theirishtimes--2020-08-12--Covid-19 in Ireland: Colour-coded response set to replace phases

A new plan for the country ’ s response to the Covid-19 pandemic will see health officials and the Government strive to get Ireland into a “ status blue ” period where the virus is suppressed , it has emerged .
The Government intends to move away from the current “ phased ” approach to reopening society and the economy to a new plan that will see different colour-coded statuses depending on the levels of Covid-19 in any given area .
The Cabinet committee on Covid-19 met on Tuesday and Ministers discussed the new nine-month plan which will detail how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus in the future .
The approach taken in New Zealand to try and fully quash the virus will not be adopted here , sources say .
Officials are keen to move towards a colour-coded plan consisting of red , orange , yellow and blue statuses .
However , the blue status will only come into effect when vaccinations are available or there is some other kind of medical breakthrough that suppresses the coronavirus .
“ It would be useful if this was seen by the public as something akin to a weather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can do depending on the colour .
The reason green is not included in there is because green almost says that everything is okay and things can go on as normal , which for now is not the case , ” a source said .
It is also understood that health officials are against the idea of local lockdowns , believing a national and regional response to be sufficient .
Different sectors of the economy will have to detail their plans for outbreaks and public health risk assessments will become vital in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ministers also discussed economic measures for the three midlands counties that are in lockdown .
The Government ’ s package of economic supports for the region will be designed in a way that allows it to be applied to other parts of the country which go into lockdown in the future , sources said .
With further localised outbreaks of the disease likely , the aim is to draw up something which can be repeated again .
Speeded-up access to schemes or prioritising applications from affected areas may be considered in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , publicans met with Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath on Tuesday to discuss a range of extra support measures for the industry .
Speaking after the meeting , Mr Varadkar told The Irish Times the “ Government appreciates that many pubs ’ survival is being threatened due to a closure order that is going on for longer than any of them expected ” .
He said the Government wanted to ensure pubs “ survive long enough to reopen when that ’ s possible ” .
Mr Varadkar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greater powers to the Health and Safety Authority to inspect workplaces .
This followed calls to close a legal loophole which means meat plants and other employers have no obligation to report transmission of Covid-19 to the HSA .
Separately , it emerged on Tuesday night that all 210 workers at Carroll Cuisine in Tullamore , Co Offaly , who were tested for Covid-19 on Sunday have received negative results .
The staff were tested by Health Service Executive public health specialists at the weekend after nine staff at the facility had contracted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the facility , which ceased on Monday , would remain suspended until after consultations had taken place with HSE staff .
The factory is one of four large meat processing plants in the Midlands which have been hit by outbreaks of Covid-19 .
The results come as the latest figures show there has been one new Covid-19-related death and 35 new cases reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre .
This is the lowest number of daily cases since July 29th .
Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn warned the daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ rise and fall ” this week .
Also on Tuesday , it emerged that a ward at Naas General Hospital in Co Kildare has been closed due to a suspected Covid-19 outbreak , with a number of staff currently self-isolating as a result .

Minister for Enterprise Leo Varadkar: The Government wants to ensure pubs “survive long enough to reopen when that’s possible”. Photograph: Stephen Collins/Collins Photoss
A new plan for the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic will see health officials and the Government strive to get Ireland into a “status blue” period where the virus is suppressed, it has emerged.
The Government intends to move away from the current “phased” approach to reopening society and the economy to a new plan that will see different colour-coded statuses depending on the levels of Covid-19 in any given area.
The Cabinet committee on Covid-19 met on Tuesday and Ministers discussed the new nine-month plan which will detail how the country can safely live alongside the virus in the future.
The approach taken in New Zealand to try and fully quash the virus will not be adopted here, sources say.
READ MORE
Officials are keen to move towards a colour-coded plan consisting of red, orange, yellow and blue statuses.
However, the blue status will only come into effect when vaccinations are available or there is some other kind of medical breakthrough that suppresses the coronavirus.
‘Instinctive ’ system
“It would be useful if this was seen by the public as something akin to a weather warning, that people instinctively knew what they can do depending on the colour. The reason green is not included in there is because green almost says that everything is okay and things can go on as normal, which for now is not the case,” a source said.
It is also understood that health officials are against the idea of local lockdowns, believing a national and regional response to be sufficient. Different sectors of the economy will have to detail their plans for outbreaks and public health risk assessments will become vital in local areas under the new framework.
Ministers also discussed economic measures for the three midlands counties that are in lockdown.
The Government’s package of economic supports for the region will be designed in a way that allows it to be applied to other parts of the country which go into lockdown in the future, sources said. With further localised outbreaks of the disease likely, the aim is to draw up something which can be repeated again.
Speeded-up access to schemes or prioritising applications from affected areas may be considered in order to support businesses in the three counties.
Pub survival
Meanwhile, publicans met with Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath on Tuesday to discuss a range of extra support measures for the industry.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Varadkar told The Irish Times the “Government appreciates that many pubs’ survival is being threatened due to a closure order that is going on for longer than any of them expected”. He said the Government wanted to ensure pubs “survive long enough to reopen when that’s possible”. Mr Varadkar also said the Government would examine giving greater powers to the Health and Safety Authority to inspect workplaces. This followed calls to close a legal loophole which means meat plants and other employers have no obligation to report transmission of Covid-19 to the HSA.
Separately, it emerged on Tuesday night that all 210 workers at Carroll Cuisine in Tullamore, Co Offaly, who were tested for Covid-19 on Sunday have received negative results.
The staff were tested by Health Service Executive public health specialists at the weekend after nine staff at the facility had contracted the disease.
A spokesman said operations at the facility, which ceased on Monday, would remain suspended until after consultations had taken place with HSE staff.
The factory is one of four large meat processing plants in the Midlands which have been hit by outbreaks of Covid-19.
The results come as the latest figures show there has been one new Covid-19-related death and 35 new cases reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. This is the lowest number of daily cases since July 29th. Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn warned the daily number of new cases was likely to “rise and fall” this week. Also on Tuesday, it emerged that a ward at Naas General Hospital in Co Kildare has been closed due to a suspected Covid-19 outbreak, with a number of staff currently self-isolating as a result.


theirishtimes--2020-08-12--Experts examine less invasive Covid-19 testing for children

Alternative , less traumatic Covid-19 testing for small children and the possibility of treating fevers differently to cases in adults are both being examined by medical experts who hope to reach conclusions before schools reopen .
Currently , children must undergo the same invasive procedure as adults – a nasopharyngeal swab reaching 7cm into the head through the nose .
They also have their throats swabbed .
Data already shows that half of adults do not return for a second procedure to confirm whether they have contracted the virus from a close contact .
There is concern the traumatic nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents bringing them for repeat testing .
By the end of July there were 188 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in children under the age of five in Ireland .
Out of a total of 10,200 tests conducted in that age bracket , that represents a 1.84 per cent positivity rate .
Of testing carried out in the population overall , they represent just 0.73 per cent of positive cases .
Those aged between five and 18 represent just over 1 per cent .
An expert group headed by Dr Cillian De Gascun is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less invasive nasal swab and a cheek saliva swab , the latter of which could potentially be conducted by a parent under supervision .
A second expert medical group is examining whether fever in children – who suffer temperatures far more commonly than adults – might be treated differently so they can avoid immediate Covid-19 testing and lengthy isolation .
It is hoped that both groups will be in a position to reach conclusions before the school year begins at the end of August .
Dr Nuala O ’ Connor , the Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Covid-19 , said she would be concerned the current testing method with small children could deter parents from bringing them , thereby undermining a system crucial to monitoring the spread of the virus in Ireland .
Where children were not brought for testing , she said it was imperative they were still taken out of contact with others .
“ My hope as a GP is that these [ alternative ] tests will develop to a stage where they are sufficiently sensitive and specific , and good enough when it comes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ If we had a simple , easy-to-administer test that wasn ’ t traumatic to conduct , I think it would be easier for everybody.
” She compared the experience of the nasopharyngeal swab in children to a blood test given the difficulty in keeping children still during the process .
The second group is examining whether fevers in children might be approached differently , given they are far more common in children , particularly in winter .
“ Young children get fevers all the time , ” said Dr O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get six or seven viral infections during the winter .
Hopefully this winter it will be less [ given public awareness and caution ] but let ’ s say they get three or four , there may be some leeway in making a clinical assessment so that children can be treated differently .
”

