theirishtimes--2020-06-15--Cork residents call for licensing system for landlords amid Covid-19 parties

Residents living near University College Cork ( UCC ) have called for a licensing system for landlords amid continued concerns over students and others holding parties in rented houses near the university during the Covid-19 lockdown .
Catherine Clancy of the Magazine Road and Surrounding Areas Residents Association said that residents believed the best way to tackle the issue of lockdown parties taking place in rented houses is for landlords to be licensed .
“ We are calling for the licensing of landlords – there should be something along the lines of an NCT [ National Car Test ] for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criteria to be checked and approved before they can be rented out .
“ Landlords who consistently abuse local regulations and facilitate the anti-social behaviour of tenants with respect to the community must face substantial fines , ” said Ms Clancy , a former lord mayor of Cork .
According to the Magazine Road and Surrounding Areas Residents Association , students moved into rented houses around UCC and continued having parties during the Covid-19 lockdown despite Government guidelines on social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic .
However , Ms Clancy welcomed news that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cork City Council have written to 40 landlords who own 200 properties around UCC to point out their responsibilities during the Covid-19 pandemic .
In the letter , Dr Anne Sheehan , specialist in public health medicine at HSE South , Garda Chief Supt Barry McPolin and Cork City Council chief executive Ann Doherty stressed to landlords how important it was that their tenants complied with all guidelines .
“ As you may be aware from extensive media reporting , the residents in the greater College Road , Magazine Road and Glasheen Road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing house parties by tenants of some of the rented properties within this area , ” they said .
“ Over the last two weeks or so , the residents have endured ongoing parties , primarily in rented accommodation , apparently occupied by students and young people , well into the early hours of the morning.
” The letter said that gardaí have visited many of the rented properties concerned and witnessed up to 30 people congregating in houses in breach of the Covid-19 guidelines .
While the 2km limit and the later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures to combat the pandemic have now been lifted , there are still limits on the numbers attending gatherings , with outdoor groupings limited to 15 people and indoor meetings limited to six people .
“ The residents are rightly concerned that these parties may aid the spread of the Covid-19 disease with obvious consequences for the elderly/vulnerable residents of the area , ” said Dr Sheehan , Mr McPolin and Ms Doherty .
They said they were calling on landlords to actively engage with their tenants and stress to them the importance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop the spread of Covid-19 .
“ You will appreciate the impact of non-compliance of the guidelines by your tenants , which may include contributing to and/or increasing the spread of the disease , a disease which the country has succeeded in suppressing thus far .
“ It must be stressed to the tenants that these activities can directly endanger the health of vulnerable persons either in the community or in their own or their friends ’ immediate families .
“ None of us wants to be responsible for contributing in any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , leading to serious illness or death , ” said the three signees of the letter , before appealing to landlords to co-operate with statutory agencies .
“ The chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has clearly advised the public that we can not be complacent ; that we must continue with the guidelines on social distancing and regulations on gatherings etc .
“ If we fail to do so , the infection rate will increase and the steps taken to date to reopen our country may be halted , impacting significantly on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employment , our economy and the greater good of all citizens .
“ While a specific complaint may not have been made in respect of a property that you own or manage , we believe it is important local residents ’ concerns are raised by us with all landlords , and in turn , by landlords with their tenants , ” the letter said .

Residents living near University College Cork (UCC) have called for a licensing system for landlords amid continued concerns over students and others holding parties in rented houses near the university during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Catherine Clancy of the Magazine Road and Surrounding Areas Residents Association said that residents believed the best way to tackle the issue of lockdown parties taking place in rented houses is for landlords to be licensed.
“We are calling for the licensing of landlords – there should be something along the lines of an NCT [National Car Test] for rented properties where there is a certain criteria to be checked and approved before they can be rented out.
“Landlords who consistently abuse local regulations and facilitate the anti-social behaviour of tenants with respect to the community must face substantial fines,” said Ms Clancy, a former lord mayor of Cork.
READ MORE
According to the Magazine Road and Surrounding Areas Residents Association, students moved into rented houses around UCC and continued having parties during the Covid-19 lockdown despite Government guidelines on social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.
However, Ms Clancy welcomed news that An Garda Síochána, the HSE and Cork City Council have written to 40 landlords who own 200 properties around UCC to point out their responsibilities during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the letter, Dr Anne Sheehan, specialist in public health medicine at HSE South, Garda Chief Supt Barry McPolin and Cork City Council chief executive Ann Doherty stressed to landlords how important it was that their tenants complied with all guidelines.
“As you may be aware from extensive media reporting, the residents in the greater College Road, Magazine Road and Glasheen Road area have raised legitimate concerns over the ongoing house parties by tenants of some of the rented properties within this area,” they said.
“Over the last two weeks or so, the residents have endured ongoing parties, primarily in rented accommodation, apparently occupied by students and young people, well into the early hours of the morning.”
Breaching guidelines
The letter said that gardaí have visited many of the rented properties concerned and witnessed up to 30 people congregating in houses in breach of the Covid-19 guidelines.
While the 2km limit and the later 5km limit on travel as part of measures to combat the pandemic have now been lifted, there are still limits on the numbers attending gatherings, with outdoor groupings limited to 15 people and indoor meetings limited to six people.
“The residents are rightly concerned that these parties may aid the spread of the Covid-19 disease with obvious consequences for the elderly/vulnerable residents of the area,” said Dr Sheehan, Mr McPolin and Ms Doherty.
They said they were calling on landlords to actively engage with their tenants and stress to them the importance of complying with Government regulations and guidelines to stop the spread of Covid-19.
“You will appreciate the impact of non-compliance of the guidelines by your tenants, which may include contributing to and/or increasing the spread of the disease, a disease which the country has succeeded in suppressing thus far.
“It must be stressed to the tenants that these activities can directly endanger the health of vulnerable persons either in the community or in their own or their friends’ immediate families.
“None of us wants to be responsible for contributing in any way to the spread of the virus, leading to serious illness or death,” said the three signees of the letter, before appealing to landlords to co-operate with statutory agencies.
"The chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has clearly advised the public that we cannot be complacent; that we must continue with the guidelines on social distancing and regulations on gatherings etc.
“If we fail to do so, the infection rate will increase and the steps taken to date to reopen our country may be halted, impacting significantly on our health service and hospital capacity, employment, our economy and the greater good of all citizens.
“While a specific complaint may not have been made in respect of a property that you own or manage, we believe it is important local residents’ concerns are raised by us with all landlords, and in turn, by landlords with their tenants,” the letter said.


theirishtimes--2020-06-15--Hosepipe ban will not be lifted despite rainfall warning

A national hosepipe ban will remain in place despite the prospect of torrential rain over the coming days , Irish Water has said .
Met Éireann has issued an orange weather warning for the counties of Leitrim , Longford , Cavan and Roscommon where some 50mm of rain was forecast for Monday afternoon as thundery downpours sweep across the country .
A status yellow thunderstorm warning is in place for counties Cavan , Monaghan , Donegal , Carlow , Kildare , Kilkenny , Laois , Longford , Louth , Offaly , Westmeath , Meath , Galway , Leitrim , Roscommon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kerry , Limerick and Tipperary for the same period .
Parts of the south and west saw heavy accumulations of rain over the weekend as a result of thunderstorms .
Irish Water issued a hosepipe ban on June 8th following the driest spring on record the east of the country and a generally dry spring nationwide .
The ban will apply for an initial six-week period until midnight on July 21st , unless it is extended .
Households found to be in breach of the ban can be fined €125 .
On Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so entrenched that even the rain last week and expected rain this week would not replenish the reservoirs following the recent dry spell .
It said the number of schemes in drought has increased from 27 to 35 and the ones in potential drought has grown from 50 to 52 since the Water Conservation Order came into force a week ago .
Irish Water said a minimum accumulation of 100mm ( the equivalent of four inches of rain ) was needed to offset the impact of the unseasonable lack of rainfall since March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ We are keeping the situation under continuous review and are liaising closely with other key agencies such as Met Éireann , the OPW , the EPA , amongst others and if the situation improves we will consider lifting the Water Conservation Order .
“ However , any change is unlikely in the short term .
We are continuing to appeal to people to conserve water where they can and to comply with the order to safeguard supplies for essential sanitation and handwashing.
” Irish Water last introduced a hosepipe ban in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , before extending it nationwide .
The duration of the ban was extended several times amid continued drought conditions and remained in place for Dublin and several other counties until September that year .
In recent weeks demand on the water supply for the greater Dublin region has surged during sunny days , at times nearing the utility ’ s maximum capacity of 615 million litres a day .

