theirishtimes--2020-05-21--Covid-19: Relative of nursing home resident who died calls for State inquiry

The niece of a resident who died in St Mary ’ s Hospital nursing home in Dublin ’ s Phoenix Park has called for a statutory inquiry into the State ’ s response to coronavirus in long-term residential facilities .
Rose Hegarty ( 84 ) died on April 27th after contracting coronavirus in the Health Service Executive-run nursing home .
To date 24 residents have died from an outbreak of Covid-19 in the 150-bed facility , which has a separate 48-bed step down hospital .
Her niece Jane Carrigan said she would be in favour of a statutory inquiry so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the future .
“ Rosie was very articulate , but there may have been other residents who were not , I think an inquiry would give a voice to those people who may have died , ” she said .
St Mary ’ s is one of the worst hit nursing homes in the country , and there are 4,872 cases across the overall sector .
Nursing home residents have accounted for 54 per cent of the total number of deaths from the virus .
“ We knew from Spain and parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be badly hit , ” yet there was a sense they had been “ forgotten about in the planning , ” Ms Carrigan said .
The HSE has appointed an independent investigator to examine allegations made by a healthcare worker of shortcomings at St Mary ’ s .
The staff member ’ s protected disclosure alleged shortcomings in the supply of personal protective equipment , and lack of testing for staff at the start of the outbreak in late March .
Ms Carrigan said she “ welcomed ” the investigation , but added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked ” about how the entire sector responded to Covid-19 .
There was a need to understand why some facilities were able to prevent or minimise outbreaks while others were not , she said .
A spokesman for health regulator , the Health Information and Quality Authority , said that it had formally asked for a copy of the HSE ’ s investigation into the St Mary ’ s whistleblower claims .
HIQA said that it was advised on May 6th of “ serious concerns ” regarding the health and safety of residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Covid-19 outbreak .
“ Separately , we became aware that the HSE was conducting an investigation into the issues identified .
The chief inspector has formally requested a copy of the investigation report when it is completed , ” said the HIQA spokesman .
“ The outcome of any review undertaken by the HSE will inform HIQA ’ s regulatory response.
” The regulator declined to comment further until it sees the HSE review .
HIQA records show that its last routine inspection of St Mary ’ s was on August 28th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living in the residential facility at the time .
The regulator checked the nursing home for compliance concerning 20 regulations under the Health Act 2007 that covers the care and welfare of residents in designated centres for older people .
It found that the nursing home was “ not compliant ” under four regulations and “ substantially compliant ” or “ compliant ” under the remaining 16 regulations , according to the inspection report on the unannounced visit published by HIQA in November 2019 .
The inspector did not check the nursing home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Act that assesses whether the procedures in a care facility is consistent with national standards for the prevent and control of healthcare-associated infections are implemented by staff .
HIQA found during an earlier inspection , in January 2018 , that St Mary ’ s was “ kept clean ” and that there were “ measures in place to control and prevent infection ” .
“ Although the centre was experiencing an outbreak of infection at the time of the inspection , this was being managed in accordance with guidance from the department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspection report , published in May 2018 , said .
“ Good infection control measures were fully implemented which had contained the infection and prevented it from spreading to other units in the centre .
”

Some 24 residents have died from an outbreak of Covid-19 in the 150-bed St Mary’s nursing home, which has a separate 48-bed step down hospital. Photograph: Eric Luke
The niece of a resident who died in St Mary's Hospital nursing home in Dublin's Phoenix Park has called for a statutory inquiry into the State's response to coronavirus in long-term residential facilities.
Rose Hegarty (84) died on April 27th after contracting the disease also known as Covid-19 in the Health Service Executive-run nursing home. To date 24 residents have died from an outbreak of Covid-19 in the 150-bed facility, which has a separate 48-bed step down hospital.
Her niece Jane Carrigan said she would be in favour of a statutory inquiry so the health service could learn lessons for the future.
“Rosie was very articulate but there may have been other residents who were not. I think an inquiry would give a voice to those people who may have died,” she said.
READ MORE
St Mary’s is one of the worst hit nursing homes in the country, and there are 4,872 cases across the sector. Nursing home residents have accounted for 54 per cent of the total number of deaths from the virus.
"We knew from Spain and parts of America that nursing homes were going to be badly hit" yet there was a sense they had been "forgotten about in the planning," Ms Carrigan said.
The HSE has appointed an independent investigator to examine allegations made by a healthcare worker of shortcomings at St Mary’s. The staff member’s protected disclosure alleged shortcomings in the supply of personal protective equipment, and lack of testing for staff at the start of the outbreak in late March.
Ms Carrigan said she “welcomed” the investigation, but added there were “wider questions to be asked” about how the entire sector responded to Covid-19. There was a need to understand why some facilities were able to prevent or minimise outbreaks while others were not, she said.
A spokesman for health regulator, the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa), said that it had formally asked for a copy of the HSE's investigation into the St Mary's whistleblower claims.
Hiqa said that it was advised on May 6th of “serious concerns” regarding the health and safety of residents at the nursing home allegedly related to a Covid-19 outbreak.
“Separately, we became aware that the HSE was conducting an investigation into the issues identified. The chief inspector has formally requested a copy of the investigation report when it is completed,” said the Hiqa spokesman.
“The outcome of any review undertaken by the HSE will inform Hiqa’s regulatory response.” The regulator declined to comment further until it saw the HSE review.
Hiqa records show that its last routine inspection of St Mary’s was on August 28th, 2019 when there were 147 residents living in the residential facility at the time.
The regulator checked the nursing home for compliance concerning 20 regulations under the Health Act 2007 that covers the care and welfare of residents in designated centres for older people.
It found that the nursing home was “not compliant” under four regulations and “substantially compliant” or “compliant” under the remaining 16 regulations, according to the inspection report on the unannounced visit published by Hiqa in November 2019.
The inspector did not check the nursing home for compliance with Regulation 27 of the Health Act that assesses whether staff are implementing the procedures in a care facility is consistent with national standards for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections.
Hiqa found during an earlier inspection, in January 2018, that St Mary’s was “kept clean” and that there were “measures in place to control and prevent infection”.
“Although the centre was experiencing an outbreak of infection at the time of the inspection, this was being managed in accordance with guidance from the department of public health,” the Hiqa inspection report, published in May 2018, said.
“Good infection control measures were fully implemented which had contained the infection and prevented it from spreading to other units in the centre.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-21--Woman seriously injured after assault in Dublin city apartment

Gardaí in Dublin have appealed for witnesses in connection with an assault that occurred in an apartment on Parnell Street @ @ @ @ @ about 2:45am on Thursday morning .
It was alleged that a man in his 30s @ @ @ @ @ aged in her 30s in the apartment .
The suspect left the building and allegedly @ @ @ @ @ area before fleeing the scene .
He was apprehended soon after by gardaí on Parnell @ @ @ @ @ Garda Station , where he is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice @ @ @ @ @ was taken to the Mater hospital with serious injuries .
The Garda investigation is ongoing @ @ @ @ @ for information to contact Mountjoy Garda Station on 01 666 8600 or the Garda Confidential @ @ @ @ @ .

The suspect was apprehended by gardaí on Parnell Street and taken to Mountjoy Garda Station. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire.
Gardaí in Dublin have appealed for witnesses in connection with an assault that occurred in an apartment on Parnell Street, Dublin 1, at about 2:45am on Thursday morning.
It was alleged that a man in his 30s assaulted a woman, also aged in her 30s in the apartment.
The suspect left the building and allegedly damaged a car in the area before fleeing the scene.
He was apprehended soon after by gardaí on Parnell Street and taken to Mountjoy Garda Station, where he is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
READ MORE
The woman was taken to the Mater hospital with serious injuries. The Garda investigation is ongoing.
Gardaí appealed for anyone for information to contact Mountjoy Garda Station on 01 666 8600 or the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111.


theirishtimes--2020-05-21--Emma DeSouza withdraws case after winning immigration case

The campaigner Emma DeSouza is to withdraw her legal challenge to the British government ’ s immigration policy in Northern Ireland after a significant concession by the British Home Office last week effectively resolved her case .
“ Legally , with this concession from the Home Office , we regrettably can not proceed , because in essence , we have won , ” she said .
All Irish and British citizens born in Northern Ireland will now be treated as EU citizens for immigration purposes until June 2021 .
Ms DeSouza , from Magherafelt , Co Derry , had fought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US-born husband , Jake , to stay in Northern Ireland , without compromising her right to identify as an Irish citizen .
However , the Home Office had rejected the couple ’ s application on the basis that Ms DeSouza was British , and requested that she either apply for residency for her husband as a British citizen or renounce her British citizenship and apply as an Irish citizen .
She challenged that decision , stating that she had never held a British passport and the Belfast Agreement allowed her to identify as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Home Office said the change “ delivers on the commitment the UK government made in the New Decade , New Approach agreement in January 2020 which restored the power-sharing Executive in Northern Ireland.
” Speaking at a press conference on Thursday , Ms DeSouza said the changes “ forced through by our case will now allow Jake to remain in the United Kingdom on the basis of my Irish citizenship and require the Home Office to respect my right under the Good Friday ( Belfast ) Agreement to be accepted as Irish.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the terms which set the foundation of our legal complaint , and the grounds which we were forced to argue in court time and again until the British government finally conceded that we were right all along .
“ Therefore we have been left with no other option but to withdraw our application to appeal to the Court of Appeal.
” However she said that the changes to immigration rule , while “ enormously welcomed and beneficial to many ” , did not fully address the issues highlighted by their case and there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic law for the citizenship and identity provisions of the Belfast Agreement .
“ We had hoped our legal challenge could help right that wrong and force the British government to amend statute in line with its international obligations , ” she said .
However Ms DeSouza said she and her husband would continue to campaign outside of the judicial system .
Sinn Féin senator Niall Ó Donnghaile , who was among those who supported the DeSouzas , said concerns remained around citizenship issues and the time-limited nature of the resolution .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , it does quite conveniently in some ways remove it from the judicial process , ” he said .
“ I think there a strong argument to be made for a very clear legal and legislative resolution to this , which remains the big deficit .
”

