Gavin Elliott
@sgelliott.net
Non-practising barrister based in Dublin, Ireland. Environmental, Housing and Climate Justice.
Born 335.42 ppm. He/Him.
Born 335.42 ppm. He/Him.
A really excellent and informative piece from Dr Kelleher, explaining the reality of the Judicial Review system.
Dr Orla Kelleher pushes back against the narrative that judicial reviews are to blame for the housing crisis.
Opinion: Beware of the judicial review red herring
Dr Orla Kelleher pushes back against the narrative that judicial reviews are to blame for the housing crisis.
www.irishlegal.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:43 PM
A really excellent and informative piece from Dr Kelleher, explaining the reality of the Judicial Review system.
Very pleased to hear our new President speak about home is a fundamental human right.
Adequate housing is a human right and should be a part of the Irish Constitution.
The proposed text of a constitutional amendment and the rationale for it can be found here:
www.homeforgood.ie/referendum/
Adequate housing is a human right and should be a part of the Irish Constitution.
The proposed text of a constitutional amendment and the rationale for it can be found here:
www.homeforgood.ie/referendum/
Why a Referendum | Home for Good
Our proposal The Constitution of Ireland exists to protect the rights of all our people and yet it does not mention a right to housing. Instead it contains substantial and powerful protections for ...
www.homeforgood.ie
November 11, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Very pleased to hear our new President speak about home is a fundamental human right.
Adequate housing is a human right and should be a part of the Irish Constitution.
The proposed text of a constitutional amendment and the rationale for it can be found here:
www.homeforgood.ie/referendum/
Adequate housing is a human right and should be a part of the Irish Constitution.
The proposed text of a constitutional amendment and the rationale for it can be found here:
www.homeforgood.ie/referendum/
A well deserved retirement for a good and faithful servant of the public good.
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
Activism, opinions were hallmarks of Higgins' presidency
Sometimes controversial, strongly opinionated, but never dull, Michael D Higgins' 14-year term as Uachtarán na hÉireann comes to an end this week after many historic moments that helped define modern-...
www.rte.ie
November 10, 2025 at 3:04 PM
A well deserved retirement for a good and faithful servant of the public good.
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
Seems that client confidentiality is important for pundits working for political parties, but not for presidential candidates working as barristers.
m.independent.ie/irish-news/p...
m.independent.ie/irish-news/p...
‘My golden rule is client confidentiality… and I wanted to leave the podcast with Matt Cooper’ – Ivan Yates on Jim Gavin controversy
Political commentator Ivan Yates said his “golden rule” in his media training business endeavour is “client confidentiality”.
m.independent.ie
November 10, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Seems that client confidentiality is important for pundits working for political parties, but not for presidential candidates working as barristers.
m.independent.ie/irish-news/p...
m.independent.ie/irish-news/p...
Fundamentally this measure is to stop people complaining to the courts that the state has acted unlawfully
This would apply when you complain about the unlawful behaviour and the High Court agrees with you
Rather than work within the law the state decides to stop people telling the courts about it
This would apply when you complain about the unlawful behaviour and the High Court agrees with you
Rather than work within the law the state decides to stop people telling the courts about it
The Government's new stated aim is to make it so unattractive for lawyers to take good cases against the State that they will stop. Not bad cases. Good ones. Successful ones. This new rule only applies if you *win* your case. Doesn't that worry anyone slightly?
m.independent.ie/irish-news/o...
m.independent.ie/irish-news/o...
Objectors will be on the hook to pay six-figure legal costs under judicial reviews clampdown
Objectors will have to foot six-figure legal bills for successful judicial review cases in a new move being brought to the Cabinet to speed up the supply of infrastructure and housing.
m.independent.ie
November 9, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Fundamentally this measure is to stop people complaining to the courts that the state has acted unlawfully
This would apply when you complain about the unlawful behaviour and the High Court agrees with you
Rather than work within the law the state decides to stop people telling the courts about it
This would apply when you complain about the unlawful behaviour and the High Court agrees with you
Rather than work within the law the state decides to stop people telling the courts about it
Reposted by Gavin Elliott
The Government's new stated aim is to make it so unattractive for lawyers to take good cases against the State that they will stop. Not bad cases. Good ones. Successful ones. This new rule only applies if you *win* your case. Doesn't that worry anyone slightly?
m.independent.ie/irish-news/o...
m.independent.ie/irish-news/o...