The hosepipe ban is in place until July 21st. Photograph: iStock
A national hosepipe ban will remain in place despite the prospect of torrential rain over the coming days, Irish Water has said.
Met Éireann has issued an orange weather warning for the counties of Leitrim, Longford, Cavan and Roscommon where some 50mm of rain was forecast for Monday afternoon as thundery downpours sweep across the country.
A status yellow thunderstorm warning is in place for counties Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Offaly, Westmeath, Meath, Galway, Leitrim, Roscommon, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary for the same period.
Parts of the south and west saw heavy accumulations of rain over the weekend as a result of thunderstorms.
READ MORE
Irish Water issued a hosepipe ban on June 8th following the driest spring on record the east of the country and a generally dry spring nationwide.
The ban will apply for an initial six-week period until midnight on July 21st, unless it is extended.
Households found to be in breach of the ban can be fined €125.
On Monday Irish Water said the drought conditions were so entrenched that even the rain last week and expected rain this week would not replenish the reservoirs following the recent dry spell.
It said the number of schemes in drought has increased from 27 to 35 and the ones in potential drought has grown from 50 to 52 since the Water Conservation Order came into force a week ago.
Irish Water said a minimum accumulation of 100mm (the equivalent of four inches of rain) was needed to offset the impact of the unseasonable lack of rainfall since March.
A spokeswoman for Irish Water added: “We are keeping the situation under continuous review and are liaising closely with other key agencies such as Met Éireann, the OPW, the EPA, amongst others and if the situation improves we will consider lifting the Water Conservation Order.
“However, any change is unlikely in the short term. We are continuing to appeal to people to conserve water where they can and to comply with the order to safeguard supplies for essential sanitation and handwashing.”
Irish Water last introduced a hosepipe ban in July 2018 in the greater Dublin region, before extending it nationwide.
The duration of the ban was extended several times amid continued drought conditions and remained in place for Dublin and several other counties until September that year.
In recent weeks demand on the water supply for the greater Dublin region has surged during sunny days, at times nearing the utility’s maximum capacity of 615 million litres a day.


theirishtimes--2020-06-15--High Court suspends solicitor over €236,000 deficit in client account

A solicitor has been suspended from practising by the High Court after a Law Society investigation showed a deficit of nearly €237,000 on the client account of his Co Wicklow practice .
High Court president Mr Justice Peter Kelly also made orders , on consent , freezing accounts of Shane Allen and his practice , Allen & Associates , Mount Kennedy Town Centre , Newtownmountkennedy , and restraining him disposing of assets but with provision for him to withdraw €3,300 monthly from his personal account for living expenses .
The orders were made on Monday on the application of Nessa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for the society , who said Mr Allen had conceded it will not be possible for him to remain in practice .
Gabriel Gavigan SC , instructed by solicitor Sean Sexton , for Mr Allen , told the judge there was a large amount of agreement on many of the orders sought .
However , instead of a suspension order , Mr Allen wished to provide an undertaking not to practice or hold himself out as a solicitor , counsel said .
This was for reasons including how a suspension order , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , might be viewed by clients .
Ms Bird said the society wanted a suspension order for reasons including the client account deficit arose from a dishonest handling of client funds and the need to protect both the public and reputation of the solicitors profession .
In his ruling , Mr Justice Kelly said the client account deficit was identified following an investigation by a chartered accountant for the society .
There should never be a deficit on a client account and he was sure that Mr Allen , who was admitted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ well knew that ” , the judge said .
The society had applied to the court for the suspension and other orders because of its conclusion and opinion Mr Allen was guilty of dishonesty in his practise as a solicitor , he said .
The judge said he would make the orders sought , including suspending Mr Allen from practising or holding himself out as a solicitor , plus account freezing orders and various orders aimed at procuring an orderly winding down of the solicitor ’ s practice .
The judge said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than accept the undertaking offered , because , as far as the society was concerned , there had been been dishonesty and because a court order provides clarity and , unlike an undertaking , is binding on third parties and not just on the solicitor himself .
The judge , who retires from Wednesday , dealt with Solicitors Act matters for the last time on Monday .
Counsel and solicitors involved in the list thanked him for the manner in which he had dealt with it over years and wished him a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bird told the judge he applied exacting standards but had dealt with matters , not just with efficiency but also “ kindness and compassion ” .
Mr Irwin told the judge he had a “ first class legal mind ” and compassion and Mr Sexton said he had shown “ enormous generosity , patience and understanding ” in some difficult cases in the list .
Thanking the lawyers , the judge said that where people work hard over years to become solicitors and then find themselves in difficulty , that is “ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his work in many upsetting cases , including a recent one involving the suicide of a solicitor .

A solicitor has been suspended from practising by the High Court after a Law Society investigation showed a deficit of nearly €237,000 on the client account of his Co Wicklow practice.
High Court president Mr Justice Peter Kelly also made orders, on consent, freezing accounts of Shane Allen and his practice, Allen & Associates, Mount Kennedy Town Centre, Newtownmountkennedy, and restraining him disposing of assets but with provision for him to withdraw €3,300 monthly from his personal account for living expenses.
The orders were made on Monday on the application of Nessa Bird BL, instructed by David Irwin, for the society, who said Mr Allen had conceded it will not be possible for him to remain in practice.
Gabriel Gavigan SC, instructed by solicitor Sean Sexton, for Mr Allen, told the judge there was a large amount of agreement on many of the orders sought.
READ MORE
However, instead of a suspension order, Mr Allen wished to provide an undertaking not to practice or hold himself out as a solicitor, counsel said. This was for reasons including how a suspension order, rather than an undertaking to like effect, might be viewed by clients.
Ms Bird said the society wanted a suspension order for reasons including the client account deficit arose from a dishonest handling of client funds and the need to protect both the public and reputation of the solicitors profession.
In his ruling, Mr Justice Kelly said the client account deficit was identified following an investigation by a chartered accountant for the society. There should never be a deficit on a client account and he was sure that Mr Allen, who was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in 1977, “well knew that”, the judge said.
The society had applied to the court for the suspension and other orders because of its conclusion and opinion Mr Allen was guilty of dishonesty in his practise as a solicitor, he said.
The judge said he would make the orders sought, including suspending Mr Allen from practising or holding himself out as a solicitor, plus account freezing orders and various orders aimed at procuring an orderly winding down of the solicitor’s practice.
The judge said he was making a suspension order, rather than accept the undertaking offered, because, as far as the society was concerned, there had been been dishonesty and because a court order provides clarity and, unlike an undertaking, is binding on third parties and not just on the solicitor himself.
The judge, who retires from Wednesday, dealt with Solicitors Act matters for the last time on Monday. Counsel and solicitors involved in the list thanked him for the manner in which he had dealt with it over years and wished him a happy retirement.
Mr Gavigan and Ms Bird told the judge he applied exacting standards but had dealt with matters, not just with efficiency but also “kindness and compassion”. Mr Irwin told the judge he had a “first class legal mind” and compassion and Mr Sexton said he had shown “enormous generosity, patience and understanding” in some difficult cases in the list.
Thanking the lawyers, the judge said that where people work hard over years to become solicitors and then find themselves in difficulty, that is “a tragedy” and Mr Sexton deserved thanks for his work in many upsetting cases, including a recent one involving the suicide of a solicitor.


theirishtimes--2020-06-16--Thunderstorms forecast for Leinster and parts of Munster on Tuesday

Met Éireann has issued a yellow weather warning for Tuesday with thunderstorms forecast for all of Leinster as well as Tipperary and Waterford .
Severe downpours are expected with the prospect of some surface flooding between 7am and 9pm on Tuesday .
Thunderstorms and hail are expected again in parts of east Munster and Leinster .
Meanwhile , the announcement of a six-week nationwide hosepipe ban has led to a significant reduction in water use in the Greater Dublin region , Irish Water has said , but the potential for drought remains in many areas .
Water usage has declined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day at the start of the month to 560 million litres a day at present .
Irish Water said the drop-off may also be linked to the State experiencing cooler and wetter weather of late .
“ Irish Water would like to thank the public for their cooperation and the efforts they have made to conserve water in their homes and gardens over the last week and to appeal to them to continue supporting us in safeguarding water for essential uses , ” a spokeswoman for the utility firm said .
Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being planned at this stage but there was no prospect of the hosepipe ban being lifted as a result of heavy rain falling in some areas in recent days .
Irish Water has published a list stating that there are drought conditions or a potential for drought in 23 of the State ’ s 31 local authority areas .
The worst affected counties are Kerry and Limerick , which each have eight water schemes in drought .
Laois and Mayo have seven schemes in drought and Galway has five .
Irish Water said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so entrenched that the rain last week and expected rain this week would not replenish the reservoirs following the recent dry spell .
It said the number of schemes in drought has increased from 27 to 35 and the number at risk of drought has grown from 50 to 52 since the Water Conservation Order came into force a week ago .
Irish Water said a minimum accumulation of 100mm ( the equivalent of four inches of rain ) would be needed to make up for the lack of rainfall since March .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation improves ” Irish Water would consider lifting the hosepipe ban .
“ However , any change is unlikely in the short term .
We are continuing to appeal to people to conserve water where they can and to comply with the order to safeguard supplies for essential sanitation and handwashing , ” she added .

