theirishtimes--2020-08-25--Invasive fish species in Co Longford river sparks fresh biodiversity concerns

An invasive fish species has reappeared in the River Inny in Co Longford , causing concern for local biodiversity , Inland Fisheries Ireland ( IFI ) has said .
Chub , more formally known as Squalius cephalus , has the potential to compete with native fish for food and space and are potentially a carrier of fish diseases and parasites .
The threat of Chub spreading through the Shannon system , of which the River Inny is a tributary , is of “ real and pending concern ” to the biodiversity of Ireland ’ s biggest catchment , IFI said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigating the extent of the invasion and assessing strategies for eradication and control .
The fish was captured on rod and line at a targeted location identified by IFI staff who recorded potential sightings at several locations .
The initial inspection followed reports submitted to IFI and the National Biodiversity Data Centre by members of the public .
Chub are non-native in Ireland , and the River Inny is the only Irish river in which they have been recorded .
The species was subject to removal operations between 2006 and 2010 and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is unclear at this stage whether these fish represent growth in the original population or are as a result of a second introduction .
IFI is trying to establish the status and distribution of the species within the catchment which will help inform potential management programmes .
Dr Cathal Gallagher , head of research at IFI , stated : “ Ireland ’ s rivers are ecologically important ecosystems , which support significant recreational fisheries for native and established fish species .
“ Non-native fish species threaten these ecosystems and the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potentially in unforeseen ways – and are thus a cause for concern , ” he added .
Dr Gallagher has appeal to anglers to “ protect our fisheries ” by not moving fish between watercourses and to submit any sightings directly to IFI or through the IFI hotline ( 1850 34 74 24 ) .

An invasive fish species has reappeared in the River Inny in Co Longford, causing concern for local biodiversity, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has said.
Chub, more formally known as Squalius cephalus, has the potential to compete with native fish for food and space and are potentially a carrier of fish diseases and parasites.
The threat of Chub spreading through the Shannon system, of which the River Inny is a tributary, is of “real and pending concern” to the biodiversity of Ireland’s biggest catchment, IFI said.
The organisation added that it is investigating the extent of the invasion and assessing strategies for eradication and control.
READ MORE
The fish was captured on rod and line at a targeted location identified by IFI staff who recorded potential sightings at several locations.
The initial inspection followed reports submitted to IFI and the National Biodiversity Data Centre by members of the public.
Chub are non-native in Ireland, and the River Inny is the only Irish river in which they have been recorded.
The species was subject to removal operations between 2006 and 2010 and it was hoped that it had been eradicated.
It is unclear at this stage whether these fish represent growth in the original population or are as a result of a second introduction.
IFI is trying to establish the status and distribution of the species within the catchment which will help inform potential management programmes.
Dr Cathal Gallagher, head of research at IFI, stated: "Ireland's rivers are ecologically important ecosystems, which support significant recreational fisheries for native and established fish species.
“Non-native fish species threaten these ecosystems and the game and coarse fisheries that they support – potentially in unforeseen ways – and are thus a cause for concern,” he added.
Dr Gallagher has appeal to anglers to “protect our fisheries” by not moving fish between watercourses and to submit any sightings directly to IFI or through the IFI hotline (1850 34 74 24).


theirishtimes--2020-08-25--Department of Health evacuated after suspicious parcel found

The offices of the Department of Health on Lower Baggot Street in Dublin were evacuated on Tuesday after a suspicious @ @ @ @ @ building .
Staff in Miesian Plaza , which houses the departments of health and children @ @ @ @ @ the city centre office building this afternoon .
Gardaí , ambulance and fire brigade units @ @ @ @ @ 1pm responding to an emergency call .
A Garda spokeswoman confirmed that a suspicious parcel @ @ @ @ @ no further information is available at this time ” .

The offices of the Department of Health on Lower Baggot Street in Dubliny. File photograph: Bryan James Brophy/The Irish Times.
The offices of the Department of Health on Lower Baggot Street in Dublin were evacuated on Tuesday afternoon after a suspicious parcel was discovered in the building.
Staff in Miesian Plaza, which houses the departments of health and children, were told to leave the building.
Gardaí, ambulance and fire brigade units responded just after 1pm following an emergency call. The Defence Forces Emergency Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team arrived soon after.
A Garda spokeswoman confirmed that a suspicious parcel was discovered.
READ MORE
The EOD team donned haz-mat suits and initiated “white-powder incidents” protocols before examining the package. It quickly determined the powder was a harmless household product similar to baking powder.
The matter has been handed back to gardaí who will attempt to establish where the package was sent from and if it was sent maliciously.
The Department of Health said while the building had been evacuated earlier on Tuesday it had later been “cleared for access” by staff.”
The Department’s offices were also evacuated in March of last year when an envelope containing powder was discovered. It was later deemed non-hazardous by Defence Forces technicians.
Commenting on the incident at the time Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said: “I’m not sure what kind of oddballs send suspicious packages in the post but they should be well aware that it is not politicians opening the mail, it’s people doing a normal job, a receptionist or a security guard or clerical officer or someone in the constituency team.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-25--Covid-19 symptoms prevent former car dealer from attending contempt hearing

A former Longford car dealer could not attend the High Court to deal with allegations of contempt because he had developed Covid-19 symptoms , Mr Justice Michael McGrath was told Tuesday .
Gary McCarthy SC , counsel for a Revenue-appointed receiver , told the judge an e-mail had been received in which John Alex Kane claimed to have developed Covid-19 symptoms and had to have a medical test at lunchtime yesterday .
Mr McCarthy said that in the circumstances facing the court a hearing listed for today could not go ahead and he asked Judge Mc Grath to relist the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was a great degree of urgency with regard to it .
He said the result of the test should be known within the next 48 hours and if it proved negative a new hearing should be listed urgently .
He said Revenue was sceptical with regard to the truth of the matter .
Following inquiries by the court registrar with regard to a new date , Judge McGrath said the trial would have to be adjourned to the next jury list on October 12th .
Revenue had obtained a €4.9 million judgment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kanes of Granard , Longford , in its bid to recover unpaid taxes relating to the sale of cars .
John Kirby , of Kirby Healy Chartered Accountants , had been appointed receiver over a number of properties which he wanted to sell in order to meet the 2009 judgment .
The alleged contempt arises from an incident last June at Kanes vacant car showrooms at Granard .
The court had heard Kane had been seen near the showrooms and the lock on the door was later found to have been forced .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ breach undertakings previously given by him not to interfere with the work of the receiver .
The civil contempt case had earlier come before Judge McGrath when Kane argued that it should not go ahead before a criminal matter listed before the District Court next month .
Judge McGrath had rejected Kane ’ s argument that he faced “ double jeopardy ” if the contempt case went ahead first but the High Court rejected his argument and put the case down for hearing today Tuesday .
Revenue had opposed the double jeopardy claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tactic by Kane .
Judge McGrath said that as a result of the Covid-19 development the best that could now be achieved was to adjourn the matter until October 12th .

A former Longford car dealer could not attend the High Court to deal with allegations of contempt because he had developed Covid-19 symptoms, Mr Justice Michael McGrath was told Tuesday.
Gary McCarthy SC, counsel for a Revenue-appointed receiver, told the judge an e-mail had been received in which John Alex Kane claimed to have developed Covid-19 symptoms and had to have a medical test at lunchtime yesterday.
Mr McCarthy said that in the circumstances facing the court a hearing listed for today could not go ahead and he asked Judge Mc Grath to relist the hearing for the earliest possible date as there was a great degree of urgency with regard to it.
He said the result of the test should be known within the next 48 hours and if it proved negative a new hearing should be listed urgently. He said Revenue was sceptical with regard to the truth of the matter.
READ MORE
Following inquiries by the court registrar with regard to a new date, Judge McGrath said the trial would have to be adjourned to the next jury list on October 12th.
Revenue had obtained a €4.9 million judgment against Kane, the former head of Kanes of Granard, Longford, in its bid to recover unpaid taxes relating to the sale of cars.
John Kirby, of Kirby Healy Chartered Accountants, had been appointed receiver over a number of properties which he wanted to sell in order to meet the 2009 judgment.
The alleged contempt arises from an incident last June at Kanes vacant car showrooms at Granard. The court had heard Kane had been seen near the showrooms and the lock on the door was later found to have been forced.
Kane denies the allegations and that they breach undertakings previously given by him not to interfere with the work of the receiver. The civil contempt case had earlier come before Judge McGrath when Kane argued that it should not go ahead before a criminal matter listed before the District Court next month.
Judge McGrath had rejected Kane’s argument that he faced “double jeopardy” if the contempt case went ahead first but the High Court rejected his argument and put the case down for hearing today Tuesday.
Revenue had opposed the double jeopardy claim on the basis it was a delaying tactic by Kane. Judge McGrath said that as a result of the Covid-19 development the best that could now be achieved was to adjourn the matter until October 12th.


