RTÉ Digital Radio

Since I got online this evening I have been listening to the 6 new Digital Radio Channels launched by RTÉ today. The 6 channels are: RTÉ Choice, RTÉ Junior, RTÉ Gold, RTÉ 2XM, RTÉ Pulse and RTÉ Chill. You can listen to them via DAB Radio's or on the web via Real Player or Windows Media.

A look at the stations.



RTÉ Choice is a mainly non-music channel. It features content from RTÉ Radio, BBC World Service, America’s National Public Radio (NPR) network, Deutsche Welle, Radio Netherlands, Radio France International among others.



RTÉ Junior is RTÉ's kids channel. I obviously missed all the programming for the day. It is aimed at children aged 2 to 12 the station will broadcast chart music, nursery rhymes and bedtime stories.



RTÉ Gold is a playlist radio station with no talking! Which is both good and bad. No annoying presenters, but how do you find out what the song is called!!! RTÉ Gold features music from the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. They also include album tracks that might not have been released. Which exasperates the no presenter problem in my mind!



RTÉ 2XM is RTÉ 2FM's sister station and features alternative music from both international and local artists. This channel has plenty of shows using DJ's from 2FM and new DJ talent to come up with some highly interesting looking shows.



RTÉ Pulse is RTÉ dance station and is really cool in my opinion. I have turned into a dance head recently. Whats really interesting about RTÉ Pulse is that at 8pm on Wednesday there will be a Gay show on it called "The Cosmopolitan" presented by Scott De Buitléir and it will be in Irish and English. The blurb of the show is as follows

Join Scott De Buitléir every Wednesday evening on The Cosmopolitan from 6pm (8pm??). Scott will provide high-quality dance floor remixes of what’s currently topping the charts as well as plenty information and all the latest news for the LGBT communities around Ireland. Mixes will come from the likes of the Freemasons and Richi Rich, along with the best broadcasts from Gaydar Radio. Think of it as a pre-clubbing event, coming to you from your very own radio!

Scott began working as a presenter for various different radio stations since he was 15 and won Comórtas Réalt DJ (in association with Foras na Gaeilge and TG4) at the age of 18 in 2006.

He is also hot!

I am looking forward to listening to the show on Wednesday it should be interesting! Especially the fact that RTÉ will be rebroadcasting Gaydar Radio!!!!!



RTÉ Chill starts at 9pm -7am and is a playlist only station playing an eclectic mix of ambient, electronica and chill out
music from the ‘80s to the present day. Not my cup of tea normally but I might listen to it

RTÉ subsite on Lisbon

RTÉ news have put together a good subsite on the Lisbon treaty here. Some interesting links including links to the text of treaty and all the headlines! Check it out.

Dustin wins Eurosong

It has happened, Ireland will send another 'Turkey' to Eurovision. I only heard the entry today from Dustin and I am disappointed with it. Though its very fast and upbeat I cant see many Europeans voting for it. The UK will not be voting in the first Semi-Final though they will be broadcasting it, so I get to hear Terry Wogans commentary, but Ireland will not have have any gaurenteed votes. I was tempted to vote for Ireland from here, but now I'm not so sure. Irish Nationalism might take over and then I will vote for Ireland.

Heres the entry. (lots of Booing)

Eurovision: Dustin suffers backlash

Some people dont seam to be very happy over Dustin's selection as one of the 6 finalists in Eurosong this year!

From last Tuesday's Indo:

DUSTIN the Turkey seriously considered pulling out of the Eurosong contest yesterday as controversy erupted over his selection as one of the six Irish finalists .


After hearing nearly 45 minutes of angry radio debate about the fact that the celebrity puppet had made the grade, Dustin thought about throwing in the towel for "nearly a full second", he confirmed last night.

But the bookies' favourite has decided to battle on.

"I am doing this for Ireland," he said.

The crticism came from three of the country's top music men, songwriter Phil Coulter, Frank McNamara and Eurovision veteran Shay Healy.

Of course this means while they are babbling about Dustin hes getting attention while the other finalists are not!

