theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Large gatherings reported throughout State on bank holiday

Gardaí around the country reported large gatherings of people at beaches and beauty spots on the Monday bank holiday despite restrictions on movement because of the coronavirus pandemic .
However , few major incidents of public disorder were reported .
Garda figures on the number of people arrested over breaches of the restrictions were not available on Monday night .
Tens of thousands of people headed out in the sunshine across the country on Monday , which was the hottest day of the year so far with temperatures exceeding 27 degrees in the west of the country .
Temperatures reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , exceeding the high of 26.8 degrees recorded in Mount Dillon , Co Roscommon , on Saturday .
Tuesday is forecast to be the hottest day of 2020 so far with highest temperatures in Munster and Leinster as a warm plume of air moves over Dublin and Cork .
Separately , thousands of people gathered in Dublin on Monday to protest against the killing of George Floyd by police in the US , one of many Black Lives Matter protests that took place globally , but gardaí did little to enforce the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers of people involved .
Protests are not considered essential journeys under Government regulations .
Throughout the weekend gardaí focused on traffic safety enforcement , with coronavirus policing centred on popular public gathering locations .
“ There were lots more on the roads .
Lots more gathering .
But groups are mostly keeping apart from each other , which is what we ’ re asking for , ” said one Garda who had been on patrol in north Dublin city on Monday .
Several public beaches were closed by gardaí around the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Salthill , Co Galway , two males were arrested on Saturday after a large public order incident involving some 40 youths .
Local gardaí maintained a presence in the area throughout the rest of the long weekend to prevent repeat disturbances .
Beaches in counties Cork , Kerry , Donegal and Louth were also closed due to the size of crowds gathering there .
Meanwhile , a leading expert has warned that house parties being held around Ireland are a “ disaster ” for efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in house parties in recent weeks despite the ongoing lockdown .
Prof Sam McConkey , infectious disease specialist at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , said hundreds of people gathering at beaches was “ relatively safe ” but dozens turning up to individual house parties was “ very , very bad ” .
“ Indoor house parties are a disaster for this , ” he said .
“ Whereas being outdoors in the open air , even if you had 500 people on a beach , is relatively safe .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it away.
” On Sunday more than 60 residents living near University College Cork held a silent protest against what they claimed were breaches of Covid-19 restrictions by students holding parties in rented accommodation .
Prof McConkey said while the declining number of new cases of coronavirus was “ very heartening ” , more clarity would be helpful on the proportion that came about through “ unexplained community transmission ” .
If it was significant , it would be “ very worrying because if would mean there is still uncontrolled spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ haven ’ t got knowledge of the trains of transmission well enough yet ” .
Any further easing of the restrictions should be dictated by the scale of unexplained community transmission , he told RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland .
“ If we relax restrictions when there are still , say , 20 or 30 cases of community transmission , we know that .
.
.
over five days it will double , and then that means over 50 days it will rise exponentially , a thousand-fold , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 20,000 cases over 50 days .
”

Gardaí around the country reported large gatherings of people at beaches and beauty spots on the Monday bank holiday despite restrictions on movement because of the coronavirus pandemic.
However, few major incidents of public disorder were reported. Garda figures on the number of people arrested over breaches of the restrictions were not available on Monday night.
Tens of thousands of people headed out in the sunshine across the country on Monday, which was the hottest day of the year so far with temperatures exceeding 27 degrees in the west of the country.
Temperatures reached 27.1 degrees in Newport, Co Mayo, exceeding the high of 26.8 degrees recorded in Mount Dillon, Co Roscommon, on Saturday.
READ MORE
Tuesday is forecast to be the hottest day of 2020 so far with highest temperatures in Munster and Leinster as a warm plume of air moves over Dublin and Cork.
Separately, thousands of people gathered in Dublin on Monday to protest against the killing of George Floyd by police in the US, one of many Black Lives Matter protests that took place globally, but gardaí did little to enforce the coronavirus restrictions on non-essential travel due to the numbers of people involved. Protests are not considered essential journeys under Government regulations.
Throughout the weekend gardaí focused on traffic safety enforcement, with coronavirus policing centred on popular public gathering locations.
“There were lots more on the roads. Lots more gathering. But groups are mostly keeping apart from each other, which is what we’re asking for,” said one Garda who had been on patrol in north Dublin city on Monday.
Beaches closed
Several public beaches were closed by gardaí around the country due to the build-up of large crowds. In Salthill, Co Galway, two males were arrested on Saturday after a large public order incident involving some 40 youths. Local gardaí maintained a presence in the area throughout the rest of the long weekend to prevent repeat disturbances.
Beaches in counties Cork, Kerry, Donegal and Louth were also closed due to the size of crowds gathering there.
Dollymount beach in Dublin. Photograph: Tom Honan
Meanwhile, a leading expert has warned that house parties being held around Ireland are a "disaster" for efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Gardaí have reported a large increase in house parties in recent weeks despite the ongoing lockdown.
Prof Sam McConkey, infectious disease specialist at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, said hundreds of people gathering at beaches was “relatively safe” but dozens turning up to individual house parties was “very, very bad”.
“Indoor house parties are a disaster for this,” he said. “Whereas being outdoors in the open air, even if you had 500 people on a beach, is relatively safe. The sun kills it and the wind blows it away.”
‘Very worrying’
On Sunday more than 60 residents living near University College Cork held a silent protest against what they claimed were breaches of Covid-19 restrictions by students holding parties in rented accommodation.
Prof McConkey said while the declining number of new cases of coronavirus was “very heartening”, more clarity would be helpful on the proportion that came about through “unexplained community transmission”.
If it was significant, it would be “very worrying because if would mean there is still uncontrolled spread of the virus, [and] that we haven’t got knowledge of the trains of transmission well enough yet”.
Any further easing of the restrictions should be dictated by the scale of unexplained community transmission, he told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
“If we relax restrictions when there are still, say, 20 or 30 cases of community transmission, we know that . . . over five days it will double, and then that means over 50 days it will rise exponentially, a thousand-fold,” he said.
“So that would go from 20 cases to 20,000 cases over 50 days.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Rate of sexually transmitted infections falls amid Covid-19 pandemic

The transmission rate of sexually transmitted infections has fallen dramatically in an era when Covid-19 restrictions have cut the opportunity for intimate contact .
Latest available data from health authorities for the year to May 23rd shows significant reductions in reported new cases of chlamydia , gonorrhoea , genital herpes and syphilis among other common infections .
However , the data comes with a health warning : the downward trend may have as much to do the closure of clinics and delays in reporting results as it has to do with social distancing .
The closure of pubs and nightclubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet-ups , and a fall-off in tourist numbers are also suspected to be contributing factors .
Statistics from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) found that compared with the same period last year , chlamydia infections have reduced by 21 per cent , gonorrhoea by 18 per cent , genital herpes by 31 per cent and syphilis by 25 per cent .
HIV rates are an outlier , rising by 17 per cent , with 224 reported cases .
Of a total of nine listed diseases recorded under the CIDR system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a weekly basis , 4,705 new cases have been reported so far this year compared to 5,956 for the same period in 2019 , a decline of 21 per cent , or one fifth .
Dr Derek Freedman , a specialist in STI treatment for 50 years , is hopeful the current pandemic might have a positive long-term effect on sexual behaviour .
“ I think one of the overall side-effects of Covid-19 is that people are going to be much more careful about their personal risk-taking , particularly in the context of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We are all going to be much more health-conscious.
” He said that during the phase of social lock down there remains a “ hard core ” of people who will take risks ; he has continued to be contacted by people looking for Prep , a preventative drug taken to reduce the chance of contracting HIV .
However , at his testing , consultation and counselling service , Dr Freedman says he has seen appointments halve during the pandemic and has heard anecdotally that activity on social networks such as Grindr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partners , has decreased .
One user of the Grindr service , which is aimed at members of the gay community , told The Irish Times that civic-minded people in his social circle had all stopped using it to meet partners .
“ Of course , we would have a collective memory in our time of a virus that no one took seriously , ” he said of the HIV/Aids crisis that tore through the gay community in the 1980s .
“ So we would be more responsibly minded about pandemic situations.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HSE ) said there was a need for some caution around the reasons behind the latest data .
As well as decreased exposure to infections because of physical distancing , it might also be explained by less attendance at STI clinics and at GPs , and by delays in the reporting of new cases where health staff have been reallocated to Covid-19 activities .
“ It is most likely that it may be a combination of the above , but we can not confirm at this point , ” it said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provisional at this time , we will continue to monitor the situation to determine whether it reflects a true indication of declines in STIs or delayed diagnosis.
” In comprehensive advice on its website , HIV Ireland said many of the clinical staff who operate sexual health services have been responding to the Covid-19 crisis , resulting in major scaling-back of services .
“ The ‘ surge ’ of Covid-19 diagnoses .
.
.
will mean that the services which have been able to continue offering testing and treatment are likely to close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That adds extra risk if you continue to have sex during the Covid-19 emergency.
” Dr Freedman said that in Milan , based on conversations with a colleague , while there was a decrease in chronic conditions such as genital warts , acute conditions such as gonorrhoea and syphilis had remained steady .
He also noted official health guidance in Amsterdam that people seek out a regular and local “ seksbuddy ” or “ sex buddy ” for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic .
The advice from the Dutch National Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RIVM ) appears to be aimed more at safely accommodating some kind of sexual intimacy among single people during strict lockdown conditions .
It suggests meeting “ with the same person to have physical or sexual contact ( for example , a cuddle buddy or ‘ sex buddy ’ ) , provided you are free of illness .
Make good arrangements with this person about how many other people you both see .
The more people you see , the greater the chance of [ spreading ] the coronavirus .
”

