theirishtimes--2020-09-14--Covid-19 pandemic ‘has profoundly changed Trócaire’s work,’ says chief executive

Trócaire experienced “ a slight dip in funding ” in the year to February 2020 , according to its annual report published today ( tues ) .
The Catholic Bishops ’ development agency , it helped 2.5 million people in 27 of the world ’ s poorest countries in its last financial year , which concluded just prior to the global outbreak of Covid-19 .
It raised “ approximately €64m from the Irish public and our institutional funding partners ” , representing “ a slight dip in funding from both sources ” the report said .
Donations from the Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Irish Government its single largest donor , contributing 34 per cent of total Trócaire income .
Overall the agency received €40.7million from “ institutional funding partners ” , compared to €45.8 million in 2018/19 .
This breaks down as €29.6million from Governmental organisations ( €32million in 2018/19 ) , €5.8million from other funders ( €7.6million in 2018/19 ) , and €5.3million from the Caritas network ( €6.2million in 2018/19 ) Of the €29.6million secured from Governmental organisations , €21.7million of this was from Irish Aid ( up from €21.5million in 2018/19 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approximately €17million , was allocated for long-term development work under the Irish Aid Programme Funding scheme .
The remainder , approximately €5million , was allocated towards emergency response .
This mirrored allocations between development and humanitarian aid in 2018/19 .
Both Trócaire ’ s major public appeals in 2019 did “ very well ” with €8.3 million raised in the Lenten Appeal , a 10 per cent increa se onfunds raised in the 2018 Lenten campaign .
Its 2019 Christmas appeal raised €2.3 million , a slight drop on the 2018 Christmas figure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the same as in 2018/19 , while €0.91million donated in response to direct mail letters was a 22 per cent increase on the 2018/19 figure of €0.88million .
Expressing gratitude to all who had donated to and helped Trócaire with its work , chief executive Caoimhe de Barra said “ the Covid crisis has profoundly changed Trócaire ’ s work.
” She continued that “ people living in poverty have been unable to take preventative measures such as hand washing , social distancing and remote working .
They lack the most basic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from daily labour ” , she said .
Trócaire ’ s programmes and the contexts in which they operated had “ shifted dramatically in response to the new reality .
This crisis has had a devastating effect on families already living in poverty and facing food insecurity .
We are committed to supporting our partners and the communities they serve as they deal with these long-term impacts , ” she said .

Trócaire experienced “a slight dip in funding” in the year to February 2020, according to its annual report published today (tues). The Catholic Bishops’ development agency, it helped 2.5 million people in 27 of the world’s poorest countries in its last financial year, which concluded just prior to the global outbreak of Covid-19.
It raised “approximately €64m from the Irish public and our institutional funding partners”, representing “a slight dip in funding from both sources” the report said.
Donations from the Irish people in 2019/20 amounted to €23million with the Irish Government its single largest donor, contributing 34 per cent of total Trócaire income.
Overall the agency received €40.7million from "institutional funding partners", compared to €45.8 million in 2018/19. This breaks down as €29.6million from Governmental organisations (€32million in 2018/19), €5.8million from other funders (€7.6million in 2018/19), and €5.3million from the Caritas network (€6.2million in 2018/19)
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Of the €29.6million secured from Governmental organisations, €21.7million of this was from Irish Aid (up from €21.5million in 2018/19). The greater part of this, approximately €17million, was allocated for long-term development work under the Irish Aid Programme Funding scheme. The remainder, approximately €5million, was allocated towards emergency response.
This mirrored allocations between development and humanitarian aid in 2018/19.
Both Trócaire’s major public appeals in 2019 did “very well” with €8.3 million raised in the Lenten Appeal, a 10 per cent increa se onfunds raised in the 2018 Lenten campaign. Its 2019 Christmas appeal raised €2.3 million, a slight drop on the 2018 Christmas figure.
Monthly donors in 2019/2020 contributed €4.4million , the same as in 2018/19, while €0.91million donated in response to direct mail letters was a 22 per cent increase on the 2018/19 figure of €0.88million.
Expressing gratitude to all who had donated to and helped Trócaire with its work, chief executive Caoimhe de Barra said "the Covid crisis has profoundly changed Trócaire's work."
She continued that “people living in poverty have been unable to take preventative measures such as hand washing, social distancing and remote working. They lack the most basic of services and depend heavily on income from daily labour”, she said.
Trócaire’s programmes and the contexts in which they operated had “shifted dramatically in response to the new reality. This crisis has had a devastating effect on families already living in poverty and facing food insecurity. We are committed to supporting our partners and the communities they serve as they deal with these long-term impacts,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-09-14--Planning granted for a ‘crucial’ cross-Border electricity interconnector

Planning permission has been granted for a “ crucial ” cross-Border electricity line .
The North-South Electricity Interconnector is a 400kv overhead line which will run from Co Tyrone to Co Meath .
The North ’ s Infrastructure minister , Nichola Mallon granted planning approval for the 34km-long Northern section of the line on Monday .
It will begin at Moy , Co Tyrone and cross the border near Castleblayney , Co Monaghan .
Planning permission has already been approved for the Republic of Ireland section of the line .
The Interconnector will provide a reliable , high capacity link @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the border .
Ms Mallon said the Interconnector was of “ strategic importance for our island economy ” and was “ crucial to handling growing demand across the electricity transmission systems across the island of Ireland.
” This , she said , would promote greater competition and protect the security of supply .
Applications had previously approved by the department in 2018 , but two applications were quashed following a legal challenge .
Ms Mallon said she had “ carefully reconsidered the proposal and the up-to-date environmental information and have concluded that planning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheme had been opposed by some landowners along the route of the Interconnector , and there were more than 6,000 letters of objection to the original proposals .
The chairman of Safe Electricity Armagh and Tyrone , Jim Lennon , told the BBC the group was disappointed by the “ premature decision ” in advance of the publication of the Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland next year .
“ We are not anti-development , but we believe any proposal must be evidence-led and properly take account of the impact it will have on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However the electricity system operator for Northern Ireland , SONI , welcomed the decision , saying it would be a “ catalyst for Northern Ireland ’ s response to climate change , reduce consumer costs and provide a secure long term electricity supply for Northern Ireland ” .
SONI ’ s managing director , Jo Aston , described the Interconnector as “ undoubtedly the most important infrastructure scheme on the island today ” which she said would “ deliver very real benefits to domestic and commercial consumers ” .
“ The project is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for economic growth as Northern Ireland emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic .
“ It will create local construction jobs through its delivery programme ; will help reduce the cost of electricity and will provide a route to market for renewable energy at a time when the green collar sector needs it most , ” she said .
Chief executive of Retail NI , Glyn Roberts , said the construction of the Interconnector would ultimately lower energy bills .
“ This is excellent news for our economy as it is an investment in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electricity supply , ” he said .
“ I hope that we will now see rapid progress for this vital project in Northern Ireland and no more unnecessary delays .
”

Planning permission has already been approved for the Republic of Ireland section of the line. Photograph: iStock
Planning permission has been granted for a “crucial” cross-Border electricity line.
The North-South Electricity Interconnector is a 400kv overhead line which will run from Co Tyrone to Co Meath.
The North's Infrastructure minister, Nichola Mallon granted planning approval for the 34km-long Northern section of the line on Monday. It will begin at Moy, Co Tyrone and cross the border near Castleblayney, Co Monaghan.
Planning permission has already been approved for the Republic of Ireland section of the line.
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The Interconnector will provide a reliable, high capacity link between the networks on both sides of the border.
Ms Mallon said the Interconnector was of “strategic importance for our island economy” and was “crucial to handling growing demand across the electricity transmission systems across the island of Ireland.”
This, she said, would promote greater competition and protect the security of supply.
Applications had previously approved by the department in 2018, but two applications were quashed following a legal challenge.
Ms Mallon said she had “carefully reconsidered the proposal and the up-to-date environmental information and have concluded that planning permission should be granted”.
The scheme had been opposed by some landowners along the route of the Interconnector, and there were more than 6,000 letters of objection to the original proposals.
The chairman of Safe Electricity Armagh and Tyrone, Jim Lennon, told the BBC the group was disappointed by the "premature decision" in advance of the publication of the Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland next year.
“We are not anti-development, but we believe any proposal must be evidence-led and properly take account of the impact it will have on local people,” he said.
However the electricity system operator for Northern Ireland, SONI, welcomed the decision, saying it would be a “catalyst for Northern Ireland’s response to climate change, reduce consumer costs and provide a secure long term electricity supply for Northern Ireland”.
SONI's managing director, Jo Aston, described the Interconnector as "undoubtedly the most important infrastructure scheme on the island today" which she said would "deliver very real benefits to domestic and commercial consumers".
“The project is, without question, a key enabler for economic growth as Northern Ireland emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It will create local construction jobs through its delivery programme; will help reduce the cost of electricity and will provide a route to market for renewable energy at a time when the green collar sector needs it most,” she said.
Chief executive of Retail NI, Glyn Roberts, said the construction of the Interconnector would ultimately lower energy bills.
“This is excellent news for our economy as it is an investment in the future of our energy infrastructure and securing electricity supply,” he said.
“I hope that we will now see rapid progress for this vital project in Northern Ireland and no more unnecessary delays.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-14--Public demonstration rules may be considered after anti-mask protest

The Government will consider rules governing public demonstrations following a controversial anti-mask protest in Dublin at the weekend , Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said .
“ There ’ s always a balance that the State has to manage between giving people the right to protest and be heard and to demonstrate and at the same time ensure that law and order is respected , ” he said .
Tougher action by the gardaí would have led to “ police state ” charges , he said .
“ This is a difficult balancing act .
I have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in that protest do not represent a majority view .
“ In fact they represent a very , very small minority view , ” he said , adding that it was “ very unwelcome that people are foolhardy enough to think that they can ignore all of the public health advice ” that has been given over months .
“ They ’ re ignoring all of that because they see conspiracies in everything , and they just demand the freedom to walk around without restrictions – that is a tiny minority view , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been “ infuriated ” by images from Saturday ’ s protest , he said .
“ We need to be able to get the balance right between allowing that and also protecting broader public health.
” Meanwhile , security barriers were erected around Leinster House ahead of an “ Evict Them from the Dáil ” protest that has been mooted on social media in recent days , alleging that the Government is “ unelected ” .
“ This protest is not a right-wing , fascist protest and its not about mandatory masks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5G or other conspiracies doing the rounds – there are other groups protesting these issues , ” the organisers stated .
Taxi drivers will hold a separate protest in Merrion Square .
They will gather at 10am at the gates of the Phoenix Park and then drive through the city centre to Government Buildings .

