theirishtimes--2020-05-02--Call for ‘precarious’ contracts of frontline nurses to be clarified

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation ( INMO ) is seeking “ urgent clarification ” on the employment rights of hundreds of nurses recruited to help in the Covid-19 pandemic , after it emerged none recruited under the Be On Call for Ireland drive , is working directly for the HSE .
The executive confirmed on Friday many new recruits to the frontline in recent weeks are agency staff on short-term contracts .
An INMO spokesman said the organisation had been aware of this .
“ We are concerned and are seeking urgent clarification of what ’ s going on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment further .
A nurse , working in a Dublin hospital since last week , was “ really disappointed ” when she got her contract of employment on Tuesday , that it was not with the HSE .
It was “ precarious and short-term ” , she said .
She had responded to the HSE ’ s Be On Call For Ireland campaign after almost five years out of nursing , “ because morally it was the right thing to do ” .
Her contract , dated April 28th and seen by The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and states she will not be entitled to paid sick leave or compassionate leave .
She has an ill , elderly mother .
She has a “ Specified Purpose Contract of Employment between CPL Healthcare Limited ” and her .
The HSE is described as “ the client ” .
Her employment “ with the company…shall be for the purpose of working to help the client during this emergency period as a result of the outbreak of Covid-19 .
The employment under the terms of this contract will terminate at the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It is anticipated that the duration of the assignment will be approximately three months , ” though this may change , it says .
“ There is no obligation on the company to provide you with work and there is no obligation on you to accept the work offered…The company gives no guarantee that hours will be offered to you on a weekly basis .
“ Unless otherwise agreed , you will not be entitled to payment either from the company or the client in respect of time not spent on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness or absence for any other reason with the exception of annual leave or public holidays.
” It states : “ From time to time , you may be required to change location ( s ) /wards at which you provide the services subject to the client ’ s requirements.
” The young woman , who qualified as a nurse in 2012 during the HSE recruitment embargo , worked as an agency nurse for three years but left as the cost of childcare made working unviable .
“ I really was under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra nurses in a new single-tier health service.
” She cites statements in recent weeks by Minister for Health Simon Harris , and chief executive of the HSE Paul Reid , in which both said the HSE wanted to hire as many health professionals as possible .
She is concerned about being moved between hospitals , saying this is “ unsafe and unfair on staff in those hospitals to have to re-orientate agency workers repeatedly ” .
“ I really feel for all those nurses and doctors who were asked to come home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service and all they get are these precarious , short-term contracts.
” Richard Boyd Barrett , TD ( People Before Profit ) raised the agency employment issue at Taoiseach ’ s questions on Thursday , asking why the new workers had been “ given the worst possible contracts ” .
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said : “ That is new information to me so I will have to check up on it.
” A HSE spokeswoman said : “ The Be on Call for Ireland campaign is an initiative supported by CPL Recruitment agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existing HSE resources to meet the COVID- 19 challenge , the HSE is being supported by an employment agency in increasing the available workforce for a short term period .
The contract of employment will be to an employment agency and will not be a HSE contract at this point .
Employment contracts may be reviewed at a later date .
“ Be on Call for Ireland appointees are paid the same salaries as HSE employees , ” she said adding anyone who becomes ill with Covid-19 is entitled to the Covid illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
CPL Healthcare did not respond to requests for a comment , made by email and phone .

An INMO spokesman said the organisation had not known nurses returning to the frontline in recent weeks, under the On Call for Ireland drive, were agency workers on short-term contracts. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw / The Irish Times
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) is seeking "urgent clarification" on the employment rights of hundreds of nurses recruited to help in the Covid-19 pandemic, after it emerged none recruited under the Be On Call for Ireland drive, is working directly for the HSE.
The executive confirmed on Friday many new recruits to the frontline in recent weeks are agency staff on short-term contracts. An INMO spokesman said the organisation had been aware of this. “We are concerned and are seeking urgent clarification of what’s going on,” he said but would not comment further.
A nurse, working in a Dublin hospital since last week, was “really disappointed” when she got her contract of employment on Tuesday, that it was not with the HSE. It was “precarious and short-term”, she said.
She had responded to the HSE’s Be On Call For Ireland campaign after almost five years out of nursing, “because morally it was the right thing to do”.
READ MORE
Her contract, dated April 28th and seen by The Irish Times, is for three months and states she will not be entitled to paid sick leave or compassionate leave. She has an ill, elderly mother.
She has a "Specified Purpose Contract of Employment between CPL Healthcare Limited" and her. The HSE is described as "the client".
Her employment “with the company…shall be for the purpose of working to help the client during this emergency period as a result of the outbreak of Covid-19. The employment under the terms of this contract will terminate at the end of the emergency period of the Covid-19”.
“It is anticipated that the duration of the assignment will be approximately three months,” though this may change, it says.
“There is no obligation on the company to provide you with work and there is no obligation on you to accept the work offered…The company gives no guarantee that hours will be offered to you on a weekly basis.
“Unless otherwise agreed, you will not be entitled to payment either from the company or the client in respect of time not spent on assignment, whether as a result of illness or absence for any other reason with the exception of annual leave or public holidays.”
It states: “From time to time, you may be required to change location(s)/wards at which you provide the services subject to the client’s requirements.”
The young woman, who qualified as a nurse in 2012 during the HSE recruitment embargo, worked as an agency nurse for three years but left as the cost of childcare made working unviable.
"I really was under the impression the HSE was recruiting and employing extra nurses in a new single-tier health service." She cites statements in recent weeks by Minister for Health Simon Harris, and chief executive of the HSE Paul Reid, in which both said the HSE wanted to hire as many health professionals as possible.
She is concerned about being moved between hospitals, saying this is “unsafe and unfair on staff in those hospitals to have to re-orientate agency workers repeatedly”.
“I really feel for all those nurses and doctors who were asked to come home to work in the Irish public health service and all they get are these precarious, short-term contracts.”
Richard Boyd Barrett, TD (People Before Profit) raised the agency employment issue at Taoiseach's questions on Thursday, asking why the new workers had been "given the worst possible contracts".
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: "That is new information to me so I will have to check up on it."
A HSE spokeswoman said: “The Be on Call for Ireland campaign is an initiative supported by CPL Recruitment agency.
“Due to the strain on existing HSE resources to meet the COVID- 19 challenge, the HSE is being supported by an employment agency in increasing the available workforce for a short term period. The contract of employment will be to an employment agency and will not be a HSE contract at this point. Employment contracts may be reviewed at a later date.
“Be on Call for Ireland appointees are paid the same salaries as HSE employees,” she said adding anyone who becomes ill with Covid-19 is entitled to the Covid illness benefit from the Department of Social Protection.
CPL Healthcare did not respond to requests for a comment, made by email and phone.


theirishtimes--2020-05-02--Court of Appeal delays caused by Covid-19 not ‘catastrophic’

There will be some “ slippage ” in the time it takes for cases to be dealt with by the Court of Appeal arising from the Covid-19 restrictions , but it will not be “ catastrophic ” , the president of the court has said .
Mr Justice George Birmingham said the judges are using the reduction in sittings caused by the lockdown , to “ eat into ” the list of reserved judgments that have been pending from the court .
The court was established in 2014 in order to address the length of time it was taking for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been reducing its backlog and the time it takes for an appeal to be heard , over recent times .
Mr Justice Birmingham said the court is to sit over the coming two weeks , when it would usually rise for 10 days for the Whit break .
This will help the court catch up from the two-week period during which there was no court business conducted , at the outset of the Covid-19 restrictions , he told The Irish Times .
The Court of Appeal is the court making most use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for cases where the parties involved consent to appeals being decided on the basis of paper or electronic submissions .
It began hearing remote cases two weeks ago .
“ What we are trying to do is keep the slippage to a minimum and I think there are two ways that that has been happening , ” he said .
As well as sitting remotely , including during the Whit period , the judges are also busy writing up reserved judgments which are then being published on the website of the Courts Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have that hanging over our heads , and when it is possible to get going again , we will get going.
” There were now two three-judge courts sitting most days , but nevertheless the level of court business being conducted was down .
Because there was no witness evidence involved , the court was more suited than others to holding remote hearings .
The court held a number of “ mock trials ” where the judges and barristers who regularly appear before the court , tested out the available technology .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The first one was an appeal against severity of sentence in a case of handling stolen goods .
We indicated a willingness to hear a murder conviction but in fact the appellant had a change of heart over the weekend , even though he was spurning the opportunity for an early hearing.
” The court hears both civil and criminal appeals and for the latter it has organised direct video links to prisons so the appellants can watch .
There is also a direct link between the prisoner and their solicitor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be discussed .
Arrangements have also been made so that the victims can dial in and watch the remote hearings .
In civil cases , the parties involved can also watch online , as can accredited journalists who make arrangements beforehand .
“ So the Court of Appeal is very much open for business , which is not to say it is , or can really be , business as normal .
With the best will in the world , remote hearings are not the same as hearings in a courtroom.
” Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that hearings held remotely involved less spontaneity .
“ Hearings in the Court of Appeal involve quite informal exchanges between the advocates and the judges , almost like a conversation .
That doesn ’ t really happen in the same way .
Judges have to limit their interventions , and time them , because otherwise you end up with people speaking over each other.
” He said that while the appeal courts may suit remote hearings , this was less so with courts that have to hear evidence from witnesses , and less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jury .
“ We were keen to be the first out of the traps , because our daily diet lends itself to it , ” he said of remote hearings , which began this week at both High Court and Circuit Court also .
After hearing a case remotely , the judges retire to a “ separate remote room ” , where they discuss the case and decide who will write up the judgment .

