theirishtimes--2020-02-16--Citizens' Assembly hears Ireland an outlier with low divorce and high birth rates

Ireland has an “ incredibly low ” divorce rate and one of the highest birth rates in Europe , the Citizens ’ Assembly on gender equality has been told .
Ireland ’ s divorce rate of 0.6 per cent per 1,000 people is less than a third of that of the UK ( 1.9 per cent ) and a fifth of that of the United States ( 3.2 per cent ) .
Professor Linda Connolly of Maynooth University Social Sciences Institute said the only countries with comparable low divorce rates are Malta and Montenegro .
She said Ireland ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but has fallen off dramatically since the 1970s .
In that decade the average mother had four children ; today is less than two per mother .
Irish mothers at an average age of 33 are also older than their European peers .
Professor Connolly said Ireland was regarded as a country that kept the traditional family structure for much longer than other countries especially as divorce was only legalised in Ireland in 1995 .
However , patterns of family formation in Ireland are converging with the European norm with approximately 40 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is higher than the European average .
In other respects Ireland remains an outlier in terms of the level of divorce and the high birth rate , she stressed .
She told the assembly that women are overwhelmingly the ones in one-parent families .
Some 91 per cent of lone-parents in Ireland were women according to the 2016 census and 98 per cent of recipients of the one-family payment in 2016 were women .
She said the Irish State from the beginning sought to protect the “ traditional family ” as being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also had very high levels of men and women in the past who never married .
“ We are looking at a category which is constantly subject to change and evolving , ” she stated .
“ What we were talking about in 1937 is very different to the kinds of families we are talking about today.
” Professor Siobhan Mullally of NUI Galway said the Constitutional Convention in 2013 , the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission have all recommend that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a special place in the home should not be retained .
There were three recommendations made by a task force report from the Conventional Constitution .
One was simply to delete Article 41.2 , the second was to replace it with a clause stating that the State “ shall endeavour to ensure that persons caring for others ” are supported by society .
An alternative wording would see the State “ support persons caring for others within the home ” .
The assembly is made up of the chairwoman and 99 citizens , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Irish electorate .
It will meet over a number of weekends .
The assembly on gender equality arose out of an Oireachtas resolution passed by the outgoing Government with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar stating that Ireland “ falls very far short ” of gender equality between men and women .

Prof. Siobhan Mullally, Director Irish Centre of Human Rights, NUIG speaking at The Citizens’ Assembly, session on The Family on Sunday at the Grand Hotel, Malahide, Co Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Ireland has an "incredibly low" divorce rate and one of the highest birth rates in Europe, the Citizens' Assembly on gender equality has been told.
Ireland's divorce rate of 0.6 per cent per 1,000 people is less than a third of that of the UK (1.9 per cent) and a fifth of that of the United States (3.2 per cent).
Professor Linda Connolly of Maynooth University Social Sciences Institute said the only countries with comparable low divorce rates are Malta and Montenegro.
She said Ireland’s birth rate remains high by European standards but has fallen off dramatically since the 1970s.
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In that decade the average mother had four children; today is less than two per mother.
Irish mothers at an average age of 33 are also older than their European peers.
Professor Connolly said Ireland was regarded as a country that kept the traditional family structure for much longer than other countries especially as divorce was only legalised in Ireland in 1995.
However, patterns of family formation in Ireland are converging with the European norm with approximately 40 per cent of children being born outside marriage which is higher than the European average.
In other respects Ireland remains an outlier in terms of the level of divorce and the high birth rate, she stressed.
She told the assembly that women are overwhelmingly the ones in one-parent families. Some 91 per cent of lone-parents in Ireland were women according to the 2016 census and 98 per cent of recipients of the one-family payment in 2016 were women.
She said the Irish State from the beginning sought to protect the “traditional family” as being married heterosexual parents with children though Ireland also had very high levels of men and women in the past who never married.
“We are looking at a category which is constantly subject to change and evolving,” she stated.
“What we were talking about in 1937 is very different to the kinds of families we are talking about today.”
Professor Siobhan Mullally of NUI Galway said the Constitutional Convention in 2013, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission have all recommend that Article 41.2 which states that women have a special place in the home should not be retained.
There were three recommendations made by a task force report from the Conventional Constitution.
One was simply to delete Article 41.2, the second was to replace it with a clause stating that the State “shall endeavour to ensure that persons caring for others” are supported by society.
An alternative wording would see the State “support persons caring for others within the home”.
The assembly is made up of the chairwoman and 99 citizens, randomly selected to be broadly representative of the Irish electorate. It will meet over a number of weekends.
The assembly on gender equality arose out of an Oireachtas resolution passed by the outgoing Government with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar stating that Ireland “falls very far short” of gender equality between men and women.


theirishtimes--2020-02-16--Citizens’ Assembly backs call for ‘women in the home’ clause to go

Members of the Citizens ’ Assembly have overwhelmingly backed a call for the controversial “ women in the home ” article in the constitution to be deleted and/or replaced .
The 99 members of the assembly and its chair Catherine Day were asked for their verdict on the deliberations of the Constitutional Convention in 2015 which mandated the Government to seek a referendum on same-sex marriage which was duly passed by the electorate .
The convention was also asked if Articles 41.2.1 and 2 should be removed from Bunreacht na hÉireann .
Article 41.2.1 states : “ In particular , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the home , woman gives to the State a support without which the common good can not be achieved.
” .
Article 41.2.2 states : “ The State shall , therefore , endeavour to ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of their duties in the home.
” At the convention 88 per cent favoured deletion of these clauses , but 98 per cent stated that they should be replaced by a gender-neutral text to include other carers in the home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ believed the replacement constitutional cause should also include carers outside the home .
They also held that carers , should not as a result of economic necessity , have to work outside the home .
The members of the assembly were asked to discuss if Articles 41.1.2 and 41.1.3 should be deleted or replaced and if replaced , what should they be replaced with ?
In a round table discussion afterwards , the assembly , discussing gender equality , endorsed the findings of the Constitutional Convention that the two articles should be deleted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it should be implemented .
Some of the convenors of the tables stated Articles 41.1.1 and 2 should be retained with a gender neutral clause .
Other said the State must define a “ reasonable level of support ” for carers or guardians as opposed to “ shall support ” , alternative phrases which were considered by the Constitutional Conventional .
There was disagreements among some of the citizens as to how much financial support the State should provide carers .
Some queried about what “ caring beyond the home ” might mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitution and what it would mean financially .
There were several requests for further clarity on it .
Another table of citizens said the level of support required to carers beyond the home through a constitutional change would be more “ aspirational than achievable ” .
Others said the “ common good ” needed to be defined .
“ We felt legal assistance in deciphering the language we are being asked to define and understand would be a benefit going forward , ” one moderator said .
One table recommended that the word @ @ @ @ @ @ @ word “ guardians ” .
The moderator of another table suggested that there should be a payment for stay at home mothers and this should be done by a “ minimum threshold ” payment which would be means-tested .
Ms Day said their deliberations would feed into the next meeting of the assembly in March .
The assembly is made up of the chairwoman and 99 citizens , randomly selected to be broadly representative of the Irish electorate .
It will meet over a number of weekends .
The assembly on gender equality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the outgoing Government with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar stating that Ireland “ falls very far short ” of gender equality between men and women .

Dr Catherine Day, Chairwoman at The Citizens’ Assembly session on The Family on Sunday. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill
Members of the Citizens’ Assembly have overwhelmingly backed a call for the controversial “women in the home” article in the constitution to be deleted and/or replaced.
The 99 members of the assembly and its chair Catherine Day were asked for their verdict on the deliberations of the Constitutional Convention in 2015 which mandated the Government to seek a referendum on same-sex marriage which was duly passed by the electorate.
The convention was also asked if Articles 41.2.1 and 2 should be removed from Bunreacht na hÉireann. Article 41.2.1 states: “In particular, the State recognises that by her life within the home, woman gives to the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved.”.
Article 41.2.2 states: “The State shall, therefore, endeavour to ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of their duties in the home.”
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At the convention 88 per cent favoured deletion of these clauses, but 98 per cent stated that they should be replaced by a gender-neutral text to include other carers in the home. A majority (62 per cent) believed the replacement constitutional cause should also include carers outside the home. They also held that carers, should not as a result of economic necessity, have to work outside the home.
The members of the assembly were asked to discuss if Articles 41.1.2 and 41.1.3 should be deleted or replaced and if replaced, what should they be replaced with?
In a round table discussion afterwards, the assembly, discussing gender equality, endorsed the findings of the Constitutional Convention that the two articles should be deleted, but called for clarity on how it should be implemented.
Some of the convenors of the tables stated Articles 41.1.1 and 2 should be retained with a gender neutral clause.
Other said the State must define a “reasonable level of support” for carers or guardians as opposed to “shall support”, alternative phrases which were considered by the Constitutional Conventional.
There was disagreements among some of the citizens as to how much financial support the State should provide carers.
Some queried about what “caring beyond the home” might mean if that clause was inserted into the constitution and what it would mean financially.
There were several requests for further clarity on it. Another table of citizens said the level of support required to carers beyond the home through a constitutional change would be more “aspirational than achievable”.
Others said the “common good” needed to be defined.
“We felt legal assistance in deciphering the language we are being asked to define and understand would be a benefit going forward,” one moderator said.
One table recommended that the word “mothers” be replaced with the word “guardians”.
The moderator of another table suggested that there should be a payment for stay at home mothers and this should be done by a “minimum threshold” payment which would be means-tested.
Ms Day said their deliberations would feed into the next meeting of the assembly in March.
The assembly is made up of the chairwoman and 99 citizens, randomly selected to be broadly representative of the Irish electorate. It will meet over a number of weekends.
The assembly on gender equality arose out of an Oireachtas resolution passed by the outgoing Government with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar stating that Ireland “falls very far short” of gender equality between men and women.


