theirishtimes--2020-12-24--Irish fishing communities will be disappointed by Brexit deal, Taoiseach says

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Irish fishing industry will be disappointed by the EU-UK trade deal , which he called “ the least bad version of Brexit possible.
” Reacting to the agreement concluded between EU and UK negotiators on Christmas Eve after four years of negotiations , Mr Martin said “ there was no such thing as a ‘ good Brexit ’ for Ireland ” but that the Government had worked hard “ to minimise the negative consequences.
” “ I believe the agreement reached today is the least bad version of Brexit possible , given current circumstances , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , more than others , our fishing communities will be disappointed with the outcome .
But compared with the prospect of ‘ no deal ’ , which would have seen them completely excluded from British waters , the negotiators have worked to minimise the damage , ” he said .
“ The Government will work to ensure that the sector and the coastal communities that depend on it are supported through the period ahead.
” Negotiations went down to the wire to find an agreement on fisheries , with the two sides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line by line and fish by fish ” , an EU official said .
Ultimately , the EU agreed to cede 25 per cent of the value of the roughly €650 million in fish EU boats catch in British waters each year , for a period of 5.5 years .
After that , access will be set in annual negotiations with the UK , with a “ presumption ” that access will be given , according to an EU official .
If the two sides can not come to an agreement , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for three months .
It was disagreement about how the value of the 25 per cent should be measured that caused the last minute delay in announcing the deal , according to the Commission .
It was finally reached at 1.44pm ( Irish time ) on Christmas Eve .
The UK had originally sought to take back 80 per cent over a much shorter period .
The Irish fishing industry has said that it “ stands to lose out dramatically ” from the agreement .
The Taoiseach said that the Government would “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carefully ” but he believed the deal represents “ a good compromise and balanced outcome.
” The agreement that there would be no tariffs and quotas on trade between the EU and the UK , including on fish , was “ a very significant achievement , ” he said .
He warned that there were “ big changes still imminent for our businesses and our citizens ” with new customs and regulatory formalities , procedures and checks from the start of next month .
‘ He urged “ everyone to get informed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Questioned about how he felt the Irish fishing industry would react to the deal , Mr Martin acknowledged that Brexit was always going to pose serious challenges for the Irish fishing industry given its dependence on fishing in UK waters which account for approximately 34 per cent of all fish caught by Irish boats .
“ The minute that Brexit was announced we could see difficulties and challenges for fishing industry across Europe in particular Ireland given the access we have to British waters in terms mackerel and there has been some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiated very hard to minimise the damage to the Irish fishing industry and a No deal would have been ruinous for the industry so we had to avoid that but in addition the government stands ready to support our fishing industry and more than that we want to support the communities that its support and sustain so there will be a lot of economic support for the fishing community as a result of this deal.
” Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said the deal covering so many areas was “ positive ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of disruption coming ” when Brexit takes effect on January 1st .
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said that while the deal was a relief , people should be “ under no illusions there is no good Brexit for Ireland , north and south ” and that the “ full consequences of this are as yet unknown.
” “ We need to look at the detail in this document and test it against what had been set out in principle in the wider agreement , the Irish protocol and also against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ In the immediate term , we need to ensure that there is full support for those sectors that will struggle despite today ’ s deal and we need to look at how the north ’ s voice can be heard at EU level in the coming years.
” The fishing industry reacted angrily to the agreement .
One of the industry ’ s biggest groups , the Killybegs Fishermen ’ s Organisation , said that the agreement “ fails Irish fishermen.
” The group demanded compensation by way of the transfer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the sector ’ s most profitable stocks - caught by other EU member states .
The Irish fishing industry currently catches 60 per cent of its mackerel , one of the most profitable catches for the Donegal fishing sector in particular , in UK waters .
The KFO said the agreement showed “ the duplicitous nature of these protracted negotiations and expressed dismay that repeated guarantees have “ effectively been shredded.
” Sean O ’ Donoghue , chief executive of the KFO , said that , having secured written commitments in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , four and a half years of agreements “ had for all intents and purposes , been dishonoured by the negotiators.
” “ We can not stand idly by and allow decades of investment in developing a successful enterprise to be sacrificed by the shape of this very poor deal , ” he said .
“ In spite of a seismic effort to redress the imbalance of the proposed deal in recent days , not enough has changed and our highly-developed mackerel fishery stands to lose out dramatically.
” Mr O ’ Donoghue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be “ seeking compensation from our EU colleagues to put right this previous wrong.
” “ We won ’ t accept this .
Moreover , we fully expect the Irish Government to deliver the requisite compensation in the form of transfer of mackerel quota from the other EU coastal states which pro rata , have seen a much less severe impact on their respective mackerel fisheries , ” he said .
The Irish Farmers ’ Association said the post-Brexit trade deal was “ a relief ” but that there was “ little to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficulties ” ahead for the Irish agri-food sector .
“ The work of the two sides to avoid a ‘ no deal ’ has to be acknowledged , particularly after four years of damaging uncertainty which had an impact on farm incomes .
However , the eventual outcome leaves little reason to celebrate , ” said IFA president Tim Cullinan .
Irish farmers have “ real concerns ” about how non-tariff barriers will affect the ability to keep trade moving and that the scenes of lorries backed up and freight delayed at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ France ’ s Covid-19 ban on travel this week “ does not bode well , ” he said .
“ Green lanes have been implemented previously for food exports .
These must be prioritised after January 1st , ” he said .
The Government must have the €400 million support fund and the EU ’ s €5 billion Brexit adjustment fund available for Irish farmers early in the new year , said Mr Cullinan .
He expressed concerns about the longer term effect of food imports into the UK from other counties such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American countries on Irish exports to Britain .
“ The danger is that the deal isn ’ t robust enough to ensure the regulations of the single market are adhered to , ” he said .
The “ level playing field ” provisions built into the agreement by the EU to ensure food standards were not undercut by the UK in future “ must stop any race to the bottom , he said .
Business group Ibec said the deal was a “ major relief ” to Irish business but chief executive Danny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be “ very different , involving complex customs procedures and more costly transport options.
” “ New arrangements with the UK will also impact on service trade and there is much that still remains to be clarified , ” he said .
The protracted negotiations had left little time for businesses to adjust to the new arrangements and Ibec would be working to ensure that “ supply chains adapt as quickly as possible , ” he said .
Paul Kelly , director of Food Drink Ireland , an Ibec group , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” but that deal was “ still very much a hard Brexit.
” Food and drink firms would face substantial non-tariff barriers to trade with Britain with customs , sanitary checks and other food safety requirements in a “ few days ’ time ” , he said .
He warned that this would lead to “ substantial ongoing costs which will have to be absorbed not just by the food supply chain but by consumers as well.
” Reaching an agreement to ease and facilitate customs and food , animal and plant sanitation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a priority for both sides , ” said Mr Kelly .
The Taoiseach said that while he respected the UK ’ s decision to leave the EU , he “ very much ” regretted the decision but wished the UK well “ in this new chapter in its history.
” “ Our people , our histories and our economies are deeply entwined .
As we move into the next phase of our relationship , we will work together to ensure that it remains deep and strong , ” said the Taoiseach .

