theirishtimes--2020-10-15--Highly critical Ombudsman report finds children waiting years for vital assessments

Delays of several years in assessing the needs of children with suspected disabilities amount to a serious and ongoing violation of their rights , according to a highly critical report by the Ombudsman for Children .
There is a legal requirement on health authorities to assess the needs of children within six month of receiving an application .
However , latest figures show just under 10 per cent of assessments are being carried out within this time-frame .
A total of 5,533 children are currently overdue an assessment , with some waiting years for a response .
These assessments are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , move , learn and participate in education .
Ombudsman Dr Niall Muldoon said these “ grossly unfair ” delays were robbing children of their potential and may affect children for the rest of their lives .
“ As a parent , knowing this , it is devastating to hear that your child will be waiting years for services like the children ’ s stories we have included in this report , ” he said .
His investigation found that some parents are so desperate that they have taken credit union loans out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have paid costly legal bills to take the HSE to court to obtain an order forcing them to undertake an assessment for their child .
“ This is completely understandable , but the outcome is that it inevitably pushes further down the list a child whose parent with limited means that can not afford to go to court , ” he said .
“ This is grossly unfair for what is a statutory right for children in Ireland .
” The report chronicles the case of Lucy , who is non-verbal and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning difficulty .
Clinical services recommended that she have a needs assessment when she was six years of age .
She is now 11 and is still waiting for the services identified .
In another case , four-year-old Sarah , who has sensory issues , was told she faced a 27-month wait for a needs assessment .
Dr Muldoon said his office has received “ countless complaints from distraught parents ” whose children have been on a waiting list for years to access an assessment of need for their child .
Additionally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is assessed , they struggle to get any or all of the services recommended to help their child talk , move , learn and grow .
“ It is reasonable for any parent to expect that the State will provide easy access to services , which will enable them to make the right decision about the care , education and health of their child , ” he said .
“ If the policies that are actually in place in Ireland were properly adhered to , we would have a world-class system in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice this is far from the case.
” In a series of recommendations , the Ombudsman says the Government must follow the international children ’ s rights framework to ensure all children ’ s rights are recognised and protected .
The report also says far greater investment– up to 10 times the current level of resources – are needed to get to grips with the significant waiting lists .
While welcoming a recent announcement by Government of €7.8 million in extra funding , it says it must come with a clear strategy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Key legislation – including the Disability Act ( 2005 ) and Epsen Act ( 2005 ) – should be amended to strengthen and speed up access to assessment and clarify children ’ s entitlements , the report continues .
The report also calls for a “ whole of government ” approach to review access criteria for services where a diagnosis is required and to ensure there is a clear pathway to services for all children based on their needs .
In response to a query whether it was satisified that the assssment system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it welcomed the Ombudsman ’ s report and its call for a review of legislation in the area .
“ The HSE is committed to actively participating in any review of this legislation , ” a spokesperson said .
It added that the HSE has endeavoured to meet its legislative obligations under the Disability Act .
It said a High Court ruling a decade ago widened eligibility to all children , whereas the the HSE and the Department of Health had interpreted the legislation as applying to under-fives .
The number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent to 52 per cent of all cases netween 2011 and 2018 .
To help address this situation , the HSE said it has implemented revised standard operating procedures .

Ombudsman for Children Dr Niall Muldoon says ‘grossly unfair’ delays are robbing children of their potential and may affect children for the rest of their lives. File photograph: James Forde
Delays of several years in assessing the needs of children with suspected disabilities amount to a serious and ongoing violation of their rights, according to a highly critical report by the Ombudsman for Children.
There is a legal requirement on health authorities to assess the needs of children within six month of receiving an application.
However, latest figures show just under 10 per cent of assessments are being carried out within this time-frame. A total of 5,533 children are currently overdue an assessment, with some waiting years for a response.
These assessments are crucial to helping vulnerable children to talk, move, learn and participate in education.
READ MORE
Ombudsman Dr Niall Muldoon said these "grossly unfair" delays were robbing children of their potential and may affect children for the rest of their lives.
“As a parent, knowing this, it is devastating to hear that your child will be waiting years for services like the children’s stories we have included in this report,” he said.
His investigation found that some parents are so desperate that they have taken credit union loans out to pay for private therapies. Others have paid costly legal bills to take the HSE to court to obtain an order forcing them to undertake an assessment for their child.
"This is completely understandable, but the outcome is that it inevitably pushes further down the list a child whose parent with limited means that cannot afford to go to court," he said. "This is grossly unfair for what is a statutory right for children in Ireland. "
The report chronicles the case of Lucy, who is non-verbal and has a diagnosis of autism and a mild learning difficulty.
Still waiting
Clinical services recommended that she have a needs assessment when she was six years of age. She is now 11 and is still waiting for the services identified.
In another case, four-year-old Sarah, who has sensory issues, was told she faced a 27-month wait for a needs assessment.
Dr Muldoon said his office has received “countless complaints from distraught parents” whose children have been on a waiting list for years to access an assessment of need for their child.
Additionally, many have found that once their child is assessed, they struggle to get any or all of the services recommended to help their child talk, move, learn and grow.
“It is reasonable for any parent to expect that the State will provide easy access to services, which will enable them to make the right decision about the care, education and health of their child,” he said.
“If the policies that are actually in place in Ireland were properly adhered to, we would have a world-class system in place; however the reality is that in practice this is far from the case.”
In a series of recommendations, the Ombudsman says the Government must follow the international children’s rights framework to ensure all children’s rights are recognised and protected.
Sustainable changes
The report also says far greater investment– up to 10 times the current level of resources – are needed to get to grips with the significant waiting lists. While welcoming a recent announcement by Government of €7.8 million in extra funding, it says it must come with a clear strategy to make sustainable changes into the future.
Key legislation – including the Disability Act (2005) and Epsen Act (2005) – should be amended to strengthen and speed up access to assessment and clarify children’s entitlements, the report continues.
The report also calls for a “whole of government” approach to review access criteria for services where a diagnosis is required and to ensure there is a clear pathway to services for all children based on their needs.
Review
In response to a query whether it was satisified that the assssment system was fit for purpise, the HSE said it welcomed the Ombudsman’s report and its call for a review of legislation in the area.
“The HSE is committed to actively participating in any review of this legislation,” a spokesperson said.
It added that the HSE has endeavoured to meet its legislative obligations under the Disability Act.
It said a High Court ruling a decade ago widened eligibility to all children, whereas the the HSE and the Department of Health had interpreted the legislation as applying to under-fives.
The number of applications relating to over-fives grew from 26 per cent to 52 per cent of all cases netween 2011 and 2018.
To help address this situation, the HSE said it has implemented revised standard operating procedures.


theirishtimes--2020-10-15--Family of garda killer Aaron Brady questions grounds for his conviction

The family of Aaron Brady , who shot dead Det Garda Adrian Donohoe 7½ years ago and was sentenced to a minimum of 40 years ’ imprisonment on Wednesday , has launched a campaign questioning the grounds for his conviction .
The Justice4AaronBrady campaign has launched a website and social media accounts while videos have also been produced featuring Brady ’ s father , Tony Brady , the former chairman of Crossmaglen Rangers GAA club .
“ We will be rolling out Aaron ’ s story and what we see as the truth , ” Mr Brady says on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign .
He urged people to “ comment , like and share ” the content that would be produced as it was “ very important we get our story out there ” .
The Brady family campaign , which is likely to draw strong criticism , was launched online on Monday and comes as Brady was expected to lodge an appeal to his conviction after his sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday for the capital murder of Det Garda Donohoe .
“ My son Aaron Brady is no saint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he was wrongly convicted for a murder he did not commit , ” Tony Brady writes on the campaign website before listing what he says are his areas of concern .
He then adds : “ My strong condolences go to the family , friends and colleagues of Adrian Donohoe , who will be seeking justice and closure on his murder .
But what follows suggests that Aaron Brady is not your man.
” Tony Brady and his wife Caroline were present in court on Wednesday .
After the hearing , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approached the media gathered outside the court .
Mr Harrington spoke on behalf of the Bradys and said , “ Aaron Brady is not without his faults , none of us are ” .
He claimed the family was aware of evidence that “ sheds reasonable and strong doubt on key points of evidence that have contributed to Aaron ’ s conviction for the murder of Adrian Donohoe ” .
When pressed repeatedly by the media to detail what he was referring to , he declined to respond to questions and neither of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Separately , a small group of protesters gathered on Wednesday outside the court and shouted “ Justice for Aaron Brady ” at people going to and from the courthouse , including Caroline Donohoe , the widow of Det Garda Donohoe .
Among the group of protesters outside the court were a number of people associated with the anti-mask movement and on Wednesday they claimed Brady had been “ framed ” by the Garda and media .
Brady was jailed for a minimum of 40 years while a 14-year concurrent term of imprisonment was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was being carried out as Det Garda Donohoe was shot dead .
Married father of one Aaron Brady was found guilty of the capital murder of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe by an 11-to-one majority jury verdict on August 11th .
The 29-year-old with a last address at New Road , Crossmaglen , Co Armagh was also convicted of involvement in the robbery of €7,000 at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan , Co , Louth on January 25th , 2013 .
Det Garda Donohoe , a 41-year-old married father of two , was shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union , Bellurgan , Co Louth , on the night of Friday , January 25th , 2013 .
He and his colleague , Det Garda Ryan , were providing an armed escort for Credit Union staff taking money to a night safe .
Brady was part of a five-man gang laying in wait in the credit union car park to steal the cash .
Four of the gang members emerged from behind a wall in the car park and Brady ran at Det Garda Donohoe , fatally shooting him .