The campaigner Emma DeSouza is to withdraw her legal challenge to the British government’s immigration policy in Northern Ireland after a significant concession by the British Home Office last week effectively resolved her case.
“Legally, with this concession from the Home Office, we regrettably cannot proceed, because in essence, we have won,” she said.
All Irish and British citizens born in Northern Ireland will now be treated as EU citizens for immigration purposes until June 2021.
Ms DeSouza, from Magherafelt, Co Derry, had fought a lengthy immigration battle to allow her US-born husband, Jake, to stay in Northern Ireland, without compromising her right to identify as an Irish citizen.
READ MORE
However, the Home Office had rejected the couple’s application on the basis that Ms DeSouza was British, and requested that she either apply for residency for her husband as a British citizen or renounce her British citizenship and apply as an Irish citizen.
She challenged that decision, stating that she had never held a British passport and the Belfast Agreement allowed her to identify as Irish, British or both.
The Home Office said the change “delivers on the commitment the UK government made in the New Decade, New Approach agreement in January 2020 which restored the power-sharing Executive in Northern Ireland.”
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Ms DeSouza said the changes “forced through by our case will now allow Jake to remain in the United Kingdom on the basis of my Irish citizenship and require the Home Office to respect my right under the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement to be accepted as Irish.”
These were, she said, “the terms which set the foundation of our legal complaint, and the grounds which we were forced to argue in court time and again until the British government finally conceded that we were right all along.
“Therefore we have been left with no other option but to withdraw our application to appeal to the Court of Appeal.”
However she said that the changes to immigration rule, while “enormously welcomed and beneficial to many”, did not fully address the issues highlighted by their case and there was still no legal basis in UK domestic law for the citizenship and identity provisions of the Belfast Agreement.
“We had hoped our legal challenge could help right that wrong and force the British government to amend statute in line with its international obligations,” she said.
However Ms DeSouza said she and her husband would continue to campaign outside of the judicial system.
Sinn Féin senator Niall Ó Donnghaile, who was among those who supported the DeSouzas, said concerns remained around citizenship issues and the time-limited nature of the resolution.
“While the win will apply for some time, it does quite conveniently in some ways remove it from the judicial process,” he said.
“I think there a strong argument to be made for a very clear legal and legislative resolution to this, which remains the big deficit.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-21--Body found in Lough Erne believed to be Michael ‘Tony’ Lynch (55)

Police searching for the body of a man missing for 18 years have discovered human remains in Lough Erne , the PSNI confirmed on Thursday .
Police believe the remains are those of Michael “ Tony ” Lynch , who was reported missing on January 9th , 2002 .
The breakthrough in the missing persons case came on Monday when a car , a white Mitsubishi Gallant , belonging to Mr Lynch , was found submerged in the lake .
Mr Lynch ( 55 ) was originally from Co Fermanagh but lived in Clones , Co Monaghan .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Police can confirm that human remains have been found following the recovery of a car from Lough Erne in the Corradillar area of Fermanagh on Monday May 18th , ” said a PSNI spokesman .
“ The vehicle was located underwater by police divers and recovered for examination and is believed to be the Mitsubishi belonging to Michael ‘ Tony ’ Lynch who went missing from his home in Clones , Co Monaghan , 18 years ago , ” he said .
“ We are liaising with colleagues from An Garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s disappearance , ” added the spokesman .
The car was discovered by divers on Monday and taken away for examination .
A cross-Border search for Mr Lynch also took place in January this year involving Gardai and PSNI officers assisted by Civil Defence members .
Searches took place in ten lakes in Co Monaghan , but searches were suspended in March following the outbreak of Covid-19 .

Police searching for the body of a man missing for 18 years have discovered human remains in Lough Erne, the PSNI confirmed on Thursday.
Police believe the remains are those of Michael "Tony" Lynch, who was reported missing on January 9th, 2002.
The breakthrough in the missing persons case came on Monday when a car, a white Mitsubishi Gallant, belonging to Mr Lynch, was found submerged in the lake.
Mr Lynch (55) was originally from Co Fermanagh but lived in Clones, Co Monaghan. He was last seen on January 6th, 2002.
READ MORE
“Police can confirm that human remains have been found following the recovery of a car from Lough Erne in the Corradillar area of Fermanagh on Monday May 18th,” said a PSNI spokesman.
“The vehicle was located underwater by police divers and recovered for examination and is believed to be the Mitsubishi belonging to Michael ‘Tony’ Lynch who went missing from his home in Clones, Co Monaghan, 18 years ago,” he said.
"We are liaising with colleagues from An Garda Síochána, who are investigating Mr Lynch's disappearance," added the spokesman.
The car was discovered by divers on Monday and taken away for examination. A cross-Border search for Mr Lynch also took place in January this year involving Gardai and PSNI officers assisted by Civil Defence members.
Searches took place in ten lakes in Co Monaghan, but searches were suspended in March following the outbreak of Covid-19.


theirishtimes--2020-05-21--Garda crackdown targets speeding motorists

Gardaí will mount a 24-hour crackdown on speeding motorists from Friday as part of National Slow Down Day .
The operation , which is supported by the Road Safety Authority , will run from 7am Friday to 7am Saturday .
Figures from the Garda show that despite the Covid-19 travel restrictions and advice that workers should remain at home where possible , drivers are continuing to break the speed limits .
Among examples from across the State , gardaí recorded drivers travelling at 119km/h in a 60km/h zone on the Old Airport Road , Cloghran , Dublin ; 138km/h in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kilmore Beg , Dublin 17 ; and 156km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N85 at Sileshaun , West Inagh , Clare As of Wednesday there have been 56 road-related deaths , an increase of five deaths on May 20th last year .
Friday ’ s operation will entail high-visibility enforcement in 1,322 speed enforcement zones .
Gardaí will also use media channels to remind people of the potential impact on families and communities of speeding .
According to the Garda , as a general rule a 1 per cent reduction in average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent reduction in fatal collisions .
Chief supt Paul Cleary of the Garda Roads Policing Bureau said during the current Covid-19 restrictions there has been an increase in the number of vulnerable users on the roads .
He said “ despite reduced volumes of traffic ” the levels of speed have increased .
“ We have continued to see a small percentage of motorists who travel at excessively high speeds both in urban and rural areas , ” Chief Supt Cleary said .
“ In these times with more vulnerable persons on our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeal to motorists to be aware of the posted speed limits and also while travelling to be conscious of the presence of other road users.
” John Caulfield , interim chief executive of the Road Safety Authority , said the need for drivers to slow down “ has never been greater ” .
“ Anyone out driving will probably encounter large numbers of people out walking , jogging and cycling within five kilometres of their homes .
Vulnerable road users will probably need to social distance too when sharing the road .
”

Gardaí will mount a 24-hour crackdown on speeding motorists from Friday as part of National Slow Down Day.
The operation, which is supported by the Road Safety Authority, will run from 7am Friday to 7am Saturday.
Figures from the Garda show that despite the Covid-19 travel restrictions and advice that workers should remain at home where possible, drivers are continuing to break the speed limits.
Among examples from across the State, gardaí recorded drivers travelling at 119km/h in a 60km/h zone on the Old Airport Road, Cloghran, Dublin; 138km/h in an 80km/h zone on the M50 at Kilmore Beg, Dublin 17; and 156km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N85 at Sileshaun, West Inagh, Clare
READ MORE
As of Wednesday there have been 56 road-related deaths, an increase of five deaths on May 20th last year.
Friday’s operation will entail high-visibility enforcement in 1,322 speed enforcement zones. Gardaí will also use media channels to remind people of the potential impact on families and communities of speeding.
According to the Garda, as a general rule a 1 per cent reduction in average speed will bring about a 4 per cent reduction in fatal collisions.
Chief supt Paul Cleary of the Garda Roads Policing Bureau said during the current Covid-19 restrictions there has been an increase in the number of vulnerable users on the roads.
He said “despite reduced volumes of traffic” the levels of speed have increased. “We have continued to see a small percentage of motorists who travel at excessively high speeds both in urban and rural areas,” Chief Supt Cleary said.
“In these times with more vulnerable persons on our roads, pedestrians and cyclists, we appeal to motorists to be aware of the posted speed limits and also while travelling to be conscious of the presence of other road users.”
John Caulfield, interim chief executive of the Road Safety Authority, said the need for drivers to slow down “has never been greater”.
“Anyone out driving will probably encounter large numbers of people out walking, jogging and cycling within five kilometres of their homes. Vulnerable road users will probably need to social distance too when sharing the road.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-21--LOL! Twelfth comes early as priest plays The Sash at the end of mass

The Twelfth of July was brought a little early to a Catholic Church in Co Fermanagh by the playing of The Sash My Father Wore during Sunday morning Mass .
The Orange Order-associated tune featured when Fr Jimmy McPhillips was remotely celebrating 11.30 am Mass at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lisnaskea which was being live-streamed for his parishioners .
( Why do Orangemen march ?
The Twelfth of July Explained ) His LOL moment - laugh out loud and also in this case Loyal Orange Lodge - commanded much wider viewing however when the little incident was posted on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of Mass when the priest says to viewers “ let us go in peace and love to serve the Lord ” .
Fr McPhillips is then seen operating a mobile device to play the final tune but instead of a hymn or some other piece of music we hear the familiar opening bars of The Sash .
“ Sorry , that ’ s the wrong one .
Sorry about that , ” says Fr McPhillips as he searches for something else to play.
” And in a reference to the Twelfth of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a bit early for that , isn ’ t it ?
” He replaced The Sash with Footprints in the Sand by Leona Lewis .
One of the first to spot the post of the incident was former DUP special adviser Timothy Cairns who tweeted , ” I saw this earlier and thought it was a fake !
Apparently not .
Get the volume up !
Funniest thing you ’ ll see today !
” It prompted numerous other responses with some wondering more about his choice of Leona Lewis than The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having “ a diverse mix on his Spotify ” .
Others reckoned he was providing a little bit of humour at a difficult time .
Another however asked why he would have The Sash on his playlist .
“ That would be an ecumenical matter , ” was the inevitable Fr Jack answer offered online .