The Government will consider rules governing public demonstrations following a controversial anti-mask protest in Dublin at the weekend, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said.
“There’s always a balance that the State has to manage between giving people the right to protest and be heard and to demonstrate and at the same time ensure that law and order is respected,” he said.
Tougher action by the gardaí would have led to “police state” charges, he said. “This is a difficult balancing act. I have to say that the people who were involved in that protest do not represent a majority view.
“In fact they represent a very, very small minority view,” he said, adding that it was “very unwelcome that people are foolhardy enough to think that they can ignore all of the public health advice” that has been given over months.
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“They’re ignoring all of that because they see conspiracies in everything, and they just demand the freedom to walk around without restrictions – that is a tiny minority view,” he added.
People will have been “infuriated” by images from Saturday’s protest, he said. “We need to be able to get the balance right between allowing that and also protecting broader public health.”
Meanwhile, security barriers were erected around Leinster House ahead of an "Evict Them from the Dáil" protest that has been mooted on social media in recent days, alleging that the Government is "unelected".
"This protest is not a right-wing, fascist protest and its not about mandatory masks, vaccines, testing, Bill Gates, 5G or other conspiracies doing the rounds – there are other groups protesting these issues," the organisers stated.
Taxi drivers will hold a separate protest in Merrion Square. They will gather at 10am at the gates of the Phoenix Park and then drive through the city centre to Government Buildings.


theirishtimes--2020-09-14--Catholic schools say they are powerless in bid to end ‘sibling-first’ admissions

Catholic primary schools say they are powerless to resist orders issued by the Archbishop of Dublin , Diarmuid Martin to drop admission rules that give priority to places for siblings of existing pupils .
The Archdiocese of Dublin – the patron body for about 400 schools in Dublin , Wicklow and parts of Kildare , Carlow , Laois and Wexford – has asked all primary schools to update admissions policies over the coming weeks .
Schools who operate “ sibling-first ” enrolment policies say they have been instructed by the archdiocese to grant parity to all children in the local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to siblings of pupils .
In a letter to parents , the board of management of Our Lady ’ s Grove Primary School in Dublin 14 said it had wanted to continue to offer priority admission , but the archdiocese would not approve this .
The letter states that the board of management consulted other schools in the locality who were “ experiencing a similar difficulty in relation to the changes to admissions policy insisted upon by the patron .
“ However , it is now clear that the patron insists that Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , other schools in the Archdiocese , adopt a standard admission policy , which does not permit a school to prioritise siblings of current students only in its first category.
” The letter adds : “ As the patron is insisting on this point , the board of management must by law , and in accordance with the Education Act , accept the patron ’ s decision on this point as it can not by law adopt an admission policy which has not been approved by the patron.
” Saying it was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Grove said it is “ fully aware of the implications and effect the new admission policy may have on some of our families and staff members in future years ” .
The revised admissions policy for schools in the archdiocese are due to come into effect this month .
They will apply to children seeking school places for the 2021/22 school year .
Denying that a change is being made to rule , a spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Dublin said the policy is considered to be “ the fairest ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill , called on the Archdiocese to provide data on the proportion of places occupied in each class by such enrolments before pressing ahead with any changes .
“ Juggling work and dropping children to school is difficult as it currently is for many parents , in particular for single parents.
, ” she said .
“ Arranging drop-offs and collections at different times in different schools would make the planning and practicalities of their week even more difficult for parents .
“ Now more than ever , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we should be trying to work together and consider the whole family unit when making decisions about enrolment policies .
”

The Archdiocese of Dublin has asked all primary schools to update admissions policies over the coming weeks
Catholic primary schools say they are powerless to resist orders issued by the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin to drop admission rules that give priority to places for siblings of existing pupils.
The Archdiocese of Dublin – the patron body for about 400 schools in Dublin, Wicklow and parts of Kildare, Carlow, Laois and Wexford – has asked all primary schools to update admissions policies over the coming weeks.
Schools who operate “sibling-first” enrolment policies say they have been instructed by the archdiocese to grant parity to all children in the local catchment area, rather than giving preference to siblings of pupils.
In a letter to parents, the board of management of Our Lady's Grove Primary School in Dublin 14 said it had wanted to continue to offer priority admission, but the archdiocese would not approve this.
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The letter states that the board of management consulted other schools in the locality who were “ experiencing a similar difficulty in relation to the changes to admissions policy insisted upon by the patron.
“However, it is now clear that the patron insists that Our Lady’s Grove and, indeed, other schools in the Archdiocese, adopt a standard admission policy, which does not permit a school to prioritise siblings of current students only in its first category.”
The board of management of Our Lady’s Grove Primary School in Dublin 14 said it had tried unsucessfully to maintain its policy of giving priority admission to siblings of children enrolled in the school. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
The letter adds: “As the patron is insisting on this point, the board of management must by law, and in accordance with the Education Act, accept the patron’s decision on this point as it cannot by law adopt an admission policy which has not been approved by the patron.”
Saying it was “ extremely disappointed”, Our Lady’s Grove said it is “fully aware of the implications and effect the new admission policy may have on some of our families and staff members in future years”.
The revised admissions policy for schools in the archdiocese are due to come into effect this month. They will apply to children seeking school places for the 2021/22 school year.
Denying that a change is being made to rule, a spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Dublin said the policy is considered to be “the fairest” and would only affect over-subscribed schools.
Dublin-based Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, called on the Archdiocese to provide data on the proportion of places occupied in each class by such enrolments before pressing ahead with any changes.
“Juggling work and dropping children to school is difficult as it currently is for many parents, in particular for single parents.,” she said.
“Arranging drop-offs and collections at different times in different schools would make the planning and practicalities of their week even more difficult for parents.
“Now more than ever, with the rapidly evolving working landscape, we should be trying to work together and consider the whole family unit when making decisions about enrolment policies.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-14--Dublin Chamber envisages a 15-minute post-Covid city

A vision of car-free streets and what Dublin could potentially look like , post-Covid , has been launched by Dublin Chamber .
The “ 15-minute city ” planning vision for Dublin is focused on creating liveable , walkable communities in which people can live and access most of their daily needs within 15 minutes of active transport , such as walking or cycling .
The Chamber said the Covid-19 lockdown highlighted the importance of urban planning that is focused on creating liveable , walkable communities The vision includes diverse housing options and access to safe cycle routes and local public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , shops , and other local infrastructure .
Looking at the benefits of the 15-minute city principle , the Chamber ’ s report outlines a core of mixed developments , integrating as many uses as possible within the same space .
“ This in many ways counteracts the past century of planning which has focused on separating residential areas from those for retail , employment , manufacturing , and entertainment.
” The Chamber contends community development in Dublin has often taken place on an ad hoc basis .
The 15-minute city concept seeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at the needs of a local community in terms of what facilities or infrastructure are in place , which are not , and how shortfalls can be addressed .
Dublin Chamber ’ s vision is that within 15 minutes of active transport from their home , Dublin residents should : • Have access to a key public transport hub to commute around the city to access work or higher-level services ; • Be connected to their local community through safe , accessible , and well-connected footpaths and cycle paths ; • Have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high quality public realm ; • Have facilities and services that promote local living and a local economy .
It has called for consideration of the guiding principles of hyper-proximity and the 15-minute city vision in the upcoming reviews of the four local authority Development Plans .
Dublin City Council , Fingal County Council , South Dublin County Council , and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council .
It wants to see a pilot programme set up , similar to those used in Melbourne , Australia , in one community in each of four local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the “ Sustainable Urban Housing : Design standards for new apartments ” document to ensure that access to communal amenity space and pedestrian first policy is placed at the core of design .
According to Dublin Chamber ’ s director of public and international affairs Aebhric McGibney , by adopting the 15-minute city principle , “ we can significantly enhance the liveability of Dublin .
“ Reduced congestion and pollution , enhanced public spaces , thriving local economies and efficient public transport would all improve Dublin ’ s international reputation and competitiveness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vision , if carried out successfully , could prove transformative for Dublin and enhance not only the lives of its residents and local economy , but its attractiveness as a place in which to do business .
As remote working continues into the future the 15-minute city concept will be pivotal in reimagining the city .
”