A computer illustration of a cell infected with chlamydia. There have been significant reductions in reported new cases of chlamydia
The transmission rate of sexually transmitted infections has fallen dramatically in an era when Covid-19 restrictions have cut the opportunity for intimate contact.
Latest available data from health authorities for the year to May 23rd shows significant reductions in reported new cases of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, genital herpes and syphilis among other common infections.
However, the data comes with a health warning: the downward trend may have as much to do the closure of clinics and delays in reporting results as it has to do with social distancing.
The closure of pubs and nightclubs, an anecdotal reduction in dating app meet-ups, and a fall-off in tourist numbers are also suspected to be contributing factors.
READ MORE
Statistics from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) found that compared with the same period last year, chlamydia infections have reduced by 21 per cent, gonorrhoea by 18 per cent, genital herpes by 31 per cent and syphilis by 25 per cent.
HIV rates are an outlier, rising by 17 per cent, with 224 reported cases.
Of a total of nine listed diseases recorded under the CIDR system (Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting) on a weekly basis, 4,705 new cases have been reported so far this year compared to 5,956 for the same period in 2019, a decline of 21 per cent, or one fifth.
Dr Derek Freedman, a specialist in STI treatment for 50 years, is hopeful the current pandemic might have a positive long-term effect on sexual behaviour.
“I think one of the overall side-effects of Covid-19 is that people are going to be much more careful about their personal risk-taking, particularly in the context of virus contraction,” he said. “We are all going to be much more health-conscious.”
Take risks
He said that during the phase of social lock down there remains a “hard core” of people who will take risks; he has continued to be contacted by people looking for Prep, a preventative drug taken to reduce the chance of contracting HIV.
However, at his testing, consultation and counselling service, Dr Freedman says he has seen appointments halve during the pandemic and has heard anecdotally that activity on social networks such as Grindr and Tinder, where people seek out partners, has decreased.
One user of the Grindr service, which is aimed at members of the gay community, told The Irish Times that civic-minded people in his social circle had all stopped using it to meet partners.
“Of course, we would have a collective memory in our time of a virus that no one took seriously,” he said of the HIV/Aids crisis that tore through the gay community in the 1980s. “So we would be more responsibly minded about pandemic situations.”
However, the Health Service Executive (HSE) said there was a need for some caution around the reasons behind the latest data.
As well as decreased exposure to infections because of physical distancing, it might also be explained by less attendance at STI clinics and at GPs, and by delays in the reporting of new cases where health staff have been reallocated to Covid-19 activities.
“It is most likely that it may be a combination of the above, but we cannot confirm at this point,” it said in a statement. “As the data is provisional at this time, we will continue to monitor the situation to determine whether it reflects a true indication of declines in STIs or delayed diagnosis.”
Clinical staff
In comprehensive advice on its website, HIV Ireland said many of the clinical staff who operate sexual health services have been responding to the Covid-19 crisis, resulting in major scaling-back of services.
“The ‘surge’ of Covid-19 diagnoses . . . will mean that the services which have been able to continue offering testing and treatment are likely to close completely too,” it said. “That adds extra risk if you continue to have sex during the Covid-19 emergency.”
Dr Freedman said that in Milan, based on conversations with a colleague, while there was a decrease in chronic conditions such as genital warts, acute conditions such as gonorrhoea and syphilis had remained steady.
He also noted official health guidance in Amsterdam that people seek out a regular and local “seksbuddy” or “sex buddy” for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The advice from the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) appears to be aimed more at safely accommodating some kind of sexual intimacy among single people during strict lockdown conditions.
It suggests meeting “with the same person to have physical or sexual contact (for example, a cuddle buddy or ‘sex buddy’), provided you are free of illness. Make good arrangements with this person about how many other people you both see. The more people you see, the greater the chance of [spreading] the coronavirus.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Over 200 contracted Covid-19 while in hospital for other conditions

More than 200 people contracted coronavirus while admitted to hospital for other conditions or treatment , according to new figures from the Health Service Executive .
A total of 213 people contracted the disease while in hospital , figures from the HSE show .
Patients are considered to have acquired coronavirus in hospital if they present symptoms seven days after admission , or if their case is traced to a hospital outbreak .
The figures do not include transmission of the disease in other healthcare settings such as residential homes , where almost 7,000 cases have been recorded .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team last night .
This brings to 1,658 the number of deaths in the Republic .
Some 10 new confirmed cases were reported , bringing the total number of cases to 25,066 .
While this is the lowest daily figure since March 11th , chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan cautioned against “ overinterpretation ” of the figure due to the bank holiday weekend .
Public health officials will later this week decide on their recommendations to Government in relation to the second-phase easing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We think we ’ re in a good position , ” Dr Holohan commented last night , “ but can ’ t reach a conclusion until end of week.
” Officials will be monitoring the trends this week to see if something “ untoward ” happens , he added .
HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said last night there was a “ continuing risk ” in healthcare settings because they were very vulnerable .
The beginning of the crisis was marked by outbreaks in hospitals , he pointed out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of illness , staff leave and the struggle to provide services .
While there was a strong correlation between community transmission and the risk of outbreaks in healthcare settings , there was now less virus “ going round ” .
There have been 102 outbreaks of Covid-19 in hospitals to date , and 3,286 people have been hospitalised with the virus , with 408 admitted to intensive care units .
HSE figures show there are currently 330 patients in hospital with confirmed or suspected coronavirus , and 57 in critical care beds .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Mater and Rotunda hospitals , said “ lessons had been learned ” since March about the spread of coronavirus within hospitals .
Staff now wore face masks at all times , and were more aware of asymptomatic cases , he said .
“ So that now I would say the risk for infections in hospitals is low , ” he said .
Some 22,621 tests for Covid-19 were performed last week – barely a fifth of available capacity .
The positivity rate was 1.7 per cent .
Officials will discuss later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of testing , given the available capacity .
Meanwhile , Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last night told a meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party he was confident the country would be able to move into the second phase of lifting coronavirus restrictions .
It is understood that the emergency team is considering reopening playgrounds in the second phase rather than the third phase .
However , this will be considered only if there is adequate supervision at playgrounds , among other issues , and it is understood local authorities are examining how best @ @ @ @ @

Members of the Irish Defence forces at a Covid-19 testing facility at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
More than 200 people contracted coronavirus while admitted to hospital for other conditions or treatment, according to new figures from the Health Service Executive.
A total of 213 people contracted the disease while in hospital, figures from the HSE show. Patients are considered to have acquired coronavirus in hospital if they present symptoms seven days after admission, or if their case is traced to a hospital outbreak.
The figures do not include transmission of the disease in other healthcare settings such as residential homes, where almost 7,000 cases have been recorded.
A further eight deaths of people diagnosed with Covid-19 were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team last night. This brings to 1,658 the number of deaths in the Republic.
READ MORE
Some 10 new confirmed cases were reported, bringing the total number of cases to 25,066.
While this is the lowest daily figure since March 11th, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan cautioned against “overinterpretation” of the figure due to the bank holiday weekend.
Public health officials will later this week decide on their recommendations to Government in relation to the second-phase easing of restrictions planned for June 8th.
“We think we’re in a good position,” Dr Holohan commented last night, “but can’t reach a conclusion until end of week.”
Something ‘untoward’
Officials will be monitoring the trends this week to see if something “untoward” happens, he added.
HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said last night there was a “continuing risk” in healthcare settings because they were very vulnerable.
The beginning of the crisis was marked by outbreaks in hospitals, he pointed out, which had caused huge disruption in terms of illness, staff leave and the struggle to provide services.
‘What if the much needed personal protective equipment doesn’t arrive ahead of a big surge in patients?’ Above, a nurse puts on PPE in Italy. Photograph: Marco Bertorello/AFP via Getty
While there was a strong correlation between community transmission and the risk of outbreaks in healthcare settings, there was now less virus “going round”.
There have been 102 outbreaks of Covid-19 in hospitals to date, and 3,286 people have been hospitalised with the virus, with 408 admitted to intensive care units.
HSE figures show there are currently 330 patients in hospital with confirmed or suspected coronavirus, and 57 in critical care beds.
Jack Lambert, professor of infectious diseases at the Mater and Rotunda hospitals, said “lessons had been learned” since March about the spread of coronavirus within hospitals.
Staff now wore face masks at all times, and were more aware of asymptomatic cases, he said. “So that now I would say the risk for infections in hospitals is low,” he said.
Testing decision
Some 22,621 tests for Covid-19 were performed last week – barely a fifth of available capacity. The positivity rate was 1.7 per cent.
Officials will discuss later this week whether to broaden the scope of testing, given the available capacity.
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last night told a meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party he was confident the country would be able to move into the second phase of lifting coronavirus restrictions. It is understood that the emergency team is considering reopening playgrounds in the second phase rather than the third phase.
However, this will be considered only if there is adequate supervision at playgrounds, among other issues, and it is understood local authorities are examining how best this can be achieved.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Reform of carbon tax is latest sticking point in government formation talks

