theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Activists, trade union leaders and employers welcome government agreement

Environmental activists , trade-union leaders and employers have welcomed the endorsement of the programme for government and are calling for major investment in the economy as it struggles to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic while achieving key policy goals .
Fergal O ’ Brien , director of policy with employers ’ group Ibec , said the establishment of a new government “ is very positive for economic and business confidence ” .
“ The programme for government is a sensible one , and there ’ s some really urgent legislative issues that have to be addressed.
” He reiterated calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed off this month , amounting to €15 billion on top of already-committed funding , saying that Ireland is a “ long way behind most other countries in terms of addressing liquidity problems for business ” .
“ We need to save as many businesses and jobs as possible and it ’ s urgent that happens over the month of July , ” he said .
“ We need a simple grants system that will work , lower cost loans and support for hospitality and domestic businesses to get people in jobs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions , said the group of unions will “ work with the incoming government and of course be emphasising the importance of our document , No Going Back , which sets out a new deal for workers and society and is a detailed plan on the way forward for the country amid the unprecedented economic global crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic ” .
Environmental groups urged the government to put climate change policies at the core of its agenda .
Oisín Coghlan , director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programme for government is “ by far the strongest we have seen of any government on climate action ” .
“ The focus will now be on delivery , ” he said .
“ We campaigned for faster and fairer climate action and this programme for government is a step in the right direction , but it ’ s just a down-payment and we ’ ll be making sure they deliver.
” Karen Ciesielski , co-ordinator of the Environmental Pillar , a network of NGOs which represents the Irish environmental sector , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every party must act on the science in relation to climate action and biodiversity loss ; we welcome the inclusion of the first steps for the environment but now the delivery requires more detail .
We only have one chance to get this right.
” Dr Cara Augustenborg , environmental policy fellow at University College Dublin , said there “ will be a need to prioritise the formation of the new climate change council and draft the Climate Action Amendment Bill within the first 100 days of government , with plans on how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emissions reduction target of 7 per cent per annum .
”

Environmental activists, trade-union leaders and employers have welcomed the endorsement of the programme for government and are calling for major investment in the economy as it struggles to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic while achieving key policy goals.
Fergal O’Brien, director of policy with employers’ group Ibec, said the establishment of a new government “is very positive for economic and business confidence”.
“The programme for government is a sensible one, and there’s some really urgent legislative issues that have to be addressed.”
He reiterated calls for a massive spending plan to be signed off this month, amounting to €15 billion on top of already-committed funding, saying that Ireland is a "long way behind most other countries in terms of addressing liquidity problems for business".
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“We need to save as many businesses and jobs as possible and it’s urgent that happens over the month of July,” he said. “We need a simple grants system that will work, lower cost loans and support for hospitality and domestic businesses to get people in jobs and back spending.”
Patricia King, general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, said the group of unions will "work with the incoming government and of course be emphasising the importance of our document, No Going Back, which sets out a new deal for workers and society and is a detailed plan on the way forward for the country amid the unprecedented economic global crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic".
Environmental groups urged the government to put climate change policies at the core of its agenda. Oisín Coghlan, director of Friends of the Earth, said the programme for government is “by far the strongest we have seen of any government on climate action”.
“The focus will now be on delivery,” he said. “We campaigned for faster and fairer climate action and this programme for government is a step in the right direction, but it’s just a down-payment and we’ll be making sure they deliver.”
Karen Ciesielski, co-ordinator of the Environmental Pillar, a network of NGOs which represents the Irish environmental sector, said: "Our main tenet is that every party must act on the science in relation to climate action and biodiversity loss; we welcome the inclusion of the first steps for the environment but now the delivery requires more detail. We only have one chance to get this right."
Dr Cara Augustenborg, environmental policy fellow at University College Dublin, said there "will be a need to prioritise the formation of the new climate change council and draft the Climate Action Amendment Bill within the first 100 days of government, with plans on how each sector will contribute to the new emissions reduction target of 7 per cent per annum."


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Broad outline of Cabinet emerges as issues remain unresolved

The make-up of the new Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael-Green Party Cabinet will be keenly watched , with work not yet fully completed on the exact structures of the government departments the new batch of ministers will occupy .
Sources said a “ number of issues ” are outstanding – but the broad outline has emerged .
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said the parties were “ more or less ” settled on the final allocation of jobs .
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will each have six full Cabinet ministers and the Greens will have three .
Each party will also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister .
A super junior is a junior minister who sits at the Cabinet table but does not have voting rights .
Mr Martin will become taoiseach and the Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar will take over the position of tánaiste .
Mr Varadkar is tipped to take over a beefed-up Department of Jobs , potentially taking the tourism element of the Department of Transport , which will be reconfigured .
He will also have an Office of the Tánaiste in Government Buildings .
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe is set to remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael McGrath taking over the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform .
Fine Gael is also expected to hold on to the Department of Foreign Affairs , with Simon Coveney remaining in situ in Iveagh House .
Which party gets the Department of Health was not yet clear on Friday night , but it is expected that Simon Harris , the current senior minister in that department , will remain in Cabinet .
It is understood that Fine Gael will hold on to the Department of Justice .
Outgoing Minister for Business Heather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain at Cabinet .
Those tipped for promotion from within the Fine Gael ranks are Meath East TD Helen McEntee , the outgoing Minister for European Affairs , a junior minister slot , and Galway West TD Hildegarde Naughton , who chaired the Oireachtas all party committee on climate change in the last Dáil .
Internal Fine Gael speculation is that either Ms McEntee or Ms Naughton will take a full Cabinet position , with the other taking a super junior slot .
Fianna Fáil will take the Department of Housing , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s housing spokesman , is tipped for that slot , although Offaly TD Barry Cowen was also previously housing spokesman .
Some sources said Fianna Fail was in line for the Department of Agriculture but others said Fine Gael may hold on to it .
Fianna Fáil deputy leader Dara Calleary will hope for a substantial portfolio too and it was not clear on Friday night if a full Cabinet post for the higher education sector will be created as Mr Martin had previously promised .
There was intense speculation within Fianna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Dublin Bay South TD Jim O ’ Callaghan , with suggestions he could be left out of Cabinet if Fine Gael takes the justice portfolio as expected .
Fianna Fáil will take the position of government chief whip , with Dublin West TD Jack Chambers mentioned in connection with that job .
Fine Gael will be allocated the position of deputy whip and the Greens will get assistant whip .
The Department of Rural Affairs is slated for abolition , although it is not clear where its responsibilities will be transferred to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the position of attorney general will also be rotated between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael , in tandem with the position of taoiseach rotating .
Galway East TD Anne Rabbitte and Kerry TD Norma Foley are also mentioned as potential Cabinet or super-junior appointments .
Education spokesman Thomas Byrne will also be hoping for a position .
It is not yet clear which parties will take the Department of Education – although Green Party leader Catherine Martin is linked with it and was education spokeswoman in the last Dáil – and Social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a newly-created Department of Children , Disability and Equality , with Dublin West TD Roderic O ’ Gorman seen as one of the frontrunners for the third Green Cabinet position after Mr Ryan and Ms Martin .
It is understood , however , that responsibility for the direct provision system will remain within the Department of Justice .
A new Department of Climate , Energy , Transport and Natural Resources will be created , although its name is expected to be tidied up .
Mr Ryan is widely expected to get this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also be appointed to balance out the Greens but it is not clear yet if Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil will take this .
Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy is not expected to be a senior or junior minister and is instead tipped to take on a new party role linking the Fine Gael organisation and the Fine Gael parliamentary party .