The full list of Finalists are:

• 'Irelande Douze Pointe', Performed by Dustin the Turkey composed by Darren Smith, Simon Fine and Dustin the Turkey.



• 'Double Cross My Heart', performed by Donal Skehan, composed by Joel Humlén, Oscar Gorres and Charlie Mason.



• 'Time to Rise', performed by Maya, composed by Maja Slatinsek and Ziga Pirnat.



• 'Not Crazy After All', performed by Leona Daly, composed by Leona Daly and Steve Booker.



• 'Sometimes', performed by Liam Geddes, written by Susan Hewitt.



• 'Chances', written and performed Marc Roberts.

Eursong will take place in the University Concert Hall Limerick on Saturday 23 February from 7 to 8pm with the winner announced on the results show at 9.30pm.

Feb 23rd is Super Saturday for Eurovions Fans. As many as seven countries will select their entries for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest. They include:

• Bulgaria


• Croatia


• FYR Macedonia


• Iceland


• Ireland


• Poland


• Romania

Will do more of an Eurovision Update tonight or tomorrow.

People In need Telethon is back!!!!!

Wooo!!! I always think this is a great way to raise money for well deserving charities!!! Get your think caps on on!! Press release and links below!

RTÉ People in Need Telethon 2007

Irish charities to benefit from millions of euro raised during the 2007 RTÉ People in Need Telethon

Ryan Tubridy, host of the RTÉ People in Need Telethon 2007, in association with eircom, joined RTÉ Television presenters Pamela Flood, Lucy Kennedy, Caroline Morahan and Laura Woods to announce that the RTÉ People in Need Telethon is back. Set to broadcast on RTÉ One on Friday 26 October, the return of the telethon will be welcome news for Irish charities and community groups all over Ireland. During the last Telethon in 2004, over 4,000 fundraising events were organised by people nationwide, and proceeds were subsequently distributed to almost 760 projects in the 26 counties.

How far will you go for People in Need? That is the question posed by Ryan, Pamela, Lucy, Caroline and Laura, reflecting the theme of this year's RTÉ People in Need Telethon. The People in Need Trust, meanwhile, encouraged people to log on to www.telethon.ie to register their events.

John Holohan, Telethon Director, People in Need Trust is confident that this year's fundraising campaign will provide a great boost to Irish charities: "Thanks to both RTÉ and eircom, the telethon is back and once again this enables us to raise much needed funds for Irish charities. For us the most important message is for people to go out and support their county as all funds go back into the county in which they were raised, making it a great way to support good causes in your local community."

RTÉ has confirmed that the telethon broadcast will be presented by Ryan Tubridy and Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh, with Blathnaid presenting the show from 7.00pm while Ryan takes up the reins at 9.30pm. Packed full of entertainment, and with regular updates from fundraising centres around the country, this year's telethon shows will feature plenty of familiar celebrities behaving badly, and all in a good cause. Programme producer Michael Kealy says: "Expect plenty of stunts, lots of bizarre and novel fund-raising ideas, and bargains galore in the telethon auction room. The focus this year is on entertainment and we're aiming to make the telethon a must-see from 7.00pm on Friday evening until the early hours of Saturday morning."

Speaking on behalf of eircom, Managing Director Cathal Magee said: "eircom has been involved in the telethon since it began and we have been proud to see it go from strength to strength over the years. We are very much looking forward to this year's event and will work with the People in Need Trust and RTÉ to ensure this is the best telethon ever."

Since its inception in 1988, over €35 million has been raised by the People in Need Trust through the RTÉ People in Need Telethon, supporting a wide variety of charitable organisations nationwide. The telethon has always placed a special emphasis on smaller, low-profile groups who would have difficulty in raising sufficient funds for themselves. It's almost 20 years since the very first telethon and organizers hope that the RTÉ People in Need Telethon 2007 will be an anniversary to remember for thousands of people in need the length and breadth of the country.

Telethon website - http://www.telethon.ie/
RTÉ Page - http://www.rte.ie/tv/telethon/
History (RTÉ) - http://www.rte.ie/tv/telethon/history.html

I'll be involved in at least one fundrasing event! Woooo!