Taoiseach says while the deal reached between the EU-UK would disappoint fishermen, it is was still better than no deal. Photograph: PA
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Irish fishing industry will be disappointed by the EU-UK trade deal, which he called "the least bad version of Brexit possible."
Reacting to the agreement concluded between EU and UK negotiators on Christmas Eve after four years of negotiations, Mr Martin said "there was no such thing as a 'good Brexit' for Ireland" but that the Government had worked hard "to minimise the negative consequences."
“I believe the agreement reached today is the least bad version of Brexit possible, given current circumstances,” he said.
“I know that, more than others, our fishing communities will be disappointed with the outcome. But compared with the prospect of ‘no deal’, which would have seen them completely excluded from British waters, the negotiators have worked to minimise the damage,” he said.
READ MORE
“The Government will work to ensure that the sector and the coastal communities that depend on it are supported through the period ahead.”
Fisheries
Negotiations went down to the wire to find an agreement on fisheries, with the two sides locked in talks in Brussels working "line by line and fish by fish", an EU official said.
Ultimately, the EU agreed to cede 25 per cent of the value of the roughly €650 million in fish EU boats catch in British waters each year, for a period of 5.5 years.
After that, access will be set in annual negotiations with the UK, with a “presumption” that access will be given, according to an EU official. If the two sides cannot come to an agreement, the UK must continue to offer access provisionally for three months.
It was disagreement about how the value of the 25 per cent should be measured that caused the last minute delay in announcing the deal, according to the Commission.
It was finally reached at 1.44pm (Irish time) on Christmas Eve.
The UK had originally sought to take back 80 per cent over a much shorter period.
The Irish fishing industry has said that it “stands to lose out dramatically” from the agreement.
The Taoiseach said that the Government would “consider the detail of the text very carefully” but he believed the deal represents “a good compromise and balanced outcome.”
The agreement that there would be no tariffs and quotas on trade between the EU and the UK, including on fish, was “a very significant achievement,” he said.
He warned that there were “big changes still imminent for our businesses and our citizens” with new customs and regulatory formalities, procedures and checks from the start of next month.
‘He urged “everyone to get informed and to be ready for what lies ahead.”
Questioned about how he felt the Irish fishing industry would react to the deal, Mr Martin acknowledged that Brexit was always going to pose serious challenges for the Irish fishing industry given its dependence on fishing in UK waters which account for approximately 34 per cent of all fish caught by Irish boats.
"The minute that Brexit was announced we could see difficulties and challenges for fishing industry across Europe in particular Ireland given the access we have to British waters in terms mackerel and there has been some concessions made.
“But we have negotiated very hard to minimise the damage to the Irish fishing industry and a No deal would have been ruinous for the industry so we had to avoid that but in addition the government stands ready to support our fishing industry and more than that we want to support the communities that its support and sustain so there will be a lot of economic support for the fishing community as a result of this deal.”
‘Disruption coming’
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said the deal covering so many areas was "positive" but there was "still a lot of disruption coming" when Brexit takes effect on January 1st.
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said that while the deal was a relief, people should be “under no illusions there is no good Brexit for Ireland, north and south” and that the “full consequences of this are as yet unknown.”
“We need to look at the detail in this document and test it against what had been set out in principle in the wider agreement, the Irish protocol and also against the Good Friday Agreement,” she said.
“In the immediate term, we need to ensure that there is full support for those sectors that will struggle despite today’s deal and we need to look at how the north’s voice can be heard at EU level in the coming years.”
Deal ‘fails Irish fishermen’
The fishing industry reacted angrily to the agreement. One of the industry’s biggest groups, the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation, said that the agreement “fails Irish fishermen.”
The group demanded compensation by way of the transfer of the quota of the mackerel - one of the sector’s most profitable stocks - caught by other EU member states.
The Irish fishing industry currently catches 60 per cent of its mackerel, one of the most profitable catches for the Donegal fishing sector in particular, in UK waters.
The KFO said the agreement showed “the duplicitous nature of these protracted negotiations and expressed dismay that repeated guarantees have “effectively been shredded.”
Sean O’Donoghue, chief executive of the KFO, said that, having secured written commitments in official documents relating to the fishing sector, four and a half years of agreements “had for all intents and purposes, been dishonoured by the negotiators.”
“We cannot stand idly by and allow decades of investment in developing a successful enterprise to be sacrificed by the shape of this very poor deal,” he said.
“In spite of a seismic effort to redress the imbalance of the proposed deal in recent days, not enough has changed and our highly-developed mackerel fishery stands to lose out dramatically.”
Mr O’Donoghue said that the Irish fishing industry would be “seeking compensation from our EU colleagues to put right this previous wrong.”
"We won't accept this. Moreover, we fully expect the Irish Government to deliver the requisite compensation in the form of transfer of mackerel quota from the other EU coastal states which pro rata, have seen a much less severe impact on their respective mackerel fisheries," he said.
Farmers say deal ‘a relief ’
The Irish Farmers’ Association said the post-Brexit trade deal was “a relief” but that there was “little to cheer about” given the “significant difficulties” ahead for the Irish agri-food sector.
"The work of the two sides to avoid a 'no deal' has to be acknowledged, particularly after four years of damaging uncertainty which had an impact on farm incomes. However, the eventual outcome leaves little reason to celebrate," said IFA president Tim Cullinan.
Irish farmers have "real concerns" about how non-tariff barriers will affect the ability to keep trade moving and that the scenes of lorries backed up and freight delayed at the port of Dover in southern England from France's Covid-19 ban on travel this week "does not bode well," he said.
“Green lanes have been implemented previously for food exports. These must be prioritised after January 1st,” he said.
The Government must have the €400 million support fund and the EU’s €5 billion Brexit adjustment fund available for Irish farmers early in the new year, said Mr Cullinan.
He expressed concerns about the longer term effect of food imports into the UK from other counties such as Australia, New Zealand and South American countries on Irish exports to Britain.
“The danger is that the deal isn’t robust enough to ensure the regulations of the single market are adhered to,” he said.
The “level playing field” provisions built into the agreement by the EU to ensure food standards were not undercut by the UK in future “must stop any race to the bottom, he said.
Different trading conditions
Business group Ibec said the deal was a “major relief” to Irish business but chief executive Danny McCoy said that trading conditions with Britain would be “very different, involving complex customs procedures and more costly transport options.”
“New arrangements with the UK will also impact on service trade and there is much that still remains to be clarified,” he said.
The protracted negotiations had left little time for businesses to adjust to the new arrangements and Ibec would be working to ensure that “supply chains adapt as quickly as possible,” he said.
Paul Kelly, director of Food Drink Ireland, an Ibec group, said that the agreement avoided "disastrous tariffs" but that deal was "still very much a hard Brexit."
Food and drink firms would face substantial non-tariff barriers to trade with Britain with customs, sanitary checks and other food safety requirements in a “few days’ time”, he said.
He warned that this would lead to “substantial ongoing costs which will have to be absorbed not just by the food supply chain but by consumers as well.”
Reaching an agreement to ease and facilitate customs and food, animal and plant sanitation checks at borders “should now be a priority for both sides,” said Mr Kelly.
The Taoiseach said that while he respected the UK’s decision to leave the EU, he “very much” regretted the decision but wished the UK well “in this new chapter in its history.”
“Our people, our histories and our economies are deeply entwined. As we move into the next phase of our relationship, we will work together to ensure that it remains deep and strong,” said the Taoiseach.


theirishtimes--2020-12-24--HSE refused Kerry nursing home request for additional support

The Health Service Executive ( HSE ) declined a request to continue to manage a Co Kerry nursing home during a serious Covid-19 outbreak , despite pleas from the home ’ s general manager that the “ crisis ” situation was worsening , emails show .
The HSE maintained it had “ stabilised the situation ” in Oaklands Nursing Home , and on November 18th declined an appeal to continue to oversee the clinical management of the facility .
The next day the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) sought a court order to direct the HSE to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a risk to life for residents amid serious infection control failings .
The 51-bed nursing home in Listowel had been run by a private provider , Bolden ( Nursing ) Ltd .
Correspondence between the HSE , Hiqa , and the nursing home were released to The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information act .
The HSE initially took over the clinical operation on November 4th , as the nursing home was in “ chaos ” during a serious Covid-19 outbreak , after 30 residents and nine staff tested positive .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said “ this will be for a minimum of two weeks and we anticipate up to a four week period or until such time as the staffing and management structure can be stabilised.
” However , one week later , Michael Fitzgerald , chief officer of HSE Cork-Kerry Community Health Care , told Hiqa the management of the home would be handed back to the private provider on November 16th .
In a November 13th email , the general manager of the nursing home wrote to Mr Fitzgerald requesting the HSE continue managing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period .
In response , Mr Fitzgerald said “ it is the view of the HSE , that as the provider of the service you have sufficient nurse management capacity available.
” “ We are also satisfied that the residents have been clinically managed to a stable position , ” he said .
On November 17th , after resuming management of the home , the general manager emailed the HSE outlining serious staff shortages .
“ I am still struggling with staffing as regards nursing staff .
I have only three out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
In response the HSE said it was trying to pull staff from other healthcare services to help , but that this was proving “ very challenging ” .
The general manager said the situation had “ worsened ” and she was in “ crisis mode ” .
She asked the HSE as a matter of “ extreme urgency ” to deploy a clinical lead nursing professional to Oaklands .
In a November 18th letter , Mr Fitzgerald told the nursing home “ it is not the intention of the HSE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we have to decline your invitation.
” “ It is not the case that the HSE are willing to remain in a centre indefinitely and its expectation is that the provider maintains or resumes its full responsibility , including staffing and oversight , at the earliest date possible , ” he said .
The next day Hiqa sought a court order to cancel the nursing home ’ s registration over safety concerns , and to direct the HSE to assume responsibility for the residents .
The HSE closed the facility earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A HSE spokeswoman said it had provided “ a high level of support ” to Oaklands in late October and November .
It took over clinical management for the “ shortest time possible , ” and afterwards continued to provide support and supply staff .
“ We understand that Hiqa was still not satisfied with a range of issues relating to the provider , including governance arrangements and had such concerns that led them to decide to seek the court order to withdraw registration , ” she said .