Fr Jimmy McPhillips is seen operating a mobile device to play the final tune but instead of a hymn or some other piece of music we hear the familiar opening bars of The Sash.
The Twelfth of July was brought a little early to a Catholic Church in Co Fermanagh by the playing of The Sash My Father Wore during Sunday morning Mass.
The Orange Order-associated tune featured when Fr Jimmy McPhillips was remotely celebrating 11.30 am Mass at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lisnaskea which was being live-streamed for his parishioners. (Why do Orangemen march? The Twelfth of July Explained)
His LOL moment - laugh out loud and also in this case Loyal Orange Lodge - commanded much wider viewing however when the little incident was posted on social media.
I saw this earlier and thought it was a fake! Apparently not. Get the volume up! Funniest thing you’ll see today! https://t.co/QvCrT5Q44X — Tim Cairns (@timcairns) May 19, 2020
A 12th of July parade through Tandragee. File photograph: Frank Miller/The Irish Times.
It happened at the end of Mass when the priest says to viewers “let us go in peace and love to serve the Lord”.
READ MORE
Fr McPhillips is then seen operating a mobile device to play the final tune but instead of a hymn or some other piece of music we hear the familiar opening bars of The Sash.
“Sorry, that’s the wrong one. Sorry about that,” says Fr McPhillips as he searches for something else to play.” And in a reference to the Twelfth of July he adds, “It’s a bit early for that, isn’t it?”
He replaced The Sash with Footprints in the Sand by Leona Lewis.
One of the first to spot the post of the incident was former DUP special adviser Timothy Cairns who tweeted," I saw this earlier and thought it was a fake! Apparently not. Get the volume up! Funniest thing you'll see today!"
It prompted numerous other responses with some wondering more about his choice of Leona Lewis than The Sash and others complimenting Fr McPhillips for having “a diverse mix on his Spotify”.
Others reckoned he was providing a little bit of humour at a difficult time.
Another however asked why he would have The Sash on his playlist.
“That would be an ecumenical matter,” was the inevitable Fr Jack answer offered online.


theirishtimes--2020-05-21--Private consultants resign from contract to treat only public patients

Private sector medical consultants who had signed up to the Government ’ s contract which would see them treat only public patients during the current Covid-19 crisis are beginning to resign from the arrangement .
The Irish Times understands that a group of private consultants working in Kerry who had signed up to the Government ’ public-only contract have in recent days said they would withdraw from the arrangement .
According to consultant sources , other doctors in Dublin have also withdrawn from the arrangement .
Senior HSE sources said on Wednesday the health authority was aware of the resignation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contract .
Medical sources maintained that the numbers involved were considerably higher .
It is understood there have been meetings of private consultants in other parts of the country over recent days regarding their continued participation in the contract with the Government .
The Department of Health said last night the issue of private consultants withdrawing from the public-only contract was a matter for the HSE .
The Department of Health had said earlier this month that about 320 fully private medical specialists had accepted a public-only contract , which was offered in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takeover at the beginning of April of nearly 20 private hospitals .
The HSE said last weekend that more than 280 had signed up to work in the public system .
Given the 30-day notice period involved , any resignations may be largely symbolic if the Government decides not to extend its takeover of private hospitals and the current arrangement expires at the end of June .
The HSE is at present carrying out a review as to whether it should extend its control over private hospitals for a further month from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inform the private hospitals of its decision by next week .
Given the estimated €115 million cost per month , the HSE will have to consult with the Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe on the issue .
The Government ’ s deal with private hospitals covered the cost of staff -- up to a salary of €200,000 – as well as facilities and the treatment of patients .
However the agreement did not encompass the 600 fully private consultants who practise in these centres .
The Government offered these doctors a temporary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a salary ranging from €141,000 to €195,000 .
Many of the private consultants expressed concern that the State ’ s proposal would impact the continuity of care for their traditional patients and threaten the viability of their practices given that the contract would not cover the cost of their private rooms and staff .
Separately one of the main private hospitals in Dublin , the Bon Secours , told medical personnel on Wednesday that it was working on the basis of a return to private healthcare at the end of June .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the State with about 2,000 additional beds as well as access to theatres and diagnostic facilities at a time when capacity in the public system was facing challenges from a potential major surge in the number of patients with Covid-19 .

The Department of Health said last night the issue of private consultants withdrawing from the public-only contract was a matter for the HSE. Photograph: iStock
Private sector medical consultants who had signed up to the Government’s contract which would see them treat only public patients during the current Covid-19 crisis are beginning to resign from the arrangement.
The Irish Times understands that a group of private consultants working in Kerry who had signed up to the Government’ public-only contract have in recent days said they would withdraw from the arrangement.
According to consultant sources, other doctors in Dublin have also withdrawn from the arrangement.
Senior HSE sources said on Wednesday the health authority was aware of the resignation of two private consultants from the public-only contract.
READ MORE
Medical sources maintained that the numbers involved were considerably higher.
It is understood there have been meetings of private consultants in other parts of the country over recent days regarding their continued participation in the contract with the Government.
The Department of Health said last night the issue of private consultants withdrawing from the public-only contract was a matter for the HSE.
The Department of Health had said earlier this month that about 320 fully private medical specialists had accepted a public-only contract, which was offered in parallel to the State’s effective takeover at the beginning of April of nearly 20 private hospitals.
The HSE said last weekend that more than 280 had signed up to work in the public system.
Given the 30-day notice period involved, any resignations may be largely symbolic if the Government decides not to extend its takeover of private hospitals and the current arrangement expires at the end of June.
Private hospitals
The HSE is at present carrying out a review as to whether it should extend its control over private hospitals for a further month from the end of June.
It has to inform the private hospitals of its decision by next week. Given the estimated €115 million cost per month, the HSE will have to consult with the Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe on the issue.
The Government’s deal with private hospitals covered the cost of staff -- up to a salary of €200,000 – as well as facilities and the treatment of patients. However the agreement did not encompass the 600 fully private consultants who practise in these centres.
The Government offered these doctors a temporary locum contract to treat only public patients with a salary ranging from €141,000 to €195,000.
Many of the private consultants expressed concern that the State’s proposal would impact the continuity of care for their traditional patients and threaten the viability of their practices given that the contract would not cover the cost of their private rooms and staff.
Separately one of the main private hospitals in Dublin, the Bon Secours, told medical personnel on Wednesday that it was working on the basis of a return to private healthcare at the end of June.
The deal with the private hospitals provided the State with about 2,000 additional beds as well as access to theatres and diagnostic facilities at a time when capacity in the public system was facing challenges from a potential major surge in the number of patients with Covid-19.


theirishtimes--2020-05-21--Gardaí investigate bogus legal firm offering immigration services

A man has been arrested as part of an investigation into an alleged bogus legal firm offering immigration services .
The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau ( GNECB ) carried out searches in Blessington , Co Wicklow on Tuesday and a significant number of files and computers were seized .
Gardaí said that many of the victims of the alleged bogus legal firm were people “ desperate to regularise their status in this jurisdiction ” and paid fees of between €1,000 and €3,000 to the firm “ in the belief that they had the legal expertise to address their immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been frozen in a bank account as a result of the investigation .
A man was arrested and detained at Naas Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 .
He has since been charged and is due to to appear before Naas District Court on Thursday morning .
Detective Chief Superintendent Pat Lordan of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau said “ we are concerned that people in vulnerable positions are being taken advantage by fraudsters ” .
“ We are advising persons seeking legal advice on immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the person or persons they are dealing with have the appropriate qualifications and experience to provide such services , ” he said .