A vision of car-free streets and what Dublin could potentially look like, post-Covid, has been launched by Dublin Chamber.
The “15-minute city” planning vision for Dublin is focused on creating liveable, walkable communities in which people can live and access most of their daily needs within 15 minutes of active transport, such as walking or cycling.
The Chamber said the Covid-19 lockdown highlighted the importance of urban planning that is focused on creating liveable, walkable communities
The vision includes diverse housing options and access to safe cycle routes and local public transport, local health facilities, parks, shops, and other local infrastructure.
READ MORE
Looking at the benefits of the 15-minute city principle, the Chamber’s report outlines a core of mixed developments, integrating as many uses as possible within the same space. “This in many ways counteracts the past century of planning which has focused on separating residential areas from those for retail, employment, manufacturing, and entertainment.”
The Chamber contends community development in Dublin has often taken place on an ad hoc basis. The 15-minute city concept seeks to ensure that planners and local authorities look at the needs of a local community in terms of what facilities or infrastructure are in place, which are not, and how shortfalls can be addressed.
Dublin Chamber’s vision is that within 15 minutes of active transport from their home, Dublin residents should:
Have access to a key public transport hub to commute around the city to access work or higher-level services;
Be connected to their local community through safe, accessible, and well-connected footpaths and cycle paths;
Have access to an open green space and high quality public realm;
Have facilities and services that promote local living and a local economy.
It has called for consideration of the guiding principles of hyper-proximity and the 15-minute city vision in the upcoming reviews of the four local authority Development Plans. Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, South Dublin County Council, and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
It wants to see a pilot programme set up, similar to those used in Melbourne, Australia, in one community in each of four local authorities.
It also wants a review of the “Sustainable Urban Housing: Design standards for new apartments” document to ensure that access to communal amenity space and pedestrian first policy is placed at the core of design.
According to Dublin Chamber’s director of public and international affairs Aebhric McGibney, by adopting the 15-minute city principle, “we can significantly enhance the liveability of Dublin.
“Reduced congestion and pollution, enhanced public spaces, thriving local economies and efficient public transport would all improve Dublin’s international reputation and competitiveness” he said.
“Such a vision, if carried out successfully, could prove transformative for Dublin and enhance not only the lives of its residents and local economy, but its attractiveness as a place in which to do business. As remote working continues into the future the 15-minute city concept will be pivotal in reimagining the city.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-14--Dublin City Council rejects ‘blanket ban’ on speeds above 30km/h

Dublin City Council ’ s planned “ blanket reduction ” in the city ’ s speed limit to 30km/h has been amended to allow 40km/h speeds on certain routes .
The amendment which provides for council area committees to consider the appropriate speed limits on arterial roads , was approved by councillors on Monday night .
It will involve a new round of public consultation delaying the introduction of reduced limits on key arterial routes until next year at the earliest .
The move is a blow to Dublin City management ’ s plans to introduce a default speed limit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year , Dublin City Council said it was planning to introduce a 30km/h limit in all residential areas by September .
However , following the outbreak of coronavirus it was decided to extend the limit to almost all major approach roads to the city to “ protect the larger numbers of pedestrians , cyclists and vulnerable road users ” accessing the city .
But at Monday night ’ s council meeting Cllr Naoise Ó Muirí ( Fine Gael ) said it was “ just not realistic ” to “ bring in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on key routes such as Collins Avenue , Griffith Avenue and the Malahide Road .
He said he did not condone speeding , but on some roads outside the city ’ s canals a 30km/h limit was neither realistic nor practical .
He proposed an amendment that would see the issue of the section of local speed limits on arterial roads be decided by the council ’ s relevant area committees .
Mr Ó Muirí was supported by Cllr Mary Freehill ( Labour ) who said public transport would also be affected by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could not be expected to tolerate that .
She said she was supportive of getting more cars off the roads but “ what we are looking at here is too much ” .
She said arterial roads through Harold ’ s Cross , Rathgar Road and Crumlin Road should not be subject to a 30km/h limit .
Cllr Damian O ’ Farrell ( Ind ) said “ 40 is a good compromise ” .
He said local area committees were “ best placed ” to decide on local limits .
Cllr Anne Feeney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , Green councillor Donna Cooney said : “ I know these roads which are some of the most dangerous and I would not be in support of this amendment.
” She said Dublin buses “ rarely ” get up to the speed limit at commuting times .
Cllr Ó Muirí ’ s amendment was carried by 32 votes to 18 .
Dublin City Council has already begun introducing extensive traffic calming and pedestrian , cyclist and public transport priority measures under its “ mobility intervention programme ” designed to facilitate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In June , the council said its proposal to reduce the speed limit was “ in line with other European cities ” which had taken similar measures “ in order to protect the larger numbers of pedestrians , cyclists and vulnerable road users moving around in these areas and on the road carriageway due to Covid-19 travel restrictions and social distancing requirements ” .
While the council had described these measures as temporary , the 30km/h restrictions were being proposed under bylaws , which would mean they would remain in place permanently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescind them .

One councillor said it was ‘just not realistic’ to “bring in a blanket ban” on speeds above 30km/h on key routes such as Collins Avenue. Photograph: Tom Honan
Dublin City Council's planned "blanket reduction" in the city's speed limit to 30km/h has been amended to allow 40km/h speeds on certain routes.
The amendment which provides for council area committees to consider the appropriate speed limits on arterial roads, was approved by councillors on Monday night. It will involve a new round of public consultation delaying the introduction of reduced limits on key arterial routes until next year at the earliest.
The move is a blow to Dublin City management’s plans to introduce a default speed limit of 30km/h across the city.
Earlier this year, Dublin City Council said it was planning to introduce a 30km/h limit in all residential areas by September. However, following the outbreak of coronavirus it was decided to extend the limit to almost all major approach roads to the city to “protect the larger numbers of pedestrians, cyclists and vulnerable road users” accessing the city.
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But at Monday night’s council meeting Cllr Naoise Ó Muirí (Fine Gael) said it was “just not realistic” to “bring in a blanket ban” on speeds above 30km/h on key routes such as Collins Avenue, Griffith Avenue and the Malahide Road.
He said he did not condone speeding, but on some roads outside the city’s canals a 30km/h limit was neither realistic nor practical.
He proposed an amendment that would see the issue of the section of local speed limits on arterial roads be decided by the council’s relevant area committees.
Mr Ó Muirí was supported by Cllr Mary Freehill (Labour) who said public transport would also be affected by a 30km/h limit and she said commuters could not be expected to tolerate that. She said she was supportive of getting more cars off the roads but “what we are looking at here is too much”. She said arterial roads through Harold’s Cross, Rathgar Road and Crumlin Road should not be subject to a 30km/h limit.
Cllr Damian O’Farrell (Ind) said “40 is a good compromise”. He said local area committees were “best placed” to decide on local limits. Cllr Anne Feeney said the amendment “makes sense”.
However, Green councillor Donna Cooney said: “I know these roads which are some of the most dangerous and I would not be in support of this amendment.” She said Dublin buses “rarely” get up to the speed limit at commuting times.
Cllr Ó Muirí’s amendment was carried by 32 votes to 18.
Dublin City Council has already begun introducing extensive traffic calming and pedestrian, cyclist and public transport priority measures under its “mobility intervention programme” designed to facilitate the reopening of the city after Covid-19 restrictions.
In June, the council said its proposal to reduce the speed limit was “in line with other European cities” which had taken similar measures “in order to protect the larger numbers of pedestrians, cyclists and vulnerable road users moving around in these areas and on the road carriageway due to Covid-19 travel restrictions and social distancing requirements”.
While the council had described these measures as temporary, the 30km/h restrictions were being proposed under bylaws, which would mean they would remain in place permanently, unless new bylaws were introduced to rescind them.


theirishtimes--2020-09-14--Calculated grades protest: ‘I am going with my second choice but I am not happy’

Dominic Murray got 10 As in his Junior Cert , competed in an elite junior maths competition and has two parents with maths degrees .
Still , in the calculated-grades whirlwind of 2020 , he received a H2 in the subject and missed out on his preferred college degree .
A high academic achiever , Murray ( 18 ) was among a group of dozens of Leaving Certificate students protesting outside the Department of Education on Monday .
As details of their schools ’ estimated grades came through – as opposed to the calculated grades on which their entry to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel cheated by the system designed to cope with Covid-19 and its routing of normal exam structures .
Murray ultimately received 577 points through the calculated system .
His school had estimated 625 .
“ It was pretty shocking because , based on my class tests during the year , if you followed them by the book , I would have got 613 points , which would have given me [ my first choice college course of ] economics and finance , ” says Murray , who , like many of those at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dublin ’ s Institute of Education grind school , itself aggrieved by the process .
Although opting for his second choice financial maths course at UCD , he believes it could add up to three years to his studies to reach the same level of qualification , as it is a year longer and he would probably need a master ’ s degree afterwards .
“ I am not going to repeat exams but they are a very different calibre of courses , ” he said .
“ I am going to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am not exactly happy with it.
” He will appeal his grades as a form of protest but does not believe any clerical error was made .
Legal action seems too expensive , he says .

