Thomas Duffy
@taesaveslives.bsky.social
Talks way too excitedly about niche topics, mostly agricultural, politics and environmental. Formerly a lot of things. Currently minding a robot who milks cows
Oh no! Because famously junior infants are really easy to get to eat more than they want.
There was a good point on radio about ensuring nutritional standards with more random testing but the idea of getting the kids to cook their own meals daily isn't utopian it's delusional #speirgorm.
There was a good point on radio about ensuring nutritional standards with more random testing but the idea of getting the kids to cook their own meals daily isn't utopian it's delusional #speirgorm.
Hot school meals: Junior infants served same portions as those in sixth class
Hot school meals: Junior infants served same portions as those in sixth class
Tackling portion size to help reduce food waste generated by scheme, says Department of Health official
www.irishtimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Oh no! Because famously junior infants are really easy to get to eat more than they want.
There was a good point on radio about ensuring nutritional standards with more random testing but the idea of getting the kids to cook their own meals daily isn't utopian it's delusional #speirgorm.
There was a good point on radio about ensuring nutritional standards with more random testing but the idea of getting the kids to cook their own meals daily isn't utopian it's delusional #speirgorm.
How I felt the last 5 years watching #EU policies on food/agri.
If I had to suffer through another conference with people talking about food production with zero clue of any practical knowledge.
Highlight was one rep telling a PhD on gene editing she didn't understand that 'it left scars on the DNA'
If I had to suffer through another conference with people talking about food production with zero clue of any practical knowledge.
Highlight was one rep telling a PhD on gene editing she didn't understand that 'it left scars on the DNA'
Can’t believe the whole country has to suffer through the return of Dickensian childhood diseases because the worst, most ignorant attention-demanders decided other people’s expertise makes them feel bad
November 20, 2025 at 3:48 PM
How I felt the last 5 years watching #EU policies on food/agri.
If I had to suffer through another conference with people talking about food production with zero clue of any practical knowledge.
Highlight was one rep telling a PhD on gene editing she didn't understand that 'it left scars on the DNA'
If I had to suffer through another conference with people talking about food production with zero clue of any practical knowledge.
Highlight was one rep telling a PhD on gene editing she didn't understand that 'it left scars on the DNA'
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
We're told by 🇪🇺President @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu's @eppgroup.bsky.social & @reneweurope.bsky.social that the #AIact is an unacceptable burden on businesses.
So then why did these same lawmakers design and vote for this law *just last year*? What changed since then? 🤔
We know what changed.
So then why did these same lawmakers design and vote for this law *just last year*? What changed since then? 🤔
We know what changed.
EU bends to US pressure again by changing AI Act
As Macron gave a speech in Berlin calling for European digital sovereignty, in Brussels von der Leyen yesterday proposed weakening the EU's Artificial Intelligence Act in response to US demands.
davekeating.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:59 AM
We're told by 🇪🇺President @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu's @eppgroup.bsky.social & @reneweurope.bsky.social that the #AIact is an unacceptable burden on businesses.
So then why did these same lawmakers design and vote for this law *just last year*? What changed since then? 🤔
We know what changed.
So then why did these same lawmakers design and vote for this law *just last year*? What changed since then? 🤔
We know what changed.
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
As a proud alumni of Dundalk I'm mixed on this. Both them becoming a university and joining with Queens.
Dundalk Institute of Technology to become a college of Queen's University Belfast, at the 5min mark on the News at One: www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
News At One Tuesday 18 November 2025
News, sport, business and interviews presented by Cian McCormack.
www.rte.ie
November 19, 2025 at 11:28 AM
As a proud alumni of Dundalk I'm mixed on this. Both them becoming a university and joining with Queens.
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
This is happening like clockwork and exactly as the activists predicted.
Does this answer a few of those niggling questions that have been cropping up in your head too …?
@wanderinggaia.bsky.social
theconversation.com/how-the-rich...
@wanderinggaia.bsky.social
theconversation.com/how-the-rich...
How the rich world is fortifying itself against climate migration
Climate change is already linked to mass deportation – and the worst is still to come.
theconversation.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:49 AM
This is happening like clockwork and exactly as the activists predicted.
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
Macron and Merz on the same page
“Europe doesn’t want to be the client of big entrepreneurs or the big solutions being provided either from the US or from China, we clearly want to design our own solutions,” Macron said of “a refusal of being a vassal”.
“Europe doesn’t want to be the client of big entrepreneurs or the big solutions being provided either from the US or from China, we clearly want to design our own solutions,” Macron said of “a refusal of being a vassal”.