The Oaklands Nursing Home in Listowel, Co Kerry. Photograph courtesy of Kerry’s Eye
The Health Service Executive (HSE) declined a request to continue to manage a Co Kerry nursing home during a serious Covid-19 outbreak, despite pleas from the home's general manager that the "crisis" situation was worsening, emails show.
The HSE maintained it had "stabilised the situation" in Oaklands Nursing Home, and on November 18th declined an appeal to continue to oversee the clinical management of the facility.
The next day the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) sought a court order to direct the HSE to take over the facility, due to a risk to life for residents amid serious infection control failings.
The 51-bed nursing home in Listowel had been run by a private provider, Bolden (Nursing) Ltd.
READ MORE
Correspondence between the HSE, Hiqa, and the nursing home were released to The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information act.
The HSE initially took over the clinical operation on November 4th, as the nursing home was in “chaos” during a serious Covid-19 outbreak, after 30 residents and nine staff tested positive.
In a November 4th email, the HSE said “this will be for a minimum of two weeks and we anticipate up to a four week period or until such time as the staffing and management structure can be stabilised.”
However, one week later, Michael Fitzgerald, chief officer of HSE Cork-Kerry Community Health Care, told Hiqa the management of the home would be handed back to the private provider on November 16th.
In a November 13th email, the general manager of the nursing home wrote to Mr Fitzgerald requesting the HSE continue managing the facility for the originally planned four-week period.
In response, Mr Fitzgerald said “it is the view of the HSE, that as the provider of the service you have sufficient nurse management capacity available.”
“We are also satisfied that the residents have been clinically managed to a stable position,” he said.
On November 17th, after resuming management of the home, the general manager emailed the HSE outlining serious staff shortages.
“I am still struggling with staffing as regards nursing staff. I have only three out of nine nurses available to work,” she said.
In response the HSE said it was trying to pull staff from other healthcare services to help, but that this was proving “very challenging”.
The general manager said the situation had “worsened” and she was in “crisis mode”. She asked the HSE as a matter of “extreme urgency” to deploy a clinical lead nursing professional to Oaklands.
In a November 18th letter, Mr Fitzgerald told the nursing home “it is not the intention of the HSE to resume a role as clinical lead and we have to decline your invitation.”
“It is not the case that the HSE are willing to remain in a centre indefinitely and its expectation is that the provider maintains or resumes its full responsibility, including staffing and oversight, at the earliest date possible,” he said.
The next day Hiqa sought a court order to cancel the nursing home’s registration over safety concerns, and to direct the HSE to assume responsibility for the residents.
The HSE closed the facility earlier this month with the remaining residents transferred elsewhere.
A HSE spokeswoman said it had provided “a high level of support” to Oaklands in late October and November. It took over clinical management for the “shortest time possible,” and afterwards continued to provide support and supply staff.
“We understand that Hiqa was still not satisfied with a range of issues relating to the provider, including governance arrangements and had such concerns that led them to decide to seek the court order to withdraw registration,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-12-24--Higgins urges ‘hope and solidarity’ at a defining moment for Ireland

President Michael D Higgins has called for “ hope and solidarity ” at what he is calling a defining moment in the nation ’ s history .
In his annual Christmas message , the President of Ireland encouraged people to renew their sense of solidarity , sensitivity and forgiveness as “ we move beyond the Winter Solstice towards the longer , warmer days to come ” .
“ Christmas has always signified a moment of hope , and the revival of hope , a moment to find encouragement , even in the most difficult and trying of circumstances , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share in the grief of those who have lost loved ones this year .
We share , too , the pain of those whose lives and livelihoods have been changed ... and we stand with our friends , family members and neighbours who have experienced isolation , ” he went on .
From Áras An Uachtaráin in Dublin , the President sent his warmest wishes for a “ peaceful and happy Christmas ” to all residents of Ireland and made special mention of Irish citizens who could not travel this year to spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , he said working together to control the spread of Covid-19 “ requires the best of us all ” , and that the efforts of everyone must be renewed and redoubled .
It had been a particularly challenging year for people in vulnerable groups , for whom the impact of Covid-19 had been “ greatly magnified ” , the President continued .
He said the compassion , care and empathy extended to people in such groups will “ define how history will recall these times ” .
“ We have learnt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precious commodity ... We have seen so many examples of good citizens placing the common good above their own wants , making sacrifices as they think beyond the self in the protection of others , ” he added .
President Higgins also encouraged people to continue their lives in a spirit of hope and solidarity .
“ As we stand at a defining moment in our nation ’ s history , let us choose together how we wish to write this next chapter ; how we wish to shape a new Ireland waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new Ireland can be a better place as people reflect on their values .
The new Ireland can also better address the population ’ s shared existence and “ shared vulnerability ” .
“ When we reflect on our recent experiences this Christmas , this spirit of solidarity can be our guiding light as we proceed onwards towards a new year that will offer us our challenges but which we can approach with hope as a result of what we have been doing together , ” he said .

President Michael D. Higgins has praised the generosity and self-sacrifice of the people of Ireland throughout a Covid-hit 2020 during his annual Christmas and new year address. Video: Áras an Uachtaráin
President Michael D Higgins has called for "hope and solidarity" at what he is calling a defining moment in the nation's history.
In his annual Christmas message, the President of Ireland encouraged people to renew their sense of solidarity, sensitivity and forgiveness as "we move beyond the Winter Solstice towards the longer, warmer days to come".
“Christmas has always signified a moment of hope, and the revival of hope, a moment to find encouragement, even in the most difficult and trying of circumstances,” he said.
Hospital Report
“Today, we share in the grief of those who have lost loved ones this year. We share, too, the pain of those whose lives and livelihoods have been changed... and we stand with our friends, family members and neighbours who have experienced isolation,” he went on.
READ MORE
From Áras An Uachtaráin in Dublin, the President sent his warmest wishes for a “peaceful and happy Christmas” to all residents of Ireland and made special mention of Irish citizens who could not travel this year to spend Christmas with their loved ones.
Regarding the pandemic, he said working together to control the spread of Covid-19 “requires the best of us all”, and that the efforts of everyone must be renewed and redoubled.
It had been a particularly challenging year for people in vulnerable groups, for whom the impact of Covid-19 had been “greatly magnified”, the President continued. He said the compassion, care and empathy extended to people in such groups will “define how history will recall these times”.
“We have learnt in recent months that kindness is a precious commodity... We have seen so many examples of good citizens placing the common good above their own wants, making sacrifices as they think beyond the self in the protection of others,” he added.
Hope and solidarity
President Higgins also encouraged people to continue their lives in a spirit of hope and solidarity.
“As we stand at a defining moment in our nation’s history, let us choose together how we wish to write this next chapter; how we wish to shape a new Ireland waiting to be born.”
He said this new Ireland can be a better place as people reflect on their values. The new Ireland can also better address the population’s shared existence and “shared vulnerability”.
“When we reflect on our recent experiences this Christmas, this spirit of solidarity can be our guiding light as we proceed onwards towards a new year that will offer us our challenges but which we can approach with hope as a result of what we have been doing together,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-12-24--Concern in North over new Covid variant as people urged to be ‘very careful’

Concern has been expressed around the potential effect of a new variant strain of coronavirus spreading in Northern Ireland .
The first positive case of the new strain in the region was confirmed on Wednesday .
Meanwhile , 11 more people with Covid-19 have died in Northern Ireland , the Department of Health said on Thursday .
There have also been 841 new confirmed cases of the virus in the last 24-hour reporting period .
Chief scientific officer Prof Ian Young said he is “ very concerned ” about the new variant of Covid-19 because it is transmitted more easily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neill urged people to be very careful over Christmas week and follow new lockdown restrictions which will apply from St Stephen ’ s Day .
Prof Young warned if the variant becomes the dominant form it could push the R rate up to 1.8 .
“ At the moment R is probably sitting between 1 and 1.2 , and if we had the variant form and we were all behaving in the same way , R would be closer to 1.6 and 1.8 , and that would have severe consequences , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nolan Show .
Prof Young said if the variant becomes the dominant form , it would be very unlikely that schools could be kept open .
He said he does not believe that at present the variant is a “ major form ” in Northern Ireland , but said he is confident there is a small number of cases .
“ This particular variant does appear to be significantly different than many of the others which have been in circulation , it has a number of different mutations or changes to its genetic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the key parts of the virus .
As a result it is highly likely that the virus is transmitted more easily than the form of the virus that we have been used to , somewhere between 40-70 per cent more easily transmitted , ” he said .
“ We don ’ t think it causes a more severe disease .
.
.
and we are reasonably confident that it will still respond to the vaccine and that the vaccine will protect against this variant form.
” The Stormont Executive issued guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergence of the variant , which recommends against any non-essential travel between Northern Ireland and both the Republic and Great Britain .
The executive also agreed to advise anyone arriving in Northern Ireland , who is staying for more than 24 hours , to isolate for 10 days .
It applies to anyone who has arrived since December 22nd .
Meanwhile , Northern Ireland is set to enter a new lockdown on St Stephen ’ s Day , of which the first week will be the toughest so far imposed in the region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place from 8pm to 6am for that week .
Prof Young urged the public to adhere to the restrictions .
“ At the moment I think it ( the variant ) is only circulating in fairly small amounts , and what we can do to prevent it becoming the dominant strain is for everybody in the next six weeks to adhere really strictly to the mitigations and restrictions that are in place , ” he said .
“ That gives us the best opportunity of preventing this variant form from becoming established until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our population.
” Ms O ’ Neill urged the public to follow the new lockdown regulations .
“ My appeal is for everyone to strictly follow the Covid regulations and the public health advice and be very careful in all that we do over the Christmas period , ” she said.–PA