Met Éireann has forecast thunderstorms for Leinster and parts of Muster today and a yellow weather warning is in place. Image via Met.ie
Met Éireann has issued a yellow weather warning for Tuesday with thunderstorms forecast for all of Leinster as well as Tipperary and Waterford. Severe downpours are expected with the prospect of some surface flooding between 7am and 9pm on Tuesday. Thunderstorms and hail are expected again in parts of east Munster and Leinster.
Meanwhile, the announcement of a six-week nationwide hosepipe ban has led to a significant reduction in water use in the Greater Dublin region, Irish Water has said, but the potential for drought remains in many areas.
Water usage has declined from an average of 615 million litres a day at the start of the month to 560 million litres a day at present. Irish Water said the drop-off may also be linked to the State experiencing cooler and wetter weather of late.
“Irish Water would like to thank the public for their cooperation and the efforts they have made to conserve water in their homes and gardens over the last week and to appeal to them to continue supporting us in safeguarding water for essential uses,” a spokeswoman for the utility firm said.
READ MORE
Irish Water said no further water restrictions were being planned at this stage but there was no prospect of the hosepipe ban being lifted as a result of heavy rain falling in some areas in recent days.
The announcement of a six-week nationwide hosepipe ban has led to a significant reduction in water use in the Greater Dublin region, Irish Water has said, but the potential for drought remains in many areas. File photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA.
Drought
Irish Water has published a list stating that there are drought conditions or a potential for drought in 23 of the State’s 31 local authority areas.
The worst affected counties are Kerry and Limerick, which each have eight water schemes in drought. Laois and Mayo have seven schemes in drought and Galway has five.
Irish Water said on Monday that the drought conditions were so entrenched that the rain last week and expected rain this week would not replenish the reservoirs following the recent dry spell.
It said the number of schemes in drought has increased from 27 to 35 and the number at risk of drought has grown from 50 to 52 since the Water Conservation Order came into force a week ago.
Irish Water said a minimum accumulation of 100mm (the equivalent of four inches of rain) would be needed to make up for the lack of rainfall since March.
A spokeswoman said that “if the situation improves” Irish Water would consider lifting the hosepipe ban.
“However, any change is unlikely in the short term. We are continuing to appeal to people to conserve water where they can and to comply with the order to safeguard supplies for essential sanitation and handwashing,” she added.


theirishtimes--2020-06-15--TDs and senators back ‘best achievable’ programme for government

Fianna Fáil , Fine Gael and Green TDs and Senators all gave their backing to the draft programme for government agreed between their three parties last night , with their wider party organisations now set to give their verdict on the five-year plan .
The three parliamentary parties all backed the deal at separate meetings , although three of the 12 Green Party TDs abstained .
However , crucially , Catherine Martin , the Green Party deputy leader , supported the deal .
Ms Martin is challenging Eamon Ryan for the leadership of the party .
The Dublin Rathdown TD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support is seen as pivotal to securing the required two-thirds support of rank-and-file Green members in order for the party to enter government .
In a statement released after the meeting , Ms Martin said : “ There were never going to be , nor could there have been , outright winners in these negotiations and clearly we did not get everything we sought .
I am however satisfied that the deal negotiated was the best achievable and that it includes some worthwhile and transformative policies .
“ If the Green Party enters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with verifiable implementation of our policies .
No member of the Green Party would wish to belong to a government that ’ s not enthusiastically and realistically delivering a green agenda .
It is vital to ensure that our party ’ s independence and core values are never undermined or weakened by participation in government.
” The Green TDs who abstained were Francis Noel Duffy , Patrick Costello and Neasa Hourigan .
Fianna Fáil and the Greens will seek the assent of their members on a one member , one vote basis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process will be on the basis of an electoral college .
It is estimated that about 15,000 Fianna Fáil members will be entitled to vote , and about 2,500 in the Greens .
The Greens will hold a video conference to discuss the deal this Thursday .
Fine Gael TDs , Senators and MEPs make up 50 per cent of the voting strength , followed by 25 per cent for constituency delegates , 15 per cent for councillors and 10 per cent for the executive council .
Ballot papers will be issued in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of each contest expected to be announced on Friday , June 26th .
Sources said it is then likely , if the deal passes each party , that the Dáil will sit on Saturday , June 27th , to elect Micheál Martin taoiseach .
The programme for government says that Mr Martin will serve as taoiseach until December 15th , 2022 , when the Fine Gael leader will then take over the role .
Speaking after his own party meeting last night , Mr Martin said the deal would now go to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ very strong endorsement ” from his party .
He said there were strong contributions at a meeting of the parliamentary party in relation to housing , agriculture and farming .
There was also support for the investment in cycling , railways and greenways .
Mr Martin said he was receiving strong messages of support from members of the party in constituencies across the country .
“ One of the messages emanating from the parliamentary party meeting this evening was that the TDs and Senators want to go out there now and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the strength of this document , its relevance to where people are today in their lives , and the need to get it passed , and a government formed.
” Mr Varadkar said a Fine Gael taoiseach would lead this government into the next election in 2025 .
He also highlighted what he said was a strong package on jobs , the economy and tax in the deal .

President of Sinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald said the government talks can "delay change but they can't stop it", while government ministers have defended the program as both "credible and ambitious".
Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Green TDs and Senators all gave their backing to the draft programme for government agreed between their three parties last night, with their wider party organisations now set to give their verdict on the five-year plan.
The three parliamentary parties all backed the deal at separate meetings, although three of the 12 Green Party TDs abstained.
However, crucially, Catherine Martin, the Green Party deputy leader, supported the deal. Ms Martin is challenging Eamon Ryan for the leadership of the party.
The Dublin Rathdown TD led the Green negotiating team and her support is seen as pivotal to securing the required two-thirds support of rank-and-file Green members in order for the party to enter government.
READ MORE
In a statement released after the meeting, Ms Martin said: “There were never going to be, nor could there have been, outright winners in these negotiations and clearly we did not get everything we sought. I am however satisfied that the deal negotiated was the best achievable and that it includes some worthwhile and transformative policies.
“If the Green Party enters government, our overriding concern will be with verifiable implementation of our policies. No member of the Green Party would wish to belong to a government that’s not enthusiastically and realistically delivering a green agenda. It is vital to ensure that our party’s independence and core values are never undermined or weakened by participation in government.”
The Green TDs who abstained were Francis Noel Duffy, Patrick Costello and Neasa Hourigan.
Internal ratification
Fianna Fáil and the Greens will seek the assent of their members on a one member, one vote basis, while Fine Gael's internal ratification process will be on the basis of an electoral college. It is estimated that about 15,000 Fianna Fáil members will be entitled to vote, and about 2,500 in the Greens. The Greens will hold a video conference to discuss the deal this Thursday.
It is expected Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin will be elected taoiseach on June 27th, if parties support programme for government. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill
Fine Gael TDs, Senators and MEPs make up 50 per cent of the voting strength, followed by 25 per cent for constituency delegates, 15 per cent for councillors and 10 per cent for the executive council.
Ballot papers will be issued in the coming days, with the results of each contest expected to be announced on Friday, June 26th.
Sources said it is then likely, if the deal passes each party, that the Dáil will sit on Saturday, June 27th, to elect Micheál Martin taoiseach.
The programme for government says that Mr Martin will serve as taoiseach until December 15th, 2022, when the Fine Gael leader will then take over the role.
Speaking after his own party meeting last night, Mr Martin said the deal would now go to the party membership for a postal vote after a “very strong endorsement” from his party.
He said there were strong contributions at a meeting of the parliamentary party in relation to housing, agriculture and farming. There was also support for the investment in cycling, railways and greenways.
Mr Martin said he was receiving strong messages of support from members of the party in constituencies across the country.
“One of the messages emanating from the parliamentary party meeting this evening was that the TDs and Senators want to go out there now and engage with the membership to persuade the members of the strength of this document, its relevance to where people are today in their lives, and the need to get it passed, and a government formed.”
Mr Varadkar said a Fine Gael taoiseach would lead this government into the next election in 2025. He also highlighted what he said was a strong package on jobs, the economy and tax in the deal.


theirishtimes--2020-06-17--Judicial appointments Bill set to be enacted by incoming coalition

The controversial Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017 is to be enacted within the first six months of the proposed new government , but with amendments including making the chief justice the body ’ s chair .
The commitment in the proposed programme for government appears to bring to an end the effort of the outgoing minister , Shane Ross , to create a judicial appointments commission chaired by someone who was not a judge .
A significant change to how judges are appointed was one of the measures included in the 2016 programme for government at the insistence of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sport .
The demand made for significant tensions at times between the judiciary and the Government .
Key demands made by Mr Ross included that the new appointments body would have a majority of “ lay ” or non-legal members , and that it would not be chaired by the chief justice of the day .
The appointments Bill was the subject of many amendments and was also the focus of filibustering in the Seanad , led by former attorney general Michael McDowell SC .
The decision to have the chief justice act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new commission meant the emphasis on lay persons sought by Mr Ross was now “ out the window , ” Mr McDowell told The Irish Times .
Under the Constitution , it is the Government alone that appoints judges .
The proposed new commission will review applications for positions and submit lists of proposed and ranked suitable candidates .
Mr McDowell said having senior judges “ conduct a beauty parade ” before strangers as part of the process for being appointed to senior court positions was “ a crazy idea ” .
Other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contained in the new programme for government include the creation of a new dedicated family court as well as a planning and environmental law court .
The family law court would seek to promote a less adversarial approach to resolving disputes and the planning court would model itself on the specialist commercial court .
The incoming government will “ clarify and strengthen contempt of court sanctions for violations on social media ” , according to the programme .
There have been a number of high-profile instances in recent times of people including on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on social media prior to a jury having reached its verdict .
The new government also intends to introduce a statutory offence of perjury , to make it easier to prosecute those who knowingly give false evidence .
Although it has long been a common law offence , and there have been multiple high-profile instances over the years of apparent breaches of the law , prosecutions , let alone convictions , for perjury have been very rare .
The programme for the incoming government also commits to establishing a working group to consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are appointed , so as to ensure the efficient administration of justice .
The Chief Justice , Frank Clarke , has spoken publicly on a number of occasions about the low number of Irish judges per capita , when compared to other developed economies .
The judiciary and the Courts Service have been working over recent times on improving efficiency in the courts system , in the hope that in response government might be inclined to better fund the courts .
The new programme also commits to an independent examination of the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defenders ” .
It also commits to introducing the “ necessary legislative reforms of the personal insolvency system ” but does not expand on what is meant by this .