The family of Aaron Brady, who shot dead Det Garda Adrian Donohoe 7½ years ago and was sentenced to a minimum of 40 years' imprisonment on Wednesday, has launched a campaign questioning the grounds for his conviction.
The Justice4AaronBrady campaign has launched a website and social media accounts while videos have also been produced featuring Brady's father, Tony Brady, the former chairman of Crossmaglen Rangers GAA club.
“We will be rolling out Aaron’s story and what we see as the truth,” Mr Brady says on a video published to mark the launch of the campaign.
He urged people to “comment, like and share” the content that would be produced as it was “very important we get our story out there”.
READ MORE
The Brady family campaign, which is likely to draw strong criticism, was launched online on Monday and comes as Brady was expected to lodge an appeal to his conviction after his sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday for the capital murder of Det Garda Donohoe.
“My son Aaron Brady is no saint, but the following evidence strongly suggests that he was wrongly convicted for a murder he did not commit,” Tony Brady writes on the campaign website before listing what he says are his areas of concern.
He then adds: “My strong condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of Adrian Donohoe, who will be seeking justice and closure on his murder. But what follows suggests that Aaron Brady is not your man.”
Strong doubt
Tony Brady and his wife Caroline were present in court on Wednesday. After the hearing, along with family representative Kealan Harrington, they approached the media gathered outside the court.
Mr Harrington spoke on behalf of the Bradys and said, “Aaron Brady is not without his faults, none of us are”. He claimed the family was aware of evidence that “sheds reasonable and strong doubt on key points of evidence that have contributed to Aaron’s conviction for the murder of Adrian Donohoe”.
When pressed repeatedly by the media to detail what he was referring to, he declined to respond to questions and neither of Aaron Brady’s parents spoke.
Separately, a small group of protesters gathered on Wednesday outside the court and shouted "Justice for Aaron Brady" at people going to and from the courthouse, including Caroline Donohoe, the widow of Det Garda Donohoe.
Among the group of protesters outside the court were a number of people associated with the anti-mask movement and on Wednesday they claimed Brady had been “framed” by the Garda and media.
Shot dead
Brady was jailed for a minimum of 40 years while a 14-year concurrent term of imprisonment was also imposed for the armed robbery that was being carried out as Det Garda Donohoe was shot dead.
Married father of one Aaron Brady was found guilty of the capital murder of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe by an 11-to-one majority jury verdict on August 11th.
The 29-year-old with a last address at New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh was also convicted of involvement in the robbery of €7,000 at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co ,Louth on January 25th, 2013.
Det Garda Donohoe, a 41-year-old married father of two, was shot dead shortly after arriving at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth, on the night of Friday, January 25th, 2013.
He and his colleague, Det Garda Ryan, were providing an armed escort for Credit Union staff taking money to a night safe.
Brady was part of a five-man gang laying in wait in the credit union car park to steal the cash. Four of the gang members emerged from behind a wall in the car park and Brady ran at Det Garda Donohoe, fatally shooting him.


theirishtimes--2020-10-15--Aaron Brady may face charges over intimidation

Gardaí believe garda killer Aaron Brady was the driving force in a conspiracy that saw sensitive evidence during his capital murder trial being circulated online , along with threats to a witness , and are confident he will be convicted and his lengthy prison sentence extended .
The 29-year-old father of one from south Armagh was jailed yesterday for 40 years for the capital murder of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe in Co Louth 7½ years ago .
Brady was also jailed for 14 years , to run concurrently , for his role in the armed robbery on Lordship Credit Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shot dead .
Garda sources said any prison sentence imposed on Brady in the event he was convicted for trying to pervert the course of justice and intimidate a witness could run consecutively to his 40-year term , as was the case with former gang leader John Gilligan who was convicted for threatening prison officers .
Meanwhile , the investigation into the other four men who were with Brady on the night of the murder and were part of the conspiracy to rob Lordship Credit Union at gunpoint was continuing , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very much boosted ” by Brady ’ s conviction .
Some of the evidence used to convict Brady , including sightings of him , his contradictory statements and telephone location and use were also available for at least two other suspects and gardaí believe others will be charged .
Yesterday at the Central Criminal Court , Dublin , the longer tariff of 40 years , rather than a traditional life sentence for murder , was imposed on Brady by Mr Justice Michael White because of the capital murder conviction , which means killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rulings in the Supreme Court in 2013 mean Brady will be entitled to 25 per cent remission , or 10 years off his sentence .
If he has a good behavioural record in prison , that remission could be increased to a third of his sentence .
The Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that even prisoners jailed for killing gardaí were entitled to automatic 25 per cent remission , like all prisoners , and were also eligible to apply for enhanced , or earned , remission .
However , gardaí believe the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s trial and intimidate a witness can ensure he is jailed for additional time , with four suspects having already been questioned , one of them strongly linked to the Kinahan cartel .
During the murder trial a video was taken on a mobile phone of a witness statement to the Garda , which was included in the book of evidence .
The footage was then posted on social media with remarks attached calling the witness a “ tout ” .
Gardaí believe the video was filmed in a prison in Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also suspect the video was circulated in a bid to intimidate the witness and to derail , and possibly collapse , the trial .
Brady was found guilty of the capital murder of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe by an 11-to-one majority jury verdict on August 11th .
He was also convicted of involvement in the robbery of €7,000 at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan , Co Louth , on January 25th , 2013 .
Det Garda Donohoe , a 41-year-old married father of two , was shot dead shortly after arriving at Lordship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on the night of Friday , January 25th , 2013 .
He and his colleague , Det Garda Joe Ryan , were providing an armed escort for Credit Union staff taking money to a night safe .
Brady , from Crossmaglen , was part of a five-man gang laying in wait in the credit union car park to steal the cash .
Four of the gang members emerged from behind a wall in the car park and Brady ran at Det Garda Donohoe , fatally shooting him .

Gardaí believe garda killer Aaron Brady was the driving force in a conspiracy that saw sensitive evidence during his capital murder trial being circulated online, along with threats to a witness, and are confident he will be convicted and his lengthy prison sentence extended.
The 29-year-old father of one from south Armagh was jailed yesterday for 40 years for the capital murder of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe in Co Louth 7½ years ago.
Brady was also jailed for 14 years, to run concurrently, for his role in the armed robbery on Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, during which the detective was shot dead.
Garda sources said any prison sentence imposed on Brady in the event he was convicted for trying to pervert the course of justice and intimidate a witness could run consecutively to his 40-year term, as was the case with former gang leader John Gilligan who was convicted for threatening prison officers.
READ MORE
Meanwhile, the investigation into the other four men who were with Brady on the night of the murder and were part of the conspiracy to rob Lordship Credit Union at gunpoint was continuing, with one senior source saying it was “very much boosted” by Brady’s conviction.
Contradictory statements
Some of the evidence used to convict Brady, including sightings of him, his contradictory statements and telephone location and use were also available for at least two other suspects and gardaí believe others will be charged.
Yesterday at the Central Criminal Court, Dublin, the longer tariff of 40 years, rather than a traditional life sentence for murder, was imposed on Brady by Mr Justice Michael White because of the capital murder conviction, which means killing a Garda member on duty.
However, rulings in the Supreme Court in 2013 mean Brady will be entitled to 25 per cent remission, or 10 years off his sentence. If he has a good behavioural record in prison, that remission could be increased to a third of his sentence. The Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that even prisoners jailed for killing gardaí were entitled to automatic 25 per cent remission, like all prisoners, and were also eligible to apply for enhanced, or earned, remission.
However, gardaí believe the investigation into the effort to derail Brady’s trial and intimidate a witness can ensure he is jailed for additional time, with four suspects having already been questioned, one of them strongly linked to the Kinahan cartel.
Witness statement
During the murder trial a video was taken on a mobile phone of a witness statement to the Garda, which was included in the book of evidence. The footage was then posted on social media with remarks attached calling the witness a “tout”.
Gardaí believe the video was filmed in a prison in Dublin using a smuggled-in mobile phone. Gardaí also suspect the video was circulated in a bid to intimidate the witness and to derail, and possibly collapse, the trial.
Brady was found guilty of the capital murder of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe by an 11-to-one majority jury verdict on August 11th. He was also convicted of involvement in the robbery of €7,000 at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, on January 25th, 2013.
Det Garda Donohoe, a 41-year-old married father of two, was shot dead shortly after arriving at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth, on the night of Friday, January 25th, 2013.
He and his colleague, Det Garda Joe Ryan, were providing an armed escort for Credit Union staff taking money to a night safe.
Brady, from Crossmaglen, was part of a five-man gang laying in wait in the credit union car park to steal the cash. Four of the gang members emerged from behind a wall in the car park and Brady ran at Det Garda Donohoe, fatally shooting him.


theirishtimes--2020-10-15--Aaron Brady is planning to appeal garda murder conviction

