E22: Has the Irish State lost Control?

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Strikes shut down the country; Drug gangs burn children alive; Ministers are hospitalised, and the Dáil debates.... Non Binary Rights? In this episode we ask a simple question: Has the state lost control?

00:00 - Opening thanks

02:15 - Strike disruption at home, school, and court

04:47 - Why the public sector strike feels bigger than a pay dispute

10:35 - Free school books, lunches, and the politics of “cupcake” spending

18:39 - Why universal state schemes can waste money

23:18 - Waterford murder case and the horror of drug debt intimidation

30:08 - What the state should do about drug gangs and extortion

36:44 - Tatiana Stachiv and welfare fraud across borders

45:00 - Ruth Coppinger’s non-binary and intersex recognition bill

48:28 - The distinction between non-binary, intersex, and transgender

54:02 - Why they see gender recognition law as coercive

58:24 - Patrick O’Donovan in intensive care and political fallout

61:07 - Closing remarks and best wishes to listeners