The new government intends to introduce a statutory offence of perjury, to make it easier to prosecute those who knowingly give false evidence.
The controversial Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017 is to be enacted within the first six months of the proposed new government, but with amendments including making the chief justice the body's chair.
The commitment in the proposed programme for government appears to bring to an end the effort of the outgoing minister, Shane Ross, to create a judicial appointments commission chaired by someone who was not a judge.
A significant change to how judges are appointed was one of the measures included in the 2016 programme for government at the insistence of the outgoing minister for transport, tourism and sport.
The demand made for significant tensions at times between the judiciary and the Government.
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Key demands made by Mr Ross included that the new appointments body would have a majority of “lay” or non-legal members, and that it would not be chaired by the chief justice of the day.
The appointments Bill was the subject of many amendments and was also the focus of filibustering in the Seanad, led by former attorney general Michael McDowell SC.
Ex-officio chair
The decision to have the chief justice act as the ex-officio chair of the proposed new commission meant the emphasis on lay persons sought by Mr Ross was now “out the window,” Mr McDowell told The Irish Times.
Under the Constitution, it is the Government alone that appoints judges. The proposed new commission will review applications for positions and submit lists of proposed and ranked suitable candidates.
Mr McDowell said having senior judges “conduct a beauty parade” before strangers as part of the process for being appointed to senior court positions was “a crazy idea”.
Other areas of reform in the legal system contained in the new programme for government include the creation of a new dedicated family court as well as a planning and environmental law court.
The family law court would seek to promote a less adversarial approach to resolving disputes and the planning court would model itself on the specialist commercial court.
The incoming government will “clarify and strengthen contempt of court sanctions for violations on social media”, according to the programme.
Social media
There have been a number of high-profile instances in recent times of people including on occasion high-profile defendants, commenting on trials on social media prior to a jury having reached its verdict.
The new government also intends to introduce a statutory offence of perjury, to make it easier to prosecute those who knowingly give false evidence.
Although it has long been a common law offence, and there have been multiple high-profile instances over the years of apparent breaches of the law, prosecutions, let alone convictions, for perjury have been very rare.
The programme for the incoming government also commits to establishing a working group to consider the number and type of judges that are appointed, so as to ensure the efficient administration of justice.
The Chief Justice, Frank Clarke, has spoken publicly on a number of occasions about the low number of Irish judges per capita, when compared to other developed economies.
The judiciary and the Courts Service have been working over recent times on improving efficiency in the courts system, in the hope that in response government might be inclined to better fund the courts.
The new programme also commits to an independent examination of the “option of a dedicated system of public defenders”.
It also commits to introducing the “necessary legislative reforms of the personal insolvency system” but does not expand on what is meant by this.


theirishtimes--2020-06-17--Bomb victim takes legal action over Troubles pension

A woman who was badly injured in a bombing 48 years ago is taking legal action to try to pressurise the Northern Executive and British government to pay an agreed pension to victims who were severely physically and mentally injured during the Troubles .
The scheme , which offers annual pensions of £2,000-£10,000 for victims , was due to open last month but has been put on hold because of a stalemate involving the Executive , the British government and Sinn Féin .
There is a row over who will pay for the some £100 million scheme between Stormont and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of refusing to nominate a department to operate the pension , which is necessary before it can be activated .
Jennifer McNern , who was 21 at the time , lost both legs in the 1972 Abercorn restaurant bombing .
No organisation admitted the attack although it was widely blamed on the IRA .
Two young women were killed in the explosion while 70 were injured .
Ms McNern ’ s sister , Rosaleen , who was about to be married , lost her legs , her right arm and an eye in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has felt compelled to take a judicial review to try to force payment of the pension .
“ We have been kicked and punched down the road so far that there was no road left to go .
The only avenue open to me was the courts , ” she said .
“ To think that everything was moving along and to be stopped so abruptly was a cruel act , ” she said .
Ms McNern said she did not want to enter into the dispute over who was responsible for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moral thing to do for people who live continuously with serious injuries through no fault of their own , ” she said .
Former Northern Secretary Peter Hain in an article in Wednesday ’ s Irish Times said Sinn Féin seemed “ to be wilfully misrepresenting the criteria for those severely injured to be paid the pension ” .
Sinn Féin , however , has rejected such claims .
It argues the terms of the scheme could be used to block people from a republican background from getting pensions .
This argument was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cummings on Tuesday when he handed in a letter for Northern Secretary Brandon Lewis , expressing concern he could be denied a pension .
Mr Cummings was paralysed from the chest down when he was shot in a Loyalist Volunteer Force attack in Dungannon in Co Tyrone in 1997 , an attack that also claimed the life of Seamus Dillon and injured several others .
Mr Cummings explained that he was shot while acting as a doorman at the Glen Gannon Hotel .
He said he and others prevented the LVF gunmen from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting that could have led to even higher casualties .
Separately , however , Mr Cummings served a seven-year sentence for planting a hoax bomb , a conviction he is contesting .
“ I ’ ve struggled physically and mentally over the years following the attack .
I live with chronic pain .
I was refused compensation following the attack as I was a former political prisoner , ” he said , adding that he feared he would be denied the new pension because he was a former prisoner .
On Tuesday First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could not be broken , the British government had an “ obligation ” to step in .

Jennifer McNern said she has felt compelled to take a judicial review to try to force payment of the pension. Photograph: Liam McBurney/ PA
A woman who was badly injured in a bombing 48 years ago is taking legal action to try to pressurise the Northern Executive and British government to pay an agreed pension to victims who were severely physically and mentally injured during the Troubles.
The scheme, which offers annual pensions of £2,000-£10,000 for victims, was due to open last month but has been put on hold because of a stalemate involving the Executive, the British government and Sinn Féin.
There is a row over who will pay for the some £100 million scheme between Stormont and Westminster while Sinn Féin has been accused of refusing to nominate a department to operate the pension, which is necessary before it can be activated.
Christy Cummings after delivering a letter for Northern Secretary Brandon Lewis, expressing concern he could be denied a pension at Stormont House in Belfast. Photograph: Liam McBurney/ PA Wire
Jennifer McNern, who was 21 at the time, lost both legs in the 1972 Abercorn restaurant bombing. No organisation admitted the attack although it was widely blamed on the IRA.
READ MORE
Two young women were killed in the explosion while 70 were injured.
Ms McNern’s sister, Rosaleen, who was about to be married, lost her legs, her right arm and an eye in the explosion.
Ms McNern said she has felt compelled to take a judicial review to try to force payment of the pension.
“We have been kicked and punched down the road so far that there was no road left to go. The only avenue open to me was the courts,” she said.
“To think that everything was moving along and to be stopped so abruptly was a cruel act,” she said.
Ms McNern said she did not want to enter into the dispute over who was responsible for the hold-up. “This is just a moral thing to do for people who live continuously with serious injuries through no fault of their own,” she said.
Former Northern Secretary Peter Hain in an article in Wednesday’s Irish Times said Sinn Féin seemed “to be wilfully misrepresenting the criteria for those severely injured to be paid the pension”.
Republican block
Sinn Féin, however, has rejected such claims. It argues the terms of the scheme could be used to block people from a republican background from getting pensions.
This argument was also put by former republican prisoner Christy Cummings on Tuesday when he handed in a letter for Northern Secretary Brandon Lewis, expressing concern he could be denied a pension.
Mr Cummings was paralysed from the chest down when he was shot in a Loyalist Volunteer Force attack in Dungannon in Co Tyrone in 1997, an attack that also claimed the life of Seamus Dillon and injured several others.
Mr Cummings explained that he was shot while acting as a doorman at the Glen Gannon Hotel. He said he and others prevented the LVF gunmen from entering the hotel to carry out a shooting that could have led to even higher casualties.
Separately, however, Mr Cummings served a seven-year sentence for planting a hoax bomb, a conviction he is contesting.
“I’ve struggled physically and mentally over the years following the attack. I live with chronic pain. I was refused compensation following the attack as I was a former political prisoner,” he said, adding that he feared he would be denied the new pension because he was a former prisoner.
On Tuesday First Minister Arlene Foster said if the deadlock could not be broken, the British government had an "obligation" to step in.


theirishtimes--2020-06-16--Information Commissioner reports highest number of appeals in ten years