Reform of the carbon tax has become one of the sticking points in government formation talks , with the Green Party calling for people to be given direct refunds for paying the levy .
The Greens favour the so-called “ fee and dividend ” model , which sees people given a rebate from the State to compensate for higher costs they may incur as a result of increasing carbon tax .
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Tuesday evening told the Fine Gael parliamentary party it may be next week before a deal between Fine Gael , Fianna Fáil and the Greens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government and Fianna Fáil last October , as part of the confidence-and-supply deal , increased carbon tax by €6 a tonne to €26 a tonne .
The current Government target is to increase the tax to €80 a tonne by 2030 .
The Greens have called for a rise to €100 a tonne over the same period .
Although the Taoiseach had previously suggested adopting a similar model to the “ fee and dividend ” approach favoured by the Greens , Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil last year settled on a model @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from carbon tax ringfenced .
This money was then channelled into measures to tackle climate change , such as investing in new agricultural environmental schemes , rural transport , greenways and walkaways as well as a fund to help areas of the midlands where Bord na Móna and the ESB are significant employers .
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are said to be firmly of the view that the so-called “ hypothecated ” model they agreed on last year should remain .
It is understood that one solution being considered in the talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generated through the carbon tax then given back to some people through the social welfare system .
The issue of investment in roads infrastructure is also continuing to cause difficulties , with the Greens insisting on an independent audit of all the roads projects either underway or at the planning stage .
The Greens want a 2:1 split in favour of spending on public transport over roads .
However the two larger parties want to sustain investment in roads in addition to investment in cycling and walking infrastructure .
Mr Varadkar last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ red-line issue ” – as set out in the Project Ireland 2040 plan , as well as support for rural Ireland and middle Ireland .
The government formation talks were also told last week that many contracts have been signed for Project Ireland projects and both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael accept that capital investment must be reviewed .
However , it is maintained by those in the bigger parties that this should be done by the next Cabinet but the Greens favour a different approach to detail what stages all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fianna Fáil councillors in Leitrim have written to party leader Micheál Martin , deputy leader Dara Calleary and general secretary Sean Dorgan opposing coalition with Fine Gael and the Greens .
The letter signed by six councillors said they “ fear for the future of the party following our participation in government as proposed ” .
It said they had discussed “ our once great party going into government with Fine Gael and the Green Party ” .
“ We are unanimous in our opposition to this , and we are also very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have little or no say in decision-making anymore.
” Tánaiste Simon Coveney on Tuesday night told the Fine Gael parliamentary party that fiscal responsibility will be at the core of any programme for government agreed between the parties , adding that such a document will reflect Fine Gael ’ s influence .

Reform of the carbon tax has become one of the sticking points in government formation talks, with the Green Party calling for people to be given direct refunds for paying the levy.
The Greens favour the so-called "fee and dividend" model, which sees people given a rebate from the State to compensate for higher costs they may incur as a result of increasing carbon tax.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Tuesday evening told the Fine Gael parliamentary party it may be next week before a deal between Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Greens is finalised.
The budget agreed between the Government and Fianna Fáil last October, as part of the confidence-and-supply deal, increased carbon tax by €6 a tonne to €26 a tonne. The current Government target is to increase the tax to €80 a tonne by 2030. The Greens have called for a rise to €100 a tonne over the same period.
READ MORE
Although the Taoiseach had previously suggested adopting a similar model to the "fee and dividend" approach favoured by the Greens, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil last year settled on a model which saw some of the revenue raised from carbon tax ringfenced. This money was then channelled into measures to tackle climate change, such as investing in new agricultural environmental schemes, rural transport, greenways and walkaways as well as a fund to help areas of the midlands where Bord na Móna and the ESB are significant employers.
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are said to be firmly of the view that the so-called “hypothecated” model they agreed on last year should remain.
It is understood that one solution being considered in the talks would see a greater level of money generated through the carbon tax then given back to some people through the social welfare system.
Roads
The issue of investment in roads infrastructure is also continuing to cause difficulties, with the Greens insisting on an independent audit of all the roads projects either underway or at the planning stage. The Greens want a 2:1 split in favour of spending on public transport over roads. However the two larger parties want to sustain investment in roads in addition to investment in cycling and walking infrastructure.
Mr Varadkar last week emphasised the importance of roads projects – a "red-line issue" – as set out in the Project Ireland 2040 plan, as well as support for rural Ireland and middle Ireland.
The government formation talks were also told last week that many contracts have been signed for Project Ireland projects and both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael accept that capital investment must be reviewed.
However, it is maintained by those in the bigger parties that this should be done by the next Cabinet but the Greens favour a different approach to detail what stages all roads projects are at.
Letter
Separately, Fianna Fáil councillors in Leitrim have written to party leader Micheál Martin, deputy leader Dara Calleary and general secretary Sean Dorgan opposing coalition with Fine Gael and the Greens.
The letter signed by six councillors said they “fear for the future of the party following our participation in government as proposed”. It said they had discussed “our once great party going into government with Fine Gael and the Green Party”.
“We are unanimous in our opposition to this, and we are also very disappointed that local councillors and party members have little or no say in decision-making anymore.”
Tánaiste Simon Coveney on Tuesday night told the Fine Gael parliamentary party that fiscal responsibility will be at the core of any programme for government agreed between the parties, adding that such a document will reflect Fine Gael's influence.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Government formation talks squeezed on several fronts

Time is getting tight for negotiators from the Green Party , Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil trying to put together a programme for government , with political and legislative deadlines beginning to crowd in on the process .
Some Ministers and senior officials , as well as Opposition politicians involved in the process , privately warn that talks will have to be concluded by next week at the latest .
They point to the need to pass votes in the Dáil and Seanad before June 30th or key sections of the Offences Against the State Act – the anti-terrorist and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other things , the Special Criminal Court – will lapse .
The Act must be reviewed every year and its extension approved by votes in the Oireachtas .
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan is expected to bring the annual review to the Oireachtas next week .
Party insiders say it could take up to two weeks for the parties to gain approval from their memberships ( which could , of course , decide to reject any deal ) .
If an agreement on a programme for government were to be reached this day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week at the end of June for the election of a new taoiseach by the Dáil , the nomination of ministers and the passing of the votes on the Offences Against the State Act .
In other words , not much wriggle room .
Separately , Green Party deputy leader Catherine Martin must decide by this weekend if she will let her name go forward to challenge Eamon Ryan for the leadership of the Green Party .
Martin – who is heading the Green negotiating team at the talks – has been approached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stand against Ryan , and has said she will consider her options .
A contest would not take place until after the conclusion of the government-formation process , one way or another .
But what are the chances of agreeing a deal by next week ?
Insiders vary in their assessments of progress thus far , but while it is clear that significant progress has been made – and agreed documents on a range of policy issues were due to be signed off by the teams on Tuesday night – there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not yet been reached .
Sticking points : Seven key differences in the talks This is the key policy for the Greens , and insiders say the programme will contain a commitment to reduce Ireland ’ s emissions of greenhouses gases by an average of 7 per cent a year .
The Greens have pressed on how exactly this would be achieved and measured , where sticking points remain .
Transport/planning This includes a contentious review of the National Development Plan .
The Greens are sticking to the requirement to have 10 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for cycling and 10 per cent for walking , though have conceded that the budget for roads maintenance should be preserved as a road safety measure .
Housing There are major differences on the Land Development Agency , the State body with the remit to develop State lands for housing .
The Greens believe such lands should be developed by the State for public housing and oppose lands being sold to private developers .
Agriculture Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil ’ s rural constituencies are wary of the Greens ’ influence in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposals have proved particularly problematic – including a requirement that targets be set for the number of hectares of bog to be “ rewetted ” .
State pension age This is primarily a dispute between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael .
The State pension age is due to increase to 67 next year , and Fianna Fáil says the planned rise should not go ahead and has called for a review of pension policy .
It is understood this would also take a wider look at the PRSI system .
Fine Gael insists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead , claiming it would not be prudent to abandon it .
It believes transition welfare payments should apply until someone reaches 67 .
Legislation that would ban forcing people to retire at 65 is also being discussed .
Budget and economic issues A session on finance and economic issues over the weekend is said to have been difficult .
Green finance spokeswoman Neasa Hourigan sought details on budgetary measures that could be introduced in next autumn ’ s budget , but both Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Fianna Fáil finance spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was impossible to predict the economic conditions that far ahead given the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
Underpinning the parties ’ differences , however , are the fears of some Green TDs that the Government will be forced – or choose – to introduce cuts to public spending or tax increases , and that they will be pilloried by critics on the left , especially Sinn Féin , for supporting “ austerity ” .
Fine Gael is also understood to be pushing for a broad commitment to income tax cuts at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term of office if circumstances allow , but Fianna Fáil and the Greens are not keen , with some arguing that such a pledge may never be delivered upon .
Direct provision Ending the direct provision system is a key demand of the Greens and a cherished goal of the party membership .
Green Party figures say they want an immediate overhaul of the system in advance of it being scrapped entirely , with responsibility for housing those waiting on asylum decisions being passed to Approved Housing Bodies .
Green sources are impatient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a phasing out of the direct provision system over a number of years .
Catherine Day , a former secretary general of the European Commission , is due to report back to the government later this year on the future of direct provision .
Her report is cited by those in Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael but the Greens are suspicious of claims that it would take years to abolish the current system .

