theirishtimes--2020-09-03--Increase in spitting incidents on gardaí and in use of controversial hoods

Forty six gardaí have been spit on by suspects in the two months since the Garda stopped releasing regular updates on such incidents .
New figures also show gardaí are continuing to use spit-hoods on suspects .
The hoods- which are placed over the entire head of violent suspects- have been used on 19 people in the last two months .
In total there have been 167 “ spitting assaults ” on gardaí since the force started keeping track of incidents on April 8th , near the start of the Covid-19 pandemic .
Spit-hoods , which were first brought into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been used 101 times , according to figures released to the Irish Times .
The figures show , that while spitting incidents and spit-hood use has declined significantly since the height of the pandemic , they are still occurring on a weekly basis .
An average of just under six spitting incidents a week have occurred in the eight weeks since the start of July .
During that same period gardaí have used spit hoods an average of 2.3 times a week .
In April , Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-spit-guards ” , were being introduced as an emergency measure in response to spitting incidents on officers and that their continued use would be reviewed in September .
This review has started and “ will be completed this month and will be released in due course ” , a Garda spokeswoman said .
The use of spit-hoods has been criticised by human rights groups here and abroad .
The Policing Authority , which oversees the Garda , has also raised concern about the devices and said their use should end on November 8th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is due to expire .
In July , the Garda told the Policing Authority the hoods are used for twenty minutes or less in 85 per cent of cases .
However in one case a suspect was left in a hood for five hours .
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties ( ICCL ) said this week the hoods are “ barbaric ” and ineffective at stopping the spread of Covid-19 .
It also objected to the use of the term “ anti-spit guard ” which it said implied the devices were a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place over a person ’ s head by force .
The use of spit-hoods is under renewed scrutiny in the US following news of the death of a mentally-ill black man during his arrest by police in New York .
Daniel Prude died of suffocation after police put a spit-hood on him and pinned him to the ground .
“ The death of Daniel Prude after he was hooded by US police highlights just how dangerous- lethal in fact - spit-hoods really are .
It also underlines how their use on people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a situation , endangering the lives of people on the streets as well as police , ” ICCL Director Liam Herrick said .
“ We are extremely concerned that spit hoods were used 101 times , including once on a child , up to 31 August .
We call on the Garda Commissioner to withdraw this potentially lethal piece of kit immediately.
” Garda representative groups have called on the Commissioner to retain the hoods for the safety of their members .
In its submission to the ongoing review the Garda Representative Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members have rights , too , ” it said .

Garda representative groups have called on the Commissioner to retain the hoods for the safety of their members. file photograph: Collins
Forty six gardaí have been spit on by suspects in the two months since the Garda stopped releasing regular updates on such incidents.
New figures also show gardaí are continuing to use spit-hoods on suspects. The hoods- which are placed over the entire head of violent suspects- have been used on 19 people in the last two months.
In total there have been 167 “spitting assaults” on gardaí since the force started keeping track of incidents on April 8th, near the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Spit-hoods, which were first brought into use at the start of April, have been used 101 times, according to figures released to the Irish Times.
READ MORE
The figures show, that while spitting incidents and spit-hood use has declined significantly since the height of the pandemic, they are still occurring on a weekly basis.
An average of just under six spitting incidents a week have occurred in the eight weeks since the start of July. During that same period gardaí have used spit hoods an average of 2.3 times a week.
In April, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said the hoods, which the Garda calls "anti-spit-guards", were being introduced as an emergency measure in response to spitting incidents on officers and that their continued use would be reviewed in September.
This review has started and “will be completed this month and will be released in due course”, a Garda spokeswoman said.
Civil liberties
The use of spit-hoods has been criticised by human rights groups here and abroad. The Policing Authority, which oversees the Garda, has also raised concern about the devices and said their use should end on November 8th when much of the emergency Covid-19 legislation is due to expire.
In July, the Garda told the Policing Authority the hoods are used for twenty minutes or less in 85 per cent of cases. However in one case a suspect was left in a hood for five hours.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) said this week the hoods are “barbaric” and ineffective at stopping the spread of Covid-19. It also objected to the use of the term “anti-spit guard” which it said implied the devices were a form of PPE instead of a hood place over a person’s head by force.
The use of spit-hoods is under renewed scrutiny in the US following news of the death of a mentally-ill black man during his arrest by police in New York. Daniel Prude died of suffocation after police put a spit-hood on him and pinned him to the ground.
"The death of Daniel Prude after he was hooded by US police highlights just how dangerous- lethal in fact - spit-hoods really are. It also underlines how their use on people in a state of mental distress can aggravate a situation, endangering the lives of people on the streets as well as police," ICCL Director Liam Herrick said.
“We are extremely concerned that spit hoods were used 101 times, including once on a child, up to 31 August. We call on the Garda Commissioner to withdraw this potentially lethal piece of kit immediately.”
Garda representative groups have called on the Commissioner to retain the hoods for the safety of their members. In its submission to the ongoing review the Garda Representative Association (GRA) said: "Our members have rights, too," it said.


theirishtimes--2020-09-03--Girl (11) in serious condition after being struck by car in Co Limerick

An 11-year-old girl is in a serious condition in hospital after being struck by a car in Co Limerick .
@ @ @ @ @ the N24 at Pallasgreen in the east of the county at about 5.30pm on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ the child before she was airlifted to Cork University Hospital where her condition has been @ @ @ @ @ road was briefly closed for examination but has since reopened .
Gardaí said the occupants @ @ @ @ @ and the cause of the collision is not known .
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses @ @ @ @ @ footage , including dash cams from passing vehicles on the route at the time , @ @ @ @ @ with information is asked to contact Bruff Garda Station at ( 061 ) 382 940 @ @ @ @ @ on 1800 666 111 .

An 11-year-old girl is in a serious condition in hospital after being struck by a car in Co Limerick.
The pedestrian was hit on the N24 at Pallasgreen in the east of the county at about 5.30pm on Thursday.
Emergency services attended to the child before she was airlifted to Cork University Hospital where her condition has been described as serious.
The road was briefly closed for examination but has since reopened. Gardaí said the occupants of the car were uninjured and the cause of the collision is not known.
READ MORE
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses and to anyone with video footage, including dash cams from passing vehicles on the route at the time, to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Bruff Garda Station at (061) 382 940 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.


theirishtimes--2020-09-03--Prehistoric mega-shark could have fins as large as a human

The entire size of a prehistoric mega-shark made famous in Hollywood films has been revealed in a new study .
Previously only the length of the Otodus megalodon had been estimated , but a team from the University of Bristol and Swansea University have determined the size of the rest of its body including fins as large as an entire adult human .
The great white shark – depicted in 1975 movie hit Jaws – is a distant descendant of the megalodon and often measures more than six metres in length .
Researchers used mathematical methods and comparisons with living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the megalodon , which lived from about 23 million to three million years ago but has attracted fame more recently in Hollywood movies including The Meg .
The results suggest a 16-metre megalodon is likely to have had a head around 4.65 metres long , a dorsal fin about 1.62 metres tall and a tail around 3.85 metres high .
This means an adult human could stand on the back of the shark and be about the same height as the dorsal fin .
Jack Cooper , who has completed a master of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Bristol ’ s School of Earth Sciences , described the study as his “ dream project ” .
“ I have always been mad about sharks .
As an undergraduate , I have worked and dived with great whites in South Africa – protected by a steel cage of course , ” he said .
“ It ’ s that sense of danger , but also that sharks are such beautiful and well-adapted animals , that makes them so attractive to study .
“ Megalodon was actually the very animal that inspired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place at just six years old , so I was over the moon to get a chance to study it .
“ This was my dream project .
But to study the whole animal is difficult considering that all we really have are lots of isolated teeth.
” Previously the fossil shark was only compared with the great white but the latest analysis was expanded to include five modern sharks .
The researchers first tested whether the modern animals changed proportion as they grew but found this was not the case .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growth curves of the five modern forms and project the overall shape as they get larger and larger – right up to a body length of 16 metres , ” Mr Cooper said .
The study is published in the journal Scientific Reports .
– PA

