Simon McGarr
@tupped.bsky.social
Solicitor, consultant, artist, writes TheGist.ie newsletter.
Visiting Lecturer. External Examiner in Data Protection law.
Visiting Lecturer. External Examiner in Data Protection law.
Assertion I was relayed from a physics academic: Glass is a liquid, just a very slow one. That is why old glass goes wobbly and droops.
November 27, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Assertion I was relayed from a physics academic: Glass is a liquid, just a very slow one. That is why old glass goes wobbly and droops.
Reposted by Simon McGarr
I love this poem,
November 26, 2025 at 8:02 PM
I love this poem,
Truely a landmark moment for the Man In The Pub.
Who will offer early-stage legal help to people seeking asylum in a future, speedier process? It might not be lawyers. The new EU Migration and Asylum Pact allows for “legal counselling”. Those who give it won’t have to be “qualified lawyers”, says the Department of Justice.
Who will offer early-stage legal help to people seeking asylum in future, speedier process? It might not be lawyers
The new EU Migration and Asylum Pact allows for “legal counselling”. Those who give it won’t have to be “qualified lawyers”, says the Department of Justice.
www.dublininquirer.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Truely a landmark moment for the Man In The Pub.
Reposted by Simon McGarr
Who will offer early-stage legal help to people seeking asylum in a future, speedier process? It might not be lawyers. The new EU Migration and Asylum Pact allows for “legal counselling”. Those who give it won’t have to be “qualified lawyers”, says the Department of Justice.
Who will offer early-stage legal help to people seeking asylum in future, speedier process? It might not be lawyers
The new EU Migration and Asylum Pact allows for “legal counselling”. Those who give it won’t have to be “qualified lawyers”, says the Department of Justice.
www.dublininquirer.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Who will offer early-stage legal help to people seeking asylum in a future, speedier process? It might not be lawyers. The new EU Migration and Asylum Pact allows for “legal counselling”. Those who give it won’t have to be “qualified lawyers”, says the Department of Justice.
Reposted by Simon McGarr
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
Reposted by Simon McGarr
The fight against surveillance must include infrastructure that enables it. We can’t just oppose collection we must also fight storage, analysis, corporate relationships…
As someone writing a book on the history of government data storage and its harms, I’ll say that people in the past knew this!
As someone writing a book on the history of government data storage and its harms, I’ll say that people in the past knew this!
November 25, 2025 at 4:59 PM
The fight against surveillance must include infrastructure that enables it. We can’t just oppose collection we must also fight storage, analysis, corporate relationships…
As someone writing a book on the history of government data storage and its harms, I’ll say that people in the past knew this!
As someone writing a book on the history of government data storage and its harms, I’ll say that people in the past knew this!
Reposted by Simon McGarr
Briefings on Irish ‘red tape’ and EU regulation for Taoiseach ahead of ‘fireside chat’ with Stripe co-founder John Collison.
Our latest set of records now available online at:
www.thestory.ie/2025/11/25/b...
Our latest set of records now available online at:
www.thestory.ie/2025/11/25/b...
November 25, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Briefings on Irish ‘red tape’ and EU regulation for Taoiseach ahead of ‘fireside chat’ with Stripe co-founder John Collison.
Our latest set of records now available online at:
www.thestory.ie/2025/11/25/b...
Our latest set of records now available online at:
www.thestory.ie/2025/11/25/b...
Reposted by Simon McGarr
The CJEU know they’ve blown the bloody doors off on this one.
⚖️ Judgment in Case C-713/23 Wojewoda Mazowiecki:
Can a Member State refuse to recognise a same-sex marriage concluded in another Member State?
🎥 💬 Judge Jan Passer explains — with subtitles in all EU languages 👉 curia.europa.eu/jcms/jcms/p1...
📰 PR 👉 curia.europa.eu/jcms/jcms/Jo...
Can a Member State refuse to recognise a same-sex marriage concluded in another Member State?
🎥 💬 Judge Jan Passer explains — with subtitles in all EU languages 👉 curia.europa.eu/jcms/jcms/p1...
📰 PR 👉 curia.europa.eu/jcms/jcms/Jo...
November 25, 2025 at 11:06 AM
The CJEU know they’ve blown the bloody doors off on this one.
The Threads Pitch.
Twitter for LinkedIn types
November 25, 2025 at 11:05 AM
The Threads Pitch.
Reposted by Simon McGarr
absolutely massive news from the EU's top court! while it doesn't force every EU country to perform same-sex marriages, it *does* require them to recognise same-sex marriages from other countries the same way they recognise other foreign marriages
it's a big step!
www.reuters.com/world/europe...
it's a big step!
www.reuters.com/world/europe...
November 25, 2025 at 10:43 AM
absolutely massive news from the EU's top court! while it doesn't force every EU country to perform same-sex marriages, it *does* require them to recognise same-sex marriages from other countries the same way they recognise other foreign marriages
it's a big step!
www.reuters.com/world/europe...
it's a big step!
www.reuters.com/world/europe...