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announcing on Friday, outside Fine Gael headquarters in Dublin, that the party’s members had voted in favour of the programme for government. Photograph: Damien Eagers/PA Wire
The make-up of the new Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael-Green Party Cabinet will be keenly watched, with work not yet fully completed on the exact structures of the government departments the new batch of ministers will occupy.
Sources said a "number of issues" are outstanding – but the broad outline has emerged. Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said the parties were "more or less" settled on the final allocation of jobs.
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will each have six full Cabinet ministers and the Greens will have three. Each party will also have a so-called "super junior" minister. A super junior is a junior minister who sits at the Cabinet table but does not have voting rights.
Office of the Tánaiste
Mr Martin will become taoiseach and the Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar will take over the position of tánaiste. Mr Varadkar is tipped to take over a beefed-up Department of Jobs, potentially taking the tourism element of the Department of Transport, which will be reconfigured. He will also have an Office of the Tánaiste in Government Buildings.
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Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe is set to remain in position with Fianna Fáil's Michael McGrath taking over the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Fine Gael is also expected to hold on to the Department of Foreign Affairs, with Simon Coveney remaining in situ in Iveagh House.
Which party gets the Department of Health was not yet clear on Friday night, but it is expected that Simon Harris, the current senior minister in that department, will remain in Cabinet.
It is understood that Fine Gael will hold on to the Department of Justice. Outgoing Minister for Business Heather Humphreys is also seen as likely to remain at Cabinet.
Those tipped for promotion from within the Fine Gael ranks are Meath East TD Helen McEntee, the outgoing Minister for European Affairs, a junior minister slot, and Galway West TD Hildegarde Naughton, who chaired the Oireachtas all party committee on climate change in the last Dáil.
Internal Fine Gael speculation is that either Ms McEntee or Ms Naughton will take a full Cabinet position, with the other taking a super junior slot.
Fianna Fáil will take the Department of Housing, and Darragh O'Brien, the party's housing spokesman, is tipped for that slot, although Offaly TD Barry Cowen was also previously housing spokesman.
Some sources said Fianna Fail was in line for the Department of Agriculture but others said Fine Gael may hold on to it. Fianna Fáil deputy leader Dara Calleary will hope for a substantial portfolio too and it was not clear on Friday night if a full Cabinet post for the higher education sector will be created as Mr Martin had previously promised.
There was intense speculation within Fianna Fáil on Friday night on the future of Dublin Bay South TD Jim O’Callaghan, with suggestions he could be left out of Cabinet if Fine Gael takes the justice portfolio as expected.
Fianna Fáil will take the position of government chief whip, with Dublin West TD Jack Chambers mentioned in connection with that job. Fine Gael will be allocated the position of deputy whip and the Greens will get assistant whip. The Department of Rural Affairs is slated for abolition, although it is not clear where its responsibilities will be transferred to.
Rotating attorney general
Mr Martin on Friday night confirmed that the position of attorney general will also be rotated between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, in tandem with the position of taoiseach rotating.
Galway East TD Anne Rabbitte and Kerry TD Norma Foley are also mentioned as potential Cabinet or super-junior appointments. Education spokesman Thomas Byrne will also be hoping for a position.
It is not yet clear which parties will take the Department of Education – although Green Party leader Catherine Martin is linked with it and was education spokeswoman in the last Dáil – and Social Protection.
The Greens are also linked to a newly-created Department of Children, Disability and Equality, with Dublin West TD Roderic O'Gorman seen as one of the frontrunners for the third Green Cabinet position after Mr Ryan and Ms Martin.
It is understood, however, that responsibility for the direct provision system will remain within the Department of Justice.
A new Department of Climate, Energy, Transport and Natural Resources will be created, although its name is expected to be tidied up. Mr Ryan is widely expected to get this job. A super-junior minister for roads will also be appointed to balance out the Greens but it is not clear yet if Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil will take this.
Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy is not expected to be a senior or junior minister and is instead tipped to take on a new party role linking the Fine Gael organisation and the Fine Gael parliamentary party.


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Concerns raised over ‘forest parties’ in Dublin and Wicklow mountains

Authorities for the Dublin and Wicklow mountains were to meet on Friday after a series of “ wild camps ” and “ forest parties ” resulted in intensive dumping in the area over recent weekends .
Tents , barbecues , bottles , sleeping bags , plastic bags , cans , glass bottles , food items , and more unwanted material have all been left behind by partygoers , most recently in the Glenmalure valley .
Gardaí , local councillors , and Wicklow County Council officials , as well as members of the Protecting Uplands and Rural Environments ( Pure ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were to meet on Friday in a bid to prevent a recurrence of the problem this weekend .
According to the Wicklow Uplands Council , one State-owned forest featured waste over several acres following one event there , with the scale of the rubbish likely to require multiple days to remove and the aid of a truck .
This dumping appears to follow events published on social media over several weekends .
Teams from Glenmalure Pure Mile and other volunteer groups regularly clean up litter in the area , which is popular with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Davis , director of the Pure Project , said the forest parties or wild camps appeared to be happening right across the Dublin and Wicklow mountains .
He said they appeared to be associated with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions .
Mr Davis said the uplands were an amenity to be enjoyed and it would be sad if the area had to be closed off to those who wanted to enjoy the environment there .
He said visitors were welcome but asked them to remember to “ take out what you bring in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed 150 tonnes of rubbish , a figure which compared with 344 tonnes in 2009 , which Mr Davis said marked a significant reduction .
Over 885km of roads , mountains , woodlands , valleys , and upland amenities in the area have been cleaned by the Pure Project since it was set up in about 2008 .
Mr Davis said the vast majority of visitors followed the “ Leave no trace ” principles .

Authorities for the Dublin and Wicklow mountains were to meet on Friday after a series of “wild camps” and “forest parties” resulted in intensive dumping in the area over recent weekends.
Tents, barbecues, bottles, sleeping bags, plastic bags, cans, glass bottles, food items, and more unwanted material have all been left behind by partygoers, most recently in the Glenmalure valley.
Gardaí, local councillors, and Wicklow County Council officials, as well as members of the Protecting Uplands and Rural Environments (Pure) Project and the Wicklow Uplands Council, were to meet on Friday in a bid to prevent a recurrence of the problem this weekend.
Glenmalure Pure Mile Cleanup June 2020 The recent fine weather, coupled with the easing of travel restrictions, has seen an increase of visitors to the Wicklow Uplands, and with this, many areas have witnessed and increase in abandoned camping sites and litter. One area affected over the weekend was the Glenmalure Valley, who responded quickly by organising a well-supported emergency litter pick to tackle the waste left behind after the weekend. Over 40 people attended the cleanup and items removed included, tents, camping chairs, sleeping bags, barbeques, bottles, cans, and numerous other items, which all were discarded on the landscape. Pure Truck Collected all material this morning – THANK YOU ALL – WORKING TOGETHER WE WILL CLEANUP THE UPLANDS (ID) Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment wicklownews.net Wicklow People EAST COAST FM @Wicklow Times Wicklow Uplands Council Wicklow County Council Newstalk Glenmalure PURE mile Ballinabarney/ Ballintombay/ Ballyteige PURE Mile Posted by Pureproject on Tuesday, June 16, 2020
According to the Wicklow Uplands Council, one State-owned forest featured waste over several acres following one event there, with the scale of the rubbish likely to require multiple days to remove and the aid of a truck.
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This dumping appears to follow events published on social media over several weekends.
Teams from Glenmalure Pure Mile and other volunteer groups regularly clean up litter in the area, which is popular with hillwalkers, campers and day-trippers.
Covid-19 restrictions
Ian Davis, director of the Pure Project, said the forest parties or wild camps appeared to be happening right across the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. He said they appeared to be associated with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.
Mr Davis said the uplands were an amenity to be enjoyed and it would be sad if the area had to be closed off to those who wanted to enjoy the environment there. He said visitors were welcome but asked them to remember to “take out what you bring in”.
Last year the Pure Project removed 150 tonnes of rubbish, a figure which compared with 344 tonnes in 2009, which Mr Davis said marked a significant reduction.
Over 885km of roads, mountains, woodlands, valleys, and upland amenities in the area have been cleaned by the Pure Project since it was set up in about 2008.
Mr Davis said the vast majority of visitors followed the “Leave no trace” principles.


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Government considering purchase of military jet aircraft

The Government is considering the purchase of military jet aircraft that would have the capacity to intercept high-altitude planes and fully police Irish skies .
A new five-year Defence Forces investment strategy document has said that “ future projects at a preplanning stage ” include the potential for “ air combat interceptors ” .
Such aircraft are designed to scramble quickly when there is a need to intercept unwelcome or unidentified planes which could include foreign military or hijacked airliners .
Although no decisions have been made on whether to pursue such high-end military hardware , it would require a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of millions of euro .
Expensive ground radar equipment would also be required to detect encroaching traffic in Irish airspace .
“ Consideration of Air Combat Interceptors would be dependent on additional funding , ” the Defence Forces – Equipment Development Plan 2020-24 document , published on Friday , states .
Unlike most EU countries , Ireland does not have the capacity to fully secure its airspace by intercepting high-speed aircraft .
A Defence Forces spokesman said “ such a capability is being kept under review , and is based on threat assessment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this at this time .
Such an aircraft would be capable of policing all airborne craft in Irish sovereign airspace , particularly those that are fast moving.
” A spokeswoman for the Department of Defence said it is a “ proposal that needs to be developed and scoped out ” .
“ The assessment would consider the demands that may be made of such interceptors and the military capabilities it would be expected to be able to supply , together with the associated technical specification and capability requirements .
“ This utility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant investment of public funds , in respect of the initial investment and ongoing operational costs.
” The Air Corps has previously used both the De Havilland Vampire , a British jet fighter , and the French-designed Fouga Magister jet trainer aircraft .
It also continues to operate the Ministerial Air Transport Service jet aircraft ; however , the type of plane under consideration would represent a major upgrade in technology .
Earlier this year Maj Gen Ralph James , who retired as head of the Air Corps in 2015 , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with three crews each to implement a full air-defence capability .
He said each pilot would need up to 400 hours behind the controls of the jet before earning fast-response certification .
A jet programme of this kind would likely cost well in excess of €1 billion .
Any such cost would impact the decision-making process – particularly given the cost to the State of the Covid-19 crisis .
In 2017 , Fianna Fáil Senator Mark Daly noted in the Dáil that the public would “ abhor spending €50 million or €100 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ value in the long run ” .
However , the question of airspace security is not academic .
Last March , a number of Russian Tupolev TU-95 “ Bear ” bombers , also used as long-range maritime patrol planes , entered Irish airspace .
In response , six Royal Air Force Typhoons were scrambled from bases in Scotland and England and headed towards counties Derry and Donegal to intercept , forcing them to alter course .
Quick-reaction aircraft from Nato allies Norway and France also took part in the response .

