
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

Oct 26, 2024 • 42min
378. Labouring Forward with John Harris
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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://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735

Oct 19, 2024 • 31min
A Green Social Justice Approach for Climate & Inequality
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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

Oct 6, 2024 • 50min
375. Budget 2025 – Tokenism not Transformational
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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 in the Budget, and no increase in funding for preventing homelessness. We also discuss the socially divisive narrative spread by the Taoiseach and others that are trying to deflect attention away from Government policy failure and blame immigrants and others vulnerable for homelessness.
We always enjoy your feedback, and please share the podcast around. Thank you for listening.
(Editors note: Don’t miss Michael Taft singing)
Rory's Dublin Marathon for Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735

Oct 2, 2024 • 33min
372. Early Childhood Education: A Public Model
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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 model. Eilish, Orla and Lynette explain about the new Alliance for a Public System of Early Childhood Education and Care, #TogetherForPublic initiative and the ways we can build a more equitable, accessible, and high-quality early childhood education system for all children and families.
Rory's Marathon:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735

Sep 26, 2024 • 43min
373. Factchecking the Taoiseach’s Homelessness Claims
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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 -from the shift from direct social housing building to HAP, discrimination in the private rental sector, and failure of Government to provide renter protections. We also discuss the problems with current definitions of homelessness, the way in which presentations to homelessness are not capturing the true figures, and the danger of narratives blaming asylum seekers and immigration.
See mercylaw.ie for more
Rory's Dublin Marathon for Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735

Sep 22, 2024 • 48min
371. Budget2025 – We Can End Child Poverty & child Homelessness
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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, and the public support for new initiatives from free school books to school meals.
We highlight the need to continue to hold the ambition and hope to end child poverty and child and family homelessness.
Support Rory and Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/111983961

9 snips
Sep 13, 2024 • 34min
369. Budget 2025 – Boston, Berlin or Copenhagen?
Dr. Tom McDonnell, Director of the Nevin Economics Research Institute, joins the discussion on Ireland's economic landscape. He highlights the paradox of rising deprivation despite strong growth, suggesting that the upcoming budget must focus on investing in public services like housing and childcare. Dr. McDonnell critiques the neoliberal framework of Ireland’s economy and advocates for a shift towards a Nordic wellbeing model that prioritizes social welfare. He also addresses the mental health crisis linked to economic precarity, calling for policies that enhance community well-being.

Sep 8, 2024 • 33min
370. Highest Ever Homelessness: What can be done?
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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 end it.
A Home of Your Own Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/111406218
Gazza Appeal:https://www.patreon.com/posts/108592125

Sep 3, 2024 • 40min
368. Trauma informed solidarity with Anne Marie Quilligan
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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

Aug 28, 2024 • 34min
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*MTcyNDgyNTg2Mi4xLjAuMTcyNDgyNTg2Mi4wLjAuMA..