Reposted by Simon McGarr
Fifteen Years
xkcd.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Reposted by Simon McGarr
![R. H. Bing (October 20, 1914 – April 28, 1986)[1] was an American mathematician who worked mainly in the areas of geometric topology and continuum theory.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cyyd366g3hrxp5rynixm2mm3/bafkreid62wy3dekb2kzbisjfdlimlb35j4rlgew5iof7vi32byfszmg26a@jpeg)
![Bing's father was named Rupert Henry, but Bing's mother thought that "Rupert Henry" was too British for Texas. Thus she compromised by abbreviating it to R. H.[5] Consequently, R. H. does not stand for a first or middle name.
When Bing was applying for a visa, he was requested not to use initials. He explained that his name was really "R-only H-only Bing", and ended up receiving a visa made out to "Ronly Honly Bing".](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cyyd366g3hrxp5rynixm2mm3/bafkreigmfj53q4uy33spga2bxdkllqm3ag5sffovg5g7ddmu3vqzkb6k24@jpeg)
Reposted by Simon McGarr
This is one of the illustrations from my thesis project for my Masters in Editorial Illustration, all about the role of art in sustainability/biodiversity
I'm real happy with it!
Get me to illustrate your articles and reports pls
Prints here: selkiesstudio.com/shop/here-they-come
I'm real happy with it!
Get me to illustrate your articles and reports pls
Prints here: selkiesstudio.com/shop/here-they-come
November 24, 2025 at 7:52 PM
This is one of the illustrations from my thesis project for my Masters in Editorial Illustration, all about the role of art in sustainability/biodiversity
I'm real happy with it!
Get me to illustrate your articles and reports pls
Prints here: selkiesstudio.com/shop/here-they-come
I'm real happy with it!
Get me to illustrate your articles and reports pls
Prints here: selkiesstudio.com/shop/here-they-come
Hmm. This report collects up quotes from all the usual suspects on the Irish side, but it is the quotes from abroad that are new.
But it conflates increased spending on domestic defence (necessary) as hampered by neutrality.
on.ft.com/3M8y2Tr How Ireland became the weak spot in Europe’s defences
But it conflates increased spending on domestic defence (necessary) as hampered by neutrality.
on.ft.com/3M8y2Tr How Ireland became the weak spot in Europe’s defences
How Ireland became the weak spot in Europe’s defences
With few ships and limited intelligence-sharing, some say the country cannot hope to protect itself or its infrastructure
on.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Hmm. This report collects up quotes from all the usual suspects on the Irish side, but it is the quotes from abroad that are new.
But it conflates increased spending on domestic defence (necessary) as hampered by neutrality.
on.ft.com/3M8y2Tr How Ireland became the weak spot in Europe’s defences
But it conflates increased spending on domestic defence (necessary) as hampered by neutrality.
on.ft.com/3M8y2Tr How Ireland became the weak spot in Europe’s defences
Reposted by Simon McGarr
A huge ECJ win for many same-sex couples in Europe
November 25, 2025 at 8:26 AM
A huge ECJ win for many same-sex couples in Europe
Reposted by Simon McGarr
Your Children’s school is in crisis because teachers can’t afford to live and do the job?
It’s not a problem, says the Minister in charge of Education.
bsky.app/profile/gavr...
It’s not a problem, says the Minister in charge of Education.
bsky.app/profile/gavr...
These comments from Norma Foley at the INTO’s education debate are beginning to cause a stir in teacher circles.
Is the abject shortage of teachers - where it’s almost impossible to get a substitute teacher - a ‘crisis’?
The minister would prefer to label it an “opportunity”…
Is the abject shortage of teachers - where it’s almost impossible to get a substitute teacher - a ‘crisis’?
The minister would prefer to label it an “opportunity”…
November 21, 2024 at 10:06 AM
Your Children’s school is in crisis because teachers can’t afford to live and do the job?
It’s not a problem, says the Minister in charge of Education.
bsky.app/profile/gavr...
It’s not a problem, says the Minister in charge of Education.
bsky.app/profile/gavr...
Reposted by Simon McGarr
Add that up thousands of times, as a GP, as a pharmacist, as a consultant, as a teacher, as an occupational therapist, as a child psychologist, as any skilled person who can choose to live here or go elsewhere where they are valued.
Why can’t the state recruit specialists it needs?
Is there a Q?
Why can’t the state recruit specialists it needs?
Is there a Q?
November 21, 2024 at 9:04 AM
Add that up thousands of times, as a GP, as a pharmacist, as a consultant, as a teacher, as an occupational therapist, as a child psychologist, as any skilled person who can choose to live here or go elsewhere where they are valued.
Why can’t the state recruit specialists it needs?