Northern Ireland is set to enter a new lockdown on St Stephen’s Day, of which the first week will be the toughest so far imposed in the region. File photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Concern has been expressed around the potential effect of a new variant strain of coronavirus spreading in Northern Ireland.
The first positive case of the new strain in the region was confirmed on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, 11 more people with Covid-19 have died in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health said on Thursday.
There have also been 841 new confirmed cases of the virus in the last 24-hour reporting period.
READ MORE
Chief scientific officer Prof Ian Young said he is "very concerned" about the new variant of Covid-19 because it is transmitted more easily.
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill urged people to be very careful over Christmas week and follow new lockdown restrictions which will apply from St Stephen's Day.
Prof Young warned if the variant becomes the dominant form it could push the R rate up to 1.8.
"At the moment R is probably sitting between 1 and 1.2, and if we had the variant form and we were all behaving in the same way, R would be closer to 1.6 and 1.8, and that would have severe consequences," he told BBC Radio Ulster's Stephen Nolan Show.
Prof Young said if the variant becomes the dominant form, it would be very unlikely that schools could be kept open.
He said he does not believe that at present the variant is a “major form” in Northern Ireland, but said he is confident there is a small number of cases.
Significantly different
“This particular variant does appear to be significantly different than many of the others which have been in circulation, it has a number of different mutations or changes to its genetic material and those affect the structure of some of the key parts of the virus. As a result it is highly likely that the virus is transmitted more easily than the form of the virus that we have been used to, somewhere between 40-70 per cent more easily transmitted,” he said.
“We don’t think it causes a more severe disease . . . and we are reasonably confident that it will still respond to the vaccine and that the vaccine will protect against this variant form.”
The Stormont Executive issued guidance earlier this week in response to the emergence of the variant, which recommends against any non-essential travel between Northern Ireland and both the Republic and Great Britain .
The executive also agreed to advise anyone arriving in Northern Ireland, who is staying for more than 24 hours, to isolate for 10 days. It applies to anyone who has arrived since December 22nd.
Stay-at-home curfew
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland is set to enter a new lockdown on St Stephen’s Day, of which the first week will be the toughest so far imposed in the region.
A stay-at-home curfew will be in place from 8pm to 6am for that week.
Prof Young urged the public to adhere to the restrictions.
“At the moment I think it (the variant) is only circulating in fairly small amounts, and what we can do to prevent it becoming the dominant strain is for everybody in the next six weeks to adhere really strictly to the mitigations and restrictions that are in place,” he said.
“That gives us the best opportunity of preventing this variant form from becoming established until vaccination begins to take significant effect in our population.”
Ms O’Neill urged the public to follow the new lockdown regulations.
“My appeal is for everyone to strictly follow the Covid regulations and the public health advice and be very careful in all that we do over the Christmas period,” she said.–PA


theirishtimes--2020-12-24--‘Fastest growing incidence’: 922 Covid cases and eight deaths reported

A total of 922 new cases of Covid-19 and eight coronavirus-related deaths have been reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) on Thursday .
It brings to 83,073 the total of cases of the infection and 2,192 the number of Covid-19-related deaths reported so far in 2020 .
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said the Republic of Ireland now had the fastest growing incidence rate in the European Union .
“ Unfortunately , none of the indicators of this disease are showing encouraging signs , ” he said .
Of the 922 new cases reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 477 were women .
The median age of positive cases was 33 , with 68 per cent of the cases under 45 years of age .
Some 337 cases , more than a third of the daily total , were located in Dublin .
This was followed by 73 in Cork , 70 in Limerick , 56 in Wexford and 43 in Galway .
The remaining 343 cases were spread across all other counties .
There were 255 patients with Covid-19 in hospital as of 8am on Thursday , with 37 admissions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients are currently in intensive care .
“ This Christmas , the best present you can give your loved ones is to strictly adhere to the public health advice , ” Dr Holohan said .
“ Make your Christmas safe , meaningful and memorable for the right reasons .
Stay home , stay safe and stay well .
Limit contact as much as you can and ensure you and your loved ones have a happy and safe Christmas , ” he said .
Cillian De Gascun , director of the National Virus Reference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genome sequencing had confirmed the highly transmissible UK Covid-19 variant was now present in Ireland .
“ Samples tested were from last weekend , so acquisition of infection likely around December 12th-14th , ” he said on Twitter .
During the previous six-week lockdown , Ireland had one of the lowest rates of the virus in the EU , but recent weeks have seen a sharp increase in cases , which led the Government to reintroduce Level 5 restrictions in recent days .
The Government looks set to reject a request from public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St Stephen ’ s Day , as part of a move to Level 5 lockdown for six weeks in a bid to control the “ frightening ” spread of Covid-19 in the State .
Government sources confirmed that the recommendation to shut retail had been made in a letter sent by Nphet following its meeting on Wednesday .
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said the Cabinet would consider Nphet ’ s advice when it meets on December 29th .
The data to date had shown that non-essential retail was not affecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Coveney , but the Cabinet would consider Nphet ’ s advice , he told RTÉ Radio ’ s Morning Ireland .
Mr Coveney went on to reject a suggestion that the decision to relax restrictions at the start of December had been a mistake .
He said evidence and data on the virus changed all the time and the easing at the start of the month had been made in the context of advice from Nphet .
Under published Level 5 plans from the Government , a move to full Level 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out visits to private homes or gardens from Saturday , but this was due to be the case a week later , on January 1st .
The Government decided on Tuesday to keep non-essential retail open after Christmas , although the traditional post-Christmas sales will not proceed .
Under new restrictions agreed by the Cabinet , the hospitality sector will close at 3pm today .
It comes as preliminary data showed the presence of the new UK variant of coronavirus in the State , Dr Cillian de Gascun of the National Virus Reference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the variant may be present in about 10 per cent of swabs analysed , but that this needed further validation .
However , senior members of Nphet said on Wednesday night they did not believe the UK variant is currently substantially driving infection here .
Dr Holohan said that since restrictions were changed at the beginning of December , “ the level of social contact that has happened , in particular around hospitality , has led to a very significant increase in the transmission of this infection.
” Despite the presence of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We don ’ t think that ’ s been an important part of transmission in this country – we ’ ve seen a significant amount of social engagement that can explain this extent of really worrying numbers.
” Dr de Gascun said the results suggested the variant is likely concentrated in the east of the country .
“ Given the timing , it probably wouldn ’ t in and of itself account for the significant increase in case numbers that we found , ” he said .
He estimated that the UK variant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second week of December , at least , and may have been introduced in late November .
Dr Holohan said “ every form of discretionary socialisation really has to stop if we ’ re to have a chance of suppressing this kind of level of transmission ” .
He said there was a “ clear temporal association ” between the opening of hospitality and a very significant increase in the spread of the disease .
Prof Nolan said the relaxation of December 1st caused an increase in cases , but the relaxation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very rapid acceleration in the level of disease ” .
Asked why data does not reflect outbreaks in hospitality settings , Dr Ronan Glynn , the deputy chief medical officer , said that of 7,000 cases in the last fortnight , the source of infection was unknown in 3,000 cases .
The briefing heard that instances of transmission that occurred in hospitality settings are likely to be recorded sometimes as being managed in family homes , due to how contact tracing takes place .
Dr Holohan said : “ We now have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s simply not in control , we have to re-establish control of this infection , drive down the levels if we ’ re going to continue to assure ourselves that we can maintain these essential public services.
” Dr Colm Henry , HSE chief clinical officer , said recent days had seen “ extraordinary growth in infection beyond what our extreme versions of modelling would have predicted ” .
“ We are deteriorating at a more rapid pace , in seven days , than any other country in Europe , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus was spreading had reached a “ frightening level ” .

A total of 922 new cases of Covid-19 and eight coronavirus-related deaths have been reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) on Thursday.
It brings to 83,073 the total of cases of the infection and 2,192 the number of Covid-19-related deaths reported so far in 2020.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said the Republic of Ireland now had the fastest growing incidence rate in the European Union. "Unfortunately, none of the indicators of this disease are showing encouraging signs," he said.
Of the 922 new cases reported on Thursday, 438 were men and 477 were women. The median age of positive cases was 33, with 68 per cent of the cases under 45 years of age.
READ MORE
Some 337 cases, more than a third of the daily total, were located in Dublin. This was followed by 73 in Cork, 70 in Limerick, 56 in Wexford and 43 in Galway. The remaining 343 cases were spread across all other counties.
There were 255 patients with Covid-19 in hospital as of 8am on Thursday, with 37 admissions in the past 24 hours. Twenty-two Covid-19 patients are currently in intensive care.
“This Christmas, the best present you can give your loved ones is to strictly adhere to the public health advice,” Dr Holohan said.
“Make your Christmas safe, meaningful and memorable for the right reasons. Stay home, stay safe and stay well. Limit contact as much as you can and ensure you and your loved ones have a happy and safe Christmas,” he said.
Cillian De Gascun, director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory, also on Thursday said whole genome sequencing had confirmed the highly transmissible UK Covid-19 variant was now present in Ireland.
“Samples tested were from last weekend, so acquisition of infection likely around December 12th-14th,” he said on Twitter.
During the previous six-week lockdown, Ireland had one of the lowest rates of the virus in the EU, but recent weeks have seen a sharp increase in cases, which led the Government to reintroduce Level 5 restrictions in recent days.
The Government looks set to reject a request from public health officials to shut non-essential retail from St Stephen’s Day, as part of a move to Level 5 lockdown for six weeks in a bid to control the “frightening” spread of Covid-19 in the State.
Government sources confirmed that the recommendation to shut retail had been made in a letter sent by Nphet following its meeting on Wednesday.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said the Cabinet would consider Nphet's advice when it meets on December 29th.
Non-essential retail
The data to date had shown that non-essential retail was not affecting the spread of the virus, said Mr Coveney, but the Cabinet would consider Nphet's advice, he told RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland.
Mr Coveney went on to reject a suggestion that the decision to relax restrictions at the start of December had been a mistake.
He said evidence and data on the virus changed all the time and the easing at the start of the month had been made in the context of advice from Nphet.
Under published Level 5 plans from the Government, a move to full Level 5 restrictions as recommended by Nphet would rule out visits to private homes or gardens from Saturday, but this was due to be the case a week later, on January 1st.
The Government decided on Tuesday to keep non-essential retail open after Christmas, although the traditional post-Christmas sales will not proceed.
Under new restrictions agreed by the Cabinet, the hospitality sector will close at 3pm today.
It comes as preliminary data showed the presence of the new UK variant of coronavirus in the State, Dr Cillian de Gascun of the National Virus Reference Laboratory said.
Prof de Gascun said the variant may be present in about 10 per cent of swabs analysed, but that this needed further validation.
Christmas shoppers are seen on Grafton Street in Dublin city centre.Photo:Gareth Chaney/Collins
However, senior members of Nphet said on Wednesday night they did not believe the UK variant is currently substantially driving infection here.
Dr Holohan said that since restrictions were changed at the beginning of December, “the level of social contact that has happened, in particular around hospitality, has led to a very significant increase in the transmission of this infection.”
Despite the presence of the UK variant, he said: “We don’t think that’s been an important part of transmission in this country – we’ve seen a significant amount of social engagement that can explain this extent of really worrying numbers.”
Dr de Gascun said the results suggested the variant is likely concentrated in the east of the country.
“Given the timing, it probably wouldn’t in and of itself account for the significant increase in case numbers that we found,” he said. He estimated that the UK variant had been in the country since the second week of December, at least, and may have been introduced in late November.
Dr Holohan said “every form of discretionary socialisation really has to stop if we’re to have a chance of suppressing this kind of level of transmission”. He said there was a “clear temporal association” between the opening of hospitality and a very significant increase in the spread of the disease.
‘Very rapid acceleration’
Prof Nolan said the relaxation of December 1st caused an increase in cases, but the relaxation of restrictions on hospitality "coincides with a very rapid acceleration in the level of disease".
Asked why data does not reflect outbreaks in hospitality settings, Dr Ronan Glynn, the deputy chief medical officer, said that of 7,000 cases in the last fortnight, the source of infection was unknown in 3,000 cases. The briefing heard that instances of transmission that occurred in hospitality settings are likely to be recorded sometimes as being managed in family homes, due to how contact tracing takes place.
Dr Holohan said: “We now have a level of disease in the population that’s simply not in control, we have to re-establish control of this infection, drive down the levels if we’re going to continue to assure ourselves that we can maintain these essential public services.”
Dr Colm Henry, HSE chief clinical officer, said recent days had seen "extraordinary growth in infection beyond what our extreme versions of modelling would have predicted".
"We are deteriorating at a more rapid pace, in seven days, than any other country in Europe, " he said. The rate at which the virus was spreading had reached a "frightening level".