The entire size of a prehistoric mega-shark made famous in Hollywood films has been revealed in a new study.
Previously only the length of the Otodus megalodon had been estimated, but a team from the University of Bristol and Swansea University have determined the size of the rest of its body including fins as large as an entire adult human.
The great white shark – depicted in 1975 movie hit Jaws – is a distant descendant of the megalodon and often measures more than six metres in length.
Researchers used mathematical methods and comparisons with living relatives to find the overall size of the megalodon, which lived from about 23 million to three million years ago but has attracted fame more recently in Hollywood movies including The Meg.
READ MORE
The results suggest a 16-metre megalodon is likely to have had a head around 4.65 metres long, a dorsal fin about 1.62 metres tall and a tail around 3.85 metres high.
This means an adult human could stand on the back of the shark and be about the same height as the dorsal fin.
Jack Cooper, who has completed a master of science degree in palaeobiology at the University of Bristol's School of Earth Sciences, described the study as his "dream project".
"I have always been mad about sharks. As an undergraduate, I have worked and dived with great whites in South Africa – protected by a steel cage of course," he said.
“It’s that sense of danger, but also that sharks are such beautiful and well-adapted animals, that makes them so attractive to study.
“Megalodon was actually the very animal that inspired me to pursue palaeontology in the first place at just six years old, so I was over the moon to get a chance to study it.
“This was my dream project. But to study the whole animal is difficult considering that all we really have are lots of isolated teeth.”
Previously the fossil shark was only compared with the great white but the latest analysis was expanded to include five modern sharks.
The researchers first tested whether the modern animals changed proportion as they grew but found this was not the case.
“This means we could simply take the growth curves of the five modern forms and project the overall shape as they get larger and larger – right up to a body length of 16 metres,” Mr Cooper said.
The study is published in the journal Scientific Reports. – PA


theirishtimes--2020-09-03--Staycationers can claim tax credits of up to €125 under new scheme

Staycationers can claim up to €125 in tax credits for money spent in restaurants , hotels and other businesses under a new stay and spend scheme launched by the Government .
The new scheme is aimed at driving sales in the hospitality sector during the off-season which has been severely hit as a result of the spread of coronavirus .
The scheme will provide a maximum of €125 in income tax credits to tax-payers who spend up to €625 in restaurants , pubs , hotels , B & Bs and other businesses from Autumn 2020 to Spring 2021 , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Martin said that “ while many sectors have taken a hit , the hospitality industry is undoubtedly one of the worst affected by the public health measures which have had to be imposed to stop the spread of the virus .
“ The stay and spend scheme will encourage people to go out for a meal or take a staycation and support the Irish hospitality sector by enabling them to claim back 20 per cent of their spend.
” The scheme comes into effect on October 1st , but accommodation and food businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to participate .
In order to qualify for participation in the scheme , businesses will need to be registered for VAT , have a current tax clearance certificate and be registered with the relevant official bodies such as Fáilte Ireland and the HSE Environmental Health Service .
They will also have to register with Revenue to participate and display a sign stating that they are taking part in the scheme .
Individual taxpayers who want to avail of the scheme can register by downloading an app and providing their name and PPS number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income tax or USC liability against which the tax credit can be set .
They may also claim via computer and by post .

The scheme comes into effect on October 1st, but accommodation and food businesses can now register with the Revenue commissioners to participate. File photograph: Bryan O’Brien
Staycationers can claim up to €125 in tax credits for money spent in restaurants, hotels and other businesses under a new stay and spend scheme launched by the Government.
The new scheme is aimed at driving sales in the hospitality sector during the off-season which has been severely hit as a result of the spread of coronavirus. The scheme will provide a maximum of €125 in income tax credits to tax-payers who spend up to €625 in restaurants, pubs, hotels, B&Bs and other businesses from Autumn 2020 to Spring 2021, including over the Christmas period.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that “while many sectors have taken a hit, the hospitality industry is undoubtedly one of the worst affected by the public health measures which have had to be imposed to stop the spread of the virus.
“The stay and spend scheme will encourage people to go out for a meal or take a staycation and support the Irish hospitality sector by enabling them to claim back 20 per cent of their spend.”
READ MORE
The scheme comes into effect on October 1st, but accommodation and food businesses can now register with the Revenue commissioners to participate.
In order to qualify for participation in the scheme, businesses will need to be registered for VAT, have a current tax clearance certificate and be registered with the relevant official bodies such as Fáilte Ireland and the HSE Environmental Health Service. They will also have to register with Revenue to participate and display a sign stating that they are taking part in the scheme.
Individual taxpayers who want to avail of the scheme can register by downloading an app and providing their name and PPS number, and they must also have an income tax or USC liability against which the tax credit can be set. They may also claim via computer and by post.


theirishtimes--2020-09-03--Coronavirus: Pubs, restaurants concerned over record-keeping regulations

Restaurants and pubs serving food have expressed concern about new regulations that will oblige them to keep a record of what substantial meals customers have ordered for 28 days .
The hospitality industry has expressed frustration at what it claims has been a lack of communication around the regulations , which were contained in updated guidelines published by Fáilte Ireland .
The Licensed Vintners Association ( LVA ) and Restaurants Association of Ireland have both written to the Data Protection Commissioner to seek advice on the new measures .
The new rules , which came into effect on Thursday and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will compel restaurants and pubs serving food to make a record of the substantial meals ordered by each member of a party permitted to dine in a premises .
Restaurant and cafe owners must be able to make the records available to a member of An Garda Síochána for up to 28 days after the meal for the purposes of an inspection .
Adrian Cummins , chief executive of the restaurants association , said the record-keeping would “ add more regulatory burden for businesses at a time of extreme stress for many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ association was “ deeply concerned ” that the Government had not communicated the regulations when the guidelines were introduced on August 18th .
A spokesman for the LVA said the new guidelines were published by Fáilte Ireland “ with zero consultation with the industry ” .
“ The first notice the LVA received was a one-line email sent just before 11am on Thursday which gave no specifics , just mentioned the guidelines had been updated .
“ No thought has been put into the administrative burden this is going to create .
How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health knowing what topping was on a customer ’ s pizza or what way their potatoes were cooked ?
We think this is a complete overreach .
“ Given the data collection requirements this will place on the industry , we have asked the Data Protection Commission for its views on this new measure.
” Fianna Fáil TD Marc MacSharry on Thursday wrote a message to Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Fianna Fáil Ministers appealing for “ immediate intervention to alter the ‘ Stasi ’ guidelines issued to restaurateurs and gastric publicans whereby it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of who is in and now , incredibly , what they have had to eat ” .
“ This is a step way too far and I appeal to all of you to urgently reverse this authoritarian and unnecessary nonsense .
We have had successful lockdowns .
“ In any event , today ’ s guidelines as published are ridiculous .
I would make this point at the parliamentary party meeting if we had any and so I just text collectively in hope and desperation that collectively you will urgently address the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Taoiseach said guidance on the issue of pubs being reopened was being worked on as part of the Government ’ s new long-term roadmap for living alongside Covid-19 .
He said guidance to pubs “ will issue shortly ” .
Meanwhile , the Northern Executive has deferred any decision on when or whether Northern Ireland ’ s 600 “ wet ” pubs , which do not serve food , can open .
Deputy First Minister Michelle O ’ Neill said she hoped the Executive would be able to provide an indicative date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it meets again next week .

The new rules oblige pubs and restaurants to keep a record of what substantial meals customers have ordered for 28 days. Photograph: Alan Betson
Restaurants and pubs serving food have expressed concern about new regulations that will oblige them to keep a record of what substantial meals customers have ordered for 28 days.
The hospitality industry has expressed frustration at what it claims has been a lack of communication around the regulations,which were contained in updated guidelines published by Fáilte Ireland.
The Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) and Restaurants Association of Ireland have both written to the Data Protection Commissioner to seek advice on the new measures.
The new rules, which came into effect on Thursday and will remain in force until September 14th, will compel restaurants and pubs serving food to make a record of the substantial meals ordered by each member of a party permitted to dine in a premises.
READ MORE
Restaurant and cafe owners must be able to make the records available to a member of An Garda Síochána for up to 28 days after the meal for the purposes of an inspection.
Adrian Cummins, chief executive of the restaurants association, said the record-keeping would "add more regulatory burden for businesses at a time of extreme stress for many restaurant owners".
He said the association was “deeply concerned” that the Government had not communicated the regulations when the guidelines were introduced on August 18th.
‘Zero consultation’
A spokesman for the LVA said the new guidelines were published by Fáilte Ireland “with zero consultation with the industry”.
“The first notice the LVA received was a one-line email sent just before 11am on Thursday which gave no specifics, just mentioned the guidelines had been updated.
“No thought has been put into the administrative burden this is going to create. How is it going to help protect public health knowing what topping was on a customer’s pizza or what way their potatoes were cooked? We think this is a complete overreach.
"Given the data collection requirements this will place on the industry, we have asked the Data Protection Commission for its views on this new measure."
Fianna Fáil TD Marc MacSharry on Thursday wrote a message to Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Fianna Fáil Ministers appealing for "immediate intervention to alter the 'Stasi' guidelines issued to restaurateurs and gastric publicans whereby it will now be required to take details of who is in and now, incredibly, what they have had to eat".
“This is a step way too far and I appeal to all of you to urgently reverse this authoritarian and unnecessary nonsense. We have had successful lockdowns.
“In any event, today’s guidelines as published are ridiculous. I would make this point at the parliamentary party meeting if we had any and so I just text collectively in hope and desperation that collectively you will urgently address the police state restrictions announced today.”
Earlier, the Taoiseach said guidance on the issue of pubs being reopened was being worked on as part of the Government’s new long-term roadmap for living alongside Covid-19. He said guidance to pubs “will issue shortly”.
Meanwhile, the Northern Executive has deferred any decision on when or whether Northern Ireland’s 600 “wet” pubs, which do not serve food, can open.
Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said she hoped the Executive would be able to provide an indicative date for the opening of such pubs when it meets again next week.