Dominic Murray got 10 As in his Junior Cert, competed in an elite junior maths competition and has two parents with maths degrees. Still, in the calculated-grades whirlwind of 2020, he received a H2 in the subject and missed out on his preferred college degree.
A high academic achiever, Murray (18) was among a group of dozens of Leaving Certificate students protesting outside the Department of Education on Monday.
As details of their schools’ estimated grades came through – as opposed to the calculated grades on which their entry to college was based – many students still feel cheated by the system designed to cope with Covid-19 and its routing of normal exam structures.
Murray ultimately received 577 points through the calculated system. His school had estimated 625.
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“It was pretty shocking because, based on my class tests during the year, if you followed them by the book, I would have got 613 points, which would have given me [my first choice college course of] economics and finance,” says Murray, who, like many of those at Monday’s protest, studied at Dublin’s Institute of Education grind school, itself aggrieved by the process.
Although opting for his second choice financial maths course at UCD, he believes it could add up to three years to his studies to reach the same level of qualification, as it is a year longer and he would probably need a master’s degree afterwards.
“I am not going to repeat exams but they are a very different calibre of courses,” he said. “I am going to go with [my second choice] but I am not exactly happy with it.”
He will appeal his grades as a form of protest but does not believe any clerical error was made. Legal action seems too expensive, he says.


theirishtimes--2020-09-15--What is in the Government’s new five-level Covid-19 alert plan?

The Government has announced a medium-term plan to suppress the spread of coronavirus while keeping as much of the country open as possible .
At the core of the plan is an escalating five-level alert system .
The Government will decide on moving between levels based on advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team , which will be first assessed by a new Covid-19 Oversight Group chaired by the Government ’ s secretary general Martin Fraser with inputs from other Government departments .
The chief medical officer and HSE chief executive will also sit on this group .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include the number and location of cases and clusters , recent incidence rates , the capacity to manage outbreaks and testing and contact tracing , along with the capacity of the hospital system , the number of deaths and the international situation .
- Visitors are limited to 10 from up to three households inside your home or garden - No more than 50 attendees are permitted outside your home or garden - Up to 100 people can attend a wedding ceremony and reception - Up to 100 people can attend indoor gatherings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ venues with two-metre distancing and one-way entry and exits - Larger events will be permitted at very large stadiums , auditoriums or events - Guidance will be developed for very large purpose-built event facilities - Up to 100 spectators can attend indoor sporting fixtures - Up to 200 spectators can attend outdoor sporting fixtures - Up to 500 can attend outdoor stadiums with minimum capacity of 5,000 - Up to 50 people permitted at religious with more than 50 allowed in separate sub-groupings - Wet pubs - defined as those that do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are limited to one household or up to six visitors from two or three other households - Up to six people can meet indoors or up to 15 outdoors from up to three households - Up to 50 people can attend a wedding ceremony and reception - Up to 50 people can attend controlled indoor gatherings in pods or groups of up to six for business , training events , conferences , theatres , cinemas and other arts events - Up to 100 people are permitted in larger venues with social distancing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities , such as stadiums and event centres , guidance to be developed - Up to 100 people will be permitted outdoors at majority of venues - Up to 200 people permitted at outdoor stadium with minimum capacity of 5,000 - Sports training permitted up to 15 people ( except for professional teams - Sports training , exercise and dance can take place in pods of up to six inside - Up to 100 people can watch sports events outdoors and 50 people indoors - Up to 200 people can attend outdoor stadiums @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 50 people can attend religious services and funerals - Wet pubs can open but with groups limited to six people from no more than three households - Visitors to your home or garden limited to one other household or your own household only - No other social or family gatherings permitted - Travel restricted to your county or region apart from work , education or essential reasons - Attendance at a wedding ceremony or reception reduced to 25 - Sports training permitted outdoors in pods of up to 15 ( excluding professional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and swimming pools can remain open for individual training - No sporting matches or events can take place - Religious services must move online ; places of worship for private prayer only - All museums , galleries and other cultural attractions must close ; libraries go call and collect - Additional restrictions will apply for indoor dining and wet pubs - People must work from home unless absolutely necessary to attend in person - No visitors to homes permitted and no social or family gatherings elsewhere - Attendance at a wedding ceremony or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited to no more than 15 people - Sports training outdoors limited to non-contact training in pods of up to 15 - Individual training indoors permitted but no exercise or dance classes can take place - All museums , galleries and other cultural attractions must close ; online services only - Bars and restaurants must move to takeaway only ; no indoor dining , outdoor limited to 15 - Wet pubs are only permitted to open for outdoor seating limited to a maximum of 15 people - People will be asked to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of home - No gatherings other than attending funerals or weddings - Attendance at a wedding ceremony or reception remains at six guests - Wet pubs can only offer takeaway or delivery service There will be additional measures applied to Dublin beyond Level Two .
- No more than two households can meet ; no more than six visitors from one other household - Pubs and bars not serving food should remain closed beyond September 21st - Higher and third-level institutions should consider enhanced protective measures - People in Dublin should limit travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other household when outside the county - Number , location and characteristics of cases and clusters - Outbreak management capacity in at risk settings or vulnerable groups - Testing and contact tracing and disease surveillance capacity or performance - Capacity to manage occupancy and admissions in hospitals and critical care - Other measures including infection control data , uptake of seasonal flu and international situation

A passenger wears a mask on a bus in Dublin city centre. Photograph: Alan Betson
The Government has announced a medium-term plan to suppress the spread of coronavirus while keeping as much of the country open as possible. At the core of the plan is an escalating five-level alert system.
The Government will decide on moving between levels based on advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team, which will be first assessed by a new Covid-19 Oversight Group chaired by the Government’s secretary general Martin Fraser with inputs from other Government departments. The chief medical officer and HSE chief executive will also sit on this group.
The criteria that will set alert levels will include the number and location of cases and clusters, recent incidence rates, the capacity to manage outbreaks and testing and contact tracing, along with the capacity of the hospital system, the number of deaths and the international situation.
This is how it works.
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Level one
- Visitors are limited to 10 from up to three households inside your home or garden
- No more than 50 attendees are permitted outside your home or garden
- Up to 100 people can attend a wedding ceremony and reception
- Up to 100 people can attend indoor gatherings
- Up to 200 people for larger venues with two-metre distancing and one-way entry and exits
- Larger events will be permitted at very large stadiums, auditoriums or events
- Guidance will be developed for very large purpose-built event facilities
- Up to 100 spectators can attend indoor sporting fixtures
- Up to 200 spectators can attend outdoor sporting fixtures
- Up to 500 can attend outdoor stadiums with minimum capacity of 5,000
- Up to 50 people permitted at religious with more than 50 allowed in separate sub-groupings
- Nightclubs, discos and casinos will remain closed
- Wet pubs - defined as those that do not serve food - can open
Level two
- Visitors are limited to one household or up to six visitors from two or three other households
- Up to six people can meet indoors or up to 15 outdoors from up to three households
- Up to 50 people can attend a wedding ceremony and reception
- Up to 50 people can attend controlled indoor gatherings in pods or groups of up to six for business, training events, conferences, theatres, cinemas and other arts events
- Up to 100 people are permitted in larger venues with social distancing and one-way systems
- For large purpose-built event facilities,such as stadiums and event centres, guidance to be developed
- Up to 100 people will be permitted outdoors at majority of venues
- Up to 200 people permitted at outdoor stadium with minimum capacity of 5,000
- Sports training permitted up to 15 people (except for professional teams
- Sports training, exercise and dance can take place in pods of up to six inside
- Up to 100 people can watch sports events outdoors and 50 people indoors
- Up to 200 people can attend outdoor stadiums with minimum capacity of 5,000
- Up to 50 people can attend religious services and funerals
- Wet pubs can open but with groups limited to six people from no more than three households
- Public transport limited to 50 per cent capacity
Level three
- Visitors to your home or garden limited to one other household or your own household only
- No other social or family gatherings permitted
- Travel restricted to your county or region apart from work, education or essential reasons
- Attendance at a wedding ceremony or reception reduced to 25
- No indoor gatherings (including meetings, theatres, cinemas, arts venues) permitted
- Outdoor gatherings limited to just 15 people
- Sports training permitted outdoors in pods of up to 15 (excluding professional sports)
- Only individual indoor sports training permitted
- Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools can remain open for individual training
- No sporting matches or events can take place
- Religious services must move online; places of worship for private prayer only
- Funeral attendance reduced to 25 mourners
- All museums, galleries and other cultural attractions must close; libraries go call and collect
- Additional restrictions will apply for indoor dining and wet pubs
- People must work from home unless absolutely necessary to attend in person
- Visiting at long-term residential care facilities, including nursing homes, suspended
Level four
- No visitors to homes permitted and no social or family gatherings elsewhere
- Attendance at a wedding ceremony or reception reduced to six
- Indoor gatherings banned
- Outdoor gatherings limited to no more than 15 people
- Sports training outdoors limited to non-contact training in pods of up to 15
- Individual training indoors permitted but no exercise or dance classes can take place
- Gyms and leisure centres must close
- Attendance at funerals remains limited at 25 mourners
- All museums, galleries and other cultural attractions must close; online services only
- Bars and restaurants must move to takeaway only; no indoor dining, outdoor limited to 15
- Wet pubs are only permitted to open for outdoor seating limited to a maximum of 15 people
- Travel remains restricted to county or region
- Schools, creches and universities will remain open
- Public transport limited to 25 per cent capacity
Level five
- People will be asked to stay home except to exercise within five kilometres of home
- No gatherings other than attending funerals or weddings
- Attendance at a wedding ceremony or reception remains at six guests
- Attendance at funerals reduced to 10 mourners
- Wet pubs can only offer takeaway or delivery service
- Schools, creches and universities will remain open
Dublin
There will be additional measures applied to Dublin beyond Level Two.
- No more than two households can meet; no more than six visitors from one other household
- Pubs and bars not serving food should remain closed beyond September 21st
- Higher and third-level institutions should consider enhanced protective measures
- People in Dublin should limit travel outside the region and meet only one other household when outside the county
Criteria to determine moving between levels
- Number, location and characteristics of cases and clusters
- 14-day and 7-day cumulative virus incidence rate, five-day averages for counties, nationally
- Number of cases, positivity rates and reproduction number
- Outbreak management capacity in at risk settings or vulnerable groups
- Testing and contact tracing and disease surveillance capacity or performance
- Capacity to manage occupancy and admissions in hospitals and critical care
- Number of deaths
- Other measures including infection control data, uptake of seasonal flu and international situation