The Court of Appeal is the court making most use of remote hearings. Photograph: Dave Meehan
There will be some “slippage” in the time it takes for cases to be dealt with by the Court of Appeal arising from the Covid-19 restrictions, but it will not be “catastrophic”, the president of the court has said.
Mr Justice George Birmingham said the judges are using the reduction in sittings caused by the lockdown, to "eat into" the list of reserved judgments that have been pending from the court.
The court was established in 2014 in order to address the length of time it was taking for appeals to be heard, and has been reducing its backlog and the time it takes for an appeal to be heard, over recent times.
Mr Justice Birmingham said the court is to sit over the coming two weeks, when it would usually rise for 10 days for the Whit break.
READ MORE
This will help the court catch up from the two-week period during which there was no court business conducted, at the outset of the Covid-19 restrictions, he told The Irish Times.
The Court of Appeal is the court making most use of remote hearings, and is also open for cases where the parties involved consent to appeals being decided on the basis of paper or electronic submissions. It began hearing remote cases two weeks ago.
Minimal ‘slippage’
“What we are trying to do is keep the slippage to a minimum and I think there are two ways that that has been happening,” he said.
As well as sitting remotely, including during the Whit period, the judges are also busy writing up reserved judgments which are then being published on the website of the Courts Service.
“So people won’t have that hanging over our heads, and when it is possible to get going again, we will get going.”
There were now two three-judge courts sitting most days, but nevertheless the level of court business being conducted was down.
Because there was no witness evidence involved, the court was more suited than others to holding remote hearings.
The court held a number of “mock trials” where the judges and barristers who regularly appear before the court, tested out the available technology. It then proceeded to hear real cases.
“The first one was an appeal against severity of sentence in a case of handling stolen goods. We indicated a willingness to hear a murder conviction but in fact the appellant had a change of heart over the weekend, even though he was spurning the opportunity for an early hearing.”
The court hears both civil and criminal appeals and for the latter it has organised direct video links to prisons so the appellants can watch. There is also a direct link between the prisoner and their solicitor, so that any matters that arise can be discussed.
Remote hearings
Arrangements have also been made so that the victims can dial in and watch the remote hearings.
In civil cases, the parties involved can also watch online, as can accredited journalists who make arrangements beforehand.
“So the Court of Appeal is very much open for business, which is not to say it is, or can really be, business as normal. With the best will in the world, remote hearings are not the same as hearings in a courtroom.”
Mr Justice Birmingham said it was his experience that hearings held remotely involved less spontaneity.
“Hearings in the Court of Appeal involve quite informal exchanges between the advocates and the judges, almost like a conversation. That doesn’t really happen in the same way. Judges have to limit their interventions, and time them, because otherwise you end up with people speaking over each other.”
He said that while the appeal courts may suit remote hearings, this was less so with courts that have to hear evidence from witnesses, and less so again with hearings that required a jury.
“We were keen to be the first out of the traps, because our daily diet lends itself to it,” he said of remote hearings, which began this week at both High Court and Circuit Court also.
After hearing a case remotely, the judges retire to a “separate remote room”, where they discuss the case and decide who will write up the judgment.


theirishtimes--2020-05-02--‘Slight recovery’ in number of people referred with suspected cancers

There was a “ slight recovery ” in the number of people being referred with suspected breast , lung , prostate and skin cancer last week , the HSE has said .
It comes after weekly electronic referrals dropped by more than half following the introduction of Covid-19 restriction measures .
Electronic referrals from clinics fell by 57 per cent between January 6th and March 15th and March 16th and April 19th .
Suspected cases of skin cancer saw the largest drop ( 71 per cent ) , followed by lung cancer ( 61 per cent ) , breast cancer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancer ( 50 per cent ) .
“ Looking at the referral data week by wee there has been a slight recovery in the number of people being referred in this past week [ April 20-26th ] , ” the HSE said .
The HSE has been monitoring the change in referrals with suspected cancer symptoms with the assistance of data from Healthlink , a messaging system that GPs use to send electronic referrals .
While the system is not used for every referral “ it is useful to show the recent trends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said there has been a “ concerted effort ” to encourage the public to continue to contact their GP with non-Covid related symptoms , including those of possible cancer .
Breastcheck , CervicalCheck , BowelScreen and Diabetic RetinaScreen have all been temporarily paused due to Covid-19 .
The HSE said the situation was under review , and that the programmes would be restarted “ when it is deemed safe to do so ” .
Changes to cancer patients ’ care are being made on an individual basis , according to the Irish Cancer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Minister for Health and the HSE that urgent treatment is continuing despite the coronavirus pandemic , ” a spokeswoman said .
The charity said it was “ concerned ” about the falloff in people attending their GP for non-Covid related reasons , “ including concerns over potential cancer symptoms ” .
Dr Deirdre O ’ Mahony , consultant medical oncologist at Bon Secours Hospital in Cork and president of the Irish Society of Medical Oncology , said the pausing of screening services was “ something that we are all very much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Society of Medical Oncologists meets with the NCCP [ National Cancer Control Programme ] via teleconference on a once-weekly basis since this all started .
While our immediate concerns were to do with how can we manage the established patients , in more recent weeks there ’ s been a focus on how are we going to manage the patients that are missed , not missed I suppose but just by virtue of non-presentation – where they are going to present and when are they going to present .
“ I do believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the abilities to pick up these cancers in a time-sensitive manner established , we ’ re going to see patients who will ultimately present with a more advanced disease which could significantly impact on their long-term outcome.
” Prof John Crown , consultant medical oncologist at St Vincent ’ s Hospital , said if services were to return to “ some degree of normality ” over the next two to three months there would be “ hopefully a relatively limited number of patients who will have suffered in a big way because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two month ” .
“ The bigger problem is even if they open everything up in three months , that doesn ’ t mean everything is fixed in three months , ” he said .
“ We ’ re already dealing with a hospital system that has the longest waiting lists in Europe , our waiting lists are appalling , and then factor into that two months of inactivity causing huge bottlenecks.
” Dr Seamus O ’ Reilly , consultant medical oncologist at Cork University Hospital , said there needed to be “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems were currently being adjusted to “ deal with the fact that Covid is going to be here for some time ” .
“ We ’ re likely to see more virtual clinics in the future .
This is more difficult , especially for new patients , because of the nuances of care and the body language of someone during a physical assessment .
”

“We have been assured by the Minister for Health and the HSE that urgent treatment is continuing despite the coronavirus pandemic,” an Irish Cancer Society spokeswoman said. Photograph: Getty Images
There was a “slight recovery” in the number of people being referred with suspected breast, lung, prostate and skin cancer last week, the HSE has said. It comes after weekly electronic referrals dropped by more than half following the introduction of Covid-19 restriction measures.
Electronic referrals from clinics fell by 57 per cent between January 6th and March 15th and March 16th and April 19th. Suspected cases of skin cancer saw the largest drop (71 per cent), followed by lung cancer (61 per cent), breast cancer (55 per cent) and prostate cancer (50 per cent).
“Looking at the referral data week by wee there has been a slight recovery in the number of people being referred in this past week [April 20-26th],” the HSE said.
The HSE has been monitoring the change in referrals with suspected cancer symptoms with the assistance of data from Healthlink, a messaging system that GPs use to send electronic referrals. While the system is not used for every referral “it is useful to show the recent trends”, the HSE said.
READ MORE
It said there has been a “concerted effort” to encourage the public to continue to contact their GP with non-Covid related symptoms, including those of possible cancer.
Breastcheck, CervicalCheck, BowelScreen and Diabetic RetinaScreen have all been temporarily paused due to Covid-19.
The HSE said the situation was under review, and that the programmes would be restarted “when it is deemed safe to do so”.
Individual basis
Changes to cancer patients’ care are being made on an individual basis, according to the Irish Cancer Society. “We have been assured by the Minister for Health and the HSE that urgent treatment is continuing despite the coronavirus pandemic,” a spokeswoman said.
The charity said it was “concerned” about the falloff in people attending their GP for non-Covid related reasons, “including concerns over potential cancer symptoms”.
Dr Deirdre O’Mahony, consultant medical oncologist at Bon Secours Hospital in Cork and president of the Irish Society of Medical Oncology, said the pausing of screening services was “something that we are all very much worried about”.
“The Irish Society of Medical Oncologists meets with the NCCP [National Cancer Control Programme] via teleconference on a once-weekly basis since this all started. While our immediate concerns were to do with how can we manage the established patients, in more recent weeks there’s been a focus on how are we going to manage the patients that are missed, not missed I suppose but just by virtue of non-presentation – where they are going to present and when are they going to present.
“I do believe that unless we have diagnoses and screening and the abilities to pick up these cancers in a time-sensitive manner established, we’re going to see patients who will ultimately present with a more advanced disease which could significantly impact on their long-term outcome.”
Normality
Prof John Crown, consultant medical oncologist at St Vincent’s Hospital, said if services were to return to “some degree of normality” over the next two to three months there would be “hopefully a relatively limited number of patients who will have suffered in a big way because of a delayed diagnosis of one or two month”.
“The bigger problem is even if they open everything up in three months, that doesn’t mean everything is fixed in three months,” he said.
“We’re already dealing with a hospital system that has the longest waiting lists in Europe, our waiting lists are appalling, and then factor into that two months of inactivity causing huge bottlenecks.”
Dr Seamus O’Reilly, consultant medical oncologist at Cork University Hospital, said there needed to be “a gradual unwinding of services” and systems were currently being adjusted to “deal with the fact that Covid is going to be here for some time”.
“We’re likely to see more virtual clinics in the future. This is more difficult, especially for new patients, because of the nuances of care and the body language of someone during a physical assessment.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-02--Phased lifting of Covid-19 restrictions to begin on May 18th