Currently, children must undergo the same invasive testing procedure for Covid-19 as adults. File photograph: Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images
Alternative, less traumatic Covid-19 testing for small children and the possibility of treating fevers differently to cases in adults are both being examined by medical experts who hope to reach conclusions before schools reopen.
Currently, children must undergo the same invasive procedure as adults – a nasopharyngeal swab reaching 7cm into the head through the nose. They also have their throats swabbed.
Data already shows that half of adults do not return for a second procedure to confirm whether they have contracted the virus from a close contact. There is concern the traumatic nature of the process on children could prevent parents bringing them for repeat testing.
By the end of July there were 188 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in children under the age of five in Ireland. Out of a total of 10,200 tests conducted in that age bracket, that represents a 1.84 per cent positivity rate.
READ MORE
Of testing carried out in the population overall, they represent just 0.73 per cent of positive cases. Those aged between five and 18 represent just over 1 per cent.
An expert group headed by Dr Cillian De Gascun is now examining alternative testing methods including a less invasive nasal swab and a cheek saliva swab, the latter of which could potentially be conducted by a parent under supervision.
A second expert medical group is examining whether fever in children – who suffer temperatures far more commonly than adults – might be treated differently so they can avoid immediate Covid-19 testing and lengthy isolation.
It is hoped that both groups will be in a position to reach conclusions before the school year begins at the end of August.
Dr Nuala O’Connor, the Irish College of General Practitioners’ clinical lead on Covid-19, said she would be concerned the current testing method with small children could deter parents from bringing them, thereby undermining a system crucial to monitoring the spread of the virus in Ireland.
Where children were not brought for testing, she said it was imperative they were still taken out of contact with others.
“My hope as a GP is that these [alternative] tests will develop to a stage where they are sufficiently sensitive and specific, and good enough when it comes in particular to young children,” she said.
“If we had a simple, easy-to-administer test that wasn’t traumatic to conduct, I think it would be easier for everybody.”
She compared the experience of the nasopharyngeal swab in children to a blood test given the difficulty in keeping children still during the process.
The second group is examining whether fevers in children might be approached differently, given they are far more common in children, particularly in winter.
“Young children get fevers all the time,” said Dr O’Connor. “On average they get six or seven viral infections during the winter. Hopefully this winter it will be less [given public awareness and caution] but let’s say they get three or four, there may be some leeway in making a clinical assessment so that children can be treated differently.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-12--Babies face lack of adequate isolation facilities in hospitals

Consultants have warned vulnerable newborn babies could become the casualties of pressures on hospital as backlogs caused by Covid-19 persist .
Four neonatal units do not have adequate isolation facilities , with neonatal cots being placed too close together , increasing the risk of cross-infection between infants in these units , according to a recent report .
The Irish Hospital Consultants ’ Association says these isolation facilities are now critical for managing care for infants and parents in a Covid-19 environment in line with international guidelines .
Infants of Covid-19-infected or Covid-19-suspected mothers should initially be isolated if they require @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to international best practice .
About one in 10 newborns requires admission to a neonatal unit .
However , without adequate investment to create the additional space , consultants warn that the risk of transmission of infection will remain dangerously high .
“ Having a baby is one of the most momentous experiences of anybody ’ s life , and if you add a huge stressor like giving birth at 25 weeks into that , it ’ s full of uncertainty and worry , ” according to Dr Michael Boyle , consultant neonatologist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There are significant challenges such as access to intensive care beds .
We would occasionally find that we are unable to accept a referral from another hospital because we don ’ t have the space or the staff to care for them and that is an awful position to be in .
“ We are firefighting , we ’ re dealing with the issues as they present on the day .
It ’ s a challenge to improve a service when you can ’ t focus on the longer-term elements that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues in Ireland ’ s neonatal services are further compounded by severe consultant shortages , the IHCA claims .
None of the specialist maternity hospitals – the National Maternity Hospital , Rotunda , Coombe Woman and Infants University Hospital , and Cork University Maternity Hospital – have achieved the recommended levels of staffing , according to inspectors .
Difficulties and delays in recruitment are impacting the implementation of maternity policy , the group says .
Ireland has a lower number of consultant paediatricians on a population basis ( 5.4 per 100,000 ) than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zealand .
The IHCA is calling on the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive to immediately fill hundreds of permanent hospital consultant posts and fast-track the opening of thousands of beds needed across the health system .

Consultants have warned vulnerable newborn babies could become the casualties of pressures on hospital as backlogs caused by Covid-19 persist.
Four neonatal units do not have adequate isolation facilities, with neonatal cots being placed too close together, increasing the risk of cross-infection between infants in these units, according to a recent report.
The Irish Hospital Consultants’ Association says these isolation facilities are now critical for managing care for infants and parents in a Covid-19 environment in line with international guidelines.
Infants of Covid-19-infected or Covid-19-suspected mothers should initially be isolated if they require admission to a neonatal unit, according to international best practice. About one in 10 newborns requires admission to a neonatal unit.
READ MORE
However, without adequate investment to create the additional space, consultants warn that the risk of transmission of infection will remain dangerously high.
‘Huge stressor’
"Having a baby is one of the most momentous experiences of anybody's life, and if you add a huge stressor like giving birth at 25 weeks into that, it's full of uncertainty and worry," according to Dr Michael Boyle, consultant neonatologist at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin.
“There are significant challenges such as access to intensive care beds. We would occasionally find that we are unable to accept a referral from another hospital because we don’t have the space or the staff to care for them and that is an awful position to be in.
“We are firefighting, we’re dealing with the issues as they present on the day. It’s a challenge to improve a service when you can’t focus on the longer-term elements that you’d like to develop.”
Staffing levels
Capacity issues in Ireland’s neonatal services are further compounded by severe consultant shortages, the IHCA claims.
None of the specialist maternity hospitals – the National Maternity Hospital, Rotunda, Coombe Woman and Infants University Hospital, and Cork University Maternity Hospital – have achieved the recommended levels of staffing, according to inspectors. Difficulties and delays in recruitment are impacting the implementation of maternity policy, the group says.
Ireland has a lower number of consultant paediatricians on a population basis (5.4 per 100,000) than England, Scotland, Australia or New Zealand.
The IHCA is calling on the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive to immediately fill hundreds of permanent hospital consultant posts and fast-track the opening of thousands of beds needed across the health system.


theirishtimes--2020-08-12--Department has no plan to award bravery medals to Jadotville survivors

The surviving soldiers from the Siege of Jadotville will not be awarded the bravery medals recommended by their commanding officer Pat Quinlan almost 60 years ago .
Although the men of A Company have been recognised with several honours in recent years as a result of a campaign by the late Col Quinlan ’ s son , Leo and others , they have never been awarded the individual medals for bravery they were recommended for following the siege in the Congo in 1961 .
During the siege , which was recently dramatised in a Netflix movie starring Jamie Dornan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battle experience , held out for five days against about 3,000 mercenaries and local militias without suffering a single fatality .
The tactics employed by the Irish soldiers at Jadotville have since been studied at war colleges around the world .
However , for years after the battle Col Quinlan and his men were derided in Ireland because they had eventually surrendered .
Several died by suicide .
After achieving recognition for the achievements of his father and his men in recent years , Leo Quinlan has continued to campaign for them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) or Military Medals for Gallantry ( MMG ) – the two highest Defence Forces honours .
He has found the original list of recommendations made by his father after the battle which put forward 33 men for DSMs and MMGs .
Eight of these men are still alive .
“ One of those recommended for a MMG and a DSM was a 17-year-old boy from Mayo .
He died not even knowing he was recommended , ” said Mr Quinlan , who also served as an army officer .
“ Another man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alive , was recommended for both medals .
He was 18 years of age and in charge of a mortar crew.
” “ Two of the fellas were 15 years old .
Their mothers collected their children ’ s allowance while they were fighting in Jadotville.
” In response to queries , the Department of Defence said the matter of bravery medals for the men was considered by “ a properly constituted medals board ” in 1965 and no awards were made for Jadotville .
This decision was approved by the then chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff ordered a review of the decision and it was upheld , it said .
The department said both medals are time-bound – two years in the case of the MMG and four years for the DSM .
“ The issue of the award of medals to the men of A Company , 35th Infantry Battalion was comprehensively addressed in 1965 , ” a spokeswoman said .
The department also said the men had been honoured in several other ways , including a unit citation presented in 2016 and specially commissioned Jadotville medal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basis of actions to date and available records it is not proposed to award Distinguished Service Medals or Military Medals for Gallantry to specific individuals , ” the department said .
It added Minister for Defence Simon Coveney will consider any information to support a reconsideration of this request .
Mr Quinlan said there was a big difference between the unit citation and the Jadotville medals which were awarded to the unit as a whole , and the individual medals for bravery recommended by his father .
He also said there was precedent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the rules on time limits be waived in certain circumstances .