Almost 40,000 requests for information were made to public bodies last year , while the Information Commissioner received its highest number of appeals in the past 10 years , a new report shows .
In 2019 Peter Tyndall , received 613 applications for review of Freedom of Information ( FOI ) decisions .
the highest in the past decade , according to the Officer of the Information Commissioner ’ s annual report .
Of these , just 458 applications were accepted , with the others being deemed invalid .
Invalid applications arise mainly due to the failure of applicants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision before applying to the commissioner .
Some 39,904 FOI requests were made to all public bodies in 2019 - an increase of 179 per cent over the last ten years .
Some 39 per cent of all FOI requests were made to government departments or State bodies , while the HSE received 29 per cent of all requests .
More than half of all of FOI requests were made by clients of public bodies while 23 per cent came from journalists .
Five bodies were investigated by the commissioner with regards to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requests , namely the Defence Forces , Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council , the Office of the Revenue Commissioners , TUSLA – Child and Family Agency and University College Dublin .
Based on the findings of the investigation , Mr Tyndall made specific recommendations to each of the bodies concerned , as well as a suite of general recommendations addressed to all FOI bodies , he said .
One of the cases that the commissioner adjudicated on was a request for access to reports of fire safety assessments conducted on schools built by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Education and Skills refused the request on a number of grounds , including that release would harm deliberations on legal proceedings , the issue was sub judice and that the records were commercially sensitive .
The Information Commissioner noted that the fact that there were fire safety concerns in relation to certain schools and that the Department had initiated court proceedings against the construction company was in the public domain .
The Commissioner found that the public interest would be better served by release of the records .
The Minister for Education and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision to the High Court .
Following the publication of the annual report , the Commissioner issued several recommendations to improve access to information , such as the introduction of an administrative tribunal to reduce the burden on the courts and a closer alignment of the FOI and Access to the Information of the Environment regimes .
He has also called for the revision of the process for resolving disputes as to whether bodies are covered by the act and the extension of the FOI act to all bodies in receipt of “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also commented on the marked increase in the level of resources his office has had to devote to dealing with “ frivolous or vexatious ” requests and applications for review .
“ It is a source of immense frustration for all those charged with operating the FOI regime that such individuals appear to have no regard for the significant administrative burden that this creates , ” he added .

Peter Tyndallcalled for the extension of the FOI act to all bodies in receipt of “significant” public funding. Photograph: Alan Betson
Almost 40,000 requests for information were made to public bodies last year, while the Information Commissioner received its highest number of appeals in the past 10 years, a new report shows.
In 2019 Peter Tyndall, received 613 applications for review of Freedom of Information (FOI) decisions. the highest in the past decade, according to the Officer of the Information Commissioner's annual report.
Of these, just 458 applications were accepted, with the others being deemed invalid. Invalid applications arise mainly due to the failure of applicants to avail of internal review of the initial decision before applying to the commissioner.
Some 39,904 FOI requests were made to all public bodies in 2019 - an increase of 179 per cent over the last ten years.
READ MORE
Some 39 per cent of all FOI requests were made to government departments or State bodies, while the HSE received 29 per cent of all requests.
More than half of all of FOI requests were made by clients of public bodies while 23 per cent came from journalists.
Five bodies were investigated by the commissioner with regards to compliance with the statutory timeframe of FOI requests, namely the Defence Forces, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, TUSLA – Child and Family Agency and University College Dublin.
Based on the findings of the investigation, Mr Tyndall made specific recommendations to each of the bodies concerned, as well as a suite of general recommendations addressed to all FOI bodies, he said.
One of the cases that the commissioner adjudicated on was a request for access to reports of fire safety assessments conducted on schools built by a particular construction company.
The Department of Education and Skills refused the request on a number of grounds, including that release would harm deliberations on legal proceedings, the issue was sub judice and that the records were commercially sensitive.
The Information Commissioner noted that the fact that there were fire safety concerns in relation to certain schools and that the Department had initiated court proceedings against the construction company was in the public domain. The Commissioner found that the public interest would be better served by release of the records.
The Minister for Education and Skills has appealed the Commissioner's decision to the High Court.
Following the publication of the annual report, the Commissioner issued several recommendations to improve access to information, such as the introduction of an administrative tribunal to reduce the burden on the courts and a closer alignment of the FOI and Access to the Information of the Environment regimes.
He has also called for the revision of the process for resolving disputes as to whether bodies are covered by the act and the extension of the FOI act to all bodies in receipt of “significant” public funding.
Mr Tyndall also commented on the marked increase in the level of resources his office has had to devote to dealing with “frivolous or vexatious” requests and applications for review.
“It is a source of immense frustration for all those charged with operating the FOI regime that such individuals appear to have no regard for the significant administrative burden that this creates,” he added.


theirishtimes--2020-06-16--Fewer NI residents identify as neither unionist nor nationalist

There was a significant strengthening of identity among nationalists in Northern Ireland in the run-up to the UK ’ s exit from the EU , according to research published on Wednesday .
The study , Political Attitudes at a Time of Flux , found that more Catholics self-identified as strongly nationalist while close to eight out of 10 nationalists believed a united Ireland was more likely because of Brexit .
But the report also found that almost four in 10 people in Northern Ireland identified as neither unionist nor nationalist .
It found that “ neither ” is still the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political identity in Northern Ireland .
The report , using data from the 2019 Northern Ireland Life and Times survey , was conducted by ARK , a joint initiative between Queen ’ s University Belfast and Ulster University .
The 2019 survey relates to a period when there was considerable political upheaval over the push towards the UK exiting the EU and when , particularly through the Ireland ’ s Future group , there was a growing campaign for a referendum on Irish unity .
The authors of the report , Dr Katy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of social sciences , education and social work at Queen ’ s , said that among nationalists there was a “ significant strengthening ” of identity , with those saying they were “ very strong ” nationalists up 11 percentage points from 20 per cent in 2018 to 31 per cent last year – “ higher than it has ever been ” .
A total of 71 per cent described themselves as very strong or fairly strong nationalists , up 10 points from 2018 .
Among unionists 26 per cent said they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28 per cent in 2018 .
In total , 67 per cent identified as very strong or fairly strong in their unionism , up three points from 2018 .
On a united Ireland the authors found that nationalists were “ significantly ” more in favour ( 69 per cent compared with 50 per cent in 2018 ) and , as a result of Brexit , also more expectant of Irish unity ( 77 per cent compared with 62 per cent in 2018 ) .
Dr Hayward and Mr Rosher said one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 survey was that half of respondents identified as neither unionist nor nationalist .
This had dropped by more than 10 points to 39 per cent identifying as “ neither ” in 2019 .
Seeking to explain this shift the authors said : “ At face value the difference seems to have come from a rise in those claiming a unionist identity – up from 26 per cent in 2018 to 33 per cent in 2019 .
The proportion claiming a nationalist identity has also risen but by a much smaller degree – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23 per cent in 2019.
” As to which people fall into the 39 per cent “ neither ” category , it is generally explained as coming from the roughly 20 per cent of the electorate that votes for the likes of Alliance and the Greens and from the 30-40 per cent who don ’ t vote , as well as from younger people , and from those unionists and nationalists frustrated by identity politics .
The survey found that although the “ neither ” category was the largest of the three identities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as nationalist rose by nine points – 59 per cent , compared with 50 per cent in 2018 .
And while 55 per cent of Protestants described themselves as unionist in 2018 , this rose to 67 per cent last year .
“ Whilst a striking change in the course of a year , 67 per cent is the same figure as in 2017 , which suggests that 2018 was an unusual year rather than that we have seen a great move towards unionism , ” wrote the authors .
“ Notably , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unionism among Catholics and Protestants respectively , there has been little change among those of no religion , ” they said .
About two-thirds of those with no religion identified as “ neither ” .
The surveys have been running since 1998 .
The fieldwork for the survey was conducted from September 2019 to the start of February 2020 with just over 1,200 face-to-face interviews .