theirishtimes--2020-02-16--Citizens’ Assembly told constitution a barrier to recognition of same-sex families

The constitution is a barrier to the proper recognition of same-sex families , the Citizens ’ Assembly heard on Sunday .
Paula Fagan and her partner Denise have two boys , aged 10 and 13 , and they have been together 15 years .
Ms Fagan , who is also the chief executive of LGBT Ireland , said every time the boys ’ passports come up for renewal , they , as parents , have to swear that they are lone parents despite being together since the children were born .
Ms Fagan told the assembly it was not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of parents that matter , but the “ love , commitment and care ” that children receive .
She said they had legal guardianship , but that guardianship runs out when their sons are 18 and thereafter “ my sons become strangers to me when they turn 18 .
“ As a parent , you are a parent to your child all of your life .
The constitution is a barrier to recognising our family and thousands of families like that , ” she told the assembly .
“ Once there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as far as the family is concerned .
We ask you to recognise and protect our family by broadening the definition of family.
” She said the law needs to be changed to “ recognise diverse family forms ” and “ evolving reproduction technologies .
The constitution needs to protect and defend what matters in the family .
“ In the case of children being raised by same-sex parents , putting the children at the centre of law reform is what matters.
” Single mother Adele O ’ Connor told the assembly she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when she was 22 , but the relationship with the father of her child broke down .
“ Because I choose not to marry , does that make me and my child not a family ?
” she suggested .
She said the constitution states that the family is founded on the institution of marriage through Section 41.3.1.1 which states that “ the State pledges itself to guard with special care the institution of Marriage , on which the Family is founded , and to protect it against attack.
” Ms O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disagree and say that my family unit is very strong and I am disappointed as in the definition in the constitution that my family is abnormal or wrong or illegal in some way because we don ’ t fit into the definition of the traditional family .
“ Surely the question should be , ‘ what is the fundamental rights of every Irish citizen ?
’ ” Separated father David Saunders , who became a father at 18 , said in many sectors of society “ fathers are the forgotten part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead-beat Dads ” .
“ Nothing could be further from the truth , ” he said .
Mr Saunders , the founder of the Lads to Dads group for young or expectant fathers , said he moved out of the family home when his children were 12 and four .
He suggested that society needs to do more to support fathers who “ want to be good Dads ” and there should be clarity around guardianship and proper mediation to reduce the number of families through the courts process .
“ Fathers want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children , but we need some help sometime , ” he said .
He proposed a fathers ’ network which would help other fathers through the process of family break-up .
The assembly is made up of the chairwoman and 99 citizens , randomly selected to be broadly representative of the Irish electorate .
It will meet over a number of weekends .
The assembly on gender equality arose out of an Oireachtas resolution passed by the outgoing Government with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar stating that Ireland “ falls very far short ” of @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The constitution is a barrier to the proper recognition of same-sex families, the Citizens’ Assembly heard on Sunday.
Paula Fagan and her partner Denise have two boys, aged 10 and 13, and they have been together 15 years.
Ms Fagan, who is also the chief executive of LGBT Ireland, said every time the boys' passports come up for renewal, they, as parents, have to swear that they are lone parents despite being together since the children were born.
Ms Fagan told the assembly it was not the gender of the parents or the number of parents that matter, but the “love, commitment and care” that children receive.
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She said they had legal guardianship, but that guardianship runs out when their sons are 18 and thereafter “my sons become strangers to me when they turn 18.
“As a parent, you are a parent to your child all of your life. The constitution is a barrier to recognising our family and thousands of families like that,” she told the assembly.
“Once there is a donor involved, it is a problem as far as the family is concerned. We ask you to recognise and protect our family by broadening the definition of family.”
She said the law needs to be changed to “recognise diverse family forms” and “evolving reproduction technologies. The constitution needs to protect and defend what matters in the family.
“In the case of children being raised by same-sex parents, putting the children at the centre of law reform is what matters.”
Single mother Adele O’Connor told the assembly she has a 25-year-old daughter who was born when she was 22, but the relationship with the father of her child broke down.
“Because I choose not to marry, does that make me and my child not a family?” she suggested.
She said the constitution states that the family is founded on the institution of marriage through Section 41.3.1.1 which states that “the State pledges itself to guard with special care the institution of Marriage, on which the Family is founded, and to protect it against attack.”
Ms O’Connor responded: “I have to disagree and say that my family unit is very strong and I am disappointed as in the definition in the constitution that my family is abnormal or wrong or illegal in some way because we don’t fit into the definition of the traditional family.
“Surely the question should be, ‘what is the fundamental rights of every Irish citizen?’”
Separated father David Saunders, who became a father at 18, said in many sectors of society "fathers are the forgotten part of the family" and are characterised as "dead-beat Dads".
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” he said.
Mr Saunders, the founder of the Lads to Dads group for young or expectant fathers, said he moved out of the family home when his children were 12 and four.
He suggested that society needs to do more to support fathers who “want to be good Dads” and there should be clarity around guardianship and proper mediation to reduce the number of families through the courts process.
“Fathers want to be good dads and support their children, but we need some help sometime,” he said.
He proposed a fathers’ network which would help other fathers through the process of family break-up.
The assembly is made up of the chairwoman and 99 citizens, randomly selected to be broadly representative of the Irish electorate. It will meet over a number of weekends.
The assembly on gender equality arose out of an Oireachtas resolution passed by the outgoing Government with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar stating that Ireland “falls very far short” of gender equality between men and women.


theirishtimes--2020-02-17--Men arrested in connection with death of Wayne Whelan

Gardaí investigating the gun murder of Wayne Whelan in Lucan last year have arrested two more men .
Mr Whelan @ @ @ @ @ in the passenger seat of a burning car in Mount Andrew , Lucan , on @ @ @ @ @ mortem determined he died from several gunshot wounds .
The Garda said two men were @ @ @ @ @ One suspect , aged in his 30s , is being detained for questioning in Lucan @ @ @ @ @ be held for up to seven days .
The other man , who is aged @ @ @ @ @ being questioned at Ronanstown Garda Station in relation to suspected firearms offences .
He can @ @ @ @ @ 72 hours .
Two other men have already been charged in relation to Mr Whelan @ @ @ @ @ Casserly ( 23 ) and Christopher Moran ( 50 ) , both from Rowlagh Park @ @ @ @ @ Blanchardstown District Court in December charged in connection with the murder .
A woman arrested @ @ @ @ @ Mr Casserly and Mr Moran was released without charge .

Two other men have already been charged in relation to Wayne Whelan’s death.
Gardaí investigating the gun murder of Wayne Whelan in Lucan last year have arrested two more men.
Mr Whelan’s body was found in the passenger seat of a burning car in Mount Andrew, Lucan, on November 18th. A post mortem determined he died from several gunshot wounds.
The Garda said two men were arrested on Monday morning. One suspect, aged in his 30s, is being detained for questioning in Lucan Garda Station where he can be held for up to seven days.
The other man, who is aged in his 40s, is being questioned at Ronanstown Garda Station in relation to suspected firearms offences. He can be held for up to 72 hours.
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Two other men have already been charged in relation to Mr Whelan's death. Anthony Casserly (23) and Christopher Moran (50), both from Rowlagh Park in Clondalkin, appeared at Blanchardstown District Court in December charged in connection with the murder.
A woman arrested at the same time as Mr Casserly and Mr Moran was released without charge.


theirishtimes--2020-02-17--Misplaced catheter pushed through man’s genitals in Dublin hospital

A middle-aged man required emergency treatment at a Dublin hospital after a tube inserted in his belly to drain urine from his bladder was pushed too far and ended up coming out his penis .
The patient complained of a sore abdomen and “ significant penile pain ” when he presented at the emergency department of Beaumont Hospital , reporting that he had produced no urine since the tube was replaced by a local physician 24 hours before .
On examination , doctors saw that the tip of the device – a suprapubic catheter – was “ clearly visible ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It had been pushed into his urethra from the bladder when an “ anchoring balloon ” was inflated .
The “ unique case ” was documented in a research paper by three clinicians at Beaumont Hospital , which was published in this month ’ s issue of the Irish Medical Journal .
They reported treating the patient by “ gently deflating ” the balloon and replacing the suprapubic catheter .
“ Bleeding and discomfort ” subsequently settled , and two litres of urine were drained from his bladder .
The authors of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important learning points ” arising from the case .
They said urine draining should be observed after routine catheter changes , and genitalia should be examined when a misplaced catheter is suspected .
The patient suffered from neuropathic bladder secondary to multiple sclerosis , making it impossible for urine to be properly drained or stored .
A suprapubic catheter is often favoured in such cases “ due to its relative comfort ” , the paper notes .
However , misplacement of the catheter is possible due to the typically small capacity of neuropathic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entered through a hole under the patient ’ s navel , entered the bladder , and exited again via the urethra .
“ The catheter was advanced through the suprapubic tract and inadvertently into the proximal urethra within inflation of the anchoring balloon [ which is designed to keep the device in place ] , ” the authors explained .
The patient was kept for a period of observation to ensure adequate catheter drainage , and was well when he was later discharged .