theirishtimes--2020-08-25--Covid-19: Teachers call for face masks to be worn by children aged over six

Teachers have called for an urgent review of rules which exempt primary schoolchildren from wearing face masks in light of new international health guidance aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19 .
The World Health Organisation has issued updated recommendations which say children aged between six and 11 should wear face masks on a “ risk-based approach ” .
The WHO ’ s says this guidance is subject to a number of factors including the intensity of transmission in an area , the child ’ s ability to use the mask , access to masks and adequate adult supervision .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ INTO ) said on Tuesday that it has written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin seeking clarity on the public health guidance relating to primary and special schools It has called on the Government to “ urgently review ” guidelines in relation to children wearing face coverings .
“ The union was promised in June that this guidance would be ‘ updated to reflect the changing situation ’ in the context of Covid-19 epidemiology in Ireland , and a review was also promised in light of the experience of other jurisdictions whose schools reopened in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The INTO said it sought clarity three weeks ago from Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly in relation to the wearing of face coverings and the approach to be taken in the event that a pupil or staff member tests positive for Covid-19 .
“ INTO has reminded An Taoiseach that as 100 children have tested positive in the last fortnight it is vital that priority access to testing and tracing be made available to everyone in the education sector , ” it said .
The union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to testing must to be made available to any asymptomatic teacher who requests it .
This would help build confidence in the safety of schools as workplaces and address the reasonable concerns of many of its members , the union said .
“ Prolonged absences from schools awaiting tests benefit no one , ” it said .
The INTO also said it was aware of a number of members whose health was at “ high risk ” and who have multiple underlying conditions .
In what the union said was a “ grossly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occupational health service , Medmark has advised that members with such conditions should return to school .
“ INTO is now calling on government to intervene so that these members can appeal their Medmark decisions in a timely manner and have the opinion of their treating doctors fully taken into account rather than the Department simply adopting the view , often delivered remotely and facelessly , of the Department of Education ’ s health adviser , ” it said .
“ As our members return to the front lines this week , urgent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required to review existing public health guidance and ensure it remains fit for purpose.
” The union added that parents were owed a duty of care by the government .
It said the employers should be instructed by the Government to provide flexibility for parents in their workplace , as they may need to take swift action to remove their child from the school or keep their child home where they are exhibiting symptoms of the virus .
Ms Foley , meanwhile , has said parents can be assured that schools are taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to “ safe and welcoming ” classrooms .
She said enormous work is being undertaken in school communities to provide a safe environment for the return of children to schools .
“ For parents , I understand that you may feel anxious about your child ’ s return to school , ” she said .
“ We are living in a new normal .
However , we have put in place all the precautions necessary and along with the dedication of the principals and teachers at a local school level , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to a safe and welcoming classroom .
”

Students with face masks enter their classroom at the Petri primary school in Dortmund, Germany. Face masks are not required in Irish primary schools. Photograph: Ina Fassbender/AFP
Teachers have called for an urgent review of rules which exempt primary schoolchildren from wearing face masks in light of new international health guidance aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19.
The World Health Organisation has issued updated recommendations which say children aged between six and 11 should wear face masks on a "risk-based approach".
The WHO’s says this guidance is subject to a number of factors including the intensity of transmission in an area, the child’s ability to use the mask, access to masks and adequate adult supervision.
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) said on Tuesday that it has written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin seeking clarity on the public health guidance relating to primary and special schools It has called on the Government to “urgently review” guidelines in relation to children wearing face coverings.
READ MORE
"The union was promised in June that this guidance would be 'updated to reflect the changing situation' in the context of Covid-19 epidemiology in Ireland, and a review was also promised in light of the experience of other jurisdictions whose schools reopened in May and June," it said.
The INTO said it sought clarity three weeks ago from Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly in relation to the wearing of face coverings and the approach to be taken in the event that a pupil or staff member tests positive for Covid-19.
Testing access
“INTO has reminded An Taoiseach that as 100 children have tested positive in the last fortnight it is vital that priority access to testing and tracing be made available to everyone in the education sector,” it said.
The union also restated a call for priority access to testing must to be made available to any asymptomatic teacher who requests it. This would help build confidence in the safety of schools as workplaces and address the reasonable concerns of many of its members, the union said.
“Prolonged absences from schools awaiting tests benefit no one,” it said.
The INTO also said it was aware of a number of members whose health was at “high risk” and who have multiple underlying conditions.
In what the union said was a “ grossly unfair move”, the teachers’ occupational health service, Medmark has advised that members with such conditions should return to school.
“INTO is now calling on government to intervene so that these members can appeal their Medmark decisions in a timely manner and have the opinion of their treating doctors fully taken into account rather than the Department simply adopting the view, often delivered remotely and facelessly, of the Department of Education’s health adviser,” it said.
“As our members return to the front lines this week, urgent and swift action from government is now required to review existing public health guidance and ensure it remains fit for purpose.”
Duty of care
The union added that parents were owed a duty of care by the government.
It said the employers should be instructed by the Government to provide flexibility for parents in their workplace, as they may need to take swift action to remove their child from the school or keep their child home where they are exhibiting symptoms of the virus.
Ms Foley, meanwhile, has said parents can be assured that schools are taking all necessary precautions to ensure children will return to “safe and welcoming” classrooms.
She said enormous work is being undertaken in school communities to provide a safe environment for the return of children to schools.
“For parents, I understand that you may feel anxious about your child’s return to school,” she said.
“We are living in a new normal. However, we have put in place all the precautions necessary and along with the dedication of the principals and teachers at a local school level, you can be assured that your child will return to a safe and welcoming classroom.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-25--Two staff at St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny diagnosed with Covid-19

Two staff at St Luke ’ s Hospital in Kilkenny have been diagnosed with Covid-19 .
Up to 14 other employees are self-isolating due to contact with Covid-19 patients as they await test results .
Two healthcare support workers at the hospital died after contracting the virus in April .
The Ireland East Hospital Group ( IEHG ) said “ a small number of staff who have had close contact with the patients have been tested and are currently self-isolating as outlined by the Covid-19 safety and contact tracing protocols ” .
The National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of caution ” about rising numbers of Covid-19 cases in Dublin , where it said people should take “ extra care ” to prevent spreading the virus .
It came as a further 147 cases of the disease were confirmed , including 73 in Dublin .
This brings total confirmed cases to 28,116 with the death toll from the virus remaining at 1,777 .
Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn told a press briefing that there was not a major problem with rising cases in Dublin over the last number of days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are watching closely ” .
“ It is not an alarm ; it is simply a note of caution for people to take care and take all the basic measures , ” he said , referring to the long-standing public health measures that people should follow and last week ’ s specific guidance to avoid house parties and other larger gatherings .
“ Unlike what we saw in Kildare , Laois and Offaly , there isn ’ t one or two defined clusters guiding this in Dublin .
It is spread out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workplaces and with a significant proportion of community transmission.
” One in three Dublin cases are from community transmission , which is higher than one-in-five national average .
Some 34 of the 73 Dublin cases are close contacts of other Covid-19 cases .
There was “ no suggestion ” that a county lockdown or any further restrictions were needed in Dublin and that if people followed guidance , the benefits would be seen next week , said Dr Glynn .

Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn, said updated Covid-19 measures introduced last week “would not be expected to impact on the trajectory of the disease until early next week” . Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
A further 92 cases of Covid-19 were reported on Tuesday but no new deaths, the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) has said.
The latest figures mean total Covid cases in Ireland have reached 28,201 with deaths remaining at 1,777.
The geographical breakdown of the new cases is made up of 31 cases in Tipperary; 17 in Dublin; seven in Clare; seven in Wexford; and five in Kildare. The remaining 25 cases are spread out among 12 counties.
Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn, said updated Covid-19 measures introduced last week “would not be expected to impact on the trajectory of the disease until early next week” . Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said while the daily numbers remain high the national picture has been relatively stable for the last week.
READ MORE
“However, we have seen cases in 25 of the 26 counties over the past 14 days, including 473 cases in Dublin, 332 in Kildare, 120 in Tipperary, 84 in Limerick, 37 in Clare and 36 in Meath and Kilkenny,” he said.
He said updated Covid-19 measures introduced last week “would not be expected to impact on the trajectory of the disease until early next week”. He urged people to continue to follow public health advice.
Last week the Government announced a tightening of restrictions recommended by NPHET including limiting of social visits to homes and most indoor gatherings and events to six people from no more than three households. The lockdown in Co Kildare was also extended.
On Tuesday the breakdown of new cases included 52 men and 38 women, 69 per cent of whom are under the age of 45.
Half of the cases are associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case. Eleven of the cases have been identified as community transmission.
On Monday NPHET had issued a “note of caution” about rising numbers of Covid-19 cases in Dublin, where it said people should take “extra care” to prevent spreading the virus.
In Northern Ireland, five patients on a cancer ward have tested positive for Covid-19, it emerged on Tuesday.
It is the second cluster of infections at Craigavon Area Hospital in Co Armagh. A member of staff has tested positive and three close staff contacts are self-isolating as a precaution, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust said.
Another 47 people have tested positive across Northern Ireland, the department of health said, bringing the overall tally to 6,823. No new deaths were reported.
Meanwhile two staff at St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny have been diagnosed with Covid-19.
Up to 14 other employees are self-isolating due to contact with Covid-19 patients as they await test results. Two healthcare support workers at the hospital died after contracting the virus in April.
The Ireland East Hospital Group (IEHG) said “a small number of staff who have had close contact with the patients have been tested and are currently self-isolating as outlined by the Covid-19 safety and contact tracing protocols”. – Additional reporting PA


theirishtimes--2020-08-25--Drinking coffee during pregnancy puts unborn child at risk, study finds