theirishtimes--2020-09-15--‘I’ve put hours upon hours into my studies, I am gutted with the grades’

A student from Jobstown , Dublin , who went to the Institute of Education on Leeson Street for the final two years of her studies , has called for a more comprehensive appeals system for those unhappy with their calculated Leaving Certificate grades .
Aisling Sun ( 18 ) , got 488 points in the Leaving Certificate , but had been hoping for more than 520 .
On Monday , she found out that her teachers had awarded her 533 points , before this total had then been reduced for her final , calculated grade .
She is taking up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seventh CAO choice .
She said the friends she made in the €7,500-a-year Institute came from all social classes and all parts of Dublin .
Claims that the model used by the Department of Education to calculate Leaving Certificate grades led to unfair outcomes for students who went to schools that traditionally produce higher-scoring students , are likely to feature in High Court challenges expected as early as this week .
It is expected it will be argued that the model used by the department led to the grades awarded by teachers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , being reduced to a greater extent than for the student body generally .
The range of students at the institute “ was insane ” said Ms Sun , who described her family as “ middle to lower class ” .
“ I had friends who were extremely well-off , but also friends who were similar to my situation and were not as financially comfortable as others might be , ” she told The Irish Times .
“ It ’ s not as uniform as people might think.
” She had been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in secondary in her local school , “ but I kind of lost the motivational atmosphere , after being there so long .
Maybe I just needed a change of environment ” .
She looked into studying at the institute and then asked her mother if she could go there .
“ She said of course , if this is what you want.
” “ My parents worked very hard , and long hours , to make sure that we are able to get that extra help in our education .
I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me my wish.
” She has one , older sibling .
As matters stand , students can appeal their results , but the process is concerned with finding errors in the “ transmission and processing of student data ” as opposed to the decision on grades that was eventually made .
Ms Sun said she would like to see the appeal system broadened , so it could take other issues into account .
In an email she sent to a number of councillors at the weekend , she said she was asking them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the [ department ] on behalf of myself and many other let down students of this year ’ s Leaving Cert , for a robust appeals system .
Or at least more leniency with the current one.
” She said she made the conscious decision to move from St Paul ’ s Secondary School in Greenhills , to the institute , in the hope of better learning opportunities and better results .
“ I ’ ve spent the majority of my time in the institute taking classes from 8.30am to 4.30pm and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until 9pm , even weekend study in the school .
“ I ’ ve put hours upon hours into my studies in this school and I am gutted with the grades which were given to me.
” She said she knew the financial pressure going to the Institute would put on her parents .
“ We are a middle to lower class family .
My parents moved their lives here 20 years ago from China to seek a better life , and always told me they would provide me with anything I needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I wanted for myself.
” “ They ’ re so incredibly hardworking and I feel overwhelming sadness that I could not succeed for them.
” She said the 488 points that she had been awarded “ does not represent me truly ” and that she felt helpless and “ stuck ” .
She told The Irish Times that when she saw the results on Monday that her teachers had assigned to her , “ it put my heart at peace .
It let me know that my teachers did believe in me ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been very tense and pressurised , she said .
“ Honestly , it ’ s been quite a roller coaster .
”

A student from Jobstown, Dublin, who went to the Institute of Education on Leeson Street for the final two years of her studies, has called for a more comprehensive appeals system for those unhappy with their calculated Leaving Certificate grades.
Aisling Sun (18), got 488 points in the Leaving Certificate, but had been hoping for more than 520.
On Monday, she found out that her teachers had awarded her 533 points, before this total had then been reduced for her final, calculated grade. She is taking up a course in UCD that was her seventh CAO choice.
She said the friends she made in the €7,500-a-year Institute came from all social classes and all parts of Dublin.
READ MORE
Claims that the model used by the Department of Education to calculate Leaving Certificate grades led to unfair outcomes for students who went to schools that traditionally produce higher-scoring students, are likely to feature in High Court challenges expected as early as this week.
It is expected it will be argued that the model used by the department led to the grades awarded by teachers in schools with a tradition of high grades, being reduced to a greater extent than for the student body generally.
The range of students at the institute “was insane” said Ms Sun, who described her family as “middle to lower class”.
Well-off
" I had friends who were extremely well-off, but also friends who were similar to my situation and were not as financially comfortable as others might be," she told The Irish Times. "It's not as uniform as people might think."
She had been a student from primary up to transition year in secondary in her local school, “but I kind of lost the motivational atmosphere, after being there so long. Maybe I just needed a change of environment”.
She looked into studying at the institute and then asked her mother if she could go there. “She said of course, if this is what you want.”
“My parents worked very hard, and long hours, to make sure that we are able to get that extra help in our education. I am extremely grateful for them, for giving me my wish.” She has one, older sibling.
As matters stand, students can appeal their results, but the process is concerned with finding errors in the “transmission and processing of student data” as opposed to the decision on grades that was eventually made.
Ms Sun said she would like to see the appeal system broadened, so it could take other issues into account.
In an email she sent to a number of councillors at the weekend, she said she was asking them “if at all possible to communicate with the [department] on behalf of myself and many other let down students of this year’s Leaving Cert, for a robust appeals system. Or at least more leniency with the current one.”
She said she made the conscious decision to move from St Paul’s Secondary School in Greenhills, to the institute, in the hope of better learning opportunities and better results.
“I’ve spent the majority of my time in the institute taking classes from 8.30am to 4.30pm and then proceeding to go to evening study until 9pm, even weekend study in the school.
Gutted
“I’ve put hours upon hours into my studies in this school and I am gutted with the grades which were given to me.”
She said she knew the financial pressure going to the Institute would put on her parents.
“We are a middle to lower class family. My parents moved their lives here 20 years ago from China to seek a better life, and always told me they would provide me with anything I needed to ensure I could have the future I wanted for myself.”
“They’re so incredibly hardworking and I feel overwhelming sadness that I could not succeed for them.”
She said the 488 points that she had been awarded “does not represent me truly” and that she felt helpless and “stuck”.
She told The Irish Times that when she saw the results on Monday that her teachers had assigned to her, "it put my heart at peace. It let me know that my teachers did believe in me".
The past week or fortnight had been very tense and pressurised, she said. “Honestly, it’s been quite a roller coaster.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-15--Appeal in ‘Mr Moonlight’ murder case may last four days, court hears