There was a significant strengthening of identity among nationalists in Northern Ireland in the run-up to the UK's exit from the EU, according to research published on Wednesday.
The study, Political Attitudes at a Time of Flux, found that more Catholics self-identified as strongly nationalist while close to eight out of 10 nationalists believed a united Ireland was more likely because of Brexit.
But the report also found that almost four in 10 people in Northern Ireland identified as neither unionist nor nationalist. It found that "neither" is still the most preferred of the three categories of political identity in Northern Ireland.
The report, using data from the 2019 Northern Ireland Life and Times survey, was conducted by ARK, a joint initiative between Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University.
READ MORE
The 2019 survey relates to a period when there was considerable political upheaval over the push towards the UK exiting the EU and when, particularly through the Ireland’s Future group, there was a growing campaign for a referendum on Irish unity.
The authors of the report, Dr Katy Hayward and Ben Rosher of the school of social sciences, education and social work at Queen's, said that among nationalists there was a "significant strengthening" of identity, with those saying they were "very strong" nationalists up 11 percentage points from 20 per cent in 2018 to 31 per cent last year – "higher than it has ever been". A total of 71 per cent described themselves as very strong or fairly strong nationalists, up 10 points from 2018.
Among unionists 26 per cent said they were very strong in their identity compared with 28 per cent in 2018. In total, 67 per cent identified as very strong or fairly strong in their unionism, up three points from 2018.
Brexit factor
On a united Ireland the authors found that nationalists were “significantly” more in favour (69 per cent compared with 50 per cent in 2018) and, as a result of Brexit, also more expectant of Irish unity (77 per cent compared with 62 per cent in 2018).
Dr Hayward and Mr Rosher said one of the most “striking” findings from the 2018 survey was that half of respondents identified as neither unionist nor nationalist. This had dropped by more than 10 points to 39 per cent identifying as “neither” in 2019.
Seeking to explain this shift the authors said: “At face value the difference seems to have come from a rise in those claiming a unionist identity – up from 26 per cent in 2018 to 33 per cent in 2019. The proportion claiming a nationalist identity has also risen but by a much smaller degree – 21 per cent in 2018 compared with 23 per cent in 2019.”
As to which people fall into the 39 per cent “neither” category, it is generally explained as coming from the roughly 20 per cent of the electorate that votes for the likes of Alliance and the Greens and from the 30-40 per cent who don’t vote, as well as from younger people, and from those unionists and nationalists frustrated by identity politics.
Unusual 2018
The survey found that although the “neither” category was the largest of the three identities, the proportion of Catholics describing themselves as nationalist rose by nine points – 59 per cent, compared with 50 per cent in 2018.
And while 55 per cent of Protestants described themselves as unionist in 2018, this rose to 67 per cent last year.
“Whilst a striking change in the course of a year, 67 per cent is the same figure as in 2017, which suggests that 2018 was an unusual year rather than that we have seen a great move towards unionism,” wrote the authors.
“Notably, whilst there have been shifts towards nationalism and unionism among Catholics and Protestants respectively, there has been little change among those of no religion,” they said. About two-thirds of those with no religion identified as “neither”.
The surveys have been running since 1998. The fieldwork for the survey was conducted from September 2019 to the start of February 2020 with just over 1,200 face-to-face interviews .


theirishtimes--2020-06-16--Pubs must serve meals costing at least €9 to reopen this month

Pubs reopening at the end of the month will be required to serve a substantial meal costing at least €9 , according to new guidelines to be published in the coming days .
Fáilte Ireland has also said new guidance for food businesses from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) will include a potential reduction in social distancing measures from two to one metre in certain circumstances .
The tourism development agency said it was working with officials in the Department of Transport and Tourism to seek clarity on the guidance .
Previously the Government had said a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rule in certain cases to allow the hospitality sector reopen was under consideration .
In a statement on Tuesday , Fáilte Ireland said it would publish its own guidelines for pubs reopening as restaurants on June 29th in the coming days .
A spokeswoman for the tourism body said pubs and bars would be required to serve a “ substantial meal ” to customers .
A substantial meal will be defined as one that “ might be expected to be served as a main midday or evening meal or as a main course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance from Fáilte Ireland to pubs will be that meals provided should cost at least €9 , the statement said .
Pubs were initially intended to be permitted to reopen on August 10th under the Government ’ s five phase plan , but this roadmap was condensed to four phases in recent weeks .
Under the accelerated plan pubs will be allowed to reopen at the end of this month if they operate as restaurants serving food .
Previously Dr Tony Holohan , the State ’ s chief medical officer , had said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several people meeting up “ for a few pints and having a packet of peanuts ” .
Pubs reopening as restaurants would not need a restaurant licence to do so , the Government has said .
The deaths of a further three people with coronavirus were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) on Tuesday , along with 14 more cases of the virus .
This brings the total number of deaths from Covid-19 in the State to 1,709 , and the total number of known cases to 25,334 @

A spokeswoman for the tourism body said pubs and bars would be required to serve a ‘substantial meal’ to customers. Photograph: iStock
Pubs reopening at the end of the month will be required to serve a substantial meal costing at least €9, according to new guidelines to be published in the coming days.
Fáilte Ireland has also said new guidance for food businesses from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) will include a potential reduction in social distancing measures from two metres to one metre in certain circumstances.
The tourism development agency said it was working with officials in the Department of Transport and Tourism to seek clarity on the guidance.
Sources confirmed on Wednesday the guidelines also recommend customers pre-book visits and limit their length of stay in the pub or restaurant to a maximum of 90 minutes.
READ MORE
Previously the Government had said a relaxation of the two-metre social distancing rule in certain cases to allow the hospitality sector reopen was under consideration.
In a statement on Tuesday, Fáilte Ireland said it would publish its own guidelines for pubs reopening as restaurants on June 29th in the coming days.
A spokeswoman for Fáilte Ireland said pubs and bars would be required to serve a “substantial meal” to customers.
A substantial meal will be defined as one that “might be expected to be served as a main midday or evening meal or as a main course in either such meal”.
The guidance from Fáilte Ireland to pubs will be that meals provided should cost at least €9, the tourism body said.
Adrian Cummins, chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, said on Wednesday it would “wholeheartedly welcome” the move from two to one metres”.
On the suggestion customers would be restricted to 90 minutes in any premises, he said this would be “extremely hard to police” and added he doesn’t think it is “achievable”.
“We’re in a better position to viably reopen on Monday week. We do have concerns following media reports today with regard to the 90 minute limit in restaurants and the restrictions on walk-ins. We would like to see the medical advice around those until we make further comment,” he added.
“The big question everyone is talking about is how is this going to be policed because they are only guidelines – it’s not law.”
Padraig Cribben, chief executive of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland, welcomed the draft guidelines but said “from a viability point of view, it’s going to be very challenging”.
Mr Cribben told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland it was important to point out the restrictions only applied to pubs that would serve food, and not the normal “wet pub” – but that a one-metre restriction was still considerably better than the alternative of two metres.
“It will still be very restrictive, even at one metre seating capacity will be reduced by 35 per cent. But it is better than two metres.”
Pubs were initially intended to be permitted to reopen on August 10th under the Government’s five-phase plan, but this roadmap was condensed to four phases in recent weeks.
Under the accelerated plan pubs will be allowed to reopen at the end of this month if they operate as restaurants serving food.
Previously Dr Tony Holohan, the State's chief medical officer, had said pubs operating as restaurants would not mean several people meeting up "for a few pints and having a packet of peanuts".
Pubs reopening as restaurants would not need a restaurant licence to do so, the Government has said.
The deaths of a further three people with coronavirus were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team on Tuesday, along with 14 more cases of the virus.
This brings the number of deaths from Covid-19 in the State to 1,709, and the number of known cases to 25,334.


theirishtimes--2020-06-16--Man charged in relation to fatal hit-and-run incident in Co Donegal

A man has been charged in relation to a fatal hit-and-run incident in Letterkenny , Co Donegal , on Monday @ @ @ @ @ to appear before Letterkenny District Court on Wednesday at 10.30am .
The man , aged @ @ @ @ @ arrested after the body of a male pedestrian was discovered at Windyhall at 4am on @ @ @ @ @ .
Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of the incident and the victim was @ @ @ @ @ , where he was later pronounced dead .

A man has been charged in relation to a fatal hit-and-run incident in Letterkenny, Co Donegal. File photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times
A man has been charged in relation to a fatal hit-and-run incident in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, on Monday.
He is now due to appear before Letterkenny District Court on Wednesday at 10.30am.
The man, aged in his 20s, was arrested after the body of a male pedestrian was discovered at Windyhall at 4am on Monday following a hit-and-run incident.
Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of the incident and the victim was transferred to Letterkenny University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.


theirishtimes--2020-06-16--Supreme Court to decide legality of process to revoke Irish citizenship

The Supreme Court has reserved judgment on a significant appeal concerning the lawfulness of the process under which Irish citizenship can be revoked .
Some 40 cases are awaiting the outcome of the appeal by Ali Damache , a native of Algeria who became a naturalised Irish citizen in 2008 .
He is serving a sentence in the US after pleading guilty in October 2018 to having conspired to materially assist a terrorist group .
The appeal arises from an October 2018 notice served on Mr Damache from the Minister for Justice and Equality of intent to revoke his Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disloyalty to the State .
The case centres on the lawfulness of the procedure to revoke citizenship set out under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 , specifically section 19 of the Act .
The issues centre on the process around citizenship revocation , procedural safeguards and consequences of loss of citizenship on other rights .
The appeal was heard by a five judge court via video-link on Tuesday and the Chief Justice , Mr Justice Frank Clarke , said the court was reserving judgment to a later date .
In submissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Damache , argued the procedure leading to revocation breaches the rights to natural justice , fair procedures , involves reasonable apprehension of prejudgment by the Minister and does not involve an independent decision maker .
She said the revocation procedure is instigated by the Minister who sends a letter indicating an intent to revoke citizenship in three months on the basis of being satisfied one of the conditions of section 19 is met .
While the Minister argued that was just a proposal , there has been a decision by the Minister he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the State , she said .
It was also argued Mr Damache can apply to a three person committee of inquiry to inquire into the Minister ’ s reasons for initiating the revocation procedure but the findings of that inquiry are not binding on the Minister and there is no appeal , she said .
This meant the same person , the Minister , instigates the revocation procedure and decides the outcome having considered the non-binding report of the committee , she said .
Revocation of citizenship is of the “ utmost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attracts a very high level of procedural fairness , she said .
This appeal was about the fairness of the procedure , not whether a revocation decision is correct , she said .
Mr Damache had pleaded guilty to a conspiracy offence to avoid a 40-45 year prison term , she said .
While he is serving a long term , he has significant ties in Europe and revocation of his Irish citizenship would mean he would be unable to visit his children in France on release , she said The Irish Human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the appeal as an amicus curiae , assistant to the court on legal issues .
Its counsel Siobhán Phelan SC argued a high degree of procedural safeguards are required around the Ministerial decision-making to revoke Irish citizenship .
That could be achieved either by judicial remedy or establishment of a sufficient independent court or tribunal , she said .
Opposing the appeal , Siobhán Stack SC , for the Minister and State , argued the challenge is premature as no decision on revocation has been made .
The revocation procedure did not involve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was thus not involved , she said .
Section 19 confers a statutory power on the Minister , he is authorised to exercise it , and can do so by altering the legal status of a person or body in the same way that revoking a licence or refugee status alters the status of that entity or person , counsel said .
There is a facility for inquiry chaired by a person with judicial experience , she added .
Section 19 is “ sufficiently laconic ” to be interpreted as constitutional , she @ @ @