Women who drink coffee while pregnant are putting their unborn child at a “ substantially larger ” risk of stillbirth , low birth weight , childhood acute leukaemia and childhood obesity , a study published in the British Medical Journal warns .
It says , contrary to current medical guidance , there is no “ safe ” level of caffeine consumption for pregnant women and “ recommendations concerning caffeine consumption during pregnancy are in need of radical revision ” .
Current advice in Europe and the United States is that pregnant women can safely consume up to two cups of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ findings of this study are accepted widely , however , coffee could be added to the list of foodstuffs pregnant women are told to avoid , including shellfish , soft-boiled eggs , rare meat , liver , pates , soft cheeses , mayonnaise and most oily fish .
Prof Jack James , of Reykjavik University in Iceland , reviewed 1,261 scholarly articles on adverse impact of caffeine on fetuses , published up to last October .
Of these , 32 identified increased caffeine-related risk and 10 suggested no or inconclusive associations .
Caffeine-related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being looked at by Prof James , apart from pre-term births .
“ Consequently , current evidence does not support health advice that assumes ‘ moderate ’ caffeine consumption during pregnancy is safe , ” he said .
“ On the contrary , the cumulative scientific evidence supports pregnant women and women contemplating pregnancy being advised to avoid caffeine.
” Caffeine , when consumed during pregnancy , “ readily crosses the placenta , exposing the fetus to concentrations of the drug similar to systemic levels in the mother ” , the study found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pregnancy advances making caffeine consumption most dangerous in the first trimester .
The risk of miscarriage increases by between 32 per cent and 36 per cent among caffeine-consuming pregnant women , says Prof James , and the chances of a still birth rises by between two- and five-fold .
“ Of the 10 studies reporting results for low birth weight , seven reported caffeine-related increased risk and three reported no association .
“ Of nine studies reporting results for small for gestational age ( SGA ) seven reported caffeine-related increased risk and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ maternal caffeine consumption is associated with an increased risk of childhood acute leukaemia ” .
One study found high maternal caffeine consumption was associated with a 65 per cent increase in the risk of acute lymphocytic ( lymphoblastic ) leukaemia and a 58 per cent increased risk of acute myeloid leukaemia , the most common cause of cancer death in children .
Prof James finds “ significant associations ” between maternal caffeine consumption and increased risk of childhood obesity .
“ A dose–response association was reported in one study , with children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ at more than a cup and a half a day ] experiencing a greater than twofold overall increased risk of obesity at age five years compared with children of mothers who consumed no caffeine during pregnancy.
” The author concludes “ an extensive body of scientific evidence from original observational studies and meta-analyses provides persuasive confirmation of increased risk from maternal caffeine consumption for at least five major negative pregnancy outcomes : miscarriage , stillbirth , lower birth weight and/or small for gestational age , childhood acute leukaemia and childhood overweight and @ @ @

Women who drink coffee while pregnant are putting their unborn child at a ‘substantially larger’ risk of stillbirth, low birth weight, childhood acute leukaemia and childhood obesity, a study published in the British Medical Journal warns. Image: iStock.
Women who drink coffee while pregnant are putting their unborn child at a “substantially larger” risk of stillbirth, low birth weight, childhood acute leukaemia and childhood obesity, a study published in the British Medical Journal warns.
It says, contrary to current medical guidance, there is no “safe” level of caffeine consumption for pregnant women and “recommendations concerning caffeine consumption during pregnancy are in need of radical revision”.
Current advice in Europe and the United States is that pregnant women can safely consume up to two cups of moderate-strength coffee per day. If the findings of this study are accepted widely, however, coffee could be added to the list of foodstuffs pregnant women are told to avoid, including shellfish, soft-boiled eggs, rare meat, liver, pates, soft cheeses, mayonnaise and most oily fish.
Prof Jack James, of Reykjavik University in Iceland, reviewed 1,261 scholarly articles on adverse impact of caffeine on fetuses, published up to last October.
READ MORE
Of these, 32 identified increased caffeine-related risk and 10 suggested no or inconclusive associations.
Caffeine-related risks were reported for all pregnancy outcomes being looked at by Prof James, apart from pre-term births.
“Consequently, current evidence does not support health advice that assumes ‘moderate’ caffeine consumption during pregnancy is safe,” he said.
“On the contrary, the cumulative scientific evidence supports pregnant women and women contemplating pregnancy being advised to avoid caffeine.”
Exposes
Caffeine, when consumed during pregnancy, “readily crosses the placenta, exposing the fetus to concentrations of the drug similar to systemic levels in the mother”, the study found. The rate of transmission slows as the pregnancy advances making caffeine consumption most dangerous in the first trimester.
The risk of miscarriage increases by between 32 per cent and 36 per cent among caffeine-consuming pregnant women, says Prof James, and the chances of a still birth rises by between two- and five-fold.
“Of the 10 studies reporting results for low birth weight, seven reported caffeine-related increased risk and three reported no association.
“Of nine studies reporting results for small for gestational age (SGA) seven reported caffeine-related increased risk and two reported no association.”
He found “maternal caffeine consumption is associated with an increased risk of childhood acute leukaemia”. One study found high maternal caffeine consumption was associated with a 65 per cent increase in the risk of acute lymphocytic (lymphoblastic) leukaemia and a 58 per cent increased risk of acute myeloid leukaemia, the most common cause of cancer death in children.
Prof James finds “significant associations” between maternal caffeine consumption and increased risk of childhood obesity.
“A dose–response association was reported in one study, with children of mothers whose caffeine consumption was highest [at more than a cup and a half a day] experiencing a greater than twofold overall increased risk of obesity at age five years compared with children of mothers who consumed no caffeine during pregnancy.”
The author concludes “an extensive body of scientific evidence from original observational studies and meta-analyses provides persuasive confirmation of increased risk from maternal caffeine consumption for at least five major negative pregnancy outcomes: miscarriage, stillbirth, lower birth weight and/or small for gestational age, childhood acute leukaemia and childhood overweight and obesity”.


theirishtimes--2020-08-25--Union fears special needs assistants face high risk of contracting Covid-19

Special needs assistants ( SNAs ) with underlying health conditions face an unnecessarily high risk of contracting Covid-19 in schools , according to a trade union .
Fórsa has sought a meeting with Minister for Education Norma Foley to outline its concerns about vulnerable SNAs and school secretaries potentially being exposed to the disease .
The union claims standard occupational health advice issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on Monday gives insufficient protections against Covid-19 to those working in classrooms who have health problems such as respiratory conditions , heart disease and some cancers .
Andy Pike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said these workers have been told they must work in classrooms without any social distancing , despite clear evidence that they would be at a high risk if they contract Covid-19 .
“ Staff are concerned that the occupational health advice doesn ’ t take account of individual health status and seems to allow people at high risk to work in situations without social distancing even if they have multiple underlying health conditions , ” he said .
“ We are seeking an alternative approach that is responsive to advice from GPs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is insensitive to real health risks and fears.
” The union has asked the Minister to reconsider the policy to “ afford a genuine clinical assessment to staff ” that takes account of their health status in accordance with HSE advice .
The department ’ s health advice states that high risk employees who are required to attend the work premises , in accordance with HSE guidelines , should take “ extra care to practice social distancing where possible and wash their hands regularly and properly ” .
“ Appropriate measures may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the high risk group in the work premises where maintaining social distancing is difficult , ” it says .
However , Mr Pike said SNAs can not practise social distancing and do their job because they work so closely with their students .
“ As things stand , this means they will be exposed to the highest level of risk .
Classroom staff with underlying health conditions need more protection than those working in other settings , ” he said .