Two further weeks of lockdown will be followed by a phased lifting of the restrictions on Irish life to begin on May 18th , Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced on Friday evening .
Speaking at Government Buildings in a live televised address , Mr Varadkar warned beginning the opening-up of the country too soon could result in “ going back to square one ” , with a rise in the number of cases , hospital admissions and deaths .
Should the progress in containing the virus continue , he said , the Government would begin to ease the restrictions on May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apart , each dependant on the success of the previous one .
He warned that if any stage resulted in a “ second wave ” of the virus , restrictions would be reimposed .
The final phase , which will allow for a gradual return to normal working arrangements , as well as a return to sports , theatres , shopping centres and cultural gatherings , will begin on August 10th .
Pubs and nightclubs will be permitted to open where strict social distancing can be enforced .
Schools and colleges will reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ academic year .
The Taoiseach did announce some minor changes from next week – extending the 2km limit for travel from home to 5km and telling the over-70s they could leave their homes as long as they stayed within 5km and did not have contact with anyone else .
Senior counsel Michael McDowell said , however , that there was no basis in law for having different rules for the over-70s , who were bound by the same regulations as everyone else .
At a briefing with chief medical officer Tony Holohan on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris said he would sign regulations extending the powers of gardaí to enforce the restrictions until May 18th .
Measures relating to illness benefit and jobseekers ’ allowance are being extended to the middle of June , he added .
The Cabinet will hold another special meeting on Saturday morning to approve a package of business supports proposed by Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe .
It is expected these will include substantial liquidity supports for businesses affected by the Covid-19 shutdown and new forbearance on rates and tax payments .
The Government published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lift the restrictions .
Mr Harris described it as a “ living , breathing document ” about a return to “ some kind of new normal ” .
The roadmap was about “ trying to strike a balance ” and building on progress “ without jeopardising it ” .
He too warned that getting the timing for the lifting of measures wrong would risk lives , and moving too soon in this direction risked a failure that would have a “ devastating ” impact on thousands of people .
Mr Harris described the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people ” and said it needed to be “ owned by everyone in the country ” .
He added : “ If we don ’ t get it right , we ’ ll end up standing still or even going backwards.
” The road ahead would be tough but would be “ worth it ” .
Meanwhile , more than 2,000 Garda members will be on duty on 12-hour shifts as part of Operation Fanacht this bank holiday weekend to ensure compliance with public health restrictions aimed at combating Covid-19 .
The operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to midnight on Monday , with checkpoints being put in place on major roads nationwide .
However , despite fears of complacency around compliance with the coronavirus restrictions , Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said several times this week Garda members had found people understood the restrictions and were following them .
Garda sources told The Irish Times that in the 48-hour period up to Friday night there had been no noticeable shift towards non-compliance and they had also seen no concerning increase in traffic volume .

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says cafes and restaurants will re-open on June 29th and pubs will re-open on August 10th. Video: RTE
Two further weeks of lockdown will be followed by a phased lifting of the restrictions on Irish life to begin on May 18th, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced on Friday evening.
Speaking at Government Buildings in a live televised address, Mr Varadkar warned beginning the opening-up of the country too soon could result in “going back to square one”, with a rise in the number of cases, hospital admissions and deaths.
Should the progress in containing the virus continue, he said, the Government would begin to ease the restrictions on May 18th in five phases, three weeks apart, each dependant on the success of the previous one. He warned that if any stage resulted in a “second wave” of the virus, restrictions would be reimposed.
The final phase, which will allow for a gradual return to normal working arrangements, as well as a return to sports, theatres, shopping centres and cultural gatherings, will begin on August 10th. Pubs and nightclubs will be permitted to open where strict social distancing can be enforced. Schools and colleges will reopen in September and October for the new academic year.
READ MORE
Over-70s
The Taoiseach did announce some minor changes from next week – extending the 2km limit for travel from home to 5km and telling the over-70s they could leave their homes as long as they stayed within 5km and did not have contact with anyone else.
Senior counsel Michael McDowell said, however, that there was no basis in law for having different rules for the over-70s, who were bound by the same regulations as everyone else.
At a briefing with chief medical officer Tony Holohan on Friday night, Minister for Health Simon Harris said he would sign regulations extending the powers of gardaí to enforce the restrictions until May 18th.
Measures relating to illness benefit and jobseekers’ allowance are being extended to the middle of June, he added.
The Cabinet will hold another special meeting on Saturday morning to approve a package of business supports proposed by Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe. It is expected these will include substantial liquidity supports for businesses affected by the Covid-19 shutdown and new forbearance on rates and tax payments.
The Government published a 22-page document outlining the plan to lift the restrictions. Mr Harris described it as a “living, breathing document” about a return to “some kind of new normal”.
‘Partnership with the people’
The roadmap was about “trying to strike a balance” and building on progress “without jeopardising it”.
He too warned that getting the timing for the lifting of measures wrong would risk lives, and moving too soon in this direction risked a failure that would have a “devastating” impact on thousands of people.
Mr Harris described the plan as a “partnership with the people” and said it needed to be “owned by everyone in the country”. He added: “If we don’t get it right, we’ll end up standing still or even going backwards.”
The road ahead would be tough but would be “worth it”.
Meanwhile, more than 2,000 Garda members will be on duty on 12-hour shifts as part of Operation Fanacht this bank holiday weekend to ensure compliance with public health restrictions aimed at combating Covid-19.
The operation began mid-week and is set to continue up to midnight on Monday, with checkpoints being put in place on major roads nationwide.
However, despite fears of complacency around compliance with the coronavirus restrictions, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said several times this week Garda members had found people understood the restrictions and were following them.
Garda sources told The Irish Times that in the 48-hour period up to Friday night there had been no noticeable shift towards non-compliance and they had also seen no concerning increase in traffic volume.


theirishtimes--2020-05-02--State may pay rent for consultants’ rooms in private hospitals

The HSE is in talks with some medical consultants about the State covering the cost of rent for their rooms in private hospitals , the Department of Health has said .
The move represents a new attempt to resolve the impasse over the Government ’ s plans to have private sector consultants treat public patients during the current Covid-19 crisis .
The State has already in effect taken over nearly 20 private hospitals for a three-month period to provide it with additional bed , theatre and diagnostic capacity .
However , this arrangement did not cover about 600 private medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Department of Health said it was looking at an arrangement that could see the HSE fund the private rooms of consultants , if required , to provide care to public patients .
“ We expect to conclude these discussions this week , ” the Department of Health said .
A separate Department of Health note , seen by The Irish Times , said : “ We have provided the HSE with the flexibility in exceptional circumstances to meet clinical need and where it represents value for money to enter into arrangement with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advise that they are engaging with some individuals on this.
” The issue of private rooms has been a stumbling block in the bid by the Government to secure agreement with private sector consultants to sign a contract to see only public patients during the coronavirus crisis .
The Government has offered the doctors a temporary locum contract with salaries ranging from €141,000 to €195,000 .
However , consultants argue that given they would have to continue incurring the costs of renting their facilities in private hospitals and paying for support staff , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absence of income from fee-paying patients .
About 150 private sector medical consultants are understood to have signed up to the State public-only contract for the duration of the crisis .

About 150 private sector medical consultants are understood to have signed up to the State public-only contract for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
The HSE is in talks with some medical consultants about the State covering the cost of rent for their rooms in private hospitals, the Department of Health has said.
The move represents a new attempt to resolve the impasse over the Government’s plans to have private sector consultants treat public patients during the current Covid-19 crisis.
The State has already in effect taken over nearly 20 private hospitals for a three-month period to provide it with additional bed, theatre and diagnostic capacity. However, this arrangement did not cover about 600 private medical specialists who practise in these facilities.
The Department of Health said it was looking at an arrangement that could see the HSE fund the private rooms of consultants, if required, to provide care to public patients.
READ MORE
“We expect to conclude these discussions this week,” the Department of Health said.
‘Flexibility’
A separate Department of Health note, seen by The Irish Times, said: “We have provided the HSE with the flexibility in exceptional circumstances to meet clinical need and where it represents value for money to enter into arrangement with consultants to rent private rooms. HSE advise that they are engaging with some individuals on this.”
The issue of private rooms has been a stumbling block in the bid by the Government to secure agreement with private sector consultants to sign a contract to see only public patients during the coronavirus crisis.
The Government has offered the doctors a temporary locum contract with salaries ranging from €141,000 to €195,000.
However, consultants argue that given they would have to continue incurring the costs of renting their facilities in private hospitals and paying for support staff, their practices could become unviable in the absence of income from fee-paying patients.
About 150 private sector medical consultants are understood to have signed up to the State public-only contract for the duration of the crisis.