Ali Damache is serving a sentence in the US after pleading guilty in October 2018 to having conspired to materially assist a terrorist group. Photograph: Collins Courts
The Supreme Court has reserved judgment on a significant appeal concerning the lawfulness of the process under which Irish citizenship can be revoked.
Some 40 cases are awaiting the outcome of the appeal by Ali Damache, a native of Algeria who became a naturalised Irish citizen in 2008.
He is serving a sentence in the US after pleading guilty in October 2018 to having conspired to materially assist a terrorist group.
The appeal arises from an October 2018 notice served on Mr Damache from the Minister for Justice and Equality of intent to revoke his Irish citizenship on the basis of having shown disloyalty to the State.
READ MORE
The case centres on the lawfulness of the procedure to revoke citizenship set out under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, specifically section 19 of the Act.
The issues centre on the process around citizenship revocation, procedural safeguards and consequences of loss of citizenship on other rights.
The appeal was heard by a five judge court via video-link on Tuesday and the Chief Justice, Mr Justice Frank Clarke, said the court was reserving judgment to a later date.
In submissions, Sunniva McDonagh SC, for Mr Damache, argued the procedure leading to revocation breaches the rights to natural justice, fair procedures, involves reasonable apprehension of prejudgment by the Minister and does not involve an independent decision maker.
She said the revocation procedure is instigated by the Minister who sends a letter indicating an intent to revoke citizenship in three months on the basis of being satisfied one of the conditions of section 19 is met.
While the Minister argued that was just a proposal, there has been a decision by the Minister he is satisfied Mr Damache has shown disloyalty to the State, she said.
It was also argued Mr Damache can apply to a three person committee of inquiry to inquire into the Minister’s reasons for initiating the revocation procedure but the findings of that inquiry are not binding on the Minister and there is no appeal, she said.
This meant the same person, the Minister, instigates the revocation procedure and decides the outcome having considered the non-binding report of the committee, she said.
Revocation of citizenship is of the “utmost gravity” for a citizen and therefore attracts a very high level of procedural fairness, she said.
This appeal was about the fairness of the procedure, not whether a revocation decision is correct, she said.
Mr Damache had pleaded guilty to a conspiracy offence to avoid a 40-45 year prison term, she said. While he is serving a long term, he has significant ties in Europe and revocation of his Irish citizenship would mean he would be unable to visit his children in France on release, she said
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission was involved in the appeal as an amicus curiae, assistant to the court on legal issues. Its counsel Siobhán Phelan SC argued a high degree of procedural safeguards are required around the Ministerial decision-making to revoke Irish citizenship. That could be achieved either by judicial remedy or establishment of a sufficient independent court or tribunal, she said.
Opposing the appeal, Siobhán Stack SC, for the Minister and State, argued the challenge is premature as no decision on revocation has been made.
The revocation procedure did not involve the administration of justice and court participation was thus not involved, she said. Section 19 confers a statutory power on the Minister, he is authorised to exercise it, and can do so by altering the legal status of a person or body in the same way that revoking a licence or refugee status alters the status of that entity or person, counsel said. There is a facility for inquiry chaired by a person with judicial experience, she added.
Section 19 is “sufficiently laconic” to be interpreted as constitutional, she also argued.


theirishtimes--2020-06-16--Garda who left the scene of fatal crash he caused is spared jail

An off-duty garda who left the scene after causing a road crash which claimed the life of a 51-year-old woman in Co Meath four years ago was spared jail at Trim Circuit Court on Tuesday .
Patrick McDonnell ( 40 ) , with an address at Corofin , Co Galway , pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving on February 13th , 2016 , on the M4 motorway at Rossan , Kinnegad , thereby causing the death of Jacqueline Wolohan .
Prosecuting counsel Carl Hanahoe BL told the court that McDonnell was over the speed limit when his Opel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Wolohan on a straight stretch of the motorway at approximately 1.14 am on that date .
The Micra was propelled into a grass verge due to the force of the incident .
Ms Wolohan , who had been travelling home to Dublin with her teenage son , one of his friends and a terminally ill cousin , was pronounced dead at the scene .
Sovin Govinder , an inspector from the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission , told the court another motorist informed gardaí that McDonnell was “ doing close to 140km/h when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motorist ] before the crash ” , while another driver who had been overtaken said he saw McDonnell swerving for a time in the centre of the carriageway before he came on the collision .
The victim had been travelling at 70-75km/h , the court heard .
The prosecutor told Judge Terence O ’ Sullivan that McDonnell was not at the scene when gardaí arrived , and in spite of a search involving a heat-seeking device he could not be located , nor was there any response from his mobile phone .
Six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the collision .
The court heard a Garda investigation found both cars had been in good working order and concluded the collision was due to driver error .
A victim impact statement prepared by Ms Wolohan ’ s daughter Alison on behalf of her family described the victim as a “ kind , caring , loving person who would help anyone in need ” .
“ We are a close-knit family and have had no real family celebration since the crash , ” the statement said .
The statement added that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for what happened .
Defence barrister Paul Greene SC told the court his client had come off duty at 1am the day before the crash , and had then slept for a few hours before driving to Roscommon to visit his ex-wife to get their children ready for school .
McDonnell then returned to Galway before leaving at 11pm for Dublin to see his partner for Valentine ’ s Day .
The barrister said McDonnell had very little recollection of the crash in spite of undergoing regression therapy to try to recall the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder .
Mr Greene added that McDonnell had now written a letter of apology for the bereaved family .
Mr Justice O ’ Sullivan imposed a suspended sentence of two years with a four-year driving ban .

An off-duty garda who left the scene after causing a road crash which claimed the life of a 51-year-old woman in Co Meath has been spared jail. File photograph: Getty Images
An off-duty garda who left the scene after causing a road crash which claimed the life of a 51-year-old woman in Co Meath four years ago was spared jail at Trim Circuit Court on Tuesday.
Patrick McDonnell (40), with an address at Corofin, Co Galway, pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving on February 13th, 2016, on the M4 motorway at Rossan, Kinnegad, thereby causing the death of Jacqueline Wolohan.
Prosecuting counsel Carl Hanahoe BL told the court that McDonnell was over the speed limit when his Opel Astra rear-ended a Nissan Micra driven by Ms Wolohan on a straight stretch of the motorway at approximately 1.14 am on that date.
The Micra was propelled into a grass verge due to the force of the incident.
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Ms Wolohan, who had been travelling home to Dublin with her teenage son, one of his friends and a terminally ill cousin, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sovin Govinder, an inspector from the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, told the court another motorist informed gardaí that McDonnell was “doing close to 140km/h when he flew past her [the other motorist] before the crash”, while another driver who had been overtaken said he saw McDonnell swerving for a time in the centre of the carriageway before he came on the collision.
The victim had been travelling at 70-75km/h, the court heard.
The prosecutor told Judge Terence O’Sullivan that McDonnell was not at the scene when gardaí arrived, and in spite of a search involving a heat-seeking device he could not be located, nor was there any response from his mobile phone. Six hours later McDonnell admitted he was involved in the collision.
The court heard a Garda investigation found both cars had been in good working order and concluded the collision was due to driver error.
Victim impact statement
A victim impact statement prepared by Ms Wolohan’s daughter Alison on behalf of her family described the victim as a “kind, caring, loving person who would help anyone in need”.
“We are a close-knit family and have had no real family celebration since the crash,” the statement said.
The statement added that the family had received no acknowledgement from McDonnell for what happened.
Defence barrister Paul Greene SC told the court his client had come off duty at 1am the day before the crash, and had then slept for a few hours before driving to Roscommon to visit his ex-wife to get their children ready for school.
McDonnell then returned to Galway before leaving at 11pm for Dublin to see his partner for Valentine’s Day.
The barrister said McDonnell had very little recollection of the crash in spite of undergoing regression therapy to try to recall the night. He said his client had later been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Mr Greene added that McDonnell had now written a letter of apology for the bereaved family.
Mr Justice O’Sullivan imposed a suspended sentence of two years with a four-year driving ban.


theirishtimes--2020-06-16--‘I would be worried’: Cork farmers on Greens in government