A middle-aged man required emergency treatment at a Dublin hospital after a tube inserted in his belly to drain urine from his bladder was pushed too far and ended up coming out his penis.
The patient complained of a sore abdomen and “significant penile pain” when he presented at the emergency department of Beaumont Hospital, reporting that he had produced no urine since the tube was replaced by a local physician 24 hours before.
On examination, doctors saw that the tip of the device – a suprapubic catheter – was “clearly visible” emerging from the man’s genitals. It had been pushed into his urethra from the bladder when an “anchoring balloon” was inflated.
The “unique case” was documented in a research paper by three clinicians at Beaumont Hospital, which was published in this month’s issue of the Irish Medical Journal.
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They reported treating the patient by “gently deflating” the balloon and replacing the suprapubic catheter. “Bleeding and discomfort” subsequently settled, and two litres of urine were drained from his bladder.
The authors of the paper stated that there were “important learning points” arising from the case. They said urine draining should be observed after routine catheter changes, and genitalia should be examined when a misplaced catheter is suspected.
The patient suffered from neuropathic bladder secondary to multiple sclerosis, making it impossible for urine to be properly drained or stored. A suprapubic catheter is often favoured in such cases “due to its relative comfort”, the paper notes.
However, misplacement of the catheter is possible due to the typically small capacity of neuropathic bladders. In this case, it entered through a hole under the patient’s navel, entered the bladder, and exited again via the urethra.
“The catheter was advanced through the suprapubic tract and inadvertently into the proximal urethra within inflation of the anchoring balloon [which is designed to keep the device in place],” the authors explained.
The patient was kept for a period of observation to ensure adequate catheter drainage, and was well when he was later discharged.


theirishtimes--2020-02-17--Most adults have never considered where they want to be cared for

Eighty per cent of adults have not thought or talked about where they would like to be cared for if they became seriously ill or frail , according to new research launched by Safeguarding Ireland .
Just five per cent have documented what their place of care preferences are .
The research , which used Red C ’ s omnibus survey , found that 21 per cent of adults had personally considered where their preferred place of care would be if they were seriously ill or nearing death .
Just 17 per cent had discussed with a family member or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent had documented their preference .
Around 70 per cent are confused about decision-making and consent protocols when caring for a seriously ill or frail older person .
Consideration of place of care was higher among older adults ( 65+ ) , but still just 43 per cent had considered it , 35 per cent had discussed it and 9 per cent had documented their wishes .
When asked if a family member has authority to make decisions for someone who is frail but still has decision-making capacity without their consent , 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member does have this authority , 28 per cent did not know , and just 40 per cent recognised that the decision continues to lie fully with the person as long as they have decision-making capacity .
Patricia Rickard Clarke , chairperson of Safeguarding Ireland , said the findings showed “ very clearly ” the need for all adults , and particularly older adults with reducing capacity , to think about their wishes , talk with those they trust and document their choices .
“ The message from Safeguarding Ireland is to plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Make known where they would like to be cared for , ” she said .
“ If in the future you did not have decision-making capacity where would you choose to live – at home with supports , with a family member or friend , in a nursing home or hospice , or remain in hospital ?
“ While it may not always be possible to deliver all of these wishes , by being known our preferences can be considered and respected .
Planning ahead protects rights and respects choices .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to safeguard against being treated badly , or experiencing adult abuse.
” The survey also asked respondents where their preferred place of care with 85 per cent stating they would be happy to be cared for at home with the necessary supports , 55 per cent in the home of a family member , 33 per cent in a hospice , 25 per cent in a nursing home and 19 per cent in a hospital .

Just five per cent og people have documented what their place of care preferences are. Photograph: Getty Images
Eighty per cent of adults have not thought or talked about where they would like to be cared for if they became seriously ill or frail, according to new research launched by Safeguarding Ireland.
Just five per cent have documented what their place of care preferences are.
The research, which used Red C’s omnibus survey, found that 21 per cent of adults had personally considered where their preferred place of care would be if they were seriously ill or nearing death.
Just 17 per cent had discussed with a family member or other trusted person and only five per cent had documented their preference.
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Around 70 per cent are confused about decision-making and consent protocols when caring for a seriously ill or frail older person.
Consideration of place of care was higher among older adults (65+), but still just 43 per cent had considered it, 35 per cent had discussed it and 9 per cent had documented their wishes.
When asked if a family member has authority to make decisions for someone who is frail but still has decision-making capacity without their consent, 30 per cent said that yes the family member does have this authority, 28 per cent did not know, and just 40 per cent recognised that the decision continues to lie fully with the person as long as they have decision-making capacity.
Patricia Rickard Clarke, chairperson of Safeguarding Ireland, said the findings showed "very clearly" the need for all adults, and particularly older adults with reducing capacity, to think about their wishes, talk with those they trust and document their choices.
“The message from Safeguarding Ireland is to plan ahead - turn your wishes into plans. Make known where they would like to be cared for,” she said.
“If in the future you did not have decision-making capacity where would you choose to live – at home with supports, with a family member or friend, in a nursing home or hospice, or remain in hospital?
“While it may not always be possible to deliver all of these wishes, by being known our preferences can be considered and respected. Planning ahead protects rights and respects choices. It is also recognised as the best step to safeguard against being treated badly, or experiencing adult abuse.”
The survey also asked respondents where their preferred place of care with 85 per cent stating they would be happy to be cared for at home with the necessary supports, 55 per cent in the home of a family member, 33 per cent in a hospice, 25 per cent in a nursing home and 19 per cent in a hospital.


theirishtimes--2020-02-17--Wet and windy weather: ‘no respite ahead,’ says Met Éireann

Fears of widespread flooding are growing as another wet week is forecast by Met Éireann following Storm Dennis .
Many parts of the country experienced torrential rain over the weekend and winds gusting at 66 knots ( 122 km/h ) .
About 1,800 homes remain without electricity on Monday morning after Storm Dennis passed over the country .
“ There is very little respite ahead , ” according to Met Éireann forecaster Siobhan Ryan .
“ The jet stream is directly over us and it is driving a lot of low pressure systems across the north Atlantic so the strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with plenty of wind and rain .
There is a lot of rain on the way occasionally turning wintery.
” “ We are looking at similar amounts of rainfall as last week .
There is no storm systems coming in , but there could be high volumes of rain on Wednesday and Thursday in the western half of the country .
It looks like there could be high volumes of rain later in the weekend.
” Parts of the midlands received 40mms of rain over the weekend some of it falling in very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the country had between 2 and 0.5 times the average amount of rain with Shannon Airport recording 93.6mm ( almost four inches ) of rain/snow in the seven days up to Saturday .
This was 5 times the monthly average .
The forecast is for cold , blustery and showery weather for the first half of the week , but then it will get much wetter on Wednesday .
The rest of the week until next weekend looks to be very wet with a risk of further spot flooding on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 4 times the average amount of rain will fall this week .
Most soils remain saturated or waterlogged after Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis and Met Éireann has warned that this will not improve over the week .

A pedestrian wheels a suitcase on a flooded path across from Victoria Quay in Dublin City centre on Saturday. Photograph: Damien Eagers
Fears of widespread flooding are growing as another wet week is forecast by Met Éireann following Storm Dennis.
Many parts of the country experienced torrential rain over the weekend and winds gusting at 66 knots (122km/h).
Electricity had been restored to nearly all homes who lost power during Storm Dennis by Monday evening.
On Monday morning about 1,800 homes remained without electricity; however, ESB Networks crews restored power to the vast majority of those remaining outages over the course of the day.
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A spokesman for the ESB said there was still a “very low” number of homes without power, however those levels were in line with ordinary outages during the winter period.
“All those who lost power over the storm are reconnected,” he said. Repair crews had reconnected the “vast majority” of those who lost power during the storm by Sunday evening, he said.
Met Éireann meteorologist Siobhán Ryan said the coming week would provide “very little respite” from the rough weather seen over the weekend.
Jet stream
“The jet stream is directly over us and it is driving a lot of low-pressure systems across the north Atlantic, so the strong signal is for lots of unsettled weather with plenty of wind and rain. There is a lot of rain on the way occasionally turning wintery,” she said.
“We are looking at similar amounts of rainfall as last week. There are no storm systems coming in, but there could be high volumes of rain on Wednesday and Thursday in the western half of the country. It looks like there could be high volumes of rain later in the weekend.”
Parts of the midlands received 40mm of rain over the weekend, some of it falling in very heavy showers.
Last week, most parts of the country had between 0.5 times and twice the average amount of rain, with Shannon Airport recording 93.6mm (almost four inches) of rain/snow in the seven days up to Saturday. This was five times the monthly average.
The forecast is for cold, blustery and showery weather up to Wednesday, after which it will get much wetter.
The rest of the week until next weekend looks to be very wet with a risk of further spot flooding on Friday.
Met Éireann is forecasting that between two and four times the average amount of rain will fall this week.
Most soil remains saturated or waterlogged after Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis and Met Éireann has warned that this will not improve over the week.