Special needs assistants (SNAs) with underlying health conditions face an unnecessarily high risk of contracting Covid-19 in schools, according to a trade union. Image: iStock.
Special needs assistants (SNAs) with underlying health conditions face an unnecessarily high risk of contracting Covid-19 in schools, according to a trade union.
Fórsa has sought a meeting with Minister for Education Norma Foley to outline its concerns about vulnerable SNAs and school secretaries potentially being exposed to the disease.
The union claims standard occupational health advice issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on Monday gives insufficient protections against Covid-19 to those working in classrooms who have health problems such as respiratory conditions, heart disease and some cancers.
Andy Pike, Fórsa's head of education, said these workers have been told they must work in classrooms without any social distancing, despite clear evidence that they would be at a high risk if they contract Covid-19.
READ MORE
“Staff are concerned that the occupational health advice doesn’t take account of individual health status and seems to allow people at high risk to work in situations without social distancing even if they have multiple underlying health conditions,” he said.
“We are seeking an alternative approach that is responsive to advice from GPs, rather than a blanket uniform approach which is insensitive to real health risks and fears.”
The union has asked the Minister to reconsider the policy to “afford a genuine clinical assessment to staff” that takes account of their health status in accordance with HSE advice.
The department’s health advice states that high risk employees who are required to attend the work premises, in accordance with HSE guidelines, should take “extra care to practice social distancing where possible and wash their hands regularly and properly”.
“Appropriate measures may need to be considered for employees in the high risk group in the work premises where maintaining social distancing is difficult,” it says.
However, Mr Pike said SNAs cannot practise social distancing and do their job because they work so closely with their students.
“As things stand, this means they will be exposed to the highest level of risk. Classroom staff with underlying health conditions need more protection than those working in other settings,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-08-25--Storm Francis: Dozens of homes and businesses damaged in Cork

About 50 homes and businesses in Bantry , Co Cork , were damaged overnight with the local drainage system unable to cope with up to 25mm of rainfall within a two hour period .
Bantry Fire Brigade indicated that New Street , Main Street , Barrack and the Square were all flooded with heavy rainfall occurring between 10pm and 2am .
As of 6am today floods had receded .
Fire Brigade crews assisted shop owners with the clean up and have now returned to station .
Flood waters have been cleared .
However , a number of roads in Bantry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pending assessment .
Minor damage was sustained in the county following Storm Francis .
The N71 between Connonagh and Leap was virtually impassable whilst flooding was also reported in Rosscarbery .
Spot flooding and heavy surface water was reported on the R601 between Timoleague and Courtmacsherry and on the R599 by Clonakilty GAA Club.. Spot flooding/surface water was also reported on the N73 between Mallow and Mitchelstown .
Intense localised downpours in Bandon between 11pm and 3am resulted in flooding at Brady ’ s Lane and Bridge Street , which has since been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Rosscarbery , Connonagh , Clonakilty , Drimoleague , Leap , Ballydehob , Passage West and Youghal .
Skibbereen escaped serious flooding , having been badly hit during Storm Ellen after heavy rain proved too much for a storm drain culvert in the town .
Following the storm a new grill was fitted to a culvert .
Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath visited the town on Monday .
He promised that an aid package would be made available to persons impacted by the flooding during Storm Ellen .
Cork County Council Fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the night to clear flood water and assist properties affected .
The Council Management Team convened on Tuesday morning to review the situation and will continue to monitor it .
Council response crews and contractors remain as a status yellow wind warning is in place for Cork until 7pm .
Wet and winy conditions are expected today as Storm Francis crosses Ireland .
Southwest winds veering westerly , reaching mean speeds of 55 to 65km/h , will bring widespread severe gusts of 90 to 110km/h ( and possibly higher in exposed areas ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been weakened and remain susceptible to further damage .
Landowners have been asked to examine trees within their property for damage .
Dursey cable car will remain closed on Tuesday and will return to operation only when wind speeds permit .

During Storm Francis 50 homes and businesses in Bantry, Co Cork, were damaged overnight with the local drainage system unable to cope with up to 25mm of rain falling in a two hour period. Video: Cork Safety Alerts / Bantry Fire Brigade
An elderly shop owner in Bandon, Co Cork, who has experienced his second major flooding incident at his premises in a matter of days, describes himself as a "broken man".
Con Linehan opened his menswear business on South Main Street in the town nearly 30 years ago having worked for many years in Saville’s Menswear in Cork city.
He estimates that Storm Ellen and Storm Francis have cost him upwards of €20,000 in damage to his premises and stock in less than a week.
Manager Maggie Dwyer of Self Help Africa, Bridge Street, Bandon, following severe flooding. Photograph: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision
Hairdresser Kathleen Guth cleans up the Bridge street, Bandon, premises after severe flooding. Photograph: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision
Business owners in the town were stripped of flood insurance in 2009.
READ MORE
A visibly upset Mr Linehan and his wife Ann find themselves in the position of paying for the damage out of their own pockets.
“We thought with the flood works that we were at the end of it. But obviously we weren’t. Last Thursday [with Storm Ellen] the place was absolutely destroyed again.
“Today was also shocking. It got all the stock rooms. All the fitting rooms were destroyed.
“We are trying very hard to keep this business going. I can’t change location because I own the building. Twice in the one week is unbelievable. We weren’t even able to get the shop right from the last flooding last week. The skirting boards are hanging off the walls. They will have to be replaced.
“This worry is always hanging over you all the time and at this hour of my life. Every brown penny I have has gone in to this business.”
Mr Linehan said that the flooding is yet another burden in a year which saw them closed for months arising out of the pandemic.
Business is slow since they reopened as men are not going to weddings or functions in large numbers.
Having been closed for months he still had to fork out for a €1,500 ESB bill and all other utility bills and accountancy fees still have to be paid even though more money is going out than comes in.
He has called on the people of Bandon to show solidarity with affected businesses such as his, saying that he is at the end of his tether following years of flooding.
Meanwhile, on North Main Street in the town Hungarian-born sisters Kathleen and Andrea Guth were mopping up the floor of their flood-damaged hair and beauty salon that they opened last year.
The sisters reopened their salon just last week following the Covid-19 restrictions.
Andrea Guth said the business is in a prime location in the town. However, they have had a year from hell, with one setback after another, in their business which they set up after years of grafting in salons.
“We had roadworks, the virus and now this. What next? This is our first business. The location is supposed to be very good, but so much has happened. “
Kathleen Guth lives over the salon. As the water levels on the street rose she made heroic efforts to bring hairdryers, scissors, and boxes of products to her flat.
However, paint they had set aside to revamp the shop was ruined and the sisters fear customers will be turned off the salon because of the smell flooding causes.
In Kevin Bowen’s clothing store in the town owner Aoife Bowen said her store incurred minor damage.
“Luckily the manager and one of the girls got notification about it at 11.45pm. The drains are the problem back here.
“On previous occasions water would have come in front and back but it didn’t come in the front. When it came in it was a case of all hands on deck. A little bit of stock was damaged but it wasn’t as bad as other years.”
The store is an institution in the town with Aoife’s father opening the premises 57 years ago.
“The worst flood was 2009,” she said. “Five years ago we were flooded twice in three weeks. In 2009 we were closed for five months. I am glad we hadn’t gone ahead with getting the place all painted because we thought flooding was gone with the works on the river.
“You kind of think ‘where did all the money with the works go?’ How did they miss this?”
Stephanie Butler, who has worked at the shop for 40 years said that the multimillion euro flood works in the town had spared them the worst of previous storms.
However, she says that there is “huge disappointment” that there are still flaws in the defences to be sorted out.
“It is heartbreaking. There are a couple of homes as well which have been destroyed. I know of a house where the kitchen was ruined overnight because of the flooding.”
Cork County Council says the level of rainfall seemed to have overwhelmed the collection network.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Gillian Coughlan says that a compensation package needs to be put in place for business and home owners.
“There is no insurance. These buildings have been flooded time and time again. These repairs will have to come out of their own pockets. That is unsustainable. Year after year. I am calling on the Taoiseach to provide this emergency assistance package for families and businesses. Because these are family businesses,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Bantry in west Cork up to 50 businesses incurred flood damage overnight. The local main drainage scheme was unable to cope with up to 25mm of rain falling in a two hour period.
New Street, Main Street and Barrack Street were the worst affected in the flooding.
The town’s streets were turned in to rivers. At the Drinagh Co Op hardware store staff worked at a fever pitch to save stock.
Michael Coughlan, shop floor manager, says that it was “an unusual night.”
“The last time I saw flooding like this in the town was in 1988. I think the main drain in the town got blocked and it wasn’t able to take the force of the water. It actually literally bellowed up the streets as it came down.
“We had about four inches of water in the shop. It destroys your trade for the short term. Hopefully we will regain it again. We could do without this on top of Covid. But we have a good strong local community and people try to support each other at times like this.”
Terence Gibbs, owner of the Cosy Cabin, in Barrack Street in Bantry said that he was holding his breath waiting to see if the insurance company would pay out after his premises was destroyed overnight.
“It is not a cosy cabin now. It is a wet cabin. We had about 17 inches of water. I will be the first person to to welcome in 2021. I don’t want to remember this year. We are open six years and we ‘celebrated’ our anniversary with closed doors in July because of Covid.
“I have had TDs in here this morning and I have said ‘where is my golf membership?’ All they are doing is going to golf dinners. Even the captain of the Titanic had the decency to go down with the ship.
“There is tens of thousands in damage in this pub and I know the insurance company will do everything they can not to pay. Everything here is made of wood hence ‘Cosy Cabin’, so you can imagine the damage.
“I am a father of three kids. I love Ireland but I know I could make a better life for us abroad. I am asking Taoiseach Micheál Martin to help us. Where is he today?”
Flooding also occurred at Dunmanway, Rosscarbery, Connonagh, Clonakilty, Drimoleague, Leap, Ballydehob, Passage West and Youghal.
Cork County Council Fire Service and Roads crews worked throughout Monday night to clear flood water and assist properties affected.
The Council Management Team convened on Tuesday to review the situation and will continue to monitor it.
Council response crews and contractors remain as a status yellow wind warning is in place for Cork until 7pm.
Wet and winy conditions are expected today as Storm Francis crosses Ireland.
Southwest winds veering westerly, reaching mean speeds of 55 to 65km/h, will bring widespread severe gusts of 90 to 110km/h (and possibly higher in exposed areas).
Following recent weather events, trees have been weakened and remain susceptible to further damage. Landowners have been asked to examine trees within their property for damage.
Dursey Cable Car will remain closed on Tuesday and will return to operation only when wind speeds permit.