theirishtimes--2020-09-03--Bad Brexit trade deal could be ‘devastating’ for North’s farms

Failure to strike a good post-Brexit trade deal could lead to the devastation of Northern Ireland ’ s farming industry , MLAs have been warned .
Farmers could quickly become uncompetitive if they are burdened by additional costs in a marketplace potentially flooded by cheaper imports from around the world , according to the chief executive of the Ulster Farmers ’ Union .
Wesley Aston was among several agrifood representatives who painted a bleak picture of what the sector faces if effective post-Brexit trading arrangements are not agreed between the EU and UK before the end of the transition period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group were giving evidence to the Assembly ’ s agriculture committee , amid an impasse between the EU and UK on a trade deal .
“ If we get the wrong sort of trade deal with the EU from a UK perspective , if the [ Northern Ireland ] protocol has to be implemented and then depending on how UK trade deals with third countries go , it could actually be devastating for us over here , ” said Mr Aston .
“ Just in terms of additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the market .
“ The simple solution for us is that we want the UK to have as close a future trading arrangement with the EU as it has at present.
” Mr Aston said while the UK Government had committed to “ unfettered access ” for Northern Ireland traders to the British market , the commercial reality might make it unviable for farmers to sell into Britain .
“ While , in theory , we will have unfettered legislative access , if there is additional hassle , additional costs , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comparison to our competitors.
” In the summer the Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group wrote a report posing 67 questions to the government on how the Northern Ireland protocol will operate .
The protocol in the Withdrawal Treaty is the arrangement by which Northern Ireland continues to follow single market rules for goods and administers the EU ’ s customs code at its ports .
The UK government has acknowledged regulatory checks will be needed on some goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK , with the expansion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the government has insisted there will be no new physical customs infrastructure in Northern Ireland .
On Thursday , convenor of the working group Aodhán Connolly revealed it was still awaiting answers to 60 of the 67 questions .
“ What we ’ ve asked from the Westminster government is for technical solutions and detail , ” he said .
“ What we ’ re asking the EU for is a generosity of spirit to allow those derogations and to allow those mitigations to actually happen .
“ Unless we get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
.
.
significant cost rises .
“ Until we get that detail we don ’ t know whether that will mean that it ’ s prohibitive to either import or export to Northern Ireland.
” Mr Connolly , director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium , said products may disappear from the shelves as it could become unprofitable for some suppliers to operate in Northern Ireland .
“ It is going to be those sort of things that already have a very low profit margin on them anyway , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but your staples , which will actually affect those people who are most economically vulnerable anyway , and that ’ s particularly concerning to me.
” The committee heard about concerns around the divergence of product standards and the resultant necessity for differing labelling systems .
Mr Aston said : “ We have to align ourselves to EU rules , GB does not under the protocol and , while we start from the same place in a particular point in time , if that diverges , then we can find ourselves being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a big concern.
” Michael Bell , from the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association , said consumers could face higher prices and less choice if workable resolutions were not found .
“ What is at risk is choice and value for consumers , ” he told committee members .
“ So you could see a diminution of choice .
And you could see on-costs , driven by a no trade deal .
“ As to what products get affected by that , you could even see the scenario where a GB supplier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a view that the Northern Ireland market has become too expensive to service.
” – PA

The Culicagh mountain boardwalk which threads along the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
Failure to strike a good post-Brexit trade deal could lead to the devastation of Northern Ireland's farming industry, MLAs have been warned.
Farmers could quickly become uncompetitive if they are burdened by additional costs in a marketplace potentially flooded by cheaper imports from around the world, according to the chief executive of the Ulster Farmers’ Union.
Wesley Aston was among several agrifood representatives who painted a bleak picture of what the sector faces if effective post-Brexit trading arrangements are not agreed between the EU and UK before the end of the transition period in four months.
Members of the Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group were giving evidence to the Assembly's agriculture committee, amid an impasse between the EU and UK on a trade deal.
READ MORE
“If we get the wrong sort of trade deal with the EU from a UK perspective, if the [Northern Ireland] protocol has to be implemented and then depending on how UK trade deals with third countries go, it could actually be devastating for us over here,” said Mr Aston. “Just in terms of additional costs and actually having much more competition in the market.
“The simple solution for us is that we want the UK to have as close a future trading arrangement with the EU as it has at present.”
Mr Aston said while the UK Government had committed to “unfettered access” for Northern Ireland traders to the British market, the commercial reality might make it unviable for farmers to sell into Britain.
“While, in theory, we will have unfettered legislative access, if there is additional hassle, additional costs, we will find ourselves at a disadvantage in comparison to our competitors.”
In the summer the Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group wrote a report posing 67 questions to the government on how the Northern Ireland protocol will operate.
The protocol in the Withdrawal Treaty is the arrangement by which Northern Ireland continues to follow single market rules for goods and administers the EU’s customs code at its ports.
The UK government has acknowledged regulatory checks will be needed on some goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK, with the expansion of infrastructure to screen animals and food products.
But the government has insisted there will be no new physical customs infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
On Thursday, convenor of the working group Aodhán Connolly revealed it was still awaiting answers to 60 of the 67 questions.
“What we’ve asked from the Westminster government is for technical solutions and detail,” he said.
“What we’re asking the EU for is a generosity of spirit to allow those derogations and to allow those mitigations to actually happen.
“Unless we get that then there are going to be . . . significant cost rises.
“Until we get that detail we don’t know whether that will mean that it’s prohibitive to either import or export to Northern Ireland.”
Mr Connolly, director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, said products may disappear from the shelves as it could become unprofitable for some suppliers to operate in Northern Ireland.
“It is going to be those sort of things that already have a very low profit margin on them anyway,” he said.
“So not your luxury goods, but your staples, which will actually affect those people who are most economically vulnerable anyway, and that’s particularly concerning to me.”
The committee heard about concerns around the divergence of product standards and the resultant necessity for differing labelling systems.
Mr Aston said: “We have to align ourselves to EU rules, GB does not under the protocol and, while we start from the same place in a particular point in time, if that diverges, then we can find ourselves being uncompetitive fairly quickly and that’s a big concern.”
Michael Bell, from the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association, said consumers could face higher prices and less choice if workable resolutions were not found.
“What is at risk is choice and value for consumers,” he told committee members.
“So you could see a diminution of choice. And you could see on-costs, driven by a no trade deal.
“As to what products get affected by that, you could even see the scenario where a GB supplier of a product to Northern Ireland takes a view that the Northern Ireland market has become too expensive to service.” – PA


theirishtimes--2020-09-03--Clifden flooding a stark warning of extremes to come in Ireland - climate expert