Time is getting tight for negotiators from the Green Party, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil trying to put together a programme for government, with political and legislative deadlines beginning to crowd in on the process.
Some Ministers and senior officials, as well as Opposition politicians involved in the process, privately warn that talks will have to be concluded by next week at the latest. They point to the need to pass votes in the Dáil and Seanad before June 30th or key sections of the Offences Against the State Act – the anti-terrorist and organised crime legislation that governs, among other things, the Special Criminal Court – will lapse. The Act must be reviewed every year and its extension approved by votes in the Oireachtas. Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan is expected to bring the annual review to the Oireachtas next week.
Party insiders say it could take up to two weeks for the parties to gain approval from their memberships (which could, of course, decide to reject any deal). If an agreement on a programme for government were to be reached this day next week, that would leave one week at the end of June for the election of a new taoiseach by the Dáil, the nomination of ministers and the passing of the votes on the Offences Against the State Act. In other words, not much wriggle room.
Separately, Green Party deputy leader Catherine Martin must decide by this weekend if she will let her name go forward to challenge Eamon Ryan for the leadership of the Green Party. Martin – who is heading the Green negotiating team at the talks – has been approached by some party activists who want her to stand against Ryan, and has said she will consider her options. A contest would not take place until after the conclusion of the government-formation process, one way or another.
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But what are the chances of agreeing a deal by next week? Insiders vary in their assessments of progress thus far, but while it is clear that significant progress has been made – and agreed documents on a range of policy issues were due to be signed off by the teams on Tuesday night – there are a number of areas where agreement has not yet been reached.
STICKING POINTS: SEVEN KEY DIFFERENCES IN THE TALKS
The 7 per cent target
This is the key policy for the Greens, and insiders say the programme will contain a commitment to reduce Ireland's emissions of greenhouses gases by an average of 7 per cent a year. The Greens have pressed on how exactly this would be achieved and measured, where sticking points remain.
Transport/planning
This includes a contentious review of the National Development Plan. The Greens are sticking to the requirement to have 10 per cent of the transport budget set aside for cycling and 10 per cent for walking, though have conceded that the budget for roads maintenance should be preserved as a road safety measure.
Housing
There are major differences on the Land Development Agency, the State body with the remit to develop State lands for housing. The Greens believe such lands should be developed by the State for public housing and oppose lands being sold to private developers.
Agriculture
Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil’s rural constituencies are wary of the Greens’ influence in this area, and some of the Green proposals have proved particularly problematic – including a requirement that targets be set for the number of hectares of bog to be “rewetted”.
State pension age
This is primarily a dispute between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. The State pension age is due to increase to 67 next year, and Fianna Fáil says the planned rise should not go ahead and has called for a review of pension policy. It is understood this would also take a wider look at the PRSI system. Fine Gael insists that deferring the eligibility age must go ahead, claiming it would not be prudent to abandon it. It believes transition welfare payments should apply until someone reaches 67. Legislation that would ban forcing people to retire at 65 is also being discussed.
Budget and economic issues
A session on finance and economic issues over the weekend is said to have been difficult. Green finance spokeswoman Neasa Hourigan sought details on budgetary measures that could be introduced in next autumn's budget, but both Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Fianna Fáil finance spokesman Michael McGrath pushed back, insisting it was impossible to predict the economic conditions that far ahead given the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Underpinning the parties' differences, however, are the fears of some Green TDs that the Government will be forced – or choose – to introduce cuts to public spending or tax increases, and that they will be pilloried by critics on the left, especially Sinn Féin, for supporting "austerity". Fine Gael is also understood to be pushing for a broad commitment to income tax cuts at some point during the government's term of office if circumstances allow, but Fianna Fáil and the Greens are not keen, with some arguing that such a pledge may never be delivered upon.
Direct provision
Ending the direct provision system is a key demand of the Greens and a cherished goal of the party membership. Green Party figures say they want an immediate overhaul of the system in advance of it being scrapped entirely, with responsibility for housing those waiting on asylum decisions being passed to Approved Housing Bodies. Green sources are impatient with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael arguments for a phasing out of the direct provision system over a number of years.
Catherine Day, a former secretary general of the European Commission, is due to report back to the government later this year on the future of direct provision. Her report is cited by those in Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael but the Greens are suspicious of claims that it would take years to abolish the current system.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Hosepipe bans ‘increasingly likely’ until action taken on Dublin leaks

Hosepipe bans will become increasingly regular until Irish Water grasps the “ nettle ” of leakage from decaying pipes in Dublin city , a climate expert has warned .
The national water utility has said an imminent hosepipe ban is highly likely as water supplies for the greater Dublin area have dropped dramatically during a period of drought .
Water conservation orders restricting use were first introduced in Dublin during the summer of 2018 , and later extended to much of Leinster and Munster , to reduce pressure on water supply .
Emeritus professor John Sweeney , who specialises in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hosepipe bans would become “ increasingly regular ” if steps were not taken to address pressure on water supply .
One of the problems was the huge levels of water lost through leaks in old pipes , particularly in areas such as Dublin city centre .
The Dublin region was having its “ driest spring since 1837 ” , which had a massive impact on water supply , Prof Sweeney said .
At the same time Irish Water has seen “ unprecedented demand ” over recent weeks , according to Yvonne Harris , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations .
Some 16 water supplies are already classified as at “ drought ” level , while a further 38 are “ pending drought ” , Ms Harris told RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland programme .
“ We feel it is highly likely we will be required to implement a water conservation order , ” she added .
Ms Harris said on hot days “ demand is soaring beyond any previous levels ” .
Hand-washing hygiene was obviously critical during the coronavirus pandemic , Ms Harris said , but she appealed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unnecessary purposes ” .
Around 40 per cent of water supplied is lost through leaking pipes , between ageing Victorian-era pipes , and also substandard drainage infrastructure in some Celtic Tiger developments .
Dublin and surrounding areas would continue to face problems with its water supply until that “ nettle is grasped ” , Prof Sweeney said .
However , the process of tearing up city centre streets to replace older pipes in areas such as Temple Bar would likely see “ disruption on the scale of the Luas works , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposed by groups representing the service industry , which has already taken a huge financial hit due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Adrian Cummings , chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland , said the hospitality industry “ is on its knees ” and any retrofitting of water pipes “ has to be done in a managed process ” .
Works to replace water mains should focus on residential areas for the foreseeable future , as major disruption to Dublin city centre “ would not be welcomed ” by businesses , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief executive of the Licensed Vintners Association , which represents Dublin pubs , said “ no step should be taken that would compromise ” the service sector ’ s recovery .
There had also been an “ absence ” of progress in the Shannon water scheme , Prof Sweeney said , referencing the planned development of a €1.3 billion pipeline to extract water from the river Shannon to address demand in Dublin .
Meanwhile , on Tuesday night rainfall was expected to spread from the southeast .
The rest of the week is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forecast to be blustery and cloudy .
Temperatures in the northwest will be between 11 and 14 degrees , but may reach 20 degrees elsewhere .
The showery and cloudy conditions are forecast to continue into Friday and Saturday , with top temperatures of between nine and 14 degrees .