theirishtimes--2020-12-25--Some 700 elderly people receive dinner from Alone on Christmas Day

Avid Shamrock Rovers fan Michael McCarthy ( 71 ) was among the 700 people who received a dinner from Alone , the charity for older people , on Christmas Day .
Volunteer Michael Loughran delivered the dinner to Mr McCarthy on Friday morning and said it was “ a small thing ” the charity could do for older people over the festive period .
“ It might be a small thing to you , but it ’ s a big thing for us , ” Mr McCarthy said .
Mr McCarthy , originally from Walkinstown , is a resident of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in Kilmainham .
He said he would have his Christmas dinner before visits from family later in the day .
“ It ’ s just this year things are a little bit strange , you won ’ t be going to houses or anything like that .
My daughter will come over and my brothers .
Then I ’ ll see my sisters over the weekend .
I won ’ t be alone as such , ” he said .
“ I couldn ’ t say enough about Alone though .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their warm houses now and they ’ re out and about looking after people .
It ’ s fantastic .
“ They gave us some goodies during the week , they ’ re just angels ...
They ’ re here when you want them , they ’ d be on your door in two minutes if you needed them.
” Mr McCarthy said recent months have been “ quite restrictive ” and that he misses going to League of Ireland games on Friday nights .
“ I ’ m heavily involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football to go to .
There ’ s nowhere to really go to .
Lucky enough , we ’ ve some nice walks around here , ” he added .
“ I ’ m a big fan of Shamrock Rovers and we would always have our gatherings .
It ’ s a great night out every Friday and you ’ ve at least 20 matches up in Tallaght for €100 a year .
You can ’ t go wrong.
” Mr Loughran , who has been a volunteer with Alone for the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning delivering meals with his wife .
“ It ’ s nice , you meet lovely people .
It ’ s a small thing for me to do , it ’ s as easy as anything and you can see the smiles on their faces .
It ’ s worth it , ” he said .
Sean Moynihan , chief executive of Alone , said more than 150 volunteers were delivering Christmas dinners across the country on Friday .
Mr Moynihan said the charity would usually work with 5,000 older people a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people due to the Covid-19 pandemic .
“ Since March we ’ ve had around 40,000 calls , normally we would only get a fraction of that .
We also moved the helpline to seven days a week and 12 hours a day , ” he said .
“ I think the last year has been really mentally hard for young and old .
I was talking to an older couple in their 90s the other day and the only other place they ’ ve been , literally since March , was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me thank God we had each other but some people don ’ t have that.
” Janice Culley was amongst a number of volunteers manning the charity ’ s support line on Christmas Day .
She said the line had been busy early on with enquiries about Christmas dinners and also from some of the charity ’ s regular callers .

Alone Volunteer Michael Lochrin delivering a Christmas dinner to Alone Older person Michael McCarthey at Willie Birmingham Place, Kilmainham on Christmas Day 2020. Photograph: Alan Betson
Avid Shamrock Rovers fan Michael McCarthy (71) was among the 700 people who received a dinner from Alone, the charity for older people, on Christmas Day.
Volunteer Michael Lochrin delivered the dinner to Mr McCarthy on Friday morning and said it was "a small thing" the charity could do for older people over the festive period.
“It might be a small thing to you, but it’s a big thing for us,” Mr McCarthy said.
Mr McCarthy, originally from Walkinstown, is a resident of Alone's housing scheme for elderly people in Kilmainham. He said he would have his Christmas dinner before visits from family later in the day.
READ MORE
“It’s just this year things are a little bit strange, you won’t be going to houses or anything like that. My daughter will come over and my brothers. Then I’ll see my sisters over the weekend. I won’t be alone as such,” he said.
“I couldn’t say enough about Alone though. All these people could be sitting at home in their warm houses now and they’re out and about looking after people. It’s fantastic.
“They gave us some goodies during the week, they’re just angels...They’re here when you want them, they’d be on your door in two minutes if you needed them.”
‘Quite restrictive’
Mr McCarthy said recent months have been “quite restrictive” and that he misses going to League of Ireland games on Friday nights.
“I’m heavily involved in the sport and we’ve no football to go to. There’s nowhere to really go to. Lucky enough, we’ve some nice walks around here,” he added.
"I'm a big fan of Shamrock Rovers and we would always have our gatherings. It's a great night out every Friday and you've at least 20 matches up in Tallaght for €100 a year. You can't go wrong."
Mr Lochrin, who has been a volunteer with Alone for the last three years, spent much of Christmas morning delivering meals with his wife.
“It’s nice, you meet lovely people. It’s a small thing for me to do, it’s as easy as anything and you can see the smiles on their faces. It’s worth it,” he said.
Sean Moynihan, chief executive of Alone, said more than 150 volunteers were delivering Christmas dinners across the country on Friday.
Mr Moynihan said the charity would usually work with 5,000 older people a year, but this had risen to 15,000 people due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Since March we’ve had around 40,000 calls, normally we would only get a fraction of that. We also moved the helpline to seven days a week and 12 hours a day,” he said.
“I think the last year has been really mentally hard for young and old. I was talking to an older couple in their 90s the other day and the only other place they’ve been, literally since March, was the supermarket. One of them said to me thank God we had each other but some people don’t have that.”
Janice Culley was amongst a number of volunteers manning the charity's support line on Christmas Day. She said the line had been busy early on with enquiries about Christmas dinners and also from some of the charity's regular callers.


theirishtimes--2020-12-25--Thousands of Irish home and abroad do virtual Goal mile on Christmas Day

The traditional Goal mile charity event has been taking place on Christmas Day , but with a different format due to the Covid-19 pandemic .
Normally , thousands of people turn out at one of 170 locations across the country to run the classic mile distance in support of Goal and its work in the developing world .
This year , the event has gone virtual , with runners encouraged to do their mile at a time and place of their own choosing , without infringing public health guidelines .
Participants this Christmas Day included the men and women of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multinational peacekeeping force in south Lebanon .
The members of the battalion , under the command of Lt Col Fred O ’ Donovan , did their Goal Mile early on Christmas morning .
“ This is a Christmas Day like no other as Covid-19 impacts all over the globe , ” Lt Col O ’ Donovan said .
“ Members of the battalion are not home this Christmas with our families as we continue our tour of duty here in south Lebanon .
But we were delighted to do our Goal Mile today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goal supports in Africa , the Middle East and Latin America.
” In Ireland those who turned out to do a Goal Mile included numerous sports stars including former indoor world mile record-holder Eamonn Coghlan and Operation Transformation psychologist Dr Eddie Murphy .
Twenty members of the Flanagan family also ran the Goal mile , despite being scattered around the world and unable to travel home for the festive season due to Covid-19 restrictions .
Aged from five to 85 years and based in Ireland , Thailand , Australia , Germany and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10am Irish time .
Niamh Flanagan , assistant professor in applied social studies in Maynooth University and the only one of four siblings who lives in Ireland , said the family connected by Zoom on their iPads and smartphones as they did their miles together across their various time zones .
Niamh and her family were joined in Dublin by her mother , Máirín ( 85 ) and her aunts .
Also taking part were her brother Dónal and his family in London ; Ronan and his family in Perth ; Angela and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tarleton and his wife Nok in Chiang Mai , Thailand .
“ Every Christmas at least some of our family are together to celebrate in Ireland , and in recent years we have built the wonderful tradition of doing a Goal Mile on Christmas Day , ” Niamh said .
“ It is always a special time when we get out together as a family and do something for others.
” “ When it became clear that this year family members would not be able to travel home to Ireland for Christmas due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we could carry on the Goal Mile tradition.
” The charity reminded supporters that it is still not too late to register to do a virtual Goal Mile at some stage over the holiday period .