Aaron Brady and his legal advisers are planning to appeal his conviction for the capital murder of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe and were expected to formally lodge that appeal now that Brady has been sentenced to 40 years ’ imprisonment .
Brady ( 29 ) was last night officially starting his sentence , prisoner 74326 in Mountjoy Prison , Dublin , after becoming the first person for 35 years to be convicted and jailed for capital murder , the most serious crime on the statute books .
The married father of one from Crossmaglen , south Armagh , is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisoner in the Republic .
However , a 2013 Supreme Court ruling that capital murder prisoners were automatically entitled to 25 per cent remission , like all other prisoners , means Brady ’ s time in jail is reduced to 30 years .
He has also been credited for the period of just over 2½ years he had already spent in jail before yesterday ’ s sentencing hearing , leaving about 27½ years still to serve .
He could reduce that by approximately three more years under the enhanced remission scheme , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent of their sentence but must be earned through good behaviour .
Det Garda Donohoe , a 41-year-old married father of two , was shot dead shortly after arriving at Lordship Credit Union , Bellurgan , Co Louth , on the night of Friday , January 25th , 2013 .
He and his colleague , Det Garda Joe Ryan , were providing an armed escort for credit union staff taking money to a night safe .
Brady was part of a five-man gang hiding behind a wall and he opened fire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he stepped out of his Garda car .
Sentencing Brady yesterday at the Central Criminal Court , Dublin , Mr Justice Michael White said the “ cruelty ” of the killing was “ difficult to comprehend ” .
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris warned the rest of the gang the Garda ’ s “ resolve to bring all the participants in this crime to justice remains firm ” .
Caroline Donohoe , Det Garda Donohoe ’ s widow , said , “ In just 58 senseless seconds everything changed forever ” and she would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Helen McEntee said the gun attack that took the detective ’ s life was an attack on the Republic .
The Brady family has launched a “ Justice for Aaron Brady ” campaign , with a website and social media accounts .
Separately , protesters , some of whom have attended far-right and anti-mask protests , gathered outside the court yesterday .
They shouted “ justice for Aaron Brady ” at gardaí , the media and others going to and from the court , including Ms Donohoe as she left after her husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fled to the United States after the murder and boasted , usually while drinking , that he had “ shot a cop ” and was “ the most feared gangster in Ireland ” , though he was later deported and those remarks were used against him during his trial .

Aaron Brady and his legal advisers are planning to appeal his conviction for the capital murder of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe and were expected to formally lodge that appeal now that Brady has been sentenced to 40 years’ imprisonment.
Brady (29) was last night officially starting his sentence, prisoner 74326 in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, after becoming the first person for 35 years to be convicted and jailed for capital murder, the most serious crime on the statute books.
The married father of one from Crossmaglen, south Armagh, is now serving a longer sentence than any other prisoner in the Republic. However, a 2013 Supreme Court ruling that capital murder prisoners were automatically entitled to 25 per cent remission, like all other prisoners, means Brady’s time in jail is reduced to 30 years.
Married
He has also been credited for the period of just over 2½ years he had already spent in jail before yesterday’s sentencing hearing, leaving about 27½ years still to serve.
READ MORE
He could reduce that by approximately three more years under the enhanced remission scheme, which boosts prisoner remission by an additional 8 per cent of their sentence but must be earned through good behaviour.
Det Garda Donohoe, a 41-year-old married father of two, was shot dead shortly after arriving at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth, on the night of Friday, January 25th, 2013. He and his colleague, Det Garda Joe Ryan, were providing an armed escort for credit union staff taking money to a night safe.
Brady was part of a five-man gang hiding behind a wall and he opened fire, shooting Det Garda Donohoe dead, as he stepped out of his Garda car.
‘Difficult to comprehend’
Sentencing Brady yesterday at the Central Criminal Court, Dublin, Mr Justice Michael White said the “cruelty” of the killing was “difficult to comprehend”. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris warned the rest of the gang the Garda’s “resolve to bring all the participants in this crime to justice remains firm”.
Caroline Donohoe, Det Garda Donohoe’s widow, said, “In just 58 senseless seconds everything changed forever” and she would never fully recover.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said the gun attack that took the detective’s life was an attack on the Republic.
The Brady family has launched a “Justice for Aaron Brady” campaign, with a website and social media accounts.
Separately, protesters, some of whom have attended far-right and anti-mask protests, gathered outside the court yesterday. They shouted “justice for Aaron Brady” at gardaí, the media and others going to and from the court, including Ms Donohoe as she left after her husband’s killer was sentenced.
Brady fled to the United States after the murder and boasted, usually while drinking, that he had “shot a cop” and was “the most feared gangster in Ireland”, though he was later deported and those remarks were used against him during his trial.


theirishtimes--2020-10-14--Slavery: Number of victims in Northern Ireland doubles in one year

The number of victims of modern slavery identified in Northern Ireland has almost doubled in a year , inspectors have found .
The true extent of crimes around slavery and human trafficking remains unclear , Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland ( CJINI ) said .
The CJINI has published its first in-depth assessment of how the criminal justice system in the region deals with such activity .
Inspectors found that in 2019 , there were 91 potential victims identified in Northern Ireland .
The year before , the number was 52 and the year before that it was 31 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice in Northern Ireland , said : “ Modern slavery and human trafficking exploits men , women and children who are already vulnerable .
“ It may seem like something that doesn ’ t happen in our community , but it does and it ’ s happening now.
” Inspectors commended the working relationships that exist between specialist officers working in the PSNI ’ s Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit and specialist prosecutors working in the Public Prosecution Service .
They also praised the PSNI ’ s link-up with the UK-wide National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more work was needed to get a grip on the scale of the problem in Northern Ireland .
Ms Durkin said this was particularly the case with child victims .
Of the 91 victims identified in 2019 , 16 were children .
“ Victims of modern slavery and human trafficking are among the most vulnerable and traumatised in the criminal justice system , ” she said .
“ They are often terrified to speak out and seek help .
“ These offences are often described as being ‘ hidden in plain sight ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on farms , in food production , at car washes , in nail bars , in domestic settings cleaning homes and providing childcare , as well as children who are trafficked across Northern Ireland for sexual exploitation.
” The chief inspector added : “ This inspection identified further work was required to better understand the nature and scale of modern slavery and human trafficking and develop a more effective legislative and strategic response.
” Inspectors have made three strategic and eight operational recommendations to help deliver further improvement .
Among the findings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategic focus on pursuing perpetrators of trafficking offences against children .
They said it was also important that frontline police officers understood modern slavery as child abuse and applied the appropriate child-protection referral arrangements .
Ms Durkin added : “ Specialist police officers in the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit and specialist prosecutors worked really well together to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking but there is more to be done .
“ It would be beneficial to extend this model to cases involving children who are victims of modern slavery and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gareth Talbot , from the Police Service of Northern Ireland ’ s Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit , welcomed the report .
He said it was a positive report which “ acknowledged that excellent working relationships exist between specialist police officers and specialist prosecutors working in the PPS ” .
“ We will continue to build on this good work and following the recommendations made as a result of the inspection , we will be developing an action plan to deliver on these , ” he said .
“ We will also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specifically the Department of Justice and the Public Prosecution Service , to help them with any recommendations they are leading on.
” – PA

The PSNI said modern slavery can be found in settings such as nail bars. Photograph: iStock
The number of victims of modern slavery identified in Northern Ireland has almost doubled in a year, inspectors have found.
The true extent of crimes around slavery and human trafficking remains unclear, Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJINI) said.
The CJINI has published its first in-depth assessment of how the criminal justice system in the region deals with such activity.
Inspectors found that in 2019, there were 91 potential victims identified in Northern Ireland.
READ MORE
The year before, the number was 52 and the year before that it was 31.
Jacqui Durkin, chief inspector of criminal justice in Northern Ireland, said: "Modern slavery and human trafficking exploits men, women and children who are already vulnerable.
“It may seem like something that doesn’t happen in our community, but it does and it’s happening now.”
Inspectors commended the working relationships that exist between specialist officers working in the PSNI’s Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit and specialist prosecutors working in the Public Prosecution Service.
They also praised the PSNI's link-up with the UK-wide National Crime Agency.
However, they said more work was needed to get a grip on the scale of the problem in Northern Ireland.
Ms Durkin said this was particularly the case with child victims.
Of the 91 victims identified in 2019, 16 were children.
“Victims of modern slavery and human trafficking are among the most vulnerable and traumatised in the criminal justice system,” she said.
“They are often terrified to speak out and seek help.
“These offences are often described as being ‘hidden in plain sight’.
“They can involve people working on farms, in food production, at car washes, in nail bars, in domestic settings cleaning homes and providing childcare, as well as children who are trafficked across Northern Ireland for sexual exploitation.”
The chief inspector added: “This inspection identified further work was required to better understand the nature and scale of modern slavery and human trafficking and develop a more effective legislative and strategic response.”
Inspectors have made three strategic and eight operational recommendations to help deliver further improvement.
Children
Among the findings, inspectors identified a need for a greater strategic focus on pursuing perpetrators of trafficking offences against children.
They said it was also important that frontline police officers understood modern slavery as child abuse and applied the appropriate child-protection referral arrangements.
Ms Durkin added: “Specialist police officers in the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit and specialist prosecutors worked really well together to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking but there is more to be done.
“It would be beneficial to extend this model to cases involving children who are victims of modern slavery and human trafficking offences.”
Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Talbot, from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit, welcomed the report.
He said it was a positive report which “acknowledged that excellent working relationships exist between specialist police officers and specialist prosecutors working in the PPS”.
“We will continue to build on this good work and following the recommendations made as a result of the inspection, we will be developing an action plan to deliver on these,” he said.
“We will also continue to work with other partners, specifically the Department of Justice and the Public Prosecution Service, to help them with any recommendations they are leading on.” – PA


theirishtimes--2020-10-14--Legislation for affordable housing due ‘within weeks’

