
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.
Latest episodes

Mar 30, 2025 • 39min
386. Dáil Speaking Row and the ESRI Rental Market Report
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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

Mar 25, 2025 • 54min
384. Why the Left are Losing on Housing
Michael Byrne, a UCD lecturer and housing policy expert, discusses why the Left is struggling with housing messaging. He critiques the hybrid housing market in Ireland and explores the absurd prioritization of military spending over basic needs. The conversation delves into the complexities of the housing crisis, highlighting contradictions in government policies and the urgency for affordable solutions. Byrne also emphasizes the importance of reshaping narratives around housing and education to foster a deeper understanding of these societal issues.

Mar 14, 2025 • 43min
383. Progress Ireland vs Reboot Republic?
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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

Mar 7, 2025 • 56min
382. Do the Government Really Want to End Homelessness?
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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

Feb 28, 2025 • 0sec
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

Feb 4, 2025 • 36min
380. Rebooting Reboot
Dive into a discussion about the first weeks in the Dáil, where government tactics come under fire. Explore the concept of 'stroke politics' and uncover the truth behind phantom new homes. The conversation sheds light on the urgent housing crisis and calls for political accountability while urging community cooperation. Discover personal stories that foster hope and activism, along with reflections on tech's impact on politics and the need for progressive governance. Join in on the laughter as the importance of inclusivity is championed.

Nov 28, 2024 • 0sec
1373. GE2024 – The Candidates, Rory Hearne
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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

Nov 21, 2024 • 43min
374. A Real Housing Solution: Cost Rental Homes
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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 ability to put down roots and be part of community. We discuss challenges around making it genuinely affordable and how the Government can and should expand this through increased investment.
Read the report here: https://www.housingagency.ie/sites/default/files/The%20Impact%20of%20Cost%20Rental%20Housing.pdf
For all our GE 2024 coverage go to patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Nov 9, 2024 • 1h 1min
#2. ‘My Mam Thought I was Mad’ – Sadhbh Coffey Duff
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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

Nov 5, 2024 • 49min
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 Candidate Interviews are here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/115336691
Subscribe to Sparks Will Fly:https://open.spotify.com/show/0glRkpPWzMGzwHvyjCEuR9?si=7v3cs_CZSrCIDzDuPRfUmg