Dave Mathieson
@tinydbass.bsky.social
Likes jazz, cycling and software development. Opinions my own only and don't reflect anyone I work for, know, am related to, make eye contact with.
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
If you're old enough to remember a million people on the streets protesting Britain's rubber-stamping of Bush's illegal war, and Tony Blair's response - 'a million isn't that many, really' - you won't be surprised by anything happening in 2025.
As a now old man I recall my incredulity when the Serious People admitted that the Iraq war was based on a series of lies, but then went to “of course, there is no way we could have known at the time.”
Hundreds of thousands of people were in the street telling you so at the time. How did they know?
Hundreds of thousands of people were in the street telling you so at the time. How did they know?
December 1, 2025 at 12:23 PM
If you're old enough to remember a million people on the streets protesting Britain's rubber-stamping of Bush's illegal war, and Tony Blair's response - 'a million isn't that many, really' - you won't be surprised by anything happening in 2025.
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
"The human cost is stark. Pedestrians aged 75 and over account for nearly a quarter of all fatalities, while one in three victims is 25 or under, and one in five is a child below 15."
I speak to road safety campaigners about what needs to be done ...#roadsafety
www.independent.ie/life/red-lig...
I speak to road safety campaigners about what needs to be done ...#roadsafety
www.independent.ie/life/red-lig...
Red lights and red tape: Why Ireland is lagging behind on pedestrian safety
Every day, Ireland invests more than €1m in walking and cycling infrastructure, aiming to make its streets safer for everyone. But rising casualty numbers reveal just how much there is still to do.
www.independent.ie
November 28, 2025 at 9:29 PM
"The human cost is stark. Pedestrians aged 75 and over account for nearly a quarter of all fatalities, while one in three victims is 25 or under, and one in five is a child below 15."
I speak to road safety campaigners about what needs to be done ...#roadsafety
www.independent.ie/life/red-lig...
I speak to road safety campaigners about what needs to be done ...#roadsafety
www.independent.ie/life/red-lig...
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
"O’Brien has just come from his position as Minister for Housing, so in fairness to him, he hasn’t got a clue what hitting a target looks like. You might as well ask a medieval Irish monk to paint you a picture of an elephant."
This week's column is about the Metrolink.
This week's column is about the Metrolink.
Surrealing in the Years: Looks like you win this round, Ranelagh
It’s like Garth Brooks if he were a train.
www.thejournal.ie
November 29, 2025 at 9:07 AM
"O’Brien has just come from his position as Minister for Housing, so in fairness to him, he hasn’t got a clue what hitting a target looks like. You might as well ask a medieval Irish monk to paint you a picture of an elephant."
This week's column is about the Metrolink.
This week's column is about the Metrolink.
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
Back in the 2000s, when we said the slapstick insanity of the George Bush II admin and the wormlike obedience of the British state was an obvious stepping stone towards fascism, this was said to be proof of The Terrifying Derangement Of The Left.
November 28, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Back in the 2000s, when we said the slapstick insanity of the George Bush II admin and the wormlike obedience of the British state was an obvious stepping stone towards fascism, this was said to be proof of The Terrifying Derangement Of The Left.
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
I am agog at this. How did this happen? Presumably they horse-traded something else to get this bung for dairy producers (that the rest of us pay for in poisoned rivers)
November 28, 2025 at 4:06 PM
I am agog at this. How did this happen? Presumably they horse-traded something else to get this bung for dairy producers (that the rest of us pay for in poisoned rivers)
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
There's a bill to ban hunting foxes with packs of dogs coming before the dail on Dec 17th.
Fuck 'rural pursuits' sign and share and contact your FF, FG, and SF TDs and tell them to support the ban my.uplift.ie/petitions/pe...
Fuck 'rural pursuits' sign and share and contact your FF, FG, and SF TDs and tell them to support the ban my.uplift.ie/petitions/pe...
Petition to Ban Fox Hunting in Ireland
Can you support this campaign to bring in legislation banning the hunting of foxes using packs of dogs and horses?
my.uplift.ie
November 17, 2025 at 10:35 AM
There's a bill to ban hunting foxes with packs of dogs coming before the dail on Dec 17th.
Fuck 'rural pursuits' sign and share and contact your FF, FG, and SF TDs and tell them to support the ban my.uplift.ie/petitions/pe...