Legislation for an affordable housing scheme , which will allow low and middle income workers to buy State subsidised homes , will come before the Dáil within weeks , Minister for Housing Darragh O ’ Brien has said .
Budget 2021 allocated €75 million for the shared equity scheme to provide 2,000 affordable purchase homes next year .
However , Mr O ’ Brien could not say how many of these homes would be completed next year .
Speaking at a post-budget briefing on Wednesday Mr O ’ Brien said the scheme was “ at an advanced stage ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next year .
“ What was really important in this budget in my view was to get money behind that to be able to deliver homes in 2021 and we will be able to deliver homes in 2021.
” When asked if the 2,000 homes would be available to buy next year , he said “ not all of them ” , when asked if any would be available he said “ if the scheme works the way I want it to , yes.
” However , he would be drawn how many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the last affordable housing scheme was discontinued in 2011 .
A new scheme was announced five years ago in Budget 2016 but was never enacted .
Brian Hayes , chief executive of Banking and Payments Federation Ireland on Wednesday said the banking industry had been in talks with Government “ for a number of months ” in relation to the scheme and there would be “ sufficient interest across the sector ” in participating .
The expectation is that the banks and Department of Housing would put money into a special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the department , which would then be willing to put up some of the equity to help finance the purchase of a new home .
It is understood it will be possible for the homeowner to buy out the equity stake held by the special purpose entity in the future , based on market value at the time .
In relation to the number of social homes that would be built this year , Mr O ’ Brien said the figure would be “ around 7,000 or so ” but this would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Figures released last week revealed that only 725 social homes had been built in the first six months of this year .
Meanwhile , the Labour Party criticised the Government ’ s help to buy scheme , labelling it as a “ farce ” and as an incentive to drive up prices .
Party leader Alan Kelly said he respected the Government ’ s ambition for housing but questioned the State ’ s ability to deliver on its targets for 2021 .
Speaking during a Dáil budget debate on Wednesday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statistical evidence showed that the help to buy scheme “ acts as an incentive to drive up prices and facilitates the speculation of developers ” .
The scheme allows first time buyers to claim a tax rebate of up to 5 per cent of the value of a new home to a limit of €30,000 In his Dáil budget speech Mr O ’ Brien said his department had been allocated its largest funding allocation of about €5.3 billion .
Of that , €3.3 billion will be spent on housing , which is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said .
There will be €110 million for a new affordable purchase shared equity scheme for first-time buyers and a new cost rental model .
“ We will spend €218 million , an increase from €166 million in budget 2020 , to ensure those experiencing homelessness are supported and helped to exit homelessness.
” The Government ’ s housing strategy has come under a lot of opposition criticism .
But Mr O ’ Brien said that “ contrary to the simplistic and misleading claims of the opposition , building is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on or off .
“ Sinn Féin said it would deliver 20,000 homes next year .
Where ?
How ?
Planning permission has not been granted for 20,000 homes .
Where is the funding for it ?
” Sinn Féin housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin described the Government ’ s housing announcements as “ underwhelming , unclear and wholly inadequate ” .
He said the total extra capital spend the Minister for above existing commitments from the previous government “ is a meagre €160 million ” .
He claimed it would deliver “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affordable homes above what we would have got otherwise ” .
Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae said couples were being thrown off the housing list .
He gave the example of two parents with three children and said that if they earn more €33,600 , they are removed from the list .
“ In many cases , such couples are in receipt of the working family payment , which is what puts them over the threshold .
”

In relation to the number of social homes that would be built this year, the Minister said the figure would be “around 7,000 or so”.
Legislation for an affordable housing scheme, which will allow low and middle income workers to buy State subsidised homes, will come before the Dáil within weeks, Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien has said.
Budget 2021 allocated €75 million for the shared equity scheme to provide 2,000 affordable purchase homes next year. However, Mr O'Brien could not say how many of these homes would be completed next year.
Speaking at a post-budget briefing on Wednesday Mr O’Brien said the scheme was “at an advanced stage” and would be “up and running” next year.
“What was really important in this budget in my view was to get money behind that to be able to deliver homes in 2021 and we will be able to deliver homes in 2021.”
READ MORE
When asked if the 2,000 homes would be available to buy next year, he said “not all of them”, when asked if any would be available he said “if the scheme works the way I want it to, yes.” However, he would be drawn how many homes would be completed.
The State’s the last affordable housing scheme was discontinued in 2011. A new scheme was announced five years ago in Budget 2016 but was never enacted.
Brian Hayes, chief executive of Banking and Payments Federation Ireland on Wednesday said the banking industry had been in talks with Government "for a number of months" in relation to the scheme and there would be "sufficient interest across the sector" in participating .
The expectation is that the banks and Department of Housing would put money into a special vehicle under the auspices of some arm of the department, which would then be willing to put up some of the equity to help finance the purchase of a new home.
It is understood it will be possible for the homeowner to buy out the equity stake held by the special purpose entity in the future, based on market value at the time.
In relation to the number of social homes that would be built this year, Mr O’Brien said the figure would be “around 7,000 or so” but this would include the acquisition of privately built units. Figures released last week revealed that only 725 social homes had been built in the first six months of this year.
Opposition criticism
Meanwhile, the Labour Party criticised the Government’s help to buy scheme, labelling it as a “farce” and as an incentive to drive up prices.
Party leader Alan Kelly said he respected the Government’s ambition for housing but questioned the State’s ability to deliver on its targets for 2021.
Speaking during a Dáil budget debate on Wednesday, the Tipperary TD said all the anecdotal and statistical evidence showed that the help to buy scheme “acts as an incentive to drive up prices and facilitates the speculation of developers”.
The scheme allows first time buyers to claim a tax rebate of up to 5 per cent of the value of a new home to a limit of €30,000
In his Dáil budget speech Mr O’Brien said his department had been allocated its largest funding allocation of about €5.3 billion.
Of that, €3.3 billion will be spent on housing, which is a 24 per cent increase on 2020 levels, he said.
There will be €110 million for a new affordable purchase shared equity scheme for first-time buyers and a new cost rental model. “We will spend €218 million, an increase from €166 million in budget 2020, to ensure those experiencing homelessness are supported and helped to exit homelessness.”
The Government’s housing strategy has come under a lot of opposition criticism.
But Mr O’Brien said that “contrary to the simplistic and misleading claims of the opposition, building is not a matter of just turning a tap on or off.
“Sinn Féin said it would deliver 20,000 homes next year. Where? How? Planning permission has not been granted for 20,000 homes. Where is the funding for it?”
Sinn Féin housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin described the Government’s housing announcements as “underwhelming, unclear and wholly inadequate”.
He said the total extra capital spend the Minister for above existing commitments from the previous government “is a meagre €160 million”.
He claimed it would deliver “fewer than 1,000 genuinely social and genuinely affordable homes above what we would have got otherwise”.
Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae said couples were being thrown off the housing list. He gave the example of two parents with three children and said that if they earn more €33,600, they are removed from the list.
“In many cases, such couples are in receipt of the working family payment, which is what puts them over the threshold.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-14--‘The people we deal with are people who are living daily in fear,’ says arts organiser

Cuts to the pandemic unemployment payment ( PUP ) have generated fear and panic among artists , an Oireachtas committee has heard .
The National Campaign for the Arts chairwoman Angela Dorgan said at times it has had 500 artists on zoom calls looking for advice on how to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic .
The NCFA represents 54,000 artists , arts workers and arts organisations who receive some level of state funding .
At least 14,000 people who work in the arts and entertainment industry are claiming the PUP , the top rate of which was cut in September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people we deal with are people who are living daily in fear .
We can ’ t just live through the pandemic , we have to have a life .
Life can ’ t stop , ” she said .
“ It behoves us to support the artists so that they can continue to work .
That €350 allowed people not to panic on a daily basis so I would say the PUP is the priority .
“ If we don ’ t protect our artists and performers , the arts itself will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much flight there will be out of the sector or if we will have an arts sector after this pandemic unless we react swiftly to support individuals.
” However , she did praise the Government ’ s decision to allow artists to earn up to €480 a month without affecting their Covid payments .
Sinn Féin Senator Fintan Warfield said many artists were just getting on their feet after five years of austerity when the pandemic hit .
He asked Ms Dorgan if the record amount of funding allocated in the budget to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to be maintained into the future .
The allocation for 2021 is €50 million more than this year and takes into account the impact that Covid-19 has had on the sector .
She said it had been a “ death by 1,000 cuts ” prior to this year ’ s budget .
“ We can ’ t go back under €130 million ” .
Instead , she advocated that the Arts Council funding double by 2025 .
She believed funding will have to stay at that level if the sector has any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She told the Joint Committee on Media , Tourism , Arts , Culture , Sport and the Gaeltacht the sector has been worse hit than any in the economy .
The recession in the sector will see output drop by 55 per cent in comparison with 11 per cent for the Irish economy overall .
At current levels it will take until 2025 for employment to return to 2019 levels in the sector , she pointed out referring to an EY report on behalf of the Arts Council .
Some 1,800 musicians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided by the Government to allow them to record and release new music .
Ms Dorgan also said the €50 million allocated to the commercial live music sector is only a payment to help them get back on their feet again as venues have been closed since March .
When venues reopen , she anticipates that they will return to being a commercial sector again without Government support .
“ They were a thriving sector .
The only reason that they are not a thriving commercial sectornow is because they can not sell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and museums were deemed safe venues , but it was the possibility of congregating afterwards that led to their closures as part of Level 3 .
“ Cinemas , galleries and theatres should be looked at again and again .
We need to give each other permission to change our minds , ” she said .