Six RAF Typhoons headed towards counties Derry and Donegal to intercept these Russian Tupolev aircraft on March 7th, forcing them to alter course. Photograph: RAF/PA Wire
The Government is considering the purchase of military jet aircraft that would have the capacity to intercept high-altitude planes and fully police Irish skies.
A new five-year Defence Forces investment strategy document has said that "future projects at a preplanning stage" include the potential for "air combat interceptors".
Such aircraft are designed to scramble quickly when there is a need to intercept unwelcome or unidentified planes which could include foreign military or hijacked airliners.
Although no decisions have been made on whether to pursue such high-end military hardware, it would require a major financial commitment potentially running into hundreds of millions of euro.
READ MORE
Expensive ground radar equipment would also be required to detect encroaching traffic in Irish airspace.
"Consideration of Air Combat Interceptors would be dependent on additional funding," the Defence Forces – Equipment Development Plan 2020-24 document, published on Friday, states.
High-speed aircraft
Unlike most EU countries, Ireland does not have the capacity to fully secure its airspace by intercepting high-speed aircraft.
A Defence Forces spokesman said “such a capability is being kept under review, and is based on threat assessment, but budget has not been allocated for this at this time. Such an aircraft would be capable of policing all airborne craft in Irish sovereign airspace, particularly those that are fast moving.”
A spokeswoman for the Department of Defence said it is a "proposal that needs to be developed and scoped out".
“The assessment would consider the demands that may be made of such interceptors and the military capabilities it would be expected to be able to supply, together with the associated technical specification and capability requirements.
“This utility would have to be assessed against the significant investment of public funds, in respect of the initial investment and ongoing operational costs.”
The Air Corps has previously used both the De Havilland Vampire, a British jet fighter, and the French-designed Fouga Magister jet trainer aircraft. It also continues to operate the Ministerial Air Transport Service jet aircraft; however, the type of plane under consideration would represent a major upgrade in technology.
Earlier this year Maj Gen Ralph James, who retired as head of the Air Corps in 2015, said the State would need about 16 jet fighters with three crews each to implement a full air-defence capability.
Certification
He said each pilot would need up to 400 hours behind the controls of the jet before earning fast-response certification. A jet programme of this kind would likely cost well in excess of €1 billion.
Any such cost would impact the decision-making process – particularly given the cost to the State of the Covid-19 crisis.
In 2017, Fianna Fáil Senator Mark Daly noted in the Dáil that the public would "abhor spending €50 million or €100 million on jets that would have no real value in the long run".
However, the question of airspace security is not academic. Last March, a number of Russian Tupolev TU-95 “Bear” bombers, also used as long-range maritime patrol planes, entered Irish airspace.
In response, six Royal Air Force Typhoons were scrambled from bases in Scotland and England and headed towards counties Derry and Donegal to intercept, forcing them to alter course.
Quick-reaction aircraft from Nato allies Norway and France also took part in the response.


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Covid-19: Teachers alerted to ‘opportunistic’ employers by union

Teachers should beware of “ opportunists ” who would seek to “ normalise ” the changed working conditions that they have put in place to assist their students and communities during the health emergency , according to the general secretary of one of the main education trade unions .
Addressing the annual conference of the Teachers ’ Union of Ireland ( TUI ) on Friday its general secretary John MacGabhann said there were employers “ who would eagerly seize upon the opportunity of having you work permanently from home ” .
He said there were those who “ would build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ structure and the working conditions that you currently enjoy .
Indeed , there are employers who would dispense with your services altogether and reduce teaching and lecturing to gig economy , precarious working and moonlighting in order to cut costs .
That is one Trojan horse that must be kept tethered and padlocked outside the walls.
” TUI president Séamus Lahart told the union ’ s online conference that what members in all sectors had delivered during the Covid-19 pandemic may have been unprecedented .
But he said this was “ not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of as such ” .
“ This crisis has , of course , highlighted and exaggerated the existing shortcomings in funding for education , particularly in the third-level sector .
We have sought without success to date to reach an agreement on the provision of courses online .
We have in the past week issued a directive to all-our third level colleagues in this regard , and this is particularly important in the context of their return to work and the move to deliver courses entirely online .
The TUI will not tolerate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dictated to and where this happens we will take action.
” Mr MacGabhann said that while the pace of progress in dealing with the two-tier pay system [ which means recently recruited staff receive less than longer established colleagues ] had been “ disappointingly slow ” .
The TUI ’ s campaign for pay equality would continue until it had been achieved .
“ It is worth noting the damage that discrimination does .
When the dank fog of Covid clears , the teacher supply crisis will remain , largely because the inequity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also warned the next government that teachers expect to receive the 2 per cent pay rise scheduled to be paid under the current public service agreement in October .
“ Payment makes impeccable sense .
.
.
it will generate economic activity and employment.
” He said the union would insist that the next government “ must invest in education at all levels ” .
But that as matters stand “ our schools and colleges are experiencing a surge in student numbers without any concomitant surge in investment .
This is unacceptable and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investment .
.
.
be provided.
” He said the workload on teachers and lecturers in second and third level is unfair and unsustainable .
“ We need urgently an end to bureaucratic tinkering and administrative overload .
The myth that more and evermore data is required has taken root and must be extirpated.
” Mr MacGabhann said one of his regrets was unity between the TUI and the other union representing second-level teachers – the Association of Secondary Teachers , Ireland – had not been achieved .
“ The current duplication of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competition and occasional antagonism between the unions is grist to the mill of those who would have us weak , divided and ineffectual .
Real teachers in real schools with real challenges by and large could not care less about what they see as unnecessary , jaded and sometimes embarrassing squabbling.
” He also suggested that the TUI and the Irish Federation of University Teachers , which also represents education personnel at third level , should “ get together to increase collective clout ” .

The TUI online conference was told what members in all sectors had delivered during the Covid-19 pandemic may have been unprecedented. File photograph: Getty
Teachers should beware of “opportunists” who would seek to “normalise” the changed working conditions that they have put in place to assist their students and communities during the health emergency, according to the general secretary of one of the main education trade unions.
Addressing the annual conference of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) on Friday its general secretary John MacGabhann said there were employers “who would eagerly seize upon the opportunity of having you work permanently from home”.
He said there were those who “ would build upon that opportunity by collapsing the wage structure and the working conditions that you currently enjoy. Indeed, there are employers who would dispense with your services altogether and reduce teaching and lecturing to gig economy, precarious working and moonlighting in order to cut costs. That is one Trojan horse that must be kept tethered and padlocked outside the walls.”
TUI president Séamus Lahart told the union’s online conference that what members in all sectors had delivered during the Covid-19 pandemic may have been unprecedented. But he said this was “not a precedent, nor should it be thought of as such”.
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“This crisis has, of course, highlighted and exaggerated the existing shortcomings in funding for education, particularly in the third-level sector. We have sought without success to date to reach an agreement on the provision of courses online. We have in the past week issued a directive to all-our third level colleagues in this regard, and this is particularly important in the context of their return to work and the move to deliver courses entirely online. The TUI will not tolerate unilateral decisions. We will not be dictated to and where this happens we will take action.”
Mr MacGabhann said that while the pace of progress in dealing with the two-tier pay system [which means recently recruited staff receive less than longer established colleagues] had been “disappointingly slow”. The TUI’s campaign for pay equality would continue until it had been achieved.
“It is worth noting the damage that discrimination does. When the dank fog of Covid clears, the teacher supply crisis will remain, largely because the inequity of pay discrimination remains.”
Mr MacGabhann also warned the next government that teachers expect to receive the 2 per cent pay rise scheduled to be paid under the current public service agreement in October. “Payment makes impeccable sense . . . it will generate economic activity and employment.”
Fighting talk
He said the union would insist that the next government “must invest in education at all levels”. But that as matters stand “our schools and colleges are experiencing a surge in student numbers without any concomitant surge in investment. This is unacceptable and the TUI demands that the staffing and investment . . . be provided.”
He said the workload on teachers and lecturers in second and third level is unfair and unsustainable.
“We need urgently an end to bureaucratic tinkering and administrative overload. The myth that more and evermore data is required has taken root and must be extirpated.”
Mr MacGabhann said one of his regrets was unity between the TUI and the other union representing second-level teachers – the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland – had not been achieved.
“The current duplication of effort is wasteful and absurd. The competition and occasional antagonism between the unions is grist to the mill of those who would have us weak, divided and ineffectual. Real teachers in real schools with real challenges by and large could not care less about what they see as unnecessary, jaded and sometimes embarrassing squabbling.”
He also suggested that the TUI and the Irish Federation of University Teachers, which also represents education personnel at third level, should “get together to increase collective clout”.