theirishtimes--2020-05-02--Pat Leahy: Lockdown approach marked by extreme caution

The continuation of the lockdown measures , when it was announced by the Taoiseach at Government Buildings on Friday evening , was not a great surprise ; the move had been widely expected in recent days .
Equally , the gameplan for the reopening of Ireland ’ s economy and society was anticipated , though the details will no doubt be pored over by people wondering what the summer holds for work , holidays , schools and recreation .
The answer for them : they can look forward to a slow , cautious and step-by-step return , not to normality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ somewhere between the lockdown and pre-Covid freedom .
Where some people can return to work , but not yet others ; where some activities can be contemplated , but not yet others ; where some journeys can be made , but not others .
The five stages of opening up Ireland ’ s social and economic life begin on May 18th and – all going well – will continue at three-week intervals until the last one commences on August 10th .
Schools and colleges return in the autumn .
It will be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as people ’ s plans – to reopen their business and save it , to go on holidays , to see their families , to live their lives as they would wish – all depend on the numbers reported by the health authorities about the spread , containment and lethality of the virus .
The Government ’ s approach remains marked by extreme caution , and deference to the advice of the public health officials .
The fact is that Ireland is unwinding its coronavirus lockdown more slowly than most EU countries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government is being more cautious and conservative , or because the situation here is worse .
But something has shifted in that matrix of decision-making this week with the assertion by the Cabinet – in theory the body that actually governs the country , after all – of a greater role in deciding when and at what pace the reopening takes place .
By the nature of these things , that will make it more transparent , too .
As Ireland moves into the next phase of its response to the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paramount – will be joined by economic ones and also by the judgment of the public mood by elected leaders and representatives .
Several Ministers have made clear in Cabinet discussions their view that a quicker reopening is desirable , from both an economic and social perspective .
For now , however , the judgment of Tony Holohan , the chief medical officer , is holy writ .
In addition , Government sources say senior figures are worried about how feasible it would be to reimpose restrictions if there was a second wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patience of significant chunks of the public has already worn pretty thin .
The example of Singapore , where restrictions were lifted then reintroduced , has been much cited in Government circles in recent days .
Politically , Fine Gael Ministers are acutely conscious that the Government ’ s handling of the crisis so far has won them kudos from a public which voted in large numbers to sack them in February .
And with a second election a distinct possibility , they don ’ t want to do anything to endanger that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in several ways .
One of them is an acute sensitivity about the tardiness in increasing testing capacity .
Another is the much-criticised lack of transparency about the decision-making , which even by the standards of this administration , is highly centralised .
Despite entreaties , Varadkar declined to take questions at his announcement , though in fairness Minister for Health Simon Harris later conducted a briefing with the chief medical officer at which journalists were permitted to ask questions .
The Taoiseach was to appear on the Late Late Show , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the implementation of the roadmap published on Friday night .
The first is the behaviour of the virus : will it continue to recede or will there be a “ second wave ” as officials and Ministers fear ?
If so , the summer could take a very different turn .
The second is the impending change in government , uncertain now in its exact form but inevitable in the coming weeks .
The position of the Minister for Health seems unlikely to change ; but a new taoiseach and a new cohort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the current one .
One way or another , many of the steps laid out by Varadkar will be implemented by a different administration .

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar: senior figures are worried about how feasible it would be to reimpose restrictions if there was a second wave of infections. Photograph: Leon Farrel
The continuation of the lockdown measures, when it was announced by the Taoiseach at Government Buildings on Friday evening, was not a great surprise; the move had been widely expected in recent days.
Equally, the gameplan for the reopening of Ireland’s economy and society was anticipated, though the details will no doubt be pored over by people wondering what the summer holds for work, holidays, schools and recreation.
The answer for them: they can look forward to a slow, cautious and step-by-step return, not to normality but to a strange in-between world, somewhere between the lockdown and pre-Covid freedom.
Several Ministers have made clear in Cabinet discussions their view that a quicker reopening is desirable, from both an economic and social perspective
Where some people can return to work, but not yet others; where some activities can be contemplated, but not yet others; where some journeys can be made, but not others.
READ MORE
The five stages of opening up Ireland’s social and economic life begin on May 18th and – all going well – will continue at three-week intervals until the last one commences on August 10th. Schools and colleges return in the autumn.
It will be a patchy, scratchy and nervous summer, as people’s plans – to reopen their business and save it, to go on holidays, to see their families, to live their lives as they would wish – all depend on the numbers reported by the health authorities about the spread, containment and lethality of the virus.
The Government’s approach remains marked by extreme caution, and deference to the advice of the public health officials. The fact is that Ireland is unwinding its coronavirus lockdown more slowly than most EU countries. It is not clear why – because the Government is being more cautious and conservative, or because the situation here is worse.
Public mood
But something has shifted in that matrix of decision-making this week with the assertion by the Cabinet – in theory the body that actually governs the country, after all – of a greater role in deciding when and at what pace the reopening takes place.
By the nature of these things, that will make it more transparent, too. As Ireland moves into the next phase of its response to the pandemic, public health considerations – while still paramount – will be joined by economic ones and also by the judgment of the public mood by elected leaders and representatives.
Several Ministers have made clear in Cabinet discussions their view that a quicker reopening is desirable, from both an economic and social perspective. For now, however, the judgment of Tony Holohan, the chief medical officer, is holy writ.
In addition, Government sources say senior figures are worried about how feasible it would be to reimpose restrictions if there was a second wave of infections; many Ministers say the patience of significant chunks of the public has already worn pretty thin. The example of Singapore, where restrictions were lifted then reintroduced, has been much cited in Government circles in recent days.
Politically, Fine Gael Ministers are acutely conscious that the Government’s handling of the crisis so far has won them kudos from a public which voted in large numbers to sack them in February. And with a second election a distinct possibility, they don’t want to do anything to endanger that regained reputation.
Transparency of decisions
That nervousness expresses itself in several ways. One of them is an acute sensitivity about the tardiness in increasing testing capacity. Another is the much-criticised lack of transparency about the decision-making, which even by the standards of this administration, is highly centralised.
Despite entreaties, Varadkar declined to take questions at his announcement, though in fairness Minister for Health Simon Harris later conducted a briefing with the chief medical officer at which journalists were permitted to ask questions. The Taoiseach was to appear on the Late Late Show, of course.
Two unknowns will impact on the implementation of the roadmap published on Friday night. The first is the behaviour of the virus: will it continue to recede or will there be a “second wave” as officials and Ministers fear? If so, the summer could take a very different turn.
The second is the impending change in government, uncertain now in its exact form but inevitable in the coming weeks. The position of the Minister for Health seems unlikely to change; but a new taoiseach and a new cohort of ministers may have a different emphasis than the current one. One way or another, many of the steps laid out by Varadkar will be implemented by a different administration.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Miriam Lord: Roadmap but no magic key for reopening Ireland

There was something missing in the polished cameo shot with the camera trained on Leo alone .
And it wasn ’ t the poetry .
It was the slogan .
Even though it wasn ’ t there , we could see it in the mind ’ s eye as a Taoiseach in possession of no government showcased his statesmanship in front of an audience of the people .
There , in neat general election letters , above his head .
This was what Friday evening ’ s big speech was all about .
Complete with a roadmap and the undivided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance and reassurance .
Varadkar delivered this in the process of confirming his Government ’ s comprehensively leaked decision that the Covid-19 restrictions are to continue for two more weeks , with just a few minor changes .
However , there is a plan to gradually unwind the shutdown in a series of stages , in a sensible way .
Hard to argue with that .
“ Reopening Ireland ” .
From the people who brought you “ Project Ireland ” .
They know their way around a plan ; they have managed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best poised to unwind it .
Leo Varadkar sold it very well during his latest address to the nation .
If he can deliver on the roadmap , and the shaky-looking government formation talks hit the buffers , it could be just the ticket to a new term .
This speech marked a radical departure by the Taoiseach .
Yes , he was still front and centre in the grandeur of Government Buildings , with the showy accoutrements of State positioned around him .
Still standing tall in the middle of the picture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here ’ s the daring twist : this time Leo addressed the nation from the bottom of the stairs .
Last time , he impressed us hugely from the Serious Corridor upstairs .
Of course , the absence of poetry was noted .
Did ideas man John Concannon accidentally drop The Heaney Book down the back of a radiator ?
Or maybe the speechwriter was still sulking because Labour ’ s Alan Kelly quoted Eavan Boland , who died this week , in the Dáil on Thursday , thus stealing a march .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest to working journalists , who hung around Leinster House all day wondering when they would be informed of a time and place for the unveiling by the Taoiseach of his much-trailed Covid Lockdown Exit .
They really wanted to ask him questions about it .
But they couldn ’ t because Leo ’ s people decided it was time for another Soliloquy on Merrion Street .
At least the hacks were able to recite most of the lines along with him because they were comprehensively leaked well before he opened his mouth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Taoiseach would be going on The Late Late Show a few hours later , there to be eviscerated by Ryan Tubridy along with the other light entertainment acts offering themselves up for Friday night slaughter .
And you can ’ t say braver than that .
The unwinding will take part in five stages at three-week intervals .
Here , the Taoiseach signalled the numbers by quickly unfurling his fingers , just like the host of an old , incomprehensible game show called 3-2-1 , in which the co-star was “ Dusty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government Buildings was that “ the over-70s will be allowed out ” .
What happens after that is anybody ’ s guess .
They might wreck the gaff .
Just as well the pubs will remain closed .
Along with DIY shops and garden centres , which will have to wait a few weeks longer while the big supermarkets buy in new stock and take all their business .
We hear the Taoiseach and members of his cabinet were overjoyed when told the exit strategy would involve “ five stages ” and there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broken that these were not actual stages , for performance purposes .
It ’ ll be more like Tour de France stages : gruelling , but ultimately exhilarating .
People will be able to exert themselves now over five kilometres , instead of confining themselves to two .
This means they will be able to lie less to gardaí , which will remove a lot of stress .
Two more weeks of tight restrictions should be doable , when the outcome means the safety of family members and fellow citizens .
“ Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we will see our friends again , ” mused Leo , waxing slightly poetic .
Wistfully .
He mentioned the “ 10,000 ” or so letters he has received in recent weeks .
Who knew so many people feel compelled to write to the Taoiseach with their thoughts and dreams and problems and desires ?
Tight restrictions ?
We know all about them after weeks of flattening the curve .
Another two shouldn ’ t make much difference at this stage when the future looks elastic .
Never mind .
The Fianna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House carpark , mentioned them .
Leo stole his thunder in every other department – it ’ s difficult for Micheál to stay relevant .
Micheál ’ s backdrop was of the railings in front of the National Library and a fella wheeling his bicycle past the camera .
Not a patch on the flags and pillars and marble staircase of Government Buildings .
Meanwhile , Sinn Féin ’ s Mary Lou McDonald was also canvassed for her opinion on TV after the Taoiseach ’ s performance .
Her backdrop was even gloomier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a black-and-white portrait of Countess Markievicz .
Meanwhile , the man in possession of no government but still firmly in charge told the nation that their effort so far “ has been worthwhile .
It is working .
So let ’ s finish what we started.
” The good days will come again , promised Leo .