Cuts to the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) have generated fear and panic among artists, an Oireachtas committee has heard.
The National Campaign for the Arts chairwoman Angela Dorgan said at times it has had 500 artists on zoom calls looking for advice on how to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic.
The NCFA represents 54,000 artists, arts workers and arts organisations who receive some level of state funding.
At least 14,000 people who work in the arts and entertainment industry are claiming the PUP, the top rate of which was cut in September from €350 to €300.
READ MORE
“The people we deal with are people who are living daily in fear. We can’t just live through the pandemic, we have to have a life. Life can’t stop,” she said.
“It behoves us to support the artists so that they can continue to work. That €350 allowed people not to panic on a daily basis so I would say the PUP is the priority.
“If we don’t protect our artists and performers, the arts itself will constrict. We have no idea how much flight there will be out of the sector or if we will have an arts sector after this pandemic unless we react swiftly to support individuals.”
However, she did praise the Government’s decision to allow artists to earn up to €480 a month without affecting their Covid payments.
Sinn Féin Senator Fintan Warfield said many artists were just getting on their feet after five years of austerity when the pandemic hit.
He asked Ms Dorgan if the record amount of funding allocated in the budget to the Arts Council of €130 million will need to be maintained into the future.
The allocation for 2021 is €50 million more than this year and takes into account the impact that Covid-19 has had on the sector.
She said it had been a “death by 1,000 cuts” prior to this year’s budget. “We can’t go back under €130 million”. Instead, she advocated that the Arts Council funding double by 2025.
She believed funding will have to stay at that level if the sector has any possibility of getting back on its feet.
She told the Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the sector has been worse hit than any in the economy.
The recession in the sector will see output drop by 55 per cent in comparison with 11 per cent for the Irish economy overall.
At current levels it will take until 2025 for employment to return to 2019 levels in the sector, she pointed out referring to an EY report on behalf of the Arts Council.
Some 1,800 musicians have signed up to a stimulus package provided by the Government to allow them to record and release new music.
Ms Dorgan also said the €50 million allocated to the commercial live music sector is only a payment to help them get back on their feet again as venues have been closed since March.
When venues reopen, she anticipates that they will return to being a commercial sector again without Government support.
“They were a thriving sector. The only reason that they are not a thriving commercial sectornow is because they cannot sell tickets.”
Ms Dorgan said art galleries and museums were deemed safe venues, but it was the possibility of congregating afterwards that led to their closures as part of Level 3.
“Cinemas, galleries and theatres should be looked at again and again. We need to give each other permission to change our minds,” she said.
.
?¨


theirishtimes--2020-10-14--State pledges to open almost 700 additional inpatient, critical care beds

The Government has pledged to open almost 700 additional permanent inpatient and critical care beds by the end of this year following a record increased health budget of €4billion .
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said the additional beds would represent a 25 per cent increase in critical care capacity in a single year .
He has pledged 1,146 extra beds by the end of next year .
The Department of Health said the HSE indicated that of these , 650 inpatient beds would open by the end of this year along with 37 extra critical care beds .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the end of the year , Mr Donnelly said they would and that some were already open on a temporary basis .
Mr Donnelly said the new beds would require significant levels of recruitment but the target was to hire 16,000 extra workers .
When asked if he was confident vacancies could be filled , he said training programmes would have to be expanded , graduates would have to stay in Ireland and the health system would also have to hire from abroad .
Of the additional €4 billion secured in Budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will go towards permanently funding 2,600 beds in acute and community settings including €52 million for critical care beds .
There will also be €100 million allocated for people with disabilities .
Overall there would be an increase of 16,000 posts in the health workforce , the Department said .
In terms of Covid-19 , a total of €1.7 billion will be put aside .
“ The investments made today will mean that when this pandemic ends , Ireland will have a better , more resilient healthcare system , one which has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the population and which has permanently embedded reform , ” Mr Donnelly said on Wednesday .
Meanwhile , the director of the National Women ’ s Council Orla O ’ Connor has welcomed a €5 million dedicated fund for women ’ s health .
“ This will be vital to implement the actions of the Women ’ s Health Taskforce and help to create a more women centred health service , including mental health , ” she said .
“ We know that women live longer with more years of ill health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number by depression and anxiety and that women provide the majority of care to family members .
We also need to address the health inequalities of particular groups of women including Traveller women , homeless women , disabled women and socially disadvantaged women.
” An extra €12 million has also been allocated for maternity , gynaecology and fertility services .
On Covid 19 , Mr Donnelly said that conversations with private hospitals were ongoing but that contracts for potential use of the facilities should be in place “ very soon ” .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether or not to extend the arrangement with the Citywest Covid-19 isolation facility .
Mr Donnelly said the extra funding made available for Covid-19 measures and for extra beds “ gives the HSE space now to consider what the options are through the winter and into next year ” .

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said the additional beds would represent a 25 per cent increase in critical care capacity in a single year. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
The Government has pledged to open almost 700 additional permanent inpatient and critical care beds by the end of this year following a record increased health budget of €4billion.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said the additional beds would represent a 25 per cent increase in critical care capacity in a single year. He has pledged 1,146 extra beds by the end of next year.
The Department of Health said the HSE indicated that of these, 650 inpatient beds would open by the end of this year along with 37 extra critical care beds.
When asked if these beds would be opened by the end of the year, Mr Donnelly said they would and that some were already open on a temporary basis. Mr Donnelly said the new beds would require significant levels of recruitment but the target was to hire 16,000 extra workers.
READ MORE
Vacancies
When asked if he was confident vacancies could be filled, he said training programmes would have to be expanded, graduates would have to stay in Ireland and the health system would also have to hire from abroad.
Of the additional €4 billion secured in Budget 2021, some €467 million of this will go towards permanently funding 2,600 beds in acute and community settings including €52 million for critical care beds. There will also be €100 million allocated for people with disabilities. Overall there would be an increase of 16,000 posts in the health workforce, the Department said. In terms of Covid-19, a total of €1.7 billion will be put aside.
“The investments made today will mean that when this pandemic ends, Ireland will have a better, more resilient healthcare system, one which has the capacity required to meet the changing needs of the population and which has permanently embedded reform,” Mr Donnelly said on Wednesday.
Women’s health
Meanwhile, the director of the National Women’s Council Orla O’Connor has welcomed a €5 million dedicated fund for women’s health.
“This will be vital to implement the actions of the Women’s Health Taskforce and help to create a more women centred health service, including mental health,” she said.
“We know that women live longer with more years of ill health, that women are affected in greater number by depression and anxiety and that women provide the majority of care to family members. We also need to address the health inequalities of particular groups of women including Traveller women, homeless women, disabled women and socially disadvantaged women.”
An extra €12 million has also been allocated for maternity, gynaecology and fertility services.
On Covid 19, Mr Donnelly said that conversations with private hospitals were ongoing but that contracts for potential use of the facilities should be in place “very soon”.
He said the Government and HSE were considering whether or not to extend the arrangement with the Citywest Covid-19 isolation facility. Mr Donnelly said the extra funding made available for Covid-19 measures and for extra beds “gives the HSE space now to consider what the options are through the winter and into next year”.


theirishtimes--2020-10-14--Chief Justice’s statement appears to put extra pressure on Woulfe