theirishtimes--2020-02-17--Man dies in apparent accidental shooting at Dublin firing range

A man has died in an apparent accidental shooting at a firing range in north Co Dublin .
While an investigation was just commencing late on Sunday , gardaí do not believe there was any third party involvement .
The victim was found dead , having suffered a gunshot wound , by another person who had arrived at the range in Swords on Sunday afternoon .
The emergency services were called and while paramedics arrived in a bid to treat the victim , he was pronounced dead at the scene .
“ Gardaí are currently at scene at the discovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Balheary , Swords , Co Dublin , this afternoon approximately 3.30pm , ” Garda Headquarters said in reply to queries on Sunday evening .
“ Gardaí were alerted to the incident and the body remains at scene .
A post mortem will be conducted and the results of the post mortem will determine the course of the investigation .
Investigations ongoing.
” While the Garda did not comment on the circumstances in which the man sustained the fatal shot , investigating gardaí believe the man ’ s gun was accidentally discharged .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the man was fatally wounded when alone and that the incident was not noticed for some time .
The man ’ s remains had been removed from the scene late on Sunday night and a post mortem on his remains was expected to be completed on Monday .
A firearm was also being examined as part of the Garda inquiry .
It was unclear if Sunday ’ s stormy conditions had contributed in any way to the apparent accident at the outdoor range .
If the fatal shot is proven accidental and third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as expected , the Garda inquiry would not be criminal in nature .
Instead , it would inform a coroner ’ s inquest into the man ’ s death .

Gardaí said they were not seeking any other person in relation to the man’s death at the outdoor range. File photograph: Getty Images
A man has died in an apparent accidental shooting at a firing range in north Co Dublin.
Gardaí on Monday said they were treating the death as a “tragic incident” and no one else was being sought.
The victim was found dead, having suffered a gunshot wound, by another person who had arrived at the range in Swords on Sunday afternoon.
The emergency services were called and while paramedics arrived in a bid to treat the victim, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
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“Gardaí are currently at scene at the discovery of a body at a shooting range in Balheary, Swords, Co Dublin, this afternoon approximately 3.30pm,” Garda Headquarters said in reply to queries on Sunday evening.
“Gardaí were alerted to the incident and the body remains at scene. A post mortem will be conducted and the results of the post mortem will determine the course of the investigation. Investigations ongoing.”
While the Garda did not comment on the circumstances in which the man sustained the fatal shot, investigating gardaí initially believed the man’s gun was accidentally discharged.
Gardaí were working on the theory that the man was fatally wounded when alone and that the incident was not noticed for some time.
The man’s remains had been removed from the scene late on Sunday night and a post mortem on his remains was expected to be completed on Monday.
A firearm was also being examined as part of the Garda inquiry.


theirishtimes--2020-02-17--Coronavirus: Irish passengers trapped on cruise ship in Japan set to be evacuated

Irish passengers trapped on a cruise ship off Yokohama in Japan for the past fortnight because of the coronavirus are expected to be evacuated after the Department of Foreign Affairs said it was examining proposals for them .
The United States on Sunday began taking its citizens off the Diamond Princess .
Canada , Italy , South Korea , Australia and Hong Kong were also making plans for their citizens among the 3,700 passengers and crew .
In response to queries about the possible evacuation of at least two Irish passengers , a department spokeswoman said : “ We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added the Irish passengers , believed to be a couple , were receiving consular assistance .
They were expected to face another two-week quarantine period once off the ship .
The Japanese authorities had said the results of tests for the virus performed on everyone on board would be available by Friday , when staggered disembarkations could begin .
However , the US authorities had begun to take about 400 of its citizens off the ship on Sunday .
Some 355 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed among the ship ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All of the ill have been brought ashore to hospitals .
The outbreak is by far the biggest outside China .

The coronavirus has now spread to 25 countries, and experts here regard it as highly likely it will arrive in Ireland at some point.
Irish passengers trapped on a cruise ship off Yokohama in Japan for the past fortnight because of the coronavirus are expected to be evacuated after the Department of Foreign Affairs said it was examining proposals for them.
The United States on Sunday began taking its citizens off the Diamond Princess. Canada, Italy, South Korea, Australia and Hong Kong were also making plans for their citizens among the 3,700 passengers and crew.
In response to queries about the possible evacuation of at least two Irish passengers, a department spokeswoman said: “We are working with other like-minded countries.”
She added the Irish passengers, believed to be a couple from Co Meath, were receiving consular assistance. They were expected to face another two-week quarantine period once off the ship.
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The Japanese authorities had said the results of tests for the virus performed on everyone on board would be available by Friday, when staggered disembarkations could begin. However, the US authorities had begun to take about 400 of its citizens off the ship on Sunday.
Some 355 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed among the ship’s passengers, including 70 on Sunday. All of the ill have been brought ashore to hospitals.
About 420 cases of the virus have been officially recorded in Japan, including one fatality - making it host to the worst outbreak outside China. Japan’s government admits it is increasingly struggling to keep track of new infections.
Five people, including a doctor and his wife, have come down with the virus at a hospital in Wakayama Prefecture, hundreds of kilometres from Yokohama. The government has revealed a cluster of eight new cases in Tokyo, most apparently infected by the same taxi driver.
“Japan seems to have entered a new phase where the infection route of several new cases is unclear,” health minister Katsunobu Kato warned on Monday.
The US was the first country to remove its citizens from the stricken liner. On Monday morning, about 340 Americans were flown by chartered flight to California and Texas, where they will be quarantined for two weeks at military bases.
A total of 40 Americans have reportedly been infected on the ship. Some have been transferred to hospitals in Japan but 14 who have the virus but no symptoms were controversially allowed to fly home in what the US Department of State called a “specialised containment area on the evacuation aircraft”.
Matthew Smith, an American passenger who decided to stay on the Diamond Princess tweeted on Monday: “OMG: US Gov’t said they would not put anyone on planes who was symptomatic, and they ended up knowingly and intentionally putting on 14 people who actually have the virus. Decision not to be evacuated = best decision ever.”
The remaining passengers, most of whom are aged 60 or older, are scheduled to be released from quarantine in stages from Wednesday.
Experts fear the Covid-19 crisis could begin to overwhelm Japanese medical facilities if it spreads. One hospital in the western suburbs of metropolitan Tokyo was forced to stop treating outpatients on Monday after a nurse fell ill. The nurse had been treating an elderly woman who died last week.
The Japanese government is taking increasingly severe measures to keep the disease at bay. On Monday it cancelled public celebrations for the birthday of Emperor Naruhito later this week. Tokyo’s Marathon, which is scheduled for March 1st and expected to draw 38,000 runners, has also been curtailed.


theirishtimes--2020-02-17--New network of 1,322 speed cameras comes into force today

The 20 stretches of road in the State where most collisions occur are all in Dublin , according to a Garda rating system used to determine the location of speed cameras .
An analysis of a new list of over 1,300 safety camera zones , which come into effect from 6am on Monday , reveals the most likely roads where motorists are involved in accidents are all in the capital .
The list , which is published by An Garda Síochána , highlights how some of the busiest routes in the city for traffic have the highest number of collisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of accidents is the R111 which runs between Islandbridge and Irishtown ( and extended to Dublin Port as a safety camera zone ) which follows the Grand Canal for most of its route .
A total of 118 collisions were recorded on a 9.9km stretch of the road over a three-year period , including two fatal crashes and 18 serious accidents .
The list of roads where Go Safe vans operating speed cameras will be located was devised by gardaí based on all recorded road collisions between 2016 and 2018 .
From Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new locations , while 575 zones were removed because they were no longer considered high-risk areas .
The full list of 1,322 camera locations can be found on the Garda website .
Moyagh Murdock , chief executive of the Road Safety Authority , said : “ The locations are also being shared with satellite navigation companies .
That ’ s because this whole project is about stopping people from speeding , not catching people speeding .
So there really is no excuse.
” Gardaí grade the risk level of speed zones based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minor collisions which occurred on them over a three-year period .
While some roads might have been the location of fewer accidents they are considered more high risk because of the comparatively higher number of fatal and serious collisions .
The second most high-risk road in the country is a 5.4km stretch of the R148 between the Chapelizod Bypass along the Liffey quays to the Customs House , which has a 30km/h speed limit for large parts of the route .
It was the location for a total 99 of collisions between 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but not fatalities .
The third most dangerous road is a 21.4km stretch of the M50 between Junction 3 ( M1 interchange ) and Junction 11 ( N81-Tallaght ) where a total of 116 collisions were recorded over the period .
Outside Dublin the road with the most collisions is the N8 one-way route around Cork city centre from Horgan ’ s Quay to the Lower Glanmire Road .
It is ranked 21st in terms of collision-risk , and is one of the new zones where motorists can expected to see speed cameras @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the first time .
A total of 31 traffic accidents were recorded over the 3.1km loop of the N8 in Cork city , including one fatal collision and five serious crashes .
One of the most dangerous stretches of road in the State is the N4 between Longford and Roosky where four fatal collisions were recorded over three years .
The 1,322 safety camera zones in the updated list only account for just over 4,420km – or 4.6 per cent of the national road network – but they are the location for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 66 per cent of serious injuries and 44 per cent of minor injuries .
Garda figures show that GoSafe vans last year detected an average of 0.9 vehicles per hour breaking the speed limit compared to 1.85 vehicles in 2011 .