The flooding that swamped Clifden in Co Galway within hours is a stark signal that Ireland ’ s weather extremes will continue to get worse , one of the country ’ s foremost climate change experts has warned .
Prof Peter Thorne said a “ very large ” number of towns and villages around the country are similarly susceptible to “ truly catastrophic ” flash floods because of their catchment around a river .
Playing down speculation that drainage in State-owned Sitka spruce plantations outside Clifden were to blame for Wednesday morning ’ s flood , Prof Thorne said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Hurricane Laura ” crashing into mountains around the coastal Conneamara town .
“ When you have all that tropical , deep moist atmosphere , travelling across a silky , smooth Atlantic , the first thing it does is hit the mountains and hills by Clifden , and it is like squeezing a sponge , ” he said .
The Maynooth University academic , who was lead author on the fifth assessment report of the UN ’ s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change , said the ground was also “ unseasonably saturated ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was wetter than normal .
Small rivers like the Owenglin in Clifden are also “ very sensitive to high rainfall ” , he said .
Pointing to the devastating impact of small rivers swamping parts of Inishowen , Co Donegal in August 2017 , Prof Thorne said many towns and villages face a similar fate , which historically happens every few years .
“ The climate is one degree warmer than it was in the 19th century because of man-made emissions , and for every degree rise in temperature the atmosphere holds seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Fundamentally , what goes up must come down .
With more water in the atmosphere , when it rains , it rains with greater intensity.
” “ It is getting worse and will continue to get worse until we can manage to stabilise global temperature changes , ” he added .
“ There is no good science on whether the frequency ( of flooding events ) will increase , but the intensity of events will be worse — it is a case of getting used to the idea that our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Something once seen as a once in a century event nationally might become a one in a 20 year event.
” At the time of the Clifden flooding , only a yellow rain warning was in place for counties Donegal , Leitrim , Mayo and Sligo .
Evelyn Cusack , head of forecasting at Met Éireann , said it was a “ forecast failure ” which was in part down to its modeling systems , which “ have a little difficulty ” predicting rain from a tropical air mass , which are unusual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forecast failure in terms of the rainfall amount , but Met Eireann would not be predicting floods or the river flow , ” she said .
“ We wouldn ’ t be predicting the impact.
” Met Eireann had forecast 20 mm rainfall in the area , when around 60 mm fell overnight .
Following the surge in water at Clifden , which forced the evacuation of homes and two schools , claims emerged on social media that drainage on large tracts of bog outside the town which have been converted to Sitka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed to accelerating the flooding .
But Dr Tiernan Henry , a geoscientist and surface water expert at NUI Galway , said he would be “ very reluctant to point the finger at forestry ” .
Records at nearby Mace Head weather station showed 27 mls of rain falling within three or four hours , he said .
“ That is essentially a quarter of the average monthly rainfall for September in that area happening in just a few hours , ” he added .
“ It was a very intense rainfall event.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest factor ” was the “ unusual amount of rain ” falling on a relatively steep catchment onto a “ flashy river ” .
Coillte also disputed the speculation .
Pat Neville , communications manager at semi-state forestry company , said it operates two plantations near Clifden , which were identified on social media as being culpable .
Water drains from the larger of the two plantations away from Clifden , he said , adding that drains in the forests are shallow and would have long since “ clogged up ” with debris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago and are not maintained .
“ We had an extraordinary amount of rain in a short time .
To point the finger at planting , to say that was the cause of the flooding event in Clifden , would be quite unfair , ” he said .

Patrick Guy at the back of his house at Riverside beside the Owenglen River as water pours down the waterfall after the earlier flooding. The entrance driveway beside Patrick’s house was completely destroyed by the flooding. Photograph: Joe O’Shaughnessy.
The flooding that swamped Clifden in Co Galway within hours is a stark signal that Ireland’s weather extremes will continue to get worse, one of the country’s foremost climate change experts has warned.
Prof Peter Thorne said a “very large” number of towns and villages around the country are similarly susceptible to “truly catastrophic” flash floods because of their catchment around a river.
Playing down speculation that drainage in State-owned Sitka spruce plantations outside Clifden were to blame for Wednesday morning’s flood, Prof Thorne said it was down to the “tail end of Hurricane Laura” crashing into mountains around the coastal Conneamara town.
“When you have all that tropical, deep moist atmosphere, travelling across a silky, smooth Atlantic, the first thing it does is hit the mountains and hills by Clifden, and it is like squeezing a sponge,” he said.
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The Maynooth University academic, who was lead author on the fifth assessment report of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said the ground was also “unseasonably saturated” as each of the last three months was wetter than normal.
Small rivers like the Owenglin in Clifden are also “very sensitive to high rainfall”, he said.
Pointing to the devastating impact of small rivers swamping parts of Inishowen, Co Donegal in August 2017, Prof Thorne said many towns and villages face a similar fate, which historically happens every few years .
“The climate is one degree warmer than it was in the 19th century because of man-made emissions, and for every degree rise in temperature the atmosphere holds seven per cent more water,” he said.
“Fundamentally, what goes up must come down. With more water in the atmosphere, when it rains, it rains with greater intensity.”
Climate model projections “robustly” suggest that trend will continue.
“It is getting worse and will continue to get worse until we can manage to stabilise global temperature changes,” he added.
“There is no good science on whether the frequency (of flooding events) will increase, but the intensity of events will be worse — it is a case of getting used to the idea that our extremes will be more extreme.
“Something once seen as a once in a century event nationally might become a one in a 20 year event.”
At the time of the Clifden flooding, only a yellow rain warning was in place for counties Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo.
Evelyn Cusack, head of forecasting at Met Éireann, said it was a “forecast failure” which was in part down to its modeling systems, which “have a little difficulty” predicting rain from a tropical air mass, which are unusual in Ireland.
“It was a forecast failure in terms of the rainfall amount, but Met Eireann would not be predicting floods or the river flow,” she said. “We wouldn’t be predicting the impact.” Met Eireann had forecast 20 mm rainfall in the area, when around 60 mm fell overnight.
Following the surge in water at Clifden, which forced the evacuation of homes and two schools, claims emerged on social media that drainage on large tracts of bog outside the town which have been converted to Sitka spruce plantations, run by Coillte, contributed to accelerating the flooding.
But Dr Tiernan Henry, a geoscientist and surface water expert at NUI Galway, said he would be “very reluctant to point the finger at forestry”.
Records at nearby Mace Head weather station showed 27 mls of rain falling within three or four hours, he said. “That is essentially a quarter of the average monthly rainfall for September in that area happening in just a few hours,” he added.
“It was a very intense rainfall event.” Dr Henry said the “single biggest factor” was the “unusual amount of rain” falling on a relatively steep catchment onto a “flashy river”.
Coillte also disputed the speculation. Pat Neville, communications manager at semi-state forestry company, said it operates two plantations near Clifden, which were identified on social media as being culpable.
Water drains from the larger of the two plantations away from Clifden, he said, adding that drains in the forests are shallow and would have long since “clogged up” with debris as they were planted more 40 years ago and are not maintained.
“We had an extraordinary amount of rain in a short time. To point the finger at planting, to say that was the cause of the flooding event in Clifden, would be quite unfair,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-09-03--‘The forgotten 20,000’: Deferred CAO applicants fear losing out on places

Until recently Carolyn Hulbert was confident that the 530 points she achieved in last year ’ s Leaving Cert would be enough to secure her chosen course of occupational therapy at Trinity College Dublin .
Since earlier this week , however , the 20 year old student – who took a year out to complete a further education course – is growing worried she will miss out on a college place .
She isn ’ t alone .
About 20,000 other college applicants who applied for courses this year on the basis of Leaving Cert results achieved in previous years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points race .
This is because Minister for Education Norma Foley confirmed this week that calculated grades for the Leaving Cert class of 2020 will be “ stronger ” than results in previous years which will result in some grade inflation .
The scale of the overall jump is not yet known , but Department of Education officials have said adjustments to the calculated grades process were aimed at “ prioritising fairness for the class of 2020 over eliminating grade inflation.
” “ I ’ m very concerned that we are the forgotten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) from Portmarnock , Co Dublin .
“ I feel like my Leaving Certificate is nearly worthless due to grade inflation this year .
This is causing me a lot of anxiety and stress after an already difficult year .
Many of us are worried that we ’ ll miss out on our college places.
” Many of this cohort of college applicants took a gap year for financial or personal reasons ; others are mature students who are going back to college ; some dropped out of courses they weren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cloney ( 20 ) from Co Wexford is another student affected .
He completed his Leaving Cert in 2019 and took a year out to work and reapply through CAO this year .
“ I understand that applicants like myself are not the priority in the current situation , but I truly feel we are being left behind , ” he says .
He says grade inflation will devalue his achievements under a system which government ministers continue to insist is fair and equitable .
The concern isn ’ t limited to last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Hagan ( 18 ) from Dundalk is due to receive his calculated grades on Monday ; his older brother Alex ( 20 ) sat the Leaving Cert in 2018 and has applied through the CAO this year .
They both hope to study medicine .
He says ring-fencing a proportion of places for students who are using their results from previous years is one potential solution .
“ This would ensure that no one is disadvantaged because they sat the Leaving Cert in another year , ” says O ’ Hagan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a surge in representations from frustrated students in recent days .
Sinn Féin ’ s education spokesman Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD said he felt a solution could be found if there is political will do so .
“ I think this can be resolved .
These are students who had no expectation that something like this would happen .
They have the same right of access to third level as anyone else , ” he says .
A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said the provision of more than 1,250 additional higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courses was partly aimed at easing points pressure .
She emphasised that a standardisation process has been applied to this year ’ s calculated grades to ensure they are as close as possible to the grade profile for previous years .
While some point to the CAO as offering a potential solution , a spokeswoman for the CAO only stated that “ higher education institutions determine how qualifications are to be evaluated and higher education institutions retain control of admissions decisions.
” In the meantime , all students like Carolyn Hulbert can do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not lose out .
“ We deserve assurances that we will not be disadvantaged in the CAO process this year , ” she says .