The tone and content of the short statement issued on Tuesday on behalf of the Chief Justice , Frank Clarke , in relation to his Supreme Court colleague Séamus Woulfe , is being interpreted by senior figures in the Law Library as designed to put significant additional pressure on the recently-appointed judge .
One senior barrister said it was difficult to see why the Chief Justice would have said what he did , if he wanted Mr Justice Woulfe to continue as a member of the court .
Another senior figure said that he would not put it that far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the delay in the planned meeting going ahead was now a third factor in the crisis affecting the court .
“ The longer it goes on , the less feasible it is for him to sit on the Supreme Court , ” said a third senior counsel .
Mr Justice Woulfe was appointed to the court in July but has yet to hear a case .
He was to have met with Mr Justice Clarke on Tuesday as part of the “ informal resolution ” process initiated two weeks ago to resolve a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney general ’ s attendance at the August 21st Oireachtas Golf Society dinner .
The postponement of the meeting with the Chief Justice was the third deferral of a meeting between the two men , all at Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s request .
A meeting that was to have been held last Friday was deferred on medical grounds .
Each step in the continuing controversy is being marked by short statements from the Chief Justice , and continuing silence from Mr Justice Woulfe .
This has left extensive scope for people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , both in relation to Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s attitude , and the attitudes of his nine colleagues on the court ( two are ex officio members of the court ) .
In the short statement issued on his behalf on Wednesday , the Chief Justice expressed his “ very serious concern as to the damage which the continuation of this process is causing ” .
The statement continued : “ The Chief Justice has made it clear that , should the meeting not go ahead as scheduled on Thursday , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final views on the process to Mr Justice Woulfe.
” It was widely reported earlier this month that Mr Justice Woulfe was expected to receive a “ dressing down ” when he met with the Chief Justice .
However , some senior counsel believe that what has to be addressed when the two men meet is the issue of confidence in Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s judgment .
Confidence in the judge has been damaged by of his attendance at the Clifden dinner in the midst of a pandemic , but also by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his interview with former chief justice Susan Denham , who was asked to report to the Supreme Court as to whether Mr Justice Woulfe should have attended the so-called Golfgate dinner .
Her answer was no .
But she also said it would be unjust and disproportionate to ask the judge to resign , and recommended an informal resolution of the matter .
She attached a transcript of her interview with the newly-appointed judge as an appendix to her report .
When the appendix was published by the board of the Judicial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a further blow to confidence in Mr Justice Woulfe .
Right or wrong as it may be , the speculation as to why Mr Justice Woulfe has been seeking deferrals has itself become a third contributor to concerns as to his suitability for the court .
If , as is being widely rumoured , some of his colleagues have very strong feelings about the latest appointee to a court of such national consequence , they would be fully able to make this view clear , one barrister said .
“ Judicial independence cuts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on October 1st that the informal resolution process recommended by Ms Justice Denham “ will now commence ” .
But since then the situation has continued to worsen .

Seamus Woulfe: the postponement of the meeting with the Chief Justice, Frank Clarke, was the third deferral of a meeting between the two men, all at Mr Justice Woulfe’s request. File photograph: Alan Betson
The tone and content of the short statement issued on Tuesday on behalf of the Chief Justice, Frank Clarke, in relation to his Supreme Court colleague Séamus Woulfe, is being interpreted by senior figures in the Law Library as designed to put significant additional pressure on the recently-appointed judge.
One senior barrister said it was difficult to see why the Chief Justice would have said what he did, if he wanted Mr Justice Woulfe to continue as a member of the court.
Another senior figure said that he would not put it that far, but that it was obvious that the delay in the planned meeting going ahead was now a third factor in the crisis affecting the court.
“The longer it goes on, the less feasible it is for him to sit on the Supreme Court,” said a third senior counsel.
READ MORE
Mr Justice Woulfe was appointed to the court in July but has yet to hear a case. He was to have met with Mr Justice Clarke on Tuesday as part of the "informal resolution" process initiated two weeks ago to resolve a controversy that has continued since the former attorney general's attendance at the August 21st Oireachtas Golf Society dinner.
The postponement of the meeting with the Chief Justice was the third deferral of a meeting between the two men, all at Mr Justice Woulfe’s request. A meeting that was to have been held last Friday was deferred on medical grounds.
Continuing controversy
Each step in the continuing controversy is being marked by short statements from the Chief Justice, and continuing silence from Mr Justice Woulfe.
This has left extensive scope for people to wonder as to what is going on, both in relation to Mr Justice Woulfe’s attitude, and the attitudes of his nine colleagues on the court (two are ex officio members of the court).
In the short statement issued on his behalf on Wednesday, the Chief Justice expressed his “very serious concern as to the damage which the continuation of this process is causing”.
The statement continued: “The Chief Justice has made it clear that, should the meeting not go ahead as scheduled on Thursday, he will make alternative arrangements to convey his final views on the process to Mr Justice Woulfe.”
It was widely reported earlier this month that Mr Justice Woulfe was expected to receive a “dressing down” when he met with the Chief Justice.
However, some senior counsel believe that what has to be addressed when the two men meet is the issue of confidence in Mr Justice Woulfe’s judgment.
Confidence in the judge has been damaged by of his attendance at the Clifden dinner in the midst of a pandemic, but also by his comments as recorded in the transcript of his interview with former chief justice Susan Denham, who was asked to report to the Supreme Court as to whether Mr Justice Woulfe should have attended the so-called Golfgate dinner.
Her answer was no. But she also said it would be unjust and disproportionate to ask the judge to resign, and recommended an informal resolution of the matter.
Further blow
She attached a transcript of her interview with the newly-appointed judge as an appendix to her report. When the appendix was published by the board of the Judicial Council on October 2nd, it dealt a further blow to confidence in Mr Justice Woulfe.
Right or wrong as it may be, the speculation as to why Mr Justice Woulfe has been seeking deferrals has itself become a third contributor to concerns as to his suitability for the court.
If, as is being widely rumoured, some of his colleagues have very strong feelings about the latest appointee to a court of such national consequence, they would be fully able to make this view clear, one barrister said. “Judicial independence cuts both ways.”
The Supreme Court announced on October 1st that the informal resolution process recommended by Ms Justice Denham “will now commence”. But since then the situation has continued to worsen.


theirishtimes--2020-10-14--Target opening of children’s hospital in 2023 ‘very challenging’, says HSE

Hitting the 2023 target date for opening the new National Children ’ s Hospital beside St James ’ s Hospital in Dublin will be “ very challenging ” , a senior HSE official has said .
HSE chief strategy and planning officer Dean Sullivan told the Oireachtas health committee there would be “ significant challenges ” making the target opening date , citing issues “ trailed reasonably well in the public domain ” , but he declined to commit on when it would open .
Construction on the hospital , last estimated to cost more than €1.7 billion , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Covid-19 pandemic in a standoff between the project ’ s building contractors , Bam Ireland , and the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board over who should pay for the cost of Covid-related work stoppages .
The hospital was scheduled to be finished by the end of 2022 and handed over to the State in early 2023 .
The project had run over budget and behind schedule even before the pandemic .
Mr Sullivan was speaking as State health officials provided an update to the committee on Sláintecare , the 10-year plan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political parties , to reform the State ’ s health system and remove private healthcare from public hospitals .
He said Covid-19 has materially affected capacity and activity levels in the health service that it would be a “ big ask ” to make Sláintecare ’ s proposed targets of reducing waiting times to 10 weeks for being referred from GP to be seen as an outpatient and 12 weeks after that for treatment .
“ We do need to reflect on the realities of Covid .
Undoubtedly that has pushed some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Sláintecare plan aims to reduce waiting times in hospitals by moving more healthcare out of the acute healthcare system and back into local communities with 96 community healthcare networks being set up to monitor the healthcare needs of “ mini-communities ” of 50,000 .
Laura Magahy , executive director of Sláintecare , said the Government ’ s 2021 budget , announced on Tuesday , brings a “ huge investment ” in the plan amounting to about €1.34 billion .
“ It gives permanent funding to initiatives that have sometimes just had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Senators , speaking remotely from outside Leinster House .
The scale of the recruitment required was going to be “ a big issue ” given the scale of the investment in finding the right people , said Ms Magahy .
She warned that the Covid impact on non-Covid services was “ something that we all have to live and adapt with over time ” .
In response to questions from Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall , Ms Magahy said that establishing three elective-only hospitals under the Sláintecare plan was a key part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of procedures .
The availability of existing hospitals and potential of vacated hospitals such as the children ’ s hospital , if it is vacated , were being looked at as potential sites for these hospitals , she said .
There were also ongoing discussions with the Land Development Agency to see what it had available , she added .
Sláintecare hopes to submit a business plan to the Government on the elective-only hospitals by Christmas .
“ We are trawling far and wide – our minds are open .
It will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be , ” said Ms Magahy .

Hitting the 2023 target date for opening the new National Children’s Hospital beside St James’s Hospital in Dublin will be “very challenging”, a senior HSE official has said.
HSE chief strategy and planning officer Dean Sullivan told the Oireachtas health committee there would be "significant challenges" making the target opening date, citing issues "trailed reasonably well in the public domain", but he declined to commit on when it would open.
Construction on the hospital, last estimated to cost more than €1.7 billion, was shut down for several months due to the Covid-19 pandemic in a standoff between the project's building contractors, Bam Ireland, and the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board over who should pay for the cost of Covid-related work stoppages.
The hospital was scheduled to be finished by the end of 2022 and handed over to the State in early 2023. The project had run over budget and behind schedule even before the pandemic.
READ MORE
Mr Sullivan was speaking as State health officials provided an update to the committee on Sláintecare, the 10-year plan, floated in 2017 and backed by all political parties, to reform the State’s health system and remove private healthcare from public hospitals.
‘Big ask’
He said Covid-19 has materially affected capacity and activity levels in the health service that it would be a “big ask” to make Sláintecare’s proposed targets of reducing waiting times to 10 weeks for being referred from GP to be seen as an outpatient and 12 weeks after that for treatment.
“We do need to reflect on the realities of Covid. Undoubtedly that has pushed some of the timelines out,” he said.
The Sláintecare plan aims to reduce waiting times in hospitals by moving more healthcare out of the acute healthcare system and back into local communities with 96 community healthcare networks being set up to monitor the healthcare needs of “mini-communities” of 50,000.
Laura Magahy, executive director of Sláintecare, said the Government's 2021 budget, announced on Tuesday, brings a "huge investment" in the plan amounting to about €1.34 billion.
"It gives permanent funding to initiatives that have sometimes just had part-time funding," she told TDs and Senators, speaking remotely from outside Leinster House.
The scale of the recruitment required was going to be “a big issue” given the scale of the investment in finding the right people, said Ms Magahy. She warned that the Covid impact on non-Covid services was “something that we all have to live and adapt with over time”.
Waiting lists
In response to questions from Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall, Ms Magahy said that establishing three elective-only hospitals under the Sláintecare plan was a key part of reducing healthcare waiting lists and cancellations of procedures.
The availability of existing hospitals and potential of vacated hospitals such as the children’s hospital, if it is vacated, were being looked at as potential sites for these hospitals, she said.
There were also ongoing discussions with the Land Development Agency to see what it had available, she added. Sláintecare hopes to submit a business plan to the Government on the elective-only hospitals by Christmas.
“We are trawling far and wide – our minds are open. It will be dependent on how big these centres will be,” said Ms Magahy.