I will post details on the events I know of here.

Sponsors are

Morning Breifing, January 8th

An Nuacht ar an maidin seo

Well im never trusting RTÉ again. Thanks for everyone who commented, and yes its David Irvine, I was very tired last night!

FG launch into FF over saying they will go into power with Sinn Fein (Breakingnews.ie) Maybe one of my predictions for the Government may come true.

NASA killed life on Mars (CNN). Wow thats a strange one. Didnt see that coming.

Sky News have launched a Green Britain yoke thats showing all week. one of this links is for a game from the Science Museum

Israel is reportedly ready to attack Iran, now theres a warn for them (France 24)

Missed the Panel?

My friend told me about this. You can watch all of the current series of The Panel! excellent will done RTÉ!

Morning Briefing, December 20th

argh 8 minutes to do the morning briefing ahhhhhhhh!

BreakingNews.ie reports on the opening of the new Port Tunnel in Dublin.

BreakingNews.ie also reports that the Irish Government will be raising the Minimum Wage! wooo!

RTÉ reports that Bupa are going to appeal the high court verdict on risk equalisation


RTÉ also reports that the EU Commission is to rule on Ryanairs take over bid for Aer Lingus today

argh 1 min left hence the shortness

McCabe Killers Lose appeall

Via RTÉ

Two McCabe killers lose release bid

wo men serving jail sentences for their part in the killing of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe ten years ago have lost their bid to be released under the Good Friday Agreement.

Pearse McAuley, who is serving 14 years for manslaughter, and Jeremiah Sheehy, serving 12 years, had challenged the Government's failure to release them under the terms of the agreement.

Mr Justice Daniel Herbert ruled there was no unjustifiable discrimination between Jeremiah Sheehy and Pearse McAuley and 57 other prisoners who have been released under the Good Friday Agreement in Ireland.

The judge said it was a wholly legitimate aim for the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, and the Government to consider that Sheehy, McAuley and two others convicted of the unlawful killing of Det. Garda McCabe should be required to serve the sentence imposed on them by the Special Criminal Court.

The punishment, the judge said, was for the unique and shocking nature of the crime and as a deterrent to them and others against participation in paramilitary and criminal activity.

Mr Justice Herbert said it was also legitimate for the Government to wish to ensure that the peace process should not be jeopardised by the widespread loss of public confidence which would probably follow from the early release of the men.

With remission, McAuley is due to be released in August 2009, while Sheehy is due for release in February 2008.

It would be a terrible day if these men were released. They murdered Det. Jerry McCabe in cold blood due to a bothched robbery. They should serve their full sentences.

Morning Briefing, December 18

Morning,

Its one week to Christmas, hope you all have your Christmas shopping done, unlike me.

RTÉ have a story on how Circuses are to get grants from the Arts Council.

BreakingNews.ie are reminding people of when to post their letters and parcels as today is the last day for post to the UK

BreakingNews.ie also report that detectives have arrested a man in connection with the murder of 5 prostitutes in the UK

France 24 main story is the resuption of 6 party talks on North Korea.

Al Jazeera is running a report on how Muslims in Europe are being discriminated against.

Finally CNN leads with a story that reformists are leading in the polls in recent elections in Iran.

I hope to post up a picture of my house tomorrow as my Dad (hes like a 5-year old at Christmas, and the rest of us arent much better) has done a fantastic job at decorating the house!

Have a good day!

Morning Briefing, 14th December

Morning all,

Political Parties will outline their stratigies to combat homelessness tonight in TCD according to BreakingNews.ie

Brazil is bidding to host the World Cup in 2014 according to France 24

Turkey is upset with EU sanctions on negiating talks according to the International Herald Tribunal

Mary Harness was a contest in Podge and Rodge's Ballydung Idol last night on RTÉ 2. Thank god she only last 43 seconds!!!!

CNN reports that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran, said "trend for the existence of the Zionist regime is downwards" and the 'Zionist regime will soon be wiped out'

Thats it for this morning have a good day!