The Court of Appeal has heard that an appeal by Tipperary farmer , Patrick Quirke , against his conviction last year for the murder of Bobby Ryan could last up to four days .
Lawyers for Quirke and the DPP appeared before a brief sitting of the Court of Appeal on Tuesday to discuss progress in the case .
The full appeal hearing is listed for a date in October .
The President of the Court of Appeal , Mr Justice George Birmingham , expressed hope that the parties might be able to conduct the appeal in a shorter timeframe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anticipated .
He adjourned the matter for mention to next week to allow both sides consider each other ’ s submissions on the appeal .
Quirke ( 50 ) of Breanshamore , Co Tipperary , had denied murdering Bobby Ryan ( 52 ) , a part-time DJ going by the name ‘ Mr Moonlight ’ , who went missing on June 3rd , 2011 after leaving his girlfriend Mary Lowry ’ s house at about 6.30am .
The body of Mr Ryan was subsequently found in an underground run-off tank on the farm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quirke at Fawnagown , 22 months later , in April 2013 .
It was the prosecution ’ s case that Quirke murdered Mr Ryan so he could rekindle a love affair with Ms Lowry and that he subsequently “ staged ” the discovery of the DJ ’ s body after Ms Lowry tried to terminate his lease at Fawnagowan .
Quirke ’ s lawyers contended that the prosecution had failed to prove their case beyond mere suspicion .
They pointed to “ inconsistencies ” in Ms Lowry ’ s evidence , and claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
A jury at the Central Criminal Court found Quirke guility of Mr Ryan ’ s murder by a 10-2 majority verdict after deliberating for almost 21 hours following a trial that lasted 13 weeks .
The farmer was given a mandatory life sentence by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon on May 1st , 2019 .
In evidence that was frequently interrupted by legal argument , the jury learned that Quirke started farming the land at Fawnagowan following the death of Ms Lowry ’ s husband , Martin , in September 2007 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quirke ’ s wedding .
In early 2008 , Quirke and Ms Lowry began a sexual relationship that she subsequently described as “ seedy ” and “ sordid ” and something she regretted .
In August 2010 , Ms Lowry met Bobby Ryan at a dance , who she described as “ fun ” , “ funny ” and “ a breath of fresh air ” .
When Quirke found out about their relationship ,  he was angry and hurt .
He told gardaí took Ms Lowry ’ s phone and texted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was in a relationship with Mary and she had not been honest .
He then called Mr Ryan and told him : “ I ’ m the man.
” On June 2nd , 2011 Bobby Ryan called to Ms Lowry ’ s home some time after 9pm .
He stayed the night and left around 6.30am .
Ms Lowry , who waited to hear his van cross the cattle grid at the end of her drive , later told gardaí he took longer than usual to drive away .
He was not seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Ms Lowry resumed in August 2011 and that the following month , they stayed in the Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore , Co Waterford , something Ms Lowry said she couldn ’ t remember .
In December 2012 , Ms Lowry ’ s solicitor sent a letter to Quirke asking to terminate the lease at Fawnagowan .
He agreed to leave that June .
In April , Quirke called his wife Imelda to say he had found a body in a disused waste tank at Fawnagowan .
She arrived shortly afterwards and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a voluntary statement to gardaí and denied knowing how Ryan ’ s body ended up in the tank .

Patrick Quirke of Breanshamore, Co Tipperary: jailed for the murder of 52-year-old Bobby Ryan. Photograph: Collins Courts
The Court of Appeal has heard that an appeal by Tipperary farmer, Patrick Quirke, against his conviction last year for the murder of Bobby Ryan could last up to four days.
Lawyers for Quirke and the DPP appeared before a brief sitting of the Court of Appeal on Tuesday to discuss progress in the case.
The full appeal hearing is listed for a date in October.
The President of the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice George Birmingham, expressed hope that the parties might be able to conduct the appeal in a shorter timeframe that the three to four days currently anticipated.
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He adjourned the matter for mention to next week to allow both sides consider each other’s submissions on the appeal.
Quirke (50) of Breanshamore, Co Tipperary, had denied murdering Bobby Ryan (52), a part-time DJ going by the name 'Mr Moonlight', who went missing on June 3rd, 2011 after leaving his girlfriend Mary Lowry's house at about 6.30am.
The body of Mr Ryan was subsequently found in an underground run-off tank on the farm owned by Ms Lowry and leased by Quirke at Fawnagown, 22 months later, in April 2013.
It was the prosecution’s case that Quirke murdered Mr Ryan so he could rekindle a love affair with Ms Lowry and that he subsequently “staged” the discovery of the DJ’s body after Ms Lowry tried to terminate his lease at Fawnagowan.
Quirke’s lawyers contended that the prosecution had failed to prove their case beyond mere suspicion. They pointed to “inconsistencies” in Ms Lowry’s evidence, and claimed she was “not a reliable witness”.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court found Quirke guility of Mr Ryan's murder by a 10-2 majority verdict after deliberating for almost 21 hours following a trial that lasted 13 weeks.
The farmer was given a mandatory life sentence by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon on May 1st, 2019.
In evidence that was frequently interrupted by legal argument, the jury learned that Quirke started farming the land at Fawnagowan following the death of Ms Lowry's husband, Martin, in September 2007. Martin Lowry had been best man at Quirke's wedding.
In early 2008, Quirke and Ms Lowry began a sexual relationship that she subsequently described as “seedy” and “sordid” and something she regretted.
In August 2010, Ms Lowry met Bobby Ryan at a dance, who she described as “fun”, “funny” and “a breath of fresh air”.
When Quirke found out about their relationship,  he was angry and hurt. He told gardaí took Ms Lowry’s phone and texted Mr Ryan to tell him that he was in a relationship with Mary and she had not been honest.
He then called Mr Ryan and told him: “I’m the man.”
On June 2nd, 2011 Bobby Ryan called to Ms Lowry’s home some time after 9pm. He stayed the night and left around 6.30am. Ms Lowry, who waited to hear his van cross the cattle grid at the end of her drive, later told gardaí he took longer than usual to drive away. He was not seen alive again.
Quirke claimed his affair with Ms Lowry resumed in August 2011 and that the following month, they stayed in the Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore, Co Waterford, something Ms Lowry said she couldn't remember.
In December 2012, Ms Lowry’s solicitor sent a letter to Quirke asking to terminate the lease at Fawnagowan. He agreed to leave that June.
In April, Quirke called his wife Imelda to say he had found a body in a disused waste tank at Fawnagowan. She arrived shortly afterwards and called Garda Tom Neville.
Quirke gave a voluntary statement to gardaí and denied knowing how Ryan’s body ended up in the tank.


theirishtimes--2020-09-15--Woman and children jump from window to escape house fire

Gardaí in Drogheda , Co Louth are investigating whether a fire at a family home last night was started by a petrol bomb .
A woman ( 30 ) and her three young children had to jump to safety from a bedroom window .
All four are believed to be uninjured but shocked by their experience .
The scene has been preserved and will be examined by Garda forensic experts .
Indications are that it is not linked to the gangland feud .
The fire brigade was called by local people who saw flames coming from the door of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Park at approximately 9.40pm .
It is believed that the family had only moved there in the last month .
The children are all understood to be primary school age .
Gardaí say the cause of the fire is under investigation and will examine whether an item with some form of an accelerant was used to start the fire ; damage was caused to the door and porch .
Flames were first seen coming from the front door , which is at the side of the three bedroom house , and when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help , they saw the woman and the three boys jumping from a first floor bedroom window .
An ambulance also responded and paramedics checked out the family .
It is understood nobody was seriously injured .
Gardaí sealed off the house and they are appealing for witnesses to contact them at Drogheda Garda Station on ( 041 ) 9874200 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 .

Gardaí in Drogheda are investigating whether a fire at a family home last night was started by a petrol bomb. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire.
Gardaí in Drogheda, Co Louth are investigating whether a fire at a family home was started by a petrol bomb.
A woman (30) and her three young children had to jump to safety from a bedroom window after the blaze broke out at the house in St Laurence’s Park at approximately 9.40pm on Monday.
All four are believed to be uninjured but shocked by their experience.
The scene was preserved for examination by Garda forensic experts.
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Indications are that it is not linked to the gangland feud in Drogheda.
The fire brigade was called by local people who saw flames coming from the door of the house. Drogheda fire service responded and extinguished the blaze. Damage was caused to the door and porch.
It is believed the family had only moved into their home in the last month. The children are all understood to be primary school age.
Gardaí say the cause of the fire is under investigation and will examine whether an item with some form of an accelerant was used to start the fire.
Flames were first seen coming from the front door , which is at the side of the three-bedroom house, and when neighbours rushed to help, they saw the woman and the three boys jumping from a first floor bedroom window.
An ambulance also responded and paramedics checked out the family.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact them at Drogheda Garda station on (041) 9874200 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.


theirishtimes--2020-09-15--Teenager remanded over death of homeless man in Dublin

A 16-year-old boy has been remanded in custody and will face a psychiatric evaluation after he was charged with the murder of a homeless man in Dublin .
Gardai were alerted after the discovery of a body at about 1.30am on Monday , in a laneway off Madison Road , at the South Circular Road , in Kilmainham , Dublin 8 .
The deceased was a eastern European man in his 40s .
The 16-year-old boy , who can not be named because he is a juvenile , was arrested and held at Kevin Street Garda station on Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Judge Treasa Kelly at the Dublin Children ’ s Court on Tuesday morning .
He is accused of the murder of a named man , at the laneway , to the rear of a house on Madison Road , contrary to common law .
Dressed in a T-shirt , jeans and runners , the youth did not address the court .
There has been no indication yet as to how he will plead .
Detective Sergeant Brian Hoey told the court the boy , “ made no reply to the charge after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court does not have jurisdiction to consider a bail application for a defendant on a murder charge .
Judge Kelly said she had no option but to remand in custody to the Oberstown detention centre .
The case will go to the Central Criminal Court but a book of a book of evidence has to be prepared by the Director of Public Prosecutions before a trial order can be made .
Defence solicitor Wayne Kenny said while his client was detained , a number of comments were made by the teen which gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mental health ” .
Judge Kelly ordered a psychiatric evaluation of the boy in custody .
The teen will appear again next Tuesday at Children ’ s Court .
In relation to media attention , reporting restrictions applied , the solicitor said , but he added that an article had been published which gave some details about where the boy lived .
Det Sgt Hoey also sought an order to restrict the naming the deceased as gardaí were still trying to verify his identity .
Judge Kelly directed that the deceased man ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at this time ” .
Nothing should be published that directly or indirectly identified the boy , his family or where he lived , she also ordered .
Section 93 of the Children Act states that no report shall be published or included in a broadcast which reveals the name , address or school of any child concerned in the proceedings or includes any particulars likely to lead to the identification of any child concerned in the proceedings .

