

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack
Tortoise Shack Media
Ireland’s original independent left leaning news, politics, and culture podcast that doesn’t take itself too seriously and still punches well above its weight. Join critically acclaimed & derided hosts, Martin McMahon and Tony Groves as they delve into the news of the day, pull apart the spin and challenge you to be an activist. This is the non-corporate, ad free, non-plastic-podcast reality that the medium is made for. There will be shenanigans!
Episodes
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Oct 11, 2024 • 0sec
The Digital Safety Act – It’s Unworkable
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In his latest Gist:https://www.thegist.ie/the-gist-a-free-speech/ solicitor and Digital Rights Expert, Simon McGarr revealed his concerns about the new Online Safety Code and how it has by accident or design, created two seperate legal requirements to introduce age verification by designated platforms, and they don't both meet the tests set down for being compliant with EU law. If that all sounds a bit highbrow, don’t worry. Simon explains it all here and we think it is something that needs fixing ASAP.
Support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735

Oct 9, 2024 • 0sec
34. Gaza – One Year On
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It has been a year since October 7th. The world has changed, but the world of Palestinians has changed beyond imagination during this fateful year. Much of Gaza has been destroyed, 42,000 Palestinians have been killed, 10,000 others are still under the rubble of their homes. Their bodies unburied as a cruel reminder of the ongoing war on Gaza. In this episode, PalCast hosts speak of the difficulty of keeping sane during these challenging times. The war started in Gaza, but it has been expanding, reaching Lebanon and Yemen, and involving countries such as Iraq and Iran. The world will never be the same again.
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735

Oct 8, 2024 • 44min
1334. The Planning Bill We’ll All Have to Pay For
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A previous guest, solicitor Fred Logue, referred to the new Planning Bill as the 'greatest act of self-harm the Irish state has ever imposed in itself'. Our guest today, Environmental Law expert and advocate, Attract Uí Bhroin thinks it is much worse than that.
This is a call to action to listeners. If this Bill passes as currently set, we'll all end up paying for it in terms of Access to Justice, Environmental protections wise and with our pockets.
Please let your TD know that this must be paused and properly scrutinised as a matter of urgency:https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/

Oct 7, 2024 • 46min
1322. Taxing Problems: Ireland Beyond Apple
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The only thing “historic” about the European Court of Justice’s Apple Tax ruling was how historically quickly the government and its allies in the media moved away from the illegal tax evasion and on to the “how will we spend it?” question.
Not so fast, boys. On this episode we talk with Economist and author of Tax Haven Ireland, Brian O’Boyle about how the deed was done, the steps Ireland has taken to make the immoral tax system seem at least somewhat less illegal these days and the reasons why the tax haven is actually bad for the quality of life for most people listening to this podcast.
Warning: may contain topics that expose the “it’s very complicated” narratives pushed elsewhere.
The Far Right Lies Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735

Oct 3, 2024 • 34min
1330. The Tortoise Bike Shed Shack Budget Special
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Never was so much opportunity for so many squandered by so few.
Joining us on the podcast is Economist with NERI, Ciaran Nugent and we go deep into what was in #Budget25, asking was it enough to sway undecided voters, explaining the lack of vision given the amount of money at the Governments disposal and showing why, despite their fancy graphs, this is NOT a progressive budget. Ciaran also talks about what he thinks should or could have been done with that €10.3bn!
The full episode is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/113223241
Dignity for Palestine - Rory's Marathon Donate:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735

Oct 2, 2024 • 0sec
33. The Israeli-American War Expands
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Ayah Arafat has been organizing for Palestine in the Washington DC Metropolitan area for over 7 years. She has been organizing with the Palestinian Youth Movement and Students for Justice in Palestine. She joins PalCast co-hosts to talk about how the organizing landscape works but also changes in the US in light of regional developments in the Middle East, the upcoming election and the disconnect between politics and the people. We also discuss the expansion of the war, the globalisation of protest and the need to not lose hope even in the face of so many daily tragedies. Tune in for the full episode.
The Budget 2025 Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/113223241
Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735

Sep 30, 2024 • 19min
1329. Lebanon on the Edge
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With the death toll now over 1,100 is less tan two weeks and with almost 1,000,000 people displaced, not too mention the fears of the Israeli ground invasion, people in Lebanon are deeply concerned about the what is being called 'the Gaza-fication' of their country.
Rejoining us to talk about the situation is Beirut-based journalist with the Economist and regular tortoise shack contributor, Gareth Browne. He explains the factions, fears and the warnings from history that don't seem to have been heeded. Please make sure you listen to the end to hear Gareth's own feelings for Lebanon and it's people. I loved this chat.
Full episode here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-113057307
Rory's marathon for Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735

Sep 29, 2024 • 47min
32. Keeping Gaza Alive
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Asem Alnabih is an engineer and a PhD candidate from Gaza. He currently serves as a member of the emergency committee, the spokesperson and the Director of Public Relations and Media at Gaza Municipality. He speaks to PalCast about the role the Gaza municipality plays during the genocide, his close relationship and last moments with Dr. Refaat Alareer, and the impact he had on him, finally pushing him to start publishing his work earlier this month. Also Helena Cobban talks about the escalation in Lebanon, which is developing into a regional war between Hezbollah and Israel.
To donate to Gaza municipality click here https://gaza-city.ensany.com/campaign/6737
To support Rory's Marathon for Dignity for Palestine visit:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735

Sep 27, 2024 • 1h 5min
1313. The Future of Work – RTE Workers Speak
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This week this very podcast triggered several Parliamentary Questions to Ministers about illegality in the "gig-economy". So we're lifting the paywall so as many people as possible get to hear what is for workers an important and must-listen podcast.
This was recorded in front of a live audience in the Sugar Club, where Martin and Tony talk with former RTE worker, Angie Mezzetti and current workers, Maebh Keary and (joining us for an impromptu few minutes) RTE Broadcaster and Journalist, Philip Boucher Hayes.
This is not just about the future of RTE, it is about the future of work.
The Gaza Appeal details are here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735
The Simon Harris vs The Truth About Immigration Pod is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112623729

Sep 25, 2024 • 0sec
The US Presidential Election and the Global Economy with Constantin Gurdgiev
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In this packed podcast US-Based, Russian-Irish Professor of Economics (and listener favourite) Constantin Gurdgiev talks Trump v Kamala, the broader context of US politics, the Apple Tax in the US and Ireland, his thoughts on Sinn Féin's housing plan, Ireland's ongoing corporate tax take, the BRICS working to become a rival to US hegemony and much, much more
Simon Harris and the Half Truth Prince Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112623729
Rory's Dublin Marathon for Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/112598735