Carolyn Hulbert: ‘We deserve assurances that we will not be disadvantaged in the CAO process this year.’ Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
Until recently Carolyn Hulbert was confident that the 530 points she achieved in last year's Leaving Cert would be enough to secure her chosen course of occupational therapy at Trinity College Dublin.
Since earlier this week, however, the 20 year old student – who took a year out to complete a further education course – is growing worried she will miss out on a college place.
She isn’t alone. About 20,000 other college applicants who applied for courses this year on the basis of Leaving Cert results achieved in previous years risk being disadvantaged in this years CAO points race.
This is because Minister for Education Norma Foley confirmed this week that calculated grades for the Leaving Cert class of 2020 will be "stronger" than results in previous years which will result in some grade inflation.
READ MORE
The scale of the overall jump is not yet known, but Department of Education officials have said adjustments to the calculated grades process were aimed at “prioritising fairness for the class of 2020 over eliminating grade inflation.”
"I'm very concerned that we are the forgotten 20,000," says Hulbert (20) from Portmarnock, Co Dublin.
“I feel like my Leaving Certificate is nearly worthless due to grade inflation this year. This is causing me a lot of anxiety and stress after an already difficult year. Many of us are worried that we’ll miss out on our college places.”
‘Left behind’
Many of this cohort of college applicants took a gap year for financial or personal reasons; others are mature students who are going back to college; some dropped out of courses they weren’t suited to and are re-applying.
Ronan Cloney (20) from Co Wexford is another student affected. He completed his Leaving Cert in 2019 and took a year out to work and reapply through CAO this year.
“I understand that applicants like myself are not the priority in the current situation, but I truly feel we are being left behind,” he says.
He says grade inflation will devalue his achievements under a system which government ministers continue to insist is fair and equitable.
The concern isn't limited to last year's applicants. Justin O'Hagan (18) from Dundalk is due to receive his calculated grades on Monday; his older brother Alex (20) sat the Leaving Cert in 2018 and has applied through the CAO this year. They both hope to study medicine.
He says ring-fencing a proportion of places for students who are using their results from previous years is one potential solution.
“This would ensure that no one is disadvantaged because they sat the Leaving Cert in another year,” says O’Hagan.
Opposition TDs have reported that they received a surge in representations from frustrated students in recent days.
Sinn Féin’s education spokesman Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD said he felt a solution could be found if there is political will do so.
“I think this can be resolved. These are students who had no expectation that something like this would happen. They have the same right of access to third level as anyone else,” he says.
Standardisation
A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said the provision of more than 1,250 additional higher education places in “high demand” courses was partly aimed at easing points pressure.
She emphasised that a standardisation process has been applied to this year’s calculated grades to ensure they are as close as possible to the grade profile for previous years.
While some point to the CAO as offering a potential solution, a spokeswoman for the CAO only stated that “higher education institutions determine how qualifications are to be evaluated and higher education institutions retain control of admissions decisions.”
In the meantime, all students like Carolyn Hulbert can do is wait and hope that they will not lose out.
“We deserve assurances that we will not be disadvantaged in the CAO process this year,” she says.


theirishtimes--2020-09-03--Judge grants protection order after being told man raped teenage daughter

A woman has secured a protection order against her husband after telling a court that he raped their teenage daughter on the family ’ s summer holiday last month .
At Ennis District Court , the woman alleged the man also told his daughter that he would stab her mother and a brother if the mother quizzed him about what had taken place on their family holiday .
As part of her application for the protection order , the woman told Judge Patrick Durcan that on a day last month : “ My husband raped and sexually assaulted our daughter.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged rape by the man took place in a bedroom in accommodation they were staying at on their holiday .
She told Judge Durcan : “ I had no clue .
I had no clue.
” The woman said her daughter told her of the alleged rape only after the family had returned home .
The mother told Judge Durcan that after questioning her daughter “ she said that he had sex with her ” .
After her daughter ’ s disclosure , the woman said she brought her daughter to hospital to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she also informed the gardaí and Tusla – Child and Family Agency of the allegation .
The woman said her own suspicions were raised by her own mother who said , concerning the woman ’ s husband , “ Don ’ t you think he is too loving towards your daughter ?
” Prior to her daughter ’ s disclosure but after the holiday , the woman said one evening at home she found her husband in a bedroom with her daughter who was standing in her underwear “ and she was really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband then took her daughter for a drive .
The mother said she later asked her daughter “ Did Daddy touch you ?
” After the daughter ’ s disclosure concerning the alleged rape on holiday , the mother told the court : “ I was just in complete shock.
” The mother stated that her daughter told her that her father also asked to have sex with her on the drive but that she refused .
The woman told the court : “ The man is being verbally , emotionally and physically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the woman a protection order .

Ennis District Court heard the man had told his daughter he would stab her mother and a brother if the mother quizzed him about what had taken place on their family holiday.
A woman has secured a protection order against her husband after telling a court that he raped their teenage daughter on the family’s summer holiday last month.
At Ennis District Court, the woman alleged the man also told his daughter that he would stab her mother and a brother if the mother quizzed him about what had taken place on their family holiday.
As part of her application for the protection order, the woman told Judge Patrick Durcan that on a day last month:“My husband raped and sexually assaulted our daughter.”
The mother told Judge Durcan the alleged rape by the man took place in a bedroom in accommodation they were staying at on their holiday. She told Judge Durcan: “I had no clue. I had no clue.”
READ MORE
The woman said her daughter told her of the alleged rape only after the family had returned home. The mother told Judge Durcan that after questioning her daughter “she said that he had sex with her”.
After her daughter's disclosure, the woman said she brought her daughter to hospital to be forensically examined. The woman said she also informed the gardaí and Tusla – Child and Family Agency of the allegation.
The woman said her own suspicions were raised by her own mother who said, concerning the woman’s husband, “Don’t you think he is too loving towards your daughter?”
Prior to her daughter’s disclosure but after the holiday, the woman said one evening at home she found her husband in a bedroom with her daughter who was standing in her underwear “and she was really frightened”.
The woman said her husband then took her daughter for a drive. The mother said she later asked her daughter “Did Daddy touch you?”
After the daughter’s disclosure concerning the alleged rape on holiday, the mother told the court: “I was just in complete shock.”
The mother stated that her daughter told her that her father also asked to have sex with her on the drive but that she refused.
The woman told the court: “The man is being verbally, emotionally and physically abusive towards me.” Judge Durcan granted the woman a protection order.


theirishtimes--2020-09-03--Centuries-old requirement ends as solicitors awarded senior counsel titles for first time

The first group of solicitors to be granted the title of “ senior counsel ” has been announced , following Cabinet approval .
For centuries only barristers could be awarded the title , which means they are called to the “ inner bar ” and are permitted to charge higher fees .
Under legal reforms introduced by the Legal Services Regulatory Authority Act 2015 and approved by cabinet on Tuesday , solicitors can now be made senior counsels .
However they will remain solicitors .
A committee chaired by the Chief Justice makes recommendations to the Government on who should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The title recognises particular competence and expertise in lawyers .
It is not yet clear how the senior counsel title will affect the earning ability of solicitors who receive it .
It is understood over 60 solicitors applied to be considered for the title , of which 17 were chosen .
These include well known criminal defence solicitors Michael Staines and Dara Robinson and Dundalk solicitor James MacGuill .
“ I am delighted that the contributions and services of the solicitors ’ profession are recognised and valued on par with our barrister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michele O ’ Boyle .
“ It is in the public interest that there is competition and choice .
I hope and expect many more solicitors who possess the necessary skills , knowledge and experience will apply in the coming years .
This is particularly so in circumstances where solicitors are central to the functioning of the courts system and the administration of justice.
” In addition to the 17 solicitors , 20 barristers were also made senior counsel on Wednesday .

It is understood over 60 solicitors applied to be considered for the title of Senior Counsel, of which 17 were chosen.
The first group of solicitors to be granted the title of “senior counsel” has been announced, following Cabinet approval.
For centuries only barristers could be awarded the title, which means they are called to the “inner bar” and are permitted to charge higher fees.
Under legal reforms introduced by the Legal Services Regulatory Authority Act 2015 and approved by cabinet on Tuesday, solicitors can now be made senior counsels. However they will remain solicitors.
A committee chaired by the Chief Justice makes recommendations to the Government on who should receive such “patents of precedence”.
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The title recognises particular competence and expertise in lawyers. It is not yet clear how the senior counsel title will affect the earning ability of solicitors who receive it.
It is understood over 60 solicitors applied to be considered for the title, of which 17 were chosen.
These include well known criminal defence solicitors Michael Staines and Dara Robinson and Dundalk solicitor James MacGuill.
"I am delighted that the contributions and services of the solicitors' profession are recognised and valued on par with our barrister colleagues," said Law Society President Michele O'Boyle.
“It is in the public interest that there is competition and choice. I hope and expect many more solicitors who possess the necessary skills, knowledge and experience will apply in the coming years. This is particularly so in circumstances where solicitors are central to the functioning of the courts system and the administration of justice.”
In addition to the 17 solicitors, 20 barristers were also made senior counsel on Wednesday.