theirishtimes--2020-08-25--Eleven Covid-19 cases confirmed at Larry Goodman-owned meat plants

Two separate outbreaks of Covid-19 have been confirmed in factories owned by Larry Goodman .
Testing of the 350 staff at the ABP Foods plant in Clones revealed that two workers contracted the virus .
Testing commenced after a positive test among one member of staff .
When others around him were tested , another worker was found to have the virus .
The process of testing the rest of the staff in the plant continues .
The factory at Clones remains open .
In a statement , ABP said it is taking a number of actions on foot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take direction from both the HSE and the Health and Safety Authority ( HSA ) in relation to the matter .
Last week ABP confirmed nine cases at its meat plant in Cahir which is the biggest in the country with 650 employees .
A worker was sent for Covid-19 testing and the company was subsequently notified of a positive test .
Following HSE testing of close contacts of the worker concerned , ABP was notified of an additional eight positive cases at the Cahir facility .
ABP has begun testing all staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be carried out by a private company in conjunction with the HSE to alleviate the pressure on local Covid-19 testing at this time .
ABP claims it has introduced a “ variety of industry-leading protection measures for colleagues ” which began on March 16th .
These included temperature checks at the entry to ABP sites , staggered break times , social distancing measures in canteens and detailed protocols for colleagues who display any symptoms .
It also includes perspex partitions in communal spaces .
A further four cases have been confirmed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Co Offaly .
The company said four staff tested positive on Friday , as part of a full test of 68 staff at the Clara site .
In a statement , Rosderra Irish Meats said : “ The Edenderry site has already had a full site risk assessment screening test of over 400 staff where nobody tested positive.
” The Clara cases emerged as part of a programme of weekly testing introduced by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) for staff working in food processing settings .

Testing commenced after a positive test among one member of staff. When others around him were tested, another worker was found to have the virus.
Two separate outbreaks of Covid-19 have been confirmed in factories owned by Larry Goodman.
Testing of the 350 staff at the ABP Foods plant in Clones revealed that two workers contracted the virus.
Testing commenced after a positive test among one member of staff. When others around him were tested, another worker was found to have the virus.
The process of testing the rest of the staff in the plant continues. The factory at Clones remains open.
READ MORE
In a statement, ABP said it is taking a number of actions on foot of the positive diagnosis and will continue to take direction from both the HSE and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) in relation to the matter.
Last week ABP confirmed nine cases at its meat plant in Cahir which is the biggest in the country with 650 employees.
A worker was sent for Covid-19 testing and the company was subsequently notified of a positive test.
Following HSE testing of close contacts of the worker concerned, ABP was notified of an additional eight positive cases at the Cahir facility.
ABP has begun testing all staff members at the plant. The testing will be carried out by a private company in conjunction with the HSE to alleviate the pressure on local Covid-19 testing at this time.
ABP claims it has introduced a “variety of industry-leading protection measures for colleagues” which began on March 16th.
These included temperature checks at the entry to ABP sites, staggered break times, social distancing measures in canteens and detailed protocols for colleagues who display any symptoms. It also includes perspex partitions in communal spaces.
A further four cases have been confirmed at the Rosderra Irish Meats plant in Clara, Co Offaly.
The company said four staff tested positive on Friday, as part of a full test of 68 staff at the Clara site.
In a statement, Rosderra Irish Meats said: "The Edenderry site has already had a full site risk assessment screening test of over 400 staff where nobody tested positive."
The Clara cases emerged as part of a programme of weekly testing introduced by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) for staff working in food processing settings.


theirishtimes--2020-08-25--Storm Francis: Flooding in some areas after heavy overnight rain

More heavy rainfall is forecast for Tuesday as Storm Francis moves eastwards across Ireland .
Rain overnight and on Tuesday morning caused flooding in some areas with AA Roadwatch urging drivers to be careful during the wet and windy conditions .
Flooding was reported in Freshford , Co Kilkenny and on the N85 near Ennis , Co Clare .
In Kerry , flooding was reported on the N70 in Cahersiveen but the N71 is has been deemed passable with care between Kenmare and Bonane Village at Dromanassig .
Emergency services in Co Sligo were working to remove a fallen tree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Cork experienced flooding for a second week in a row as a result of the heavy rain , but not to the same extent as during Storm Ellen .
John Donegan , senior engineer with Cork County Council , said up to 50 homes and businesses in Bantry were damage as a result of the overnight rain .
Local authority crews were working to clear any damage caused when a drainage system could not cope with up to 25mm of rain that fell in a two hour period , he told RTÉ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street , Main Street , Barrack Street and the Square in Bantry were the worst affected with council crews and the local fire brigade working with residents and business owners to clear debris and pump away remaining flood water .
Mr Donegan said high tides would not be a concern this week as they were last week , but a yellow wind warning remains in place .
Measures implemented in Skibbereen after flooding during Storm Ellen last week held and no issues were reported there , Mr Donegan said .
“ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been so intense and localised , ” he added .
Met Éireann meteorologist Linda Hughes told Morning Ireland that the worst of the storm had passed in the southwest , but warned that the northern half of the country would see heavy rainfall until 6pm .
This could cause flash flooding in Connacht and Ulster , she said , and further issues could occur in parts of Munster as rainfall runs down from higher ground .
A status orange rainfall warning remains in place for all of Connacht , along with Cork @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cavan , Monaghan , and Donegal until 6pm .
A status yellow rainfall warning is in place for counties Dublin , Carlow , Kildare , Kilkenny , Laois , Longford , Louth , Wicklow , Offaly , Westmeath , Meath , Clare , Limerick and Tipperary until 9pm .
A status yellow wind warning for Munster , Dublin , Carlow , Kilkenny , Wexford and Wicklow is also in effect and will expire at 7pm on Tuesday .
Very windy or stormy conditions are expected , with southwest winds veering westerly , reaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with gusts of up to 110km/h possible .
Ms Hughes warned that the strong winds could result in trees falling over throughout the day and advised motorists to take extreme caution .
The persistent rain will become mainly confined to Ulster by the evening .
Highest temperatures of 17 degrees have been forecast for the day .
Heavy rainfall in August was not unprecedented , said Ms Hughes , as conditions were influenced by the hurricane season .