Fuck 'rural pursuits' sign and share and contact your FF, FG, and SF TDs and tell them to support the ban my.uplift.ie/petitions/pe...
Introduce yourself with 6 concerts you've been to:
Rush
The Jesus and Mary Chain
A Tribe Called Quest
Art Blakey
Keith Jarrett
Fontaines DC
Rush
The Jesus and Mary Chain
A Tribe Called Quest
Art Blakey
Keith Jarrett
Fontaines DC
Introduce yourself with 6 concerts you’ve been to:
Portishead
Crooked Still
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
Daphne & Celeste
Half Man Half Biscuit
Metronomy
Portishead
Crooked Still
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
Daphne & Celeste
Half Man Half Biscuit
Metronomy
Introduce yourself with 6 concerts you've been to :
Fugazi
Descendents
Christy Moore
Lankum
Bruce Springsteen
The Waterboys
Fugazi
Descendents
Christy Moore
Lankum
Bruce Springsteen
The Waterboys
November 28, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Introduce yourself with 6 concerts you've been to:
Rush
The Jesus and Mary Chain
A Tribe Called Quest
Art Blakey
Keith Jarrett
Fontaines DC
Rush
The Jesus and Mary Chain
A Tribe Called Quest
Art Blakey
Keith Jarrett
Fontaines DC
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
Séamas O'Reilly Says You're "Insane" If You Don't Use O'ReillyCorp Dick Traps, Vomit Cubes And Arse Grenades To Do Literally Everything.
November 27, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Séamas O'Reilly Says You're "Insane" If You Don't Use O'ReillyCorp Dick Traps, Vomit Cubes And Arse Grenades To Do Literally Everything.
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
A person rolled their car into my teenage son a fortnight ago. It was broad daylight and the driver was looking down while their car was rolling forward. I know, because I was yelling, trying to get their attention. Drivers who don't see us are often not looking.
My son hasn't cycled since
My son hasn't cycled since
👀 Can you see me now?
The importance of visibility on our roads cannot be understated, particularly for vulnerable road users including pedestrians, cyclists, e-scooter drivers and motorcyclists.
#CanYouSeeMeNow #KeepingPeopleSafe
The importance of visibility on our roads cannot be understated, particularly for vulnerable road users including pedestrians, cyclists, e-scooter drivers and motorcyclists.
#CanYouSeeMeNow #KeepingPeopleSafe
November 27, 2025 at 8:19 PM
A person rolled their car into my teenage son a fortnight ago. It was broad daylight and the driver was looking down while their car was rolling forward. I know, because I was yelling, trying to get their attention. Drivers who don't see us are often not looking.
My son hasn't cycled since
My son hasn't cycled since
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
you call it diarrhoea I call it
November 27, 2025 at 5:44 PM
you call it diarrhoea I call it
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
Today, I saw a driver overtake a stopped bus and plough through a pedestrian crossing. He beeped three times as he sped though. The beeping was to warn people because, as he had overtaken a bus, he had zero visibility of who was about to step out onto the crossing.
But sure, more hi-vis, everyone
But sure, more hi-vis, everyone
👀 Can you see me now?
The importance of visibility on our roads cannot be understated, particularly for vulnerable road users including pedestrians, cyclists, e-scooter drivers and motorcyclists.
#CanYouSeeMeNow #KeepingPeopleSafe
The importance of visibility on our roads cannot be understated, particularly for vulnerable road users including pedestrians, cyclists, e-scooter drivers and motorcyclists.
#CanYouSeeMeNow #KeepingPeopleSafe
November 27, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Today, I saw a driver overtake a stopped bus and plough through a pedestrian crossing. He beeped three times as he sped though. The beeping was to warn people because, as he had overtaken a bus, he had zero visibility of who was about to step out onto the crossing.
But sure, more hi-vis, everyone
But sure, more hi-vis, everyone
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
For anyone wondering what the public price - in water and ecological quality -of the nitrates derogation is - and how Irish farming is being poorly led for the future - read the EPA report; www.epa.ie/news-release...
November 27, 2025 at 8:04 PM
For anyone wondering what the public price - in water and ecological quality -of the nitrates derogation is - and how Irish farming is being poorly led for the future - read the EPA report; www.epa.ie/news-release...