The 1,322 safety camera zones in an updated list only account for 4.6% of the national road network yet they are the location for 76% of all fatalities. Photograph: Getty Images
The 20 stretches of road in the State where most collisions occur are all in Dublin, according to a Garda rating system used to determine the location of speed cameras.
An analysis of a new list of over 1,300 safety camera zones, which come into effect from 6am on Monday, reveals the most likely roads where motorists are involved in accidents are all in the capital.
The list, which is published by An Garda Síochána, highlights how some of the busiest routes in the city for traffic have the highest number of collisions.
The road with the highest number of accidents is the R111 which runs between Islandbridge and Irishtown (and extended to Dublin Port as a safety camera zone) which follows the Grand Canal for most of its route.
READ MORE
A total of 118 collisions were recorded on a 9.9km stretch of the road over a three-year period, including two fatal crashes and 18 serious accidents.
The list of roads where Go Safe vans operating speed cameras will be located was devised by gardaí based on all recorded road collisions between 2016 and 2018.
From Monday, speed cameras will be in 903 new locations, while 575 zones were removed because they were no longer considered high-risk areas.
The full list of 1,322 camera locations can be found on the Garda website.
Moyagh Murdock, chief executive of the Road Safety Authority, said: “The locations are also being shared with satellite navigation companies. That’s because this whole project is about stopping people from speeding, not catching people speeding. So there really is no excuse.”
Gardaí grade the risk level of speed zones based on the number of fatal, serious and minor collisions which occurred on them over a three-year period.
While some roads might have been the location of fewer accidents they are considered more high risk because of the comparatively higher number of fatal and serious collisions.
High-risk road
The second most high-risk road in the country is a 5.4km stretch of the R148 between the Chapelizod Bypass along the Liffey quays to the Customs House, which has a 30km/h speed limit for large parts of the route. It was the location for a total 99 of collisions between 2016 and 2018, including 17 serious crashes but not fatalities.
The third most dangerous road is a 21.4km stretch of the M50 between Junction 3 (M1 interchange) and Junction 11 (N81-Tallaght) where a total of 116 collisions were recorded over the period.
Outside Dublin the road with the most collisions is the N8 one-way route around Cork city centre from Horgan's Quay to the Lower Glanmire Road. It is ranked 21st in terms of collision-risk, and is one of the new zones where motorists can expected to see speed cameras vans in operation on a regular basis for the first time.
A total of 31 traffic accidents were recorded over the 3.1km loop of the N8 in Cork city, including one fatal collision and five serious crashes.
Fatal collisions
One of the most dangerous stretches of road in the State is the N4 between Longford and Roosky where four fatal collisions were recorded over three years.
The 1,322 safety camera zones in the updated list only account for just over 4,420km – or 4.6 per cent of the national road network – but they are the location for 76 per cent of all fatalities, 66 per cent of serious injuries and 44 per cent of minor injuries.
Garda figures show that GoSafe vans last year detected an average of 0.9 vehicles per hour breaking the speed limit compared to 1.85 vehicles in 2011.


theirishtimes--2020-02-17--One of Ireland’s largest law firms has no office here

The law firm with the seventh-highest number of solicitors entitled to practice law in the Republic doesn ’ t have an office here , the latest figures show .
Allen & Overy LLP , which has its headquarters in London and is one of the world ’ s largest law firms , had 206 solicitors with a practising certificate from the Law Society at the end of 2019 .
Practising certificates cost €2,650 per annum and practising law in the Republic without a certificate is an offence .
The fees from Allen & Overy would have generated €545,900 for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just behind William Fry and just ahead of Byrne Wallace in a list of the top 20 law firms ranked in terms of number of solicitors with an Irish practising certificate .
Solicitors from Allen & Overy , which had not featured in the top 20 list produced last year by the Law Society , took out 206 practising certificates last year .
There has been a sharp rise in the number of solicitors from England and Wales taking out certificates to practice here over recent years , driven by Brexit .
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firms , many of which also opened offices in Dublin as part of their preparations for the UK leaving the EU .
In May last year the Law Society issued a practice note that set out what having an Irish practising certificate entitled a solicitor to do .
The note did not express a view as to whether having such a certificate entitled a London-based lawyer to appear before the EU ’ s Court of Justice after the UK left the EU .
Neither did it express a view on another concern held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law : whether their dealings on behalf of their clients , which are often multinational corporations dealing with complex , cross-border issues , are covered by legal professional privilege in Europe post-Brexit .
The UK has left the EU , and the transition period during which the former rules apply continues to the end of this year .
There was no reply to a request for a comment from Allen & Overy .
It is understood that many London-based law firms believe a solicitor ’ s standing in Europe may be bolstered by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Society .
The Law Society is anxious that Irish practice certificates do not become a type of “ flag of convenience ” for non-EU lawyers wishing to practice law inside the EU .
In an article in the current issue of the Law Gazette , the director general of the Law Society , Ken Murphy , said it was budgeting on the basis that fewer solicitors based outside the Republic would take out Irish practising certificates during 2020 .
The society ’ s guidance note , issued in May , “ has clarified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holder to do ” , he said .

The law firm with the seventh-highest number of solicitors entitled to practice law in the Republic doesn’t have an office here, the latest figures show.
Allen & Overy LLP, which has its headquarters in London and is one of the world's largest law firms, had 206 solicitors with a practising certificate from the Law Society at the end of 2019. Practising certificates cost €2,650 per annum and practising law in the Republic without a certificate is an offence. The fees from Allen & Overy would have generated €545,900 for the Law Society last year.
It ranked just behind William Fry and just ahead of Byrne Wallace in a list of the top 20 law firms ranked in terms of number of solicitors with an Irish practising certificate.
Solicitors from Allen & Overy, which had not featured in the top 20 list produced last year by the Law Society, took out 206 practising certificates last year.
READ MORE
There has been a sharp rise in the number of solicitors from England and Wales taking out certificates to practice here over recent years, driven by Brexit.
Most of the solicitors belong to substantial blue-chip firms, many of which also opened offices in Dublin as part of their preparations for the UK leaving the EU.
In May last year the Law Society issued a practice note that set out what having an Irish practising certificate entitled a solicitor to do.
Muddy areas
The note did not express a view as to whether having such a certificate entitled a London-based lawyer to appear before the EU’s Court of Justice after the UK left the EU.
Neither did it express a view on another concern held by English solicitors who deal with EU law: whether their dealings on behalf of their clients, which are often multinational corporations dealing with complex, cross-border issues, are covered by legal professional privilege in Europe post-Brexit.
The UK has left the EU, and the transition period during which the former rules apply continues to the end of this year.
There was no reply to a request for a comment from Allen & Overy. It is understood that many London-based law firms believe a solicitor’s standing in Europe may be bolstered by having a practising certificate from the Law Society.
The Law Society is anxious that Irish practice certificates do not become a type of “flag of convenience” for non-EU lawyers wishing to practice law inside the EU.
In an article in the current issue of the Law Gazette, the director general of the Law Society, Ken Murphy, said it was budgeting on the basis that fewer solicitors based outside the Republic would take out Irish practising certificates during 2020.
The society’s guidance note, issued in May, “has clarified what an Irish practising certificate entitles the holder to do”, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-02-17--Public funds of €25m sought for Dublin library

Dublin City Council is seeking €25 million in government grants to develop a new city library in Parnell Square following the failure to secure philanthropic funding needed for the project .
The council needs some €80 million to move the library from the Ilac shopping centre to a Georgian terrace on Parnell Square North .
It plans to fund two-thirds of the cost through loans , but it needs a substantial exchequer boost to complete the project .
Seven years ago the Parnell Square Foundation , a partnership between the council and American real estate investment company Kennedy Wilson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Square as a cultural quarter for Dublin .
Kennedy Wilson agreed to lead the effort to raise private donations to fund the project .
The cultural quarter was at the time expected to cost €60 million and be completed by 2017 .
However , in 2016 it emerged the expected costs had risen to €100 million .
The council subsequently agreed to contribute 45 per cent of the cost , using a loan from the European Investment Bank , with the remainder to be funded through donations .
The target opening date was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the project that would see a new city library , 200-seat conference centre , a music centre , education facilities and a cafe and exhibition space opened at the north end of the square .
The scheme would also include the creation of a new public plaza , and the restoration of some of the city ’ s finest Georgian houses , including the former Coláiste Mhuire , a Christian Brothers school , in what was to be a catalyst for the regeneration of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over two months later council chief executive Owen Keegan said the costs had risen to “ circa €131 million ” , largely due to construction inflation , and the foundation could not guarantee the money .
“ I have now been advised , following work undertaken by a consultant engaged by Kennedy Wilson on behalf of the foundation , that the required private fundraising could take over three years and that there is no guarantee it will be successful , ” Mr Keegan said .
The consultant highlighted the scale of funding required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised previously for cultural projects in Ireland , from national and international donors , and the “ fact that libraries have a lower affinity score with private donors than the arts generally ” , Mr Keegan said .
The best course of action , he said , was for the council to go ahead with building the new library within its own funds , at a cost of about €80 million , with the work to the Georgian houses , the plaza , and the other cultural elements to be deferred to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in a position to secure just €50-€55 million in loan finance and is facing a shortfall of about €25 million .
Mr Keegan has written to the Department of Finance seeking a meeting to discuss the possibility of exchequer grant aid for the project .
Outgoing Minister and Dublin Central TD Paschal Donohoe is understood to be supportive of the project .
However , a spokesman for the department said it was not in a position to comment on the matter .