Objectors will be on the hook to pay six-figure legal costs under judicial reviews clampdown
Objectors will have to foot six-figure legal bills for successful judicial review cases in a new move being brought to the Cabinet to speed up the supply of infrastructure and housing.
m.independent.ie
November 9, 2025 at 10:48 AM
The Government's new stated aim is to make it so unattractive for lawyers to take good cases against the State that they will stop. Not bad cases. Good ones. Successful ones. This new rule only applies if you *win* your case. Doesn't that worry anyone slightly?
m.independent.ie/irish-news/o...
m.independent.ie/irish-news/o...
It's emblematic of the do-nothing government, that one of the parties isn't able to deliver an internal report on time and without a row.
If Finna Fail can't get their act together to produce this report what hope of them producing anything in government?
www.thejournal.ie/fianna-fail-...
If Finna Fail can't get their act together to produce this report what hope of them producing anything in government?
www.thejournal.ie/fianna-fail-...
Fianna Fáil braces itself for a delay of its review of its presidential campaign
It was set out last month that the party would carry out a review into its chaotic presidential campaign following the shock departure of candidate Jim Gavin.
www.thejournal.ie
November 8, 2025 at 6:55 PM
It's emblematic of the do-nothing government, that one of the parties isn't able to deliver an internal report on time and without a row.
If Finna Fail can't get their act together to produce this report what hope of them producing anything in government?
www.thejournal.ie/fianna-fail-...
If Finna Fail can't get their act together to produce this report what hope of them producing anything in government?
www.thejournal.ie/fianna-fail-...
Reposted by Gavin Elliott
Hello it's me the leader of the party full of landlords that has been in power your whole adult life and created the housing crisis we now refuse to resolve.
I'm here to tell you it's actually the foreigners' fault.
I'm here to tell you it's actually the foreigners' fault.
November 8, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Hello it's me the leader of the party full of landlords that has been in power your whole adult life and created the housing crisis we now refuse to resolve.
I'm here to tell you it's actually the foreigners' fault.
I'm here to tell you it's actually the foreigners' fault.
Reposted by Gavin Elliott
A reminder, if needed, that the ‘Regional Public Policy & Government Relations Lead’ of Airbnb is a former Labour (!) TD who represented Gaeltacht communities in Galway West.
There's no quicker way to kill a community than to drive out the young people. That's exactly what short term rentals do to places like the Gaeltacht. If young people have nowhere to rent locally they leave.
It's a problem for any small community that's attractive to tourists.
It's a problem for any small community that's attractive to tourists.
An 88 percent increase in the number of whole homes to rent in Gaeltacht areas on Airbnb – in just six years
'The history of the Gaeltachts as places of radical and forward thinking gets forgotten now when they've become a holiday destination,' say @CnaG
www.ontheditch.com/airbnb-expan...
'The history of the Gaeltachts as places of radical and forward thinking gets forgotten now when they've become a holiday destination,' say @CnaG
www.ontheditch.com/airbnb-expan...
November 7, 2025 at 5:39 PM
A reminder, if needed, that the ‘Regional Public Policy & Government Relations Lead’ of Airbnb is a former Labour (!) TD who represented Gaeltacht communities in Galway West.
Some testimony from a victim of the US ICE regime, currently being facilitated by Shannon Airport.
He said that the agents would throw food at them to eat. The agents threatened to withhold food for a week and to beat him up if he didn't sign deportation papers. He said he saw others refuse and get beaten/receive no food. He signed because he was afraid.
November 7, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Some testimony from a victim of the US ICE regime, currently being facilitated by Shannon Airport.
There's no quicker way to kill a community than to drive out the young people. That's exactly what short term rentals do to places like the Gaeltacht. If young people have nowhere to rent locally they leave.
It's a problem for any small community that's attractive to tourists.
It's a problem for any small community that's attractive to tourists.
An 88 percent increase in the number of whole homes to rent in Gaeltacht areas on Airbnb – in just six years
'The history of the Gaeltachts as places of radical and forward thinking gets forgotten now when they've become a holiday destination,' say @CnaG
www.ontheditch.com/airbnb-expan...
'The history of the Gaeltachts as places of radical and forward thinking gets forgotten now when they've become a holiday destination,' say @CnaG
www.ontheditch.com/airbnb-expan...