theirishtimes--2020-09-04--‘Complete nonsense’: hotel manager says Government ‘obsessed’ with hospitality industry

A Co Clare hotel manager has said the Government is “ obsessed ” with the hospitality industry and described the latest rules requiring records of the meals ordered as “ nonsense ” .
The new rules , which came into effect on Thursday , will require restaurants and pubs serving food to make a record of all meals ordered .
They must be able to make the records available to a member of An Garda Síochána for up to 28 days after the meal .
The Government is facing a furious backlash from publicans and restaurants over the new regulations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Licensed Vintners Association have written to the Data Protection Commissioner seeking a view on the new requirements , while Fianna Fáil TD Marc MacSharry condemned what he described as “ Stasi ” guidelines .
Donal Minihan , general manager of Hotel Doolin , told the Claire Byrne Show on RTÉ Radio One there had been “ no consultation , no communication , no working with us , no advance notice ” .
“ It ’ s complete nonsense , we all want to follow the guidelines and do our best to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be obsessed with the hospitality industry as if we ’ re the root cause of Covid , and we ’ re not , ” he said .
“ It feels at the moment as if there ’ s somebody in an office up in Dublin just making up rules for the craic .
There ’ s been no consultation , no communication , no working with us , no advance notice , I found out about this new regulation last night on Facebook .
” Mr Minihan said there was utter confusion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other , giving contradictory advice , and everybody interpreting the guidelines differently .
“ So it ’ s like living at the moment in some sort of Kafkaesque state .
“ I think the Government needs to trust us , and to trust our customers .
We ’ ve the guards checking in with us every night ; they come in , they check our bookings for our contact tracing , we ’ ve absolutely no problem doing that .
They look around , they see people sitting down at the table , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do what is right .
“ We ’ re all worried about Covid , but we ’ re also all worried about keeping our businesses open .
We ’ re worried about surviving the winter , ” Mr Minihan said .
“ I ’ m worried about 100 jobs here in Hotel Doolin , ” he added .
He said there was a lot of paperwork in recording all meals , and in recording everybody ’ s details , “ and I presume keeping the receipt from the till and filing it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of data protection .
Nobody consulted anybody on data protection.
” “ This is a step too far , I don ’ t see the relevance of what people have to eat .
I don ’ t think this will help , it is an unnecessary burden .
I think it ’ s the straw that will break the camel ’ s back.
” On its Facebook page , the hotel said it would not be abiding by the new guidelines .
A post last night said : “ Dear Minister Donnelly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our customers have to eat for their breakfast , lunch and dinner as we working people have enough to be doing trying our best to keep our business open and everybody safe without following nonsensical laws .
You , on the other hand , obviously have plenty of time on your hands to be coming up with crap like this so I would suggest maybe you go do a day ’ s work experience in a meat factory or have a sleepover in a direct provision centre and see how you like it @ @

A Co Clare hotel manager has said the Government is “obsessed” with the hospitality industry and described the latest rules requiring records of the meals ordered as “nonsense”.
The new rules, which came into effect on Thursday, will require restaurants and pubs serving food to make a record of all meals ordered. They must be able to make the records available to a member of An Garda Síochána for up to 28 days after the meal.
The Government is facing a furious backlash from publicans and restaurants over the new regulations . Both the Restaurants Association of Ireland and Licensed Vintners Association have written to the Data Protection Commissioner seeking a view on the new requirements, while Fianna Fáil TD Marc MacSharry condemned what he described as "Stasi" guidelines.
A message to Minister Donnelly from Hotel Doolin. Posted by Hotel Doolin Ireland on Thursday, September 3, 2020
Donal Minihan, general manager of Hotel Doolin, told the Claire Byrne Show on RTÉ Radio One there had been "no consultation, no communication, no working with us, no advance notice".
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“It’s complete nonsense, we all want to follow the guidelines and do our best to keep people safe – this Government seems to be obsessed with the hospitality industry as if we’re the root cause of Covid, and we’re not,” he said.
"It feels at the moment as if there's somebody in an office up in Dublin just making up rules for the craic. There's been no consultation, no communication, no working with us, no advance notice, I found out about this new regulation last night on Facebook. "
Mr Minihan said there was utter confusion in the industry with Government departments contradicting each other, giving contradictory advice, and everybody interpreting the guidelines differently.
“So it’s like living at the moment in some sort of Kafkaesque state.
“I think the Government needs to trust us, and to trust our customers. We’ve the guards checking in with us every night; they come in, they check our bookings for our contact tracing, we’ve absolutely no problem doing that. They look around, they see people sitting down at the table, eating food, we all want to do what is right.
“We’re all worried about Covid, but we’re also all worried about keeping our businesses open. We’re worried about surviving the winter,” Mr Minihan said. “I’m worried about 100 jobs here in Hotel Doolin,” he added.
He said there was a lot of paperwork in recording all meals, and in recording everybody’s details, “and I presume keeping the receipt from the till and filing it. But there’s also the issue of data protection. Nobody consulted anybody on data protection.”
“This is a step too far, I don’t see the relevance of what people have to eat. I don’t think this will help, it is an unnecessary burden. I think it’s the straw that will break the camel’s back.”
On its Facebook page, the hotel said it would not be abiding by the new guidelines. A post last night said: "Dear Minister Donnelly, Hotel Doolin will not be recording what our customers have to eat for their breakfast, lunch and dinner as we working people have enough to be doing trying our best to keep our business open and everybody safe without following nonsensical laws. You, on the other hand, obviously have plenty of time on your hands to be coming up with crap like this so I would suggest maybe you go do a day's work experience in a meat factory or have a sleepover in a direct provision centre and see how you like it".


theirishtimes--2020-09-04--Schools should not screen temperature or symptoms, says Hiqa

Temperature and symptom screening should not be conducted in schools , the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) has said following a review of international Covid-19 guidelines .
The health authority ’ s review into how other countries are dealing with Covid-19 outbreaks in schools , published on Friday , concluded that schools should not make a decision to close without input from public health authorities and that any reported symptoms or absenteeism associated with the virus be reported to the appropriate public health or Government body .
The review , which was carried out to help assist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ( NPHET ) response to the pandemic , examined guidelines in 20 countries and two international public health bodies and found an overall consensus that children should stay home if they have a fever .
However , there were differences of opinion as to what other symptoms should require a child to stay out of school .
Evidence to date suggests the majority of children and young people diagnosed with Covid-19 suffer mild or no symptoms , notes the report .
All countries and health bodies reviewed agreed that any child who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolated rapidly ” and sent home or to a medical facility depending in the severity of the symptoms .
There was also agreement that a child ’ s fever must be resolved before s/he returns to school while some countries said children who tested positive and had lingering symptoms , such as a dry cough or loss of smell or taste , could go back into the school setting after isolating for between 7 to 14 days .
Most agreed that close contacts to a child who tests positive should quarantine for 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ten days would be enough .
All countries reviewed agreed that universal health screening for children , including temperature and symptoms screening , should not be conducted in schools .
Singapore was the only country recommending these measures be taken daily .
On symptoms , German guidances states that a child with a cough does not necessarily mean s/he has Covid-19 and that the opinion of a paediatrician should be sought , while Norwegian guidance recommends that young people and school staff with pollen allergy symptoms – such as a runny nose or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In contrast , Sweden advises that people with allergies stay home even if they experience mild symptoms .
Norway noted that many younger children often have runny noses and that these children should continue to go to school if they do not have a fever and are otherwise healthy .
The Dutch guidelines also noted that young children often have persistent colds and that children less than four , who have a runny nose or a sore throat , can go to school as long as they have no fever .
Singaporean guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who feel unwell , including those with respiratory symptoms , should be assessed by a doctor .
Hiqa warned of limited international guidance around how to identify and manage Covid-19 symptoms among clinically vulnerable young people and children .
There was a variation in guidance as to whether an entire classroom should quarantine if a case is confirmed and what steps family members should take around staying home .
The review notes that the local level of community transmission should be a key consideration when deciding whether to close a school and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools will need to evolve as further evidence emerges .
Information for the Hiqa review was collected from a number of international health bodies , including the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control , health departments in Australia , New Zealand , Canada , Switzerland and Singapore and through an examination of measures being taken in nine European countries – Austria , the Netherlands , Belgium , Spain , France , Iceland , Denmark , Germany and Sweden .
Hiqa deputy chief executive Dr Máirín Ryan said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or child-to-adult ” transmission of the virus but noted that when transmission did occur , and results in school closures , it can have an “ adverse impact ” on children ’ s social , emotional and behavioural health .
The best way to manage Covid-19 in schools is by ensuring students and staff who have symptoms stay at home and that everyone practices “ good respiratory etiquette and performs frequent hand hygiene ” , said Dr Ryan .
A second Hiqa review into emergency medical dispatch centres during Covid-19 , also published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Ambulance service , found medical dispatches remained a “ central and vital component ” of the ongoing Covid-19 response .
However , it warned of “ little guidance ” from international bodies regarding medium or long term planning for emergency dispatches in the context of the pandemic and highlighted the importance of monitoring data and service provision for future planning .
International health documents with “ clear authority to provide guidance ” published between February and July 2020 were analysed by Hiqa , including information from United States government institutions and organisations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried out among those providing emergency services were also examined , including documents previously published on the Sars pandemic .
The importance of developing backup sites and strengthening infrastructure , including cybersecurity , was highlighted in the documents , as well as updating protocols and procedures in the context of Covid-19 .
However , many of these international documents did not use the term ‘ guidelines ’ to describe their content while few documents provided guidance on the topic of medical dispatch centres and often lacked detailed descriptions , cautioned Hiqa .
Overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simple recommendations or short lists of points for consideration in planning services ” , the Hiqa review found .