CGI of the design plans for the new city library at Parnell Square. Image: Picture Plane
Dublin City Council is seeking €25 million in government grants to develop a new city library in Parnell Square following the failure to secure philanthropic funding needed for the project.
The council needs some €80 million to move the library from the Ilac shopping centre to a Georgian terrace on Parnell Square North. It plans to fund two-thirds of the cost through loans, but it needs a substantial exchequer boost to complete the project.
Seven years ago the Parnell Square Foundation, a partnership between the council and American real estate investment company Kennedy Wilson, was set up to to redevelop Parnell Square as a cultural quarter for Dublin.
Kennedy Wilson agreed to lead the effort to raise private donations to fund the project. The cultural quarter was at the time expected to cost €60 million and be completed by 2017.
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However, in 2016 it emerged the expected costs had risen to €100 million. The council subsequently agreed to contribute 45 per cent of the cost, using a loan from the European Investment Bank, with the remainder to be funded through donations. The target opening date was pushed out to 2020.
Last May, An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the project that would see a new city library, 200-seat conference centre, a music centre, education facilities and a cafe and exhibition space opened at the north end of the square.
Construction inflation
The scheme would also include the creation of a new public plaza, and the restoration of some of the city’s finest Georgian houses, including the former Coláiste Mhuire, a Christian Brothers school, in what was to be a catalyst for the regeneration of the north inner city.
However, just over two months later council chief executive Owen Keegan said the costs had risen to "circa €131 million", largely due to construction inflation, and the foundation could not guarantee the money.
“I have now been advised, following work undertaken by a consultant engaged by Kennedy Wilson on behalf of the foundation, that the required private fundraising could take over three years and that there is no guarantee it will be successful,” Mr Keegan said.
The consultant highlighted the scale of funding required for the project relative to the sums raised previously for cultural projects in Ireland, from national and international donors, and the "fact that libraries have a lower affinity score with private donors than the arts generally", Mr Keegan said.
The best course of action, he said, was for the council to go ahead with building the new library within its own funds, at a cost of about €80 million, with the work to the Georgian houses, the plaza, and the other cultural elements to be deferred to a later date.
However, the council is in a position to secure just €50-€55 million in loan finance and is facing a shortfall of about €25 million.
Mr Keegan has written to the Department of Finance seeking a meeting to discuss the possibility of exchequer grant aid for the project. Outgoing Minister and Dublin Central TD Paschal Donohoe is understood to be supportive of the project. However, a spokesman for the department said it was not in a position to comment on the matter.


theirishtimes--2020-02-17--Airport operation to block Albanians, Georgians from claiming asylum is ‘scaled back’

A heightened system of immigration checks at Dublin Airport that had sought to block Albanian and Georgian nationals entering the Republic to claim asylum has been scaled back .
The operation involved a tougher approach to stopping Albanians and Georgians and insisting airlines fly them back to the country they had flown in from before they could signal they were applying for international protection .
Almost immediately after the checks were introduced , the record number of Albanians and Georgians applying for international protection in the Republic slowed to a trickle .
Last September some 191 Albanians applied for asylum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applications had been rising for six years .
But when immigration checks were severely tightened at Dublin Airport , the number of applications reduced to 90 in October and just seven in November .
Similarly , applications from Georgians reached a record high of 117 last September .
That reduced by half , to 58 applications , in October and fell to just 17 applications in November .
When news of the operation emerged in The Irish Times , a number of migrants ’ rights group criticised it and said they believed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic law .
Several security sources have now said they believed the heightened checks at Dublin Airport had been completely stopped , though Garda sources insisted the practice had been “ scaled back ” rather than ceased .
The same Garda sources said that although the checks were no longer happening with the same frequency as before , they could still be carried out on an intelligence-led basis .
That effectively means if information was available to the Garda or immigration officials suggesting Albanians or Georgians were arriving on a flight specifically to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right to move in and refuse them entry to the State .
The checks at Dublin Airport can be carried out by both gardaí and staff in the Border Management Unit , which is part of the Department of Justice ’ s Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service .
Garda sources added that a gang arranging for Albanians and Georgians to come to Ireland had also been investigated and they believed that inquiry had added to the decline in international protection application claims late last year .
A Garda spokesman said immigration checks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new information becoming available and new trends emerging .
Late last year Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was criticised by migrants ’ rights groups when he said Albanians and Georgians were arriving at Dublin Airport with false travel documents .
He added that Ireland was not taking in more migrants seeking international protection than other countries .
However , he said the number of Albanians and Georgians seeking protection in the Republic was such that it accounted for a significant percentage of all international protection applications .
The Department of Justice last year said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for international protection by people from safe countries of origin .
A country is given “ safe country of origin ” status if the Government believes that nation is stable and that people from it should typically not require international protection .
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan late last year said many Georgians and Albanians disembarking flights in Dublin were destroying their travel documents before reaching the booths in the terminal building where passports were checked .
For that reason it was decided Albanians and Georgians would be checked by immigration officers or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meet them .
Under this new , stricter system , unless newly arriving Albanians and Georgians were in possession of all the necessary travel documents to enter Ireland , they were refused entry .
The airlines that had flown them to Ireland were told to fly them back to the country they had flown in from .
The checks carried out at the aircraft steps effectively meant more Albanians and Georgians were stopped and turned back before they had an opportunity to inform immigration officials they wanted to apply for international protection @

It was decided Albanians and Georgians would be checked by immigration officers or gardaí going to the steps of the aircraft to meet them. Photograph: Kate Geraghty
A heightened system of immigration checks at Dublin Airport that had sought to block Albanian and Georgian nationals entering the Republic to claim asylum has been scaled back.
The operation involved a tougher approach to stopping Albanians and Georgians and insisting airlines fly them back to the country they had flown in from before they could signal they were applying for international protection.
Almost immediately after the checks were introduced, the record number of Albanians and Georgians applying for international protection in the Republic slowed to a trickle.
Last September some 191 Albanians applied for asylum, the highest ever monthly total after applications had been rising for six years.
READ MORE
But when immigration checks were severely tightened at Dublin Airport, the number of applications reduced to 90 in October and just seven in November.
Similarly, applications from Georgians reached a record high of 117 last September. That reduced by half, to 58 applications, in October and fell to just 17 applications in November.
When news of the operation emerged in The Irish Times, a number of migrants’ rights group criticised it and said they believed the operation was contrary to international conventions and domestic law.
Several security sources have now said they believed the heightened checks at Dublin Airport had been completely stopped, though Garda sources insisted the practice had been “scaled back” rather than ceased.
The same Garda sources said that although the checks were no longer happening with the same frequency as before, they could still be carried out on an intelligence-led basis.
That effectively means if information was available to the Garda or immigration officials suggesting Albanians or Georgians were arriving on a flight specifically to claim international protection, the authorities reserved the right to move in and refuse them entry to the State.
Gang investigated
The checks at Dublin Airport can be carried out by both gardaí and staff in the Border Management Unit, which is part of the Department of Justice’s Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service.
Garda sources added that a gang arranging for Albanians and Georgians to come to Ireland had also been investigated and they believed that inquiry had added to the decline in international protection application claims late last year.
A Garda spokesman said immigration checks in general were regularly refined depending on new information becoming available and new trends emerging.
Late last year Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was criticised by migrants' rights groups when he said Albanians and Georgians were arriving at Dublin Airport with false travel documents.
He added that Ireland was not taking in more migrants seeking international protection than other countries. However, he said the number of Albanians and Georgians seeking protection in the Republic was such that it accounted for a significant percentage of all international protection applications.
The Department of Justice last year said it was concerned about the rise in applications for international protection by people from safe countries of origin. A country is given “safe country of origin” status if the Government believes that nation is stable and that people from it should typically not require international protection.
Destroying documents
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan late last year said many Georgians and Albanians disembarking flights in Dublin were destroying their travel documents before reaching the booths in the terminal building where passports were checked.
For that reason it was decided Albanians and Georgians would be checked by immigration officers or gardaí going to the steps of aircraft to meet them.
Under this new, stricter system, unless newly arriving Albanians and Georgians were in possession of all the necessary travel documents to enter Ireland, they were refused entry. The airlines that had flown them to Ireland were told to fly them back to the country they had flown in from.
The checks carried out at the aircraft steps effectively meant more Albanians and Georgians were stopped and turned back before they had an opportunity to inform immigration officials they wanted to apply for international protection.


theirishtimes--2020-02-17--Over 2,000 buyers bid for first affordable homes planned for south Dublin in years