Irish soldiers who survived the Siege of Jadotville during a UN peacekeeping mission in the Congo in 1961 were presented with specially commissioned medals in Custume Barracks in Athlone on December 2nd, 2017. Video footage: Andrew Clarke / Reuters
The surviving soldiers from the Siege of Jadotville will not be awarded the bravery medals recommended by their commanding officer Pat Quinlan almost 60 years ago.
Although the men of A Company have been recognised with several honours in recent years as a result of a campaign by the late Col Quinlan’s son, Leo and others, they have never been awarded the individual medals for bravery they were recommended for following the siege in the Congo in 1961.
During the siege, which was recently dramatised in a Netflix movie starring Jamie Dornan, some 150 Irish peacekeepers, with no battle experience, held out for five days against about 3,000 mercenaries and local militias without suffering a single fatality.
Comdt Pat Quinlan recommended that his soldiers at the Siege of Jadotville in 1961 should be awarded medals for bravery.
The tactics employed by the Irish soldiers at Jadotville have since been studied at war colleges around the world. However, for years after the battle Col Quinlan and his men were derided in Ireland because they had eventually surrendered. Several died by suicide.
READ MORE
After achieving recognition for the achievements of his father and his men in recent years, Leo Quinlan has continued to campaign for them to be awarded Distinguished Service Medals (DSM) or Military Medals for Gallantry (MMG) – the two highest Defence Forces honours.
He has found the original list of recommendations made by his father after the battle which put forward 33 men for DSMs and MMGs. Eight of these men are still alive.
Two of the fellas were 15 years old. Their mothers collected their children's allowance while they were fighting in Jadotville
“One of those recommended for a MMG and a DSM was a 17-year-old boy from Mayo. He died not even knowing he was recommended,” said Mr Quinlan, who also served as an army officer.
“Another man, Tighe Quinn, who is still alive, was recommended for both medals. He was 18 years of age and in charge of a mortar crew.”
“Two of the fellas were 15 years old. Their mothers collected their children’s allowance while they were fighting in Jadotville.”
In response to queries, the Department of Defence said the matter of bravery medals for the men was considered by “a properly constituted medals board” in 1965 and no awards were made for Jadotville. This decision was approved by the then chief of staff. A later chief of staff ordered a review of the decision and it was upheld, it said.
The department said both medals are time-bound – two years in the case of the MMG and four years for the DSM.
“The issue of the award of medals to the men of A Company, 35th Infantry Battalion was comprehensively addressed in 1965,” a spokeswoman said.
The department also said the men had been honoured in several other ways, including a unit citation presented in 2016 and specially commissioned Jadotville medal awarded in 2017.
“On the basis of actions to date and available records it is not proposed to award Distinguished Service Medals or Military Medals for Gallantry to specific individuals,” the department said.
It added Minister for Defence Simon Coveney will consider any information to support a reconsideration of this request.
Mr Quinlan said there was a big difference between the unit citation and the Jadotville medals which were awarded to the unit as a whole, and the individual medals for bravery recommended by his father.
He also said there was precedent for a Minister of Defence to order that the rules on time limits be waived in certain circumstances.


theirishtimes--2020-08-12--Standoff ensues over Minister’s unavailability at Covid committee

A stand-off has developed between the Minister for Health and the Oireachtas Committee on Covid-19 over a request that he appear before the committee this week .
A spokeswoman for Stephen Donnelly said he and acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn would be unavailable to attend the committee ’ s session on Thursday .
The committee is holding a session on the recent spike in Covid infections in meat plants , as well as the Government ’ s changing response to the crisis in light of new developments this week .
“ The Minister received a request from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , August 11th , in which they asked him to attend a meeting of the committee on Thursday , August 13th .
The Minister was unavailable at short notice , ” the spokeswoman said , adding he would be happy to attend alongside Dr Glynn next week .
It is understood an initial request for departmental representatives to attend the session , alongside Dr Glynn , was made on Monday this week , but the department told the committee that nobody from the department was available .
Following this , committee members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this time to Mr Donnelly , noting it had “ expressed the view that communication and democratic accountability are paramount at this time ” .
The letter said the committee ’ s preference was that Mr Donnelly and Dr Glynn attend together if possible , “ or with a designated official on your behalf ” .
In addition to recent outbreaks and strategic developments , the committee is set to discuss the implications of a Zero-Covid island policy , which has been supported by a group of scientists and academics who wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group includes prominent public health , infectious disease and biochemistry experts .
The Health and Safety Authority , workers representatives and Meat Industry Ireland have been asked to appear at the first session of the committee on Thursday .
Senior officials from the Department of Agriculture will also appear .

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly: the Oireachtas Committee’s preference was that the Minister and acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn attend together if possible. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
A stand-off has developed between the Minister for Health and the Oireachtas Committee on Covid-19 over a request that he appear before the committee this week.
A spokeswoman for Stephen Donnelly said he and acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn would be unavailable to attend the committee's session on Thursday. The committee is holding a session on the recent spike in Covid infections in meat plants, as well as the Government's changing response to the crisis in light of new developments this week.
“The Minister received a request from the Oireachtas committee on Covid-19 at 5pm on Tuesday, August 11th, in which they asked him to attend a meeting of the committee on Thursday, August 13th. The Minister was unavailable at short notice,” the spokeswoman said, adding he would be happy to attend alongside Dr Glynn next week.
Initial request
It is understood an initial request for departmental representatives to attend the session, alongside Dr Glynn, was made on Monday this week, but the department told the committee that nobody from the department was available.
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Following this, committee members agreed that a second letter be sent, this time to Mr Donnelly, noting it had “expressed the view that communication and democratic accountability are paramount at this time”.
The letter said the committee’s preference was that Mr Donnelly and Dr Glynn attend together if possible, “or with a designated official on your behalf”.
In addition to recent outbreaks and strategic developments, the committee is set to discuss the implications of a Zero-Covid island policy, which has been supported by a group of scientists and academics who wrote to the committee last week. The group includes prominent public health, infectious disease and biochemistry experts.
The Health and Safety Authority, workers representatives and Meat Industry Ireland have been asked to appear at the first session of the committee on Thursday. Senior officials from the Department of Agriculture will also appear.


theirishtimes--2020-08-12--Covid-19 crisis shows public places can be made more accessible

Wheelchair user Catherine Chang says adapting to recent Covid-19 restrictions has shown how public facilities and businesses can be made more accessible for disabled people .
Ms Chang ( 41 ) , from Letterkenny in Co Donegal , suffers from a progressive muscular disorder known as muscular dystrophy and has been a wheelchair user for the past six years .
She had been working as a welcome adviser in a bank but has been cocooning since March 10th due to coronavirus .
“ For disabled people we were constantly being told it ’ s really difficult to make this accessible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that or the other , and what we ’ ve seen during Covid is that actually the physical structure of places can be changed really easily and loads of places are doing this , ” Ms Chang said .
“ It ’ s not that it can ’ t be done , it ’ s just that there didn ’ t seem to be a will there to do it .
It ’ s great to see the outdoor spaces becoming available because it ’ s actually going to make a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accessible to me accessible.
” Ms Chang had been planning to return to work on July 20th but following the postponement of phase four of the Government ’ s roadmap she has been advised to stay at home .
She ’ ll review the situation again at the end of August .
“ Hopefully at that point I can go back , ” she said .
“ My employer has been excellent in this regard , I ’ ve had no problems ...
When I return I probably won ’ t be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be more office based and I wouldn ’ t be meeting people as I ’ m still in that high-risk category.
” Ms Chang said she would have concerns about returning to work citing a lack of disabled parking in particular as restrictions have been lifted in recent weeks .
“ We do seem to have lost our already limited parking spaces .
I ’ ve noticed they ’ re blocked off for queuing so that could be an issue when you start going out again , ” she said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I suppose Irish people might still go to work even if they weren ’ t feeling well .
You ’ re sort of relying on people to do the right thing really .
“ However , the fact that wearing a mask has become mandatory would definitely make me feel safer going out again.
” Ms Chang said she has only been out locally and to the shops a few times since the middle of March but believes she may have found it easier to adapt to lockdown due to her disability .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoided them [ shops ] .
I ’ m lucky , I live in a rural area so I ’ ve loads of space , I can go for walks , get some fresh air or whatever .
I ’ m not in a small enclosed space so that helps , ” she added .
“ You just get into a routine .
I think if you have a disability or a chronic illness , you ’ re somebody who is used to adapting and to living with something that is out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re better equipped than some people to deal with that .
You just adapt to it and get on with it .
”

Wheelchair user Catherine Chang says adapting to recent Covid-19 restrictions has shown how public facilities and businesses can be made more accessible for disabled people.
Ms Chang (41), from Letterkenny in Co Donegal, suffers from a progressive muscular disorder known as muscular dystrophy and has been a wheelchair user for the past six years.
She had been working as a welcome adviser in a bank but has been cocooning since March 10th due to coronavirus.
“For disabled people we were constantly being told it’s really difficult to make this accessible and we need planning permission for this, that or the other, and what we’ve seen during Covid is that actually the physical structure of places can be changed really easily and loads of places are doing this,” Ms Chang said.
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“It’s not that it can’t be done, it’s just that there didn’t seem to be a will there to do it. It’s great to see the outdoor spaces becoming available because it’s actually going to make a lot of places that weren’t previously accessible to me accessible.”
Ms Chang had been planning to return to work on July 20th but following the postponement of phase four of the Government’s roadmap she has been advised to stay at home. She’ll review the situation again at the end of August.
“Hopefully at that point I can go back,” she said.
“My employer has been excellent in this regard, I’ve had no problems...When I return I probably won’t be in a customer-facing role. I imagine it will be more office based and I wouldn’t be meeting people as I’m still in that high-risk category.”
Disabled parking
Ms Chang said she would have concerns about returning to work citing a lack of disabled parking in particular as restrictions have been lifted in recent weeks.
“We do seem to have lost our already limited parking spaces. I’ve noticed they’re blocked off for queuing so that could be an issue when you start going out again,” she said.
“Then also in the office, traditionally I suppose Irish people might still go to work even if they weren’t feeling well. You’re sort of relying on people to do the right thing really.
“However, the fact that wearing a mask has become mandatory would definitely make me feel safer going out again.”
Ms Chang said she has only been out locally and to the shops a few times since the middle of March but believes she may have found it easier to adapt to lockdown due to her disability.
“Up until now I’ve avoided them [shops]. I’m lucky, I live in a rural area so I’ve loads of space, I can go for walks, get some fresh air or whatever. I’m not in a small enclosed space so that helps,” she added.
“You just get into a routine. I think if you have a disability or a chronic illness, you’re somebody who is used to adapting and to living with something that is out of your control, so in that way we’re better equipped than some people to deal with that. You just adapt to it and get on with it.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Government gives go ahead for €12m fund to help enterprise centres