Airbnb Gaeltacht expansionism: 88 percent listings increase
To truly understand Airbnb expansionism in Ireland look to the Gaeltacht.
www.ontheditch.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:16 PM
There's no quicker way to kill a community than to drive out the young people. That's exactly what short term rentals do to places like the Gaeltacht. If young people have nowhere to rent locally they leave.
It's a problem for any small community that's attractive to tourists.
It's a problem for any small community that's attractive to tourists.
Reposted by Gavin Elliott
My council colleague Paddy Monahan and I made a short video about an unsafe junction in Whitehall in Dublin. Yet again, #motonormativity putting our kids in danger. We’re working to get this fixed before someone gets hurt. #speirgorm #ActiveTravel #StreetsAreForPeople
November 7, 2025 at 8:26 AM
My council colleague Paddy Monahan and I made a short video about an unsafe junction in Whitehall in Dublin. Yet again, #motonormativity putting our kids in danger. We’re working to get this fixed before someone gets hurt. #speirgorm #ActiveTravel #StreetsAreForPeople
Reposted by Gavin Elliott
Does Simon Harris actually understand the term 'dog whistle'? It appears not. www.thejournal.ie/leaders-ques...
Harris says it is a ‘dog whistle’ to compare him to Nigel Farage
Social Democrats TDs have accused Harris’s comments as coming straight out of ‘Farage playbook’.
www.thejournal.ie
November 6, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Does Simon Harris actually understand the term 'dog whistle'? It appears not. www.thejournal.ie/leaders-ques...
Reposted by Gavin Elliott
The idea that Ireland has ever "gold plated" the transposition of EU Environmental law, is causing a lot of people in my world to chortle manically.
November 3, 2025 at 7:27 AM
The idea that Ireland has ever "gold plated" the transposition of EU Environmental law, is causing a lot of people in my world to chortle manically.
I'm sure that the mid level palace bureaucrat who drafts the reply will reflect deeply upon their concerns (once he checks Wikipedia to find out if the Grand Orange Lodge of England is a real thing.)
www.thejournal.ie/orange-order...
www.thejournal.ie/orange-order...
Orange Order grand masters wrote to King Charles over prayers with Pope Leo
The Pope’s historic meeting with Charles has come in for criticism from unionist figures in the North and elsewhere over recent weeks.
www.thejournal.ie
November 6, 2025 at 11:24 AM
I'm sure that the mid level palace bureaucrat who drafts the reply will reflect deeply upon their concerns (once he checks Wikipedia to find out if the Grand Orange Lodge of England is a real thing.)
www.thejournal.ie/orange-order...
www.thejournal.ie/orange-order...
Excellent news. While I'm sure that they will all be great, I'm particularly happy to see Rose Wall nominated.
Six people including lawyers Rose Wall and Patricia Munatsi-Mangwiza have been nominated for appointment to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.
Six nominated to Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission
Six people including lawyers Rose Wall and Patricia Munatsi-Mangwiza have been nominated for appointment to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.
www.irishlegal.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Excellent news. While I'm sure that they will all be great, I'm particularly happy to see Rose Wall nominated.
Reposted by Gavin Elliott
The carnage of the genocide has changed people. We wanted to free Palestine but it looks like Palestine will free us all...
November 5, 2025 at 2:33 AM
The carnage of the genocide has changed people. We wanted to free Palestine but it looks like Palestine will free us all...
The point is to distract from government failings by targeting a vulnerable minority.
If that means the government throwing away your tax money to do so, then so be it.
Gotta look tough. Otherwise people might blaming the government for all the failures.
m.independent.ie/irish-news/p...
If that means the government throwing away your tax money to do so, then so be it.
Gotta look tough. Otherwise people might blaming the government for all the failures.
m.independent.ie/irish-news/p...
Plan to make migrants pay for accommodation ‘would cost State millions’, ministers told
A new system of charging migrants to stay in Ipas (International Protection Accommodation Services) centres will cost millions to implement, but will have a “low rate of return” for the State.
m.independent.ie
November 5, 2025 at 1:57 PM
The point is to distract from government failings by targeting a vulnerable minority.
If that means the government throwing away your tax money to do so, then so be it.
Gotta look tough. Otherwise people might blaming the government for all the failures.
m.independent.ie/irish-news/p...
