Charles
@oscharles.bsky.social
Assistant Professor in Law at Maynooth University focused on the welfare state, migration and social inclusion | All-Island Social Security Network | BLM I He/They Sé/Siad | https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/people/charles-osullivan
The government says asylum appeals are being processed faster than ever – but one immigration solicitor argues the figures don't tell the full story. He says the changes have sped up the system, but at the expense of applicants' ability to properly present their case. jrnl.ie/7118053
Government touts faster asylum decisions as lawyer warns rushed process risks genuine claims
There has been criticism of cases being decided without an oral hearing.
jrnl.ie
A group representing striking solicitors has said its members do not believe the changes made by the government in response to its industrial action eases members' concerns. jrnl.ie/7119471t
Lawyers in fees dispute said changes to new scheme do not address their concerns
The dispute has caused weeks of disruption in the District Court.
jrnl.ie
Sindo poll: Overall, 61pc of people polled said they “disapprove” of how the Government is doing its job, with 32pc saying they “approve”. www.independent.ie/irish-news/p...
Poll: Fianna Fáil’s support slumps to two-year low, while Sinn Féin and Fine Gael level on 20pc
Holly Cairns is the most popular party leader in the country, followed closely by Taoiseach Micheál Martin
independent.ie
Criminal cases face further disruption after solicitors extend withdrawal of services
Criminal cases face further disruption after solicitors extend withdrawal of services
Lawyers reject Minister’s amended proposals on criminal legal aid payments
irishtimes.com
The terrible, stupid waste of UK universities policy continues. Your cash down the drain. www.irishnews.com/news/norther...
New Ulster University buildings will ‘sit gathering dust’ if job cuts go ahead, council told
Over 400 positions are set to go from April 2027 at Ulster University as it tackles £25m deficit
irishnews.com
Wow, it's almost like all those protests weren't really about fuel... www.independent.ie/county/wexfo...
Fuel Support Scheme for farmers ‘under subscribed’ despite €87m budget and nationwide protests over costs
The deputy president of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) says she does not know why the Fuel Income Support Scheme for farmers and agricultural contractors was significantly “under subscribed.”
independent.ie
High Court rules in favour of ALL Article 40 applicants affected by the legal aid crisis. #speirghorm
“Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty delivered judgment today in the case of 11 of 21 cases before the court where people had challenged their detention because they did not have solicitors present due to the current dispute over legal aid.” Maybe FF will stop playing petite fasciste with the courts soon
Donncha O’Connell@donnchalaw.bsky.social · last wk.The High Court has ruled there was a fundamental denial of justice in the cases of a number of people who were refused bail while not legally represented in the District Court because of the current criminal legal aid dispute. www.rte.ie/news/2026/07...
“The Minister brought in a system that said ‘I expect you to work indefinitely for the lowest amount of money I can get away with.’” 🎯 www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...
O’Callaghan’s amended offer in legal aid dispute ‘obviously unsustainable’, solicitor says
Michael Finucane says solicitors continue to seek ‘real and meaningful discussions’ with Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan
irishtimes.com
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
Judicial reviews are a fundamental part of democracy — not a dig at the Government by greedy lawyers
A judicial review is any case taken against any public body that may have broken the law — it's the separation of powers working as intended, writes Cathal Malone
irishexaminer.com
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Thanks to @kevinmilligan.bsky.social et al for this study on the impact of universal childcare on women's income - Long run impact on women's earnings far beyond the childcare years - Increased tax remittances, reduced social insurance - Recoups 75-117% of program costs www.nber.org/papers/w35514
Today, @gabrielwinant.bsky.social explains why a clear picture of how age mediates class would reveal not gerontocracy, but capitalism and the fractionated class system it produces.
Cradle to the Grave
As Sam Moyn has recently argued, "class reductionism" fails to explain differentiation along the generational gradient — a pattern clearly visible in economics, politics, and ideology.
lpeproject.org
Falconer: ".. the real importance of trying to get more young people into work.. also making sure the PIP system incentivises that" Except PIP isn't an out of work benefit, its a benefit to help with the extra costs of living with a disability, & plenty on people PIP do work
Not only is a JR not granted on a whim, it won’t even be heard if there isn’t an arguable ground to bring it. There’s a built in process to screen out frivolous cases before the public body whose decision is being challenged ever hears about it.