The Government has given the go-ahead for a new €12 million fund to assist enterprise centres , which offer co-working spaces and other supports for small businesses .
The fund will be administered by Enterprise Ireland , with up to €150,000 available for applying enterprise centres , which in addition to providing space and training for companies , also administer grants .
The Tánaiste , Leo Varadkar , will launch the fund at an event at the Guinness Enterprise Centre in Dublin ’ s Liberties .
The smallest grant available is €10,000 , with the funds earmarked for recovery plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the next six to 12 months .
Mr Varadkar said the centres “ provide space , training , finance and advice to entrepreneurs and their services will be especially important over the coming months .
This funding will help them put in place a recovery plan which will ensure they can continue to deliver for all parts of Ireland ” .
Julie Sinnamon , the chief executive of Enterprise Ireland , said the centres “ provide a critical regional infrastructure for entrepreneurs , start-up companies and small enterprises ” .
She said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help eligible enterprise centres to continue to provide important services to start-ups in towns and villages across Ireland .
“ These Enterprise Centres have a key role in supporting regional enterprise and contributing to economic recovery , post Covid-19.
” The fund will cover 80 per cent of costs detailed in a recovery plan submitted by applicants , who will have to demonstrate the ability to finance the balance of funding , which can take the form of revenue generated through the centres activities over the duration of the plan .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centres – which can be for profit or not – must be headquartered in Ireland and provide rented accommodation space to enterprise and other supports and services through programmes offered .
The applicants will also have to demonstrate they need funding to cover operational costs over the next six to 2 months .

The Government has given the go-ahead for a new €12 million fund to assist enterprise centres, which offer co-working spaces and other supports for small businesses.
The fund will be administered by Enterprise Ireland, with up to €150,000 available for applying enterprise centres, which in addition to providing space and training for companies, also administer grants.
The Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar, will launch the fund at an event at the Guinness Enterprise Centre in Dublin's Liberties. The smallest grant available is €10,000, with the funds earmarked for recovery plans designed to help centres "reboot" over the next six to 12 months.
Mr Varadkar said the centres “provide space, training, finance and advice to entrepreneurs and their services will be especially important over the coming months. This funding will help them put in place a recovery plan which will ensure they can continue to deliver for all parts of Ireland”.
READ MORE
Julie Sinnamon, the chief executive of Enterprise Ireland, said the centres "provide a critical regional infrastructure for entrepreneurs, start-up companies and small enterprises". She said the fund would "provide financial support to help eligible enterprise centres to continue to provide important services to start-ups in towns and villages across Ireland.
“These Enterprise Centres have a key role in supporting regional enterprise and contributing to economic recovery, post Covid-19.”
The fund will cover 80 per cent of costs detailed in a recovery plan submitted by applicants, who will have to demonstrate the ability to finance the balance of funding, which can take the form of revenue generated through the centres activities over the duration of the plan.
In order to be considered eligible, the centres – which can be for profit or not – must be headquartered in Ireland and provide rented accommodation space to enterprise and other supports and services through programmes offered.
The applicants will also have to demonstrate they need funding to cover operational costs over the next six to 2 months.
Applications are open from Wednesday.


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Minister insists Leaving Cert students’ results will be ‘accurate, reliable and fair’ to all

Minister for Education Norma Foley has moved to reassure thousands of Leaving Cert students that the new calculated grades system will be “ accurate , reliable and fair to all students ” .
Her comments follow controversy in Scotland after the government reversed the downgrading of almost 125,000 students ’ calculated grades based on teachers ’ predictions .
Pupils in the poorest areas had been marked down the most , which prompted a public outcry , an apology from Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon and a reversal of all downgrades on Tuesday .
The controversy has sparked concerns that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scottish version , takes into account pupils ’ past performance as well as their school ’ s historic grades - will penalise children from poorer communities .
In a statement , a spokesman for the Department of Education said it noted the recent release of second level exam results to students in Scotland and the decisions made on Tuesday in respect of these .
“ The department and the Minister appreciates that this may cause anxiety for Irish students , awaiting their Leaving Certificate Calculated Grades results this year , ” the spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reassure all students that the stated aim of the calculated grades system is that the results will be accurate , reliable and fair to all students.
” He said the system was developed in close consultation with representative bodies of students , parents , teacher unions , school management and the higher and further education and training sector .
“ The process includes a national standardisation process , validation of the statistical model and quality assurance checks to ensure that this will be the case , ” the spokesman said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of whether the group of students taking a subject in the school this year is academically stronger ( or weaker ) than in previous years .
“ This means that the distribution of grades emerging from the school is not pre-ordained to be the same as it was in previous years.
” He said the process is overseen by international experts and an advisory group .
“ This process is still ongoing , and work is continuing to ensure that all students are treated fairly , ” the spokesman added .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convinced that the process will be fair to all students .
Labour ’ s education spokesman Aodhán Ó Riordáin TD said the education department in Scotland made similar reassuring statements which have since been proven to be unfounded .
“ The department has to be willing to readjust and reassess the process if what happened in Scotland is repeated over here .
Over there , the minister for education and first minister were willing to accept responsibility immediately and corect the process .
Our minister needs to be ready to do likewise and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in doubt.
” The Irish Second Level Students ’ Union said it hoped that officials overseeing the calculate grades process in Ireland will learn lessons from the Scottish experience .
Reuban Murray , the union ’ s president , said : “ Nicola Sturgeon , in her apology , said there was a focus on the process and not the students .
There ’ s now a chance to learn from that and revaluate our process.
” The National Parents ’ Council Post-Primary said it had given guarantees by the Department that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be fair and equitable to all students .
“ We were guaranteed that fairness and we won ’ t accept anything less , ” said Paul Rolston , the council ’ s spokesman .
“ In Ireland , the calculated grades process is only halfway through the system , so there is time to check and re-check everything to ensure fairness and equity apply in all cases.
” Ann Piggott , vice president of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland ( ASTI ) , said the decision in Ireland to defer the release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7th was indicative of a commitment to be as fair as possible to students .
Data being considered in each case to help ensure results were fair included marks by teachers , a student ’ s previous exam results , such as in the Junior Certificate , and national averages , she said .
She also highlighted the willingness of teachers to give up much of their summer to help the students do themselves justice despite the disruption to their education by the pandemic .
“ We wait in hope , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ and would hope our system will be done very fairly .
That this has become a big issue in Scotland will help ensure it won ’ t happen here , ” she said .
The calculated grades process involves teachers ’ predictions of what students would have achieved in the Leaving Cert along with the student ’ s rank order in a class .
This data is then subject to a national standardisation process which will include a review of the performance of this year ’ s group of students against their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department said this national standardisation process is necessary to provide the class of 2020 with grades which will be of equal standing and currency to previous and future Leaving Certificate grades .
It said this statistical process takes account of whether the group of students taking a subject in the school this year is academically stronger - or weaker - than in previous years .
This means that the distribution of grades emerging from the school is not pre-ordained to be the same as it was before .