theirishtimes--2020-10-14--GAA activity seen as a major reason for Cavan Covid surge

Cavan-based pharmacist Cian Murtagh says Covid-19 figures in the county are now “ off the scale ” .
“ When you think about it , 80 cases a day in Cavan would be the equivalent of 1,200 in Dublin with the population 15 times higher there .
We have a rough ride ahead ” .
The Cavan man listened with dread to the latest figures from Northern Ireland on Wednesday as the tally of 1,217 cases was announced .
“ There are a lot of people from the North working in Cavan , including some of my own staff , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mounts about whether the Border counties will be moved to Level 4 , Murtagh , like a lot of people in the county , was talking about the GAA and not proximity to the Border on Wednesday .
“ A lot of people are annoyed with the GAA in Cavan , ” he said .
“ They blame the surge on the celebrations following recent GAA finals.
” A keen GAA supporter himself , he says he understands the passion but reckons championships games , especially club finals , are bad news in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There is no problem with quarter-finals or semi-finals but when there is a cup on the table , there are going to be celebrations and that ’ s a problem , ” he said .
Jimmy Fox who runs a shoe shop in Cavan town says it was irresponsible to have 32 club finals played around the country right at the time that colleges were reopening .
“ I think that was a huge contributory factor to the surge , ” he said .
It was a point repeatedly raised on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many pointed to the recent senior championship final won by Crosserlough club for the first time in 48 years .
Fox says another lockdown is inevitable because “ half measures don ’ t work ” .
He believes there is “ resignation ” in the town although he says he has witnessed older customers aging in front of his eyes since the Covid-19 crisis started .
“ It has been absolutely dreadful for older people .
They have lost their confidence and their sense of wellbeing .
They have aged and they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government is in “ an impossible situation ” he believes that as soon as they deviated from the advice of the medical experts figures rose dramatically .
“ Tony Holohan said Level 5 and we did not do it and we are paying a price .
We know what the answer is .
I don ’ t want to close my doors but the only answer is lockdown ” .
Pacelli Lynch of Easons in Cavan says he doesn ’ t think the existing Level 3 restrictions are being properly enforced .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t wear a mask and if we say anything they say ‘ medical ’ which means absolutely nothing.
” He too singled out recent celebrations by GAA supporters as a significant contributory factor to the local surge .
“ I think the GAA did fantastic work especially during the lockdown but I think the celebrations after county finals didn ’ t help.
” He worries about what Level 4 will mean for local businesses .
“ I have to say our figures for August , September and October so far have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s , and I think that ’ s partly because people are buying early for Christmas but its also because our customers are going out of their way to support local shops.
” Eddie Coleman , a former Cavan Chamber of Commerce president and the owner of Cavan Gifts , says “ none of us wants to see another lockdown ” but “ I would prefer to see it happen now than in December ” which was a crucial time for businesses .

Cavan-based pharmacist Cian Murtagh says Covid-19 figures in the county are now “off the scale”.
“When you think about it, 80 cases a day in Cavan would be the equivalent of 1,200 in Dublin with the population 15 times higher there . We have a rough ride ahead”.
The Cavan man listened with dread to the latest figures from Northern Ireland on Wednesday as the tally of 1,217 cases was announced.
“There are a lot of people from the North working in Cavan, including some of my own staff,” he pointed out.
READ MORE
While speculation mounts about whether the Border counties will be moved to Level 4, Murtagh, like a lot of people in the county, was talking about the GAA and not proximity to the Border on Wednesday.
“A lot of people are annoyed with the GAA in Cavan,” he said. “They blame the surge on the celebrations following recent GAA finals.”
A keen GAA supporter himself, he says he understands the passion but reckons championships games, especially club finals, are bad news in the midst of a Covid-19 crisis.
“There is no problem with quarter-finals or semi-finals but when there is a cup on the table, there are going to be celebrations and that’s a problem,” he said.
Jimmy Fox who runs a shoe shop in Cavan town says it was irresponsible to have 32 club finals played around the country right at the time that colleges were reopening.
“I think that was a huge contributory factor to the surge,” he said.
It was a point repeatedly raised on the streets of Cavan town on Wednesday.
Many pointed to the recent senior championship final won by Crosserlough club for the first time in 48 years.
Fox says another lockdown is inevitable because “half measures don’t work”. He believes there is “resignation” in the town although he says he has witnessed older customers aging in front of his eyes since the Covid-19 crisis started.
“It has been absolutely dreadful for older people. They have lost their confidence and their sense of wellbeing. They have aged and they are in fear”.
Medical experts
While conceding that the Government is in “an impossible situation” he believes that as soon as they deviated from the advice of the medical experts figures rose dramatically.
“Tony Holohan said Level 5 and we did not do it and we are paying a price. We know what the answer is. I don’t want to close my doors but the only answer is lockdown”.
Pacelli Lynch of Easons in Cavan says he doesn’t think the existing Level 3 restrictions are being properly enforced.
“Some people coming in here just won’t wear a mask and if we say anything they say ‘medical’ which means absolutely nothing.”
He too singled out recent celebrations by GAA supporters as a significant contributory factor to the local surge.
“I think the GAA did fantastic work especially during the lockdown but I think the celebrations after county finals didn’t help.”
He worries about what Level 4 will mean for local businesses.
“I have to say our figures for August, September and October so far have been fantastic, well above last year’s, and I think that’s partly because people are buying early for Christmas but its also because our customers are going out of their way to support local shops.”
Eddie Coleman, a former Cavan Chamber of Commerce president and the owner of Cavan Gifts, says “none of us wants to see another lockdown” but “I would prefer to see it happen now than in December” which was a crucial time for businesses.


theirishtimes--2020-10-14--HSE says zero-hour contracts issued to new Covid-19 contact tracers in error

The HSE has said that zero-hour contracts sent to contact tracers being hired to locate newly infected coronavirus cases were issued in error by recruitment company CPL .
The company is sending out an amendment letter clarifying that the newly recruited contact tracers are in fact being offered contracts for working 37 hours a week for 11 months .
The clarification letters are being sent out after People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett described the zero-hour contracts in Dáil as a “ shocking and outrageous development ” and said that it “ speaks volumes about the Government ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is hiring 500 staff for its longer-term contact tracing operation as it moves from a system of relying on almost 300 volunteers and redeployed workers in eight contact tracing centres along with personnel from the Revenue Commissioners and the Defence Forces .
The incorrect contracts show that the newly-hired workers were not guaranteed hours , would not be entitled to sick pay and would not be protected under the Unfair Dismissal Acts .
The terms of the CPL contract say that the work is for the purposes of helping the HSE during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the employment under the terms of this contract will terminate at the end of the emergency period of the Covid-19 ” .
The HSE said in a statement that CPL informed it that there was an “ unintentional error in the contracts sent to the new contact tracers which referred to no obligation or guarantee on hours ” .
Amendment letters being sent to all appointees would reassure them that their contracts are full-time , 37-hour-a-week contracts or part-time as some candidates requested , the HSE said .
The HSE said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same leave as HSE staff and that for work-acquired coronavirus sickness , they will be entitled to the “ relevant social welfare payment ” and paid their contracted salary less this payment , as it does HSE employees .
“ The employment arrangement of agency-employed contact tracers will be reviewed at a later date by contacting tracing , ” the HSE said .
Mr Boyd Barrett questioned whether the contract was in fact issued in error .
“ If this is a mistake , it is a mistake on a major proportion because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people .
It is just not credible that this was some sort of oversight , ” he said .
The Dún Laoghaire TD said that the HSE had to guarantee decent contracts in order to recruit professional people to carry out sensitive and difficult work during the pandemic .
“ Surely any strategy for dealing with Covid until there is a vaccine , which may never come , has to involve a reasonably long-term commitment to having a contact tracing regime up and running and public health teams well resourced ?
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have passed the interview process or awaiting interviews for the new jobs .
About 150 new contact tracers have already started or are starting this week .
The HSE expects to bring in 60-70 new staff into its contract tracing centre each week during recruitment .