More heavy rain is forecast for Tuesday as Storm Francis moves across Ireland. Image: Windy.com
More heavy rainfall is forecast for Tuesday as Storm Francis moves eastwards across Ireland.
Rain overnight and on Tuesday morning caused flooding in some areas with AA Roadwatch urging drivers to be careful during the wet and windy conditions.
Flooding was reported in Freshford, Co Kilkenny and on the N85 near Ennis, Co Clare.
In Kerry, flooding was reported on the N70 in Cahersiveen but the N71 is has been deemed passable with care between Kenmare and Bonane Village at Dromanassig.
READ MORE
Emergency services in Co Sligo were working to remove a fallen tree on the N16 near Glencar.
Parts of Cork experienced flooding for a second week in a row as a result of the heavy rain, but not to the same extent as during Storm Ellen.
John Donegan, senior engineer with Cork County Council, said up to 50 homes and businesses in Bantry were damage as a result of the overnight rain.
Local authority crews were working to clear any damage caused when a drainage system could not cope with up to 25mm of rain that fell in a two hour period, he told RTÉ radio's Morning Ireland.
Debris
New Street, Main Street, Barrack Street and the Square in Bantry were the worst affected with council crews and the local fire brigade working with residents and business owners to clear debris and pump away remaining flood water.
Mr Donegan said high tides would not be a concern this week as they were last week, but a yellow wind warning remains in place.
Measures implemented in Skibbereen after flooding during Storm Ellen last week held and no issues were reported there, Mr Donegan said.
“We’ve been very unlucky that the rain has been so intense and localised,” he added.
Met Éireann meteorologist Linda Hughes told Morning Ireland that the worst of the storm had passed in the southwest, but warned that the northern half of the country would see heavy rainfall until 6pm. This could cause flash flooding in Connacht and Ulster, she said, and further issues could occur in parts of Munster as rainfall runs down from higher ground.
Orange warning
A status orange rainfall warning remains in place for all of Connacht, along with Cork, Kerry, Wexford, Waterford, Cavan, Monaghan, and Donegal until 6pm. A status yellow rainfall warning is in place for counties Dublin, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Wicklow, Offaly, Westmeath, Meath, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary until 9pm.
A status yellow wind warning for Munster, Dublin, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Wicklow is also in effect and will expire at 7pm on Tuesday.
Very windy or stormy conditions are expected, with southwest winds veering westerly, reaching mean speeds of 55km/h to 65km/h, with gusts of up to 110km/h possible.
Ms Hughes warned that the strong winds could result in trees falling over throughout the day and advised motorists to take extreme caution.
The persistent rain will become mainly confined to Ulster by the evening. Highest temperatures of 17 degrees have been forecast for the day.
Heavy rainfall in August was not unprecedented, said Ms Hughes, as conditions were influenced by the hurricane season.


theirishtimes--2020-08-25--ASTI: Teachers facing ‘life or death’ risk due to Covid-19 vulnerability

Hundreds of teachers being ordered back to work over the coming days despite suffering serious illnesses which leave them particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 are facing “ life or death ” , it has been warned .
The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland ( ASTI ) said it was dealing with a surge in queries from worried members – with the likes of cancer , heart conditions and diabetes – who had been refused the option of staying at home .
Ann Piggott , vice-president of the ASTI , estimates as many as one such case for each of Ireland ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is their health , their life .
While they may not be classified currently as very high risk , if they pick up the virus they don ’ t have a hope .
Their lives are totally on the line here , ” she told The Irish Times .
The Department of Education has told teachers and other staff categorised under Health Service Executive guidelines as “ very high risk ” for coronavirus to cocoon .
But those classed as “ high risk ” have been told they “ must attend the workplace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk assessment by an outsourced occupational health service .
Those at “ high risk ” of contracting Covid-19 include people with heart failure , chronic kidney disease , liver disease , cancer , weak immune systems and obesity .
Ms Piggott said one teacher battling acute leukaemia , diabetes type 2 , asthma , anaemia and an auto-immune disorder has been told to return to work after getting a risk assessment .
In a letter , he wrote : “ I feel like a turkey waiting for Christmas.
” Ms Piggott said “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting more and more of these letters ” .
“ Healthy people can ’ t gather in big numbers in outdoor events , yet teachers who are this vulnerable are being asked to gather amid hundreds of people in one enclosed space , ” she said .
There are concerns about the scope of the risk assessments , she added .
“ I know a lot of teachers with these very serious conditions who have gone to their consultants , and their consultants are shocked that they might even consider being in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .
“ Despite having a consultant ’ s letter , they are not getting any calls or video calls from the occupational health service to expand on their conditions and concerns.
” Dr Nuala O ’ Connor , Covid-19 lead adviser with the Irish College of General Practitioners ( ICGP ) , said family doctors had noticed an increase in queries over recent weeks from teachers with serious illnesses concerned about returning to “ face-to-face working conditions ” .
While doctors and consultants can provide reports on their patients for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the occupational health service – as ordered by the Department of Education – to determine whether teachers should return to work or not .
“ Providing occupational health advice is outside the scope of practice of most general practitioners , ” said Ms O ’ Connor .
“ The ICGP has advised its members that the patients who are concerned that they may be at risk if they return to their normal work duties in any setting during the Covid pandemic should seek an independent occupational health risk assessment from their employer.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ classed as “ high risk ” want to stay at home , with some believing they could be accommodated in schools .
One idea is matching up high-risk teachers with high-risk students to reduce their risk .
But , to date , no one has been given such choices , she added .
“ Teachers are being told to go to work where there are hundreds of people , where government Ministers and experts have said there will be clusters , there will be outbreaks .
Their lives are in danger , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onus on employers .
All employees are entitled to a safe workplace and we are demanding a safe workplace for our members .
“ It is a life or death situation for some and we have to do all we can to protect their lives.
” The ASTI has written to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly asking him to intervene to secure a meeting between the union and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre regarding the reopening of schools for those in the “ high risk ” category .
A Department of Education spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff and students returning to school and “ more detailed guidance to support schools in implementing these arrangements will be published shortly ” .

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly: The ASTI has asked him to intervene to secure a meeting between the teachers’ union and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre regarding the reopening of schools for those in the “high risk” category. Photograph: Julien Behal
Hundreds of teachers being ordered back to work over the coming days despite suffering serious illnesses which leave them particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 are facing “life or death”, it has been warned.
The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) said it was dealing with a surge in queries from worried members – with the likes of cancer, heart conditions and diabetes – who had been refused the option of staying at home.
Ann Piggott, vice-president of the ASTI, estimates as many as one such case for each of Ireland's 723 secondary schools.
“This is their health, their life. While they may not be classified currently as very high risk, if they pick up the virus they don’t have a hope. Their lives are totally on the line here,” she told The Irish Times.
READ MORE
The Department of Education has told teachers and other staff categorised under Health Service Executive guidelines as "very high risk" for coronavirus to cocoon.
But those classed as “high risk” have been told they “must attend the workplace, unless advised otherwise” after a risk assessment by an outsourced occupational health service.
Those at “high risk” of contracting Covid-19 include people with heart failure, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, cancer, weak immune systems and obesity.
Ms Piggott said one teacher battling acute leukaemia, diabetes type 2, asthma, anaemia and an auto-immune disorder has been told to return to work after getting a risk assessment.
In a letter, he wrote: “I feel like a turkey waiting for Christmas.”
Ms Piggott said “as time goes on, we are getting more and more of these letters”.
‘Enclosed space’
“Healthy people can’t gather in big numbers in outdoor events, yet teachers who are this vulnerable are being asked to gather amid hundreds of people in one enclosed space,” she said.
There are concerns about the scope of the risk assessments, she added.
“I know a lot of teachers with these very serious conditions who have gone to their consultants, and their consultants are shocked that they might even consider being in the position where they could get Covid,” she said.
“Despite having a consultant’s letter, they are not getting any calls or video calls from the occupational health service to expand on their conditions and concerns.”
Dr Nuala O’Connor, Covid-19 lead adviser with the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), said family doctors had noticed an increase in queries over recent weeks from teachers with serious illnesses concerned about returning to “face-to-face working conditions”.
While doctors and consultants can provide reports on their patients for risk assessments, it is the role of the occupational health service – as ordered by the Department of Education – to determine whether teachers should return to work or not.
“Providing occupational health advice is outside the scope of practice of most general practitioners,” said Ms O’Connor.
“The ICGP has advised its members that the patients who are concerned that they may be at risk if they return to their normal work duties in any setting during the Covid pandemic should seek an independent occupational health risk assessment from their employer.”
‘Lives in danger’
Ms Piggott said not all teachers classed as “high risk” want to stay at home, with some believing they could be accommodated in schools.
One idea is matching up high-risk teachers with high-risk students to reduce their risk.
But, to date, no one has been given such choices, she added.
“Teachers are being told to go to work where there are hundreds of people, where government Ministers and experts have said there will be clusters, there will be outbreaks. Their lives are in danger,” she said.
“There is an onus on employers. All employees are entitled to a safe workplace and we are demanding a safe workplace for our members.
“It is a life or death situation for some and we have to do all we can to protect their lives.”
The ASTI has written to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly asking him to intervene to secure a meeting between the union and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre regarding the reopening of schools for those in the "high risk" category.
A Department of Education spokesman said it had issued guidance for at-risk staff and students returning to school and “more detailed guidance to support schools in implementing these arrangements will be published shortly”.