Minister for Education Norma Foley has moved to reassure thousands of Leaving Cert students that the new calculated grades system will be "accurate, reliable and fair to all students".
Her comments follow controversy in Scotland after the government reversed the downgrading of almost 125,000 students' calculated grades based on teachers' predictions.
Pupils in the poorest areas had been marked down the most, which prompted a public outcry, an apology from Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon and a reversal of all downgrades on Tuesday.
The controversy has sparked concerns that the Irish approach – which, like the Scottish version, takes into account pupils’ past performance as well as their school’s historic grades - will penalise children from poorer communities.
READ MORE
In a statement, a spokesman for the Department of Education said it noted the recent release of second level exam results to students in Scotland and the decisions made on Tuesday in respect of these.
“The department and the Minister appreciates that this may cause anxiety for Irish students, awaiting their Leaving Certificate Calculated Grades results this year,” the spokesman said.
“The Minister would like to reassure all students that the stated aim of the calculated grades system is that the results will be accurate, reliable and fair to all students.”
He said the system was developed in close consultation with representative bodies of students, parents, teacher unions, school management and the higher and further education and training sector.
“The process includes a national standardisation process, validation of the statistical model and quality assurance checks to ensure that this will be the case,” the spokesman said.
"The statistical process in Ireland takes account of whether the group of students taking a subject in the school this year is academically stronger (or weaker) than in previous years.
“This means that the distribution of grades emerging from the school is not pre-ordained to be the same as it was in previous years.”
He said the process is overseen by international experts and an advisory group.
“This process is still ongoing, and work is continuing to ensure that all students are treated fairly,” the spokesman added.
However, Opposition parties said they were still not convinced that the process will be fair to all students.
Labour’s education spokesman Aodhán Ó Riordáin TD said the education department in Scotland made similar reassuring statements which have since been proven to be unfounded.
“The department has to be willing to readjust and reassess the process if what happened in Scotland is repeated over here. Over there, the minister for education and first minister were willing to accept responsibility immediately and corect the process. Our minister needs to be ready to do likewise and not hide behind the process if it is in doubt.”
The Irish Second Level Students’ Union said it hoped that officials overseeing the calculate grades process in Ireland will learn lessons from the Scottish experience.
Reuban Murray, the union’s president, said: “Nicola Sturgeon, in her apology, said there was a focus on the process and not the students. There’s now a chance to learn from that and revaluate our process.”
The National Parents’ Council Post-Primary said it had given guarantees by the Department that the process being adopted in Ireland will be fair and equitable to all students.
"We were guaranteed that fairness and we won't accept anything less," said Paul Rolston, the council's spokesman.
“In Ireland, the calculated grades process is only halfway through the system, so there is time to check and re-check everything to ensure fairness and equity apply in all cases.”
Ann Piggott, vice president of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI), said the decision in Ireland to defer the release date for Leaving Cert results to September 7th was indicative of a commitment to be as fair as possible to students.
Data being considered in each case to help ensure results were fair included marks by teachers, a student's previous exam results, such as in the Junior Certificate, and national averages, she said.
She also highlighted the willingness of teachers to give up much of their summer to help the students do themselves justice despite the disruption to their education by the pandemic.
“We wait in hope,” she said, referring to September 7th, “and would hope our system will be done very fairly. That this has become a big issue in Scotland will help ensure it won’t happen here,” she said.
The calculated grades process involves teachers’ predictions of what students would have achieved in the Leaving Cert along with the student’s rank order in a class.
This data is then subject to a national standardisation process which will include a review of the performance of this year's group of students against their overall performance at Junior Cycle.
The department said this national standardisation process is necessary to provide the class of 2020 with grades which will be of equal standing and currency to previous and future Leaving Certificate grades.
It said this statistical process takes account of whether the group of students taking a subject in the school this year is academically stronger - or weaker - than in previous years.
This means that the distribution of grades emerging from the school is not pre-ordained to be the same as it was before.


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Minister promises Leaving Cert students grades will be assessed fairly

Minister for Education Norma Foley has moved to reassure thousands of Leaving Cert students that the new calculated grades system will be “ accurate , reliable and fair to all students ” .
Her comments follow controversy in Scotland where the government has reversed the downgrading of almost 125,000 students ’ calculated grades based on teachers ’ predictions , Pupils in the poorest areas had been marked down the most , prompting a public outcry , an apology from Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon and a reversal of all downgrades on Tuesday , The controversy has sparked concerns that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scottish version , takes into account pupils ’ past performance as well as their school ’ s historic grades - will penalise children from poorer communities .
In a statement , a spokesman for the Department of Education said it noted the recent release of second level exam results to students in Scotland and the decisions made on Tuesday in respect of these .
“ The department and the Minister appreciates that this may cause anxiety for Irish students , awaiting their Leaving Certificate Calculated Grades results this year , ” the spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reassure all students that the stated aim of the calculated grades system is that the results will be accurate , reliable and fair to all students.
” He said the system was developed in close consultation with representative bodies of students , parents , teacher unions , school management and the higher and further education and training sector .
“ The process includes a national standardisation process , validation of the statistical model and quality assurance checks to ensure that this will be the case , ” the spokesman said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of whether the group of students taking a subject in the school this year is academically stronger ( or weaker ) than in previous years .
“ This means that the distribution of grades emerging from the school is not pre-ordained to be the same as it was in previous years.
” He said the process is overseen by international experts and an advisory group .
“ This process is still ongoing , and work is continuing to ensure that all students are treated fairly , ” the spokesman added .
The Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoped officials in Ireland will learn lessons from the Scottish experience .
Reuben Murray , the union ’ s president , said : “ Nicola Sturgeon , in her apology , said there was a focus on the process and not the students .
There ’ s now a chance to learn from that and revaluate our process.
” The National Parents ’ Council Post-Primary said it had given guarantees by the department that the process being adopted in Ireland will be fair and equitable to all students .
“ We were guaranteed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accept anything less , ” said Paul Rolston , the council ’ s spokesman .
“ In Ireland , the calculated grades process is only halfway through the system , so there is time to check and re-check everything to ensure fairness and equity apply in all cases.
” Ann Piggott , vice president of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland , said the decision in Ireland to defer the release date for Leaving Cert results to September 7th was indicative of a commitment to be as fair as possible to students .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope our system will be done very fairly .
That this has become a big issue in Scotland will help ensure it won ’ t happen here , ” she said .
Data being considered in each case to help ensure results were fair included marks by teachers , a student ’ s previous exam results , such as in the Junior Certificate , and national averages , she said .
She also highlighted the willingness of teachers to give up much of their summer to help the students do themselves justice despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The calculated grades process involves teachers ’ predictions of what students would have achieved in the Leaving Cert along with the student ’ s rank order in a class .
This data is then subject to a national standardisation process which will include a review of the performance of this year ’ s group of students against their overall performance at Junior Cycle .
The department said this national standardisation process is necessary to provide the class of 2020 with grades which will be of equal standing and currency to previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said this statistical process takes account of whether the group of students taking a subject in the school this year is academically stronger - or weaker - than in previous years .
This means that the distribution of grades emerging from the school is not pre-ordained to be the same as it was before .

Minister for Education Norma Foley: said work is continuing ‘to ensure that all students are treated fairly’. Photograph: Alan Betson
Minister for Education Norma Foley has moved to reassure thousands of Leaving Cert students that the new calculated grades system will be "accurate, reliable and fair to all students".
Her comments follow controversy in Scotland where the government has reversed the downgrading of almost 125,000 students' calculated grades based on teachers' predictions,
Pupils in the poorest areas had been marked down the most, prompting a public outcry, an apology from Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon and a reversal of all downgrades on Tuesday,
The controversy has sparked concerns that the Irish approach – which, like the Scottish version, takes into account pupils’ past performance as well as their school’s historic grades - will penalise children from poorer communities.
READ MORE
In a statement, a spokesman for the Department of Education said it noted the recent release of second level exam results to students in Scotland and the decisions made on Tuesday in respect of these.
“The department and the Minister appreciates that this may cause anxiety for Irish students, awaiting their Leaving Certificate Calculated Grades results this year,” the spokesman said.
“The Minister would like to reassure all students that the stated aim of the calculated grades system is that the results will be accurate, reliable and fair to all students.”
He said the system was developed in close consultation with representative bodies of students, parents, teacher unions, school management and the higher and further education and training sector.
“The process includes a national standardisation process, validation of the statistical model and quality assurance checks to ensure that this will be the case,” the spokesman said.
Quality
"The statistical process in Ireland takes account of whether the group of students taking a subject in the school this year is academically stronger (or weaker) than in previous years.
“This means that the distribution of grades emerging from the school is not pre-ordained to be the same as it was in previous years.”
He said the process is overseen by international experts and an advisory group.
“This process is still ongoing, and work is continuing to ensure that all students are treated fairly,” the spokesman added.
The Irish Second Level Students’ Union said it hoped officials in Ireland will learn lessons from the Scottish experience.
Reuben Murray, the union’s president, said: “Nicola Sturgeon, in her apology, said there was a focus on the process and not the students. There’s now a chance to learn from that and revaluate our process.”
The National Parents’ Council Post-Primary said it had given guarantees by the department that the process being adopted in Ireland will be fair and equitable to all students.
“We were guaranteed that fairness and we won’t accept anything less,” said Paul Rolston, the council’s spokesman. “In Ireland, the calculated grades process is only halfway through the system, so there is time to check and re-check everything to ensure fairness and equity apply in all cases.”
Ann Piggott, vice president of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland, said the decision in Ireland to defer the release date for Leaving Cert results to September 7th was indicative of a commitment to be as fair as possible to students.
“We wait in hope and would hope our system will be done very fairly. That this has become a big issue in Scotland will help ensure it won’t happen here,” she said.
Predictions
Data being considered in each case to help ensure results were fair included marks by teachers, a student's previous exam results, such as in the Junior Certificate, and national averages, she said.
She also highlighted the willingness of teachers to give up much of their summer to help the students do themselves justice despite the disruption to their education by the pandemic.
The calculated grades process involves teachers’ predictions of what students would have achieved in the Leaving Cert along with the student’s rank order in a class.
This data is then subject to a national standardisation process which will include a review of the performance of this year’s group of students against their overall performance at Junior Cycle.
The department said this national standardisation process is necessary to provide the class of 2020 with grades which will be of equal standing and currency to previous and future Leaving Certificate grades.
It said this statistical process takes account of whether the group of students taking a subject in the school this year is academically stronger - or weaker - than in previous years.
This means that the distribution of grades emerging from the school is not pre-ordained to be the same as it was before.