Europe refuses to be tech ‘vassal’ of China and US, France’s Macron says
The French leader made a push for prioritising domestic players in the sector to counter ‘Chinese exclusivity’ and ‘American preference’.
www.scmp.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Macron and Merz on the same page
“Europe doesn’t want to be the client of big entrepreneurs or the big solutions being provided either from the US or from China, we clearly want to design our own solutions,” Macron said of “a refusal of being a vassal”.
“Europe doesn’t want to be the client of big entrepreneurs or the big solutions being provided either from the US or from China, we clearly want to design our own solutions,” Macron said of “a refusal of being a vassal”.
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
🚨🚨Perhaps a hardline populist stance on immigration isn't the way to go. 🧵 www.politico.eu/article/cope...
Danish voters turn on PM Frederiksen over housing costs
After 122 years in power, voters in Copenhagen are turning their backs on the governing Social Democrats and expressing increased dissatisfaction with the party’s rightward turn.
www.politico.eu
November 18, 2025 at 3:47 PM
🚨🚨Perhaps a hardline populist stance on immigration isn't the way to go. 🧵 www.politico.eu/article/cope...
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
Great piece in the Economist:
"Europe sees China as a rival. China sees Europe as a has-been
Yet China may be underestimating Europe’s willingness to push back"
"Europe sees China as a rival. China sees Europe as a has-been
Yet China may be underestimating Europe’s willingness to push back"
Europe sees China as a rival. China sees Europe as a has-been
Yet China may be underestimating Europe’s willingness to push back
www.economist.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Great piece in the Economist:
"Europe sees China as a rival. China sees Europe as a has-been
Yet China may be underestimating Europe’s willingness to push back"
"Europe sees China as a rival. China sees Europe as a has-been
Yet China may be underestimating Europe’s willingness to push back"
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
One to watch today. Centrist parties in Ireland and Britain have tried to ape the Frederiksen model... is it coming undone?
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Centre-left tipped to lose Copenhagen for first time in electoral history
Political rivals say PM’s divisive politics have encouraged voters to ditch the Social Democrats for the far right
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:20 AM
One to watch today. Centrist parties in Ireland and Britain have tried to ape the Frederiksen model... is it coming undone?
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s Social Democrats are staring down a potential political earthquake in today's nationwide local elections.
The revolt is driven by a familiar urban grievance: The skyrocketing cost of housing.
The revolt is driven by a familiar urban grievance: The skyrocketing cost of housing.
Danish voters turn on PM Frederiksen over housing costs
After 122 years in power, the Social Democrats are slated to lose local elections dominated by the housing crisis and dissatisfaction with PM’s policies.
www.politico.eu
November 18, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s Social Democrats are staring down a potential political earthquake in today's nationwide local elections.
The revolt is driven by a familiar urban grievance: The skyrocketing cost of housing.
The revolt is driven by a familiar urban grievance: The skyrocketing cost of housing.
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
After dismantling the Green Deal, EU governments prepare to roll
back the digital rules protecting us when online, be it on social media, AI or simply sending emails.
Be ready for #DigitalOmnibus another legal and political monster coming from @hennavirkkunen.bsky.social @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu
back the digital rules protecting us when online, be it on social media, AI or simply sending emails.
Be ready for #DigitalOmnibus another legal and political monster coming from @hennavirkkunen.bsky.social @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu
November 17, 2025 at 3:55 PM
After dismantling the Green Deal, EU governments prepare to roll
back the digital rules protecting us when online, be it on social media, AI or simply sending emails.
Be ready for #DigitalOmnibus another legal and political monster coming from @hennavirkkunen.bsky.social @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu
back the digital rules protecting us when online, be it on social media, AI or simply sending emails.