Irish running legend and Goal Ambassador, Eamonn Coghlan, and family doing their Christmas Goal Mile in Porterstown, Co Dublin
The traditional Goal mile charity event has been taking place on Christmas Day, but with a different format due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Normally, thousands of people turn out at one of 170 locations across the country to run the classic mile distance in support of Goal and its work in the developing world.
This year, the event has gone virtual, with runners encouraged to do their mile at a time and place of their own choosing, without infringing public health guidelines.
Participants this Christmas Day included the men and women of the 117 IrishPolBatt serving with the Unifil multinational peacekeeping force in south Lebanon.
READ MORE
The members of the battalion, under the command of Lt Col Fred O’Donovan, did their Goal Mile early on Christmas morning.
Goal Fundraising Director, Eamon Sharkey and friends doing their Goal Mile in Eamon Ceannt Park in Crumlin
"This is a Christmas Day like no other as Covid-19 impacts all over the globe," Lt Col O'Donovan said. "Members of the battalion are not home this Christmas with our families as we continue our tour of duty here in south Lebanon. But we were delighted to do our Goal Mile today, and to support the vulnerable communities Goal supports in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America."
In Ireland those who turned out to do a Goal Mile included numerous sports stars including former indoor world mile record-holder Eamonn Coghlan and Operation Transformation psychologist Dr Eddie Murphy.
Twenty members of the Flanagan family also ran the Goal mile, despite being scattered around the world and unable to travel home for the festive season due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Aged from five to 85 years and based in Ireland, Thailand, Australia, Germany and the UK, they walked a mile at 10am Irish time.
David Wilkins, Mladen and Jelica Ivosevic (from Croatia) and Grace Connor, with labrador Sadie, doing their Goal Mile at Bray Seafront
Niamh Flanagan, assistant professor in applied social studies in Maynooth University and the only one of four siblings who lives in Ireland, said the family connected by Zoom on their iPads and smartphones as they did their miles together across their various time zones.
Niamh and her family were joined in Dublin by her mother, Máirín (85) and her aunts. Also taking part were her brother Dónal and his family in London; Ronan and his family in Perth; Angela and her family in Cologne and brother-in-law Peter Tarleton and his wife Nok in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
“Every Christmas at least some of our family are together to celebrate in Ireland, and in recent years we have built the wonderful tradition of doing a Goal Mile on Christmas Day,” Niamh said. “It is always a special time when we get out together as a family and do something for others.”
“When it became clear that this year family members would not be able to travel home to Ireland for Christmas due to Covid-19 we got creative about how we could carry on the Goal Mile tradition.”
The charity reminded supporters that it is still not too late to register to do a virtual Goal Mile at some stage over the holiday period.


theirishtimes--2020-12-25--Soup kitchen gives out thousands of dinners on Christmas Day

Weary but dedicated volunteers at a soup kitchen in Cork city were on the road until 4am on Christmas Day delivering the last of 10,000 Christmas hampers which will help the needy get through the holiday season .
A further several thousand people will have their Christmas dinner delivered to them courtesy of Penny Dinners and the River Lee Hotel .
Caitriona Twomey , the powerhouse behind the charity , was visibly moved as she detailed the despair and suffering which she has seen this year .
Sadly Covid-19 forced the cancellation of their traditional Christmas sit-down meal for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not defeated with the “ Little Miracle on Hanover Street ” still underway this morning as volunteers from as far away as Romania , Lithuania and France delivered meals to thousands of people in the city and county .
Caitriona said her phone has been ringing non-stop as people in difficult situations continue to contact her about delivering Christmas dinner .
“ Last night was a tough night .
We are still getting calls .
We are sad that we can ’ t have people inside but we are doing the best we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of a really tough year for people .
It has taken its toll .
“ We have to go around the city and county to people who can ’ t get here because there is no public transport .
“ We were on the road until 4am with the hampers .
Going to doors so late at night is an unusual one for us .
Whatever happened during 2020 we don ’ t want to happen in 2021 .
“ People have to be looked after .
They are calling us saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
’ You can feel the underlying worry .
“ We had a famine years ago when it was unavoidable .
We don ’ t have one now because of the generosity of people .
The goodness on one side is much bigger than the sadness on the other.
” Poignantly this year they received food from restaurants and shops which will never open again because the impact of Covid and the restrictions has made their position untenable .
Ms Twomey says that even before 2021 starts they can see the devastation that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We will prepare ourselves for that .
We have people who never thought they would have to use us .
We have done about 10,000 hampers .
We have had a huge volume of calls .
We will be giving out several thousand dinners .
“ That is only possible because of the kindness of people .
People need us .
If they didn ’ t we wouldn ’ t be here.
” Ms Twomey has called on the Government to make an extra effort with the homeless and needy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke of the countless service users they lost in 2020 .
“ We put our Christmas tree up and it is called Sarah ’ s Gift of Hope tree .
Up on it we have baubles with photographs of people who are no longer with us .
This year we added quite a lot .
That was very sad for us .
“ Singing Silent Night is a bit of tradition when we light up the tree .
“ Everyone was feeling very sad because last year we may have put up two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but this year there was so many people .
We have people up there who lost their lives through suicide .
Two weeks ago we lost seven [ service users ] in a week in Cork .
“ Today we are having some sort of Miracle on Hanover Street because we are open and have food from the River Lee Hotel .
All we can do is our best.
” Christmas dinner was delivered to shelters , refuges , rough sleepers , families and persons living alone throughout the county .
Caitriona and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Little Hanover Street where service users arrived and took away food and clothing donated by the public .
Maintaining the festive cheer on the street was Santa , aka PJ O ’ Neill , who has donned the red suit annually for the last three years .
A regular volunteer he said he surprised himself by coming in peeling potatoes twice a week .
He admits he gets more back in satisfaction then what he gives describing it as having been a “ brutal ” year for the service .
Initially Penny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nearby underground car park .
However , this had to be cancelled because of public health concerns .
Ms Twomey , whose service received a boost when a masked Roy Keane popped in earlier this month , says that the homeless need joy and hope everyday not just on Christmas Day .
She is appealing to the public to donate pop-up tents and sleeping bags to Penny Dinners in the coming weeks .
Caitriona admits to feeling heartbroken at seeing the very obvious decline in the homeless community since the pandemic changed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ With the lockdown people have to walk around an empty city all day long and fall asleep in the freezing cold as well .
We have to keep positive and things rolling out because if they [ service users ] see us worried or fearful they become worried and fearful .
We can see if people aren ’ t doing well .
“ You would nearly know by looking at them who is next to die .
It is more visible now because when we had people inside you would be pottering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are only seeing them at the door .
“ You are seeing things in a different light .
You can see the deterioration .
People who have always maintained an upbeat attitude and accepted their lot that is absolutely gone .
“ People often don ’ t see the point of living .
There is a lot of despair .
”

