HERE IS THEJOURNAL.IE’s comprehensive guide to what’s happening in the political world this morning.

Everyone’s talking about… 

Another day, another Irish Water controversy. The Irish Examiner notes this morning that the controversial semi-state is only now advertising for the post of data protection manager despite it already having had a number of data protection issues in recent weeks.

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It’s “a cart before the horse situation that is typical of Irish Water” according to independent TD Catherine Murphy and all of this just as deputies were starting to say nice things about the new utility. Several told us that communications are improving but this morning’s Examiner frontpage is yet another story that will ingrain the view amongst the public that incompetence reigns supreme at Irish Water.

• Read: Is Irish Water getting any better at answering TDs’ questions?

The agenda 

• Water charges will be the focus of an Economic Management Council today with Environment Minister Alan Kelly and Communications Minister Alex White also set to attend. 
• The government will launch its Civil Service Renewal Plan this morning.
• Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan is attending the all party talks in Northern Ireland where he will meet US envoy Gary Hart. 

What the others are saying 

• Labour TD Anne Ferris has revealed in the Irish Daily Mirror that she was forced to give up her baby girl after being date raped at 16. 

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• The Irish Independent says that Irish Water has committed to cutting bonuses – by 4 per cent. 
• Jailed former Fianna Fáil minister Ivor Callely is said to be writing a book about his time in prison where he has been put in charge of keeping pigs, according to the Irish Daily Mail. The paper says he could be out before the end of the week. 

In case you missed it… 

• Enda Kenny is making plans to meet the four people involved in the Maíria Cahill controversy. 
• The government is scrapping the law that allows it to unilaterally cut public sector pay.
• Leo Varadkar said it’s not unusual that Irish Water wants your PPS number. 
• We published the handwritten note that John McNulty sent Heather Humphreys accepting his controversial state board appointment. 

On the Twitter machine… 

Someone had a great night in Greystones… 

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