Is there a Q?
Why can’t the state recruit specialists it needs?
Is there a Q?
Reposted by Simon McGarr
It’s a Ryanair approach to delivering public services, keep chipping away at staff, squeezing them as cost centres, not respecting them as professionals.
No wonder FG launched their campaign by inviting Michael O’Leary to demean teachers.
No wonder FG launched their campaign by inviting Michael O’Leary to demean teachers.
November 20, 2024 at 10:35 PM
It’s a Ryanair approach to delivering public services, keep chipping away at staff, squeezing them as cost centres, not respecting them as professionals.
No wonder FG launched their campaign by inviting Michael O’Leary to demean teachers.
No wonder FG launched their campaign by inviting Michael O’Leary to demean teachers.
Reposted by Simon McGarr
Everyone likes reading stories of doctors having their state-paid fees cut, because there’s a presumption services can just continue to be provided for less. It’s always a saving.
But people don’t like elderly cancer patients who can’t find a GP.
It’s the same story- one told from cause & effect.
But people don’t like elderly cancer patients who can’t find a GP.
It’s the same story- one told from cause & effect.
November 20, 2024 at 10:30 PM
Everyone likes reading stories of doctors having their state-paid fees cut, because there’s a presumption services can just continue to be provided for less. It’s always a saving.
But people don’t like elderly cancer patients who can’t find a GP.
It’s the same story- one told from cause & effect.
But people don’t like elderly cancer patients who can’t find a GP.
It’s the same story- one told from cause & effect.
Reposted by Simon McGarr
In minding its pennies, the state prioritises beancounting over the value of those services to society.
One criminal bar solicitor ruefully told me that it’s more a vocation now to work defending clients.
Consultants are just throwing their hats at the job
What is the price of savings?
One criminal bar solicitor ruefully told me that it’s more a vocation now to work defending clients.
Consultants are just throwing their hats at the job
What is the price of savings?
November 20, 2024 at 10:29 PM
In minding its pennies, the state prioritises beancounting over the value of those services to society.
One criminal bar solicitor ruefully told me that it’s more a vocation now to work defending clients.
Consultants are just throwing their hats at the job
What is the price of savings?
One criminal bar solicitor ruefully told me that it’s more a vocation now to work defending clients.
Consultants are just throwing their hats at the job
What is the price of savings?
Reposted by Simon McGarr
For what it is worth, the Irish state has been engaged in a strong effort to demean professions whose work it has to pay for, in a cheeseparing effort to shrink its bills payable.
Doctors, nurses, consultants, pharmacists, even (yes) lawyers. All denigrated, incomes cut or squeezed.
Doctors, nurses, consultants, pharmacists, even (yes) lawyers. All denigrated, incomes cut or squeezed.
November 20, 2024 at 10:29 PM
For what it is worth, the Irish state has been engaged in a strong effort to demean professions whose work it has to pay for, in a cheeseparing effort to shrink its bills payable.
Doctors, nurses, consultants, pharmacists, even (yes) lawyers. All denigrated, incomes cut or squeezed.
Doctors, nurses, consultants, pharmacists, even (yes) lawyers. All denigrated, incomes cut or squeezed.
Reposted by Simon McGarr
Listening to #LateDebate and it is as though the FG/FF reps on are delivering reports from a different planet.
Instead of acknowledging that our health system’s biggest problem is that we treat expert staff so badly that they are refusing to work here, they are asserting there is *no* problem.
Instead of acknowledging that our health system’s biggest problem is that we treat expert staff so badly that they are refusing to work here, they are asserting there is *no* problem.
November 20, 2024 at 10:23 PM
Listening to #LateDebate and it is as though the FG/FF reps on are delivering reports from a different planet.
Instead of acknowledging that our health system’s biggest problem is that we treat expert staff so badly that they are refusing to work here, they are asserting there is *no* problem.
Instead of acknowledging that our health system’s biggest problem is that we treat expert staff so badly that they are refusing to work here, they are asserting there is *no* problem.
Hey, I know this tune!
You have to keep giving money to avoid collapse and if there’s collapse you have to give more money. It’s called the free market.
November 25, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Hey, I know this tune!
People will say that Breaking Bad or The Sopranos are the peak of US telly. But if so, how come I have never for a moment been stirred to watch either, while I can still quote reams of MASH or Cheers lines from 40 years ago.
Peak US telly was a format- 1billon episodes of every possible permeation.
Peak US telly was a format- 1billon episodes of every possible permeation.
November 24, 2025 at 9:28 PM
People will say that Breaking Bad or The Sopranos are the peak of US telly. But if so, how come I have never for a moment been stirred to watch either, while I can still quote reams of MASH or Cheers lines from 40 years ago.
Peak US telly was a format- 1billon episodes of every possible permeation.
Peak US telly was a format- 1billon episodes of every possible permeation.