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Adoptions facilitated in face of Covid-19 obstacles

Up to 40 children were adopted by long-term foster parents after the Adoption Authority took last-minute action to ensure that Covid-19 restrictions did not block their chance of adoption .
Adoption orders can not be granted once a child turns 18 years of age , but the law also requires that evidence is given in hearings by all parties , including the natural parents before a final adoption order is made The Covid-19 restriction meant that face-to-face hearings could not be held , so the Adoption Authority opted for videolink hearings , where the children gave evidence remotely from their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s 2019 annual report on Tuesday , its chairman Dr Geoffrey Shannon said the children were extremely comfortable while they gave evidence .
“ What I felt particularly interesting was hearing children who were , remotely , in their world , not in our world and children felt very comfortable tendering evidence in their world , ” said Dr Shannon .
“ It was certainly clear that children felt they were heard .
.
.
maybe there are lessons to be learned , ” he said .
Adoption Authority staff worked through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the applications of children whose adoption by long-term foster parents was eased by the Adoption Amendment Act 2017 .
“ It was challenging but rewarding that we managed to ensure that no child failed in their desire to be adopted , ” Dr Shannon told The Irish Times , “ These children were going to age out during the pandemic and there needed to be a response , ” Dr Shannon said of the highly unusual circumstances .
“ If we were to have waited , there was no possibility of the child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] .
” In total , between 30 and 40 applications were finalised between March and July , a “ child-friendly ” pandemic response Dr Shannon described as the high point of his chairmanship .
Meanwhile , the authority ’ s 2019 annual report noted it had taken about 13,000 adoption files and records from Cúnamh Adoption Agency , formerly the Catholic Protection and Rescue Society of Ireland , which closed down last year after more than a century .
That followed the passing of the Adoption ( Information and Tracing ) Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solely on State agencies .
The authority received 560 applications to the National Adoption Contact Preference Register which mediates contact between adoptees and birth relatives , leading to a potential match in 115 cases .
The total number of entries now stands at over 14,500 .
It received 71 requests from adopted people for the release of their birth certificate which are now being “ actively considered ” .
During the year , 37 birth certificates were released ( compared to 43 in 2018 ) and nine requests were refused ( six in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adoption orders were granted in 2019 , the majority ( 51 ) of which related to stepfamilies .
Twenty-one orders were made in respect of children who had been in long-term fostercare .
Of the orders granted last year , 35 related to 17 year olds .
In total , 104 declarations of eligibility and suitability were granted to those pursuing domestic adoptions , an increase of 25 over 2018 .
Dr Shannon said that although non-essential travel had interrupted or slowed progress in foreign adoptions , no children had been left in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , the authority granted 48 declarations of eligibility to people seeking to adopt abroad and extended 27 existing declarations by a year .
Ireland operates adoption arrangements with a select number of countries .
Last year a total of 33 foreign adoptions were recognised by Ireland , with the highest number , 18 , coming from Vietnam .

Adoption Authority chairman Dr Geoffrey Shannon: “It was challenging but rewarding that we managed to ensure that no child failed in their desire to be adopted.” Photograph: Eric Luke
Up to 40 children were adopted by long-term foster parents after the Adoption Authority took last-minute action to ensure that Covid-19 restrictions did not block their chance of adoption.
Adoption orders cannot be granted once a child turns 18 years of age, but the law also requires that evidence is given in hearings by all parties, including the natural parents before a final adoption order is made
The Covid-19 restriction meant that face-to-face hearings could not be held, so the Adoption Authority opted for videolink hearings, where the children gave evidence remotely from their own homes.
Launching the authority's 2019 annual report on Tuesday, its chairman Dr Geoffrey Shannon said the children were extremely comfortable while they gave evidence.
READ MORE
“What I felt particularly interesting was hearing children who were, remotely, in their world, not in our world and children felt very comfortable tendering evidence in their world,” said Dr Shannon.
“It was certainly clear that children felt they were heard . . . maybe there are lessons to be learned,” he said.
Adoption Authority staff worked through the lockdown in March and April to process the applications of children whose adoption by long-term foster parents was eased by the Adoption Amendment Act 2017.
Ageing out
“It was challenging but rewarding that we managed to ensure that no child failed in their desire to be adopted,” Dr Shannon told The Irish Times,
“These children were going to age out during the pandemic and there needed to be a response,” Dr Shannon said of the highly unusual circumstances. “If we were to have waited, there was no possibility of the child being adopted [once they turned 18].”
In total, between 30 and 40 applications were finalised between March and July, a “child-friendly” pandemic response Dr Shannon described as the high point of his chairmanship.
Meanwhile, the authority's 2019 annual report noted it had taken about 13,000 adoption files and records from Cúnamh Adoption Agency, formerly the Catholic Protection and Rescue Society of Ireland, which closed down last year after more than a century.
That followed the passing of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill which placed all responsibility for adoption information solely on State agencies.
Birth certificates
The authority received 560 applications to the National Adoption Contact Preference Register which mediates contact between adoptees and birth relatives, leading to a potential match in 115 cases. The total number of entries now stands at over 14,500.
It received 71 requests from adopted people for the release of their birth certificate which are now being “actively considered”.
During the year, 37 birth certificates were released (compared to 43 in 2018) and nine requests were refused (six in 2018).
Altogether, 79 domestic adoption orders were granted in 2019, the majority (51) of which related to stepfamilies. Twenty-one orders were made in respect of children who had been in long-term fostercare.
Of the orders granted last year, 35 related to 17 year olds.
In total, 104 declarations of eligibility and suitability were granted to those pursuing domestic adoptions, an increase of 25 over 2018.
Dr Shannon said that although non-essential travel had interrupted or slowed progress in foreign adoptions, no children had been left in legal limbo as a consequence.
In 2019, the authority granted 48 declarations of eligibility to people seeking to adopt abroad and extended 27 existing declarations by a year.
Ireland operates adoption arrangements with a select number of countries. Last year a total of 33 foreign adoptions were recognised by Ireland, with the highest number, 18, coming from Vietnam.


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Not the shopkeeper’s job to enforce mask regulation – Healy-Rae

Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae believes shopkeepers should not have to enforce mask regulations , but he is fortunate as customers at the family ’ s supermarket and filling station in Kilgarvan are prepared to wear them .
Over the course of an hour or so around noon on Tuesday , 90 per cent of people , locals and visitors alike , obeyed the regulations and donned face masks before entering the busy shop and filling station in the south Kerry village .
Michael Healy-Rae himself donned one as he went for a cup of coffee during a break from building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he repeated his view that it is not the job of shopkeepers to enforce the Government ’ s regulation .
“ I would say we have nearly 100 per cent compliance .
People are happy to comply , but it shouldn ’ t be up to shopkeepers to enforce it .
We have enough to do to run shops , our job is not enforce it .
“ I ’ m not going to stop you going in to the shop if I see you are not wearing a mask .
I might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , you are coming in , you might think of the old mask.
’ “ But you ’ ll remember it yourself because if you ’ ve forgotten it , you will quickly realise it when you see everybody else wearing a mask .
Nobody wants not to be compliant , ” he declared .
Michael ’ s wife , Eileen , who manages the store , reckoned there was 90 per cent plus compliance : “ The morning lads are in a bit of a hurry and they forget , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re nearly all wearing masks.
” Cork couple Brian and Mildred Callinan enjoyed a coffee outside the shop following a short break in Killarney but , unlike Healy-Rae , they believe shopkeepers should enforce the regulation which carries a €2,500 fine if breached .
“ Shopkeepers have to start telling people that they can ’ t come in without a mask , ” said Mildred , “ We need proper enforcement , otherwise we are never going to get out of it.
” Her husband agreed : “ We have a law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t see how the shopkeeper has any choice in the matter .
We ’ ve been getting good advice but we were lacking the legislation to back it up – until now.
” Jeff Rousseau , originally from near La Rochelle in France but living in Kenmare for 18 years , wore a mask as he entered the shop , though he does not like doing so as he has asthma .
Nevertheless , he feels he should wear one .
“ I think we are handling it well in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Most people are wearing masks .
I have asthma , so I find it difficult to breathe with a mask but I am making the effort , ” he said .
Wearing a bandana-style mask , Kilgarvan local Graham Fitzgerald agreed with Healy-Rae , though he feels peer pressure will do its job : “ If you go into a shop now without a mask , you almost feel that people are looking at you oddly .
”