Vartry Reservoir water treatment works in Co Wicklow. Water supplies for the greater Dublin area have dropped dramatically during the ‘driest spring since 1837’. File photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Hosepipe bans will become increasingly regular until Irish Water grasps the "nettle" of leakage from decaying pipes in Dublin city, a climate expert has warned.
The national water utility has said an imminent hosepipe ban is highly likely as water supplies for the greater Dublin area have dropped dramatically during a period of drought.
Water conservation orders restricting use were first introduced in Dublin during the summer of 2018, and later extended to much of Leinster and Munster, to reduce pressure on water supply.
The watering of gardens attached to hotels or other businesses is banned, but garden centres and “visitor” gardens, such at the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, are exempt from the ban. Photograph: Getty Images
Emeritus professor John Sweeney, who specialises in climate research in Maynooth University, said hosepipe bans would become "increasingly regular" if steps were not taken to address pressure on water supply.
READ MORE
One of the problems was the huge levels of water lost through leaks in old pipes, particularly in areas such as Dublin city centre.
The Dublin region was having its “driest spring since 1837”, which had a massive impact on water supply, Prof Sweeney said.
At the same time Irish Water has seen “unprecedented demand” over recent weeks, according to Yvonne Harris, the utility’s head of customer operations.
Some 16 water supplies are already classified as at “drought” level, while a further 38 are “pending drought”, Ms Harris told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland programme.
Tearing up city centre streets to replace older pipes in areas such as Temple Bar would likely see 'disruption on the scale of the Luas works'
“We feel it is highly likely we will be required to implement a water conservation order,” she added. Ms Harris said on hot days “demand is soaring beyond any previous levels”.
Hand-washing hygiene was obviously critical during the coronavirus pandemic, Ms Harris said, but she appealed to the public not to use water for “unnecessary purposes”.
BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER: Assistant inspector Ger Goodwin checks water levels in the upper lake of Bohernabreena reservoir, Dublin, as Irish Water warned it is "highly likely" a hosepipe ban will be imposed nationwide as certain water supplies fall to drought conditions. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Around 40 per cent of water supplied is lost through leaking pipes, between ageing Victorian-era pipes, and also substandard drainage infrastructure in some Celtic Tiger developments. Dublin and surrounding areas would continue to face problems with its water supply until that “nettle is grasped”, Prof Sweeney said.
However, the process of tearing up city centre streets to replace older pipes in areas such as Temple Bar would likely see "disruption on the scale of the Luas works," he said.
Such a move would be opposed by groups representing the service industry, which has already taken a huge financial hit due to the coronavirus pandemic.
‘Managed process’
Adrian Cummings, chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, said the hospitality industry "is on its knees" and any retrofitting of water pipes "has to be done in a managed process".
Works to replace water mains should focus on residential areas for the foreseeable future, as major disruption to Dublin city centre “would not be welcomed” by businesses, he said.
Donal O'Keeffe, chief executive of the Licensed Vintners Association, which represents Dublin pubs, said "no step should be taken that would compromise" the service sector's recovery.
There had also been an “absence” of progress in the Shannon water scheme, Prof Sweeney said, referencing the planned development of a €1.3 billion pipeline to extract water from the river Shannon to address demand in Dublin.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday night rainfall was expected to spread from the southeast.
The rest of the week is to be much cooler, with Wednesday forecast to be blustery and cloudy. Temperatures in the northwest will be between 11 and 14 degrees, but may reach 20 degrees elsewhere.
The showery and cloudy conditions are forecast to continue into Friday and Saturday, with top temperatures of between nine and 14 degrees.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Pets, kids and dance music: the perils of virtual courts

For about a minute last Thursday the sound of cheesy 1990s dance music could be heard coming from Court 12 on the second floor of the Four Courts .
“ Mr Boyle could you turn off your microphone ?
” pleaded Mr Justice Garrett Simons .
“ Could someone on the State side tell Mr Boyle to turn off his microphone ?
” The music soon stopped and the barristers went back to arguing about the subject matter of the case – working conditions for electricians .
Of course , none of this actually happened in Court 12 which , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , remained completely empty .
Rather it happened on the video screens mounted on the walls .
Virtual court hearings have become almost routine in the Four Courts since they were first trialled in April as a means of keeping the wheels of justice turning amid the lockdown .
Most technical issues have been resolved and lawyers have become somewhat used to addressing a laptop screen in their study rather than a judge sitting in front of them .
But the profession has not escaped the pitfalls experienced by the rest of us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to conduct business over Zoom and Skype .
Stories circulate on lawyers ’ WhatsApp groups about pets and children interrupting pleadings .
“ One of the most common ones I ’ ve heard about is the doorbell ringing , ” says senior counsel Denise Brett SC .
Brett , a barrister focusing on civil law and legal education , can do her court appearances from her home office but not everyone is so lucky ; one barrister recalls a colleague being gently reminded that his bed and pillows were perhaps not the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There is a lot of work in preparing for a virtual court case .
Documents and case law can not be handed up to the judge during arguments ; they must be filed beforehand using an electronic document management system .
Similarly , solicitors and barristers can no longer communicate on the fly with a post-it note or discreet whisper .
Some get around this by using WhatsApp or a similar service .
Others gather their team , together but socially distant , in a physical office for the hearing .
Brett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Court of Appeal , had to use three screens ; one for the video feed , one for documents and one to communicate with colleagues , “ just to keep the show on the road.
” Remote hearings have been on the horizon for years now but the Court Service ’ s archaic IT infrastructure meant they remained purely aspirational .
That changed with the arrival of the pandemic in Ireland and the prospect of the justice system grinding to a complete halt .
At the direction of Chief Justice Frank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mock virtual hearings in mid-April .
On April 20th , the Supreme Court held the first official virtual hearing .
Since then there have been 180 virtual hearings from the District Court to the Supreme Court , “ negating the need for thousands of people to attend physically in court ” , a spokesman said .
Furthermore , just under 200 judgments have been distributed “ electronically ” , meaning they are emailed out instead of the parties turning up to court to hear them being read out .
The system uses video-conferencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meaning it lacks many of the features of the popular apps .
The judge – or judges if the case is before the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal – appear on the main display while everyone else is minimised to the bottom .
Practitioners are instructed to keep their microphones on mute when not talking , meaning there are much fewer interruptions .
They are also advised to “ be aware of how you appear to others on the call ” and to make sure they are well-lit .
A major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fulfil the constitutional provision that “ justice shall be administered in public ” .
In the UK this has been overcome by streaming many cases publicly to YouTube .
Ireland has taken a different approach .
Journalists can request a link to a specific video stream , allowing them to report on the case as if they were in the room .
The proceedings are also streamed on to screens in the physical courtroom so members of the public can come in to watch .
That ’ s the theory anyway ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to travel to watch cases they are not involved in , meaning the courts themselves are invariably empty .
Not every court displays the proceedings on screen .
When The Irish Times visited the Four Courts on Thursday , one registrar said , apologetically , that she did not have permission to display the case on screen and only permitted the reporter to listen to proceedings through computer speakers There are few places to sit for those who do make it down .
Most seats are blocked off by bright yellow signs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the technology has also drastically changed the dynamic of arguing a case , for both good and bad .
In normal hearings there is what Brett calls “ a natural flow ” to arguing a case where judges will interrupt advocates to ask questions or seek clarification .
With a virtual court , the practicalities of the technology mean the judges tend to save their questions for the end .
This means the barrister ’ s train of thought is uninterrupted .
But it also means they can not adapt their arguments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ questions .
“ That takes some getting used to , ” says Brett .
The simplified system used by the courts means you can only properly see one person at a time .
Not being able to read the room “ is one of the biggest drawbacks to remote hearings ” says barrister Aoife McNickle who was involved in an early virtual hearing before the criminal division of the Court of Appeal .
“ That ’ s one of the main reasons why they will never be a substitute for physical hearings.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ slight bit of drama into their arguments , even in the dullest of cases .
It could be gesture such as waving a document or just resting a foot on the bench ( the latter being confined almost exclusively to male barristers ) .
Much of that drama is also absent from virtual proceedings , says McNickle .
“ Which is a shame.
” But , depending on the barrister , that charisma still comes across , she says .
“ It ’ s about how comfortable people are with the system.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ advocating in a remote setting is completely different to advocating in court ” .
To help them adapt , it has even brought in RTÉ courts correspondent Orla O ’ Donnell to give advice , via webinar , on presenting to camera .
Remote hearings are becoming the norm in many areas of the court system .
The exceptions are criminal trials and sentencing matters .
However , even in those areas , video technology is playing a role .
In many case-management hearings , prisoners are now appearing in court via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison videolinks is up 400 per cent on last year .