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
National Transport priorities in this weeks NDP dodcument are shown here . But the funding in Galway City is the reverse. The ring road is allocared more money than Busconnects, and I cannot find any active travel projects in the budget! Full document www.gov.ie/en/departmen... 1/3
November 27, 2025 at 9:02 AM
National Transport priorities in this weeks NDP dodcument are shown here . But the funding in Galway City is the reverse. The ring road is allocared more money than Busconnects, and I cannot find any active travel projects in the budget! Full document www.gov.ie/en/departmen... 1/3
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
Funding allocations for The National Development Plan...
We can’t cut transport emissions 50% by 2030 with these allocations. This plan doubles down on car-centric thinking—more pollution, less movement, and zero vision for healthy, sustainable transport.
We can’t cut transport emissions 50% by 2030 with these allocations. This plan doubles down on car-centric thinking—more pollution, less movement, and zero vision for healthy, sustainable transport.
November 26, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Funding allocations for The National Development Plan...
We can’t cut transport emissions 50% by 2030 with these allocations. This plan doubles down on car-centric thinking—more pollution, less movement, and zero vision for healthy, sustainable transport.
We can’t cut transport emissions 50% by 2030 with these allocations. This plan doubles down on car-centric thinking—more pollution, less movement, and zero vision for healthy, sustainable transport.
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
That’s quite an own goal by Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien delaying the Finglas Luas by two years, and stalling on DART+ South West till 2030, on World Sustainable Transport Day, no less. Who needs Judicial Reviews when Fianna Fáil’s running the show?
November 26, 2025 at 7:03 PM
That’s quite an own goal by Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien delaying the Finglas Luas by two years, and stalling on DART+ South West till 2030, on World Sustainable Transport Day, no less. Who needs Judicial Reviews when Fianna Fáil’s running the show?
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
Excellent piece by Sadhbh o'Neill about the car-centric approach to transport. I have absolutely no doubt that virtually none of our elected reps rely on public transport to go about their daily lives.
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
Climate: Imagine how different things would be if politicians had to use public transport
Long lead-in times, a lack of sustained policy commitment, and start-stop approaches to big projects all contributed to where we are now
www.irishtimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Excellent piece by Sadhbh o'Neill about the car-centric approach to transport. I have absolutely no doubt that virtually none of our elected reps rely on public transport to go about their daily lives.
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
Unsurprisingly to any who follow me, I care a lot about data, access to data, and ensuring that folks understand it. I particularly despise when people try to pull the wool over our eyes when clear data exists to show that it is nothing more than deceit.
Don't try to lie to me when I have the data
Don't try to lie to me when I have the data
November 24, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Unsurprisingly to any who follow me, I care a lot about data, access to data, and ensuring that folks understand it. I particularly despise when people try to pull the wool over our eyes when clear data exists to show that it is nothing more than deceit.
Don't try to lie to me when I have the data
Don't try to lie to me when I have the data
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
Maybe we should reconsider the notion that the politicians and diplomats were going to save us?
November 22, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Maybe we should reconsider the notion that the politicians and diplomats were going to save us?
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
"If An Garda Síochána is serious about improving safety, then the next video should focus on the group with the greatest capacity to cause harm: motorists." - @olaln.bsky.social on the misguided approach to road safety by An Garda Síochána
olanordrum.substack.com/p/the-wrong-...
olanordrum.substack.com/p/the-wrong-...
The Wrong Road to Safety
What a recent Gardaí social media post reveals about Ireland’s car-first mindset.
olanordrum.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:55 AM
"If An Garda Síochána is serious about improving safety, then the next video should focus on the group with the greatest capacity to cause harm: motorists." - @olaln.bsky.social on the misguided approach to road safety by An Garda Síochána
olanordrum.substack.com/p/the-wrong-...
olanordrum.substack.com/p/the-wrong-...
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
The Irish Times published and lauded John Collison's op-ed, but did they fact-check it?
Andrew Jackson did. Thoroughly.
If you spent time reading the original, you'd want to give time to this counterpoint as well.
Andrew Jackson did. Thoroughly.
If you spent time reading the original, you'd want to give time to this counterpoint as well.
I’ve written something on John Collison’s Op-Ed and environmental democracy
Next time you’re out in Dublin, check if you’re being “socially de-risked” by a friendly face from his think-tank
elajucd.com/2025/11/21/o...