More than 2,000 first-time buyers have lodged an interest in buying the first 500 affordable homes planned for south Dublin in more than a decade .
South Dublin County Council plans to build homes priced below €300,000 at three sites in the west and southwest of the city , with the first homes expected to go on sale from next year .
About 300 homes will be available to eligible buyers in Killinarden , Tallaght ; 135 homes in phase one of the recently approved Clonburris Strategic Development Zone ( SDZ ) close to Adamstown , and 100 homes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kildare border .
The homes will be available to low- and middle-income buyers who qualify for the State ’ s “ affordable dwelling purchase scheme ” .
While the Department of Housing has yet to issue local authorities with the full terms of the new national scheme , the “ scheme of priority ” , which determines how prospective buyers will be chosen , has been agreed .
Eligible applicants living in the council area for at least 12 months will be first in line for the available homes , any remaining homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a child in an educational institution within a set distance of the property , and then those who also had a household member with a job a set distance from the house .
Homes will be aimed at workers who can not secure mortgages to buy on the open market , but do not qualify for social housing .
While the income thresholds have yet to be set , it has been indicated that single applicants must earn less than €50,000 , while the limit for a couple will be €75,000 .
Once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely they will be sold to qualifying buyers at a discount of up to 40 per cent on market rates .
In the last three months of 2019 the council asked interested buyers who thought they may qualify for the housing scheme to complete an online assessment so it could gauge if there were “ sufficient levels of interest ” before it finalised its plans .
A total of 2,140 expressions of interest were received with 848 first preferences for Clonburris , 339 for Killinarden and 831 for Rathcoole .
Overall , 1,740 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be interested in affordable housing in Clonburris , with 1,831 interested in Rathcoole , and 1,369 saying they would buy in Killinarden .
The council stressed that completion of the assessment “ does not imply eligibility or convey approval in any form , to a future offer of affordable housing ” and it was not “ a waiting list and will not determine priority ” .
However , it said it may use the assessment to establish a register of provisional interest and make contact with applicants to “ confirm continuing interest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The council said it hoped the department would confirm “ the full terms and eligibility criteria for the national affordable housing scheme early in 2020 ” .
Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy recently said the “ arrangements ” for the scheme were currently being drafted .

South Dublin County Council plans to build homes priced below €300,000 at three sites in the west and southwest of the city, with the first homes expected to go on sale from next year. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA Wire
More than 2,000 first-time buyers have lodged an interest in buying the first 500 affordable homes planned for south Dublin in more than a decade.
South Dublin County Council plans to build homes priced below €300,000 at three sites in the west and southwest of the city, with the first homes expected to go on sale from next year.
About 300 homes will be available to eligible buyers in Killinarden, Tallaght; 135 homes in phase one of the recently approved Clonburris Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) close to Adamstown, and 100 homes in Rathcoole close to City West and the Kildare border.
The homes will be available to low- and middle-income buyers who qualify for the State’s “affordable dwelling purchase scheme” .
READ MORE
While the Department of Housing has yet to issue local authorities with the full terms of the new national scheme, the “scheme of priority”, which determines how prospective buyers will be chosen, has been agreed.
Income thresholds
Eligible applicants living in the council area for at least 12 months will be first in line for the available homes, any remaining homes would be offered to applicants who had a child in an educational institution within a set distance of the property, and then those who also had a household member with a job a set distance from the house.
Homes will be aimed at workers who cannot secure mortgages to buy on the open market, but do not qualify for social housing. While the income thresholds have yet to be set, it has been indicated that single applicants must earn less than €50,000, while the limit for a couple will be €75,000. Once the homes are built, it is likely they will be sold to qualifying buyers at a discount of up to 40 per cent on market rates.
In the last three months of 2019 the council asked interested buyers who thought they may qualify for the housing scheme to complete an online assessment so it could gauge if there were “sufficient levels of interest” before it finalised its plans.
Priority
A total of 2,140 expressions of interest were received with 848 first preferences for Clonburris, 339 for Killinarden and 831 for Rathcoole. Overall, 1,740 of the prospective buyers said they would be interested in affordable housing in Clonburris, with 1,831 interested in Rathcoole, and 1,369 saying they would buy in Killinarden.
The council stressed that completion of the assessment “does not imply eligibility or convey approval in any form, to a future offer of affordable housing” and it was not “a waiting list and will not determine priority”.
However, it said it may use the assessment to establish a register of provisional interest and make contact with applicants to “confirm continuing interest and for final confirmation of actual interest”.
The council said it hoped the department would confirm “the full terms and eligibility criteria for the national affordable housing scheme early in 2020”.
Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy recently said the "arrangements" for the scheme were currently being drafted.


theirishtimes--2020-02-18--New IRA planning bomb attack on Sinn Féin member claims Michelle O’Neill

The New IRA is planning an under car bomb attack on a Sinn Féin member , the party ’ s vice president has claimed .
Michelle O ’ Neill said she had been advised of the threat by police in Northern Ireland .
Last week , Ms O ’ Neill , Stormont ’ s Deputy First Minister , said officers had warned that dissident republicans were planning to attack her and the party ’ s policing spokesman Gerry Kelly .
It came in response to the pair ’ s attendance at a Police Service of Northern Ireland recruitment event .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neill indicated that the plot had widened to encompass all Sinn Féin members .
She said police had advised that the New IRA was the dissident grouping behind the plan .
“ Following the recent launch of a PSNI recruitment campaign , police have told Sinn Féin tonight that persons aligned with the dissident Republican group , the so-called New IRA , plan to attack a Sinn Féin member using an under car explosive device , ” she said .
“ We have been told this planned attack could happen anywhere in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat against thousands of Sinn Féin members and their families in the North .
“ This is not the first time this particular group have made threats against Sinn Féin members and the PSNI is taking this threat very seriously .
“ I am urging the party ’ s members to be very vigilant at this time.
” - PA

Last week, Michelle O’Neill said officers had warned that dissident republicans were planning to attack her and the party’s policing spokesman Gerry Kelly. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
The New IRA is planning an under car bomb attack on a Sinn Féin member, the party’s vice president has claimed.
Michelle O’Neill said she had been advised of the threat by police in Northern Ireland.
Last week, Ms O’Neill, Stormont’s Deputy First Minister, said officers had warned that dissident republicans were planning to attack her and the party’s policing spokesman Gerry Kelly.
It came in response to the pair’s attendance at a Police Service of Northern Ireland recruitment event.
READ MORE
On Monday night, Ms O’Neill indicated that the plot had widened to encompass all Sinn Féin members. She said police had advised that the New IRA was the dissident grouping behind the plan.
“Following the recent launch of a PSNI recruitment campaign, police have told Sinn Féin tonight that persons aligned with the dissident Republican group, the so-called New IRA, plan to attack a Sinn Féin member using an under car explosive device,” she said.
“We have been told this planned attack could happen anywhere in the North.
“This is literally a threat against thousands of Sinn Féin members and their families in the North.
“This is not the first time this particular group have made threats against Sinn Féin members and the PSNI is taking this threat very seriously.
“I am urging the party’s members to be very vigilant at this time.” - PA


theirishtimes--2020-02-18--My son has a disability. Will he get reduced CAO points for his course?

My son has a diagnosed disability and has applied for Dare - the third level alternative admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities .
Will he qualify for reduced CAO points for his chosen course ?
There is a misconception widely believed by both parents and students that Dare eligibility equates to a specific number of reduced points requirements for an eligible applicant .
This is not now , nor has it ever been , the case .
Firstly , a quick explanation of what Dare is : it is the third level alternative admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level education .
Dare offers several reserved places to school leavers on courses offered by the participating colleges for eligible students .
Dare eligibility does not give you a specific number of reduced CAO points - it simply admits you to a competition for the number of Dare places available .
The number of reduced points places available differs college by college , and course by course .
The chances of securing an offer of a place through Dare eligibility can vary every year and depend on several factors .
These include the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the number of reserved Dare places , the number of eligible Dare applicants competing for these reserved places , and the academic performance of those students in that year .
So , what are the chances of success for eligible candidates ?
Let ’ s say course ( a ) has four reserved Dare places and six eligible Dare applicants .
When all the places offered to those meeting the normal CAO points requirements have been allocated , an eligible Dare student will have a two-in-three chance of securing an offer of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on the other hand , has five Dare places on offer , but has 60 eligible Dare applicants still seeking places when the normal CAO offers are made .
This gives eligible students a one-in-12 chance of securing a place .
Colleges have recently identified that two particular groups of students face the greatest obstacles when progressing to higher education : those with disabilities from disadvantaged backgrounds , and students with physical disabilities and sensory ( blind/ vision impaired or deaf/ hard of hearing ) disabilities .
In order to increase the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , colleges participating in Dare and Hear - an access scheme for disadvantaged students - have now agreed to prioritise these groups when allocating reduced points places .
What that means , in effect , is that it will not necessarily be the student with the highest CAO points of those remaining in the competition after the normal CAO places are filled who will be offered the reserved Dare or Hear place , but those from the groups identified above .