If that means the government throwing away your tax money to do so, then so be it.
Gotta look tough. Otherwise people might blaming the government for all the failures.
m.independent.ie/irish-news/p...
Ah, that's the sound of the other shoe dropping.
Ivan Yeats was not only a paid consultant for FF politicians, he was paid to lobby those same people on behalf of private interests.
Shabby and unscrupulous backroom dealing.
www.ontheditch.com/ivan-yates-l...
Ivan Yeats was not only a paid consultant for FF politicians, he was paid to lobby those same people on behalf of private interests.
Shabby and unscrupulous backroom dealing.
www.ontheditch.com/ivan-yates-l...
Yates lobbied government TDs, minister for energy firm
Ivan Yates used his media training company to also lobby both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil TDs.
www.ontheditch.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Ah, that's the sound of the other shoe dropping.
Ivan Yeats was not only a paid consultant for FF politicians, he was paid to lobby those same people on behalf of private interests.
Shabby and unscrupulous backroom dealing.
www.ontheditch.com/ivan-yates-l...
Ivan Yeats was not only a paid consultant for FF politicians, he was paid to lobby those same people on behalf of private interests.
Shabby and unscrupulous backroom dealing.
www.ontheditch.com/ivan-yates-l...
The use of Shannon Airport to carry out human rights violations, in a variety of different contexts, is a source of national disgrace.
It's long past time this gateway to repression was subject to a minimum degree of human rights proofing in its operations.
It's long past time this gateway to repression was subject to a minimum degree of human rights proofing in its operations.
November 4, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The use of Shannon Airport to carry out human rights violations, in a variety of different contexts, is a source of national disgrace.
It's long past time this gateway to repression was subject to a minimum degree of human rights proofing in its operations.
It's long past time this gateway to repression was subject to a minimum degree of human rights proofing in its operations.
Zohran Mamdani is doing special things in New York.
The world is watching and taking hope. Not only hope that progressive campaigning can defeat authoritarianism, but also hope that America hasn't irretrievably lost its way.
If I were entitled to vote, I would vote for Mamdani.
The world is watching and taking hope. Not only hope that progressive campaigning can defeat authoritarianism, but also hope that America hasn't irretrievably lost its way.
If I were entitled to vote, I would vote for Mamdani.
Today is only the beginning.
Our time has come, New York. Our time is now.
Our time has come, New York. Our time is now.
Today is only the beginning.
YouTube video by Zohran Mamdani for NYC
www.youtube.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Zohran Mamdani is doing special things in New York.
The world is watching and taking hope. Not only hope that progressive campaigning can defeat authoritarianism, but also hope that America hasn't irretrievably lost its way.
If I were entitled to vote, I would vote for Mamdani.
The world is watching and taking hope. Not only hope that progressive campaigning can defeat authoritarianism, but also hope that America hasn't irretrievably lost its way.
If I were entitled to vote, I would vote for Mamdani.
An enlightening look at the dangerous duplicity of Simon Harris on immigration and the reasons behind it.
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
Fintan O’Toole: Simon Harris is deliberately spreading disinformation on immigration
For Fine Gael, the small number awaiting deportation is proof inward migration has become ‘too high’
www.irishtimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:26 PM
An enlightening look at the dangerous duplicity of Simon Harris on immigration and the reasons behind it.
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
As far as I can see all he's been asked to do by the left is temper his language and not inflame tensions.
If that's 'shutting down debate' then what sort of debate does he want to have exactly?
If that's 'shutting down debate' then what sort of debate does he want to have exactly?
Listening to Tánaiste Simon Harris's comments on the way into Cabinet this morning - accusing parties on the left of the 'extraordinary' move of 'trying to shut down debate' on immigration.
(1/2)
(1/2)
November 4, 2025 at 11:33 AM
As far as I can see all he's been asked to do by the left is temper his language and not inflame tensions.
If that's 'shutting down debate' then what sort of debate does he want to have exactly?
If that's 'shutting down debate' then what sort of debate does he want to have exactly?
Reposted by Gavin Elliott
Oh so it turns out we are allowed criticise the EU after all, but only when it's about [checks notes] upholding environmental standards
November 3, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Oh so it turns out we are allowed criticise the EU after all, but only when it's about [checks notes] upholding environmental standards