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Permission for 200-bed co-living development in Castleknock quashed

Permission for developer Richard Barrett ’ s Bartra Capital to build a 200-bedroom co-living apartment block in Castleknock , Dublin 15 , has been quashed by the High Court .
An Bord Pleanála last January granted permission for the build-to-rent shared living development on the site of Brady ’ s pub on the Old Navan Road .
However , local residents , under the banner of the Talbot and Old Navan Road Residents Brady ’ s Task Force , took judicial review proceedings against the board ’ s decision .
The board had granted the permission against the recommendations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision in January , the board said it had done so as the location was in keeping with sustainable urban housing standards .
It said it was satisfied the development met requirements for shared accommodation in terms of common living and kitchen facilities .
However , the board conceded the case this week on the grounds it had “ failed to give adequate reasons for its decision and in particular failed to give adequate reasons for disagreeing with the recommendation ” of its inspector ’ s report on the development .
Unlike recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quashed permissions granted by the board , the decision has not been “ remitted ” back to the board for a fresh decision , and instead Bartra will have to make a new application to the board if it wants to pursue the development .
Local Labour councillor John Walsh said the court ’ s ruling was an “ extraordinary victory ” for local residents .
“ This [ An Bord Pleanála ] decision defied logic and disregarded the input of professional planners , local residents , councillors and the board ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for taking a stand against one of the worst planning decisions made by the board in Dublin 15 , ” he said .
Co-living was “ completely wrong in a settled suburban area ” and was never a solution to the housing crisis , Mr Walsh added .
“ Circumstances have also changed dramatically since the original application last year and such cramped .
.
.
living conditions are dangerous during a pandemic.
” Bartra chief executive Mike Flannery said that while the company was disappointed with the outcome , the decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ and is wholly unrelated to the proposed co-living use on the site ” , he said .
“ We remain committed to developing environmentally sustainable and biosecure co-living schemes .
We hold the view that one of the keys to unlocking our national housing challenge is to match different accommodation types to the demands of a growing population with very changed living and employment patterns.
” The safety of residents in co-living schemes was a priority and occupants “ will rarely have to touch a surface to navigate through the building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to co-living , our residents can also be fully self-sufficient within their private suites .
Each individual private suite is entirely self-contained , with a private showerroom , WC and wash area , private in-room cooking facilities , high-speed wifi and a fully functional workstation to enable working from home.
” In response to the coronavirus pandemic , Bartra had developed an “ industry-defining standard of cleanliness and disinfection ” which will “ create a focus on biosafety and hygiene that will be visible to our residents throughout their entire stay ” , @ @ @

Permission for developer Richard Barrett's Bartra Capital to build a 200-bedroom co-living apartment block in Castleknock, Dublin 15, has been quashed by the High Court.
An Bord Pleanála last January granted permission for the build-to-rent shared living development on the site of Brady's pub on the Old Navan Road.
However, local residents, under the banner of the Talbot and Old Navan Road Residents Brady’s Task Force, took judicial review proceedings against the board’s decision.
The board had granted the permission against the recommendations of its own inspector. In issuing its decision in January, the board said it had done so as the location was in keeping with sustainable urban housing standards. It said it was satisfied the development met requirements for shared accommodation in terms of common living and kitchen facilities.
READ MORE
However, the board conceded the case this week on the grounds it had “failed to give adequate reasons for its decision and in particular failed to give adequate reasons for disagreeing with the recommendation” of its inspector’s report on the development.
New application
Unlike recent judicial review decisions where the court has quashed permissions granted by the board, the decision has not been “remitted” back to the board for a fresh decision, and instead Bartra will have to make a new application to the board if it wants to pursue the development.
Local Labour councillor John Walsh said the court's ruling was an "extraordinary victory" for local residents.
“This [An Bord Pleanála] decision defied logic and disregarded the input of professional planners, local residents, councillors and the board’s inspector. The residents deserve great credit for taking a stand against one of the worst planning decisions made by the board in Dublin 15,” he said.
Co-living was “completely wrong in a settled suburban area” and was never a solution to the housing crisis, Mr Walsh added.
“Circumstances have also changed dramatically since the original application last year and such cramped . . . living conditions are dangerous during a pandemic.”
Bartra response
Bartra chief executive Mike Flannery said that while the company was disappointed with the outcome, the decision to quash permission related to the planning process, "and is wholly unrelated to the proposed co-living use on the site", he said.
“We remain committed to developing environmentally sustainable and biosecure co-living schemes. We hold the view that one of the keys to unlocking our national housing challenge is to match different accommodation types to the demands of a growing population with very changed living and employment patterns.”
The safety of residents in co-living schemes was a priority and occupants “will rarely have to touch a surface to navigate through the building”, he said.
“Unique to co-living, our residents can also be fully self-sufficient within their private suites. Each individual private suite is entirely self-contained, with a private showerroom, WC and wash area, private in-room cooking facilities, high-speed wifi and a fully functional workstation to enable working from home.”
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Bartra had developed an “industry-defining standard of cleanliness and disinfection” which will “create a focus on biosafety and hygiene that will be visible to our residents throughout their entire stay”, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Covid-19 continues to rampage where it meets least resistance

The signs from around the world are troubling .
The United States has just reported its highest daily case figures so far in this pandemic .
Localised outbreaks in Germany have forced authorities there to reimpose restrictions in some regions .
While Ireland was successfully bringing the disease under control , Covid-19 has continued to careen about the world , prospering wherever it meets least resistance .
Whereas it took 12 days to go from one to two million cases globally , the latest jump from eight to nine million cases took just six days .
It isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine research and studies that show the use of specific therapies in treating patients .
The steroid medicine dexamethasone , for example , has saved the lives of a third of people on ventilators , a study has found .
Meanwhile , three potential vaccines are in final-phase testing after positive earlier results , and dozens more candidates are in development .
In Ireland , the estimated prevalence of the virus has plummeted , from one in 1,200 at the peak of the outbreak to about one in 40,000 in the community now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even as we began to reopen society .
The challenge of keeping it suppressed will rise massively from next week , when a much wider opening up of activities is permitted .
Beyond that , in July , it seems likely restrictions on foreign travel will be eased , as tourism tries to get back on its feet .
This prospect has many experts on edge .
Opening up society inevitably means people are moving about more and the virus is more easily spread .
The key questions are whether outbreaks can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be able to cope with any resurgence of Covid-19 .
As said before , effective testing and contact tracing are central to controlling the spread of the virus .
The Health Service Executive now has the capacity to test large numbers of people but overall speeds are less than demanded by some scientists .
Because there are so few cases at present , both testing and contact tracing are currently operating well below capacity , but even so the process of tracing contacts of a confirmed case is proving troublesome in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published data on the performance of the contact-tracing system has not been available for the past two weeks due , the HSE says , “ to work being undertaken on the relevant systems ” .
Further speeding up of turnaround times requires the establishment of more lab capacity , so that testing can take place as close as possible to where the infection occurs .
Whether the extra cost could be justified depends on whether you think the next surge can be contained with the resources we have .
The second unknown is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to cope .
Current critical-care bed capacity stands at 438 , compared with 500 at the peak of the crisis in mid-April .
Of these , 355 beds are open and staffed , compared with 415 before .
Capacity is well up on pre-crisis levels , as is the supply of vital equipment such as ventilators .
The number of beds occupied has dropped only slightly over this time , from 280 to 267 .
The type of patients in critical care has changed dramatically – the number of Covid-19 patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last Thursday – as people return to the system for treatment of non-Covid ailments .
As of last Thursday , there were just 73 critical care beds available , compared with 135 in mid-April .
It is hard to see how this level of capacity could deal with a major resurgence of cases – unless the hospitals were to be cleared of non-Covid work yet again .
The safety valve of the private hospital system will be gone from next week when the State ’ s deal with them ends , against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing with the Private Hospitals Association in relation to future use of private capacity , but there has been no outcome as yet .
Meanwhile , the HSE ’ s lease on Citywest , which was used as an isolation centre for Covid-19 patients , ends in October .
The future of isolation lies in smaller units in the regions , such as the centre set up in Limerick .