This time Leo addressed the nation from the bottom of the stairs. And he skipped the poetry. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
There was something missing in the polished cameo shot with the camera trained on Leo alone. And it wasn’t the poetry.
It was the slogan.
Even though it wasn’t there, we could see it in the mind’s eye as a Taoiseach in possession of no government showcased his statesmanship in front of an audience of the people. There, in neat general election letters, above his head.
“Reopening Ireland”.
READ MORE
This was what Friday evening’s big speech was all about. Complete with a roadmap and the undivided attention of a worried nation anxious for guidance and reassurance.
Varadkar delivered this in the process of confirming his Government’s comprehensively leaked decision that the Covid-19 restrictions are to continue for two more weeks, with just a few minor changes. However, there is a plan to gradually unwind the shutdown in a series of stages, in a sensible way.
Hard to argue with that.
“Reopening Ireland”. From the people who brought you “Project Ireland”.
They know their way around a plan; they have managed the lockdown very competently and now seem best poised to unwind it. Leo Varadkar sold it very well during his latest address to the nation.
If he can deliver on the roadmap, and the shaky-looking government formation talks hit the buffers, it could be just the ticket to a new term.
This speech marked a radical departure by the Taoiseach.
Did ideas man John Concannon accidentally drop The Heaney Book down the back of a radiator?
Yes, he was still front and centre in the grandeur of Government Buildings, with the showy accoutrements of State positioned around him. Still standing tall in the middle of the picture looking all handsome and leaderly.
But here’s the daring twist: this time Leo addressed the nation from the bottom of the stairs. Last time, he impressed us hugely from the Serious Corridor upstairs.
High-fives all round for smarts.
Of course, the absence of poetry was noted. Did ideas man John Concannon accidentally drop The Heaney Book down the back of a radiator? Or maybe the speechwriter was still sulking because Labour’s Alan Kelly quoted Eavan Boland, who died this week, in the Dáil on Thursday, thus stealing a march.
Whatever. This was of no real interest to working journalists, who hung around Leinster House all day wondering when they would be informed of a time and place for the unveiling by the Taoiseach of his much-trailed Covid Lockdown Exit. They really wanted to ask him questions about it.
But they couldn’t because Leo’s people decided it was time for another Soliloquy on Merrion Street. At least the hacks were able to recite most of the lines along with him because they were comprehensively leaked well before he opened his mouth.
Although, to be fair, the Taoiseach would be going on The Late Late Show a few hours later, there to be eviscerated by Ryan Tubridy along with the other light entertainment acts offering themselves up for Friday night slaughter. And you can’t say braver than that.
The unwinding will take part in five stages at three-week intervals. Here, the Taoiseach signalled the numbers by quickly unfurling his fingers, just like the host of an old, incomprehensible game show called 3-2-1, in which the co-star was “Dusty Bin”.
The biggest news from Government Buildings was that “the over-70s will be allowed out”. What happens after that is anybody’s guess. They might wreck the gaff. Just as well the pubs will remain closed. Along with DIY shops and garden centres, which will have to wait a few weeks longer while the big supermarkets buy in new stock and take all their business.
We hear the Taoiseach and members of his cabinet were overjoyed when told the exit strategy would involve “five stages” and there was terrible disappointment when the news was broken that these were not actual stages, for performance purposes.
It’ll be more like Tour de France stages: gruelling, but ultimately exhilarating.
People will be able to exert themselves now over five kilometres, instead of confining themselves to two. This means they will be able to lie less to gardaí, which will remove a lot of stress.
Two more weeks of tight restrictions should be doable, when the outcome means the safety of family members and fellow citizens.
“Not long from now, some summer night, we will see our friends again,” mused Leo, waxing slightly poetic. Wistfully.
Micheál's backdrop was of the railings in front of the National Library and a fella wheeling his bicycle past
He mentioned the “10,000” or so letters he has received in recent weeks. Who knew so many people feel compelled to write to the Taoiseach with their thoughts and dreams and problems and desires?
Tight restrictions? We know all about them after weeks of flattening the curve. Another two shouldn’t make much difference at this stage when the future looks elastic.
He didn’t mention masks.
Never mind. The Fianna Fáil leader, stuck in the Leinster House carpark, mentioned them. Leo stole his thunder in every other department – it’s difficult for Micheál to stay relevant. Micheál’s backdrop was of the railings in front of the National Library and a fella wheeling his bicycle past the camera. Not a patch on the flags and pillars and marble staircase of Government Buildings.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald was also canvassed for her opinion on TV after the Taoiseach’s performance. Her backdrop was even gloomier, in a darkened room in front of a black-and-white portrait of Countess Markievicz.
Meanwhile, the man in possession of no government but still firmly in charge told the nation that their effort so far “has been worthwhile. It is working. So let’s finish what we started.”
The good days will come again, promised Leo.
.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Four arrested following € 1,000 cannabis seizure in Dublin

Four arrests were made in the Ballymun area on Friday after gardaí found and seized approximately € 1,000 worth of cannabis during a search of three residential properties .
A woman in her late 50s was arrested , as well as three men , two aged in their 20s and one 50s .
They are currently detained at Ballymun Garda Station .
The searches are part of an ongoing operation targeting the sale and supply of illegal drugs and anti-social behaviour in the Ballymun area , gardaí have said .
The searches were carried out by members of the DMR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by members from Ballymun , the Armed Support Unit and the Public Order Unit .
Drug paraphernalia and a burner phone were also discovered and seized by gardaí .
Four motorbikes were seized from all three premises as they are suspected as being used in transportation for the sale and supply of drugs in the Ballymun area .
A Taser disguised as a mobile phone was also seized from one of the properties .
A fourth man , aged in his 20s , was found to be in possession of a small quantity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

A woman in her late 50s was arrested, as well as three men, two aged in their 20s and one 50s. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Four arrests were made in the Ballymun area on Friday after gardaí found and seized approximately € 1,000 worth of cannabis during a search of three residential properties.
A woman in her late 50s was arrested, as well as three men, two aged in their 20s and one 50s. They are currently detained at Ballymun Garda Station.
The searches are part of an ongoing operation targeting the sale and supply of illegal drugs and anti-social behaviour in the Ballymun area, gardaí have said.
The searches were carried out by members of the DMR North Divisional Crime Task Force and assisted by members from Ballymun, the Armed Support Unit and the Public Order Unit.
READ MORE
Drug paraphernalia and a burner phone were also discovered and seized by gardaí. Four motorbikes were seized from all three premises as they are suspected as being used in transportation for the sale and supply of drugs in the Ballymun area. A Taser disguised as a mobile phone was also seized from one of the properties.
A fourth man, aged in his 20s, was found to be in possession of a small quantity of cannabis and has been court summoned.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Kerry asylum seekers ask to be moved after quarantine introduced at centre