Morning Breifing, December 12th

Morning all,

Decided to to this every morning im awake for with a bit of a round up of International News and News from the Bloggersphere, after yesterdays 'Interesting Stuff post'

RTÉ.ie and BreakingNews.ie have reports from the American Geophysical Union that the Artic will be ice free by 2040.

A lot of news agencies are reporting on Ehud Olmert blab on Israeli Nuclear Weapons which I covered last night

A follow on from yesterday's post on France 24, it is availible on Sky Digital on Channel 515

The Examiner is reporting on how Pat Rabitte is flip-flopping again, saying that he "vows to remove FF and PDs from power"

UCC will name its new President today also with four people in the running according to the Examiner

Accoding the CNN that the Vatican have confirmed that the sarcophagus found under St. Paul's Outside the Walls Basilica, is indeed the remains of the apostle St. Paul.

On a sad note, Post Offices across the country will close between 12-1 today, the An Post Website says

The An Post Board, Management, Staff and Postmasters extend their deepest sympathy to the family of the late Postmaster Alan Cunniffe following his tragic death on Friday last, 8th December 2006.

May he rest in peace.

As a mark of respect, all Post Offices will close on Tuesday December 12th from 12 – 1.00pm

Thats all for now have a good day.

Government Announces New Plan for Care of the Elderly

Via RTÉ

Its about time they did this but I have huge reservations to this part of the Plan

The plan provides for the State to recoup some of the cost of care from older people after their death, when their home is sold.

What if it is left to a member of the family, I know they have to pay inheritance tax etc, but how can they put another tax on it, I suppose it will be another Stealth Tax, they'll tax ya despit you being dead!

I like this part of the plan though

The distinction between a public and private nursing home bed is to end.

But basically will pay more if you can!

Mentally ill children suffering from long-term Govt under funding – Neville

Fine Gael Deputy Health Spokesperson, Dan Neville TD, has said that the dismal response of the current Government to severely sub-standard child and adolescent psychiatric services, despite its unprecedented wealth, amounted to wholesale neglect. Deputy Neville added that unacceptably long waiting lists and the lack of in-patient places for young people, highlighted by the Prime Time programme, had tragically been evident for years.

'Last night's Prime Time programme starkly revealed the human suffering of those children and parents abandoned by Ireland's under-resourced psychiatric services. A deeply saddening exposé, it was unfortunately not surprising to those of us who have been working on mental health issues for some time.

'The fact is that child and adolescent psychiatric services account for only 5-10% of spending on mental health services, while serving 22.68% of the population. This under-investment has resulted, as we saw last night, in child and adolescent services which are either sporadic or non-existent.

'This situation has been allowed to develop despite the fact that in excess of 200,000 children have a mental or behavioural problem at any one time. The infrastructure is not in place to meet these needs and the lack of specialised services for young people has led to unacceptable long waiting lists and the admission of children into adult services.

'Hearing the personal stories of those young people last night who endured inappropriate accommodation in adult units was a gruelling experience and absolutely surreal in the context of 21st Century Celtic Tiger Ireland. It is absolutely galling to read that the current Government has taken in €8 billion more in taxes than expected in their own estimates and yet the State is still abandoning the most vulnerable of our citizens.

'Fine Gael, along with our colleagues in the Labour party, has committed to increasing specialist out-patient teams for child and adolescent services by 50% and to bringing the established teams up to the recommended staffing complement. In our first year of Government we will devote €16 million to child and adolescent services and we have committed to an €80 million programme over 5 years to increase in-patient facilities and achieve the target of comprehensive, fully staffed services for the specific needs of ADHD/hyperkinetic disorder and conduct disorder.

'In light of the very personal pain revealed in the Prime Time programme, the suffering of the children involved and the agony of parents whose children are either psychologically or physically being lost to them, the response of the Minister in charge of mental health services was deeply disappointing. Instead of casting about for scapegoats and calling for reviews when it's too late, the Minister should be apologising to those families who have been unable to find help despite their desperate need. Furthermore he should focus on completing those developments which are already underway as quickly as possible as well as following through on long-promised commitments.'