There is a common misconception around how Dare – the third-level alternative admissions scheme for school-leavers with disabilities – operates. Photograph: iStock
My son has a diagnosed disability and has applied for Dare - the third level alternative admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities. Will he qualify for reduced CAO points for his chosen course?
There is a misconception widely believed by both parents and students that Dare eligibility equates to a specific number of reduced points requirements for an eligible applicant. This is not now, nor has it ever been, the case.
Firstly, a quick explanation of what Dare is: it is the third level alternative admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education. Dare offers several reserved places to school leavers on courses offered by the participating colleges for eligible students.
Dare eligibility does not give you a specific number of reduced CAO points - it simply admits you to a competition for the number of Dare places available.
READ MORE
The number of reduced points places available differs college by college, and course by course. The chances of securing an offer of a place through Dare eligibility can vary every year and depend on several factors.
These include the overall number of places on the course, the number of reserved Dare places, the number of eligible Dare applicants competing for these reserved places, and the academic performance of those students in that year.
So, what are the chances of success for eligible candidates? Let’s say course (a) has four reserved Dare places and six eligible Dare applicants. When all the places offered to those meeting the normal CAO points requirements have been allocated, an eligible Dare student will have a two-in-three chance of securing an offer of a place .
Course (b), on the other hand, has five Dare places on offer, but has 60 eligible Dare applicants still seeking places when the normal CAO offers are made. This gives eligible students a one-in-12 chance of securing a place.
Colleges have recently identified that two particular groups of students face the greatest obstacles when progressing to higher education: those with disabilities from disadvantaged backgrounds, and students with physical disabilities and sensory (blind/ vision impaired or deaf/ hard of hearing) disabilities.
In order to increase the opportunities for these students in higher education, colleges participating in Dare and Hear - an access scheme for disadvantaged students - have now agreed to prioritise these groups when allocating reduced points places.
What that means, in effect, is that it will not necessarily be the student with the highest CAO points of those remaining in the competition after the normal CAO places are filled who will be offered the reserved Dare or Hear place, but those from the groups identified above.
[ askbrian@irishtimes.com ]


theirishtimes--2020-02-18--Our university promotions system is designed by men for men

The purpose of the 20 posts approved under the Senior Academic Leadership Initiative created by Minister of State for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O ’ Connor was to improve the representation of women in senior positions in the Irish higher educational system .
This is an important objective both symbolically and practically .
Universities , where 74 per cent of senior academic positions ( professorships ) are held by men , give an implicit message to women students and early career women that they have no future in these organisations .
The practical implications are that there are few women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn perpetuates a male-dominated system since people tend to appoint those like themselves .
Such a system is unhelpful in terms of innovation and research output and is particularly unacceptable in publicly funded universities .
Figures just released by the Higher Education Authority show that women ’ s “ chances ” of accessing a professorship in Irish universities remain much lower than men ’ s ( 1:13 for women as compared to 1:5 for men ) .
Assumptions that this simply reflects women ’ s maternity leave , caring activities , lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the face of variation between different Irish universities in such chances : from 1:9 to 1:27 for women .
This variation between universities has been a consistent pattern since 2013 .
Change is happening in women ’ s chances , but very slowly – improving from 1:16 in 2013-2015 to 1:13 in 2018 .
Women ’ s chances of a professorship have been consistently lowest in NUI Galway – where it is 1:27 , according to the most recent data .
This is surprising given the flurry of activity there in the wake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to award Micheline Sheehy Skeffington €75,000 following her successful case in 2014 and the settling of the remaining four cases by the university in 2018 .
Men ’ s average chances of a professorship show very little variation between universities and have changed little since 2013 .
This is very different to the much lower and much wider range of variation in women ’ s chances of a professorship .
It is almost as if there is some underlying systemic consensus that men are more entitled to a professorship .
Increases in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have facilitated slight improvements in women ’ s chances , while men ’ s chances have remained the same .
Men ’ s chances ( at 1:4 ) have been consistently highest in University College Dublin .
The pace of change is clearly important and since 2013 this has also varied between universities .
It has been fastest in Trinity College Dublin , where women ’ s chances of a professorship increased from 1:21 in 2013-2015 to 1:12 in 2018 .
The “ new ” universities , particularly Maynooth University and the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and this was reflected in their proportion of women at full professorial level .
However , the pace of change in these universities has been slow since 2013 .
Indeed , the University of Limerick , which led the field before 2013 , has shown very little improvement in women ’ s chances since then , while men ’ s chances actually improved in 2018 .
This shows that progress is not inevitable and that constant vigilance is necessary if back-sliding is to be avoided .
Since the 2016 Expert Report on Gender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been an increasing awareness that the under-representation of women in senior academic positions reflects an organisational culture that favours men , a lack of gender competence among managerial leaders , as well as structures , criteria and practices that facilitate men ’ s successful application to these positions .
Of course , a tiny minority of women have always accessed these positions : it was 5 per cent in mid 1970s ; fell to 1 per cent in the early 1980s ; rose to 4 per cent in the early 1990s ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2000s .
By 2013-2015 , it had risen to 19 per cent – and it is now 26 per cent .
The Senior Leadership Academic Initiative is a way of speeding up this process by targeting posts at those areas where women are particularly under-represented .
It is an attempt to deal with a system which has– and indeed still is – designed by men for men .
That system needs to be tackled by gender-competent leaders .
In the meantime , the Senior Leadership Initiative involving 45 posts ( less than 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professorial posts ) will at least symbolically change the gender profile of those in senior academic positions .
Whether or not this will change the system depends partly on the extent to which those appointed are committed to wider systemic change , and on the extent to which the men in power co-operate with that change .
Pat O ’ Connor is emeritus professor of sociology and social policy at University of Limerick and visiting professor , Geary Institute , University College Dublin .

Universities, where 74 per cent of senior academic positions are held by men, give an implicit message to women students and early career women that they have no future in these organisations. Photograph: iStock
The purpose of the 20 posts approved under the Senior Academic Leadership Initiative created by Minister of State for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor was to improve the representation of women in senior positions in the Irish higher educational system.
This is an important objective both symbolically and practically. Universities, where 74 per cent of senior academic positions (professorships) are held by men, give an implicit message to women students and early career women that they have no future in these organisations. The practical implications are that there are few women in key decision-making fora. This in turn perpetuates a male-dominated system since people tend to appoint those like themselves. Such a system is unhelpful in terms of innovation and research output and is particularly unacceptable in publicly funded universities.
Figures just released by the Higher Education Authority show that women’s “chances” of accessing a professorship in Irish universities remain much lower than men’s (1:13 for women as compared to 1:5 for men). Assumptions that this simply reflects women’s maternity leave, caring activities, lack of ambition etc are difficult to sustain in the face of variation between different Irish universities in such chances: from 1:9 to 1:27 for women.
This variation between universities has been a consistent pattern since 2013. Change is happening in women’s chances, but very slowly – improving from 1:16 in 2013-2015 to 1:13 in 2018.
READ MORE
Women's chances of a professorship have been consistently lowest in NUI Galway – where it is 1:27, according to the most recent data. This is surprising given the flurry of activity there in the wake of the decision by the Equality Tribunal to award Micheline Sheehy Skeffington €75,000 following her successful case in 2014 and the settling of the remaining four cases by the university in 2018.
Men’s average chances of a professorship show very little variation between universities and have changed little since 2013.
Underlying systemic consensus
This is very different to the much lower and much wider range of variation in women’s chances of a professorship. It is almost as if there is some underlying systemic consensus that men are more entitled to a professorship.
Increases in the number of professorships in the recent data have facilitated slight improvements in women's chances, while men's chances have remained the same. Men's chances (at 1:4) have been consistently highest in University College Dublin.
The pace of change is clearly important and since 2013 this has also varied between universities. It has been fastest in Trinity College Dublin, where women's chances of a professorship increased from 1:21 in 2013-2015 to 1:12 in 2018.
The "new" universities, particularly Maynooth University and the University of Limerick, had an initial advantage and this was reflected in their proportion of women at full professorial level.
However, the pace of change in these universities has been slow since 2013. Indeed, the University of Limerick, which led the field before 2013, has shown very little improvement in women’s chances since then, while men’s chances actually improved in 2018.
This shows that progress is not inevitable and that constant vigilance is necessary if back-sliding is to be avoided.
Since the 2016 Expert Report on Gender Equality in Irish Higher Education, there has been an increasing awareness that the under-representation of women in senior academic positions reflects an organisational culture that favours men, a lack of gender competence among managerial leaders, as well as structures, criteria and practices that facilitate men’s successful application to these positions.
Tiny minority
Of course, a tiny minority of women have always accessed these positions: it was 5 per cent in mid 1970s; fell to 1 per cent in the early 1980s; rose to 4 per cent in the early 1990s; to 10 per cent in the early 2000s. By 2013-2015, it had risen to 19 per cent – and it is now 26 per cent.
The Senior Leadership Academic Initiative is a way of speeding up this process by targeting posts at those areas where women are particularly under-represented. It is an attempt to deal with a system which has– and indeed still is – designed by men for men. That system needs to be tackled by gender-competent leaders.
In the meantime, the Senior Leadership Initiative involving 45 posts (less than 10 per cent of the total number of professorial posts) will at least symbolically change the gender profile of those in senior academic positions. Whether or not this will change the system depends partly on the extent to which those appointed are committed to wider systemic change, and on the extent to which the men in power co-operate with that change.
Pat O’Connor is emeritus professor of sociology and social policy at University of Limerick and visiting professor, Geary Institute, University College Dublin.