Nearly 80 asylum seekers have asked to be relocated from the town of Cahersiveen in Co Kerry after quarantine measures were introduced at the direct provision centre where they are living .
Concerns were raised on Friday following reports that residents at the former Skellig Star hotel in Cahersiveen had been told they must self-isolate inside .
A Department of Justice spokesman said residents had been asked by medical experts to self-quarantine and adhere to guidance but that “ the door to the centre remains open at all times ” .
Widespread testing was undertaken at the centre last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were moved after testing positive for Covid-19 while four people are currently self-isolating in their rooms after displaying symptoms .
There are currently less than 80 residents , including single adults and families , staying in 56 rooms at the centre .
“ The HSE have asked all other residents in the hotel in Cahersiveen to isolate , as would be the case for any other person in the country , under the HSE guidelines , ” said the spokesman .
“ We understand that an isolation situation is difficult .
Indeed nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for any person in Ireland .
” A dedicated outdoor area for exercise has been put in place within the hotel grounds and arrangements have been made to ensure residents can order any items they need from local shops , he said .
The spokesman confirmed testing at the centre had been completed but did not say how many residents had tested positive for the virus .
“ In line with our agreed policy with the HSE , anyone with a positive Covid-19 result has been transferred to an offsite self-isolation facility where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the HSE considers that they can safely return to their centre , ” he said .
Doireann Ansboro from the Irish Council for Civil Liberties expressed concern that residents were being held inside the centre in a way that “ may constitute arbitrary detention ” .
“ The temporary emergency legislation confers extraordinary powers of detention on medical officers , but there are clear safeguards too - including the need for written certification that individuals are a potential source of Covid-19 and a right to review by a second medical officer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents at the centre called for those still in the Skellig star hotel to be moved to another location where they can social distance without fear of contracting the virus .
“ This place is infected and is uninhabitable for a human being in this pandemic period , ” said the group , adding that there were still people with serious medical conditions and pregnant women in the hotel .
The residents also criticised the Government for moving people from a Dublin hotel to Cahersiveen despite the HSE raising concerns around the transfer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
“ The emergency we are experiencing now requires urgent and effective actions .
We , asylum seekers , are no lesser beings and we don ’ t deserve to be given inhumane treatment .
.
.
Move us out.
” Bulelani Mfaco from the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland said the group was “ appalled ” by the Government ’ s inaction after highlighting the “ untenable and deteriorating conditions in Cahersiveen ” .
“ We are concerned about serious breaches of fundamental human rights in the centre where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including a 3-year-old child who sleeps , eats , plays , and does her school work in the crammed bedroom she shares with her parents with no space to run around like all children her age naturally do , ” said Mr Mfaco .

A Department of Justice spokesman said residents of the hotel had been asked by medical experts to self-quarantine. Photograph: Google Maps
Nearly 80 asylum seekers have asked to be relocated from the town of Cahersiveen in Co Kerry after quarantine measures were introduced at the direct provision centre where they are living.
Concerns were raised on Friday following reports that residents at the former Skellig Star hotel in Cahersiveen had been told they must self-isolate inside.
A Department of Justice spokesman said residents had been asked by medical experts to self-quarantine and adhere to guidance but that “the door to the centre remains open at all times”.
Widespread testing was undertaken at the centre last week and it’s understood 22 people were moved after testing positive for Covid-19 while four people are currently self-isolating in their rooms after displaying symptoms.
READ MORE
There are currently less than 80 residents, including single adults and families, staying in 56 rooms at the centre.
“The HSE have asked all other residents in the hotel in Cahersiveen to isolate, as would be the case for any other person in the country, under the HSE guidelines,” said the spokesman.
"We understand that an isolation situation is difficult. Indeed nothing about life in a pandemic is easy for any person in Ireland. "
A dedicated outdoor area for exercise has been put in place within the hotel grounds and arrangements have been made to ensure residents can order any items they need from local shops, he said.
The spokesman confirmed testing at the centre had been completed but did not say how many residents had tested positive for the virus.
“In line with our agreed policy with the HSE, anyone with a positive Covid-19 result has been transferred to an offsite self-isolation facility where they are cared for until such time as the HSE considers that they can safely return to their centre,” he said.
‘Abitrary detention’
Doireann Ansboro from the Irish Council for Civil Liberties expressed concern that residents were being held inside the centre in a way that “may constitute arbitrary detention”.
“The temporary emergency legislation confers extraordinary powers of detention on medical officers, but there are clear safeguards too - including the need for written certification that individuals are a potential source of Covid-19 and a right to review by a second medical officer,” she said.
A statement from residents at the centre called for those still in the Skellig star hotel to be moved to another location where they can social distance without fear of contracting the virus.
“This place is infected and is uninhabitable for a human being in this pandemic period,” said the group, adding that there were still people with serious medical conditions and pregnant women in the hotel.
The residents also criticised the Government for moving people from a Dublin hotel to Cahersiveen despite the HSE raising concerns around the transfer of more than 100 refugees during the pandemic.
“The emergency we are experiencing now requires urgent and effective actions. We, asylum seekers, are no lesser beings and we don’t deserve to be given inhumane treatment . . . Move us out.”
Bulelani Mfaco from the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland said the group was “appalled” by the Government’s inaction after highlighting the “untenable and deteriorating conditions in Cahersiveen”.
“We are concerned about serious breaches of fundamental human rights in the centre where the State has effectively imprisoned asylum seekers, including a 3-year-old child who sleeps, eats, plays, and does her school work in the crammed bedroom she shares with her parents with no space to run around like all children her age naturally do,” said Mr Mfaco.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Q&A: Will Leaving Cert go ahead following decision to keep schools closed until September?

When are schools set to reopen in light of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar ’ s comments on Friday evening ?
The Taoiseach has confirmed that schools and colleges will not reopen until September/October for the start of the new academic year .
He did not offer additional details , but education sources say this likely means a later start to the academic year in most cases .
For example , it is expected that primary and secondary schools may return on a staggered basis during September , with some classes attending on certain days and others on alternate days .
Remote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reality on days when classes don ’ t physically go to school .
At third level , most colleges are planning to return from September 28th onwards for returning students , and November 2nd for students who have completed the Leaving Cert .
Will the Leaving Cert be affected by the decision to keep schools closed until September ?
The Taoiseach ’ s comments have prompted plenty of speculation about the status of the Leaving Cert .
The absence of a reference to the exams in the Governmentt 's roadmap for easing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a sign of fresh uncertainty over whether they will go ahead .
However , a spokesman for the Department of Education said the Government is still planning to proceed with two weeks of school in July for Leaving Cert students , ahead of the scheduled start of the exams on July 29th .
“ Planning for the Leaving Cert is still being discussed , including through the advisory group set up by the Department involving education stakeholders .
It is still hoped to bring just Leaving Cert students back in July , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice , ” the spokesman said .
How certain can we be that the exams themselves will actually go ahead ?
Some Opposition politicians claimed on Friday that the absence of a reference to the exams in the Government 's roadmap is telling .
Fianna Fail 's education spokesman Thomas Byrne TD , for example , says he is now `` fully convinced '' that the exams should not go ahead in the face of uncertainty and what he describes as the lack of preparations in place to have a fair Leaving Cert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Department of Education remains that the exams are scheduled to proceed , subject to public health advice .
Meetings with education stakeholders took place on Friday to discuss the kind of measures that may be required to ensure the safety of students and staff if the exams go ahead .
If the public health situation deteriorates , will the exams will be cancelled ?
Minister for Education Joe McHugh has said various contingency plans are being examined if the exams do not go ahead .
He has declined to comment further , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ options include further delays , predicted or expected grades for students ; or matriculation/entry exams for third level courses .
Why are predicted or expected grades not being considered ?
Mr McHugh has said there is an “ inherent bias ” in offering students ’ predicted grades and that they would likely become a major issue of controversy among students who narrowly miss out on a college place .
In addition - though he did not say this - some teachers ’ unions are vehemently opposed to grading their own students for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Leaving Cert does not go ahead , however , it would seem highly likely , that some form of expected grades might have to be considered , with or without the role of teachers .
Some educators have put forward arguments for how this could happen .
What is happening in other countries with end-of-school exams ?
The practice varies .
Last week , Hong Kong commenced its equivalent of the Leaving Cert , with a requirement that students sit at desks separated by 1.8 metres and that all students wear face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also planning to press ahead with its equivalent exams in July , subject to similar safeguards .
Closer to home , many EU member states or jurisdictions are also planning to go ahead with end-of-school exams , though in many cases they have opted to reduce the number or duration of exams .
For example , exams are due to go ahead in various forms in Austria , Croatia , the Czech Republic , Denmark , Estonia , some parts of Germany , Hungary , Latvia , Lithuania , Luxembourg , Portugal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been cancelled in the UK , France and the Netherlands .
In these cases , they are opting for a combination of predicted or expected grades , based on students ' past coursework .
Other countries are still considering their options .
What is the best advice for students facing into exams ?
The best option is to presume the exams will go ahead , to try and block out some of the speculation and work towards the exams beginning on July 29th .
Try to pace yourself in your study and don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still a long way to go .
One good piece of advice is to create a rough timetable , working backwards from July 29th , factoring in plenty of study breaks and time off .
Minister for Health Simon Harris indicated recently that primary schools might reopen in June for a day a week .
Will this happen ?
No .
The Taoiseach ’ s statement makes it clear that schools will not reopen until the autumn .
Leaks during the week also indicated that this was the course of action being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