The signs from around the world are troubling. The United States has just reported its highest daily case figures so far in this pandemic. Localised outbreaks in Germany have forced authorities there to reimpose restrictions in some regions.
While Ireland was successfully bringing the disease under control, Covid-19 has continued to careen about the world, prospering wherever it meets least resistance.
Whereas it took 12 days to go from one to two million cases globally, the latest jump from eight to nine million cases took just six days.
It isn’t all bad news, thanks to fast-tracked vaccine research and studies that show the use of specific therapies in treating patients. The steroid medicine dexamethasone, for example, has saved the lives of a third of people on ventilators, a study has found. Meanwhile, three potential vaccines are in final-phase testing after positive earlier results, and dozens more candidates are in development.
READ MORE
In Ireland, the estimated prevalence of the virus has plummeted, from one in 1,200 at the peak of the outbreak to about one in 40,000 in the community now. The disease has remained effectively suppressed even as we began to reopen society.
The challenge of keeping it suppressed will rise massively from next week, when a much wider opening up of activities is permitted. Beyond that, in July, it seems likely restrictions on foreign travel will be eased, as tourism tries to get back on its feet.
This prospect has many experts on edge. Opening up society inevitably means people are moving about more and the virus is more easily spread. The key questions are whether outbreaks can be contained locally and whether the health service will be able to cope with any resurgence of Covid-19.
As said before, effective testing and contact tracing are central to controlling the spread of the virus. The Health Service Executive now has the capacity to test large numbers of people but overall speeds are less than demanded by some scientists.
Because there are so few cases at present, both testing and contact tracing are currently operating well below capacity, but even so the process of tracing contacts of a confirmed case is proving troublesome in some cases.
It is concerning that the published data on the performance of the contact-tracing system has not been available for the past two weeks due, the HSE says, “to work being undertaken on the relevant systems”.
Further speeding up of turnaround times requires the establishment of more lab capacity, so that testing can take place as close as possible to where the infection occurs. Whether the extra cost could be justified depends on whether you think the next surge can be contained with the resources we have.
Bed capacity
The second unknown is whether or not the hospital system will be able to cope.
Current critical-care bed capacity stands at 438, compared with 500 at the peak of the crisis in mid-April. Of these, 355 beds are open and staffed, compared with 415 before.
Capacity is well up on pre-crisis levels, as is the supply of vital equipment such as ventilators.
The number of beds occupied has dropped only slightly over this time, from 280 to 267. The type of patients in critical care has changed dramatically – the number of Covid-19 patients fell from 144 in mid-April to 12 last Thursday – as people return to the system for treatment of non-Covid ailments.
As of last Thursday, there were just 73 critical care beds available, compared with 135 in mid-April. It is hard to see how this level of capacity could deal with a major resurgence of cases – unless the hospitals were to be cleared of non-Covid work yet again.
The safety valve of the private hospital system will be gone from next week when the State's deal with them ends, against the wishes of the HSE. Talks are ongoing with the Private Hospitals Association in relation to future use of private capacity, but there has been no outcome as yet.
Meanwhile, the HSE's lease on Citywest, which was used as an isolation centre for Covid-19 patients, ends in October. The future of isolation lies in smaller units in the regions, such as the centre set up in Limerick.


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--HSE reveals key documents ahead of Covid-19 tracker app

The Health Service Executive has published key design and data privacy documents ahead of the launch of its Covid-19 tracker app .
It is anticipated that the smartphone app , which is designed to aid the contact tracing process , will become available in the coming days .
Data protection and civil liberties groups gave a guarded welcome to the publication , commending the HSE and Department of Health for their transparent approach .
But they reiterated some concerns over the effectiveness of the app The documents published include the application ’ s source code , or its basic computing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protection Impact Assessment , a document analysing the potential data protection risks of a given project .
A product explainer and a series of app design and development reports have also been published on the HSE website .
The app , which was delayed for several months as it went through design changes , uses a phone ’ s bluetooth function in order to alert someone if it indicates they have been in close contact with a person who is confirmed to have Covid-19 .
The app records if a user is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it installed , by exchanging anonymous codes held on their phones .
Those who test positive for Covid-19 will be able to choose if they want to anonymously alert other app users with whom they have been in close contact .
The contact tracing app initially faced opposition from data protection , civil liberties and privacy campaigners , who raised concerns over how data would be stored and processed .
There were also issues raised around the technological limitations of the app , and whether it would work on the most popular smartphone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after the HSE decided to develop the app on a decentralised basis , meaning data would not be collected and stored centrally by the State but instead would largely remain on users ’ phones .
Issues around the operation of contact tracing apps were addressed by collaboration with Apple and Google , which developed a platform that allowed them to function on their operating systems .
Some concerns , however , remain over the effectiveness of the Bluetooth technology upon which the contact tracing element is based .
Questions have been raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the accuracy and effectiveness of measurements given by Bluetooth especially in crowded settings .
Elizabeth Farries , director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties ( ICCL ) information rights programme , said she was pleased the HSE and department had released the documentation prior to launch and encouraged by the department ’ s engagement with “ our expert group in order to encourage diverse views and inputs ” .
However , she said she still had concerns over the Bluetooth technology at the core of the app , saying “ signal strength @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with individuals infected with Covid-19 ” .
TJ McIntyre , chairman of advocacy group Digital Rights Ireland ( DRI ) , welcomed the establishment of an advisory committee which will assess the efficacy of the Covid-19 app , and the inclusion of a “ self-destruct ” mechanism which will see the app wound down within 90 days if it is deemed ineffective .
HSE chief information officer Fran Thompson said its development was “ informed by a robust development and testing programme ” .
HSE chief executive Paul Reidsaid the app will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing and tracing measures ” .
Mr Reid said it will “ augment the existing contact tracing operations by quickly notifying users if they have been a close contact of a confirmed case , enabling users to record symptoms , and providing a trusted source of information about Covid-19 ” .
The HSE said the processing of data will be limited to the stated purpose for the app .
“ All personal data that is processed is kept to an absolute minimum .
Users can choose to delete the app at any time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they share through the app.
” The Health Service Executive has committed to dismantle the app once the Covid-19 crisis is over .
In a joint statement , the ICCL and DRI said : “ We understand the terrible reality of Covid-19 for the population and everyone wants to do everything possible to fight Covid-19 .
However , to ensure Ireland ’ s Covid-19 tracker app is effective , respects rights and legality , and adheres to our expert ’ s principled framework , we encourage the App Advisory Committee to include a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council for Civil Liberties is available and willing to participate.
” Daragh O ’ Brien , managing director of consultancy firm Castlebridge , said the level of disclosure “ is impressive ” and “ has to be commended ” .
“ I can not criticise the structure of it .
.
.
the amount of disclosure of what has been done is a very good benchmark for other public bodies.
” Mr O ’ Brien said he “ would be concerned the functioning and operation of the app may not meet the full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other alternative bases for processing were available for them to choose without undermining the voluntary basis of the app.
” He argued that the fact it has several functions , including symptom tracking , alongside its core contact tracing app , could prove problematic .
The inclusion of multiple functions , he said , goes against advice given by the European Data Protection Board in April , but a rationale is at least presented for this in the Data Privacy Impact Assessment .
“ They said the purpose of contact tracing apps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the HSE has defined that to include symptom onset data here.
” The operation of the governance of the application will be a key future test to ensure that only those elements that are effective and necessary remain in use .
In a blogpost , Nearform – which developed the app – said that contact tracing apps “ push smartphone technology to its limits ” .
“ The reality is that all these smartphones were never designed to facilitate contact tracing .
Bluetooth technology was not created to enable this kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s what we have .
The technology may not be perfect , but it is effective and available .
”