Michael Healy-Rae is fortunate as most customers at the family’s supermarket and filling station in Kilgarvan are prepared to wear face masks. Photograph: Collins Courts
Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae believes shopkeepers should not have to enforce mask regulations, but he is fortunate as customers at the family's supermarket and filling station in Kilgarvan are prepared to wear them.
Over the course of an hour or so around noon on Tuesday, 90 per cent of people, locals and visitors alike, obeyed the regulations and donned face masks before entering the busy shop and filling station in the south Kerry village.
Michael Healy-Rae himself donned one as he went for a cup of coffee during a break from building work on a nearby house, but he repeated his view that it is not the job of shopkeepers to enforce the Government’s regulation.
“I would say we have nearly 100 per cent compliance. People are happy to comply, but it shouldn’t be up to shopkeepers to enforce it. We have enough to do to run shops, our job is not enforce it.
READ MORE
“I’m not going to stop you going in to the shop if I see you are not wearing a mask. I might politely say to you ‘The next time, you are coming in, you might think of the old mask.’
“But you’ll remember it yourself because if you’ve forgotten it, you will quickly realise it when you see everybody else wearing a mask. Nobody wants not to be compliant,” he declared.
Michael’s wife, Eileen, who manages the store, reckoned there was 90 per cent plus compliance: “The morning lads are in a bit of a hurry and they forget, but as the morning moves on, they’re nearly all wearing masks.”
Fine of €2,500
Cork couple Brian and Mildred Callinan enjoyed a coffee outside the shop following a short break in Killarney but, unlike Healy-Rae, they believe shopkeepers should enforce the regulation which carries a €2,500 fine if breached.
“Shopkeepers have to start telling people that they can’t come in without a mask,” said Mildred, “We need proper enforcement, otherwise we are never going to get out of it.”
Her husband agreed: “We have a law saying people have to wear masks so I don’t see how the shopkeeper has any choice in the matter. We’ve been getting good advice but we were lacking the legislation to back it up – until now.”
Jeff Rousseau, originally from near La Rochelle in France but living in Kenmare for 18 years, wore a mask as he entered the shop, though he does not like doing so as he has asthma. Nevertheless, he feels he should wear one.
"I think we are handling it well in Ireland. People are showing common sense. Most people are wearing masks. I have asthma, so I find it difficult to breathe with a mask but I am making the effort," he said.
Wearing a bandana-style mask, Kilgarvan local Graham Fitzgerald agreed with Healy-Rae, though he feels peer pressure will do its job: "If you go into a shop now without a mask, you almost feel that people are looking at you oddly."


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Provisional liquidators appointed to Dublin city centre nursing home

The High Court has appointed joint provisional liquidators to a Dublin city centre based nursing home .
The application was in relation to St Monica ’ s Nursing Home Ltd , which ran the elderly care facility at Belvedere Place , Dublin had catered for 46 residents , and had employed 65 full-time and part-time employees .
The company , which is a registered charity , is insolvent , unable to pay its debts as they fall due arising out of a drop of income , and an inability to fund fire safety improvements that it needed to carry out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operate a nursing home .
The firm sought the appointment of liquidators to ensure that the business is wound up in an orderly fashion .
Ms Justice Teresa Pilkington at Tuesday ’ s vacation sitting of the High Court said she was satisfied to appoint insolvency practitioners Ian Barrett and Shane McCarthy of KPMG Ireland as joint provisional liquidators to the company .
Seeking their appointment Stephen Brady BL for the company said the company , whose members are the Religious Sisters of Charity order , had decided some months ago to cease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home did not have the estimated €1.3 million required to pay for fire safety improvements .
Its sole source of funding came from the State ’ s Nursing Homes Support Scheme .
The firm ’ s inability to carry out these improvements meant its operating licence would have been withdrawn before the end of the year .
Counsel said the home had suffered a loss of income of €135,000 per year when in order to comply with Hiqa ’ s health and safety regulations it had to convert two rooms used for patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned to move the residents to other suitable facilities and wind down the business by the end of June , and it had informed all relevant parties of its decision .
However , this plan , counsel said , had been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic , which had a particularly strong impact on the nursing home sector .
St Monica ’ s had been able to move most of its residents , and only 14 currently remain .
It was hoped that all of the remaining residents will be transferred by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counsel said that the delay has meant that the company is insolvent and unable to pay its debts to it creditors as they fall due .
One of its main creditors , counsel said , are its employees , many of whom have put in years of good service to the company .
Counsel said they are collectively owed up to €900,000 in redundancy and other payments .
In light of its situation the board , which consists of voluntary directors , resolved to seek the appointment of liquidators who would be best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the company for the benefit of all parties including the creditors .
Ms Justice Pilkington in making the appointment noted the directors ’ desire to bring in professional help and adjourned the matter to a date in the new legal term .

The company, which is a registered charity, is insolvent, unable to pay its debts as they fall due arising out of a drop of income, and an inability to fund fire safety improvements that it needed to carry out in order to retain a licence to operate a nursing home. Photograph Nick Bradshaw
The High Court has appointed joint provisional liquidators to a Dublin city centre based nursing home.
The application was in relation to St Monica’s Nursing Home Ltd, which ran the elderly care facility at Belvedere Place, Dublin had catered for 46 residents, and had employed 65 full-time and part-time employees.
The company, which is a registered charity, is insolvent, unable to pay its debts as they fall due arising out of a drop of income, and an inability to fund fire safety improvements that it needed to carry out in order to retain a licence to operate a nursing home.
The firm sought the appointment of liquidators to ensure that the business is wound up in an orderly fashion.
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Ms Justice Teresa Pilkington at Tuesday’s vacation sitting of the High Court said she was satisfied to appoint insolvency practitioners Ian Barrett and Shane McCarthy of KPMG Ireland as joint provisional liquidators to the company.
Seeking their appointment Stephen Brady BL for the company said the company, whose members are the Religious Sisters of Charity order, had decided some months ago to cease trading.
This was because the nursing home did not have the estimated €1.3 million required to pay for fire safety improvements. Its sole source of funding came from the State’s Nursing Homes Support Scheme.
The firm’s inability to carry out these improvements meant its operating licence would have been withdrawn before the end of the year.
Counsel said the home had suffered a loss of income of €135,000 per year when in order to comply with Hiqa’s health and safety regulations it had to convert two rooms used for patients into additional storage space.
It had planned to move the residents to other suitable facilities and wind down the business by the end of June, and it had informed all relevant parties of its decision.
However, this plan, counsel said, had been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which had a particularly strong impact on the nursing home sector.
St Monica’s had been able to move most of its residents, and only 14 currently remain. It was hoped that all of the remaining residents will be transferred by the end of August.
However, counsel said that the delay has meant that the company is insolvent and unable to pay its debts to it creditors as they fall due.
One of its main creditors, counsel said, are its employees, many of whom have put in years of good service to the company. Counsel said they are collectively owed up to €900,000 in redundancy and other payments.
In light of its situation the board, which consists of voluntary directors, resolved to seek the appointment of liquidators who would be best placed to manage the orderly winding up of the company for the benefit of all parties including the creditors.
Ms Justice Pilkington in making the appointment noted the directors’ desire to bring in professional help and adjourned the matter to a date in the new legal term.


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--North’s Minister for Health expresses concern amid rise in Covid-19 cases

The North ’ s Minister for Health has expressed his “ concern ” at the “ continuing threat ” posed by coronavirus , as the number of cases of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland continues to rise .
According to figures released by the Northern Ireland Department of Health ( DoH ) on Tuesday , 48 new cases of coronavirus were identified in the North in the previous 24 hours .
The number of new cases of Covid-19 has been increasing in the North , where almost 200 people have tested positive for the disease in the last seven days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister for Health Robin Swann said there was now “ an average of over 27 new positive cases per day compared to approximately three per day a few short weeks ago ” .
“ It is very concerning that nine people have been admitted to hospital with Covid-19 , two of which are currently in ICU .
“ This highlights the continuing threat from Covid-19 and we must all do everything within our power to tackle this , ” he added .
Mr Swann ’ s department reported no further coronavirus-related fatalities on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DoH-recorded deaths since the outbreak of the pandemic at 557 .
In total , 6,188 people in Northern Ireland have tested positive for Covid-19 .
Meanwhile , a Belfast grammar school is to make the wearing of face coverings mandatory for pupils , staff and visitors .
Belfast Royal Academy , in north Belfast , said in a letter to parents and guardians that students would not be allowed into class without a mask .
The Department of Education in the North is due to publish detailed guidance on the reopening of schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice on the use of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) and face coverings .
The grammar school ’ s principal , Hilary Woods , said in a statement on Tuesday that the decision had been taken in order to allow all students to return to school on a full-time basis .
“ The guidance is designed to ensure the safe operation of the school and to protect all members of our community , particularly those who are vulnerable , ” she said .
A reusable mask in school colours is to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and member of staff .
Provision will be made for those who are unable to wear a mask for health reasons .
Ms Woods told the BBC that a number of factors had been taken into account in the decision , including the advice on face coverings from the North ’ s chief scientific adviser , and that the school had noted “ with interest the decision taken by schools in the Republic of Ireland to make the wearing of face masks there mandatory ” .
Guidance published by the Department of Education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students and teachers in primary and secondary schools to wear face coverings in class when physical distance of 2m can not be maintained .
In a statement , the North ’ s Department of Education said “ any specific public health advice will be followed regarding the use of PPE and face coverings for teachers and pupils ” .
The North ’ s chief scientific adviser , Prof Ian Young , has recommended to the department that there may be “ some benefit ” to the use of face coverings by older pupils @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , the Minister for Education , Peter Weir , said last week that pupils would not be required to wear masks in school , and described the policy as “ not implementable ” .
Certain year groups will return to school in Northern Ireland on August 24th , with all pupils to attend on a full-time basis from the following week .
Face coverings are mandatory on public transport and in shops and other enclosed spaces in Northern Ireland .
Slemish College in Ballymena , Co Antrim , has advised its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school building when collecting their A-level results on Thursday .
The school said that while it would “ strongly encourage ” all students to wear face masks to school when classes resume , this was not currently mandatory .