A spokesman for the Department of Education said the Government is still planning to proceed with two weeks of school in July for Leaving Cert students, ahead of the start of exams on July 29th.
When are schools set to reopen in light of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s comments on Friday evening?
The Taoiseach has confirmed that schools and colleges will not reopen until September/October for the start of the new academic year.
He did not offer additional details, but education sources say this likely means a later start to the academic year in most cases.
For example, it is expected that primary and secondary schools may return on a staggered basis during September, with some classes attending on certain days and others on alternate days.
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Remote learning looks set to continue to be a reality on days when classes don’t physically go to school.
At third level, most colleges are planning to return from September 28th onwards for returning students, and November 2nd for students who have completed the Leaving Cert.
Will the Leaving Cert be affected by the decision to keep schools closed until September?
The Taoiseach’s comments have prompted plenty of speculation about the status of the Leaving Cert.
The absence of a reference to the exams in the Governmentt's roadmap for easing restrictions has been interpreted in some quarters as a sign of fresh uncertainty over whether they will go ahead.
However, a spokesman for the Department of Education said the Government is still planning to proceed with two weeks of school in July for Leaving Cert students, ahead of the scheduled start of the exams on July 29th.
“Planning for the Leaving Cert is still being discussed, including through the advisory group set up by the Department involving education stakeholders. It is still hoped to bring just Leaving Cert students back in July, subject to adequate planning and public health advice,” the spokesman said.
How certain can we be that the exams themselves will actually go ahead?
Some Opposition politicians claimed on Friday that the absence of a reference to the exams in the Government's roadmap is telling.
Fianna Fail's education spokesman Thomas Byrne TD, for example, says he is now "fully convinced" that the exams should not go ahead in the face of uncertainty and what he describes as the lack of preparations in place to have a fair Leaving Cert.
However, the official line from the Department of Education remains that the exams are scheduled to proceed, subject to public health advice.
Meetings with education stakeholders took place on Friday to discuss the kind of measures that may be required to ensure the safety of students and staff if the exams go ahead.
If the public health situation deteriorates, will the exams will be cancelled?
That remains a credible scenario.
Minister for Education Joe McHugh has said various contingency plans are being examined if the exams do not go ahead.
He has declined to comment further, but we can only speculate that these options include further delays, predicted or expected grades for students; or matriculation/entry exams for third level courses.
Why are predicted or expected grades not being considered?
Mr McHugh has said there is an “inherent bias” in offering students’ predicted grades and that they would likely become a major issue of controversy among students who narrowly miss out on a college place.
In addition - though he did not say this - some teachers’ unions are vehemently opposed to grading their own students for the purposes of a State exam.
If the Leaving Cert does not go ahead, however, it would seem highly likely, that some form of expected grades might have to be considered, with or without the role of teachers.
Some educators have put forward arguments for how this could happen.
What is happening in other countries with end-of-school exams?
The practice varies. Last week, Hong Kong commenced its equivalent of the Leaving Cert, with a requirement that students sit at desks separated by 1.8 metres and that all students wear face masks and undergo temperature checks.
China is also planning to press ahead with its equivalent exams in July, subject to similar safeguards.
Closer to home, many EU member states or jurisdictions are also planning to go ahead with end-of-school exams, though in many cases they have opted to reduce the number or duration of exams.
For example, exams are due to go ahead in various forms in Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, some parts of Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal and Spain.
However, they have been cancelled in the UK, France and the Netherlands. In these cases, they are opting for a combination of predicted or expected grades, based on students' past coursework.
Other countries are still considering their options.
What is the best advice for students facing into exams?
The best option is to presume the exams will go ahead, to try and block out some of the speculation and work towards the exams beginning on July 29th.
Try to pace yourself in your study and don’t burn yourself out. There is still a long way to go.
One good piece of advice is to create a rough timetable, working backwards from July 29th, factoring in plenty of study breaks and time off.
Minister for Health Simon Harris indicated recently that primary schools might reopen in June for a day a week. Will this happen?
No. The Taoiseach’s statement makes it clear that schools will not reopen until the autumn. Leaks during the week also indicated that this was the course of action being considered by public health officials and politicians.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Face-coverings may be required in shops and on public transport, says Dr Holohan

The wearing of face-coverings in shops and on public transport may be required as part of the easing of restrictions introduced to curb the spread of Covid-19 , public health officials have indicated .
Face-coverings may form an “ important part ” of the response “ in certain circumstances ” as restrictions are eased , according to chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan .
Guidance was being developed on the “ short use ” in settings such as public transport or retail settings , he told a briefing in Government Buildings on the Government ’ s road-map out of Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure continuity in the supply of health-grade face-masks for healthcare workers and patients , he stressed .
Schools will not be re-opening until the new academic year for the “ general school population ” , Minister for Health Simon Harris said .
While there was a desire to see the Leaving Cert go ahead , it was now up to the education partners to decide how to progress this , he said .
Dr Holohan indicated it will be up to the sector to show social distancing and other principles can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Harris described the Government ’ s plan as a “ living , breathing document ” about a return to “ some kind of new normal ” .
The roadmap was about “ trying to strike a balance ” and building on progress “ without jeopardising it ” .
Getting the timing for the lifting of measures wrong would risk lives and moving too soon in this direction risk a failure that would have a “ devastating ” impact on thousands of people , he warned .
He described the plan as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said it needed to be “ owned by everyone in the country ” .
“ If we don ’ t get it right , we ’ ll end up standing still or even going backwards.
” The road would be tough but would be “ worth it ” .
“ It ’ s tough but I can assure you the alternative is a hell of a lot worse .
”

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan says road ahead tough but worth it in response to Covid-19. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
The wearing of face-coverings in shops and on public transport may be required as part of the easing of restrictions introduced to curb the spread of Covid-19, public health officials have indicated.
Face-coverings may form an “important part” of the response “in certain circumstances” as restrictions are eased, according to chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan.
Guidance was being developed on the “short use” in settings such as public transport or retail settings, he told a briefing in Government Buildings on the Government’s road-map out of Covid-19 restrictions.
However, it was important to ensure continuity in the supply of health-grade face-masks for healthcare workers and patients, he stressed.
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Schools will not be re-opening until the new academic year for the “general school population”, Minister for Health Simon Harris said.
While there was a desire to see the Leaving Cert go ahead, it was now up to the education partners to decide how to progress this, he said.
Dr Holohan indicated it will be up to the sector to show social distancing and other principles can be respected in the holding of the exam.
Mr Harris described the Government’s plan as a “living, breathing document” about a return to “some kind of new normal”.
The roadmap was about “trying to strike a balance” and building on progress “without jeopardising it”.
Getting the timing for the lifting of measures wrong would risk lives and moving too soon in this direction risk a failure that would have a “devastating” impact on thousands of people, he warned.
He described the plan as a “partnership with the people” and said it needed to be “owned by everyone in the country”.
“If we don’t get it right, we’ll end up standing still or even going backwards.”
The road would be tough but would be “worth it”.
“It’s tough but I can assure you the alternative is a hell of a lot worse.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Head of Criminal Assets Bureau promoted to top Garda ranks

The head of the Criminal Assets Bureau ( Cab ) , Det Chief Supt Pat Clavin , has been promoted to the top ranks in the Garda , at assistant commissioner level .
Mr Clavin was one of three officers to secure promotion to assistant commissioner rank during a recent recruitment competition , along with Chief Supt Ann Marie Cagney and PSNI Det Chief Paula Hilman .
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris announced on Friday that Mr Clavin ’ s appointment had now been made by the Policing Authority .
“ This appointment is very welcome .
Pat has 38 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of roles and areas in An Garda Síochána , ” Mr Harris said .
“ His operational and professional standards experience will be of immense benefit to the organisation.
” In his most recent role as head of Cab , Mr Clavin led the bureau ’ s successful pursuit of Dublin criminal Liam Byrne ( 39 ) , Crumlin , Dublin .
He was named in the High Court as the head of the Byrne organised crime group and a Dublin-based lieutenant of the Kinahan cartel .
Some €2.7 million of assets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Byrne organised crime group during the Cab investigation into them .
“ One thing we find particularly telling is the number of modest homes with bullet proof windows and doors , ” Mr Clavin told the Irish Times in an interview just over a year after taking over at Cab .
He said this was a major change compared to the organised crime scene when he joined the force .
“ When I joined the police in the 1980s we were told there were two crime families in Ireland .
One was called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Dunnes , ” he said , a referring to Martin Cahill and brothers Christy and Larry Dunne .
“ The Cahills were involved in burglaries and robberies and the Dunnes were credited with bringing heroin into Ireland.
” Under Mr Clavin ’ s stewardship the bureau established a social media presence and invited members of the public to give the bureau tip-offs online in a bid to modernise its operations and reach out to the public .
While major crime gangs in all regions of the Republic continued to be targeted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gardaí trained to identify unexplained wealth and profile the assets of suspects in their areas .
Those profiles were then passed to Cab ’ s Dublin offices and hundreds of new investigations were commenced into mid tier criminals from whom cash , vehicles , expensive jewellery and clothing were seized .
That move sought to take full advantage of changes to the Proceeds of Crime Act which was amended to ensure the bureau could target criminal assets valued as low as €5,000 rather than the previous minimum value of €13,000 .
Before taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago Mr Clavin worked in senior management posts in the Garda ’ s Professional Standards Unit and Internal Affairs .
He was also previously chief superintendent in charge of the Dublin West Garda division as well as holding the position of superintendent in a number of Garda districts .