Eoin Meehan 🇮🇪🇪🇺 オーエン@etm.bsky.social · 2w agoMy understanding of a JR: we have a constitutional right to due process. If we believe that process was not followed or circumvented, we can request a judicial review of that process. A JR is not granted on a whim. Some reasonable argument must be made. Happy to be corrected!!
In a democracy, a politician saying "I am against all judicial reviews" should be career-ending. This is an attempt to undermine the rule of law.
Gavin Elliott@sgelliott.net · 2w agoJack Chambers relies upon citizens (or people in the economy as he calls them) not understanding what a judicial review is. If the state has broken the law you may ask the court to hold them to account. That's what a JR is, and what Jack Chambers is against. The government following it's own laws.
Not sure who needs to hear this, but "judicial review" is literally just the name you give a case when a person says the State has broken a law (any law, about anything) and they want a court to put a stop to it. A politician saying "I am against anyone taking a judicial review" is proto-fascist.
Minister attacks Court oversight under the Constitution. Dangerous.
Astonishing attack on civil society and environmental justice by a government lacking either vision or basic competence. www.thejournal.ie/jack-chamber...
Chambers claims climate law has been 'weaponised' by NGOs to halt infrastructure projects
Friends of the Earth have said disapplying climate laws sets ‘an alarming precedent’.
thejournal.ie
The government will take a £12 billion hit on the public finances if/when it belatedly reduces the current [unrealistically high] OBR projection of net migration averaging 235k for next 3 years to about 130-150k. (But it could double that cost if it wants to stay closer to zero net migration).
Ian Dunt@iandunt.bsky.social · 2w agoIt's funny how no-one ever asks where the money is coming from when you announce a cut in immigration.
DPIR's @benansell.bsky.social argues in @prospectmagazine.co.uk Labour spent years trying to win over voters it could never keep—and alienated ones it already had. The real battle isn’t left vs right. It’s understanding what the electorate actually wants: https://f.mtr.cool/pgcjiqcony
There will be a significant escalation in the criminal defence solicitors dispute this week with a complete stoppage planned for two days.
Solicitors to withdraw services for two days in dispute
There will be a significant escalation in the criminal defence solicitors dispute this week with a complete stoppage planned for two days.
rte.ie
State Pension age to rise to 68 for 5m Britons years earlier than expected. Many physically won't be able to work. Longer NHS queues. Many won't live long enough to draw the pension, wealth transferred to the rich who live longer. Cull of the working class. Rich can retire whenever they want.
Millions to retire later under state pension age increase plans
Around five millions workers could lose out under the plans, according to a report by the Office for Budget Responsibility
independent.co.uk
Anecdote is not evidence, in this case it’s not even anecdotal evidence…
The Irish Times@irishtimes.com · 3w agoLegal aid system did not delay Kerry football fan’s three-year case flagged by Minister
Civil legal aid solicitors threaten action over fees
Civil legal aid solicitors threaten action over fees
Jim O’Callaghan, the justice minister. Picture: Brian Lawless
businesspost.ie
Both criminal and civil legal aid systems in crisis - beyond time for the Minister for Justice to engage seriously with stakeholders: Civil legal aid system ‘in crisis’ and ‘may collapse’, says FLAC www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...
Legal aid system ‘in crisis’ and ‘may collapse’, says Flac
Charity phone line received more than 66,000 calls, but could respond to just over 14,000 queries, notes annual report for 2025
irishtimes.com
I really genuinely wonder what Jim O'Callaghan's off-ramp is, with the solicitors' strike. I mean, everything, ever, has ended with negotiations, except maybe the Miners' Strike? He has been quoting Thatcher; is that what he's going for? www.businesspost.ie/legal/jim-oc...
Jim O’Callaghan: Solicitor pressure won’t force legal aid U-turn
businesspost.ie