Covid-19 forced the cancellation of their traditional Christmas sit-down meal for the homeless. Photograph: iStock
Weary but dedicated volunteers at a soup kitchen in Cork city were on the road until 4am on Christmas Day delivering the last of 10,000 Christmas hampers which will help the needy get through the holiday season.
Hundred more people had their Christmas dinner delivered to them courtesy of Penny Dinners and the River Lee Hotel.
Caitriona Twomey, the powerhouse behind the charity, was visibly moved as she detailed the despair and suffering which she has seen this year.
Sadly Covid-19 forced the cancellation of their traditional Christmas sit-down meal for the homeless.
READ MORE
However, Ms Twomey was not defeated with the "Little Miracle on Hanover Street" still underway this morning as volunteers from as far away as Romania, Lithuania and France delivered meals to thousands of people in the city and county.
Caitriona said her phone has been ringing non-stop as people in difficult situations continue to contact her about delivering Christmas dinner.
“Last night was a tough night. We are still getting calls. We are sad that we can’t have people inside but we are doing the best we can. We are coming to the end of a really tough year for people. It has taken its toll.
“We have to go around the city and county to people who can’t get here because there is no public transport.
“We were on the road until 4am with the hampers. Going to doors so late at night is an unusual one for us. Whatever happened during 2020 we don’t want to happen in 2021.
“People have to be looked after. They are calling us saying ‘Are you definitely coming with dinner?’ You can feel the underlying worry.
“We had a famine years ago when it was unavoidable. We don’t have one now because of the generosity of people. The goodness on one side is much bigger than the sadness on the other.”
Poignantly this year they received food from restaurants and shops which will never open again because the impact of Covid and the restrictions has made their position untenable.
Devastation
Ms Twomey says that even before 2021 starts they can see the devastation that is going to be wreaked upon society.
“We will prepare ourselves for that. We have people who never thought they would have to use us. We have done about 10,000 hampers. We have had a huge volume of calls. We will be giving out several thousand dinners.
“That is only possible because of the kindness of people. People need us. If they didn’t we wouldn’t be here.”
Ms Twomey has called on the Government to make an extra effort with the homeless and needy in 2021.
She became emotional as she spoke of the countless service users they lost in 2020.
“We put our Christmas tree up and it is called Sarah’s Gift of Hope tree. Up on it we have baubles with photographs of people who are no longer with us. This year we added quite a lot. That was very sad for us.
“Singing Silent Night is a bit of tradition when we light up the tree.
“Everyone was feeling very sad because last year we may have put up two or three baubles of people who died but this year there was so many people. We have people up there who lost their lives through suicide. Two weeks ago we lost seven [service users] in a week in Cork.
“Today we are having some sort of Miracle on Hanover Street because we are open and have food from the River Lee Hotel. All we can do is our best.”
Christmas dinner was delivered to shelters, refuges, rough sleepers, families and persons living alone throughout the county.
Caitriona and the volunteers also set up a table on Little Hanover Street where service users arrived and took away food and clothing donated by the public.
Maintaining the festive cheer on the street was Santa, aka PJ O’Neill, who has donned the red suit annually for the last three years.
A regular volunteer he said he surprised himself by coming in peeling potatoes twice a week. He admits he gets more back in satisfaction then what he gives describing it as having been a “brutal” year for the service.
Initially Penny Dinners had hoped to host Christmas in a nearby underground car park. However, this had to be cancelled because of public health concerns.
Ms Twomey, whose service received a boost when a masked Roy Keane popped in earlier this month, says that the homeless need joy and hope everyday not just on Christmas Day.
She is appealing to the public to donate pop-up tents and sleeping bags to Penny Dinners in the coming weeks.
Caitriona admits to feeling heartbroken at seeing the very obvious decline in the homeless community since the pandemic changed the way we live our lives.
“With the lockdown people have to walk around an empty city all day long and fall asleep in the freezing cold as well. We have to keep positive and things rolling out because if they [service users] see us worried or fearful they become worried and fearful. We can see if people aren’t doing well.
“You would nearly know by looking at them who is next to die. It is more visible now because when we had people inside you would be pottering around the place and busy whereas now you are only seeing them at the door.
“You are seeing things in a different light. You can see the deterioration. People who have always maintained an upbeat attitude and accepted their lot that is absolutely gone.
“People often don’t see the point of living. There is a lot of despair.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-25--Man arrested after video of erratic driving in west Cork goes viral

Gardaí have moved to allay the public over any fears they might have after video footage went viral of a motorist driving erratically on the wrong side of the road and only narrowly avoiding several crashes in west Cork .
Chief Supt Con Cadogan of West Cork Garda Division said the man ’ s driving , which was filmed by a passenger in a car following behind him as he drove from Bandon to Dunmanway , had caused huge outrage on social media .
But Chief Supt Cadogan said that he wanted to reassure people that the man had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ footage ended and he was subsequently arrested , detained and dealt with appropriately by gardaí .
“ It ’ s a miracle no one was killed or seriously injured – it really is one of the worst episodes of dangerous driving we ’ ve ever encountered and people have vented huge anger about it on social media where it ’ s gone viral , ” he said .
“ But people should know that shortly after the footage ended , gardaí caught the driver – we had received a number of calls and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clonakilty and Macroom all boxed him in and he was arrested.
” Chief Supt Cadogan appealed to motorists not to drink and drive this Christmas as gardaí will be out in force to enforce the rules of the road and warned that anyone who drinks and drives runs the risk of conviction and disqualification .
And he urged any motorists who come across fellow road users driving in a dangerous fashion not to be afraid to contact gardai or the emergency services by ringing 999 or 112 to help prevent serious injury or @ @ @ @

Gardaí have moved to allay the public over any fears they might have after video footage went viral of a motorist driving erratically on the wrong side of the road and only narrowly avoiding several crashes in west Cork.
Chief Supt Con Cadogan of West Cork Garda Division said the man's driving, which was filmed by a passenger in a car following behind him as he drove from Bandon to Dunmanway, had caused huge outrage on social media.
But Chief Supt Cadogan said that he wanted to reassure people that the man had been stopped by gardaí shortly after the video footage ended and he was subsequently arrested, detained and dealt with appropriately by gardaí.
“It’s a miracle no one was killed or seriously injured – it really is one of the worst episodes of dangerous driving we’ve ever encountered and people have vented huge anger about it on social media where it’s gone viral,” he said.
READ MORE
"But people should know that shortly after the footage ended, gardaí caught the driver – we had received a number of calls and Garda cars from Bandon, Dunmanway, Clonakilty and Macroom all boxed him in and he was arrested."
Chief Supt Cadogan appealed to motorists not to drink and drive this Christmas as gardaí will be out in force to enforce the rules of the road and warned that anyone who drinks and drives runs the risk of conviction and disqualification.
And he urged any motorists who come across fellow road users driving in a dangerous fashion not to be afraid to contact gardai or the emergency services by ringing 999 or 112 to help prevent serious injury or loss of life.


theirishtimes--2020-12-25--Senior Line will be open throughout Christmas for lonely elderly

A helpline for the elderly which has seen its calls double this year has moved to reassure the public that their volunteers will be on hand throughout the holiday season .
The Senior Line , which was recently shortlisted for a Charity Impact award , is a national Freephone peer-to-peer telephone service for older people .
Some 180 trained volunteers man the service which is operational 365 days a year from 10am to 10pm .
Anne Dempsey , communications manager with the Senior Line , says that their calls have skyrocketed this year arising out of the loneliness of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much doubled .
We had 10,000 calls last year .
We are hitting 18,000 to 20,000 calls this year the way things are going .
We invite people to call as often as they need .
“ We will stay with them for as long as they want .
More complex calls can last for over an hour .
We just stay with the person .
We don ’ t give any advice .
We just stay with people .
“ Our model of listening is very effective .
We can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there for people.
” Ms Dempsey says the losses of Covid have triggered earlier sorrows for callers .
” We are getting calls about abusive marriages present and past .
The whole area of elder abuse .
Worries about family .
Loss of spouses many years ago .
“ The sadness of today and the emptiness in people ’ s lives is reminding them of earlier events and they are going back over things .
“ Our volunteers give people time to talk about the past without any judgement.
” Ms Dempsey says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vital that people try to put some sort of structure in place for the day .
“ Every day can feel hopeless and aimless .
We talk to people about trying to put a structure in their day .
One of the things would be to say to people to try and get out every day .
Something amazing happens to us when we get out .
“ When we get a walk in the fresh air something changes in our energy .
We come home frequently a different person .
A more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to feel we are moving forward in life .
Anything at all to put a shape on the day .
Baking a cake , tidying a drawer , washing a wall .
“ If you are living alone try to make your home as nice as possible .
It all helps .
A lot of our calls are mentoring .
Whatever their issue is is our issue.
” Ms Dempsey says they are coping well with the large numbers of calls they are receiving .
She is urging people who are feeling intense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Damian Leneghan , Senior Line ’ s Programme Manager , says that people tell them that talking to someone their own age makes it easier .
“ They have a sense we understand and our volunteers have a lot in common with our callers .
The need for Senior Line has never been greater and we are very glad to be so accessible.
” Senior Line can be contacted on Freefone 1800 804591 .

Anne Dempsey says they are coping well with the large numbers of calls they are receiving. Photograph: iStock
A helpline for the elderly which has seen its calls double this year has moved to reassure the public that their volunteers will be on hand throughout the holiday season.
The Senior Line, which was recently shortlisted for a Charity Impact award, is a national Freephone peer-to-peer telephone service for older people.
Some 180 trained volunteers man the service which is operational 365 days a year from 10am to 10pm.
Anne Dempsey, communications manager with the Senior Line, says that their calls have skyrocketed this year arising out of the loneliness of the pandemic.
READ MORE
“Our calls have pretty much doubled. We had 10,000 calls last year. We are hitting 18,000 to 20,000 calls this year the way things are going. We invite people to call as often as they need.
“We will stay with them for as long as they want. More complex calls can last for over an hour. We just stay with the person. We don’t give any advice. We just stay with people.
“Our model of listening is very effective. We can’t solve the coronavirus but we can be there for people.”
Ms Dempsey says the losses of Covid have triggered earlier sorrows for callers.
”We are getting calls about abusive marriages present and past. The whole area of elder abuse. Worries about family. Loss of spouses many years ago.
“The sadness of today and the emptiness in people’s lives is reminding them of earlier events and they are going back over things.
“Our volunteers give people time to talk about the past without any judgement.”
Ms Dempsey says in such an unsettling time it is vital that people try to put some sort of structure in place for the day.
“Every day can feel hopeless and aimless. We talk to people about trying to put a structure in their day. One of the things would be to say to people to try and get out every day. Something amazing happens to us when we get out.
“When we get a walk in the fresh air something changes in our energy. We come home frequently a different person. A more positive person.
“We all need to feel we are moving forward in life. Anything at all to put a shape on the day. Baking a cake, tidying a drawer, washing a wall.
“If you are living alone try to make your home as nice as possible. It all helps. A lot of our calls are mentoring. Whatever their issue is is our issue.”
Ms Dempsey says they are coping well with the large numbers of calls they are receiving.
She is urging people who are feeling intense loneliness to get in touch.
Meanwhile, Damian Leneghan, Senior Line's Programme Manager, says that people tell them that talking to someone their own age makes it easier.
“They have a sense we understand and our volunteers have a lot in common with our callers. The need for Senior Line has never been greater and we are very glad to be so accessible.”
Senior Line can be contacted on Freefone 1800 804591.