Gardaí said that many of the victims of the alleged bogus legal firm were people ‘desperate to regularise their status in this jurisdiction’. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire.
A man has been arrested as part of an investigation into an alleged bogus legal firm offering immigration services.
The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) carried out searches in Blessington, Co Wicklow on Tuesday and a significant number of files and computers were seized.
Gardaí said that many of the victims of the alleged bogus legal firm were people “desperate to regularise their status in this jurisdiction” and paid fees of between €1,000 and €3,000 to the firm “in the belief that they had the legal expertise to address their immigration status”.
A total of €60,000 has been frozen in a bank account as a result of the investigation.
READ MORE
A man was arrested and detained at Naas Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
He has since been charged and is due to to appear before Naas District Court on Thursday morning.
Detective Chief Superintendent Pat Lordan of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau said "we are concerned that people in vulnerable positions are being taken advantage by fraudsters".
“We are advising persons seeking legal advice on immigration services or otherwise to check to ensure the person or persons they are dealing with have the appropriate qualifications and experience to provide such services,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-05-21--Gardaí seize gun, drugs, cash as southeast gang targeted

Gardaí investigating an organised crime gang in the southeast arrested four men on Wednesday following the seizure of a gun @ @ @ @ @ Officers from Waterford and Kilkenny backed up by armed members of the Regional Support Unit @ @ @ @ @ , south Kilkenny , at around 4pm and found a handgun .
Three men in @ @ @ @ @ 20s and 30s and from Kilkenny and Waterford , were arrested under Section 30 of @ @ @ @ @ Act .
Gardaí searched a house in south Kilkenny and found an estimated €35,000 worth @ @ @ @ @ be cocaine .
They also recovered €30,000 in cash in a house in Waterford city @ @ @ @ @ 30s was arrested following the discovery of the drugs in south Kilkenny , and he @ @ @ @ @ trafficking legislation that allows gardaí hold suspects for up to seven days .
Two of @ @ @ @ @ and questioned at Waterford Garda station in Ballybricken in the city , while the other @ @ @ @ @ in Thomastown , Co Kilkenny .

Gardaí investigating an organised crime gang in the southeast have arrested four men. File photograph: The Irish Times
Gardaí investigating an organised crime gang in the southeast arrested four men on Wednesday following the seizure of a gun, drugs and cash.
Officers from Waterford and Kilkenny backed up by armed members of the Regional Support Unit stopped a car in Glenmore, south Kilkenny, at around 4pm and found a handgun.
Three men in the car, in their 20s and 30s and from Kilkenny and Waterford, were arrested under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.
Gardaí searched a house in south Kilkenny and found an estimated €35,000 worth of what is suspected to be cocaine. They also recovered €30,000 in cash in a house in Waterford city.
READ MORE
A man in his 30s was arrested following the discovery of the drugs in south Kilkenny, and he is being detained under drug trafficking legislation that allows gardaí hold suspects for up to seven days.
Two of the men are being held and questioned at Waterford Garda station in Ballybricken in the city, while the other two men are being questioned in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny.


theirishtimes--2020-05-21--Primary schools unlikely to reopen in June as union sees ‘mammoth task’ in September

It is unlikely that primary schools will reopen in June , the general secretary of the Irish National Teachers Organisation ( INTO ) John Boyle has said .
Getting children back to school in September will be a “ mammoth planning task ” he told RTÉ radio ’ s Morning Ireland .
With 20 school days to go before the summer break it would be very difficult for schools to reopen , even on a phased basis .
Mr Boyle warned that it may not be possible for all children to return at the same time in September as there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland where many children travel to school by bus .
Also speaking on Thursday , Cillian De Gascun , director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory and member of the National Public Health Emergency Team said at the moment NPHET feels “ the prudent thing to do is to leave schools closed.
” Speaking on the Today with Sarah McInerney Show , Mr de Gascun said there is not yet enough evidence to suggest that children pose no risk of passing on the coronavirus .
However , he said a number of countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and NPHET will be “ watching what ’ s happening in those settings over the next two to three weeks and that will inform our decision ” .
“ We will continue to keep that under review , but we are aware how difficult it is for children not being in school , not having access to their friends , not having that sort of social interaction , so we do know how difficult that is , ” Mr De Gascun said .
The INTO ’ s Mr Boyle said children with complex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer programmes .
The INTO has been engaging with stakeholders to prepare for the return of children to school , and to see if it would be possible for all children to return at the same time .
The teachers ’ union is “ certainly up for that challenge , ” he added .
The deaths of another 11 patients with Covid-19 were reported by NPHET on Wednesday .
There have now been a total of 1,571 Covid-19 related deaths in the Republic .
A total of 64 new laboratory confirmed cases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its daily briefing , bringing the total number of cases to 24,315 .
This is the fifth day in a row in which the daily case number has remained below 100 .
Meanwhile , Minister for Education Joe McHugh said massive logistical work is required in order to reopen schools in time for September .
Mr McHugh said it was clear that a “ one size fits all ” approach will not apply because of the diversity of school and education settings .
Áine Lynch , chief executive of the National Parents ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep schools closed until September was made at a time when public health conditions were worse than they are now .
The World Health Organisation ( WHO ) special envoy on Covid-19 also said it is was time to think about reopening schools in Ireland .
Mr McHugh , however , said opening schools needs to be “ carefully managed ” and planning is under way for the reopening of educational institutions from the beginning of September , in consultation with stakeholders and with regard to the experience of other countries .

The National Public Health Emergency Team has said it does not see schools returning before September. File photograph: Dave Thompson/PA Wire.
It is unlikely that primary schools will reopen in June, the general secretary of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) John Boyle has said.
Getting children back to school in September will be a "mammoth planning task" he told RTÉ radio's Morning Ireland.
With 20 school days to go before the summer break it would be very difficult for schools to reopen, even on a phased basis.
Mr Boyle warned that it may not be possible for all children to return at the same time in September as there will be logistical issues particularly in rural Ireland where many children travel to school by bus.
READ MORE
Also speaking on Thursday, Cillian De Gascun, director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory and member of the National Public Health Emergency Team said at the moment NPHET feels “the prudent thing to do is to leave schools closed.”
Speaking on the Today with Sarah McInerney Show, Mr de Gascun said there is not yet enough evidence to suggest that children pose no risk of passing on the coronavirus.
However, he said a number of countries have brought schools back in recent weeks and NPHET will be “watching what’s happening in those settings over the next two to three weeks and that will inform our decision”.
“We will continue to keep that under review, but we are aware how difficult it is for children not being in school, not having access to their friends, not having that sort of social interaction, so we do know how difficult that is,” Mr De Gascun said.
The INTO’s Mr Boyle said children with complex educational needs will be provided for through summer programmes.
The INTO has been engaging with stakeholders to prepare for the return of children to school, and to see if it would be possible for all children to return at the same time.
The teachers’ union is “certainly up for that challenge,” he added.
The deaths of another 11 patients with Covid-19 were reported by NPHET on Wednesday. There have now been a total of 1,571 Covid-19 related deaths in the Republic.
A total of 64 new laboratory confirmed cases of the disease was reported by NPHET at its daily briefing, bringing the total number of cases to 24,315. This is the fifth day in a row in which the daily case number has remained below 100.
Meanwhile, Minister for Education Joe McHugh said massive logistical work is required in order to reopen schools in time for September.
Mr McHugh said it was clear that a “one size fits all” approach will not apply because of the diversity of school and education settings.
Áine Lynch, chief executive of the National Parents’ Council Primary, said a decision to keep schools closed until September was made at a time when public health conditions were worse than they are now.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) special envoy on Covid-19 also said it is was time to think about reopening schools in Ireland.
Mr McHugh, however, said opening schools needs to be “carefully managed” and planning is under way for the reopening of educational institutions from the beginning of September, in consultation with stakeholders and with regard to the experience of other countries.


theirishtimes--2020-05-21--Kerry County Council responsible for ‘serious breach’ of Gaeltacht planning law

Kerry County Council was responsible for a “ serious breach ” of planning law when it failed to implement a language condition designed to protect the linguistic and cultural heritage of Gaeltacht areas , an Coimisinéir Teanga Rónán Ó Domhnaill has said .
Details of an investigation carried out by the Coimisinéir are outlined in his office ’ s annual report for 2019 , which was published today .
The investigation found that the council failed to implement a linguistic provision which was attached to An Bord Pleanála ’ s planning permission for a housing development in Baile an Fheirtéaraigh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The condition meant that the owners or long-term tenants of 75 per cent of houses built in a development called Na Cluainte in Baile an Fheirtéaraigh would be required to demonstrate their fluency in the Irish language .
Following a complaint by a member of the public that this condition had not been met , Mr Ó Domhnaill initiated an investigation .
While the language condition was included in an agreement between the council and the developer , the investigation found that “ there were fundamental faults in this agreement that rendered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The investigation revealed that the construction commenced before an agreement was made with the developer about the language agreement , the provisions of the agreement were not appropriate to achieve its objective , and the actions taken to implement the agreement “ demonstrated a lack of clarity , procrastination and a lack of commitment ” .
“ It was also clear that no long-term occupier was ever interviewed to determine their ability in Irish nor was any purchaser of any of the houses that had an Irish language requirement attached to it ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this requirement was fulfilled.
” It was recommended that the council inform the Coimisinéir ’ s office for the next five years of any planning permission granted in the Kerry Gaeltacht for large planning applications or applications in respect of three dwellings or more .
This was the first time an investigation was carried out relating to the application of a language provision of the Planning and Development Act 2000 .
Mr Ó Domhnaill said the investigation was “ important ” due to the impact an increase in non-Irish speakers could have on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community language in the Gaeltacht ” .
The Coimisinéir Teanga , whose role includes ensuring compliance by public bodies with statutory obligations under language legislation , warned of the dangers faced by Gaeltacht areas if laws that are meant to protect the Irish language are not implemented .
“ There is a language crisis in the Gaeltacht as is and if the law to protect the Irish language in the Gaeltacht isn ’ t adhered to then it is clear the situation will deteriorate , ” he said .
“ Not only is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of that Act has been investigated , it also highlights a serious breach of the planning law by Kerry County Council .
.
.
a breach of a law that is there to protect the use of the Irish language in the Gaeltacht , ” he said .
An 11 per cent increase was recorded in the number of complaints received by the Coimsinéir Teanga ’ s office last year .
This represented a “ substantial increase ” on the number of complaints made to the office in 2018 , Mr Ó Domhnaill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were made to the office about difficulties accessing services through Irish in 2019 .
Eighteen per cent of complaints came from Gaeltacht areas while 35.3 per cent came from the Dublin region .
The Coimisinéir Teanga attributed the increase to the continued difficulties citizens experience accessing public services through Irish .
“ These difficulties occur as a result of insufficient personnel in the public service with competence in the Irish language and due to legislation that isn ’ t comprehensive enough .
”