The incorrect contracts show that the newly-hired workers were not guaranteed hours, would not be entitled to sick pay and would not be protected under the Unfair Dismissal Acts. Photograph: Alan Betson
The HSE has said that zero-hour contracts sent to contact tracers being hired to locate newly infected coronavirus cases were issued in error by recruitment company CPL.
The company is sending out an amendment letter clarifying that the newly recruited contact tracers are in fact being offered contracts for working 37 hours a week for 11 months.
The clarification letters are being sent out after People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett described the zero-hour contracts in Dáil as a “shocking and outrageous development” and said that it “speaks volumes about the Government’s failed Covid strategy”.
The HSE is hiring 500 staff for its longer-term contact tracing operation as it moves from a system of relying on almost 300 volunteers and redeployed workers in eight contact tracing centres along with personnel from the Revenue Commissioners and the Defence Forces.
READ MORE
Terms
The incorrect contracts show that the newly-hired workers were not guaranteed hours, would not be entitled to sick pay and would not be protected under the Unfair Dismissal Acts.
The terms of the CPL contract say that the work is for the purposes of helping the HSE during the emergency period of the coronavirus pandemic and “the employment under the terms of this contract will terminate at the end of the emergency period of the Covid-19”.
The HSE said in a statement that CPL informed it that there was an “unintentional error in the contracts sent to the new contact tracers which referred to no obligation or guarantee on hours”.
Amendment letters being sent to all appointees would reassure them that their contracts are full-time, 37-hour-a-week contracts or part-time as some candidates requested, the HSE said.
The HSE said that CPL-employed contact tracers are being given the same leave as HSE staff and that for work-acquired coronavirus sickness, they will be entitled to the “relevant social welfare payment” and paid their contracted salary less this payment, as it does HSE employees.
“The employment arrangement of agency-employed contact tracers will be reviewed at a later date by contacting tracing,” the HSE said.
Questioned
Mr Boyd Barrett questioned whether the contract was in fact issued in error.
“If this is a mistake, it is a mistake on a major proportion because that contract has gone out to hundreds of people. It is just not credible that this was some sort of oversight,” he said.
The Dún Laoghaire TD said that the HSE had to guarantee decent contracts in order to recruit professional people to carry out sensitive and difficult work during the pandemic.
“Surely any strategy for dealing with Covid until there is a vaccine, which may never come, has to involve a reasonably long-term commitment to having a contact tracing regime up and running and public health teams well resourced?” he said.
More than 630 candidates have passed the interview process or awaiting interviews for the new jobs. About 150 new contact tracers have already started or are starting this week. The HSE expects to bring in 60-70 new staff into its contract tracing centre each week during recruitment.


theirishtimes--2020-10-14--EU considers move to curb methane emissions

The European Union is considering binding standards for natural gas to limit emissions of methane , the second-largest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide .
The move is also likely to have major implications for Irish agriculture as methane is the main greenhouse gas associated with farming , and accounts for a third of Ireland ’ s overall emissions .
The 27-member bloc is the world ’ s biggest importer of gas , and imposing such standards could affect its major suppliers which include Russia and Norway .
Published on Wednesday , the EU methane strategy includes a clearer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from methane limits on gas consumed in Europe .
It said any legislation would follow an impact assessment involving international partners .
“ Tackling methane emissions is ... essential to reaching our 2030 climate targets and the 2050 climate neutrality goal , as well as contributing to the Commission ’ s zero-pollution ambition , ” the European Commission said .
It strongly endorsed , however , use of agricultural wastes in anaerobic digesters to generate biomethane , as a valid technology to reduce emissions associated with farming .
“ The Commission will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or other incentives for fossil energy consumed and imported in the EU in the absence of significant commitments from international partners , ” the policy states .
Methane , which is emitted from leaky oil and gas pipelines and infrastructure , unused coal mines and farming , is 84 times more potent than CO2 in its first 20 years in the atmosphere .
Some campaigners welcomed the push to tackle imported emissions , but Green members in the European Parliament said legislation on agriculture , where most methane emissions come from livestock , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ management should be made mandatory for farms with bigger livestock , ” German MEP Jutta Paulus said .
The Commission will propose legislation next year requiring oil and gas companies to monitor and report methane emissions and repair leaks .
It will also consider banning venting and flaring , which release methane into the atmosphere or deliberately burning it .
Companies including Shell and BP have set voluntary targets to curb methane emissions , and the International Energy Agency says a third of such emissions could be saved at no net cost , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Satellite data has shown methane emissions significantly higher than levels reported by industry .
The Commission said it will help launch an independent international body to gather data , supported by EU satellites .
The EU ’ s Copernicus satellite programme will also improve surveillance and help to detect global “ super-emitters ” and identify major methane leaks .
EU vice-president for the European green deal Frans Timmermans said : “ To become the first climate-neutral continent , the EU will have to cut all greenhouse gases .
Methane is the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause of air pollution .
“ Our methane strategy ensures emissions cuts in all sectors , especially agriculture , energy and waste .
It also creates opportunities for rural areas to produce biogas from waste , ” he added .
Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson said : “ We have adopted today our first strategy to tackle methane emissions since 1996 .
While the energy , agriculture and waste sectors all have a role to play , energy is where emissions can be cut the quickest with least costs .
Europe will lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do this alone .
We need to work with our international partners to address the methane emissions of the energy we import.
” The Commission said it would improve reporting of emissions from agriculture through better data collection , and promote opportunities to reduce emissions with support from the Common Agricultural Policy .
“ The main focus will be on best-practice sharing for innovative methane-reducing technologies , animal diets , and breeding management , ” it confirmed .
Targeted research on technology , nature-based solutions and dietary shift would also contribute .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residue streams can be utilised to produce biogas , bio-materials and bio-chemicals , ” it added .
This could generate additional revenue streams in rural areas and avoid methane emissions at the same time .
“ The collection of these waste products will therefore be further incentivised , ” it said .
In the waste sector , the Commission will consider further action to improve management of landfill gas , harnessing its potential for energy use while reducing emissions .
– Additional reporting – Reuters

The Commission endorsed use of agricultural wastes in anaerobic digesters to generate biomethane. Photograph: Robert Perry/EPA
The European Union is considering binding standards for natural gas to limit emissions of methane, the second-largest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide.
The move is also likely to have major implications for Irish agriculture as methane is the main greenhouse gas associated with farming, and accounts for a third of Ireland’s overall emissions.
The 27-member bloc is the world's biggest importer of gas, and imposing such standards could affect its major suppliers which include Russia and Norway.
Published on Wednesday, the EU methane strategy includes a clearer commitment than previous drafts, which shied away from methane limits on gas consumed in Europe. It said any legislation would follow an impact assessment involving international partners.
READ MORE
"Tackling methane emissions is... essential to reaching our 2030 climate targets and the 2050 climate neutrality goal, as well as contributing to the Commission's zero-pollution ambition," the European Commission said.
It strongly endorsed, however, use of agricultural wastes in anaerobic digesters to generate biomethane, as a valid technology to reduce emissions associated with farming.
“The Commission will consider methane emission reduction targets, standards or other incentives for fossil energy consumed and imported in the EU in the absence of significant commitments from international partners,” the policy states.
Agriculture and oil
Methane, which is emitted from leaky oil and gas pipelines and infrastructure, unused coal mines and farming, is 84 times more potent than CO2 in its first 20 years in the atmosphere.
Some campaigners welcomed the push to tackle imported emissions, but Green members in the European Parliament said legislation on agriculture, where most methane emissions come from livestock, needed to strengthened.
“Effective manure management should be made mandatory for farms with bigger livestock,” German MEP Jutta Paulus said.
The Commission will propose legislation next year requiring oil and gas companies to monitor and report methane emissions and repair leaks. It will also consider banning venting and flaring, which release methane into the atmosphere or deliberately burning it.
Companies including Shell and BP have set voluntary targets to curb methane emissions, and the International Energy Agency says a third of such emissions could be saved at no net cost, as the captured gas could be sold.
Satellite data has shown methane emissions significantly higher than levels reported by industry. The Commission said it will help launch an independent international body to gather data, supported by EU satellites.
Methane strategy
The EU’s Copernicus satellite programme will also improve surveillance and help to detect global “super-emitters” and identify major methane leaks.
EU vice-president for the European green deal Frans Timmermans said: "To become the first climate-neutral continent, the EU will have to cut all greenhouse gases. Methane is the second most powerful greenhouse gas and an important cause of air pollution.
“Our methane strategy ensures emissions cuts in all sectors, especially agriculture, energy and waste. It also creates opportunities for rural areas to produce biogas from waste,” he added.
Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson said: "We have adopted today our first strategy to tackle methane emissions since 1996. While the energy, agriculture and waste sectors all have a role to play, energy is where emissions can be cut the quickest with least costs. Europe will lead the way, but we cannot do this alone. We need to work with our international partners to address the methane emissions of the energy we import."
The Commission said it would improve reporting of emissions from agriculture through better data collection, and promote opportunities to reduce emissions with support from the Common Agricultural Policy.
“The main focus will be on best-practice sharing for innovative methane-reducing technologies, animal diets, and breeding management,” it confirmed.
Targeted research on technology, nature-based solutions and dietary shift would also contribute. “Non-recyclable organic human and agricultural waste and residue streams can be utilised to produce biogas, bio-materials and bio-chemicals,” it added.
This could generate additional revenue streams in rural areas and avoid methane emissions at the same time. “The collection of these waste products will therefore be further incentivised,” it said.
In the waste sector, the Commission will consider further action to improve management of landfill gas, harnessing its potential for energy use while reducing emissions. – Additional reporting – Reuters