theirishtimes--2020-12-25--Christmas sales: ‘They will be a lot more muted this year’

When is a sale not a sale ?
Today .
This time last week retailers across the State were gearing up to launch their winter sales on a St Stephen ’ s Day like no other , optimistic despite the gloom that they would be able shift the stock they struggled to move before Christmas .
Dedicated followers of fashion , meanwhile , were readying themselves for a post-Christmas splurge .
But then the bombshell announcement came from the Government that while non-essential retailers would be allowed to remain open – unlike gastro pubs and restaurants – they would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as normal .
The announcement caused much confusion across the sector , not least because many , if not most , shops had been discounting since being permitted to resume trading in early December .
Retail expert Eddie Shanahan describes the call for a deferment of the winter sales as “ bizarre ” and confusing .
“ I understand the concept of wanting to keep large crowds off the streets but it displays a lack of understanding of how retail works , ” he says .
“ I would rather see retailers trusted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shops , and all the evidence shows that they have been doing that well , ” he added .
He says that “ whatever happens , there will be discounts over the next four to six weeks , although there might not be the big red signs in the windows ” .
Duncan Graham of Retail Excellence echoes those sentiments and says sales are an essential part of the business .
He also stresses that it would not be possible to have sale prices online with higher prices in store .
“ Imagine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he says .
“ Apart from anything else , if retailers had to charge more for their stock online because of restrictions in the physical stores then it would only have the affect of driving more retail business towards overseas-based sites.
” That is why that the sales will take place but may not be called sales .
Shops will continue with their reductions as planned but will almost certainly scrap or dilute their marketing and take signs boasting about bargains out of the windows .
“ Of course shops are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post-Christmas period , ” says retail expert and Technical University Dublin academic Damien O ’ Reilly .
“ It is only a matter of terminology .
Will it be a special offer or a sale ?
” He says it would be unwise for Government to attempt to dictate the prices charged by retailers .
“ That is not something they can do , and retailers are allowed to charge what they like .
Many of them will have bought in stock for the sales and will have no choice but to sell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says the evidence of the pre-Christmas spending is indicative of what might come in the days ahead .
“ It wasn ’ t manic , ” he says .
“ There were not the queues we had maybe expected , and people were all very careful.
” He also points to the dramatic shift of spending to the online world and points to the absence of a place for people to go as marking another shift .
“ There is no market for occasion wear and people are still buying athleisure , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watch will be furniture , homewares and electrical goods , but even then a lot of that was bought by people during the lockdown with sales up by more than quarter.
” “ Ultimately , I think people are screaming out for normality but they are also onside with the public health measures and they are scared , particularly of this new strain from the UK.
” Shanahan does not anticipate that this year will be a bumper one for bargains in any event .
He suggests that many retailers have proved themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crisis and have been able to keep trading during the most recent lockdown in online and click-and-collect channels , which means there may not be large volumes of stock to shift .
“ From what I could see , at least in Dublin , was there was not a lot of stock in stores in the run-up to Christmas , and I think that could mean there will be a less frantic sales period than normal.
” The absence or otherwise of bargains will not , however , be the determining factor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he believes .
“ People remain on high alert , particularly with the new strain of Covid that emerged in the UK just before Christmas , and I really think that will make many people think twice before the coming into busy retail settings , particularly if they get a sense crowd volumes are building up.
” He says awareness of the realities of the crisis had been evident throughout December even across the weekend before Christmas Day , which is traditionally one of the busiest shopping windows of the year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and there were spaces to be found in car parks .
“ We will definitely see smaller numbers in stores than previous years , and I think retailers might look to extend their opening hours as they did before Christmas in order to accommodate both staff and shoppers.
” David Gibney , of Mandate trade union , which represents many retail workers , says many retailers , big and small , are taking a more softly-softly approach to the sales this year .
He says one notable difference between this sales season and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exerted pressure on staff to work and have instead asked for volunteers .
“ I think they have recognised that there is a business case for not pushing sales too hard , and while many will open this weekend , the reality is that the demand among consumers is unlikely to be the same as previous years , ” he said .
“ With the social distancing rules that are in place and the need to restrict numbers , there is also not going to be the need to have as many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years.
” Another feature may see discounts stretched out over a longer-than-normal period to stop people flooding the shops this week .
“ I think there might be fewer deep discounts and not so many immediately after Christmas , with some being phased through January , ” Graham says .
“ The sales will be a lot more muted this year .
I think that is certain .
”

When is a sale not a sale? Today.
This time last week retailers across the State were gearing up to launch their winter sales on a St Stephen’s Day like no other, optimistic despite the gloom that they would be able shift the stock they struggled to move before Christmas.
Dedicated followers of fashion, meanwhile, were readying themselves for a post-Christmas splurge.
But then the bombshell announcement came from the Government that while non-essential retailers would be allowed to remain open – unlike gastro pubs and restaurants – they would not be allowed to go into sales mode as normal.
READ MORE
The announcement caused much confusion across the sector, not least because many, if not most, shops had been discounting since being permitted to resume trading in early December.
Retail expert Eddie Shanahan describes the call for a deferment of the winter sales as "bizarre" and confusing.
" I understand the concept of wanting to keep large crowds off the streets but it displays a lack of understanding of how retail works," he says.
“I would rather see retailers trusted to manage those who come into their shops, and all the evidence shows that they have been doing that well,” he added.
He says that “whatever happens, there will be discounts over the next four to six weeks, although there might not be the big red signs in the windows”.
Duncan Graham of Retail Excellence echoes those sentiments and says sales are an essential part of the business. He also stresses that it would not be possible to have sale prices online with higher prices in store.
“Imagine the complaints if they did that,” he says. “Apart from anything else, if retailers had to charge more for their stock online because of restrictions in the physical stores then it would only have the affect of driving more retail business towards overseas-based sites.”
Diluting
That is why that the sales will take place but may not be called sales. Shops will continue with their reductions as planned but will almost certainly scrap or dilute their marketing and take signs boasting about bargains out of the windows.
Brown Thomas and Arnotts had both been planning to to into full winter sale mode as of today but instead pivoted to a traditional winter sale online while applying “seasonal discounts” in-store, many - if not all - of which had been rolled out in the run-up to Christmas.
“Of course shops are going to be in sale mode in the post-Christmas period,” says retail expert and Technical University Dublin academic Damien O’Reilly. “It is only a matter of terminology. Will it be a special offer or a sale?”
He says it would be unwise for Government to attempt to dictate the prices charged by retailers.
“That is not something they can do, and retailers are allowed to charge what they like. Many of them will have bought in stock for the sales and will have no choice but to sell it as planned.”
O’Reilly says the evidence of the pre-Christmas spending is indicative of what might come in the days ahead.
“It wasn’t manic,” he says. “There were not the queues we had maybe expected, and people were all very careful.”
He also points to the dramatic shift of spending to the online world and points to the absence of a place for people to go as marking another shift.
“There is no market for occasion wear and people are still buying athleisure,” he says. “The areas to watch will be furniture, homewares and electrical goods, but even then a lot of that was bought by people during the lockdown with sales up by more than quarter.”
“Ultimately, I think people are screaming out for normality but they are also onside with the public health measures and they are scared, particularly of this new strain from the UK.”
Managing stock
Shanahan does not anticipate that this year will be a bumper one for bargains in any event. He suggests that many retailers have proved themselves adept at managing their stock levels during the crisis and have been able to keep trading during the most recent lockdown in online and click-and-collect channels, which means there may not be large volumes of stock to shift.
“From what I could see, at least in Dublin, was there was not a lot of stock in stores in the run-up to Christmas, and I think that could mean there will be a less frantic sales period than normal.”
The absence or otherwise of bargains will not, however, be the determining factor in how busy towns and cities get, he believes.
“People remain on high alert, particularly with the new strain of Covid that emerged in the UK just before Christmas, and I really think that will make many people think twice before the coming into busy retail settings, particularly if they get a sense crowd volumes are building up.”
He says awareness of the realities of the crisis had been evident throughout December even across the weekend before Christmas Day, which is traditionally one of the busiest shopping windows of the year, when queues were few and far between and there were spaces to be found in car parks.
“We will definitely see smaller numbers in stores than previous years, and I think retailers might look to extend their opening hours as they did before Christmas in order to accommodate both staff and shoppers.”
Softly softly
David Gibney, of Mandate trade union, which represents many retail workers, says many retailers, big and small, are taking a more softly-softly approach to the sales this year.
He says one notable difference between this sales season and previous ones is that retailers have not exerted pressure on staff to work and have instead asked for volunteers.
“I think they have recognised that there is a business case for not pushing sales too hard, and while many will open this weekend, the reality is that the demand among consumers is unlikely to be the same as previous years,” he said.
“With the social distancing rules that are in place and the need to restrict numbers, there is also not going to be the need to have as many people on the shop floor as in previous years.”
Another feature may see discounts stretched out over a longer-than-normal period to stop people flooding the shops this week.
“I think there might be fewer deep discounts and not so many immediately after Christmas, with some being phased through January,” Graham says. “The sales will be a lot more muted this year. I think that is certain.”