Be ready for #DigitalOmnibus another legal and political monster coming from @hennavirkkunen.bsky.social @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
November 17, 2025 at 12:39 PM
The east is growing. Ireland is declining. Almost as it hitching our entire economic identity to a mad king and his unstable court wasn't good economic planning, but it's ok because 'the US is "our friends"' #speirgorm
Growth forecast for 2026 (%):
🇲🇹3.8
🇵🇱3.5
🇱🇹3.0
🇭🇷2.9
🇧🇬2.7
🇨🇾2.6
🇸🇪2.6
🇸🇮2.4
🇭🇺2.3
🇪🇸2.3
🇬🇷2.2
🇵🇹2.2
🇩🇰2.1
🇪🇪2.1
🇨🇿1.9
🇱🇺1.9
🇱🇻1.7
🇪🇺1.4
🇳🇱1.3
🇩🇪1.2
🇧🇪1.1
🇷🇴1.1
🇸🇰1.0
🇦🇹0.9
🇫🇮0.9
🇫🇷0.9
🇮🇹0.8
🇮🇪0.2
Autumn #ECForecast → link.europa.eu/chqHjN
🇲🇹3.8
🇵🇱3.5
🇱🇹3.0
🇭🇷2.9
🇧🇬2.7
🇨🇾2.6
🇸🇪2.6
🇸🇮2.4
🇭🇺2.3
🇪🇸2.3
🇬🇷2.2
🇵🇹2.2
🇩🇰2.1
🇪🇪2.1
🇨🇿1.9
🇱🇺1.9
🇱🇻1.7
🇪🇺1.4
🇳🇱1.3
🇩🇪1.2
🇧🇪1.1
🇷🇴1.1
🇸🇰1.0
🇦🇹0.9
🇫🇮0.9
🇫🇷0.9
🇮🇹0.8
🇮🇪0.2
Autumn #ECForecast → link.europa.eu/chqHjN
November 17, 2025 at 10:33 AM
The east is growing. Ireland is declining. Almost as it hitching our entire economic identity to a mad king and his unstable court wasn't good economic planning, but it's ok because 'the US is "our friends"' #speirgorm
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
🚨'The worst environmental setback in Brazil's history.'
Just a week after COP30 ends, it looks almost certain that Brazil's agribusiness dominated Congress will strip almost all oversight of damaging projects.
My report from Brasília.
www.politico.eu/article/braz...
Just a week after COP30 ends, it looks almost certain that Brazil's agribusiness dominated Congress will strip almost all oversight of damaging projects.
My report from Brasília.
www.politico.eu/article/braz...
Brazilian lawmakers seek to decimate green laws one week after hosting climate summit
Changes would damage President Lula’s efforts to cast Brazil as an environmental leader.
www.politico.eu
November 17, 2025 at 10:14 AM
🚨'The worst environmental setback in Brazil's history.'
Just a week after COP30 ends, it looks almost certain that Brazil's agribusiness dominated Congress will strip almost all oversight of damaging projects.
My report from Brasília.
www.politico.eu/article/braz...
Just a week after COP30 ends, it looks almost certain that Brazil's agribusiness dominated Congress will strip almost all oversight of damaging projects.
My report from Brasília.
www.politico.eu/article/braz...
I will defend to the end my belief that these various quacks, promoting pseudoscience, giving false hope and encouraging unsafe or downright lethal practices should be tried for at least manslaughter if not murder.
#speirgorm
#speirgorm
An open verdict has been returned at the inquest of an 83-year-old mother of four from Schull in West Cork who died of a cerebral haemorrhage earlier this year.
jrnl.ie/6874449
jrnl.ie/6874449
Open verdict returned in death of woman (83) who used alternative medicine
Marlyn Hilliard attended a natural remedies practitioner, Paschal Carmody, for treatment for arthritis.
jrnl.ie
November 14, 2025 at 2:52 PM
I will defend to the end my belief that these various quacks, promoting pseudoscience, giving false hope and encouraging unsafe or downright lethal practices should be tried for at least manslaughter if not murder.
#speirgorm
#speirgorm
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
I find it really hard to believe that that charlatan in Killaloe is still on the go
Over 20 years ago, he requested a massive fee to treat a friend with a brain tumour that would’ve required a house re-mortgage.
He has absolutely no scruples.
#spéirgorm
Over 20 years ago, he requested a massive fee to treat a friend with a brain tumour that would’ve required a house re-mortgage.
He has absolutely no scruples.
#spéirgorm
An open verdict has been returned at the inquest of an 83-year-old mother of four from Schull in West Cork who died of a cerebral haemorrhage earlier this year.
jrnl.ie/6874449
jrnl.ie/6874449
Open verdict returned in death of woman (83) who used alternative medicine
Marlyn Hilliard attended a natural remedies practitioner, Paschal Carmody, for treatment for arthritis.
jrnl.ie
November 14, 2025 at 1:53 PM
I find it really hard to believe that that charlatan in Killaloe is still on the go
Over 20 years ago, he requested a massive fee to treat a friend with a brain tumour that would’ve required a house re-mortgage.
He has absolutely no scruples.
#spéirgorm
Over 20 years ago, he requested a massive fee to treat a friend with a brain tumour that would’ve required a house re-mortgage.
He has absolutely no scruples.
#spéirgorm
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
Then I get back to the UK to see the tankies & the genocide deniers & the victim blamers & those advocating occupation as peace and remember what Orwell said … to be a pacifist in a war like this is to be on the side of fascism
November 14, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Then I get back to the UK to see the tankies & the genocide deniers & the victim blamers & those advocating occupation as peace and remember what Orwell said … to be a pacifist in a war like this is to be on the side of fascism
Cool beans. My milk price has fallen by 4c/l this month (Oct - we get paid in arrears).