For about a minute last Thursday the sound of cheesy 1990s dance music could be heard coming from Court 12 on the second floor of the Four Courts.
“Mr Boyle could you turn off your microphone?” pleaded Mr Justice Garrett Simons. “Could someone on the State side tell Mr Boyle to turn off his microphone?” The music soon stopped and the barristers went back to arguing about the subject matter of the case – working conditions for electricians.
Of course, none of this actually happened in Court 12 which, aside from the registrar and a reporter, remained completely empty. Rather it happened on the video screens mounted on the walls.
Virtual court hearings have become almost routine in the Four Courts since they were first trialled in April as a means of keeping the wheels of justice turning amid the lockdown.
READ MORE
Most technical issues have been resolved and lawyers have become somewhat used to addressing a laptop screen in their study rather than a judge sitting in front of them.
But the profession has not escaped the pitfalls experienced by the rest of us as we try to figure out how to conduct business over Zoom and Skype. Stories circulate on lawyers’ WhatsApp groups about pets and children interrupting pleadings.
"One of the most common ones I've heard about is the doorbell ringing," says senior counsel Denise Brett SC. Brett, a barrister focusing on civil law and legal education, can do her court appearances from her home office but not everyone is so lucky; one barrister recalls a colleague being gently reminded that his bed and pillows were perhaps not the best backdrop for a Court of Appeal case.
No discreet whispers
There is a lot of work in preparing for a virtual court case. Documents and case law cannot be handed up to the judge during arguments; they must be filed beforehand using an electronic document management system.
Similarly, solicitors and barristers can no longer communicate on the fly with a post-it note or discreet whisper. Some get around this by using WhatsApp or a similar service. Others gather their team, together but socially distant, in a physical office for the hearing.
Brett, who has done one virtual hearing in the Court of Appeal, had to use three screens; one for the video feed, one for documents and one to communicate with colleagues, “just to keep the show on the road.”
Remote hearings have been on the horizon for years now but the Court Service's archaic IT infrastructure meant they remained purely aspirational. That changed with the arrival of the pandemic in Ireland and the prospect of the justice system grinding to a complete halt.
At the direction of Chief Justice Frank Clarke, the Court Service started running mock virtual hearings in mid-April. On April 20th, the Supreme Court held the first official virtual hearing.
Since then there have been 180 virtual hearings from the District Court to the Supreme Court, “negating the need for thousands of people to attend physically in court”, a spokesman said.
Furthermore, just under 200 judgments have been distributed “electronically”, meaning they are emailed out instead of the parties turning up to court to hear them being read out.
The system uses video-conferencing technology designed to be easy to use, meaning it lacks many of the features of the popular apps. The judge – or judges if the case is before the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal – appear on the main display while everyone else is minimised to the bottom.
Microphones on mute
Practitioners are instructed to keep their microphones on mute when not talking, meaning there are much fewer interruptions. They are also advised to “be aware of how you appear to others on the call” and to make sure they are well-lit.
A major concern when developing the system was how to fulfil the constitutional provision that “justice shall be administered in public”.
In the UK this has been overcome by streaming many cases publicly to YouTube. Ireland has taken a different approach. Journalists can request a link to a specific video stream, allowing them to report on the case as if they were in the room.
Round hall in the Four Courts: Remote hearings are becoming the norm in many areas of the court system. Photograph: Laura Hutton
The proceedings are also streamed on to screens in the physical courtroom so members of the public can come in to watch. That’s the theory anyway; currently movement restrictions do not permit people to travel to watch cases they are not involved in, meaning the courts themselves are invariably empty.
Not every court displays the proceedings on screen. When The Irish Times visited the Four Courts on Thursday, one registrar said, apologetically, that she did not have permission to display the case on screen and only permitted the reporter to listen to proceedings through computer speakers
There are few places to sit for those who do make it down. Most seats are blocked off by bright yellow signs to enforce social distancing.
According to barristers, the technology has also drastically changed the dynamic of arguing a case, for both good and bad.
In normal hearings there is what Brett calls “a natural flow” to arguing a case where judges will interrupt advocates to ask questions or seek clarification.
Reading the room
With a virtual court, the practicalities of the technology mean the judges tend to save their questions for the end. This means the barrister’s train of thought is uninterrupted. But it also means they cannot adapt their arguments on the fly in response to judges’ questions. “That takes some getting used to,” says Brett.
The simplified system used by the courts means you can only properly see one person at a time.
Not being able to read the room “is one of the biggest drawbacks to remote hearings” says barrister Aoife McNickle who was involved in an early virtual hearing before the criminal division of the Court of Appeal. “That’s one of the main reasons why they will never be a substitute for physical hearings.”
Most barristers like to inject a slight bit of drama into their arguments, even in the dullest of cases. It could be gesture such as waving a document or just resting a foot on the bench (the latter being confined almost exclusively to male barristers).
Much of that drama is also absent from virtual proceedings, says McNickle. “Which is a shame.”
But, depending on the barrister, that charisma still comes across, she says. “It’s about how comfortable people are with the system.”
The Bar Council has warned its members “advocating in a remote setting is completely different to advocating in court”. To help them adapt, it has even brought in RTÉ courts correspondent Orla O’Donnell to give advice, via webinar, on presenting to camera.
Remote hearings are becoming the norm in many areas of the court system. The exceptions are criminal trials and sentencing matters. However, even in those areas, video technology is playing a role. In many case-management hearings, prisoners are now appearing in court via videolink from prison. The use of prison videolinks is up 400 per cent on last year.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Man gets protection order after partner ‘ran at him with a blade’

A man has secured a protection order against his partner after he told a court she had run at him with a blade .
The man told Dublin District Family Court on Tuesday that he and his partner have a number of children together .
In a sworn statement to the court , the man said there was an incident at their home last week , where the woman “ ran at me with a blade ” and that he was “ up against the wall ” .
The man , who was only present in court , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my chin and didn ’ t stop until I was crying ” .
The man said , “ This is the third time she has pulled a knife on me.
” He said his partner was now living elsewhere with their children .
Judge Gerard Furlong granted the man a protection order on an ex-parte ( one side only represented ) basis against the woman , which prohibits her from using or threatening to use violence .
The man thanked the judge and said , “ I ’ m literally shaking.
” A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to attend , was set for a later date .
Separately , a woman secured an interim barring order against her husband after she told the court he punched her in the face and threatened to kill her on Bank Holiday Monday .
The woman told the court on Tuesday she hadn ’ t slept all night and that her husband had been drinking every week and was “ mentally abusing ” her .
In a sworn statement to the court , the woman said every time her husband drinks he “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her husband was drinking from 10am on Monday and she and her daughter were also at the family home having tea .
The woman said her husband locked the sitting room door , took the key and went upstairs .
The woman said she and her daughter asked the man to give them the key but he refused and was “ screaming like a lunatic and punching the wardrobes ” .
“ He reached out and punched me in the face , ” the woman told the court .
She said her husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kill me ” .
The woman said her husband physically assaulted her in the past and that she had previously secured barring and safety orders against him , dating back to the 1990s .
“ He ’ s very abusive when he drinks .
It ’ s the alcohol , it ’ s every weekend , he ’ s mentally abusing me every week , ” she said .
The woman said her husband called her and her daughter “ really disgusting names ” and threatens them .
The woman said she didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occasion as she was afraid and was “ trying to keep the peace ” .
The woman said she was feeling dizzy on Tuesday and that she might go to the doctor .
Judge Furlong said given there was a history of domestic violence and an alleged threat to kill , he would grant the woman an interim barring order .
The order excludes the man from the family home for eight days and from carrying out any further violence or threats of violence , and from watching or being near the home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman ’ s husband is expected to attend , was set for next week .
Grandson Separately , a woman secured a protection order on an ex-parte basis against her grandson .
In a sworn statement to the court , the woman said her grandson lived with her and that he got annoyed when she cleaned some of his tobacco off a table .
The woman said her grandson started calling her names , punched a wall and “ threatened to punch the head off me ” .
The woman said she thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had “ never been this way with me before ” .
The woman said there had been problems with her grandson and his mother in the past .
“ I am afraid of him .
I don ’ t think he would hit me but I don ’ t know .
If he does drugs , I don ’ t know how he will be , ” the woman said .
Judge Furlong granted the woman a protection order and set a full hearing , which the man is expected to attend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applications are continuing to be heard at the court at Dolphin House daily .

Emergency applications are continuing to be heard at the court at Dolphin House daily. Photograph: Stephen Collins/ Collins
A man has secured a protection order against his partner after he told a court she had run at him with a blade.
The man told Dublin District Family Court on Tuesday that he and his partner have a number of children together.
In a sworn statement to the court, the man said there was an incident at their home last week, where the woman “ran at me with a blade” and that he was “up against the wall”.
The man, who was only present in court, said the woman was “rubbing the blade against my chin and didn’t stop until I was crying”.
READ MORE
The man said, “This is the third time she has pulled a knife on me.” He said his partner was now living elsewhere with their children.
Judge Gerard Furlong granted the man a protection order on an ex-parte (one side only represented) basis against the woman, which prohibits her from using or threatening to use violence.
The man thanked the judge and said, “I’m literally shaking.” A full hearing, which the woman is expected to attend, was set for a later date.
Punched in face
Separately, a woman secured an interim barring order against her husband after she told the court he punched her in the face and threatened to kill her on Bank Holiday Monday.
The woman told the court on Tuesday she hadn’t slept all night and that her husband had been drinking every week and was “mentally abusing” her.
In a sworn statement to the court, the woman said every time her husband drinks he “gets abusive”. The woman said her husband was drinking from 10am on Monday and she and her daughter were also at the family home having tea.
The woman said her husband locked the sitting room door, took the key and went upstairs. The woman said she and her daughter asked the man to give them the key but he refused and was “screaming like a lunatic and punching the wardrobes”.
“He reached out and punched me in the face,” the woman told the court. She said her husband also said “he was going to kill me”.
The woman said her husband physically assaulted her in the past and that she had previously secured barring and safety orders against him, dating back to the 1990s.
“He’s very abusive when he drinks. It’s the alcohol, it’s every weekend, he’s mentally abusing me every week,” she said.
The woman said her husband called her and her daughter “really disgusting names” and threatens them. The woman said she didn’t call the guards on this occasion as she was afraid and was “trying to keep the peace”.
The woman said she was feeling dizzy on Tuesday and that she might go to the doctor.
Judge Furlong said given there was a history of domestic violence and an alleged threat to kill, he would grant the woman an interim barring order. The order excludes the man from the family home for eight days and from carrying out any further violence or threats of violence, and from watching or being near the home.
A full hearing, which the woman’s husband is expected to attend, was set for next week.
Grandson Separately, a woman secured a protection order on an ex-parte basis against her grandson.
In a sworn statement to the court, the woman said her grandson lived with her and that he got annoyed when she cleaned some of his tobacco off a table.
The woman said her grandson started calling her names, punched a wall and “threatened to punch the head off me”.
The woman said she thought her grandson had taken drugs and that he had “never been this way with me before”. The woman said there had been problems with her grandson and his mother in the past.
“I am afraid of him. I don’t think he would hit me but I don’t know. If he does drugs, I don’t know how he will be,” the woman said.
Judge Furlong granted the woman a protection order and set a full hearing, which the man is expected to attend, for a later date.
Emergency applications are continuing to be heard at the court at Dolphin House daily.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Concern virtual childcare hearings may lead to parents posting footage online