theirishtimes--2020-08-25--Garda discretion under spotlight after verbal warning for Hogan

Gardaí are entitled to use discretion when stopping someone for mobile phone use while driving but its use remains controversial within the organisation .
On Sunday it emerged European Commissioner for Trade Phil Hogan was stopped by gardaí in Kildare for using his phone while driving to the controversial Oireachtas Golf Society event in Galway last week .
It is understood the Garda involved did not issue a fine or other punishment for the offence and instead used their discretion to issue a verbal warning , a record of which was entered on the Garda Pulse system .
News of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the controversy which has become known as Golfgate .
“ Imagine the damaging road message drivers are getting today .
Road safety need not apply to the powers that be , ” said Susan Gray of the road safety group Parc .
“ This is happening time and time again and we are thoroughly fed up with it.
” Garda Headquarters said on Monday , “ without commenting on any specific incident ” , that gardaí can use discretion in such matters and that this is provided for in the Garda code @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clash with the current campaign from the Road Safety Authority , whose radio advertisements warn : “ There ’ s no legal limit for mobile phone use .
No ifs , no buts , no excuses.
” A spokesman for the RSA said it does not comment on individual cases but pointed to the fact that using a mobile “ makes you four times more likely to be involved in a crash ” .
Gardaí who spoke to The Irish Times on Monday gave differing interpretations of the use of discretion .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be used only in emergencies , such as someone caught speeding to a hospital in a medical emergency .
Another said that mobile phone use while driving is regarded as a “ life saver offence ” and gardaí are encouraged to pursue it “ aggressively ” .
“ There is huge pressure on gardaí , especially traffic members , to get those detections , ” he said .
A garda in the west had a wider understanding of discretion .
“ If I stop you using a mobile briefly and you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t driving past a school or something like that , you could be let off with a caution that would be recorded on Pulse.
” All gardaí said there are no written rules regarding the use of discretion in such cases and that it is down to “ common sense ” .
One garda said they were surprised Mr Hogan escaped with a caution as members of the Naas traffic unit have a reputation for strictly enforcing road traffic laws .
Separately , it has emerged Garda Commissioner Drew Harris briefed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ section of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 which allows the commissioner to pass on a wide range of sensitive information to the Minister for Justice .
Section 41 obliges Mr Harris to brief the Minister on any matter “ relevant to the accountability of the Government to the .
.
.
Oireachtas ” and on any matter he believes should be brought to the Minister ’ s attention .
This section has been criticised by policing experts , including Prof Dermot Walsh of Kent University .
“ The section conveys the impression that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government ’ s political interests rather than law-enforcement interests , ” he told The Irish Times on Monday .
“ It ’ s an uncomfortable provision and seems to sum up all that ’ s wrong with our structures of policing .
”

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris briefed the Government on the incident in which European Commissioner Phil Hogan was stopped by gardaí in Kildare for using his phone while driving. File photograph: Cyril Byrne
Gardaí are entitled to use discretion when stopping someone for mobile phone use while driving but its use remains controversial within the organisation.
On Sunday it emerged European Commissioner for Trade Phil Hogan was stopped by gardaí in Kildare for using his phone while driving to the controversial Oireachtas Golf Society event in Galway last week.
It is understood the Garda involved did not issue a fine or other punishment for the offence and instead used their discretion to issue a verbal warning, a record of which was entered on the Garda Pulse system.
News of the incident has added to widespread anger over the controversy which has become known as Golfgate.
READ MORE
"Imagine the damaging road message drivers are getting today. Road safety need not apply to the powers that be," said Susan Gray of the road safety group Parc. "This is happening time and time again and we are thoroughly fed up with it."
Garda Headquarters said on Monday, “without commenting on any specific incident”, that gardaí can use discretion in such matters and that this is provided for in the Garda code of ethics.
This appears to somewhat clash with the current campaign from the Road Safety Authority, whose radio advertisements warn: "There's no legal limit for mobile phone use. No ifs, no buts, no excuses."
A spokesman for the RSA said it does not comment on individual cases but pointed to the fact that using a mobile “makes you four times more likely to be involved in a crash”.
Gardaí who spoke to The Irish Times on Monday gave differing interpretations of the use of discretion.
One said discretion in road traffic matters should be used only in emergencies, such as someone caught speeding to a hospital in a medical emergency.
Another said that mobile phone use while driving is regarded as a “life saver offence” and gardaí are encouraged to pursue it “aggressively”.
“There is huge pressure on gardaí, especially traffic members, to get those detections,” he said.
A garda in the west had a wider understanding of discretion. “If I stop you using a mobile briefly and you’re a safe enough driver and you weren’t driving past a school or something like that, you could be let off with a caution that would be recorded on Pulse.”
All gardaí said there are no written rules regarding the use of discretion in such cases and that it is down to “common sense”.
One garda said they were surprised Mr Hogan escaped with a caution as members of the Naas traffic unit have a reputation for strictly enforcing road traffic laws.
Briefing
Separately, it has emerged Garda Commissioner Drew Harris briefed the Government on the matter under a controversial section of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 which allows the commissioner to pass on a wide range of sensitive information to the Minister for Justice.
Section 41 obliges Mr Harris to brief the Minister on any matter "relevant to the accountability of the Government to the . . . Oireachtas" and on any matter he believes should be brought to the Minister's attention.
This section has been criticised by policing experts, including Prof Dermot Walsh of Kent University.
“The section conveys the impression that gardaí are out there looking after the Government’s political interests rather than law-enforcement interests,” he told The Irish Times on Monday. “It’s an uncomfortable provision and seems to sum up all that’s wrong with our structures of policing.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-25--Back to school: ‘We were told we’d be out for 12 weeks ... that was last August’

School principals around Ireland are scrambling to get classrooms ready for the new term , but for Rachel Kelly , in the north Cork village of Kildorrery , the task has been compounded by delays in building works that have forced the school out of its grounds for more than a year .
The primary school had to relocate last August when one of the workers replacing the roof of the building fell and was critically injured .
Brian McGrath , a 39-year-old father of three from Mitchelstown , died a week later in hospital .
The Health and Safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to investigate the incident and because asbestos in the lining of the roof had been disturbed .
Staff had just two weeks to get their new home , 20km away at Mallow GAA complex , ready for about 200 pupils .
“ We set up the school in Mallow from nothing , it was just an empty building , ” says Kelly .
“ We weren ’ t allowed to access the [ Kildorrery ] building , so we had to set up .
.
.
without getting anything , not even a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people pulled together , the staff and parents were wonderful to help us get up and running.
” It takes 20-25 minutes to bus pupils and staff back and forth from Kildorrery , with the lost time forcing the school to cut back on extracurricular activities .
Covid-19 guidelines have added further challenges given the need to minimise interaction between classes .
The Department of Education is not providing additional buses to allow for social distancing .
However , after repeated requests , the department has agreed to lay on two extra buses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to enable the school to resume its normal tuition time .
Kelly believes the biggest challenge Covid-19 will present for the school will be the availability of substitute teachers .
The department has promised an additional €41 million to help primary schools with cover for the likely rise in sick leave , with 250 posts being allocated to new supply panels .
Kelly says at times it can be “ impossible ” to get substitutes for their 11 teachers .
“ Teachers will work through anything .
A normal little illness that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d work through , but now if they ’ ve any sort of respiratory symptom they ’ ll have to stay at home so we ’ ll have a huge demand on subs , [ but ] I don ’ t know if they ’ re going to be available .
We hope they ’ ll be available.
” Kildorrery is one of several hundred schools undergoing works before reopening .
Department figures show seven schools had “ large-scale projects ” completed up to July 31st this year , with more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the department said 405 projects were approved under the summer works scheme this year at a projected cost of €30 million , of which more than 50 per cent “ are either completed on site , in construction activity or have been given approval to commence work on site ” .
There have been 253 applications approved for the emergency works scheme and they are “ at various stages of completion ” .
Kelly says “ parents are disappointed , they ’ re angry , they ’ re frustrated , as are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the ongoing uncertainty over the works in Kildorrery .
“ The Minister is bogged down with letters from us.
” “ We were told initially that we ’ d be out of Kildorrery for 12 weeks .
That was last August.
” One of the major reasons for the delay was the school roof being left open when the site was closed off , and there was a “ huge amount of water damage done over the winter ” .
Work on the roof did not restart until December but was largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions led to all construction stopping until mid-May .
The roof was finished shortly after work recommenced , but only then was the extent of the damage fully assessed .
Contractors had to be brought in to remove any remaining asbestos , and a separate tender process for what is now a full refurbishment began .
Local Labour TD Seán Sherlock says he would like to see temporary accommodation on Kildorrery grounds being considered .
“ That would have alleviated a lot of the stress for parents and for children.
” The department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the summer , saying it did “ not represent value for money ” .
A department spokesman said it “ fully appreciates that the additional delays .
.
.
are extremely disappointing and frustrating for the entire school community .
However , we can assure the local community that the school is doing everything it can to ensure the earliest possible return to the school.
” Staff and children will be returning to Mallow in September but they don ’ t know for how long .
Management has been given a 12-16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the work begins , but that has yet to happen .
“ Everyone ’ s anxious to get back at this stage , ” says Kelly .
“ They ’ ve told us we ’ ll have a state-of-the-art school when we go back .
We ’ ll just have ride out the storm and hopefully we ’ ve only one more hurdle in front of us .
”