John O ’ Driscoll is bringing 10 cattle to the mart , hoping to make €1,000 or so for each of the 500kg animals he rears as a part-time farmer on his 50-acre holding in Knockraha , east Cork .
Some farmers are unhappy at the influence the Greens could play in the next administration .
But the picture was far from clear to judge from Corrin Mart near Fermoy , north Co Cork yesterday , where many farmers were prepared to hold off on a verdict until they know more .
“ A 7 per cent reduction in carbon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grow more trees , and I wouldn ’ t be against it , ” says O ’ Driscoll , who has a full-time job ferrying milk from farms to dairies .
However , Michael Hourigan , who has travelled from Oldparish near Ardmore in Co Waterford with his daughter , Annmarie , to sell three cull cows , does worry about the carbon emissions reduction target .
“ To be honest , I don ’ t know how they are going to go about it .
I would be worried about it the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hourigan , who has been told by Glanbia that prices for milk will drop to 28 cent a litre for May .
David Fitzgerald , from nearby Conna , is more optimistic , pointing out that apart from a drop in milk prices , Covid-19 has hit farming less than other quarters .
“ There are people a lot worse off than us .
Look at people in the hospitality area ; their businesses are destroyed , ” says Fitzgerald , who is interested to see the final shape of a new Rural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scheme .
“ They had excellent schemes for cleaning up farmers yards and streams and what have you .
They helped improve the countryside , ” says Fitzgerald .
Steve Graham , who milks 60 cows on his Knockraha farm , is also reserving judgment .
“ It would be difficult for farming .
You see us all here with diesels .
People are still going to need food , including beef .
They ’ re not all going to become vegetarians .
“ We produce beef and milk on grass .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and if we don ’ t produce them , someone else will and in less environmentally friendly ways .
In global terms , our carbon emissions is a small figure .
“ The other thing is that we saw during the Covid lockdown when people weren ’ t commuting and cars were off the road was that the smog cleared up – so why is it always agriculture that is being asked to solve the problem ?
” Martina O ’ Neill from Glanmire , a self-described “ green farmer ” who once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , argues that “ every bit counts ” in the battle against climate change , but Ireland is a small player .
“ What ’ s happening here in Ireland is small cheese compared to what is happening in somewhere like Brazil , where they have cut down rainforests half the size of Ireland to graze cattle and produce beef to export into Europe .
“ I buy my cattle locally , I get them killed locally , the meat is sold locally .
Compare that to the carbon footprint of a Brazilian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away in Europe , ” she says .
Each year she rears 100 calves , uses no nitrogen and plants trees .
“ People need to look at what we do well .
We ’ re good at growing grass and good at rearing beef on grass .
There needs to be a bit of give on both sides .
”

John O'Driscoll is bringing 10 cattle to the mart, hoping to make €1,000 or so for each of the 500kg animals he rears as a part-time farmer on his 50-acre holding in Knockraha, east Cork.
Some farmers are unhappy at the influence the Greens could play in the next administration. But the picture was far from clear to judge from Corrin Mart near Fermoy, north Co Cork yesterday, where many farmers were prepared to hold off on a verdict until they know more.
“A 7 per cent reduction in carbon emissions can be achieved. How? Grow more trees, and I wouldn’t be against it,” says O’Driscoll, who has a full-time job ferrying milk from farms to dairies.
However, Michael Hourigan, who has travelled from Oldparish near Ardmore in Co Waterford with his daughter, Annmarie, to sell three cull cows, does worry about the carbon emissions reduction target.
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"To be honest, I don't know how they are going to go about it. I would be worried about it the way things are going," says Hourigan, who has been told by Glanbia that prices for milk will drop to 28 cent a litre for May.
David Fitzgerald, from nearby Conna, is more optimistic, pointing out that apart from a drop in milk prices, Covid-19 has hit farming less than other quarters .
“There are people a lot worse off than us. Look at people in the hospitality area; their businesses are destroyed,” says Fitzgerald, who is interested to see the final shape of a new Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
BULL'S EYE: A young bull waits before auction at Corrin Mart, Fermoy, Co Cork. Photograph: Daragh McSweeney/Provision
Many farmers like the scheme. “They had excellent schemes for cleaning up farmers yards and streams and what have you. They helped improve the countryside,” says Fitzgerald.
Diesel difficulties
Steve Graham, who milks 60 cows on his Knockraha farm, is also reserving judgment. "It would be difficult for farming. You see us all here with diesels. People are still going to need food, including beef. They're not all going to become vegetarians.
“We produce beef and milk on grass. We’re good at it, and if we don’t produce them, someone else will and in less environmentally friendly ways. In global terms, our carbon emissions is a small figure.
“The other thing is that we saw during the Covid lockdown when people weren’t commuting and cars were off the road was that the smog cleared up – so why is it always agriculture that is being asked to solve the problem?”
Martina O'Neill from Glanmire, a self-described "green farmer" who once thought of running for the Green Party, argues that "every bit counts" in the battle against climate change, but Ireland is a small player.
"What's happening here in Ireland is small cheese compared to what is happening in somewhere like Brazil, where they have cut down rainforests half the size of Ireland to graze cattle and produce beef to export into Europe.
“I buy my cattle locally, I get them killed locally, the meat is sold locally. Compare that to the carbon footprint of a Brazilian steak that is sold thousands of miles away in Europe,” she says.
Each year she rears 100 calves, uses no nitrogen and plants trees. “People need to look at what we do well. We’re good at growing grass and good at rearing beef on grass. There needs to be a bit of give on both sides.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-16--Calls for review of State response to Traveller rape case

Several Traveller groups and abuse survivor organisations have called for a review of the State ’ s response to a case where eight women were abused and raped over a 23-year period .
On Monday , James O ’ Reilly ( 75 ) was jailed for 20 years for raping and sexually abusing his sister and seven daughters over more than two decades .
O ’ Reilly , of Ballynonty , Thurles , Co Tipperary , was convicted of 58 counts of rape and nine counts of sexual assault .
In a statement the women asked if the abuse would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long if the women came from a settled family .
“ They were vulnerable Traveller children forced to live on the edges of Irish society , already looked down on , discriminated against and denied their basic human rights .
Does this denial of their rights also extend to their right to protection as children ?
“ How could schools , social workers , medical professionals and others who have a so-called duty of care turn their back time after time as the evidence was hitting them in the face , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of the Rape Crisis Network , said the organisation supported the call for an inquiry .
There needed to be an independent review to examine if a “ systems bias ” had led to failures in the State response , she said .
Dr Sindy Joyce , a sociologist and member of the Traveller community , echoed the call for an inquiry .
“ We need to look at how this was allowed to happen , and who knew and did nothing about it , ” she told RTÉ ’ s Drivetime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the child and family agency , said it was “ obvious that the State did not come to the rescue of the young women or children in that particular , terrible case , ” he said .
“ The modern-day Tusla does , at least , have engagement with the Traveller community that doesn ’ t seem to have been the case 20 or 25 years ago , but nobody can put their hand on their heart and say : ‘ I ’ m satisfied that a case along those lines could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rabbitte added .
“ I would hope it could never happen again , but as I say , the price is eternal vigilance , ” he said .
Sandra McDonagh , chair of the National Traveller Women ’ s Forum , said the group supported the survivors ’ calls “ for their questions in relation to the failure of State services to intervene to be addressed .
”

Daughters of convicted rapist James O’Reilly, who waived their right to anonymity, outside the Criminal Courts of Justice following his sentencing. Photograph: Collins Courts
Several Traveller groups and abuse survivor organisations have called for a review of the State’s response to a case where eight women were abused and raped over a 23-year period.
On Monday, James O’Reilly (75) was jailed for 20 years for raping and sexually abusing his sister and seven daughters over more than two decades.
O’Reilly, of Ballynonty, Thurles, Co Tipperary, was convicted of 58 counts of rape and nine counts of sexual assault .
In a statement the women asked if the abuse would have been allowed to continue for so long if the women came from a settled family.
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“They were vulnerable Traveller children forced to live on the edges of Irish society, already looked down on, discriminated against and denied their basic human rights. Does this denial of their rights also extend to their right to protection as children?
“How could schools, social workers, medical professionals and others who have a so-called duty of care turn their back time after time as the evidence was hitting them in the face,” the statement said.
Systems bias
Clíona Saidléar, executive director of the Rape Crisis Network, said the organisation supported the call for an inquiry . There needed to be an independent review to examine if a "systems bias" had led to failures in the State response, she said.
Dr Sindy Joyce, a sociologist and member of the Traveller community, echoed the call for an inquiry. "We need to look at how this was allowed to happen, and who knew and did nothing about it," she told RTÉ's Drivetime.
Pat Rabbitte, chair of Tusla, the child and family agency, said it was "obvious that the State did not come to the rescue of the young women or children in that particular, terrible case," he said.
“The modern-day Tusla does, at least, have engagement with the Traveller community that doesn’t seem to have been the case 20 or 25 years ago, but nobody can put their hand on their heart and say: ‘I’m satisfied that a case along those lines could never happen again,’” Mr Rabbitte added.
“I would hope it could never happen again, but as I say, the price is eternal vigilance,” he said.
Sandra McDonagh, chair of the National Traveller Women’s Forum, said the group supported the survivors’ calls “for their questions in relation to the failure of State services to intervene to be addressed.”