The council failed to implement a linguistic provision which was attached to An Bord Pleanála’s planning permission for a housing development, an inquiry found. Photograph: Joe O’Shaughnessy
Kerry County Council was responsible for a "serious breach" of planning law when it failed to implement a language condition designed to protect the linguistic and cultural heritage of Gaeltacht areas, an Coimisinéir Teanga Rónán Ó Domhnaill has said.
Details of an investigation carried out by the Coimisinéir are outlined in his office’s annual report for 2019, which was published today.
The investigation found that the council failed to implement a linguistic provision which was attached to An Bord Pleanála’s planning permission for a housing development in Baile an Fheirtéaraigh in the Corca Dhuibhne Gaeltacht in 2004.
The condition meant that the owners or long-term tenants of 75 per cent of houses built in a development called Na Cluainte in Baile an Fheirtéaraigh would be required to demonstrate their fluency in the Irish language.
READ MORE
Following a complaint by a member of the public that this condition had not been met, Mr Ó Domhnaill initiated an investigation.
While the language condition was included in an agreement between the council and the developer, the investigation found that “there were fundamental faults in this agreement that rendered it not fit for purpose”.
Investigation
The investigation revealed that the construction commenced before an agreement was made with the developer about the language agreement, the provisions of the agreement were not appropriate to achieve its objective, and the actions taken to implement the agreement “demonstrated a lack of clarity, procrastination and a lack of commitment”.
“It was also clear that no long-term occupier was ever interviewed to determine their ability in Irish nor was any purchaser of any of the houses that had an Irish language requirement attached to it ever contacted for the purpose of ensuring that this requirement was fulfilled.”
It was recommended that the council inform the Coimisinéir's office for the next five years of any planning permission granted in the Kerry Gaeltacht for large planning applications or applications in respect of three dwellings or more.
This was the first time an investigation was carried out relating to the application of a language provision of the Planning and Development Act 2000.
Mr Ó Domhnaill said the investigation was “important” due to the impact an increase in non-Irish speakers could have on “the future of Irish as a community language in the Gaeltacht”.
The Coimisinéir Teanga, whose role includes ensuring compliance by public bodies with statutory obligations under language legislation, warned of the dangers faced by Gaeltacht areas if laws that are meant to protect the Irish language are not implemented.
“There is a language crisis in the Gaeltacht as is and if the law to protect the Irish language in the Gaeltacht isn’t adhered to then it is clear the situation will deteriorate,” he said.
Complaints
“Not only is it the first time a language provision of that Act has been investigated, it also highlights a serious breach of the planning law by Kerry County Council . . . a breach of a law that is there to protect the use of the Irish language in the Gaeltacht,” he said.
An 11 per cent increase was recorded in the number of complaints received by the Coimsinéir Teanga’s office last year. This represented a “substantial increase” on the number of complaints made to the office in 2018, Mr Ó Domhnaill said.
A total of 704 complaints were made to the office about difficulties accessing services through Irish in 2019. Eighteen per cent of complaints came from Gaeltacht areas while 35.3 per cent came from the Dublin region.
The Coimisinéir Teanga attributed the increase to the continued difficulties citizens experience accessing public services through Irish.
“These difficulties occur as a result of insufficient personnel in the public service with competence in the Irish language and due to legislation that isn’t comprehensive enough.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-21--Biopharma companies make component to support 180,000 Covid tests

A group of biopharma companies , working with academics and individuals in the sector , has manufactured enough of a key component used in Covid-19 testing to support 180,000 tests .
The group , which has called itself the Covid Alliance , imported the raw materials for lysis buffer into the country last month as reagent shortages held back the State ’ s testing programme .
It now has the capacity within a new supply chain to manufacture reagent for 750,000 tests , it said , and was “ now ready ” to manufacture enough for the 245,000 tests that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Members of the group include large multinationals in the pharma sector such as Bristol-Myers Squib , Eli Lilly , MSD , Wuxi and Alexion .
The buffer will be stored at a HSE distribution centre where it will be made available to clinical laboratories in hospitals across Ireland , the group said in a statement .
Many of the members of the group are also involved in the trade sectoral body BioPharmaChemIreland ( BCPI ) .
The reagent was manufactured by the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training ( NIBRT ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ HSE at no charge .
Matt Moran , who is director of BCPI , said his members were pleased to support the national effort in fighting Covid-19 .
“ This is a great example of industry and academia coming together in common cause to solve a problem for the country in these very difficult times.
” Support was offered from academics in a range of institutions , including Trinity College Dublin , University College Cork , University of Limerick and the Royal College of Surgeons , as well as Cork IT and Sligo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies also gave support , including GSK and Gilead Sciences .
Eamon Judge , who is director of Eli Lilly , chair of the Covid Alliance and president of the Irish affiliate of the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering , said it was “ heart-warming and reassuring to see academia and industry collaborate for the good of the country ” .
In a statement the industry group said it has undertaken other initiatives during the crisis , including the development of indigenous manufacturing of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) and its decontamination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NIBRT said the organisation was “ delighted to contribute to this collaborative effort to relieve a critical bottleneck in the Covid-19 testing protocol ” .
Much of the raw material used to manufacture the lysis buffer was sourced overseas as countries competed to find ingredients in the Covid-19 testing process .
In early April , the State ’ s health authorities could only carry out in the region of 1,500 tests a day , although this has now grown , and the HSE says there is capacity to carry out around 100,000 @ @ @ @

The Covid Alliance imported the raw materials for lysis buffer into the country last month as reagent shortages held back the State’s testing programme
A group of biopharma companies, working with academics and individuals in the sector, has manufactured enough of a key component used in Covid-19 testing to support 180,000 tests.
The group, which has called itself the Covid Alliance, imported the raw materials for lysis buffer into the country last month as reagent shortages held back the State’s testing programme.
It now has the capacity within a new supply chain to manufacture reagent for 750,000 tests, it said, and was “now ready” to manufacture enough for the 245,000 tests that were originally requested by the HSE.
Members of the group include large multinationals in the pharma sector such as Bristol-Myers Squib, Eli Lilly, MSD, Wuxi and Alexion.
READ MORE
The buffer will be stored at a HSE distribution centre where it will be made available to clinical laboratories in hospitals across Ireland, the group said in a statement.
Many of the members of the group are also involved in the trade sectoral body BioPharmaChemIreland (BCPI). The reagent was manufactured by the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT).
The material has been given to the HSE at no charge. Matt Moran, who is director of BCPI, said his members were pleased to support the national effort in fighting Covid-19. "This is a great example of industry and academia coming together in common cause to solve a problem for the country in these very difficult times."
Support was offered from academics in a range of institutions, including Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, University of Limerick and the Royal College of Surgeons, as well as Cork IT and Sligo IT.
A number of other pharma companies also gave support, including GSK and Gilead Sciences.
Eamon Judge, who is director of Eli Lilly, chair of the Covid Alliance and president of the Irish affiliate of the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering, said it was "heart-warming and reassuring to see academia and industry collaborate for the good of the country".
Initiatives
In a statement the industry group said it has undertaken other initiatives during the crisis, including the development of indigenous manufacturing of personal protective equipment (PPE) and its decontamination for reuse.
Prof Niall Barron of the NIBRT said the organisation was "delighted to contribute to this collaborative effort to relieve a critical bottleneck in the Covid-19 testing protocol".
Much of the raw material used to manufacture the lysis buffer was sourced overseas as countries competed to find ingredients in the Covid-19 testing process.
In early April, the State’s health authorities could only carry out in the region of 1,500 tests a day, although this has now grown, and the HSE says there is capacity to carry out around 100,000 tests a week.


theirishtimes--2020-05-21--Blanket cocooning for over-70s has done more harm than good