Next time you’re out in Dublin, check if you’re being “socially de-risked” by a friendly face from his think-tank
elajucd.com/2025/11/21/o...
On Environmental Democracy and the Collisons’ “Abundance-Verse”
Andrew Jackson 21 November 2025 I. Introduction A clamour of praise greeted John Collison’s “how to get Ireland moving” Op-Ed following its publication in the Irish Times on 25th October: the Irish…
elajucd.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:28 AM
The Irish Times published and lauded John Collison's op-ed, but did they fact-check it?
Andrew Jackson did. Thoroughly.
If you spent time reading the original, you'd want to give time to this counterpoint as well.
Andrew Jackson did. Thoroughly.
If you spent time reading the original, you'd want to give time to this counterpoint as well.
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
This, in a nutshell, is where we’re at. All the lies, the distraction, NGO-blaming and drive towards even further deregulation is to cover the naked fact that, in Ireland, big polluters pull the strings and our politicians just nod along.
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
A ‘national embarrassment’: Ireland in breach of multiple water quality rules, court finds
European Court of Justice ruling raises questions about Government’s system of water charges
www.irishtimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:22 AM
This, in a nutshell, is where we’re at. All the lies, the distraction, NGO-blaming and drive towards even further deregulation is to cover the naked fact that, in Ireland, big polluters pull the strings and our politicians just nod along.
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
This is what Ireland does.
Ignore EU law and continue with business as usual.
Receive warnings and a time scale or derogation
Ignore warnings.
Continue as usual.
Get taken to court and fined
Appeal
Pay fines eventually
See nitrates derogation and carbon emissions for more of the same...
Ignore EU law and continue with business as usual.
Receive warnings and a time scale or derogation
Ignore warnings.
Continue as usual.
Get taken to court and fined
Appeal
Pay fines eventually
See nitrates derogation and carbon emissions for more of the same...
BREAKING: EU's top court has ruled that Ireland has widespread non-compliance with EU's main water law e.g. a lack of regulation on physical damage to our waters, & poor monitoring & control of water abstractions.
We face daily fines & further decline if not fixed.
swanireland.ie/2025/11/land...
We face daily fines & further decline if not fixed.
swanireland.ie/2025/11/land...
Landmark EU water ruling shows systemic and abject failure of Irish government to protect water - Sustainable Water Network
The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN), a network of 25 environmental organisations, has welcomed yesterday’s European Court of Justice ruling [1] that Ireland is in breach of its obligations under the ...
swanireland.ie
November 21, 2025 at 7:05 PM
This is what Ireland does.
Ignore EU law and continue with business as usual.
Receive warnings and a time scale or derogation
Ignore warnings.
Continue as usual.
Get taken to court and fined
Appeal
Pay fines eventually
See nitrates derogation and carbon emissions for more of the same...
Ignore EU law and continue with business as usual.
Receive warnings and a time scale or derogation
Ignore warnings.
Continue as usual.
Get taken to court and fined
Appeal
Pay fines eventually
See nitrates derogation and carbon emissions for more of the same...
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
I’ve written something on John Collison’s Op-Ed and environmental democracy
Next time you’re out in Dublin, check if you’re being “socially de-risked” by a friendly face from his think-tank
elajucd.com/2025/11/21/o...
Next time you’re out in Dublin, check if you’re being “socially de-risked” by a friendly face from his think-tank
elajucd.com/2025/11/21/o...
On Environmental Democracy and the Collisons’ “Abundance-Verse”
Andrew Jackson 21 November 2025 I. Introduction A clamour of praise greeted John Collison’s “how to get Ireland moving” Op-Ed following its publication in the Irish Times on 25th October: the Irish…
elajucd.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:46 PM
I’ve written something on John Collison’s Op-Ed and environmental democracy
Next time you’re out in Dublin, check if you’re being “socially de-risked” by a friendly face from his think-tank
elajucd.com/2025/11/21/o...
Next time you’re out in Dublin, check if you’re being “socially de-risked” by a friendly face from his think-tank
elajucd.com/2025/11/21/o...
Reposted by Dave Mathieson
Excellent letter in The Irish Times about proposed new restrictions on judicial review and access to justice…
November 19, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Excellent letter in The Irish Times about proposed new restrictions on judicial review and access to justice…