The health authority’s review into how other countries are dealing with Covid-19 outbreaks in schools was published on Friday. Photograph: iStock.
Temperature and symptom screening should not be conducted in schools, the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) has said following a review of international Covid-19 guidelines.
The health authority’s review into how other countries are dealing with Covid-19 outbreaks in schools, published on Friday, concluded that schools should not make a decision to close without input from public health authorities and that any reported symptoms or absenteeism associated with the virus be reported to the appropriate public health or Government body.
The review, which was carried out to help assist the National Public Health Emergency Team’s (NPHET) response to the pandemic, examined guidelines in 20 countries and two international public health bodies and found an overall consensus that children should stay home if they have a fever. However, there were differences of opinion as to what other symptoms should require a child to stay out of school.
Evidence to date suggests the majority of children and young people diagnosed with Covid-19 suffer mild or no symptoms, notes the report. All countries and health bodies reviewed agreed that any child who becomes symptomatic in school should be “isolated rapidly” and sent home or to a medical facility depending in the severity of the symptoms.
READ MORE
There was also agreement that a child’s fever must be resolved before s/he returns to school while some countries said children who tested positive and had lingering symptoms, such as a dry cough or loss of smell or taste, could go back into the school setting after isolating for between 7 to 14 days.
Most agreed that close contacts to a child who tests positive should quarantine for 14 days, although some suggested seven to ten days would be enough.
All countries reviewed agreed that universal health screening for children, including temperature and symptoms screening, should not be conducted in schools. Singapore was the only country recommending these measures be taken daily.
On symptoms, German guidances states that a child with a cough does not necessarily mean s/he has Covid-19 and that the opinion of a paediatrician should be sought, while Norwegian guidance recommends that young people and school staff with pollen allergy symptoms – such as a runny nose or itchy eyes – may attend school. In contrast, Sweden advises that people with allergies stay home even if they experience mild symptoms.
Norway noted that many younger children often have runny noses and that these children should continue to go to school if they do not have a fever and are otherwise healthy. The Dutch guidelines also noted that young children often have persistent colds and that children less than four, who have a runny nose or a sore throat, can go to school as long as they have no fever.
Singaporean guidance states that children aged 12 or younger who feel unwell, including those with respiratory symptoms, should be assessed by a doctor.
Hiqa warned of limited international guidance around how to identify and manage Covid-19 symptoms among clinically vulnerable young people and children.
There was a variation in guidance as to whether an entire classroom should quarantine if a case is confirmed and what steps family members should take around staying home.
Community transmission
The review notes that the local level of community transmission should be a key consideration when deciding whether to close a school and that public health guidelines on managing Covid-19 in schools will need to evolve as further evidence emerges.
Information for the Hiqa review was collected from a number of international health bodies, including the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, health departments in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Switzerland and Singapore and through an examination of measures being taken in nine European countries – Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, France, Iceland, Denmark, Germany and Sweden.
Hiqa deputy chief executive Dr Máirín Ryan said there was “limited evidence of child-to-child or child-to-adult” transmission of the virus but noted that when transmission did occur, and results in school closures, it can have an “adverse impact” on children’s social, emotional and behavioural health.
The best way to manage Covid-19 in schools is by ensuring students and staff who have symptoms stay at home and that everyone practices “good respiratory etiquette and performs frequent hand hygiene”, said Dr Ryan.
Emergency services
A second Hiqa review into emergency medical dispatch centres during Covid-19, also published Friday to assist the work of the National Ambulance service, found medical dispatches remained a “central and vital component” of the ongoing Covid-19 response.
However, it warned of “little guidance” from international bodies regarding medium or long term planning for emergency dispatches in the context of the pandemic and highlighted the importance of monitoring data and service provision for future planning.
International health documents with “clear authority to provide guidance” published between February and July 2020 were analysed by Hiqa, including information from United States government institutions and organisations involved in providing emergency services.
Surveys carried out among those providing emergency services were also examined, including documents previously published on the Sars pandemic. The importance of developing backup sites and strengthening infrastructure, including cybersecurity, was highlighted in the documents, as well as updating protocols and procedures in the context of Covid-19.
However, many of these international documents did not use the term ‘guidelines’ to describe their content while few documents provided guidance on the topic of medical dispatch centres and often lacked detailed descriptions, cautioned Hiqa.
Overall, the documents largely comprised of “simple recommendations or short lists of points for consideration in planning services”, the Hiqa review found.


theirishtimes--2020-09-04--Blackout 1939: When Ireland’s citizens were asked to pull together in crisis

On September 4th 1939 , The Irish Times carried a story that had been anticipated .
The news of the day dominated the top-right hand corner of page three .
The headline shouted : “ WE ARE AT WAR ; WE ARE READY.
” The story , of course , was of Britain ’ s declaration of war on Germany the previous evening , following Hitler ’ s invasion of Poland and a subsequent ultimatum issued by the prime minister .
Carried in the report were the words spoken the day before as the Neville Chamberlain addressed the House of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Mr Chamberlain had said .
“ It is a sad day for all of us .
Everything I worked for , everything that I had hoped for , everything that I believed in during my public life has crashed into ruins this morning.
” That particular issue of The Irish Times must have been a busy one to put together .
The edition is packed , with much more home news than one would expect to see in that era .
On page 10 , alongside reports concerning Irish neutrality , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which also took place the day before .
Under heavy thunderstorms , Kilkenny won the title - their twelfth - after getting “ the last swing of fortune ’ s pendulum ” and scoring a last minute point to win 2-7 3-3 .
The storm through which the teams played was “ violent ” and in some areas , roadways had been torn up .
A couple of columns over from the biggest story on page three is another which illuminates the effects of The Emergency as they were felt by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ blackout ” - that is , the practice of minimising the amount of exposed light at night-time , for the purpose of hiding from any warplanes that may fly over-head .
After dark , buses were supposed to run without interior lighting .
Cars were directed to use sidelights only and traffic was to move slowly .
Businesses were to have their windows covered and demand for blackout curtains soared .
The measures required widespread participation .
As you might have guessed , not everybody played ball that first weekend , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The blackout in Sligo caused much confusion and dislocation of trade on Saturday night .
In the darkness groups of irresponsible youths used the conditions as an opportunity for buffoonery and unseemly antics , and it is apparent to the bulk of the traders and shoppers here that should the continued blackout be necessary the local police will have to be augmented or a system of curfew imposed.
” A similar story , the day before on September 3rd ( a rare Sunday edition - the first in about 25 years at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blackout was not adhered to equally over the country on Saturday , as teased by the headline : “ Black-out that was not ; trams and ‘ bus lights as usual ’ .
” The report said that while the capital tried to hold a complete blackout , the attempt ‘ was a failure ’ .
Buses were lit up and many buildings were inadequately shuttered .
Leinster House , for one , “ was described as being a blaze of light ” .
A plane belonging to the Defence Forces circled Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from above .
In one case , it flew low over a house that didn ’ t seem to take the hint .
The Irish Times reported : “ At Mount Merrion , a large house displayed a number of unshuttered lights .
Two large bay windows lay wide open and brilliant light streamed through on to the lawn outside .
The aeroplane swooped very low over this house and began circling over the building , switching on and off its navigation lights .
“ After a time the residents of the house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , realised that the ‘ plane was signalling them to screen the lights .
They then proceeded to draw their shutters and blinds.
” In Dublin on Sunday night , there was not much talk of war .
The suburbs were in darkness , with windows heavily curtained .
Every fifth lamp was lit on O ’ Connell street .
The roads were wet , and nervous drivers in motor cars and buses “ groped their way slowly by the faint light of their parking lamps ” .
“ For all these evil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk of the war , ” wrote an Irish Times reporter .
“ People had been going their lawful and normal occasions all the evening , just as if nothing had happened , and as if all was still well with the world .
Young men and girls poured out of the cinemas in their usual Sunday night thousands , but most of them were discussing the picture .
One young woman said that she never liked ‘ that fella Pat O ’ Brien ’ .
He was too rough .
Someone else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... ” Overall , it appeared the measures were quite widely observed , according to the newspapers .
An Irishman ’ s Diary postscript said that the blackout improved night-on-night that first weekend , “ but , as before , there were any number of motorists whose lights were less dim than their wits ” .
On the topic of motorists , something of an ironic court report appeared in September 5th ’ s edition ; a number of drivers had been summoned at Shankill District Court for not having lights on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next court would probably see gardaí prosecuting motorists for actually having those same lights on their cars .
Another feature of the editions of The Irish Times during the first days of September 1939 is the increase in space bought by opportune advertisers .
One such ad for G D Grannell contractors on September 3rd says : “ If war comes to Ireland be prepared by consulting us about your air raid shelter.
” The bottom of the copy proudly reads : “ The First in Ireland to Advertise Air Raid Shelters.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & Co of North Earl Street promises an abundant stock of fairly-priced blankets , “ war or no war ” .
The war also prompted masses of Irish people to leave England to return home .
More than 1,000 people - many women with children - reached Cork on Sunday afternoon and were met by friends and relatives .
Travellers reported long delays to trains in darkened stations in England .
In Killarney on Saturday , where there was “ almost 100 per cent co-operation from the public ” during the blackout , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on late trains , some having travelled for 27 hours .
“ When the tired travellers alighted on the platform , ” reads one report , “ there was a scramble for luggage , most of which was without labels.
” Some gave vivid descriptions of “ the exodus from London ” and the scenes at Paddington Station , which was “ stormed by thousands of Irish people anxious to leave ” .
One woman , who had undertaken the trip , remarked : “ I do not know how I got into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to go through it all again.
” The same night , a ship from Liverpool arrived in Dublin five hours late .
In the darkness and confusion , two people fell overboard : Mary Collier from Co Louth went into the water after a “ fainting fit ” , while Mr W Glass of Kimmage fell from the same vessel .
Both were rescued and treated in hospital .
On Tuesday night , Sean Moylan , parliamentary secretary to the minister for defence , took to the airwaves to thank citizens for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the public to further adhere to the emergency measures amid the developing crisis : “ In appealing for the co-operation of the citizens for their own protection , I am happy in the knowledge that I am appealing to people whose courage has never been a matter of doubt with me , and of whose unselfishness and thought for the neighbour in distress I have had ample proof.
” You can read the full edition from September 4th , 1939 , here .