As we start to move beyond the Covid-19 pandemic , critical reviews will begin of how the crisis was handled .
Today I concentrate on the Government ’ s public health measures aimed at protecting the over-70s .
The blanket over-70s “ cocooning ” measures were ill-advised because of their predictable negative impact on physical and mental health , eroding the emotional and cognitive resilience older people need to handle stress and adversity , and also discriminatory on age grounds .
My intention is to focus on lessons we might learn , not to point the finger of blame .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to overwhelm health services and kill many thousands of people .
Government had to remain calm , lay down clear guidelines and win public confidence .
The resulting spirit of partnership successfully slowed down the progress of Covid-19 .
But some judgment calls made under such pressure will inevitably be mistaken , and the blanket guidelines for all over-70s were one such call .
In a nutshell , cocooning , advocated by government for all over-70s , largely served only to remove the four pillars that support good health in older people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities that maintain good mental/cognitive function ; ( b ) maintaining good social contacts ; ( c ) maintaining good exercise regimes and ( d ) healthy eating – as outlined by Doreen Rosenthal and Susan Moore in their book The Psychology of Retirement ( 2018 ) .
Cocooning means isolating yourself at home for weeks on end , cutting off real-life social contacts and not leaving the house except perhaps for a walk in the garden .
Obviously cocooning makes it almost impossible to maintain adequate mental stimulation and social contacts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also making it very difficult to exercise and maintain healthy eating habits .
Emotional and mental resilience ( ability to handle stress and adversity ) is fostered and maintained by setting one ’ s own goals , learning new skills , social activities , and staying actively involved in the world .
This gives a sense of autonomy , competency and mastery , increases will power , self-esteem and problem-solving ability .
While it is undeniably true that over-70s with “ underlying medical conditions ” are particularly at risk of poorer outcomes if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that all over-70s are lumped together , the healthy and the unhealthy , with little attempt to stratify risks .
This is unjustifiable , as explained by health adviser Camilla Cavendish in theFinancial Times earlier this month .
For example , one study in the Journal of Applied Physiology of a group of septuagenarian joggers found they were 30 years biologically younger than their sedentary peers .
So , while cocooning has a role in protecting over-70s with underlying medical conditions , the negative effects of cocooning healthy over-70s , draining their resilience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ range of ailments far outweigh any putative protective effects .
The Government should have strongly advised cocooning only for those with serious underlying health conditions .
Healthy over-70s , having been provided with all relevant information , should have been trusted to make their own sensible decisions .
This policy would have spared us the surge of general morbidity that will surely arise now in the over-70s as a result of cocooning .
But the Government didn ’ t simply advise cocooning for the over-70s – it allowed the impression to go forth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was voluntary when occasionally questioned closely in press briefings .
Many healthy over-70s were convinced cocooning was mandatory and behaved accordingly .
Mandatory cocooning for over-70s would be discriminatory on the basis of age , which is prohibited under the Equal Status Acts .
As Senator Michael McDowell pointed out in The Irish Times recently , there is no basis in law for having different rules for the over-70s .
Cocooning was an impressive-looking capstone in the overall arch of Covid-19 guidelines , helping to make restrictions imposed on other sectors more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a sector that aggressively asserts its rights , and so it was tempting to allow the idea of mandatory cocooning take hold .
As I write , Tennis Ireland has ruled that all over-70 tennis club members will not be allowed in their clubs when the sport resumes on May 18th .
Such herding of older people must stop .
Many lessons will be learned from our Covid-19 experience .
The importance of older citizens reclaiming their autonomy must surely be one .
William Reville is an emeritus professor of biochemistry at @ @ @

As we start to move beyond the Covid-19 pandemic, critical reviews will begin of how the crisis was handled. Today I concentrate on the Government’s public health measures aimed at protecting the over-70s. The blanket over-70s “cocooning” measures were ill-advised because of their predictable negative impact on physical and mental health, eroding the emotional and cognitive resilience older people need to handle stress and adversity, and also discriminatory on age grounds.
My intention is to focus on lessons we might learn, not to point the finger of blame. Covid-19 sprang on us suddenly, threatening to overwhelm health services and kill many thousands of people. Government had to remain calm, lay down clear guidelines and win public confidence. The resulting spirit of partnership successfully slowed down the progress of Covid-19.
Cocooning makes it almost impossible to maintain adequate mental stimulation and social contacts
But some judgment calls made under such pressure will inevitably be mistaken, and the blanket guidelines for all over-70s were one such call. In a nutshell, cocooning, advocated by government for all over-70s, largely served only to remove the four pillars that support good health in older people. These pillars are: (a) activities that maintain good mental/cognitive function; (b) maintaining good social contacts; (c) maintaining good exercise regimes and (d) healthy eating – as outlined by Doreen Rosenthal and Susan Moore in their book The Psychology of Retirement (2018).
Cocooning means isolating yourself at home for weeks on end, cutting off real-life social contacts and not leaving the house except perhaps for a walk in the garden. Obviously cocooning makes it almost impossible to maintain adequate mental stimulation and social contacts, weakening emotional and mental resilience, and also making it very difficult to exercise and maintain healthy eating habits.
READ MORE
Staying involved
Emotional and mental resilience (ability to handle stress and adversity) is fostered and maintained by setting one’s own goals, learning new skills, social activities, and staying actively involved in the world. This gives a sense of autonomy, competency and mastery, increases will power, self-esteem and problem-solving ability.
While it is undeniably true that over-70s with "underlying medical conditions" are particularly at risk of poorer outcomes if they contract Covid-19, the problem is that all over-70s are lumped together, the healthy and the unhealthy, with little attempt to stratify risks. This is unjustifiable, as explained by health adviser Camilla Cavendish in theFinancial Times earlier this month. For example, one study in the Journal of Applied Physiology of a group of septuagenarian joggers found they were 30 years biologically younger than their sedentary peers.
So, while cocooning has a role in protecting over-70s with underlying medical conditions, the negative effects of cocooning healthy over-70s, draining their resilience and making them vulnerable to the widest range of ailments far outweigh any putative protective effects.
The Government didn't simply advise cocooning for over-70s – it allowed the impression to go forth that it was mandatory
The Government should have strongly advised cocooning only for those with serious underlying health conditions. Healthy over-70s, having been provided with all relevant information, should have been trusted to make their own sensible decisions. This policy would have spared us the surge of general morbidity that will surely arise now in the over-70s as a result of cocooning.
But the Government didn’t simply advise cocooning for the over-70s – it allowed the impression to go forth that cocooning was mandatory, only admitting it was voluntary when occasionally questioned closely in press briefings. Many healthy over-70s were convinced cocooning was mandatory and behaved accordingly.
Age discrimination
Mandatory cocooning for over-70s would be discriminatory on the basis of age, which is prohibited under the Equal Status Acts. As Senator Michael McDowell pointed out in The Irish Times recently, there is no basis in law for having different rules for the over-70s.
Cocooning was an impressive-looking capstone in the overall arch of Covid-19 guidelines, helping to make restrictions imposed on other sectors more acceptable. Older people are not seen as a sector that aggressively asserts its rights, and so it was tempting to allow the idea of mandatory cocooning take hold.
As I write, Tennis Ireland has ruled that all over-70 tennis club members will not be allowed in their clubs when the sport resumes on May 18th. Such herding of older people must stop. Many lessons will be learned from our Covid-19 experience. The importance of older citizens reclaiming their autonomy must surely be one.
William Reville is an emeritus professor of biochemistry at University College Cork


theirishtimes--2020-05-21--HSE told nursing homes regulator it could not supply requested PPE

The HSE told the nursing homes regulator last month , as coronavirus outbreaks rose sharply , that it could not supply three days ’ worth of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) to all nursing homes , as requested , due to shortages .
The Health Information and Quality Authority ’ s chief inspector Mary Dunnion escalated concerns about reported shortages of PPE within nursing homes and congregated disability centres last month to the highest ranking official with the HSE .
Ms Dunnion wrote to HSE chief executive Paul Reid on April 8th seeking widespread distribution of PPE to nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request came more than a week after Nursing Homes Ireland , which represents private nursing homes operators , sought three days ’ worth of PPE for nursing homes in a meeting with the Minister for Health Simon Harris .
The nursing home sector has borne the brunt of the pandemic , accounting for 54 per cent of the deaths from coronavirus in the State .
By the peak of the crisis in the first half of April , nursing homes were experiencing difficulties accessing sufficient PPE .
On April 8th , there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases or more – at 164 residential care facilities , including 117 nursing homes , an increase from 53 a week earlier .
Ms Dunnion asked Mr Reid in her letter that “ in the interest of resident and staff protection ” and “ prior to a Covid-19 outbreak being declared ” that a “ baseline supply ” of appropriate PPE “ be made available as a priority within all nursing homes and congregated disability centres ” .
“ While the national supply of PPE remains a concern , I request that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate relative to the number of residents in the centre and be sufficient to last three days , ” she told Mr Reid in her letter .
The correspondence was copied to senior health officials : HSE chief operations officer Anne O ’ Connor ; HSE national director of community operations David Walsh ; the HSE ’ s national director of quality assurance and verification division , Patrick Lynch ; Dr Kathleen MacLellan , assistant secretary for social care at the Department of Health ; and Hiqa chief executive Phelim Quinn .
Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet affected by outbreaks comprising long-sleeved , fluid-repellent disposable gowns , non-sterile examination gloves , surgical masks and “ FFP2 ” and “ FFP3 ” medical grade masks for aerosol-generating procedures .
The letter was released by Hiqa to The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act .
The HSE told Hiqa in a response on April 14th that due to difficulties in sourcing PPE that it would not be possible to provide the three-day baseline supply .
PPE was being directed at the areas of greatest risk through a co-ordinated distribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment , the HSE said .
In the HSE ’ s reply , Patrick Lynch , national director of quality assurance , told Hiqa that Ms Dunnion ’ s requested supply of PPE would be kept under review as the supplies of PPE built up .
By April 14th , the date of the HSE ’ s response , the number of clusters in residential care facilities had risen to 221 , including 158 nursing homes , a further 41 nursing homes in six days .
A spokeswoman for the HSE said last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the response to Covid-19 it “ faced an unprecedented challenge in the face of global demand for PPE.
” The HSE ’ s success in sourcing significant quantities from China and domestically has meant “ the supply situation has improved significantly over the past four weeks in particular , ” she said .
Each crisis management team across the HSE ’ s community healthcare area is “ prioritising the needs of long-term care residents ” and has “ offered very significant support to the nursing homes in their areas , particularly those with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Between April 17th and May 14th some 12.6 million items of PPE - or 39 per cent of all PPE distributed across the health service - went to the long-term residential care sector , she said .