School principals around Ireland are scrambling to get classrooms ready for the new term, but for Rachel Kelly, in the north Cork village of Kildorrery, the task has been compounded by delays in building works that have forced the school out of its grounds for more than a year.
The primary school had to relocate last August when one of the workers replacing the roof of the building fell and was critically injured. Brian McGrath, a 39-year-old father of three from Mitchelstown, died a week later in hospital. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) closed the site to investigate the incident and because asbestos in the lining of the roof had been disturbed. Staff had just two weeks to get their new home, 20km away at Mallow GAA complex, ready for about 200 pupils.
“We set up the school in Mallow from nothing, it was just an empty building,” says Kelly. “We weren’t allowed to access the [Kildorrery] building, so we had to set up . . . without getting anything, not even a biro or a folder. So many people pulled together, the staff and parents were wonderful to help us get up and running.”
It takes 20-25 minutes to bus pupils and staff back and forth from Kildorrery, with the lost time forcing the school to cut back on extracurricular activities. Covid-19 guidelines have added further challenges given the need to minimise interaction between classes. The Department of Education is not providing additional buses to allow for social distancing. However, after repeated requests, the department has agreed to lay on two extra buses so children can be collected en route and to enable the school to resume its normal tuition time.
READ MORE
Substitute teachers
Kelly believes the biggest challenge Covid-19 will present for the school will be the availability of substitute teachers. The department has promised an additional €41 million to help primary schools with cover for the likely rise in sick leave, with 250 posts being allocated to new supply panels. Kelly says at times it can be “impossible” to get substitutes for their 11 teachers.
“Teachers will work through anything. A normal little illness that they’d have before, they’d work through, but now if they’ve any sort of respiratory symptom they’ll have to stay at home so we’ll have a huge demand on subs, [but] I don’t know if they’re going to be available. We hope they’ll be available.”
Kildorrery is one of several hundred schools undergoing works before reopening. Department figures show seven schools had “large-scale projects” completed up to July 31st this year, with more than 340 in progress.
A spokeswoman for the department said 405 projects were approved under the summer works scheme this year at a projected cost of €30 million, of which more than 50 per cent “are either completed on site, in construction activity or have been given approval to commence work on site”.
There have been 253 applications approved for the emergency works scheme and they are “at various stages of completion”.
Kelly says “parents are disappointed, they’re angry, they’re frustrated, as are the staff and the board of management” with the ongoing uncertainty over the works in Kildorrery. “The Minister is bogged down with letters from us.”
“We were told initially that we’d be out of Kildorrery for 12 weeks. That was last August.”
School roof
One of the major reasons for the delay was the school roof being left open when the site was closed off, and there was a “huge amount of water damage done over the winter”.
Work on the roof did not restart until December but was largely complete when, in March, Covid-19 restrictions led to all construction stopping until mid-May. The roof was finished shortly after work recommenced, but only then was the extent of the damage fully assessed.
Contractors had to be brought in to remove any remaining asbestos, and a separate tender process for what is now a full refurbishment began.
Local Labour TD Seán Sherlock says he would like to see temporary accommodation on Kildorrery grounds being considered. "That would have alleviated a lot of the stress for parents and for children."
The department refused that request last August and again in the summer, saying it did “not represent value for money”.
A department spokesman said it “fully appreciates that the additional delays . . . are extremely disappointing and frustrating for the entire school community. However, we can assure the local community that the school is doing everything it can to ensure the earliest possible return to the school.”
Staff and children will be returning to Mallow in September but they don’t know for how long. Management has been given a 12-16 week estimate for the school refurbishment once the work begins, but that has yet to happen.
“Everyone’s anxious to get back at this stage,” says Kelly. “They’ve told us we’ll have a state-of-the-art school when we go back. We’ll just have ride out the storm and hopefully we’ve only one more hurdle in front of us.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-28--Health team recommends less invasive Covid-19 tests for children

The State ’ s public health team has recommended less invasive , saliva tests for children who need to be tested for Covid-19 .
The National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) have discussed the benefits of taking saliva or nasal specimens from children amid concerns they may find the current testing practices too traumatic or that parents would find it “ unacceptable ” particularly if their child only has a mild illness .
Currently , children must undergo the same invasive procedure as adults – a nasopharyngeal swab reaching a few centimetres into the head through the nose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At a meeting on August 6th , the team recommended to the Health Service Executive that , in collaboration with the National Virus Reference Laboratory , it “ validate the use of oral fluid/saliva as a specimen type for testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in children ” .
The group were also presented with a paper from an expert group which said there was a “ preference for less-invasive testing of children , with use of salivary or deep nasal samples recommended instead of nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal for children in the community , if feasible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the period of self-isolation and restriction of movements of close contacts of children should be in line with any emerging guidance from the European Centre for Disease Prevention .
According to minutes of that meeting , the public health team stressed that a direct risk to children in this context was that “ other serious illnesses such as meningitis or septicaemia could initially go unrecognised because of a focus on Covid-19 as a diagnosis ” .
It comes after a Hiqa report released last week said saliva or nasal specimens may offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invasive test for the coronavirus which collects specimens from the back of the nose and throat .
At the same meeting in early August , officials also discussed changes to the current modelling work around potential future Covid-19 cases .
The chair of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group ( IEMAG ) presented a paper which outlined that the group ’ s work had “ changed ” and needed to be reviewed .
“ The uncertainty surrounding Covid-19 makes it difficult to predict how long modelling advice and expertise will be required to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the expertise that would be most useful .
“ However , the value of sustaining some specific statistical advisory and modelling capacity within the health system was acknowledged .
“ The NPHET thanked the IEMAG for the considerable contribution it had made in responding to the pandemic to date and acknowledged the importance of its work continuing , albeit through potentially different channels in time .
It was agreed that further consideration would be given to the options proposed before a new approach to carrying out this significant work was formalised .
”

Children undergo the same invasive procedure as adults – a nasopharyngeal swab reaching a few cm into the head through the nose. They also have their throats swabbed. Photograph: Peter Komka
The State’s public health team has recommended less invasive, saliva tests for children who need to be tested for Covid-19.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) have discussed the benefits of taking saliva or nasal specimens from children amid concerns they may find the current testing practices too traumatic or that parents would find it "unacceptable" particularly if their child only has a mild illness.
Currently, children must undergo the same invasive procedure as adults – a nasopharyngeal swab reaching a few centimetres into the head through the nose. They also have their throats swabbed.
At a meeting on August 6th, the team recommended to the Health Service Executive that, in collaboration with the National Virus Reference Laboratory, it “validate the use of oral fluid/saliva as a specimen type for testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in children”.
READ MORE
The group were also presented with a paper from an expert group which said there was a “preference for less-invasive testing of children, with use of salivary or deep nasal samples recommended instead of nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal for children in the community, if feasible”.
That expert group also recommended that the period of self-isolation and restriction of movements of close contacts of children should be in line with any emerging guidance from the European Centre for Disease Prevention.
According to minutes of that meeting, the public health team stressed that a direct risk to children in this context was that “other serious illnesses such as meningitis or septicaemia could initially go unrecognised because of a focus on Covid-19 as a diagnosis”.
It comes after a Hiqa report released last week said saliva or nasal specimens may offer a viable alternative to the current standard invasive test for the coronavirus which collects specimens from the back of the nose and throat.
At the same meeting in early August, officials also discussed changes to the current modelling work around potential future Covid-19 cases.
The chair of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group (IEMAG) presented a paper which outlined that the group’s work had “changed” and needed to be reviewed.
“The uncertainty surrounding Covid-19 makes it difficult to predict how long modelling advice and expertise will be required to support the NPHET and the nature of the expertise that would be most useful.
“However, the value of sustaining some specific statistical advisory and modelling capacity within the health system was acknowledged.
“The NPHET thanked the IEMAG for the considerable contribution it had made in responding to the pandemic to date and acknowledged the importance of its work continuing, albeit through potentially different channels in time. It was agreed that further consideration would be given to the options proposed before a new approach to carrying out this significant work was formalised.”