with the budget approaching polling shows most Irish households can’t afford to cover a €1,000 emergency. https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2023/10/07/almost-half-of-irish-adults-could-not-cover-the-cost-of-an-unexpected-expense-of-1000-survey-finds/
Irish Health Minister Stephen Donnelly denies knowing whether there have been excess deaths in the post-Covid period, and says he’d “need to see the data” before he could comment. Question by Ben Scallan. #gript
“BelongTo was not encouraging teachers to lie to parents”: Roderic O’Gorman denies that teachers telling parents they “don’t know” if their children have gender issues, when they in fact do know, qualifies as a lie. #gript #BelongTo #BenScallan #NGO #RodericOGorman
The budget and the war: Two topics dominate this week’s podcast, after a very depressing week. Do Irish politicians lack imagination? And is there any prospect at all of peace in the Middle East? John and Sarah discuss:
WHITE IRISH PRIVILEGE: Education Minister Norma Foley is asked about the new draft SPHE curriculum, which urges students to recognise their “privileged status” as a white person, a male, or an Irish person. #gript
When asked about the abuses of Ireland’s asylum system by illegal migrants with no documents, Tánaiste Micheál Martin says “We have international obligations,” adding that the issue shouldn’t be “reduced” to a “simplistic narrative.” Question by Ben Scallan. #gript