By the peak of the coronavirus crisis in the first half of April, nursing homes were experiencing difficulties accessing sufficient PPE. Photograph: Alan Betson
The HSE told the nursing homes regulator last month, as coronavirus outbreaks rose sharply, that it could not supply three days’ worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) to all nursing homes, as requested, due to shortages.
The Health Information and Quality Authority's chief inspector Mary Dunnion escalated concerns about reported shortages of PPE within nursing homes and congregated disability centres last month to the highest ranking official with the HSE.
Ms Dunnion wrote to HSE chief executive Paul Reid on April 8th seeking widespread distribution of PPE to nursing homes ahead of further outbreaks.
Deaths
The request came more than a week after Nursing Homes Ireland, which represents private nursing homes operators, sought three days' worth of PPE for nursing homes in a meeting with the Minister for Health Simon Harris.
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The nursing home sector has borne the brunt of the pandemic, accounting for 54 per cent of the deaths from coronavirus in the State.
By the peak of the crisis in the first half of April, nursing homes were experiencing difficulties accessing sufficient PPE.
On April 8th, there were virus clusters – each defined as two cases or more – at 164 residential care facilities, including 117 nursing homes, an increase from 53 a week earlier.
Ms Dunnion asked Mr Reid in her letter that “in the interest of resident and staff protection” and “prior to a Covid-19 outbreak being declared” that a “baseline supply” of appropriate PPE “be made available as a priority within all nursing homes and congregated disability centres”.
“While the national supply of PPE remains a concern, I request that a baseline supply should consider the projected consumption rate relative to the number of residents in the centre and be sufficient to last three days,” she told Mr Reid in her letter.
The correspondence was copied to senior health officials: HSE chief operations officer Anne O'Connor; HSE national director of community operations David Walsh; the HSE's national director of quality assurance and verification division, Patrick Lynch; Dr Kathleen MacLellan, assistant secretary for social care at the Department of Health; and Hiqa chief executive Phelim Quinn.
Ms Dunnion sought PPE for nursing homes not yet affected by outbreaks comprising long-sleeved, fluid-repellent disposable gowns, non-sterile examination gloves, surgical masks and “FFP2” and “FFP3” medical grade masks for aerosol-generating procedures.
The letter was released by Hiqa to The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act.
Under review
The HSE told Hiqa in a response on April 14th that due to difficulties in sourcing PPE that it would not be possible to provide the three-day baseline supply.
PPE was being directed at the areas of greatest risk through a co-ordinated distribution management system for the delivery of the equipment, the HSE said.
In the HSE’s reply, Patrick Lynch, national director of quality assurance, told Hiqa that Ms Dunnion’s requested supply of PPE would be kept under review as the supplies of PPE built up.
By April 14th, the date of the HSE’s response, the number of clusters in residential care facilities had risen to 221, including 158 nursing homes, a further 41 nursing homes in six days.
A spokeswoman for the HSE said last night that in the early days of the response to Covid-19 it “faced an unprecedented challenge in the face of global demand for PPE.”
The HSE's success in sourcing significant quantities from China and domestically has meant "the supply situation has improved significantly over the past four weeks in particular," she said.
Each crisis management team across the HSE’s community healthcare area is “prioritising the needs of long-term care residents” and has “offered very significant support to the nursing homes in their areas, particularly those with Covid-19 outbreaks,” said the spokeswoman.
Between April 17th and May 14th some 12.6 million items of PPE - or 39 per cent of all PPE distributed across the health service - went to the long-term residential care sector, she said.


theirishtimes--2020-05-21--Consultants say Rome assent to deal clears way for new National Maternity Hospital

Seven leading medical consultants in Dublin have said were “ entirely satisfied ” their clinical independence at the new National Maternity Hospital on the grounds of St Vincent ’ s at Elm Park would “ remain unfettered ” there .
In a letter to The Irish Times , published on Thursday , the consultants said a decision by the Sisters of Charity to transfer ownership of their St Vincent ’ s Healthcare Group at Elm Park to a new independent charitable body , St Vincent ’ s Holding CLG , would enable construction of the National Maternity Hospital ( NMH @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ without delay ” .
The letter is signed by four former Masters of the NMH , Prof Shane Higgins , Prof Rhona Mahony Master , Dr Michael Robson , and Prof Declan Keane , as well as three consultants at St Vincent ’ s University Hospital , Prof Michael Keane , Prof Alan Watson , and Mr Stephen Sheehan .
They said they were “ hugely excited ” at the relocation of the NMH at Holles Street to Elm Park and were “ entirely satisfied ” their clinical independence would “ remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how under terms of the 2016 Mulvey Agreement the new NMH would “ have full clinical , operational and financial independence in the provision of maternity , gynaecological and neonatal services ( without religious , ethnic or other distinction ) ” .
This , they said , would be “ copper fastened ” by the Holles Street charter which entitles it to nominate four of the nine directors on the new NMH company board as well as its inaugural chair , and to also nominate a Master for the new hospital .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the new company board .
Earlier this month the Sisters confirmed they had received Vatican approval to transfer ownership of properties , valued at over €200 million , as a gift to St Vincent ’ s Holdings CLG .
It is a requirement of Catholic Church canon law that Vatican approval be granted for transfer of such extensive properties owned by a religious congregation.This was granted by Rome in a letter dated March 16th last and seen by The Irish Times .
It gave the Sisters permission “ to transfer the entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Healthcare group to St. Vincent ’ s Holdings for a nominal sum of € 1.00.
” It did so , it said , having studied relevant documents and having “ heard the opinion ” of Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin , Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin , and papal nuncio Archbishop Jude Okolo .
According to a canon lawyer , who did not wish to be named , the Vatican decision means “ doctrines and teachings ” of the Catholic Church will have “ no authority or control ” over either the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CLG or the new NMH and that there is now no vehicle “ by which such authority or control could be exercised ” .
As to an expression of confidence by the Sisters that entities at Elm Park would continue to foster ( founder ) Mary Aikenhead ’ s “ mission and core values ” , the canon lawyer said this could not “ realistically be interpreted as fettering or even attempting to fetter the clinical discretion of the NMH at Elm Park ” .
It was a “ legacy vision ” statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years of service and at a watershed moment when the Sisters are withdrawing entirely from the healthcare edifice founded by Mary Aikenhead .
”

The consultants said they were ‘hugely excited’ at the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital at Holles Street to Elm Park. File photograph: Bryan O’Brien/The Irish Times
Seven leading medical consultants in Dublin have said were "entirely satisfied" their clinical independence at the new National Maternity Hospital on the grounds of St Vincent's at Elm Park would "remain unfettered" there.
In a letter to The Irish Times, published on Thursday, the consultants said a decision by the Sisters of Charity to transfer ownership of their St Vincent's Healthcare Group at Elm Park to a new independent charitable body, St Vincent's Holding CLG, would enable construction of the National Maternity Hospital (NMH), currently at Holles Street, "without delay".
The letter is signed by four former Masters of the NMH, Prof Shane Higgins, Prof Rhona Mahony Master, Dr Michael Robson, and Prof Declan Keane, as well as three consultants at St Vincent's University Hospital, Prof Michael Keane, Prof Alan Watson, and Mr Stephen Sheehan.
They said they were “hugely excited” at the relocation of the NMH at Holles Street to Elm Park and were “entirely satisfied” their clinical independence would “remain unfettered” there.
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The consultants recalled how under terms of the 2016 Mulvey Agreement the new NMH would “have full clinical, operational and financial independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services (without religious, ethnic or other distinction)”.
This, they said, would be “copper fastened” by the Holles Street charter which entitles it to nominate four of the nine directors on the new NMH company board as well as its inaugural chair, and to also nominate a Master for the new hospital.
The Sisters of Charity will not be represented on the new company board.
Vatican approval
Earlier this month the Sisters confirmed they had received Vatican approval to transfer ownership of properties, valued at over €200 million, as a gift to St Vincent’s Holdings CLG.
It is a requirement of Catholic Church canon law that Vatican approval be granted for transfer of such extensive properties owned by a religious congregation.This was granted by Rome in a letter dated March 16th last and seen by The Irish Times. It gave the Sisters permission "to transfer the entire issued share capital of St Vincent's Healthcare group to St. Vincent's Holdings for a nominal sum of € 1.00."
It did so, it said, having studied relevant documents and having "heard the opinion" of Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin, and papal nuncio Archbishop Jude Okolo.
According to a canon lawyer, who did not wish to be named, the Vatican decision means “doctrines and teachings” of the Catholic Church will have “no authority or control” over either the new St Vincent’s Hospital Holding CLG or the new NMH and that there is now no vehicle “ by which such authority or control could be exercised”.
As to an expression of confidence by the Sisters that entities at Elm Park would continue to foster (founder) Mary Aikenhead’s “mission and core values”, the canon lawyer said this could not “realistically be interpreted as fettering or even attempting to fetter the clinical discretion of the NMH at Elm Park”.
It was a "legacy vision" statement "that one might expect after 200 years of service and at a watershed moment when the Sisters are withdrawing entirely from the healthcare edifice founded by Mary Aikenhead. "


theirishtimes--2020-05-21--Why are there so many coronavirus infections at meat plants?