Family law practitioners have raised concerns that virtual childcare hearings will result in aggrieved parents uploading footage of cases to the internet .
On May 19th , the president of the District Court , Colin Daly , issued a practice direction stating virtual court cases , where the parties dial in using video conferencing software , can be used for family law cases .
The family law division of the District Court was one of the last jurisdictions to introduce remote hearings to reduce the need for parties to come to court during the coronavirus pandemic .
The judge ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their legal representatives to appear in court virtually , providing “ it would not give rise to unfairness to the parties or would otherwise be contrary to the interests of justice ” .
The cases are heard by a judge sitting in a physical courtroom while the other parties dial in .
The move has been broadly welcomed by family law practitioners but some have raised concerns virtual hearings will make it easier for parties to breach the strict in-camera rules surrounding such cases .
In recent years , increasing numbers of parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their cases on social media , including instances where the children involved have been identified .
In one recent case a woman was jailed for repeatedly publishing details of her case on Facebook , despite the judge ’ s warnings .
Those working in the area of family law have raised concerns that remote hearings will make it easier for disgruntled parents to record audio and video of proceedings and upload them to the internet .
“ These are often the bitterest cases you can imagine , ” according to one barrister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their involvement in an ongoing , sensitive case .
“ In many cases one side or the other feels incredibly frustrated or angry and feel like they have to tell the world .
They feel that way even after the judge warns them they could go to jail.
” Family law barrister Rachel Baldwin said there is concern surrounding the issue .
“ People have been caught recording in court even before this.
” Solicitor Gareth Noble said the prospect of participants breaching the in-camera rule through videoing or recording virtual proceedings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern ” .
However , he added the District Court appears to be approaching the matter in a “ slow and careful manner ” .
Dr Carol Coulter , who has been monitoring the rollout of virtual family courts through the Childcare Law Reporting Project , said the use of remote hearings would make it easier for people to defy the in-camera ruling but that she does not envision it being a major issue if the technology is only used for routine matters .
“ It is a concern but so far the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncontested matters .
I ’ m not sure if they ’ ll ever be used for very contested cases.
” To date , there have been no known cases of footage of remote family court hearings being uploaded publicly .
At the start of every case the parties are warned to treat the proceedings as if they were taking place in an actual court .
Each party must also give an undertaking not to record the case .
A spokesman for the Court Service said it has developed good links with social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly removed from the internet if it is uploaded .
The penalties for breaching the in-camera rules in remote hearings are the same as those for physical hearings .
A breach is considered a criminal offence and is punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of up to €50,000 .

The family law division of the District Court was one of the last jurisdictions to introduce remote hearings. Photograph: Alan Betson
Family law practitioners have raised concerns that virtual childcare hearings will result in aggrieved parents uploading footage of cases to the internet.
On May 19th, the president of the District Court, Colin Daly, issued a practice direction stating virtual court cases, where the parties dial in using video conferencing software, can be used for family law cases.
The family law division of the District Court was one of the last jurisdictions to introduce remote hearings to reduce the need for parties to come to court during the coronavirus pandemic.
The judge’s direction allows parents, children and their legal representatives to appear in court virtually, providing “it would not give rise to unfairness to the parties or would otherwise be contrary to the interests of justice”.
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The cases are heard by a judge sitting in a physical courtroom while the other parties dial in.
Disgruntled parents
The move has been broadly welcomed by family law practitioners but some have raised concerns virtual hearings will make it easier for parties to breach the strict in-camera rules surrounding such cases.
In recent years, increasing numbers of parents involved in childcare proceedings have published details of their cases on social media, including instances where the children involved have been identified. In one recent case a woman was jailed for repeatedly publishing details of her case on Facebook, despite the judge's warnings.
Those working in the area of family law have raised concerns that remote hearings will make it easier for disgruntled parents to record audio and video of proceedings and upload them to the internet.
“These are often the bitterest cases you can imagine,” according to one barrister who asked not to be named due to their involvement in an ongoing, sensitive case. “In many cases one side or the other feels incredibly frustrated or angry and feel like they have to tell the world. They feel that way even after the judge warns them they could go to jail.”
Family law barrister Rachel Baldwin said there is concern surrounding the issue. "People have been caught recording in court even before this."
Solicitor Gareth Noble said the prospect of participants breaching the in-camera rule through videoing or recording virtual proceedings "is a very real and live concern".
However, he added the District Court appears to be approaching the matter in a “slow and careful manner”.
Major issue
Dr Carol Coulter, who has been monitoring the rollout of virtual family courts through the Childcare Law Reporting Project, said the use of remote hearings would make it easier for people to defy the in-camera ruling but that she does not envision it being a major issue if the technology is only used for routine matters.
“It is a concern but so far the remote hearings have been confined to quite uncontested matters. I’m not sure if they’ll ever be used for very contested cases.”
To date, there have been no known cases of footage of remote family court hearings being uploaded publicly.
At the start of every case the parties are warned to treat the proceedings as if they were taking place in an actual court. Each party must also give an undertaking not to record the case.
A spokesman for the Court Service said it has developed good links with social media companies so that court footage can be quickly removed from the internet if it is uploaded.
The penalties for breaching the in-camera rules in remote hearings are the same as those for physical hearings. A breach is considered a criminal offence and is punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of up to €50,000.


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Years of youth services ‘wiped out’ by Covid-19 pandemic, warns charity

More than half of all young people between the ages of 15 and 23 are concerned about their mental health as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic , according to a survey .
The Generation Pandemic – Mental Health study carried out by the Irish Youth Foundation surveyed youth workers in 700 youth groups , after-school clubs and sports clubs across the country .
Separately , it questioned by phone hundreds of teenagers and young adults who use their services .
Half of all the youth workers and professionals surveyed say the pandemic ’ s long-term impact on the mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern .
Nearly 47 per cent say that falling behind with studies and exam stress is the biggest issue , and over 21 per cent say they are worried that young people may not get back into education or a normal routine .
In the tracking survey of marginalised teenagers and young adults ( age 15 to 23 ) , 64 per cent say that they are having difficulty maintaining routine and structure , 53 per cent have mental health concerns and 35 per cent are concerned that they are falling behind in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent are experiencing social isolation and more than one in five are living with family conflict .
The twin-track research was commissioned by the foundation and carried out by Amárach Research .
The foundation is seeking to raise €1.5 million to help youth services get up and running again after Covid-19 .
Irish Youth Foundation chief executive Lucy Masterson said the survey , though just a snapshot of opinion , revealed that the Covid-19 lockdown had “ seriously damaged the lives and prospects of the country ’ s most marginalised young.
” She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities by youth workers was being “ wiped out ” by the Covid-19 pandemic which has left schools and youth services al closed since March .
“ While smart subsidies were put in place to keep employers connected to employees , no such support was there to keep vulnerable young people connected to their lifelines , to the youth workers and programme they so rely on , ” she said .
“ The stakes are as high as they could be for many young people .
Their education prospects hang in the balance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken a battering .
“ As the country rebuilds , no child ’ s future should hang in the balance because of this virus or a lack of support .
If our children aren ’ t rebuilt , the country isn ’ t either.
” The Generation Pandemic fund is aimed primarily at businesses , corporations and private donors .
It will go directly to the youth groups and community organisations on the frontline .
The fund will be used firstly to assist youth workers to identify , reconnect with and persuade young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fund will also be used to resource programmes , facilities and supports across the key areas of education , health and wellbeing and further learning and employment .