The Health Service Executive has published the Data Protection Impact Assessment and has also published the source code. Illustration: Getty
The Health Service Executive has published key design and data privacy documents ahead of the launch of its Covid-19 tracker app.
It is anticipated that the smartphone app, which is designed to aid the contact tracing process, will become available in the coming days.
Data protection and civil liberties groups gave a guarded welcome to the publication, commending the HSE and Department of Health for their transparent approach. But they reiterated some concerns over the effectiveness of the app
The documents published include the application’s source code, or its basic computing structure, as well as a Data Protection Impact Assessment, a document analysing the potential data protection risks of a given project.
READ MORE
Read the documents here.
A product explainer and a series of app design and development reports have also been published on the HSE website. The app, which was delayed for several months as it went through design changes, uses a phone’s bluetooth function in order to alert someone if it indicates they have been in close contact with a person who is confirmed to have Covid-19.
The app records if a user is in close contact with someone else who has it installed, by exchanging anonymous codes held on their phones. Those who test positive for Covid-19 will be able to choose if they want to anonymously alert other app users with whom they have been in close contact.
Operating systems
The contact tracing app initially faced opposition from data protection, civil liberties and privacy campaigners, who raised concerns over how data would be stored and processed. There were also issues raised around the technological limitations of the app, and whether it would work on the most popular smartphone models.
These have largely been addressed, after the HSE decided to develop the app on a decentralised basis, meaning data would not be collected and stored centrally by the State but instead would largely remain on users' phones. Issues around the operation of contact tracing apps were addressed by collaboration with Apple and Google, which developed a platform that allowed them to function on their operating systems.
Some concerns, however, remain over the effectiveness of the Bluetooth technology upon which the contact tracing element is based. Questions have been raised by researchers at Trinity College Dublin over the accuracy and effectiveness of measurements given by Bluetooth especially in crowded settings.
Elizabeth Farries, director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) information rights programme, said she was pleased the HSE and department had released the documentation prior to launch and encouraged by the department's engagement with "our expert group in order to encourage diverse views and inputs".
However, she said she still had concerns over the Bluetooth technology at the core of the app, saying “signal strength is not a reliable means to detect contact with individuals infected with Covid-19”.
TJ McIntyre, chairman of advocacy group Digital Rights Ireland (DRI), welcomed the establishment of an advisory committee which will assess the efficacy of the Covid-19 app, and the inclusion of a "self-destruct" mechanism which will see the app wound down within 90 days if it is deemed ineffective.
Tracing measures
HSE chief information officer Fran Thompson said its development was "informed by a robust development and testing programme". HSE chief executive Paul Reidsaid the app will "be an important part of our testing and tracing measures".
Mr Reid said it will “augment the existing contact tracing operations by quickly notifying users if they have been a close contact of a confirmed case, enabling users to record symptoms, and providing a trusted source of information about Covid-19”.
The HSE said the processing of data will be limited to the stated purpose for the app. “All personal data that is processed is kept to an absolute minimum. Users can choose to delete the app at any time and have full control over what information they share through the app.”
The Health Service Executive has committed to dismantle the app once the Covid-19 crisis is over.
In a joint statement, the ICCL and DRI said: "We understand the terrible reality of Covid-19 for the population and everyone wants to do everything possible to fight Covid-19. However, to ensure Ireland's Covid-19 tracker app is effective, respects rights and legality, and adheres to our expert's principled framework, we encourage the App Advisory Committee to include a member of civil society. The Irish Council for Civil Liberties is available and willing to participate."
Daragh O'Brien, managing director of consultancy firm Castlebridge, said the level of disclosure "is impressive" and "has to be commended". "I cannot criticise the structure of it . . . the amount of disclosure of what has been done is a very good benchmark for other public bodies."
Mr O’Brien said he “would be concerned the functioning and operation of the app may not meet the full set of requirements for consent under GDPR and other alternative bases for processing were available for them to choose without undermining the voluntary basis of the app.” He argued that the fact it has several functions, including symptom tracking, alongside its core contact tracing app, could prove problematic.
Multiple functions
The inclusion of multiple functions, he said, goes against advice given by the European Data Protection Board in April, but a rationale is at least presented for this in the Data Privacy Impact Assessment. “They said the purpose of contact tracing apps should be restricted to just contact tracing, and the HSE has defined that to include symptom onset data here.”
The operation of the governance of the application will be a key future test to ensure that only those elements that are effective and necessary remain in use.
In a blogpost, Nearform – which developed the app – said that contact tracing apps “push smartphone technology to its limits”.
“The reality is that all these smartphones were never designed to facilitate contact tracing. Bluetooth technology was not created to enable this kind of communication between devices. Yet, it’s what we have. The technology may not be perfect, but it is effective and available.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Rates core to council funding, but coffers bled white by Covid-19

As soon as the first wave of coronavirus restrictions hit back in mid-March there was an immediate clamour from businesses facing closure for a moratorium on paying commercial rates .
This was entirely understandable , particularly from the bar and restaurant sector which led the charge .
If no cash is coming in how could they be expected to meet rates bills that , particularly in Dublin , amount to thousands of euro even for firms of a relatively modest size .
On the other side of the rapidly dwindling coin were recipients of rates , the local authorities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Dublin , with the four local authorities receiving far less in central government funding proportionately than their rural counterparts and in the Local Property Tax collected from their residents .
Dublin City Council chief executive Owen Keegan was the first to raise the red flag .
Back in mid-March he warned that a blanket moratorium on commercial rates would mean the council running out of money , but he said ratepayers having difficulty meeting their bill could come to an “ appropriate arrangement ” with the council , which would be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or free pass on bills .
After more than a month of wrangling the Government stepped in and announced a “ waiver ” on rates bills from March 27th to June 27th .
This was the moratorium business had sought , but would also mean the Government directly paying the local authorities on behalf of businesses “ forced to close due to public health requirements ” .
However , what happens after the end of this month is yet to be determined .
“ It is clear that many businesses will be impacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of scheduled reopening dates , reduced capacity related to social distancing and their reliance on what one assumes will be an uncertain and gradual return in public confidence in the near term , ” said chief executive of South Dublin County Council Daniel McLoughlin .
“ The extension of the three-month rates waiver to six months is , in my view , the minimum necessary to protect local government funding and to support the reopening of business.
” South Dublin relies on rates for approximately 52 per cent of its income – some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of businesses and local authorities is critically interrelated , he said .
“ Local government and the public sector must be viewed in terms of its capacity to lead economic recovery and the recovery of these very businesses .
Any substantial falloff in commercial rates will clearly undermine this capacity.
” McLoughlin said that as long as the waiver was extended , and the income deficit stayed below €25 million , he firmly believes “ it is manageable on a one-off basis ” .
“ For now our ambition must be to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and see where it takes us.
” The rates waiver was one of two schemes proffered to local authorities by the Government on May 2nd .
The second was the “ restart fund ” , which was designed for businesses that may not have had to close but were suffering a “ dramatic loss of turnover ” due to Covid-19 restrictions .
Aimed at businesses with fewer than 50 employees , the fund would provide ratepayers with a grant equivalent to their 2019 rates bill , up to a maximum of €10,000 by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told councillors a few days later that , while he was awaiting the precise details of the scheme , it would go a “ considerable way ” to compensating the council for lost rates income .
He has since revised that view .
“ Contrary to our original understanding of the scheme , ” he said , “ there will be no requirement on recipients of Restart Fund grants to use the money to pay/part pay commercial rates in 2020 .
Thus , the expected benefit in terms of supporting commercial rates income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The original circular indicated the grant was to be used to pay down rates owing and to ensure businesses could continue to pay their liabilities to the council this year , he said .
“ There is now no requirement that it be used to pay arrears or current rates liabilities .
The correction does mean it is very beneficial for small businesses , but not particularly beneficial for local authorities.
” There was also an issue of eligibility for the waiver scheme to be resolved .
“ Somebody may have seen their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close .
A lot of businesses may be trading , but may not be profitable , ” said Keegan .
The city council had expected to take in just over €357 million in rates this year – about one-third of its income .
About €250 million of that remains outstanding .
In addition the council is incurring substantial loses in other income streams , particularly parking charges .
“ Our parking income would be way down .
Normally it would be €30 million a year , but that has collapsed.
” No specific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the council , but Keegan said “ we are legally obliged to have a balanced budget ” , so something , it appears , would have to give .
“ Some projects that were due to be completed this year may run into next year .
Some grants for projects that are no longer going ahead over the summer because of the restrictions won ’ t need to be paid and there is no travel abroad to conferences , so things like that have resulted in a saving.
” However , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government to compensate it for lost income .
“ Eventually we would run out of cash , but I am reasonably confident we will be looked after.
” Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council director of finance Helena Cunningham said the initial announcement of a rates deferral had an “ immediate ” impact on cash flow for the council .
Rates account for 46 per cent of the council ’ s budget .
Approximately 67 per cent of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown businesses were expected to be affected by the pandemic although the actual impact will only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
While the commitment of the Government to pay rates on behalf of closed businesses had provided immediate relief , the long-term impact of Covid-19 on rates income could be “ considerable ” , she said .
“ It is widely predicted that Covid-19 could be with us for at least another 12 months so the financial impact could be felt for some time.
” Other income streams such as parking , planning , housing rents and loans will also be affected but she said it was difficult to predict accurately the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , for the month of April on a year-on-year comparison it would have been expected to receive €560,000 in parking income and only circa €60,000 was received , ” said Ms Cunningham .
There will , she said , be some “ naturally occurring expenditure savings ” such as the events programme or works not taking place due to the restrictions .
However , the ability of the council to recover and function would “ depend on the extent to which compensation is made available and the extent to which the council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .
“ It is considered imperative that public service is not reduced in order to assist businesses and the public to come out of this crisis and , to do this , compensation for income lost is critical.
” Fingal County Council is the most dependent on rates of the four Dublin local authorities with 55 per cent of its income coming from that stream .
A council spokesman said it was also critical support is maintained for the long term .
“ The local authority sector and the services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical component in the economic recovery of the country .
Any reduction in commercial rates income will severely impact on our ability to do this.
” The council is also facing a funding shortfall from parking charges and housing rents , he said .
“ Our overall objective is to continue to provide our key services within the evolving Covid-19 emergency and its financial fallout and to ensure that a quality environment in which to live and do business is maintained , ” he said .
“ The council will continue to prudently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within this evolving situation.
” Cllr Tony Murphy , chairman of Fingal ’ s economic policy committee , said the council ’ s high rates yield is heavily dependent on one major payer – Dublin Airport .
“ The premiere concern in terms of Fingal ’ s income stream would be the airport .
Not just the airport itself , but the ancillary businesses that feed off it , logistics companies , hospitality etc , ” he said .
A spokesman for the Dublin Airport Authority ( DAA ) said it is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but “ in line with Government guidelines , as a business that has suffered a severe financial impact from the Covid-19 pandemic , we are in discussions with our local authority in relation to the issue of rates ” .
Both the DAA and the council declined to say how much the airport pays in rates .
Fingal has also received European Investment Bank funding for major projects such as the regeneration of Balbriggan and the Swords Cultural Quarter , so those projects should be secure , said Mr Murphy .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have a reserve that will allow us to deliver on any of our planned capital projects , ” he said .
“ However , how the next government deals with local authority financing will determine not only the security of local government services for the coming months but into next year.
” Dublin City Cllr Daithí Doolan said not enough focus has been brought to bear on the threat local authorities face from a decline in rates .
“ The council ’ s funding has gone off the cliff .
A comprehensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government but there is no sense of decisiveness , no sense of initiative .
The foot is off the pedal , ” he said .
Mr Doolan is advocating that the council be allowed to undertake zero-interest borrowing in addition to rates compensation .
Funding had to be maintained for community projects , such as the local area plan for Cherry Orchard , he said .
“ Cherry Orchard is one of the most marginalised communities in the country and it has suffered hugely from Covid .
Young people who haven ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more are getting sucked into the criminal economy such as drug dealing .
“ My concerns is that if the economy goes off the edge the people at the bottom will suffer the worst and the longest.
” Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is “ very different ” to other local authorities , said Fine Gael Cllr Barry Saul .
“ We would have quite a few blue-chip multinationals that have paid their rates already .
Sandyford is the engine of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown ’ s economic development and has had a strong rate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ So we ’ re lucky in terms of our commercial base .
That ’ s not to say we won ’ t be in trouble if the rates subsidy is removed .
There will be problems if a cliff arises at the end of June .
Local authorities will have to be underwritten for a considerable length of time .
A lot of businesses , particularly in the retail and entertainment sectors may not come back.
” Cllr Saul said there would be “ a perception that Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income streams such as development levies were ring-fenced for specific projects and could not be repurposed to fill funding gaps .
Also annual reliables such as the Marlay Park concerts , which would bring in up to €1 million a year in revenue for the council , would not go ahead this year .
Where cuts might be seen would be to services which might not be seen as essential , but have a strong local impact , he said .
“ What I would call the low cost high-impact projects , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets , the council might perceive these as the low-hanging fruit.
” South Dublin County Council was also in a “ pretty robust financial situation ” coming into the pandemic , according to Fianna Fáil Cllr Ed O ’ Brien .
“ Our chief executive is committed to ploughing on with the capital projects where funding has already been allocated.
” But as with the other local authorities , he agreed a lot will rest on what happens after June 27th and how the next government deals with local authority funding .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If the Government continues to subvent I would be quite confident we wouldn ’ t be looking at the kind of cuts that would worry me , but a lot will depend on the input of the incoming government.
” The Department of Local Government has yet to announce any extension of the waiver scheme .
A spokesman said the “ Government is currently preparing further guidance for local authorities on the scope and application of the waiver ” and the position would be reviewed “ as part of a wider review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and associated local authority funding implications , once the unwinding of public health restrictions has advanced ” .
The impact of lost income from parking fees and other municipal charges is also under review .
“ This information will form part of the review of supports and local authority funding implications , ” he said .