What is the scale of infection in meat processing plants ?
There are 16 coronavirus clusters – each defined as two or more cases – in meat plants involving 828 infected workers , as of last Saturday .
This is an increase from 500 a week earlier when there were 12 clusters .
Some 16 meat factory workers have been hospitalised during the pandemic .
HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry put the number of infected workers at 860 on Wednesday .
Why are meat plants susceptible to outbreaks ?
Employees at meat plants work in prolonged close proximity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of transmitting the virus .
The rigid production lines , often involving for example in a conveyor belt of pig carcasses on hooks passing along a factory ’ s “ kill line ” , means that the nature of the work is at close quarters involving repeated activity by hundreds of staff standing shoulder to shoulder .
As an essential industry producing food , meat plants were not closed during the pandemic .
How busy can it be in a meat plant ?
Butchering , when not automated , is a fast and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the processing of as many as 450 pigs per hour – or seven pigs processed along the line every minute – means that each worker often only has a few seconds to complete their task of cutting on each animal .
Can the process contribute to the spread of the virus ?
Possibly .
The gruelling nature and pace of the meat processing , cutting up so many animals in a short space of time , means butchering can involve strenuous physical exertion and heavy breathing by employees .
The boning hall of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of workers congregating around a common table in another physically demanding part of the process .
What other conditions might lead to the spread of the virus ?
Conditions in plants can be hot with workers butchering warm carcasses with knives that must be repeatedly sterilised at high temperatures .
This can create a steamy atmosphere .
Some plants can be poorly ventilated , contributing to the spread , while physically distancing may not have been observed in worker common areas such as at sinks or in canteens and changing rooms .
Could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meat plants ?
Yes .
Many meat plants employ lower-paid foreign workers who share accommodation outside of work , where they could have acquired the virus and can spread it further .
Public health officials has been offering alternative accommodation to workers at risk of passing the virus on .
What precautions have plants taken to prevent the spread of the virus ?
Plants have reduced production by processing fewer animals , staggered working shifts and staff departures and arrivals , and reconfigured production lines including installing partitions , where possible , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @

What is the scale of infection in meat processing plants?
There are 16 coronavirus clusters – each defined as two or more cases – in meat plants involving 828 infected workers, as of last Saturday. This is an increase from 500 a week earlier when there were 12 clusters. Some 16 meat factory workers have been hospitalised during the pandemic. HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry put the number of infected workers at 860 on Wednesday.
Why are meat plants susceptible to outbreaks?
Employees at meat plants work in prolonged close proximity to other workers, increasing the risk of transmitting the virus. The rigid production lines, often involving for example in a conveyor belt of pig carcasses on hooks passing along a factory’s “kill line”, means that the nature of the work is at close quarters involving repeated activity by hundreds of staff standing shoulder to shoulder. As an essential industry producing food, meat plants were not closed during the pandemic.
How busy can it be in a meat plant?
Butchering, when not automated, is a fast and heavily labour-intensive process. For example, the processing of as many as 450 pigs per hour – or seven pigs processed along the line every minute – means that each worker often only has a few seconds to complete their task of cutting on each animal.
Can the process contribute to the spread of the virus?
Possibly. The gruelling nature and pace of the meat processing, cutting up so many animals in a short space of time, means butchering can involve strenuous physical exertion and heavy breathing by employees. The boning hall of a plant can also involve large numbers of workers congregating around a common table in another physically demanding part of the process.
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What other conditions might lead to the spread of the virus?
Conditions in plants can be hot with workers butchering warm carcasses with knives that must be repeatedly sterilised at high temperatures. This can create a steamy atmosphere. Some plants can be poorly ventilated, contributing to the spread, while physically distancing may not have been observed in worker common areas such as at sinks or in canteens and changing rooms.
Could other factors contribute to the spread at meat plants?
Yes. Many meat plants employ lower-paid foreign workers who share accommodation outside of work, where they could have acquired the virus and can spread it further. Public health officials has been offering alternative accommodation to workers at risk of passing the virus on.
What precautions have plants taken to prevent the spread of the virus?
Plants have reduced production by processing fewer animals, staggered working shifts and staff departures and arrivals, and reconfigured production lines including installing partitions, where possible, to ensure workers maintain two-metre physical distancing.


theirishtimes--2020-05-22--Austerity ‘must not’ return, Higgins tells communist paper

President Michael D Higgins has used an interview with an Italian communist newspaper to warn against a return to austerity and praise the response of Cuba to the Covid-19 crisis .
He also said the Irish response to the crisis “ seems to be bearing fruit ” but warned about “ serious problems ” if pandemic regulations in Northern Ireland were different to those in the State .
Mr Higgins said it was a “ huge disappointment ” for him to “ see discrimination on the basis of age in the responses to the crisis by so many countries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best intentions ” .
The Irish Government is amongst those to have introduced special advice for the over 70s to protect themselves from the virus .
The President ’ s interview was carried in an edition of Il Manifesto , described as the “ communist daily ” although it has no links to any political party .
Its reporter spoke to Mr Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin .
A report on the interview has been circulated among senior officials and Ministers in Dublin , where his views are said to have raised some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ familiar from the last economic crisis when he warned against any return of austerity policies .
“ The price paid for austerity is a situation that must not come up again , ” he said .
“ It is time for a paradigm shift , and this change must take place in the streets of Europe .
“ I am in favour of universal basic services with an income that allows people to live , rather than simply a universal basic income that a system prone to exploitation could abuse .
Universal basic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not contradictory , provided that priority is given to the former.
” Mr Higgins was critical of the early response of the EU to the crisis , saying it “ revealed a lack of collective action , not to mention a lack of solidarity in the unedifying competition for protective equipment and clothing , and even test materials ” .
He also said that the recent decision of the German Constitutional Court – which called into question Germany ’ s participation in ECB bond-buying – “ is a serious threat to the Euro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , when the subject was raised with him , the President praised the response of Cuba , which sent doctors and equipment to Northern Italy to help efforts to tackle the virus there .
“ The behaviour to which Cuba has accustomed us in responding to situations of grave need is an example of the acceptance of a collective responsibility that offers the best hope for an adequate response also to issues of sustainability , and even climate change .
By sustainability I mean a form of eco-social economy that implies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights , ” he said .
He also criticised aspects of international sanctions against Cuba and Iran .
“ The inclusion of the medicines and materials necessary for the response to Covid-19 in the restrictions applied to Cuba and Iran is a clear violation of international law , which merits universal condemnation , ” Mr Higgins said .
Mr Higgins said that the “ language used to describe the vulnerability of older people has been revealing ” .
“ Where has a sociological perspective gone ?
Narrow-minded behavioural perspectives prevailed , while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was lost .
My concern now , as a sociologist , is that we are retreating into a coldness of interpersonal relationships that it has taken us decades to get away from , ” he said .

President Michael D Higgins has used an interview with an Italian communist newspaper to warn against a return to austerity and praise the response of Cuba to the Covid-19 crisis.
He also said the Irish response to the crisis “seems to be bearing fruit” but warned about “serious problems” if pandemic regulations in Northern Ireland were different to those in the State.
Mr Higgins said it was a “huge disappointment” for him to “see discrimination on the basis of age in the responses to the crisis by so many countries, even though they are motivated by the best intentions”.
The Irish Government is amongst those to have introduced special advice for the over 70s to protect themselves from the virus.
READ MORE
The President’s interview was carried in an edition of Il Manifesto, described as the “communist daily” although it has no links to any political party. Its reporter spoke to Mr Higgins remotely.
A report on the interview has been circulated among senior officials and Ministers in Dublin, where his views are said to have raised some eyebrows.
Mr Higgins revisited a theme familiar from the last economic crisis when he warned against any return of austerity policies.
“The price paid for austerity is a situation that must not come up again,” he said. “It is time for a paradigm shift, and this change must take place in the streets of Europe.
“I am in favour of universal basic services with an income that allows people to live, rather than simply a universal basic income that a system prone to exploitation could abuse. Universal basic services and a universal basic income are not contradictory, provided that priority is given to the former.”
Mr Higgins was critical of the early response of the EU to the crisis, saying it “revealed a lack of collective action, not to mention a lack of solidarity in the unedifying competition for protective equipment and clothing, and even test materials”.
Collective responsibility
He also said that the recent decision of the German Constitutional Court – which called into question Germany’s participation in ECB bond-buying – “ is a serious threat to the Euro zone and the European Union itself”.
However, when the subject was raised with him, the President praised the response of Cuba, which sent doctors and equipment to Northern Italy to help efforts to tackle the virus there.
“The behaviour to which Cuba has accustomed us in responding to situations of grave need is an example of the acceptance of a collective responsibility that offers the best hope for an adequate response also to issues of sustainability, and even climate change. By sustainability I mean a form of eco-social economy that implies a consensus on the universality of fundamental rights,” he said.
He also criticised aspects of international sanctions against Cuba and Iran. “The inclusion of the medicines and materials necessary for the response to Covid-19 in the restrictions applied to Cuba and Iran is a clear violation of international law, which merits universal condemnation,” Mr Higgins said.
Mr Higgins said that the “language used to describe the vulnerability of older people has been revealing”.
“Where has a sociological perspective gone? Narrow-minded behavioural perspectives prevailed, while the value of phenomenological approaches to social gerontology was lost. My concern now, as a sociologist, is that we are retreating into a coldness of interpersonal relationships that it has taken us decades to get away from,” he said.