A teenage boy has appeared before Dublin Children’s Court in connection with the death of a man in Kilmainham.
A 16-year-old boy has been remanded in custody and will face a psychiatric evaluation after he was charged with the murder of a homeless man in Dublin.
Gardai were alerted after the discovery of a body at about 1.30am on Monday, in a laneway off Madison Road, at the South Circular Road, in Kilmainham, Dublin 8.
The deceased was a eastern European man in his 40s.
The 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named because he is a juvenile, was arrested and held at Kevin Street Garda station on Monday.
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He was charged at 2.52am and brought before Judge Treasa Kelly at the Dublin Children’s Court on Tuesday morning.
He is accused of the murder of a named man, at the laneway, to the rear of a house on Madison Road, contrary to common law.
Dressed in a T-shirt, jeans and runners, the youth did not address the court. There has been no indication yet as to how he will plead.
Detective Sergeant Brian Hoey told the court the boy, “made no reply to the charge after caution”.
The Children’s Court does not have jurisdiction to consider a bail application for a defendant on a murder charge.
Judge Kelly said she had no option but to remand in custody to the Oberstown detention centre.
The case will go to the Central Criminal Court but a book of a book of evidence has to be prepared by the Director of Public Prosecutions before a trial order can be made.
Defence solicitor Wayne Kenny said while his client was detained, a number of comments were made by the teen which gave rise to “great concerns for his mental health”.
Judge Kelly ordered a psychiatric evaluation of the boy in custody.
The teen will appear again next Tuesday at Children’s Court.
In relation to media attention, reporting restrictions applied, the solicitor said, but he added that an article had been published which gave some details about where the boy lived.
Det Sgt Hoey also sought an order to restrict the naming the deceased as gardaí were still trying to verify his identity.
Judge Kelly directed that the deceased man’s name should not be revealed “at this time”.
Nothing should be published that directly or indirectly identified the boy, his family or where he lived, she also ordered.
Legal aid was granted.
Section 93 of the Children Act states that no report shall be published or included in a broadcast which reveals the name, address or school of any child concerned in the proceedings or includes any particulars likely to lead to the identification of any child concerned in the proceedings.


theirishtimes--2020-09-15--New six-month coronavirus plan imposes limits on home visits and Dublin pub reopenings

Additional restrictions will be imposed in Dublin on home visits , indoor gatherings and care home visits while wet pubs in the capital will remain closed under the Government ’ s new , five-level coronavirus plan .
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government ’ s medium-term Living with Covid-19 plan sets out “ how we will live and how we will work with the virus ” .
The plan involves a scale of restrictions from Level 1 to Level 5 , with Level 5 being the most severe .
The different levels can be implemented depending on conditions over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Level 2 .
Despite Ministers expressing serious concern over a dramatic increase in cases in Dublin in recent weeks , the Cabinet has pulled back from moving the capital to Level 3 , instead tailoring a number of extra conditions for the capital without changing the level .
“ Current Covid numbers in Dublin are very worrying and the Government today has decided to introduce additional measures ( for the capital ) , ” said Mr Martin .
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said pubs in the rest of the country will reopen as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people will be allowed to attend events in large , outdoor stadia , with the possibility of more attending events in a stadium such as Croke Park .
He said the virus incidence has increased ten-fold in Dublin in the past month and unless there are preventative measures there will be “ a second wave of hospital admissions , ICU admissions and possible deaths ” .
Under Level 2 of the plan , 50 people can attend an indoor wedding , six people can visit a home and 15 people can gather in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the State will adopt the European Union traffic light system which will be finalised in Brussels on October 13th .
Under the EU travel plan , the Government will drop the 14-day period of quarantine for non “ green list ” countries and instead adopt a system of testing at airports and ports for incoming passengers .
The plan says it will have to ensure this additional testing burden does not impact on the current plans to extend coronavirus testing and tracing .
It was also announced that the Winter Plan Budget would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on last winter .
“ We are actually managing as a country to keep the virus down but it ’ s a longer haul than we thought originally .
We have to keep at it but we will get there ... .
All the combined measures will keep the virus down and protect health and lives , ” the Taoiseach said .
Earlier on Tuesday , Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said officials wanted to ensure “ trends they see in Dublin which is a rapid increase in the virus do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly , speaking on his way into the Cabinet meeting , said the new measures would be about “ how we take the lead from public health doctors to do what we know works to stop this virus , to allow people to live their lives and protect the health care system , keep the schools open , protect jobs , protect lives .
That ’ s what today will be all about ” .
New official health figures show that Covid-19 infections in Dublin are continuing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of the disease for every 100,000 people in Dublin based on 14-day incidence rates , considerably higher than the next county , Louth , with 66.7 cases per 100,000 .
Overall , the incidence rate nationally stands at 50 cases per 100,000 , according to new statistics published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre on Tuesday morning .
Another 208 confirmed coronavirus cases were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team on Monday night , including 108 in Dublin .
There were no new deaths .
The number of hospitalised patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of the month , while the number in intensive care has increased from six to 11 .

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin has called for "concerted public action" as the Government announces its medium-term plan for coping with coronavirus. Video: RTÉ
Additional restrictions will be imposed in Dublin on home visits, indoor gatherings and care home visits while wet pubs in the capital will remain closed under the Government’s new, five-level coronavirus plan.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government’s medium-term Living with Covid-19 plan sets out “how we will live and how we will work with the virus”.
The plan involves a scale of restrictions from Level 1 to Level 5, with Level 5 being the most severe. The different levels can be implemented depending on conditions over the coming months. Currently the country is on Level 2.
Hospital Report
Despite Ministers expressing serious concern over a dramatic increase in cases in Dublin in recent weeks, the Cabinet has pulled back from moving the capital to Level 3, instead tailoring a number of extra conditions for the capital without changing the level.
READ MORE
“Current Covid numbers in Dublin are very worrying and the Government today has decided to introduce additional measures (for the capital),” said Mr Martin.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said pubs in the rest of the country will reopen as planned on September 21st and that 200 people will be allowed to attend events in large, outdoor stadia, with the possibility of more attending events in a stadium such as Croke Park.
He said the virus incidence has increased ten-fold in Dublin in the past month and unless there are preventative measures there will be “a second wave of hospital admissions, ICU admissions and possible deaths”.
Under Level 2 of the plan, 50 people can attend an indoor wedding, six people can visit a home and 15 people can gather in a garden.
On international travel, the State will adopt the European Union traffic light system which will be finalised in Brussels on October 13th.
Under the EU travel plan, the Government will drop the 14-day period of quarantine for non “green list” countries and instead adopt a system of testing at airports and ports for incoming passengers.
The plan says it will have to ensure this additional testing burden does not impact on the current plans to extend coronavirus testing and tracing.
The Government announced that the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be open to new applicants until the end of the year, an extension of the previous closure date.
It was also announced that the Winter Plan Budget would be €600 million, an eight-fold increase on last winter.
“We are actually managing as a country to keep the virus down but it’s a longer haul than we thought originally. We have to keep at it but we will get there.... All the combined measures will keep the virus down and protect health and lives,” the Taoiseach said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said officials wanted to ensure “trends they see in Dublin which is a rapid increase in the virus do not spread to the rest of the country.”
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, speaking on his way into the Cabinet meeting, said the new measures would be about “how we take the lead from public health doctors to do what we know works to stop this virus, to allow people to live their lives and protect the health care system, keep the schools open, protect jobs, protect lives. That’s what today will be all about”.
New official health figures show that Covid-19 infections in Dublin are continuing to rise. There are have been 95.1 cases of the disease for every 100,000 people in Dublin based on 14-day incidence rates, considerably higher than the next county, Louth, with 66.7 cases per 100,000.
Overall, the incidence rate nationally stands at 50 cases per 100,000, according to new statistics published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre on Tuesday morning.
Another 208 confirmed coronavirus cases were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team on Monday night, including 108 in Dublin. There were no new deaths.
The number of hospitalised patients has grown from 36 to 60 since the start of the month, while the number in intensive care has increased from six to 11.


theirishtimes--2020-09-15--Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown homeowners face 15% hike in property tax due to Covid crisis

Homeowners in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area of Dublin are facing a 15 per cent hike in local property tax bills after the authority warned of a “ catastrophic ” impact on front line services next year .
At a meeting on Monday night councillors failed to agree a now traditional discount of 15 per cent on Local Property Tax bills – the maximum allowed by the Government .
The result is that household bills in the area which encompasses some of the State ’ s most expensive housing valued in multi-millions of euro , will rise by 15 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to carry on with the discount of 15 percent after a strongly worded appeal by council chief executive Philomena Poole .
Ms Poole told councillors the Covid-19 pandemic had had a “ catastrophic ” impact on finances .
She said ratepayers would not be alone in enduring financial suffering in the year ahead and it was evident that services would be really impacted by the financial situation .
She told councillors that she had asked them in previous years that they do not vote through the 15 per cent discount , but this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult circumstances with “ no cushion ” .
She said the council was facing “ disastrous cuts in front line services ” .
Ms Poole asked councillors that in addition to scrapping the now traditional 15 per cent discount , they increase the rate of tax by “ plus 5 per cent ” .
However councillors did not vote on such an increase .
In effectively increasing the local property taxes in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown , councillors have ensured that those whose homes are worth between €400,000 and €450,000 will see bills increase from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the upper end of the scale , homes worth between €950,000 and €1 million will see their bills increase from €1 , 491 to €1,755 .
The actual value is assessed at 0.18 per cent on the first €1 million in value and 0.25 per cent on the portion of the value above €1 million .
The council meeting also saw the defeat of a motion from People Before Profit calling for a meeting with the relevant Government Minister to consider the crisis facing local authorities across the country .
“ People are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said PBP councillor Melisa Halpin .
“ The Government has said that austerity is not the response to the Covid impact on the economy , but here we have austerity being inflicted on those who own their homes.
” She said many people considered Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown to be the home of millionaires who could well afford such an increase .
But she said there were many more smaller houses than large ones , and even in the large ones people may be living alone on a pension and now face losing @ @ @