The North's Minister for Health has expressed his "concern" at the "continuing threat" posed by coronavirus, as the number of cases of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland continues to rise.
According to figures released by the Northern Ireland Department of Health (DoH) on Tuesday, 48 new cases of coronavirus were identified in the North in the previous 24 hours.
The number of new cases of Covid-19 has been increasing in the North, where almost 200 people have tested positive for the disease in the last seven days, compared with 97 the week before.
Minister for Health Robin Swann said there was now "an average of over 27 new positive cases per day compared to approximately three per day a few short weeks ago".
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“It is very concerning that nine people have been admitted to hospital with Covid-19, two of which are currently in ICU.
“This highlights the continuing threat from Covid-19 and we must all do everything within our power to tackle this,” he added.
Mr Swann’s department reported no further coronavirus-related fatalities on Tuesday, leaving the total number of DoH-recorded deaths since the outbreak of the pandemic at 557. In total, 6,188 people in Northern Ireland have tested positive for Covid-19.
Mandatory face coverings
Meanwhile, a Belfast grammar school is to make the wearing of face coverings mandatory for pupils, staff and visitors.
Belfast Royal Academy, in north Belfast, said in a letter to parents and guardians that students would not be allowed into class without a mask.
The Department of Education in the North is due to publish detailed guidance on the reopening of schools later this week, which will include advice on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and face coverings.
The grammar school's principal, Hilary Woods, said in a statement on Tuesday that the decision had been taken in order to allow all students to return to school on a full-time basis.
“The guidance is designed to ensure the safe operation of the school and to protect all members of our community, particularly those who are vulnerable,” she said.
A reusable mask in school colours is to be provided free of charge to every student and member of staff. Provision will be made for those who are unable to wear a mask for health reasons.
Ms Woods told the BBC that a number of factors had been taken into account in the decision, including the advice on face coverings from the North’s chief scientific adviser, and that the school had noted “with interest the decision taken by schools in the Republic of Ireland to make the wearing of face masks there mandatory”.
Guidance published by the Department of Education in Dublin last week requires secondary school students and teachers in primary and secondary schools to wear face coverings in class when physical distance of 2m cannot be maintained.
Public health advice
In a statement, the North’s Department of Education said “any specific public health advice will be followed regarding the use of PPE and face coverings for teachers and pupils”.
The North's chief scientific adviser, Prof Ian Young, has recommended to the department that there may be "some benefit" to the use of face coverings by older pupils where social distancing cannot be maintained.
However, the Minister for Education, Peter Weir, said last week that pupils would not be required to wear masks in school, and described the policy as "not implementable".
Certain year groups will return to school in Northern Ireland on August 24th, with all pupils to attend on a full-time basis from the following week.
Face coverings are mandatory on public transport and in shops and other enclosed spaces in Northern Ireland.
Slemish College in Ballymena, Co Antrim, has advised its pupils to wear face coverings inside the school building when collecting their A-level results on Thursday.
The school said that while it would “strongly encourage” all students to wear face masks to school when classes resume, this was not currently mandatory.


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Chinese consulate removes claim that North’s Executive endorses Hong Kong law

The Chinese consulate in Belfast has removed a controversial claim on its website that the Northern Ireland Executive “ understands and respects ” new security legislation in Hong Kong .
Both the North ’ s First and Deputy First Minister rejected the alleged endorsement on Tuesday , with Arlene Foster tweeting that it “ misrepresents ” what was said at a meeting the two ministers held with the Chinese consul general .
“ My position on Hong Kong is the same as that of HMG [ her majesty ’ s government ] , ” Ms Foster tweeted .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consul general ] Madame Zhang to underscore my disappointment.
” Deputy First Minister Michelle O ’ Neill tweeted that she had “ made it very clear that I supported the ‘ One Country , Two Systems ’ international agreement ” for Hong Kong .
There has been widespread international criticism of the new law in Hong Kong imposed by China in June , which gives Beijing additional powers to clamp down on and punish pro-democracy protesters in the city .
The UK foreign secretary , Dominic Raab , described the law as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and freedom of peaceful protest for the people of Hong Kong ” .
The Irish News published on Tuesday a translation of a report on the Chinese consulate ’ s website of a video call which took place between the consul general and the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister last month .
The report claimed that , during the call , Ms Foster and Ms O ’ Neill had thanked China for its support during the coronavirus pandemic and that they stated that the “ Northern Ireland government cherishes friendship with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hong Kong ’ s national security legislation ” .
However , by Tuesday evening , this section had been removed , and the website stated only that “ Foster and O ’ Neill expressed that Northern Ireland is willing to further strengthen mutually beneficial co-operation with China in epidemic prevention and control , local co-operation , economic , trade , and tourism , so as to better benefit the people of both sides ” .
Earlier on Tuesday a spokeswoman for the Executive Office said that during the call the Chinese consul general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hong Kong .
The Chinese consulate ’ s report , she said , “ does not reflect [ the ] ministers ’ positions on Hong Kong security legislation , nor their comments at a recent courtesy meeting with the Chinese consul general .
“ As these matters are not devolved , [ the ] ministers [ during the meeting ] stated their awareness of the issues and their hope that the matter could be resolved.
” Amnesty International ’ s Northern Ireland programme director , Patrick Corrigan , called on the Northern Executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We need to hear a clear public condemnation from Arlene Foster and Michelle O ’ Neill of what the Chinese government is doing in Hong Kong and Xinjiang , ” he said .
“ Hong Kong is suffering a brutal crackdown on human rights .
.
.
meanwhile , in Xinjiang , northwest China , an estimated 1 million Muslim people have been interned in so-called re-education camps .
“ If the First and Deputy First Minister did challenge these human rights abuses , given the official Chinese report , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Additional reporting – PA .

First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill have been urged to clarify the details of a teleconference with a senior Chinese official. File photograph: Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA Wire
The Chinese consulate in Belfast has removed a controversial claim on its website that the Northern Ireland Executive "understands and respects" new security legislation in Hong Kong.
Both the North's First and Deputy First Minister rejected the alleged endorsement on Tuesday, with Arlene Foster tweeting that it "misrepresents" what was said at a meeting the two ministers held with the Chinese consul general.
“My position on Hong Kong is the same as that of HMG [her majesty’s government],” Ms Foster tweeted. “I will be writing to [the Chinese consul general] Madame Zhang to underscore my disappointment.”
Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill tweeted that she had “made it very clear that I supported the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ international agreement” for Hong Kong.
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There has been widespread international criticism of the new law in Hong Kong imposed by China in June, which gives Beijing additional powers to clamp down on and punish pro-democracy protesters in the city.
The UK foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, described the law as “a flagrant assault on freedom of speech and freedom of peaceful protest for the people of Hong Kong”.
The Irish News published on Tuesday a translation of a report on the Chinese consulate’s website of a video call which took place between the consul general and the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister last month.
The report claimed that, during the call, Ms Foster and Ms O’Neill had thanked China for its support during the coronavirus pandemic and that they stated that the “Northern Ireland government cherishes friendship with China [and] understands and respects Hong Kong’s national security legislation”.
However, by Tuesday evening, this section had been removed, and the website stated only that “Foster and O’Neill expressed that Northern Ireland is willing to further strengthen mutually beneficial co-operation with China in epidemic prevention and control, local co-operation, economic, trade, and tourism, so as to better benefit the people of both sides”.
Chinese statement
Earlier on Tuesday a spokeswoman for the Executive Office said that during the call the Chinese consul general had read a Chinese government statement on Hong Kong.
The Chinese consulate’s report, she said, “does not reflect [the] ministers’ positions on Hong Kong security legislation, nor their comments at a recent courtesy meeting with the Chinese consul general.
“As these matters are not devolved, [the] ministers [during the meeting] stated their awareness of the issues and their hope that the matter could be resolved.”
Amnesty International's Northern Ireland programme director, Patrick Corrigan, called on the Northern Executive to publish its minutes of the meeting.
"We need to hear a clear public condemnation from Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill of what the Chinese government is doing in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, " he said.
“Hong Kong is suffering a brutal crackdown on human rights . . . meanwhile, in Xinjiang, northwest China, an estimated 1 million Muslim people have been interned in so-called re-education camps.
“If the First and Deputy First Minister did challenge these human rights abuses, given the official Chinese report, we now need clear evidence of that.” Additional reporting – PA.