As soon as the first wave of coronavirus restrictions hit back in mid-March there was an immediate clamour from businesses facing closure for a moratorium on paying commercial rates.
This was entirely understandable, particularly from the bar and restaurant sector which led the charge. If no cash is coming in how could they be expected to meet rates bills that, particularly in Dublin, amount to thousands of euro even for firms of a relatively modest size.
On the other side of the rapidly dwindling coin were recipients of rates, the local authorities. Rates are the lifeblood of council coffers in Dublin, with the four local authorities receiving far less in central government funding proportionately than their rural counterparts and in the Local Property Tax collected from their residents.
Dublin City Council chief executive Owen Keegan was the first to raise the red flag. Back in mid-March he warned that a blanket moratorium on commercial rates would mean the council running out of money, but he said ratepayers having difficulty meeting their bill could come to an "appropriate arrangement" with the council, which would be a deferral of payment rather than a moratorium or free pass on bills.
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After more than a month of wrangling the Government stepped in and announced a “waiver” on rates bills from March 27th to June 27th. This was the moratorium business had sought, but would also mean the Government directly paying the local authorities on behalf of businesses “forced to close due to public health requirements”.
However, what happens after the end of this month is yet to be determined.
"It is clear that many businesses will be impacted beyond the 27th of June by virtue of scheduled reopening dates, reduced capacity related to social distancing and their reliance on what one assumes will be an uncertain and gradual return in public confidence in the near term," said chief executive of South Dublin County Council Daniel McLoughlin.
“The extension of the three-month rates waiver to six months is, in my view, the minimum necessary to protect local government funding and to support the reopening of business.”
Safeguarding business
South Dublin relies on rates for approximately 52 per cent of its income – some €132 million a year. The protection of businesses and local authorities is critically interrelated, he said.
“Local government and the public sector must be viewed in terms of its capacity to lead economic recovery and the recovery of these very businesses. Any substantial falloff in commercial rates will clearly undermine this capacity.”
McLoughlin said that as long as the waiver was extended, and the income deficit stayed below €25 million, he firmly believes “it is manageable on a one-off basis”.
“For now our ambition must be to stay on track for remainder of this year and see where it takes us.”
The rates waiver was one of two schemes proffered to local authorities by the Government on May 2nd. The second was the “restart fund”, which was designed for businesses that may not have had to close but were suffering a “dramatic loss of turnover” due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Aimed at businesses with fewer than 50 employees, the fund would provide ratepayers with a grant equivalent to their 2019 rates bill, up to a maximum of €10,000 by way of a rates rebate.
Keegan told councillors a few days later that, while he was awaiting the precise details of the scheme, it would go a “considerable way” to compensating the council for lost rates income. He has since revised that view.
“Contrary to our original understanding of the scheme,” he said, “there will be no requirement on recipients of Restart Fund grants to use the money to pay/part pay commercial rates in 2020. Thus, the expected benefit in terms of supporting commercial rates income in 2020 is unlikely to materialise.”
The original circular indicated the grant was to be used to pay down rates owing and to ensure businesses could continue to pay their liabilities to the council this year, he said.
“There is now no requirement that it be used to pay arrears or current rates liabilities. The correction does mean it is very beneficial for small businesses, but not particularly beneficial for local authorities.”
There was also an issue of eligibility for the waiver scheme to be resolved.
“Somebody may have seen their turnover collapse but were not forced to close. A lot of businesses may be trading, but may not be profitable,” said Keegan.
The city council had expected to take in just over €357 million in rates this year – about one-third of its income. About €250 million of that remains outstanding. In addition the council is incurring substantial loses in other income streams, particularly parking charges.
“Our parking income would be way down. Normally it would be €30 million a year, but that has collapsed.”
Balanced budgets
No specific cuts have yet to be identified by the council, but Keegan said “we are legally obliged to have a balanced budget”, so something, it appears, would have to give.
“Some projects that were due to be completed this year may run into next year. Some grants for projects that are no longer going ahead over the summer because of the restrictions won’t need to be paid and there is no travel abroad to conferences, so things like that have resulted in a saving.”
However, he said the council will be relying on the government to compensate it for lost income. “Eventually we would run out of cash, but I am reasonably confident we will be looked after.”
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council director of finance Helena Cunningham said the initial announcement of a rates deferral had an "immediate" impact on cash flow for the council.
Rates account for 46 per cent of the council’s budget. Approximately 67 per cent of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown businesses were expected to be affected by the pandemic although the actual impact will only be known “post-Covid”, she said.
While the commitment of the Government to pay rates on behalf of closed businesses had provided immediate relief, the long-term impact of Covid-19 on rates income could be “considerable”, she said.
“It is widely predicted that Covid-19 could be with us for at least another 12 months so the financial impact could be felt for some time.”
Other income streams such as parking, planning, housing rents and loans will also be affected but she said it was difficult to predict accurately the full extent at this stage.
“However, for the month of April on a year-on-year comparison it would have been expected to receive €560,000 in parking income and only circa €60,000 was received,” said Ms Cunningham.
There will, she said, be some “naturally occurring expenditure savings” such as the events programme or works not taking place due to the restrictions. However, the ability of the council to recover and function would “depend on the extent to which compensation is made available and the extent to which the council’s income level is maintained,” she said.
“It is considered imperative that public service is not reduced in order to assist businesses and the public to come out of this crisis and, to do this, compensation for income lost is critical.”
Fingal County Council is the most dependent on rates of the four Dublin local authorities with 55 per cent of its income coming from that stream. A council spokesman said it was also critical support is maintained for the long term.
“The local authority sector and the services we provide are going to be a critical component in the economic recovery of the country. Any reduction in commercial rates income will severely impact on our ability to do this.”
The council is also facing a funding shortfall from parking charges and housing rents, he said.
“Our overall objective is to continue to provide our key services within the evolving Covid-19 emergency and its financial fallout and to ensure that a quality environment in which to live and do business is maintained,” he said. “The council will continue to prudently manage its finances and monitor its expenditure within this evolving situation.”
Cllr Tony Murphy, chairman of Fingal's economic policy committee, said the council's high rates yield is heavily dependent on one major payer – Dublin Airport.
“The premiere concern in terms of Fingal’s income stream would be the airport. Not just the airport itself, but the ancillary businesses that feed off it, logistics companies, hospitality etc,” he said.
A spokesman for the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) said it is "currently continuing to make rates payments", but "in line with Government guidelines, as a business that has suffered a severe financial impact from the Covid-19 pandemic, we are in discussions with our local authority in relation to the issue of rates".
Both the DAA and the council declined to say how much the airport pays in rates.
Fingal has also received European Investment Bank funding for major projects such as the regeneration of Balbriggan and the Swords Cultural Quarter, so those projects should be secure, said Mr Murphy.
Vital revenue
“Fingal County Council has been prudent and we have a reserve that will allow us to deliver on any of our planned capital projects,” he said. “However, how the next government deals with local authority financing will determine not only the security of local government services for the coming months but into next year.”
Dublin City Cllr Daithí Doolan said not enough focus has been brought to bear on the threat local authorities face from a decline in rates.
“The council’s funding has gone off the cliff. A comprehensive compensation package has to be delivered by the Government but there is no sense of decisiveness, no sense of initiative. The foot is off the pedal,” he said.
Mr Doolan is advocating that the council be allowed to undertake zero-interest borrowing in addition to rates compensation. Funding had to be maintained for community projects, such as the local area plan for Cherry Orchard, he said.
“Cherry Orchard is one of the most marginalised communities in the country and it has suffered hugely from Covid. Young people who haven’t been in school, more and more are getting sucked into the criminal economy such as drug dealing.
“My concerns is that if the economy goes off the edge the people at the bottom will suffer the worst and the longest.”
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is “very different” to other local authorities, said Fine Gael Cllr Barry Saul.
“We would have quite a few blue-chip multinationals that have paid their rates already. Sandyford is the engine of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown’s economic development and has had a strong rate of payment so far,” he said.
“So we’re lucky in terms of our commercial base. That’s not to say we won’t be in trouble if the rates subsidy is removed. There will be problems if a cliff arises at the end of June. Local authorities will have to be underwritten for a considerable length of time. A lot of businesses, particularly in the retail and entertainment sectors may not come back.”
High-impact projects
Cllr Saul said there would be “a perception that Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown is a rich county”, but its prized income streams such as development levies were ring-fenced for specific projects and could not be repurposed to fill funding gaps. Also annual reliables such as the Marlay Park concerts, which would bring in up to €1 million a year in revenue for the council, would not go ahead this year. Where cuts might be seen would be to services which might not be seen as essential, but have a strong local impact, he said.
“What I would call the low cost high-impact projects, such as hanging or extra cleansing of the streets, the council might perceive these as the low-hanging fruit.”
South Dublin County Council was also in a “pretty robust financial situation” coming into the pandemic, according to Fianna Fáil Cllr Ed O’Brien.
“Our chief executive is committed to ploughing on with the capital projects where funding has already been allocated.”
But as with the other local authorities, he agreed a lot will rest on what happens after June 27th and how the next government deals with local authority funding.
“None of us has a crystal ball. If the Government continues to subvent I would be quite confident we wouldn’t be looking at the kind of cuts that would worry me, but a lot will depend on the input of the incoming government.”
The Department of Local Government has yet to announce any extension of the waiver scheme. A spokesman said the “Government is currently preparing further guidance for local authorities on the scope and application of the waiver” and the position would be reviewed “as part of a wider review of options to support enterprise and employment, and associated local authority funding implications, once the unwinding of public health restrictions has advanced”.
The impact of lost income from parking fees and other municipal charges is also under review.
“This information will form part of the review of supports and local authority funding implications,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Teachers warn of industrial action if school re-opening not in line with health advice