On September 4th 1939, The Irish Times carried a story that had been anticipated. The news of the day dominated the top-right hand corner of page three. The headline shouted: “WE ARE AT WAR; WE ARE READY.”
The story, of course, was of Britain's declaration of war on Germany the previous evening, following Hitler's invasion of Poland and a subsequent ultimatum issued by the prime minister.
Carried in the report were the words spoken the day before as the Neville Chamberlain addressed the House of Commons: "We are ready," Mr Chamberlain had said. "It is a sad day for all of us. Everything I worked for, everything that I had hoped for, everything that I believed in during my public life has crashed into ruins this morning."
That particular issue of The Irish Times must have been a busy one to put together. The edition is packed, with much more home news than one would expect to see in that era.
READ MORE
‘German guns in action’ - published September 3rd in The Irish Times
On page 10, alongside reports concerning Irish neutrality, is the report from the All-Ireland hurling final, which also took place the day before.
Under heavy thunderstorms, Kilkenny won the title - their twelfth - after getting “the last swing of fortune’s pendulum” and scoring a last minute point to win 2-7 3-3. The storm through which the teams played was “violent” and in some areas, roadways had been torn up.
A couple of columns over from the biggest story on page three is another which illuminates the effects of The Emergency as they were felt by the people of Ireland: dealing with the “blackout” - that is, the practice of minimising the amount of exposed light at night-time, for the purpose of hiding from any warplanes that may fly over-head.
After dark, buses were supposed to run without interior lighting. Cars were directed to use sidelights only and traffic was to move slowly. Businesses were to have their windows covered and demand for blackout curtains soared.
The measures required widespread participation. As you might have guessed, not everybody played ball that first weekend, and no small amount of mischief occurred: “The blackout in Sligo caused much confusion and dislocation of trade on Saturday night. In the darkness groups of irresponsible youths used the conditions as an opportunity for buffoonery and unseemly antics, and it is apparent to the bulk of the traders and shoppers here that should the continued blackout be necessary the local police will have to be augmented or a system of curfew imposed.”
‘Failure’
A similar story, the day before on September 3rd (a rare Sunday edition - the first in about 25 years at that time), revealed that the blackout was not adhered to equally over the country on Saturday, as teased by the headline: “Black-out that was not; trams and ‘bus lights as usual’.”
The report said that while the capital tried to hold a complete blackout, the attempt ‘was a failure’. Buses were lit up and many buildings were inadequately shuttered. Leinster House, for one, “was described as being a blaze of light”.
A plane belonging to the Defence Forces circled Dublin to see the effect of the blackout from above. In one case, it flew low over a house that didn’t seem to take the hint. The Irish Times reported: “At Mount Merrion, a large house displayed a number of unshuttered lights. Two large bay windows lay wide open and brilliant light streamed through on to the lawn outside. The aeroplane swooped very low over this house and began circling over the building, switching on and off its navigation lights.
‘War Fever’: The leader for September 3rd, 1939 sits alongside a map of Poland
“After a time the residents of the house, who had assembled in the garden, realised that the ‘plane was signalling them to screen the lights. They then proceeded to draw their shutters and blinds.”
In Dublin on Sunday night, there was not much talk of war. The suburbs were in darkness, with windows heavily curtained. Every fifth lamp was lit on O’Connell street. The roads were wet, and nervous drivers in motor cars and buses “groped their way slowly by the faint light of their parking lamps”.
“For all these evil omens, however, there was little talk of the war,” wrote an Irish Times reporter.
“People had been going their lawful and normal occasions all the evening, just as if nothing had happened, and as if all was still well with the world. Young men and girls poured out of the cinemas in their usual Sunday night thousands, but most of them were discussing the picture. One young woman said that she never liked ‘that fella Pat O’Brien’. He was too rough. Someone else thought another picture was ‘lov-ely’...”
Overall, it appeared the measures were quite widely observed, according to the newspapers. An Irishman’s Diary postscript said that the blackout improved night-on-night that first weekend, “but, as before, there were any number of motorists whose lights were less dim than their wits”.
On the topic of motorists, something of an ironic court report appeared in September 5th’s edition; a number of drivers had been summoned at Shankill District Court for not having lights on their cars. The judge remarked that the next court would probably see gardaí prosecuting motorists for actually having those same lights on their cars.
Opportunistic advertisers, September 3rd, 1939
Another feature of the editions of The Irish Times during the first days of September 1939 is the increase in space bought by opportune advertisers. One such ad for G D Grannell contractors on September 3rd says: “If war comes to Ireland be prepared by consulting us about your air raid shelter.”
The bottom of the copy proudly reads: “The First in Ireland to Advertise Air Raid Shelters.”
Directly beneath that, O’Reilly & Co of North Earl Street promises an abundant stock of fairly-priced blankets, “war or no war”.
‘Exodus from London’
The war also prompted masses of Irish people to leave England to return home.
More than 1,000 people - many women with children - reached Cork on Sunday afternoon and were met by friends and relatives. Travellers reported long delays to trains in darkened stations in England.
In Killarney on Saturday, where there was “almost 100 per cent co-operation from the public” during the blackout, hundreds of Irish people arrived from London on late trains, some having travelled for 27 hours.
A householder in Dún Laoghaire takes precautions - published September 6th, 1939 in The Irish Times
“When the tired travellers alighted on the platform,” reads one report, “there was a scramble for luggage, most of which was without labels.” Some gave vivid descriptions of “the exodus from London” and the scenes at Paddington Station, which was “stormed by thousands of Irish people anxious to leave”. One woman, who had undertaken the trip, remarked: “I do not know how I got into my train alive. I would not like to go through it all again.”
The same night, a ship from Liverpool arrived in Dublin five hours late. In the darkness and confusion, two people fell overboard: Mary Collier from Co Louth went into the water after a “fainting fit”, while Mr W Glass of Kimmage fell from the same vessel. Both were rescued and treated in hospital.
On Tuesday night, Sean Moylan, parliamentary secretary to the minister for defence, took to the airwaves to thank citizens for their efforts, and to ask members of the public to further adhere to the emergency measures amid the developing crisis: "In appealing for the co-operation of the citizens for their own protection, I am happy in the knowledge that I am appealing to people whose courage has never been a matter of doubt with me, and of whose unselfishness and thought for the neighbour in distress I have had ample proof."
You can read the full edition from September 4th, 1939, here.