The head of the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab), Det Chief Supt Pat Clavin, has been promoted to the top ranks in the Garda, at assistant commissioner level.
Mr Clavin was one of three officers to secure promotion to assistant commissioner rank during a recent recruitment competition, along with Chief Supt Ann Marie Cagney and PSNI Det Chief Paula Hilman.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris announced on Friday that Mr Clavin’s appointment had now been made by the Policing Authority.
“This appointment is very welcome. Pat has 38 years of policing experience across a wide variety of roles and areas in An Garda Síochána,” Mr Harris said.
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“His operational and professional standards experience will be of immense benefit to the organisation.”
In his most recent role as head of Cab, Mr Clavin led the bureau’s successful pursuit of Dublin criminal Liam Byrne (39), Crumlin, Dublin. He was named in the High Court as the head of the Byrne organised crime group and a Dublin-based lieutenant of the Kinahan cartel. Some €2.7 million of assets, including property, were seized from the Byrne organised crime group during the Cab investigation into them.
“One thing we find particularly telling is the number of modest homes with bullet proof windows and doors,” Mr Clavin told the Irish Times in an interview just over a year after taking over at Cab.
He said this was a major change compared to the organised crime scene when he joined the force. “When I joined the police in the 1980s we were told there were two crime families in Ireland. One was called the Cahills and the other was called the Dunnes,” he said, a referring to Martin Cahill and brothers Christy and Larry Dunne.
“The Cahills were involved in burglaries and robberies and the Dunnes were credited with bringing heroin into Ireland.”
Under Mr Clavin’s stewardship the bureau established a social media presence and invited members of the public to give the bureau tip-offs online in a bid to modernise its operations and reach out to the public.
While major crime gangs in all regions of the Republic continued to be targeted, the bureau significantly increased the number of gardaí trained to identify unexplained wealth and profile the assets of suspects in their areas.
Those profiles were then passed to Cab’s Dublin offices and hundreds of new investigations were commenced into mid tier criminals from whom cash, vehicles, expensive jewellery and clothing were seized.
That move sought to take full advantage of changes to the Proceeds of Crime Act which was amended to ensure the bureau could target criminal assets valued as low as €5,000 rather than the previous minimum value of €13,000.
Before taking on the lead position at Cab four years ago Mr Clavin worked in senior management posts in the Garda’s Professional Standards Unit and Internal Affairs. He was also previously chief superintendent in charge of the Dublin West Garda division as well as holding the position of superintendent in a number of Garda districts.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--SDLP calls for ‘island-wide’ co-ordination after Taoiseach’s lockdown-easing speech

An “ island-wide ” Covid-19 co-ordination plan should be immediately organised in the wake of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announcing his five-stage proposals to ease the lockdown in the Republic , the SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has urged .
The Foyle MP said on Friday evening that it was “ incredible ” that there were “ divergent ” strategies for easing the restrictions in Northern Ireland and the Republic .
Mr Eastwood said the Executive and the Government should “ come together and implement an island-wide approach to testing , tracing and isolation immediately ” .
“ The First and Deputy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement on the way forward , ” he said .
“ It is very difficult to listen to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announcing a comprehensive strategy for reopening society and businesses less than a mile down the road while our Executive is still publicly squabbling about ( opening ) garden centres , ” added Mr Eastwood whose constituency is on the border with Donegal .
“ We are too far into this crisis not to be learning the lessons about co-ordination that are critical to preventing transmission and saving lives , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aiken said the Northern Executive must now press ahead with its own plan for easing the coronavirus restrictions .
“ It just seems disappointing that Scotland has got a plan , Wales has got a plan and Boris had produced his five-points .
Now Leo has a plan and from the Northern Ireland Executive we have got a resounding nothing , ” he said .
Mr Aiken said the Executive must now get on with devising a “ recovery plan ” .
“ The people of Northern Ireland need to have an idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he added .
From Monday the Northern Executive is to begin reviewing when and how the lockdown might be relaxed .
A DUP spokesman said it was likely that the Government and Mr Varadkar ’ s approach to softening the restrictions would be one of the issues considered by Northern Ministers as they plotted a way forward .

“It is very difficult to listen to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (above) announcing a comprehensive strategy for reopening society and businesses less than a mile down the road while our Executive is still publicly squabbling about (opening) garden centres,” said SDLP leader Mr Eastwood whose constituency is on the border with Donegal. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland/PA
An “island-wide” Covid-19 co-ordination plan should be immediately organised in the wake of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announcing his five-stage proposals to ease the lockdown in the Republic, the SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has urged.
The Foyle MP said on Friday evening that it was “incredible” that there were “divergent” strategies for easing the restrictions in Northern Ireland and the Republic.
Mr Eastwood said the Executive and the Government should “come together and implement an island-wide approach to testing, tracing and isolation immediately”.
“The First and Deputy First Minister need to make a joint statement on the way forward,” he said.
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“It is very difficult to listen to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announcing a comprehensive strategy for reopening society and businesses less than a mile down the road while our Executive is still publicly squabbling about (opening) garden centres,” added Mr Eastwood whose constituency is on the border with Donegal.
“We are too far into this crisis not to be learning the lessons about co-ordination that are critical to preventing transmission and saving lives,” he said.
The Ulster Unionist Party leader Steve Aiken said the Northern Executive must now press ahead with its own plan for easing the coronavirus restrictions.
“It just seems disappointing that Scotland has got a plan, Wales has got a plan and Boris had produced his five-points. Now Leo has a plan and from the Northern Ireland Executive we have got a resounding nothing,” he said.
Mr Aiken said the Executive must now get on with devising a “recovery plan”.
“The people of Northern Ireland need to have an idea of what the longer term plan is,” he added.
From Monday the Northern Executive is to begin reviewing when and how the lockdown might be relaxed.
A DUP spokesman said it was likely that the Government and Mr Varadkar’s approach to softening the restrictions would be one of the issues considered by Northern Ministers as they plotted a way forward.


theirishtimes--2020-05-01--Travel agents ask to be allowed give credit notes for cancelled holidays

The umbrella group for Irish travel agents has called on the Government to change the rules and allow holiday companies offer credit notes instead of cash when holidays are cancelled as a result of the Covid-19 crisis .
The Irish Travel Agents Association ( ITAA ) said it was “ deeply concerned ” by the impact the pandemic was having on its members and their customers .
It pointed out that the Irish travel industry employs over 3,500 people in “ mainly in small , family-run businesses ” and said many businesses had been “ left without income for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial strain.
” Many travel agents who have taken bookings for package holidays in recent months have paid airlines for flights and the ITAA said that with those airlines - notably , in this country Ryanair and Aer Lingus - “ refusing to refund travel agents the cost of the flights , it is impossible for ITAA member travel agents to provide all customers with full refunds for bookings ” .
As a result the ITAA wants the Government to be “ mindful of the pressures faced by small travel businesses across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to consider supporting the travel industry with the introduction of credit notes for affected customers ” .
The ITAA chief executive Pat Dawson called on the Government “ to support vulnerable travel and tourism businesses during the pandemic .
The implementation of credit notes for affected customers may help to protect otherwise healthy businesses that are suffering financially as a result of the current situation with the Coronavirus.
” Earlier this week it emerged , the Ireland along with 11 other EU countries had written to the European Commisson asking it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow them offer credit notes instead of cash refunds .
The letter said that when existing regulations which guarantee consumers full refunds in the event that flights were cancelled were drawn up , the scale of the coronavirus crisis and its impact on commercial air travel “ could not have been foreseen ” .
A voucher system would support airlines and incentivise people to travel , which would boost economies across the EU in the months ahead , it said In recent days Aer Lingus and Ryanair have been encouraging passengers on flights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accept vouchers instead of cash .
Both airlines have insisted they are fully compliant with existing EU refund regulations .

The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) said it was deeply concerned by the impact the pandemic was having on its members and their customers. Photograph: iStock
The umbrella group for Irish travel agents has called on the Government to change the rules and allow holiday companies offer credit notes instead of cash when holidays are cancelled as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.
The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) said it was "deeply concerned" by the impact the pandemic was having on its members and their customers.
It pointed out that the Irish travel industry employs over 3,500 people in “mainly in small, family-run businesses” and said many businesses had been “left without income for the foreseeable future, and are under huge financial strain.”
Many travel agents who have taken bookings for package holidays in recent months have paid airlines for flights and the ITAA said that with those airlines - notably, in this country Ryanair and Aer Lingus - "refusing to refund travel agents the cost of the flights, it is impossible for ITAA member travel agents to provide all customers with full refunds for bookings".
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As a result the ITAA wants the Government to be "mindful of the pressures faced by small travel businesses across the country as the Coronavirus situation progresses, and to consider supporting the travel industry with the introduction of credit notes for affected customers".
The ITAA chief executive Pat Dawson called on the Government "to support vulnerable travel and tourism businesses during the pandemic. The implementation of credit notes for affected customers may help to protect otherwise healthy businesses that are suffering financially as a result of the current situation with the Coronavirus."
Earlier this week it emerged, the Ireland along with 11 other EU countries had written to the European Commisson asking it to give the green light to airlines to allow them offer credit notes instead of cash refunds.
The letter said that when existing regulations which guarantee consumers full refunds in the event that flights were cancelled were drawn up, the scale of the coronavirus crisis and its impact on commercial air travel “could not have been foreseen”.
A voucher system would support airlines and incentivise people to travel, which would boost economies across the EU in the months ahead, it said
In recent days Aer Lingus and Ryanair have been encouraging passengers on flights cancelled because of the coronavirus crisis to accept vouchers instead of cash. Both airlines have insisted they are fully compliant with existing EU refund regulations.