Some 39 per cent are experiencing social isolation and more than one in five are living with family conflict. Above, Grafton Street in Dublin at the end of March. Photograph: Bryan O Brien / The Irish Times
More than half of all young people between the ages of 15 and 23 are concerned about their mental health as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a survey.
The Generation Pandemic – Mental Health study carried out by the Irish Youth Foundation surveyed youth workers in 700 youth groups, after-school clubs and sports clubs across the country.
Separately, it questioned by phone hundreds of teenagers and young adults who use their services.
Half of all the youth workers and professionals surveyed say the pandemic’s long-term impact on the mental health of young people is a major concern.
READ MORE
Nearly 47 per cent say that falling behind with studies and exam stress is the biggest issue, and over 21 per cent say they are worried that young people may not get back into education or a normal routine.
In the tracking survey of marginalised teenagers and young adults (age 15 to 23), 64 per cent say that they are having difficulty maintaining routine and structure, 53 per cent have mental health concerns and 35 per cent are concerned that they are falling behind in school.
In addition, 39 per cent are experiencing social isolation and more than one in five are living with family conflict.
The twin-track research was commissioned by the foundation and carried out by Amárach Research.
The foundation is seeking to raise €1.5 million to help youth services get up and running again after Covid-19.
Irish Youth Foundation chief executive Lucy Masterson said the survey, though just a snapshot of opinion, revealed that the Covid-19 lockdown had "seriously damaged the lives and prospects of the country's most marginalised young."
She said years of work carried out in communities by youth workers was being “wiped out” by the Covid-19 pandemic which has left schools and youth services al closed since March.
“While smart subsidies were put in place to keep employers connected to employees, no such support was there to keep vulnerable young people connected to their lifelines, to the youth workers and programme they so rely on,” she said.
“The stakes are as high as they could be for many young people. Their education prospects hang in the balance. Their wellbeing and mental health has taken a battering.
“As the country rebuilds, no child’s future should hang in the balance because of this virus or a lack of support. If our children aren’t rebuilt, the country isn’t either.”
The Generation Pandemic fund is aimed primarily at businesses, corporations and private donors. It will go directly to the youth groups and community organisations on the frontline.
The fund will be used firstly to assist youth workers to identify, reconnect with and persuade young people to re-engage with crucial services.
The fund will also be used to resource programmes, facilities and supports across the key areas of education, health and wellbeing and further learning and employment.


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Dalkey street closed after hole appears following partial road collapse

Part of Dalkey village in south Dublin was closed off on Tuesday night after a hole appeared in the road @ @ @ @ @ .
Pictures of the small circular hole on Castle Street , a main thoroughfare , @ @ @ @ @ media .
In a Twitter post , Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council said a “ @ @ @ @ @ ” had collapsed .
“ Our road maintenance section have closed Castle Street temporarily for @ @ @ @ @ A traffic management plan & local diversion are in place , ” it said .
@ @ @ @ @ issue was being dealt with by the council , it had closed off part of @ @ @ @ @ The nature of the hole has not been verified .
However , sink holes pose @ @ @ @ @ often appear small they can give way to much larger subsistence .
One post on @ @ @ @ @ appeared to be getting larger .

Part of Dalkey village in south Dublin was closed off on Tuesday night after a hole appeared in the road.
Part of Dalkey village in south Dublin was closed off on Tuesday night after a hole appeared in the road when part of it collapsed.
Pictures of the small circular hole on Castle Street, a main thoroughfare, have been circulating on social media.
In a Twitter post, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council said a "small section of the road" had collapsed.
Hole in the road at Dalkey village. Photograph: DLRCC/Twitter
“Our road maintenance section have closed Castle Street temporarily for investigation & repair works. A traffic management plan & local diversion are in place,” it said.
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Gardaí confirmed that while the issue was being dealt with by the council, it had closed off part of the road to traffic.
The nature of the hole has not been verified. However, sink holes pose a threat as while they often appear small they can give way to much larger subsistence.
One post on social media said it had appeared to be getting larger.


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Northern Assembly supports DUP motion on abortion

The Northern Assembly has passed a DUP motion calling for the rejection of abortion law enacted at Westminster and more specifically rejecting terminations in cases of non-fatal foetal abnormality .
A Sinn Fein amendment which solely dealt with abortions in cases such as Down syndrome was defeated while the vote on the main DUP motion in the Assembly chamber on Tuesday evening was carried by 46 votes to 40 .
The DUP motion welcomed the “ important intervention of disability campaigner Heidi Crowter and rejects the imposition of abortion legislation which extends to all non-fatal disabilities , including Down ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said there was ambiguity about the DUP motion the party has acknowledged that as well as attempting to rule out abortion in cases of non-fatal disability it also was seeking to take responsibility for abortion legislation back from Westminster and make it a devolved matter for the Assembly to decide upon .
While the motion did not have the power to overrule the Westminster legislation that was passed last year and came into effect at the end of March the DUP leader and First Minister Arlene Foster earlier said it was important in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British government about Stormont ’ s view on the matter .
In the chamber on Tuesday Ms Foster said that the DUP had been “ consistently pro-life ” .
During the debate reference was made to Heidi Crowter , who has Down syndrome and who has been campaigning for a change in the law in England and Wales which allows for abortion up to full term in cases of disability .
In proposing the motion Joanne Bunting of the DUP referred to how Ms Crowter said the law was “ offensive and hurtful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Ms Crowter argued , the law was clearly saying “ that people with Down ’ s syndrome or other disabilities are of less value that people with without disabilities ” .
“ This is completely unacceptable in 2020 , ” she said .
The Sinn Féin amendment altered the DUP motion so that it read that the Assembly welcomed “ the important intervention of disability campaigner Heidi Crowter and rejects the specific legislative provision in the abortion legislation which goes beyond fatal foetal abnormalities to include non-fatal disabilities , including Down ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin said the DUP motion was a cynical move designed to undermine general abortion regulations by stealth .
Sinn Féin opposed the DUP motion but did not support abortion in cases of non- fatal foetal disability .
“ Sinn Féin do not believe that a non-fatal foetal abnormality is an appropriate criterion for an abortion , ” said Ms Sheerin .
SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly who supported the DUP motion and rejected the Sinn Féin amendment referred to how the legislation was enacted at Westminster .
“ I fail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supports a British government in determining the right to life of unborn Irish children .
It ’ s a long way from the Proclamation of 1916 which promised to cherish all of the children of the nation equally , ” she said .
Clare Bailey of the Green party said MLAs were debating laws they could not change and inviting doctors to make “ impossible distinctions ” between “ fatal and non-fatal anomalies ” .
This , she added , would force women and girls to travel to England for abortions “ just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I am stunned at this amendment from Sinn Féin…because this is what a clawback of women ’ s rights looks like .
This is what political opportunism looks like and this is what populism looks like , ” said Ms Bailey .
The Sinn Féin amendment was defeated by 52 votes to 32 .
The DUP motion was then voted upon and carried by 46 votes to 40 .

First Minister Arlene Foster said that the DUP had been “consistently pro-life”. Photgraph: Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA
The Northern Assembly has passed a DUP motion calling for the rejection of abortion law enacted at Westminster and more specifically rejecting terminations in cases of non-fatal foetal abnormality.
A Sinn Fein amendment which solely dealt with abortions in cases such as Down syndrome was defeated while the vote on the main DUP motion in the Assembly chamber on Tuesday evening was carried by 46 votes to 40.
The DUP motion welcomed the "important intervention of disability campaigner Heidi Crowter and rejects the imposition of abortion legislation which extends to all non-fatal disabilities, including Down's syndrome".
While some MLAs said there was ambiguity about the DUP motion the party has acknowledged that as well as attempting to rule out abortion in cases of non-fatal disability it also was seeking to take responsibility for abortion legislation back from Westminster and make it a devolved matter for the Assembly to decide upon.
READ MORE
While the motion did not have the power to overrule the Westminster legislation that was passed last year and came into effect at the end of March the DUP leader and First Minister Arlene Foster earlier said it was important in sending a "message" to the British government about Stormont's view on the matter.
In the chamber on Tuesday Ms Foster said that the DUP had been “consistently pro-life”.
During the debate reference was made to Heidi Crowter, who has Down syndrome and who has been campaigning for a change in the law in England and Wales which allows for abortion up to full term in cases of disability.
In proposing the motion Joanne Bunting of the DUP referred to how Ms Crowter said the law was "offensive and hurtful".
Ms Bunting added that, as Ms Crowter argued, the law was clearly saying “that people with Down’s syndrome or other disabilities are of less value that people with without disabilities”.
“This is completely unacceptable in 2020,” she said.
The Sinn Féin amendment altered the DUP motion so that it read that the Assembly welcomed “the important intervention of disability campaigner Heidi Crowter and rejects the specific legislative provision in the abortion legislation which goes beyond fatal foetal abnormalities to include non-fatal disabilities, including Down’s syndrome”.
Proposing the amendment Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin said the DUP motion was a cynical move designed to undermine general abortion regulations by stealth.
Sinn Féin opposed the DUP motion but did not support abortion in cases of non- fatal foetal disability.
“Sinn Féin do not believe that a non-fatal foetal abnormality is an appropriate criterion for an abortion,” said Ms Sheerin.
SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly who supported the DUP motion and rejected the Sinn Féin amendment referred to how the legislation was enacted at Westminster. "I fail to understand why a so-called republican party supports a British government in determining the right to life of unborn Irish children. It's a long way from the Proclamation of 1916 which promised to cherish all of the children of the nation equally," she said.
Clare Bailey of the Green party said MLAs were debating laws they could not change and inviting doctors to make "impossible distinctions" between "fatal and non-fatal anomalies". This, she added, would force women and girls to travel to England for abortions "just like the law never changed".
“I am stunned at this amendment from Sinn Féin…because this is what a clawback of women’s rights looks like. This is what political opportunism looks like and this is what populism looks like,” said Ms Bailey.
The Sinn Féin amendment was defeated by 52 votes to 32.
The DUP motion was then voted upon and carried by 46 votes to 40.