Can be read alongside this short article (and illustration) from Sara Bencekovic and the rest of the JustLand research group on the efforts by the Irish state and finance capital to turn marginal land/forestry into a new asset. 2/2 www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1...

'Highlights how the current crisis is not only a source of widespread economic disruption but also a mechanism through which global inequalities are reinforced, as resource transfers increasingly favour corporate actors in advanced economies.' www.networkideas.org/2026/07/14/t...

It is also one of the key questions that will be asked at the People's Forum on Peace and Neutrality which kicks of this evening in Tailor's Hall, Dublin 8. For full details of the forum & to register follow this link: bit.ly/3S5QYVT

There are still a few places left for the People's Forum on Peace and Neutrality taking place this Friday and Saturday in Tailor's Hall, Dublin. For full details of the forum & to register follow this link: bit.ly/3S5QYVT Michael D. Higgins now closing the Forum on Saturday.

At a time of multiple and intensifying social and ecological crises, which unaddressed also provide conditions for the growth of the far-right, the EU is investing in arms and defence-tech. www.tni.org/en/publicati... @tninstitute.bsky.social

On 19th and 20th June, the People's Forum on Peace and Neutrality will bring together advocates and specialists on international law, diplomacy, peace studies and the arms trade for an open and urgent examination of neutrality, EU rearmament, and the role of civil society. Register: bit.ly/3S5QYVT

'Ireland's triple lock policy ensures that our defence forces only deploy on UN mandated peacekeeping missions in line with international law. At a time of growing geopolitical instability and conflict, should Ireland change its triple lock policy?'

Data centres have become a key *material* focal point in the struggle over AI, monopoly tech, economic justice, work and the environment. Describing this as a 'culture war' is lazy journalism.

Important point rarely heard. Integrity matters. www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/your...

The May issue of Rundale on the theme of housing is out now. Five new contributions that approach housing and inhabitation in Ireland from new angles, offering different framings of (and answers to) ‘the housing question’. Quality analysis that you just don't find elsewhere. rundale.org

Fascinating reading on historical and deepening links between US tech industry and Gulf states via AI infrastructure. phenomenalworld.org/analysis/nvi...

Today's Govnt commissioned report by KPMG states: "Further work will be required by relevant bodies to close the knowledge gaps on complete environmental data sets and the social impacts that arise from data centres." Looking forward to the Dept commissioning that research.

The Irini mission's original focus on anti-arms smuggling has fundamentally changed to now focus on the Russian "shadow fleet" - hence not going to the UNSC where it would be justifiably vetoed 2/3

The Irish Data Centre Supplier Alliance is yet another lobby group representing the data centre industry and tech multinationals in Ireland. Their spokesperson is Lorcan Allen, former Business Editor of the Sunday Business Post. We need counter organisations and alliances.

Looking forward to the Dublin Radical Book Fair this weekend. Pat Brodie and I giving the John Molyneux talk at 1.30pm. rupture.ie/bookfair

Louise Fitzgerald has written well about this for Rundale media - on the limitations of a 'green transition from above'. 3/3 www.rundale.org/2024/03/28/t...

With the OTB back in the spotlight, re-sharing report written with Paulie Doyle and Pat Brodie that explains why the Irish Government have done so little despite genocide and widespread support for stronger action against Israel. www.uplift.ie/neutrality-f...

The Links Report (1996) documented Ireland's role in supplying components for war, including US drones used in Afghanistan and Iraq. Thirty years later, the government is green lighting Ireland's defence-tech industry, while removing legislation that keeps us out of wars.

As part of the Just Land project (with Conor McCabe, Louise Fitzgerald and myself), Sara Benceković produced this great cartoon depicting capital's frustrations with Ireland's land tenure system. You can read more about it here: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

Our 'Homes Not Hazards' pamphlet launch and panel discussion, organised in collaboration with CATU, is this Thursday May 21st at 7pm in Connolly Books, Dublin 2. Speakers include tenant organisers from LA, Berlin and Thessaloniki. experience.arcgis.com/experience/a...

A People's Forum on Peace and Neutrality will take place in Tailor's Hall, Dublin, on 19th and 20th June. Over two days, Irish and international speakers will come together in Dublin to discuss Irish neutrality, international law and the arms industry. More details to follow.

The Left Éire event in June looks like it will be class. Already has an excellent line up of speakers, sessions and music, and pulling in people from the whole island. Amazing work going on in Dundalk. www.ticketsource.com/left-eire/le...

There is also a forgotten body of dependency theory inspired work on Ireland - which understands Ireland's present within the historical trajectory of colonial and postcolonial development. Not 'state failure' but economic subordination within a capitalist world system. 3/4

In the 70s/80s, there were debates over the failings of Ireland's FDI-led development model (i.e. that it wasn't developing the country). Perhaps most famously the 1982 NESC Report which said FDI-led development would not deliver long term development of the country. 2/4

It is interesting how one infographic has generated so much noise, but the main explanation for unequal development in Ireland appears stuck in the dead-end of 'state failure'. But what does that mean? And where can we find better explanations? 1/4

Excited to be speaking at the annual James Connolly Festival tomorrow (Saturday) at 4pm in the New Theatre. Title: 'Imperialism, Sovereignty and the spectre of neutrality'. Sound scarier and more serious than it will be.

Online Neutrality Roadshow this evening at 7pm. We'll be talking Triple Lock, EU militarisation, international law, subsea cables and the need for social and ecological security, not armed (in)security.

We're hosting an event in @ConnollyBooks in collaboration with CATU on May 21st. Housing activists & organisers from LA, Greece, Berlin, Dublin. We'll also be launching a booklet about conditions in public housing made with residents in Cromcastle Court and Emmet Buildings.

Nearly half of urban dwellers use natural gas as their main energy source for heating. In contrast, 41% of rural dwellers use kerosene. Couple that with increased dependence on diesel/petrol for transport and rural livelihoods. Politics of fuel has a geography.

30 years ago today, 19 landless peasants were killed by Brazilian military police as they protested for agrarian reform and land rights. International day of peasant struggles remembers them and those that continue to fight for food sovereignty and national liberation - from Palestine to Cuba.