For context that's a fall of 10% to price paid to farmers.
For context last October I got paid 11c/l more or 25%.
And in October 2023 it was 4c/l less than today.
It ain't the farmers profiting here #speirgorm
For context that's a fall of 10% to price paid to farmers.
For context last October I got paid 11c/l more or 25%.
And in October 2023 it was 4c/l less than today.
It ain't the farmers profiting here #speirgorm
"Figures released today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that the CPI rose by 2.9% between October 2024 and October 2025." #Ireland #SpéirGhorm
November 13, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Cool beans. My milk price has fallen by 4c/l this month (Oct - we get paid in arrears).
For context that's a fall of 10% to price paid to farmers.
For context last October I got paid 11c/l more or 25%.
And in October 2023 it was 4c/l less than today.
It ain't the farmers profiting here #speirgorm
For context that's a fall of 10% to price paid to farmers.
For context last October I got paid 11c/l more or 25%.
And in October 2023 it was 4c/l less than today.
It ain't the farmers profiting here #speirgorm
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
Pizzagate: If you replace the word “hot dog” with “little boy” and “pizza party” with “child sex orgy,” you will see the lengths these elites go to cover up their crimes.
Real elite emails: Send me nude pictures of those 8th graders we abused last weekend post-haste! I am the Ambassador to Turkey.
Real elite emails: Send me nude pictures of those 8th graders we abused last weekend post-haste! I am the Ambassador to Turkey.
November 12, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Pizzagate: If you replace the word “hot dog” with “little boy” and “pizza party” with “child sex orgy,” you will see the lengths these elites go to cover up their crimes.
Real elite emails: Send me nude pictures of those 8th graders we abused last weekend post-haste! I am the Ambassador to Turkey.
Real elite emails: Send me nude pictures of those 8th graders we abused last weekend post-haste! I am the Ambassador to Turkey.
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
If today’s vote on Omnibus I passes with EPP+ECR+Patriots support, it establishes the operational majority for the rest of von der Leyen's term
This will have major economic and societal consequences at the time these groups chose Trump over the EU
thegoodlobby.eu/the-eu-far-r...
This will have major economic and societal consequences at the time these groups chose Trump over the EU
thegoodlobby.eu/the-eu-far-r...
The EU Far-Right Tracker: Exposing when the EPP sides with the Far Right | The Good Lobby
Despite repeated reassurances from Commission the EPP continues to rely on the far right to pass legislation or secure political wins.
thegoodlobby.eu
November 13, 2025 at 7:36 AM
If today’s vote on Omnibus I passes with EPP+ECR+Patriots support, it establishes the operational majority for the rest of von der Leyen's term
This will have major economic and societal consequences at the time these groups chose Trump over the EU
thegoodlobby.eu/the-eu-far-r...
This will have major economic and societal consequences at the time these groups chose Trump over the EU
thegoodlobby.eu/the-eu-far-r...
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
Mercosur : les agriculteurs qui manifestent à Toulouse attendent des garanties claires d’Emmanuel Macron
Mercosur : les agriculteurs qui manifestent à Toulouse attendent des garanties claires d’Emmanuel Macron
A l’appel de la FNSEA et des Jeunes agriculteurs notamment, les manifestants se sont réunis mercredi dans un quartier du sud-ouest de la ville, non loin du lieu où une délégation doit rencontrer le président de la République.
www.lemonde.fr
November 12, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Mercosur : les agriculteurs qui manifestent à Toulouse attendent des garanties claires d’Emmanuel Macron
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
They’ve laid off so many people that the government is now getting its economic data from DoorDash.
November 12, 2025 at 1:09 AM
They’ve laid off so many people that the government is now getting its economic data from DoorDash.
The European people want a stronger EU. Numerous surveys and polls show this. Pro-EU parties are successfully pushing back far right across European elections. Yet again the lack of ambition is killing momentum #speirgorm
EU countries won’t be required to join a new push to curb foreign election interference, according to a draft proposal obtained by POLITICO.
Save democracy (if you want to), Brussels says
The EU’s Democracy Shield initiative aims to tackle election interference online — but countries won’t be required to sign up.
www.politico.eu
November 12, 2025 at 9:49 AM
The European people want a stronger EU. Numerous surveys and polls show this. Pro-EU parties are successfully pushing back far right across European elections. Yet again the lack of ambition is killing momentum #speirgorm