Homeowners in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area of Dublin are facing a 15 per cent hike in local property tax bills after the authority warned of a “catastrophic” impact on front line services next year.
At a meeting on Monday night councillors failed to agree a now traditional discount of 15 per cent on Local Property Tax bills – the maximum allowed by the Government.
The result is that household bills in the area which encompasses some of the State’s most expensive housing valued in multi-millions of euro, will rise by 15 per cent.
Councillors failed to agree a motion to carry on with the discount of 15 percent after a strongly worded appeal by council chief executive Philomena Poole. Ms Poole told councillors the Covid-19 pandemic had had a “catastrophic” impact on finances.
READ MORE
She said ratepayers would not be alone in enduring financial suffering in the year ahead and it was evident that services would be really impacted by the financial situation.
She told councillors that she had asked them in previous years that they do not vote through the 15 per cent discount, but this year she said they were facing exceptionally difficult circumstances with “no cushion”. She said the council was facing “disastrous cuts in front line services”.
Ms Poole asked councillors that in addition to scrapping the now traditional 15 per cent discount, they increase the rate of tax by “plus 5 per cent”. However councillors did not vote on such an increase.
In effectively increasing the local property taxes in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, councillors have ensured that those whose homes are worth between €400,000 and €450,000 will see bills increase from €650 per year to €765.
At the upper end of the scale, homes worth between €950,000 and €1 million will see their bills increase from €1, 491 to €1,755.
The actual value is assessed at 0.18 per cent on the first €1 million in value and 0.25 per cent on the portion of the value above €1 million.
The council meeting also saw the defeat of a motion from People Before Profit calling for a meeting with the relevant Government Minister to consider the crisis facing local authorities across the country.
“People are now being asked to pay for Covid-19,” said PBP councillor Melisa Halpin. “The Government has said that austerity is not the response to the Covid impact on the economy, but here we have austerity being inflicted on those who own their homes.”
She said many people considered Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown to be the home of millionaires who could well afford such an increase. But she said there were many more smaller houses than large ones, and even in the large ones people may be living alone on a pension and now face losing their home.


theirishtimes--2020-09-15--Facebook commits to net-zero carbon emissions by 2030

Social media giant Facebook has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 in all its operations , including data centres that are intensive consumers of energy .
“ Facebook ’ s global operations will achieve net-zero carbon emissions and be 100 per cent supported by renewable energy .
We are also setting an ambitious goal to reach net-zero emissions for our value chain in 2030 , ” its director of sustainability Edward Palmieri said – the European Green Deal has 2050 as a target for carbon neutrality .
The announcement has major implications for operations in Ireland , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Clonee , Co Meath , which supports its 1.6 billion users , including those on Instagram , WhatsApp and Messenger , are located .
Demand for electricity in Ireland is predicted to increase by up to 50 per cent over the next decade , according to recent analysis by the grid operator Eirgrid .
By 2028 , data centres and other large users could account for about 27 per cent of all electricity demand here .
Facebook confirmed , however , it will source much of its own renewable power .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to service its Irish operations and data centre .
Over the next decade , Palmieri said Facebook would work to reduce emissions through efficient designs , supplier engagement and carbon-removal technology including nature-based solutions .
It was on track to achieve a 75 per cent absolute reduction in greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions by end of 2020 , he said .
Its actions for the coming decade would be aligned to the Paris Agreement aim to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels .
“ We believe that the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the world ’ s efforts to dramatically reduce GHG emissions , limit global warming , and mitigate the impact of climate change .
That is why we ’ re once again setting aggressive , science-based targets for our own business , ” Mr Palmieri said .
On being asked how its climate commitments could be reconciled with thousands of climate denial webpages on its site , he accepted there was climate misinformation on its platform “ and it ’ s viral ” .
Facebook was expanding capacity to fact check as quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the voices of real climate science .
That was why its climate science information centre was being launched and linked to 200 leading climate organisations and experts .
Mr Palmieri confirmed Covid-19 coincided a big reduction in Facebook ’ s carbon footprint .
It believed it could continue to achieve carbon efficiency with people working at home post-Covid while reducing the impact from those who return to work .
When business travel resumes , it would drive education with employees and customers on reducing its carbon impact and work on reducing it through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google , which employs 7,000 people in Ireland , said on Monday it aims to power its data centres and offices solely with carbon-free electricity by 2030 .
The “ stretch goal , ” as chief executive Sundar Pichai described it , will force Google to move beyond the tech industry norm of offsetting carbon emissions from electricity use and require technological and political breakthroughs to achieve it .
“ The problem is so immense , many of us need to lead the way and show solutions , ” Mr Pichai said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ world to commit to ditching coal and natural gas power , he claimed .
Wind , solar and other renewable sources accounted for 61 per cent of Google ’ s global hourly electricity usage last year .
It has been carbon-neutral since 2007 , meaning it has planted trees , bought carbon credits and funded large amounts of wind power in places where it is abundant to offset use of coal and natural gas power elsewhere .
“ Not long ago , it was hard to imagine a 24/7 carbon-free electricity supply-at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t always blow , and the sun doesn ’ t shine at night .
But thanks to trends in technology , and with the right government policies , the promise of 24/7 clean energy will soon be within reach , ” Mr Pichai said .

Facebook said it would work to reduce emissions through efficient designs, supplier engagement and carbon-removal technology including nature-based solutions. Photograph: Jim Wilson/The New York Times
Social media giant Facebook has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 in all its operations, including data centres that are intensive consumers of energy.
"Facebook's global operations will achieve net-zero carbon emissions and be 100 per cent supported by renewable energy. We are also setting an ambitious goal to reach net-zero emissions for our value chain in 2030," its director of sustainability Edward Palmieri said – the European Green Deal has 2050 as a target for carbon neutrality.
The announcement has major implications for operations in Ireland, where its European headquarters and a data centre in Clonee, Co Meath, which supports its 1.6 billion users, including those on Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger, are located.
Demand for electricity in Ireland is predicted to increase by up to 50 per cent over the next decade, according to recent analysis by the grid operator Eirgrid. By 2028, data centres and other large users could account for about 27 per cent of all electricity demand here.
READ MORE
Facebook confirmed, however, it will source much of its own renewable power. It recently commissioned 29 megawatts of renewable energy to service its Irish operations and data centre.
Over the next decade, Palmieri said Facebook would work to reduce emissions through efficient designs, supplier engagement and carbon-removal technology including nature-based solutions.
It was on track to achieve a 75 per cent absolute reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by end of 2020, he said. Its actions for the coming decade would be aligned to the Paris Agreement aim to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.
“We believe that the next 10 years will be the defining decade in the world’s efforts to dramatically reduce GHG emissions, limit global warming, and mitigate the impact of climate change. That is why we’re once again setting aggressive, science-based targets for our own business,” Mr Palmieri said.
On being asked how its climate commitments could be reconciled with thousands of climate denial webpages on its site, he accepted there was climate misinformation on its platform “and it’s viral”.
Facebook was expanding capacity to fact check as quickly as possible, and pairing this with the voices of real climate science. That was why its climate science information centre was being launched and linked to 200 leading climate organisations and experts.
Mr Palmieri confirmed Covid-19 coincided a big reduction in Facebook’s carbon footprint. It believed it could continue to achieve carbon efficiency with people working at home post-Covid while reducing the impact from those who return to work. When business travel resumes, it would drive education with employees and customers on reducing its carbon impact and work on reducing it through use of technology to connect.
Google
Meanwhile Google, which employs 7,000 people in Ireland, said on Monday it aims to power its data centres and offices solely with carbon-free electricity by 2030.
The "stretch goal," as chief executive Sundar Pichai described it, will force Google to move beyond the tech industry norm of offsetting carbon emissions from electricity use and require technological and political breakthroughs to achieve it.
“The problem is so immense, many of us need to lead the way and show solutions,” Mr Pichai said. It is the biggest company in the world to commit to ditching coal and natural gas power, he claimed.
Wind, solar and other renewable sources accounted for 61 per cent of Google’s global hourly electricity usage last year. It has been carbon-neutral since 2007, meaning it has planted trees, bought carbon credits and funded large amounts of wind power in places where it is abundant to offset use of coal and natural gas power elsewhere.
“Not long ago, it was hard to imagine a 24/7 carbon-free electricity supply-at a simple level, the wind doesn’t always blow, and the sun doesn’t shine at night. But thanks to trends in technology, and with the right government policies, the promise of 24/7 clean energy will soon be within reach,” Mr Pichai said.