Teachers have warned of potential industrial action if schools do not re-open in line with public health advice or if this poses a risk to health and safety .
The annual conference of the Teachers ’ Union of Ireland ( TUI ) on Friday passed a motion , without debate , which looked forward to the re-opening of schools , centres , colleges , institutes and universities to all staff and students as soon as this could be achieved safely and in a manner consistent with public health advice .
The motion noted the continuing risk associated with Covid-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities in education sector workplaces and that current cleaning and that hygiene regimes were insufficient to support a safe return to those workplaces .
It also said that a substantial number of staff members and students who had underlying health issues would face an increase level of risk .
The TUI conference demanded that “ any Government/ Department of Education and Skills/employer decisions or protocols in relation to return to workplaces , including those in respect of social distancing , must be based upon and adhere to the advice of the national public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that any such decisions must prioritise the health and safety of both staff members and students It said that prior to and framing any such decisions , there must be full , meaningful and structured consultation and discussion at national level with the TUI and other relevant parties The conference maintained that the necessary level of resources ( including PPE , where appropriate ) must be made available to schools , colleges and centres .
“ Congress also instructs the executive committee to initiate a campaign of action and , if necessary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institutional , employer , sectoral , regional or national level , as appropriate , in the event that return to workplaces is demanded in a manner and/or at a time that is considered not to be consistent with the advice of the public health authorities or that places at risk the health and safety of members and/or of their students ” , the motion passed by the conference stated .
The Government has said it wants to reopen schools fully in late August without social distancing in order to ensure most children are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current public health guidelines do not permit this .
The Department of Education has said it expects to receive updated health advice over the coming weeks .
The TUI conference also passed a motion backing proposals for a ballot for industrial action n the event of education employers seeking to exploit or normalise exceptional or once-off arrangements introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic .

The motion noted the continuing risk associated with Covid-19, deficits in terms of physical infrastructure and facilities in education sector workplaces. Photograph: iStock
Teachers have warned of potential industrial action if schools do not re-open in line with public health advice or if this poses a risk to health and safety.
The annual conference of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) on Friday passed a motion, without debate, which looked forward to the re-opening of schools, centres, colleges, institutes and universities to all staff and students as soon as this could be achieved safely and in a manner consistent with public health advice.
The motion noted the continuing risk associated with Covid-19, deficits in terms of physical infrastructure and facilities in education sector workplaces and that current cleaning and that hygiene regimes were insufficient to support a safe return to those workplaces . It also said that a substantial number of staff members and students who had underlying health issues would face an increase level of risk.
The TUI conference demanded that “any Government/ Department of Education and Skills/employer decisions or protocols in relation to return to workplaces, including those in respect of social distancing, must be based upon and adhere to the advice of the national public health authorities”.
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The conference said that any such decisions must prioritise the health and safety of both staff members and students
It said that prior to and framing any such decisions, there must be full, meaningful and structured consultation and discussion at national level with the TUI and other relevant parties
The conference maintained that the necessary level of resources (including PPE, where appropriate)must be made available to schools, colleges and centres.
"Congress also instructs the executive committee to initiate a campaign of action and, if necessary, ballot members for industrial action, at institutional, employer, sectoral, regional or national level, as appropriate, in the event that return to workplaces is demanded in a manner and/or at a time that is considered not to be consistent with the advice of the public health authorities or that places at risk the health and safety of members and/or of their students", the motion passed by the conference stated.
The Government has said it wants to reopen schools fully in late August without social distancing in order to ensure most children are return to the classroom.
However, current public health guidelines do not permit this. The Department of Education has said it expects to receive updated health advice over the coming weeks.
The TUI conference also passed a motion backing proposals for a ballot for industrial action n the event of education employers seeking to exploit or normalise exceptional or once-off arrangements introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic.