theirishtimes--2020-06-01--Should I defer going to college this year due to Covid-19 chaos?

I ’ m finalising my CAO course choices but strongly thinking of deferring going to college for a year in light of the disruption Covid-19 will have on lectures , clubs and societies and social life in general .
Is this a good idea ?
Your dilemma is shared by tens of thousands of college applicants this year .
The reality of dealing with the Covid-19 fallout is that students may be on campus only for limited periods and will receive most of their lectures online in the coming academic year .
This will be relatively easy to deliver in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law , social science , etc , but more problematic in hands-on disciplines such as engineering , science and medicine where practicals and lab work are core to learning .
College presidents I have spoken to say they hope to deliver tutorials face to face , subject to social distancing rules , though some are also looking at online lab work and practicals in a worst-case scenario .
The questions which this new reality throws at us are many and varied .
Some students may ask what ’ s the point of paying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be on campus only one day a week .
Others will question what is the point of going to university if most learning is online and social life is heavily curtailed .
So much learning in college takes place outside lecture halls .
For many of us , these formative experiences shaped our future lives .
I met my wife in college while canvassing in the students ’ union election .
I developed debating and communication skills in student union executive meetings and college societies .
All these years on I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made during those years .
For the 70,000-plus college applicants considering their options for the coming year , the question of whether to proceed into the unknown is a very difficult one .
But there are a few key points worth considering .
Firstly , CAO points in highly sought-after courses may be lower if extra places are created to compensate for the lack of international applicants .
If many applicants like you ultimately decide to postpone going for a year , they may be lower still .
Secondly , ask yourself what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if you don ’ t go to college .
Employment prospects will likely be dire , especially for young school leavers , though it ’ s hard to say for sure .
You could consider a further education ( FE ) course in a local college in your area of interest , to consolidate your knowledge in that discipline , and progress to third level the following year .
There are lots of factors to consider .
My advice is to apply for the courses you want , in the order you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer in August , you will have a much clearer picture of what college life will look like in 2020 .
You can then make a well-informed decision .

Many college applicants may consider deferring going to college this year due to the Covid-19 fallout. Photograph: iStock
I’m finalising my CAO course choices but strongly thinking of deferring going to college for a year in light of the disruption Covid-19 will have on lectures, clubs and societies and social life in general. Is this a good idea?
Your dilemma is shared by tens of thousands of college applicants this year. The reality of dealing with the Covid-19 fallout is that students may be on campus only for limited periods and will receive most of their lectures online in the coming academic year.
This will be relatively easy to deliver in faculties such as arts, business, law, social science, etc, but more problematic in hands-on disciplines such as engineering, science and medicine where practicals and lab work are core to learning.
College presidents I have spoken to say they hope to deliver tutorials face to face, subject to social distancing rules, though some are also looking at online lab work and practicals in a worst-case scenario.
READ MORE
The questions which this new reality throws at us are many and varied. Some students may ask what’s the point of paying for expensive accommodation if they are going to be on campus only one day a week. Others will question what is the point of going to university if most learning is online and social life is heavily curtailed.
So much learning in college takes place outside lecture halls. For many of us, these formative experiences shaped our future lives.
I met my wife in college while canvassing in the students’ union election. I developed debating and communication skills in student union executive meetings and college societies. All these years on I am still in regular touch with friends I made during those years.
For the 70,000-plus college applicants considering their options for the coming year, the question of whether to proceed into the unknown is a very difficult one.
But there are a few key points worth considering. Firstly, CAO points in highly sought-after courses may be lower if extra places are created to compensate for the lack of international applicants. If many applicants like you ultimately decide to postpone going for a year, they may be lower still.
Secondly, ask yourself what will you do over the next year, if you don’t go to college. Employment prospects will likely be dire, especially for young school leavers, though it’s hard to say for sure. You could consider a further education (FE) course in a local college in your area of interest, to consolidate your knowledge in that discipline, and progress to third level the following year.
There are lots of factors to consider. My advice is to apply for the courses you want, in the order you want them. When you receive your offer in August, you will have a much clearer picture of what college life will look like in 2020. You can then make a well-informed decision.
[ askbrian@irishtimes.com ]


theirishtimes--2020-06-01--Search underway for missing boy (5) in Lough Mask, Co Mayo

A search operation is underway on Lough Mask , Co Mayo for a five-year-old boy who is believed to have @ @ @ @ @ .
Gardaí and the Coast Guard began the search on Monday after the alarm was @ @ @ @ @ the inflatable boat was spotted in the water .
The missing child is reported to @ @ @ @ @ and believed to have fallen from a dinghy which may drifted from the shoreline .
@ @ @ @ @ based in Shannon , Co Clare , conducted an aerial survey of the lake on @ @ @ @ @ teams worked to locate the boy .
The local Lough Mask water rescue team has @ @ @ @ @ operation , along with the local mountain rescue service .
Local residents and divers have @ @ @ @ @ Garda spokesman confirmed that emergency services were alerted to the missing boy on Monday evening @ @ @ @ @ on the Toormakeady side of the lake .
The search will continue for as long @ @ @ @ @ , and is expected to resume at first light on Tuesday morning .

A boy is believed to have fallen from a dinghy which may drifted from the shoreline in Lough Mask, Co Mayo. Photograph: Lenny Antoneli
A search operation is underway on Lough Mask, Co Mayo for a five-year-old boy who is believed to have fallen out of a dinghy.
Gardaí and the Coast Guard began the search on Monday after the alarm was raised at 6.30pm, when the inflatable boat was spotted in the water.
The missing child is reported to be from the local area and believed to have fallen from a dinghy which may drifted from the shoreline.
The Coast Guard helicopter, based in Shannon, Co Clare, conducted an aerial survey of the lake on Monday evening, while search teams worked to locate the boy.
READ MORE
The local Lough Mask water rescue team has also been involved in the operation, along with the local mountain rescue service. Local residents and divers have also been assisting.
A Garda spokesman confirmed that emergency services were alerted to the missing boy on Monday evening, who was last seen on the Toormakeady side of the lake.
The search will continue for as long as possible on Monday night, and is expected to resume at first light on Tuesday morning.


theirishtimes--2020-06-01--Couple injured in shooting incident at farm in Co Waterford

Gardaí have begun an investigation into a shooting incident in Co Waterford on Monday afternoon in which a couple in their 60s suffered non-life threatening injuries .
Gardaí and the emergency services were alerted to the incident at a farm at Ballysaggart , near Lismore , at around 5pm .
When they arrived at the house , it is understood they found the couple with injuries .
The incident prompted a major Garda alert with members of the armed support unit and local units from Lismore and Dungarvan attending , as well as the Garda helicopter .
Two HSE ambulances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple were transported to University Hospital Waterford in Ardkeen for treatment .
The scene was cordoned off and Garda technical experts began an examination .
They recovered a legally held shotgun at the scene which has been sent for examination by Garda forensic and ballistics experts .
Gardaí confirmed in a statement on Monday night that no arrests have been made so far in relation to the incident but said the investigation was ongoing .
It is understood gardaí are hoping to be given permission by doctors to speak to the couple in @ @ @ @ @ @

Gardaí have begun an investigation into a shooting incident in Co Waterford on Monday afternoon in which a couple in their 60s suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Gardaí and the emergency services were alerted to the incident at a farm at Ballysaggart, near Lismore, at around 5pm. When they arrived at the house, it is understood they found the couple with injuries.
The incident prompted a major Garda alert with members of the armed support unit and local units from Lismore and Dungarvan attending, as well as the Garda helicopter.
Two HSE ambulances also attended and it is understood the couple were transported to University Hospital Waterford in Ardkeen for treatment.
READ MORE
The scene was cordoned off and Garda technical experts began an examination. They recovered a legally held shotgun at the scene which has been sent for examination by Garda forensic and ballistics experts.
Gardaí confirmed in a statement on Monday night that no arrests have been made so far in relation to the incident but said the investigation was ongoing.
It is understood gardaí are hoping to be given permission by doctors to speak to the couple in hospital over the coming days.


theirishtimes--2020-06-01--Catholic bishops urge MLAs to reject abortion legislation

The Northern Catholics bishops have written to Stormont Assembly members calling on them to reject new abortion legislation for Northern Ireland that was enacted at Westminster .
Ahead of a debate in the Northern Assembly on Tuesday the Catholic primate Archbishop Eamon Martin and fellow northern bishops wrote to MLAs saying that the legislation was “ an unjust law , which was imposed without the consent of the people of Northern Ireland ” .
The bishops also decried the element of the legislation that allowed for abortion up to full term in cases such as Down ’ s syndrome .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Neill also has stated her party can not support legislation that would allow for abortion in non-fatal disability cases .
The Assembly is set to discuss a DUP motion that “ welcomes the important intervention of disability campaigner Heidi Crowter and rejects the imposition of abortion legislation which extends to all non-fatal disabilities , including Down ’ s syndrome ” .
Sinn Féin has put down an amendment that alters the DUP motion so that it would read that the Assembly “ welcomes the important intervention of disability campaigner Heidi Crowter and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion legislation which goes beyond fatal foetal abnormalities to include non-fatal disabilities , including Down ’ s syndrome ” .
Ms O ’ Neill said on Monday her party believed the DUP motion was “ an attempt to reject the entire abortion legislation that has gone forward in Westminster ” .
She said , however , that Sinn Féin did not support the element of the legislation “ which goes beyond fatal foetal abnormality to include non-fatal disabilities including Down ’ s syndrome ” and the Sinn Féin amendment reflected that position .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the DUP motion “ will change nothing legally but is a clear signal that the DUP wants to roll back the hard-won rights of women and girls ” .
“ Sinn Féin and other parties must not prop up a dangerous anti-choice agenda – instead , they should support human rights and show they ’ re on the side of women , ” she said .
First Minister Arlene Foster said the DUP motion addressed the “ distressing issue ” of the abortion of foetuses with Down ’ s syndrome .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleagues across the Assembly to deal with that issue so that we can send a message to Westminster that we do not agree with their proposals that they are putting forward , ” she said .

First Minister Arlene Foster said the DUP motion addressed the “distressing issue” of the abortion of foetuses with Down’s syndrome. Photograph: Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA
The Northern Catholics bishops have written to Stormont Assembly members calling on them to reject new abortion legislation for Northern Ireland that was enacted at Westminster.
Ahead of a debate in the Northern Assembly on Tuesday the Catholic primate Archbishop Eamon Martin and fellow northern bishops wrote to MLAs saying that the legislation was "an unjust law, which was imposed without the consent of the people of Northern Ireland".
The bishops also decried the element of the legislation that allowed for abortion up to full term in cases such as Down’s syndrome.
Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill also has stated her party cannot support legislation that would allow for abortion in non-fatal disability cases.
READ MORE
‘Non-fatal disabilities’
The Assembly is set to discuss a DUP motion that "welcomes the important intervention of disability campaigner Heidi Crowter and rejects the imposition of abortion legislation which extends to all non-fatal disabilities, including Down's syndrome".
Sinn Féin has put down an amendment that alters the DUP motion so that it would read that the Assembly “welcomes the important intervention of disability campaigner Heidi Crowter and rejects the specific legislative provision in the abortion legislation which goes beyond fatal foetal abnormalities to include non-fatal disabilities, including Down’s syndrome”.
Ms O’Neill said on Monday her party believed the DUP motion was “an attempt to reject the entire abortion legislation that has gone forward in Westminster”.
‘Clear signal’
She said, however, that Sinn Féin did not support the element of the legislation “which goes beyond fatal foetal abnormality to include non-fatal disabilities including Down’s syndrome” and the Sinn Féin amendment reflected that position.
Grainne Teggart of Amnesty Northern Ireland said the DUP motion "will change nothing legally but is a clear signal that the DUP wants to roll back the hard-won rights of women and girls".
“Sinn Féin and other parties must not prop up a dangerous anti-choice agenda – instead, they should support human rights and show they’re on the side of women,” she said.
First Minister Arlene Foster said the DUP motion addressed the "distressing issue" of the abortion of foetuses with Down's syndrome.
“We hope we will get the support of colleagues across the Assembly to deal with that issue so that we can send a message to Westminster that we do not agree with their proposals that they are putting forward,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-06-01--Historian finds IRA commander Tom Barry tried to join British civil service

IRA commander Tom Barry tried to join the British civil service in Ireland just a year before carrying out the Kilmichael ambush .
Barry , an ex-British veteran of the first World War , became one of the most revered and successful of IRA fighters in the War of Independence .
The Kilmichael ambush on November 28th 1920 outside Bandon in Co Cork resulted in the worst British reverses of the war .
Sixteen Auxiliaries were killed .
In Guerrilla Days in Ireland , his bestselling autobiography published in 1949 , Barry wrote that his national conscience had been awoken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while serving with the Royal Field Artillery ( RFA ) in Mesopotamia in 1916 .
However , historian and former Irish army soldier Gerry White has discovered that Barry failed an examination for the position of male clerk in the Ministry of Labour in Ireland in 1919 .
His file in the UK National Archives in Kew reveal he also requested , unsuccessfully , to be posted to the British civil service in India in 1920 .
Barry was prominent in the Bandon Branch of the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large meeting of them in Cork in November 1919 in which he complained that jobs were being given to civilians who did not serve in the war when they should be been given to “ discharged and demobilised men ” .
Mr White , who has spent several years researching Barry ’ s life , writes in 1920 - War of Independence , published by The Irish Times on Wednesday , that it would appear he was not radicalised by the Easter Rising as he had claimed , but was among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who returned to Ireland with no prospects of employment .
“ Ignored by the ‘ King and Country ’ they had fought for , many now turned to politics while others expressed support for the radical and separatist politics of the Republican movement , ” writes Mr White .
Other ex-servicemen turned against the British government too and three who were elected in the municipal elections of January 1920 supported the election of Tomas MacCurtáin as the first republican lord mayor of Cork .
MacCurtáin was shot dead in March 1920 by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr White pointed out that Barry made no reference to this activities as an ex-servicemen or his attempts to get a job with the British civil service in the pages of Guerrilla Days in Ireland .
“ This is understandable , but in reality , he was just one of thousands of veterans all over Europe whose military service and post-war experiences would shape the decisions they made when they returned home , ” he writes .
“ Scarred by his wartime service , physically abused by men in khaki , angered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to secure government employment and inspired by the Easter Rising , in the summer of 1920 Tom Barry made a decision that would change both his life and the nature of the conflict then raging in Ireland , ” he writes .

IRA commander Tom Barry tried to join the British civil service in Ireland just a year before carrying out the Kilmichael ambush.
Barry, an ex-British veteran of the first World War, became one of the most revered and successful of IRA fighters in the War of Independence.
The Kilmichael ambush on November 28th 1920 outside Bandon in Co Cork resulted in the worst British reverses of the war. Sixteen Auxiliaries were killed.
In Guerrilla Days in Ireland, his bestselling autobiography published in 1949, Barry wrote that his national conscience had been awoken when he heard of the Easter Rising while serving with the Royal Field Artillery (RFA) in Mesopotamia in 1916.
READ MORE
However, historian and former Irish army soldier Gerry White has discovered that Barry failed an examination for the position of male clerk in the Ministry of Labour in Ireland in 1919. His file in the UK National Archives in Kew reveal he also requested, unsuccessfully, to be posted to the British civil service in India in 1920.
Barry was prominent in the Bandon Branch of the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers (NFDDSS) and addressed a large meeting of them in Cork in November 1919 in which he complained that jobs were being given to civilians who did not serve in the war when they should be been given to “discharged and demobilised men”.
Mr White, who has spent several years researching Barry’s life, writes in 1920 - War of Independence, published by The Irish Times on Wednesday, that it would appear he was not radicalised by the Easter Rising as he had claimed, but was among the tens of thousands of Irish-born British soldiers who returned to Ireland with no prospects of employment.
“Ignored by the ‘King and Country’ they had fought for, many now turned to politics while others expressed support for the radical and separatist politics of the Republican movement,” writes Mr White.
Other ex-servicemen turned against the British government too and three who were elected in the municipal elections of January 1920 supported the election of Tomas MacCurtáin as the first republican lord mayor of Cork. MacCurtáin was shot dead in March 1920 by a group of rogue Royal Irish Constabulary officers.
Mr White pointed out that Barry made no reference to this activities as an ex-servicemen or his attempts to get a job with the British civil service in the pages of Guerrilla Days in Ireland.
“This is understandable, but in reality, he was just one of thousands of veterans all over Europe whose military service and post-war experiences would shape the decisions they made when they returned home,” he writes.
“Scarred by his wartime service, physically abused by men in khaki, angered by the treatment of ex-servicemen, unable to secure government employment and inspired by the Easter Rising, in the summer of 1920 Tom Barry made a decision that would change both his life and the nature of the conflict then raging in Ireland,” he writes.


theirishtimes--2020-06-01--Covid-19: State’s contact tracing app to be tested for accuracy

Researchers from an expert advisory group formed by Science Foundation Ireland ( SFI ) have been drafted in to conduct an independent assessment of the effectiveness of aspects of the State ’ s Covid-19 contact tracing app .
Dr Brendan Jennings , director of the SFI research centre for future networks and communications , said the group will particularly focus on the accuracy of how the app uses Bluetooth technology to estimate when someone has been in close contact with a person infected with coronavirus .
The accuracy of the Bluetooth technology has been called into question , giving rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in crowded areas .
“ We ’ re going to do some testing around the app and do an independent assessment from that particular part of the functionality , the accuracy of estimation of distance , ” Dr Jennings said .
It follows on from research undertaken by scientists in Trinity College Dublin , who are also involved in the group , which called into question the accuracy of the app .
They found that it was likely to be challenging to use Bluetooth technology to reliably detect when people using the app @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ [ The research will ] basically try to replicate real-use cases – where people over the next couple of months will be interacting , in supermarket queues or in the supermarket itself , on public transport when you might end up close to people you don ’ t really know.
” The group has been working with the HSE already , but Dr Jennings said the intention was to help “ fine-tune ” the app , which has now been developed and is being put out for testing this week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by asking members of the Garda to install the app on their phones and carry them while circulating on duty .
This is designed to test the exposure notification service developed by Apple and Google , which is used in the Irish app .
“ That ’ s where the app is going to be most useful ; we want to replicate those scenarios to the degree we can , and estimate the accuracy of the distance between two phones , ” Dr Jennings said .
The HSE said its team is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access expertise across a number of fields including the use of Bluetooth technology .
This has helped to inform the development of the app to date and will assist us to address any issues highlighted during the final test.
” The app was originally scheduled for launch in early April , but that date has been continuously pushed back as technical issues and privacy concerns emerged .
Some of these issues have been addressed , such as the commitment not to hold data on a centralised Government database , while the HSE will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Apple to overcome issues around the app ’ s functionality on the most popular smartphone operating systems .
However , privacy campaigners say they are withholding their verdict on the app until they see its source code , and the data protection impact assessment ( DPIA ) which accompanies it .
This is a key document that outlines the HSE ’ s assessment on how data privacy might be impinged on by the project .
Antoin Ó Lachtnain , a director of data protection advocacy group Digital Rights Ireland , praised the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but said “ there are still many unanswered questions about the app ” .
“ In particular , the DPIA and the source code for the system have not been published , despite many promises .
The system has now gone into a trial phase with human subjects without these steps having been taken .
This could undermine the credibility of the whole project.
” The DPIA has been sent to the Data Protection Commissioner as part of a consultative process , but the watchdog has no official role in signing off on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris has said at least 25 per cent of the population will need to download the app in order for it to have sufficient coverage to work .
However , there are indications the uptake will have to be higher for the app to be effective .
Oxford University ’ s Big Data Institute has estimated about 80 per cent of smartphone users would need to have the app installed for the system to work properly .
In Singapore , about one million people ( about 20 per cent of the population ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of April .
At that time , an article in Nature magazine calculated that , in an encounter between two randomly chosen people , there was only a 4 per cent chance that both would have the app .

In Singapore, about one million people (about 20 per cent of the population) had downloaded the app by the end of April. Photograph: Catherine Lai/AFP via Getty Images
Researchers from an expert advisory group formed by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) have been drafted in to conduct an independent assessment of the effectiveness of aspects of the State's Covid-19 contact tracing app.
Dr Brendan Jennings, director of CONNECT, the SFI research centre for future networks and communications, said the group will particularly focus on the accuracy of how the app uses Bluetooth technology to estimate when someone has been in close contact with a person infected with coronavirus.
The accuracy of the Bluetooth technology has been called into question, giving rise to questions about how it would function in crowded areas.
“We’re going to do some testing around the app and do an independent assessment from that particular part of the functionality, the accuracy of estimation of distance,” Dr Jennings said.
READ MORE
It follows on from research undertaken by scientists in Trinity College Dublin, who are also involved in the group, which called into question the accuracy of the app. They found that it was likely to be challenging to use Bluetooth technology to reliably detect when people using the app were within two metres of each other.
“[The research will] basically try to replicate real-use cases – where people over the next couple of months will be interacting, in supermarket queues or in the supermarket itself, on public transport when you might end up close to people you don’t really know.”
The group has been working with the HSE already, but Dr Jennings said the intention was to help “fine-tune” the app, which has now been developed and is being put out for testing this week.
Garda
Initially, the testing will be done by asking members of the Garda to install the app on their phones and carry them while circulating on duty. This is designed to test the exposure notification service developed by Apple and Google, which is used in the Irish app.
“That’s where the app is going to be most useful; we want to replicate those scenarios to the degree we can, and estimate the accuracy of the distance between two phones,” Dr Jennings said.
The HSE said its team is “working closely” with SFI “to access expertise across a number of fields including the use of Bluetooth technology. This has helped to inform the development of the app to date and will assist us to address any issues highlighted during the final test.”
The app was originally scheduled for launch in early April, but that date has been continuously pushed back as technical issues and privacy concerns emerged. Some of these issues have been addressed, such as the commitment not to hold data on a centralised Government database, while the HSE will also be using platforms provided by Google and Apple to overcome issues around the app’s functionality on the most popular smartphone operating systems.
However, privacy campaigners say they are withholding their verdict on the app until they see its source code, and the data protection impact assessment (DPIA) which accompanies it. This is a key document that outlines the HSE’s assessment on how data privacy might be impinged on by the project.
Centralised model
Antoin Ó Lachtnain, a director of data protection advocacy group Digital Rights Ireland, praised the HSE for dropping its centralised model, but said "there are still many unanswered questions about the app".
“In particular, the DPIA and the source code for the system have not been published, despite many promises. The system has now gone into a trial phase with human subjects without these steps having been taken. This could undermine the credibility of the whole project.”
The DPIA has been sent to the Data Protection Commissioner as part of a consultative process, but the watchdog has no official role in signing off on the app.
Minister for Health Simon Harris has said at least 25 per cent of the population will need to download the app in order for it to have sufficient coverage to work.
However, there are indications the uptake will have to be higher for the app to be effective.
Oxford University's Big Data Institute has estimated about 80 per cent of smartphone users would need to have the app installed for the system to work properly.
In Singapore, about one million people (about 20 per cent of the population) had downloaded the app by the end of April. At that time, an article in Nature magazine calculated that, in an encounter between two randomly chosen people, there was only a 4 per cent chance that both would have the app.


theirishtimes--2020-06-01--‘Frustrated and angry’: Thousands march in Dublin to protest death of George Floyd

More than 5,000 people gathered on the streets of Dublin on Monday afternoon protesting the death of George Floyd and chanting “ black lives matter ” .
The crowds marched under clear blue skies from the GPO on O ’ Connell Street to the American embassy in Ballsbridge in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and following the death of 46-year-old George Floyd , who died last week after being arrested by police outside a shop in Minneapolis in the United States .
Cities across the US have been rocked by protests over the death in recent days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ attended predominantly by young people aged 16-30 , with hundreds carrying signs calling for an end to racism , an end to direct provision and in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter campaign .
Lawson Mpame ( 27 ) from Castleknock , who walked at the head of the protest , said he felt “ frustrated and angry ” by Mr Floyd ’ s death and that he was “ sick of the injustice ” towards black people around the world .
Many Irish people still refuse to accept racism is a problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ They think we ’ re just making it up but I ’ ve experienced it at first hand , my family has experienced it and my friends too .
We want people to listen to us and understand the frustrations we go through .
“ Being black in Ireland should mean being part of the Irish community but sometimes we feel like we ’ re not actually part of this community .
It feels like we ’ re second-class citizens and we don ’ t have the same rights as you guys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to start now.
” Judy Ehiguese ( 25 ) and her sister Tessy ( 23 ) , originally from Nigeria but both living in Lucan , said there was “ silent racism ” in Ireland .
“ It ’ s not spoken about here because it ’ s not as serious as what you see in America where people are shot or killed , ” said Judy .
“ It hides in the bushes and the trees here ; it ’ s silent.
” Sarah Jane Goulding , who took part in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , broke into tears as she relayed the racism her daughter experienced before she was born .
“ I can ’ t have that for her when she ’ s growing up .
A five-year-old doesn ’ t deserve to come home crying to their mams asking why do they say I ’ m not pretty ?
My daughter is black , my friends are black , and they don ’ t deserve to be judged because of their skin colour or their hair or ethnicity.
” Katja Ntidendereza from Dublin said watching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death made her think of her father and brother .
“ My dad has such a gentle soul and to think that someone would look at him and perceive him as violent from the colour of his skin is absolutely outrageous .
We ’ re protesting here for George Floyd but also for every black person who has gone through discrimination.
” Ms Ntidendereza says many Irish people are “ completely ignorant of the racism in this country ” .
“ Growing up in Ireland , going to school here , being the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many times , the looks you get , the perception , people name calling , that ’ s racism .
I would definitely say to Irish people that your casual racism – the pub talk , the building site talk – is not acceptable and it can have such a huge impact on black lives.
” Ms Ntidendereza called on the Taoiseach to address the issue of racism in Ireland and to call out the discrimination many black-Irish people suffer .
“ There ’ s such a huge diverse population in Ireland .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ them and support them out loud.
” Monday ’ s demonstration came to a halt outside the American embassy where thousands chanted Mr Floyd ’ s name .
While some participants left space between each other while walking through the city centre , there was very little social distancing among those gathered outside the embassy .
It ’ s not clear who organised the protest but word of the event seems to have rapidly spread online in recent days with a poster advertising a “ socially distanced protest ” appearing on numerous social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gauge the number of attendees and stood on Baggot Street for 15 minutes counting passers-by but struggled to ascertain an overall figure .
However , attendance was well over 5,000 .
A Garda spokeswoman said the force no longer comments on numbers participating in protests .

Over 5,000 people gathered on the streets of Dublin to support the “black lives matter” movement in the wake of protests in the Unites States over the death of George Floyd. Video: Karl Hayden/Dara Dara Mac Dónaill/Sorcha Pollak
More than 5,000 people gathered on the streets of Dublin on Monday afternoon protesting the death of George Floyd and chanting "black lives matter".
The crowds marched under clear blue skies from the GPO on O'Connell Street to the American embassy in Ballsbridge in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and following the death of 46-year-old George Floyd, who died last week after being arrested by police outside a shop in Minneapolis in the United States. Cities across the US have been rocked by protests over the death in recent days.
Monday’s demonstration in Dublin was attended predominantly by young people aged 16-30, with hundreds carrying signs calling for an end to racism, an end to direct provision and in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter campaign.
MASSIVE turnout to Dublin’s #BlackLivesMatter protest. Biggest demonstration I’ve seen in the capital in years pic.twitter.com/qPae7GhaEb — Sorcha Pollak (@SorchaPollak) June 1, 2020
Lawson Mpame: ‘It feels like we’re second-class citizens and we don’t have the same rights as you guys.’ Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Lawson Mpame (27) from Castleknock, who walked at the head of the protest, said he felt "frustrated and angry" by Mr Floyd's death and that he was "sick of the injustice" towards black people around the world.
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Many Irish people still refuse to accept racism is a problem in this country, he said.
“They think we’re just making it up but I’ve experienced it at first hand, my family has experienced it and my friends too. We want people to listen to us and understand the frustrations we go through.
"Being black in Ireland should mean being part of the Irish community but sometimes we feel like we're not actually part of this community. It feels like we're second-class citizens and we don't have the same rights as you guys. That has to change and that needs to start now."
Judy Ehiguses: ‘[Racism] hides in the bushes and the trees here; it’s silent’. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Judy Ehiguese (25) and her sister Tessy (23), originally from Nigeria but both living in Lucan, said there was "silent racism" in Ireland.
“It’s not spoken about here because it’s not as serious as what you see in America where people are shot or killed,” said Judy. “It hides in the bushes and the trees here; it’s silent.”
Sarah Jane Goulding, who took part in the protest with her 9-month-old daughter Tamia, broke into tears as she relayed the racism her daughter experienced before she was born.
“I can’t have that for her when she’s growing up. A five-year-old doesn’t deserve to come home crying to their mams asking why do they say I’m not pretty? My daughter is black, my friends are black, and they don’t deserve to be judged because of their skin colour or their hair or ethnicity.”
Katja Iradukunda: ‘We’re protesting here for George Floyd but also for every black person who has gone through discrimination’. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Katja Ntidendereza from Dublin said watching the footage of Mr Floyd’s death made her think of her father and brother. “My dad has such a gentle soul and to think that someone would look at him and perceive him as violent from the colour of his skin is absolutely outrageous. We’re protesting here for George Floyd but also for every black person who has gone through discrimination.”
Ms Ntidendereza says many Irish people are “completely ignorant of the racism in this country”.
“Growing up in Ireland, going to school here, being the only black person in the room so many times, the looks you get, the perception, people name calling, that’s racism. I would definitely say to Irish people that your casual racism – the pub talk, the building site talk – is not acceptable and it can have such a huge impact on black lives.”
Ms Ntidendereza called on the Taoiseach to address the issue of racism in Ireland and to call out the discrimination many black-Irish people suffer. “There’s such a huge diverse population in Ireland. Show people of colour that you support them and support them out loud.”
Supporters attend a rally in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter campaign outside the American embassy in Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
The protest was attended predominantly by young people. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
People at a Black Lives Matter protest rally outside the American embassy in Dublin. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Monday's demonstration came to a halt outside the American embassy where thousands chanted Mr Floyd's name. While some participants left space between each other while walking through the city centre, there was very little social distancing among those gathered outside the embassy.
It’s not clear who organised the protest but word of the event seems to have rapidly spread online in recent days with a poster advertising a “socially distanced protest” appearing on numerous social media platforms.
This reporter attempted to gauge the number of attendees and stood on Baggot Street for 15 minutes counting passers-by but struggled to ascertain an overall figure. However, attendance was well over 5,000.
A Garda spokeswoman said the force no longer comments on numbers participating in protests.


theirishtimes--2020-06-01--Diver (35) suffers spinal injuries after hitting rocks in Co Cork

A 35-year-old man has been airlifted to hospital in Cork after he suffered serious spinal injuries while diving from rocks off the south coast this afternoon .
The man was diving from rocks near Nohoval Cove in Co Cork at around 3pm when it is believed his foot caught and he landed on rocks , injuring his back .
The emergency services were alerted and the Irish Coast Guard on Valentia Island co-ordinated a rescue mission .
The Irish Coast Guard Sikorski helicopter , Rescue 115 based at Shannon , took the man to Cork Airport before he was transferred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious spinal injuries but is believed they are not life threatening .
The Irish Coast Guard was assisted in the operation by Kinsale RNLI as well as gardaí who also attended at the scene which is approximately midway between Kinsale and Crosshaven .
The rescue comes just two days after two girls , believed to be in their early teens , were rescued after getting into difficulty while swimming in the River Lee near Ballincollig .
The girls were among a large group of teenagers from Ballincollig who had gathered in the Regional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Several of the teenagers were swimming downstream of the river ’ s damaged weir when the two girls got into difficulty in strong currents .
Onlookers threw a lifebuoy into the water to help rescue one of the girls as a local teenage boy went into the water to bring the other girl to safety .
It is understood both girls were taken to hospital by relations for observation .
Last Wednesday , the Irish Coast Guard was involved in two rescues in west Cork when four teenage boys and two young women @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The man was diving from rocks near Nohoval Cove in Co Cork when it is believed his foot caught and he landed on rocks. File photograph: John M/Geograph.org.uk (cc-by-sa/2.0)
A 35-year-old man has been airlifted to hospital in Cork after he suffered serious spinal injuries while diving from rocks off the south coast this afternoon.
The man was diving from rocks near Nohoval Cove in Co Cork at around 3pm when it is believed his foot caught and he landed on rocks, injuring his back.
The emergency services were alerted and the Irish Coast Guard on Valentia Island co-ordinated a rescue mission.
The Irish Coast Guard Sikorski helicopter, Rescue 115 based at Shannon, took the man to Cork Airport before he was transferred to Cork University Hospital. He suffered serious spinal injuries but is believed they are not life threatening.
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The Irish Coast Guard was assisted in the operation by Kinsale RNLI as well as gardaí who also attended at the scene which is approximately midway between Kinsale and Crosshaven.
The rescue comes just two days after two girls, believed to be in their early teens, were rescued after getting into difficulty while swimming in the River Lee near Ballincollig.
The girls were among a large group of teenagers from Ballincollig who had gathered in the Regional Park in Ballincollig on Saturday afternoon.
Several of the teenagers were swimming downstream of the river’s damaged weir when the two girls got into difficulty in strong currents.
Onlookers threw a lifebuoy into the water to help rescue one of the girls as a local teenage boy went into the water to bring the other girl to safety.
It is understood both girls were taken to hospital by relations for observation.
Last Wednesday, the Irish Coast Guard was involved in two rescues in west Cork when four teenage boys and two young women got into difficulty in separate incidents.


theirishtimes--2020-06-01--State nets €10m from mobile phone operators’ use of masts on public buildings

The State has earned almost €10 million in income from mobile phone operators for the use of masts on Garda stations and other public buildings .
Since 2018 the masts have generated €9,786,707 for State coffers from 162 Garda stations and 18 other buildings .
Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy said it is ironic that the biggest income from a single station is from Fitzgibbon Street station in Dublin ’ s north inner city “ which apart from a very small section , isn ’ t functioning as a Garda station .
While it ’ s closed it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very large mast at the back of the station ” .
Mobile phone mast income from the station is worth €185,000 since the start of 2018 .
Ms Murphy said that Stepaside station in south Dublin was closed for a number of years but continued to generate income , worth over €169,000 since 2018 .
“ The reason they don ’ t require planning permission is because they are Garda stations but if they ’ re functioning without that , that is an issue in its own right.
” The information on income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a parliamentary question to Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe .
Mr Donohoe said the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland grant licences to mobile network operators to install telecommunications equipment on State property , primarily Garda telecommunication structures and the rooftops of other OPW buildings .
A standard licence agreement sets out the terms and conditions under which mobile phone operators are permitted to locate on State property .
Stations in the Dublin area generated most income with Fitzgibbon Street and Stepaside followed by Mountjoy station in the north @ @ @ @ @ @ @ €167,576 since 2108 .
Balbriggan station earned €148,872 and Lucan Garda station mast income was valued at €164,000 .
Incomes decreased the more rural the station and a number of smaller towns and villages generated annual incomes of around €7,000 .
Ms Murphy acknowledged that this was “ good income coming into the State and I think that goes directly to the OPW rather than going into the Garda coffers – but it is income on foot of there being Garda stations ” .
Ms Murphy said the bigger incomes in the Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult to find locations to put masts .
Some rural areas “ may well have the mast on a local GAA club or soccer pitch so it means that there isn ’ t the same pressure on the Garda station and it may well account for why the Dublin stations have a greater income ” .
Mobile phone masts are also located at Dublin Castle , the Met Éireann building and the Phoenix Park among other OPW locations .

Catherine Murphy TD: said the bigger incomes in the Dublin area were accounted for because it is difficult to find locations to put masts. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
The State has earned almost €10 million in income from mobile phone operators for the use of masts on Garda stations and other public buildings.
Since 2018 the masts have generated €9,786,707 for State coffers from 162 Garda stations and 18 other buildings.
Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy said it is ironic that the biggest income from a single station is from Fitzgibbon Street station in Dublin’s north inner city “which apart from a very small section, isn’t functioning as a Garda station. While it’s closed it’s still earning an income because of the very large mast at the back of the station”.
Mobile phone mast income from the station is worth €185,000 since the start of 2018. Ms Murphy said that Stepaside station in south Dublin was closed for a number of years but continued to generate income, worth over €169,000 since 2018.
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“The reason they don’t require planning permission is because they are Garda stations but if they’re functioning without that, that is an issue in its own right.”
The information on income for the State was supplied in response to a parliamentary question to Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe.
Mr Donohoe said the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland grant licences to mobile network operators to install telecommunications equipment on State property, primarily Garda telecommunication structures and the rooftops of other OPW buildings. A standard licence agreement sets out the terms and conditions under which mobile phone operators are permitted to locate on State property.
Stations in the Dublin area generated most income with Fitzgibbon Street and Stepaside followed by Mountjoy station in the north inner city where mast income was worth €167,576 since 2108. Balbriggan station earned €148,872 and Lucan Garda station mast income was valued at €164,000.
Smaller towns
Incomes decreased the more rural the station and a number of smaller towns and villages generated annual incomes of around €7,000.
Ms Murphy acknowledged that this was “good income coming into the State and I think that goes directly to the OPW rather than going into the Garda coffers – but it is income on foot of there being Garda stations”.
Ms Murphy said the bigger incomes in the Dublin area were accounted for because it is difficult to find locations to put masts.
Some rural areas “may well have the mast on a local GAA club or soccer pitch so it means that there isn’t the same pressure on the Garda station and it may well account for why the Dublin stations have a greater income”.
Mobile phone masts are also located at Dublin Castle, the Met Éireann building and the Phoenix Park among other OPW locations.


theirishtimes--2020-06-01--Trio serenade Higgins with impromptu concert outside Áras

President Michael D Higgins was lured from lockdown on Sunday by the strains of an ensemble serenading him outside Áras an Uachtaráin .
Without access to their usual rehearsal rooms , Elizabeth McLaren , Hilary Sheil and Ríona Ó Duinnín – all players with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra – decided to meet for a socially-distanced practice in a sun-kissed Phoenix Park .
After tuning up , violinst McLaren tweeted the President – sole patron of the orchestra – to let him know there were some musicians “ outside the Áras right now , serenading you , our Patron , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A little into their surprise afternoon performance , which had gathered a modest audience , Mr Higgins appeared outside his official residence , dressed in a navy suit , blue shirt and Panama hat .
The President strolled , walking stick in hand , with one of his dogs , Bród , by his side , along the Irish yew-lined avenue that leads from the front of the Áras towards Chesterfield Avenue to get within earshot of the trio .
Mr Higgins could be seen waving his Panama hat in appreciation , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duinnín offered him a rendition of Leonard Cohen ’ s Come Healing , which they cited a favourite of the President ’ s .
A short video clip of the break from lockdown tedium posted on Twitter went viral and has been viewed more than 230,000 times .
Later , Mr Higgins tweeted his appreciation : “ Míle buíochas don cheolchoirm álainn amuigh faoin aer !
” ( Many thanks for the outdoor performance ) .
McLaren said the National Symphony Orchestra was “ delighted so many people enjoyed it , and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his dog ) came out to listen .
He is a wonderful and supportive patron ” .

President Michael D Higgins was lured from lockdown on Sunday by the strains of an ensemble serenading him outside Áras an Uachtaráin.
Without access to their usual rehearsal rooms, Elizabeth McLaren, Hilary Sheil and Ríona Ó Duinnín – all players with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra – decided to meet for a socially-distanced practice in a sun-kissed Phoenix Park.
After tuning up, violinst McLaren tweeted the President – sole patron of the orchestra – to let him know there were some musicians “outside the Áras right now, serenading you, our Patron, on this glorious sunny day”.
Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly feel prouder to be Irish, our beloved @PresidentIRL strolls out to listen to an impromptu open air concert by @RTE_NSO - this wouldn’t happen in any other country in the world. Ireland I love you! ❤ pic.twitter.com/YuBSPnaKuO — Dil Wickremasinghe (@DilW) May 31, 2020
A little into their surprise afternoon performance, which had gathered a modest audience, Mr Higgins appeared outside his official residence, dressed in a navy suit, blue shirt and Panama hat.
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The President strolled, walking stick in hand, with one of his dogs, Bród, by his side, along the Irish yew-lined avenue that leads from the front of the Áras towards Chesterfield Avenue to get within earshot of the trio.
Mr Higgins could be seen waving his Panama hat in appreciation, as McLaren, bassoonist Sheil and flautist Ó Duinnín offered him a rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Come Healing, which they cited a favourite of the President’s.
A short video clip of the break from lockdown tedium posted on Twitter went viral and has been viewed more than 230,000 times.
Later, Mr Higgins tweeted his appreciation: “Míle buíochas don cheolchoirm álainn amuigh faoin aer!” (Many thanks for the outdoor performance).
McLaren said the National Symphony Orchestra was “delighted so many people enjoyed it, and we were especially excited when the President (and his dog) came out to listen. He is a wonderful and supportive patron”.


theirishtimes--2020-06-01--Q&A: What are the sticking points in Government formation talks?

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar struck a note of optimism last Friday when he predicted that agreement could be reached between Fine Gael , Fianna Fáil and the Greens on a programme for government .
However , progress at the talks has been fitful and over the weekend the parties failed to resolve some key issues .
With negotiators discussing the key issue of agriculture on Monday , talks insiders now say it might take much longer to reach a consensus .
“ We ’ ve got a lot of sticky issues to deal with over the next week or so , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brien .
“ Having an agreement by the end of the week is a target , it ’ s probably an optimistic target from my point of view , ” he said .
So what are the major sticking points to emerge so far ?
There is a fundamental divide here between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on the one hand , and the Greens on the other .
The two larger parties say the deficit that will arise from Covid-19 will need to be addressed and reduced .
They are talking of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2023 for this process to accelerate .
During sessions on Friday and Saturday , the Greens opposed this saying it will lead to a repeat of the austerity measures of a decade ago .
For its part , the party has argued for borrowing to continue ( at very low rates ) until the economy has sufficiently recovered .
The two other parties say the deficit would become unmanageable , that it would pose risks , including reputational risks .
Has there been movement ?
Joe O ’ Brien said on RTÉ ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deficit would have to be addressed at some stage .
Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil interpreted it as such .
It ’ s one of the Green ’ s 17 items on its “ wish list ” .
Its members identify it as a really high priority .
It has argued strongly for the system to be scrapped , without success so far .
Fianna Fáil is now concerned about Sinn Féin and wants to reestablish its republican credentials .
It has argued very strongly for a dedicated unit in the Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The other two parties don ’ t fully share its enthusiasm .
This has become a pinch point .
All three parties agree with an increase in the carbon tax to at least €80 a tonne by the end of the decade .
But there has been differences in how the funds raised should be used .
Fianna Fáil wants them to be hypothecated - in other words ring-fenced for mitigation measures .
Principally it wants a just transition fund to help Bord na Móna workers in the Midlands find alternative green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dividend system which they argue will best protect the least well off in society .
All parties agree that it should increase to 0.7 per cent of national product but have differed on timescales and on flexibilities ( something Fine Gael has argued for ) .
This Bill was passed by the last Dáil and supported by the Greens and Fianna Fáíl .
Fine Gael oppose banning Israeli products made in the Occupied Territories on the basis of legal advice which says it would contravene EU law .
One of the issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fianna Fáil has committed to reducing the State pension age from the proposed 67 years of age to 65 years of age .
Fine Gael has opposed this change .
A host of unresolved issues here .
There are some 60 roads projects at various stages of development and Fine Gael say most can not be halted at this stage .
The Greens want to put a stop to them .
They have also argued for 20 per cent of the capital transport budget be earmarked for cycling and walking .
The other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the transport budget to be diverted to uses which they consider minority .
This relates to all the major infrastructure that will be build over the next 20 years , including roads , transport , housing , water , utilities , climate mitigation , energy and power .
The Greens want it reviewed – not by the new government but by the Oireachtas .
They believe Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael interests will be an influence on this .
This is being discussed on Monday and has the potential to cause a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manifesto are radical changes in agricultural practices involving reductions in stock numbers - there is no getting away from it .
Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have put forward proposals more reliant on technology and work changes , but as of now , they will not produce major reductions in the biggest sectoral emitter in Ireland .
The two bigger parties have also suggested that other departments cut more emissions to allow agriculture cut less .
So far , that has not been acceptable to the Greens .
It came during the discussions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman on climate change ( and formerly of defence ) Jack Chambers made a spirited argument for the reestablishment of the 4th Western Brigade headquarters at Custume Barracks in Athlone .
It led to him and Tánaiste Simon Coveney have a very involved and intense exchange .

Fianna Fáil has committed to reducing the State pension age from the proposed 67 years of age to 65 years of age. Fine Gael has opposed this change. Photographs: Gareth Chaney/Collins & Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar struck a note of optimism last Friday when he predicted that agreement could be reached between Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Greens on a programme for government. However, progress at the talks has been fitful and over the weekend the parties failed to resolve some key issues.
With negotiators discussing the key issue of agriculture on Monday, talks insiders now say it might take much longer to reach a consensus.
"We've got a lot of sticky issues to deal with over the next week or so," said Green TD Joe O'Brien. "Having an agreement by the end of the week is a target, it's probably an optimistic target from my point of view," he said.
So what are the major sticking points to emerge so far?
READ MORE
The economy
There is a fundamental divide here between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on the one hand, and the Greens on the other. The two larger parties say the deficit that will arise from Covid-19 will need to be addressed and reduced. They are talking of dates in 2022 and the beginning of 2023 for this process to accelerate.
During sessions on Friday and Saturday, the Greens opposed this saying it will lead to a repeat of the austerity measures of a decade ago. For its part, the party has argued for borrowing to continue (at very low rates) until the economy has sufficiently recovered. The two other parties say the deficit would become unmanageable, that it would pose risks, including reputational risks. Has there been movement? Joe O’Brien said on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics that the deficit would have to be addressed at some stage. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil interpreted it as such.
Direct provision
It’s one of the Green’s 17 items on its “wish list”. Its members identify it as a really high priority. It has argued strongly for the system to be scrapped, without success so far.
Reunification of Ireland
Fianna Fáil is now concerned about Sinn Féin and wants to reestablish its republican credentials. It has argued very strongly for a dedicated unit in the Department of an Taoiseach on the reunification for Ireland. The other two parties don’t fully share its enthusiasm.
Just transition/carbon tax
This has become a pinch point. All three parties agree with an increase in the carbon tax to at least €80 a tonne by the end of the decade. But there has been differences in how the funds raised should be used. Fianna Fáil wants them to be hypothecated - in other words ring-fenced for mitigation measures. Principally it wants a just transition fund to help Bord na Móna workers in the Midlands find alternative green careers. The Greens have argued for a dividend system which they argue will best protect the least well off in society.
Overseas development aid
All parties agree that it should increase to 0.7 per cent of national product but have differed on timescales and on flexibilities (something Fine Gael has argued for).
Occupied Territories Bill
This Bill was passed by the last Dáil and supported by the Greens and Fianna Fáíl. Fine Gael oppose banning Israeli products made in the Occupied Territories on the basis of legal advice which says it would contravene EU law.
State pension age
One of the issues that won Sinn Féin the election. Fianna Fáil has committed to reducing the State pension age from the proposed 67 years of age to 65 years of age. Fine Gael has opposed this change.
Transport
A host of unresolved issues here. There are some 60 roads projects at various stages of development and Fine Gael say most cannot be halted at this stage. The Greens want to put a stop to them. They have also argued for 20 per cent of the capital transport budget be earmarked for cycling and walking. The other two parties oppose such a large slice of the transport budget to be diverted to uses which they consider minority.
National Development Plan/Land use plan
This relates to all the major infrastructure that will be build over the next 20 years, including roads, transport, housing, water, utilities, climate mitigation, energy and power. The Greens want it reviewed – not by the new government but by the Oireachtas. They believe Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael interests will be an influence on this.
Agriculture
This is being discussed on Monday and has the potential to cause a major divide. Inherent in the Green manifesto are radical changes in agricultural practices involving reductions in stock numbers - there is no getting away from it. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have put forward proposals more reliant on technology and work changes, but as of now, they will not produce major reductions in the biggest sectoral emitter in Ireland. The two bigger parties have also suggested that other departments cut more emissions to allow agriculture cut less. So far, that has not been acceptable to the Greens.
The strange and unexpected pinchpoint
It came during the discussions on defence last week when Fianna Fáíl spokesman on climate change (and formerly of defence) Jack Chambers made a spirited argument for the reestablishment of the 4th Western Brigade headquarters at Custume Barracks in Athlone. It led to him and Tánaiste Simon Coveney have a very involved and intense exchange.


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--‘A gateway to normality’: Dublin Zoo reopens after three months

Children roaring like tigers and aping the moves of primates in between peals of excited laughter as they wait impatiently to get through the gates of Dublin Zoo has been a sound of an Irish summer for more than 150 years .
But it has been absent from 2020 until now .
On a gloriously warm and sunny Tuesday morning in early June , the city ’ s premier attraction opened its doors for the first time in almost three months .
While Covid-19 restrictions have seen a dramatic curtailment in the numbers allowed in , a tightly controlled one-way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the zoo ’ s return was still well able to lift spirits – of staff and visitors .
“ It ’ s great to see real people again , ” laughed the zoo ’ s operations manager , Gerry Creighton , as he watched a small and impeccably maintained socially distant queue form outside the gate ahead of its scheduled reopening at 9.30am .
Under the Covid rules only those with prebooked tickets are allowed in , and numbers are strictly limited to 500 people in the mornings and a further 500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an hour in between the two .
The restaurants , shop and Reptile House are all closed .
None of the new rules dimmed the anticipation felt by Erin O ’ Toole and Michelle Leonard who had brought three children from Firhouse after spending much of Sunday morning on the zoo ’ s website trying to secure the golden tickets .
“ They are just so excited , ” Ms Leonard said , gesturing toward the children roaring like lions at her feet .
“ And can you blame them ?
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to do since the lockdown started.
” Jason Quinn and Jeanne Doyle had their toddler twin sons with them on a long overdue visit .
“ They were supposed to come here for their birthday in March but that got cancelled and we ended up getting goldfish for them instead .
We are all so excited we can hardly contain ourselves , ” she added .
Lavinia McClelland from Castleknock was , if anything , even more excited .
“ When I managed to book the tickets yesterday it was like I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dubai , ” she told The Irish Times .
Her two-and-a-half year old son “ has been asking five times a day every day when he can go back to zoo .
It has been so sad .
It has been heartbreaking .
How can you explain what has been happening to a baby ?
But now we have this and it fantastic , it is bright light and a sign things are beginning again .
This is a gateway to normality.
” And then she was through that gateway and into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Deirdre , were trying to wake 16-month old Noah who had nodded off on the journey in from Swords – possibly because his excitement level at the promised of a day out at the zoo had him up very early .
His mother and grandmother were pretty happy too .
“ I am a teacher and would normally be preparing for the State exams today so it is just very surreal to be here , ” said the younger Lattin .
“ It is brilliant and an important step.
” The importance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zoo director Leo Oosterweghel , and he betrayed traces of excitement beneath his normally laconic and impenetrable exterior .
“ The zoo is part of people ’ s lives and there is this amazing sense of ownership , ” he said .
He pointed out that on a warm summer ’ s day the zoo would “ maybe have six or seven thousand people and now will have to keep it to 500 in the morning and 500 in the evenings , but it is a start .
This is a trial period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so are very comfortable we can adhere to social distancing rules.
” As ever , the animals he cares for were foremost in his thoughts .
“ They have been very well looked after by the keepers in recent weeks , and there has been this great curiosity when I have walked past them .
I think it will take a few weeks for them to settle back into the old normal.
” For now we are still in the new normal .
“ We have been planning and preparing for weeks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with such small numbers coming people will get a real opportunity to see the animals who are so curious about people now that they will be craning their necks to look back , if they have necks that is .
”

Conor Pope visits an eerily quiet Dublin Zoo which closed on March 12th due to coronavirus restrictions and after a number of staff layoffs is being operated by an animal care team and some support staff. Video: Bryan O’Brien
Children roaring like tigers and aping the moves of primates in between peals of excited laughter as they wait impatiently to get through the gates of Dublin Zoo has been a sound of an Irish summer for more than 150 years. But it has been absent from 2020 until now.
On a gloriously warm and sunny Tuesday morning in early June, the city's premier attraction opened its doors for the first time in almost three months.
While Covid-19 restrictions have seen a dramatic curtailment in the numbers allowed in, a tightly controlled one-way system and access to all-indoor spaces closed, the zoo’s return was still well able to lift spirits – of staff and visitors.
"It's great to see real people again," laughed the zoo's operations manager, Gerry Creighton, as he watched a small and impeccably maintained socially distant queue form outside the gate ahead of its scheduled reopening at 9.30am.
READ MORE
Under the Covid rules only those with prebooked tickets are allowed in, and numbers are strictly limited to 500 people in the mornings and a further 500 in the afternoons with the zoo closing for an hour in between the two. The restaurants, shop and Reptile House are all closed.
None of the new rules dimmed the anticipation felt by Erin O'Toole and Michelle Leonard who had brought three children from Firhouse after spending much of Sunday morning on the zoo's website trying to secure the golden tickets.
“They are just so excited,” Ms Leonard said, gesturing toward the children roaring like lions at her feet. “And can you blame them? This is the first thing we have been able to do since the lockdown started.”
Jason Quinn and Jeanne Doyle had their toddler twin sons with them on a long overdue visit. "They were supposed to come here for their birthday in March but that got cancelled and we ended up getting goldfish for them instead. We are all so excited we can hardly contain ourselves," she added.
Lavinia McClelland from Castleknock was, if anything, even more excited. "When I managed to book the tickets yesterday it was like I'd won a free trip to Dubai," she told The Irish Times.
Her two-and-a-half year old son “has been asking five times a day every day when he can go back to zoo. It has been so sad. It has been heartbreaking. How can you explain what has been happening to a baby? But now we have this and it fantastic, it is bright light and a sign things are beginning again. This is a gateway to normality.”
And then she was through that gateway and into the zoo.
Aoife Lattin and her mother, Deirdre, were trying to wake 16-month-old Noah who had nodded off on the journey in from Swords – possibly because his excitement level at the promised of a day out at the zoo had him up very early. His mother and grandmother were pretty happy too.
“I am a teacher and would normally be preparing for the State exams today so it is just very surreal to be here,” said the younger Lattin. “It is brilliant and an important step.”
The importance of the day was not lost on zoo director Leo Oosterweghel, and he betrayed traces of excitement beneath his normally laconic and impenetrable exterior. “The zoo is part of people’s lives and there is this amazing sense of ownership,” he said.
He pointed out that on a warm summer’s day the zoo would “maybe have six or seven thousand people and now will have to keep it to 500 in the morning and 500 in the evenings, but it is a start. This is a trial period, and we have a big site so are very comfortable we can adhere to social distancing rules.”
As ever, the animals he cares for were foremost in his thoughts. “They have been very well looked after by the keepers in recent weeks, and there has been this great curiosity when I have walked past them. I think it will take a few weeks for them to settle back into the old normal.”
For now we are still in the new normal. “We have been planning and preparing for weeks, and while there are limitations and restrictions, with such small numbers coming people will get a real opportunity to see the animals who are so curious about people now that they will be craning their necks to look back, if they have necks that is.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Ireland’s health infrastructure means restrictions must ease slowly - medic

Lockdown restrictions must be eased slowly because there are not enough hospital beds to cope with a large second surge of coronavirus within months , senior doctors have warned .
Dr Laura Durcan , vice-president of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association ( IHCA ) , said it was necessary to “ keep the reins super tight ” on reopening society because healthcare infrastructure in Ireland remains “ dreadful ” .
“ We know that there will be a second surge , ” she said .
“ The European Centre for Disease Control say it is inevitable , and what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a big one.
” Dr Durcan said consultants are “ frightened because of our poor intensive care unit capacity , our dreadful emergency departments , which are not fit for purpose ” .
The inability “ to flex up and flex down is what is making everyone frightened and what is slowing things down ” in terms of easing restrictions .
The consultant rheumatologist said less than a fifth of beds at Dublin ’ s Beaumont Hospital , where she is based , are single-occupancy .
The majority of patients are in six-bed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those will be seven-bedded bays because we will shove a bed behind the door.
” Those calling for a quicker easing of the lockdown should be calling for increased investment in healthcare facilities “ so we can be confident and strong in our response ” , she said .
“ This isn ’ t going to go away , ” she said of the virus .
“ I ’ m not worried about next month , I ’ m worried for October , I ’ m worried for January.
” Dr Durcan said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in public health decision-making “ but there has to be because we don ’ t have the capacity to look after a huge surge in sick people ” .
“ I ’ m afraid as we head into a second wave , it will look very similar to what the first wave was .
Because you can ’ t make capacity very fast , there is a lag time , ” she told RTÉ Radio One .
She added : “ We will once again stop providing care for people that isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributes to the kind of standby mortality we see in these things , where people who have heart attacks and cancers and strokes don ’ t come for care and aren ’ t diagnosed and managed appropriately .
”

Dr Laura Durcan, vice-president of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA), said it was necessary to “keep the reins super tight” on reopening society
Lockdown restrictions must be eased slowly because there are not enough hospital beds to cope with a large second surge of coronavirus within months, senior doctors have warned.
Dr Laura Durcan, vice-president of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA), said it was necessary to “keep the reins super tight” on reopening society because healthcare infrastructure in Ireland remains “dreadful”.
“We know that there will be a second surge,” she said.
“The European Centre for Disease Control say it is inevitable, and what we want is a small peak and not a big one.”
READ MORE
Dr Durcan said consultants are “frightened because of our poor intensive care unit capacity, our dreadful emergency departments, which are not fit for purpose”.
The inability “to flex up and flex down is what is making everyone frightened and what is slowing things down” in terms of easing restrictions.
The consultant rheumatologist said less than a fifth of beds at Dublin’s Beaumont Hospital, where she is based, are single-occupancy.
The majority of patients are in six-bed bays and “come the winter months those will be seven-bedded bays because we will shove a bed behind the door.”
Those calling for a quicker easing of the lockdown should be calling for increased investment in healthcare facilities “so we can be confident and strong in our response”, she said.
“This isn’t going to go away,” she said of the virus. “I’m not worried about next month, I’m worried for October, I’m worried for January.”
Dr Durcan said there is “a lot of fear” in public health decision-making “but there has to be because we don’t have the capacity to look after a huge surge in sick people”.
“I’m afraid as we head into a second wave, it will look very similar to what the first wave was. Because you can’t make capacity very fast, there is a lag time,” she told RTÉ Radio One.
She added: “We will once again stop providing care for people that isn’t Covid-related. And that massively contributes to the kind of standby mortality we see in these things, where people who have heart attacks and cancers and strokes don’t come for care and aren’t diagnosed and managed appropriately.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Coronavirus: Public urged to stick with ‘tough’ restrictions to allow phase two proceed next week

The Government has urged people to stick with ‘ tough ’ measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus so that some restrictions can be eased as planned on June 8th .
At the Government ’ s morning Covid-19 briefing on Tuesday , assistant secretary general at the Department of Taoiseach Liz Canavan said people should continue adhering to travel and social distancing guidelines .
She asked people to “ keep it up for a few more days ” .
“ We know it has been tough .
However as we approach the end of phase one of the roadmap , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has made are continuing to benefit our communities .
Hopefully that gives us a very good chance of moving to phase two as scheduled , ” Ms Canavan said .
In phase two , which is due begin next Monday , the 5km restriction on movement will be widened to 20km but unnecessary journeys should still be avoided .
Visits to homes of over 70s and medically vulnerable will be allowed by no more than a small number of people for a short period of time .
Up to four people may visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintaining strict social distancing .
Ms Canavan said it was clear that many people did not travel outside their locality over the Bank Holiday weekend .
Meanwhile , the number of people claiming the Government ’ s special weekly pandemic payment has dropped by 36,000 since last week as more people return to employment .
Ms Canavan said there are now 543,000 unemployed recipients of the weekly €350 payment .
The overall value of the weekly payments is now around €190 million .
Ms Canavan also said Irish Water is urging the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water usage in the past week and over the Bank Holiday weekend .
“ First of all I must emphasise that we all have to prioritise hand-washing but Irish Water is today again appealing to the public and to businesses to make every effort to conserve water by discontinuing non-essential usage such as the operation of power-washers , by using a watering can rather than a hose in the garden , by taking showers over a bath and by fixing any dripping taps were it is possible to do so.
” She said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hosepipe ban will be needed .
“ It is now very likely that a water conservation order , what we know as a hosepipe ban , will be necessary to conserve water supplies as demand for water continues to soar and the drought conditions continue .
”

Assistant secretary general at the Department of the Taoiseach Liz Canavan, urging the public to continue adhering to travel and social distancing guidelines, asked people to “keep it up for a few more days”. File photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
The Government has urged people to stick with ‘tough’ measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus so that some restrictions can be eased as planned on June 8th.
At the Government’s morning Covid-19 briefing on Tuesday, assistant secretary general at the Department of Taoiseach Liz Canavan said people should continue adhering to travel and social distancing guidelines. She asked people to “keep it up for a few more days”.
“We know it has been tough. However as we approach the end of phase one of the roadmap, we can see that the efforts everyone has made are continuing to benefit our communities. Hopefully that gives us a very good chance of moving to phase two as scheduled,” Ms Canavan said.
In phase two, which is due begin next Monday, the 5km restriction on movement will be widened to 20km but unnecessary journeys should still be avoided.
READ MORE
Visits to homes of over 70s and medically vulnerable will be allowed by no more than a small number of people for a short period of time.
Up to four people may visit another household for a short period while maintaining strict social distancing.
Ms Canavan said it was clear that many people did not travel outside their locality over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Meanwhile, the number of people claiming the Government’s special weekly pandemic payment has dropped by 36,000 since last week as more people return to employment.
Ms Canavan said there are now 543,000 unemployed recipients of the weekly €350 payment.
The overall value of the weekly payments is now around €190 million.
Ms Canavan also said Irish Water is urging the public to conserve water after an increase in water usage in the past week and over the Bank Holiday weekend.
“First of all I must emphasise that we all have to prioritise hand-washing but Irish Water is today again appealing to the public and to businesses to make every effort to conserve water by discontinuing non-essential usage such as the operation of power-washers, by using a watering can rather than a hose in the garden, by taking showers over a bath and by fixing any dripping taps were it is possible to do so.”
She said it was “very likely” that a hosepipe ban would be needed.
“It is now very likely that a water conservation order, what we know as a hosepipe ban, will be necessary to conserve water supplies as demand for water continues to soar and the drought conditions continue.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Woman threatened by armed men during Cork burglary

Gardaí in Cork are investigating an aggravated burglary during which a woman was threatened by two men armed with a @ @ @ @ @ The incident happened in a house at Ballinderry Park in Mayfield on Monday night .
@ @ @ @ @ property at around 8pm and threatened the woman , who was there with her husband @ @ @ @ @ Neighbours heard the commotion and alerted gardaí , who arrested the intruders at the scene @ @ @ @ @ station .
The woman was not injured but was said to have been left shaken @ @ @ @ @ two men , aged 28 and 40 , were detained under Section 4 of the @ @ @ @ @ allows gardaí to hold suspects for up to 48 hours .
Gardaí have cordoned off @ @ @ @ @ to allow technical experts carry out a forensic examination .

Gardaí have cordoned off the scene of the burglary in Mayfield, Cork to allow technical experts carry out a forensic examination.
Gardaí in Cork are investigating an aggravated burglary during which a woman was threatened by two men armed with a shovel and a baton.
The incident happened in a house at Ballinderry Park in Mayfield on Monday night.
The two broke into the property at around 8pm and threatened the woman, who was there with her husband and some visiting relatives.
Neighbours heard the commotion and alerted gardaí, who arrested the intruders at the scene and brought them to Mayfield station. The woman was not injured but was said to have been left shaken by the incident.
READ MORE
The two men, aged 28 and 22, were detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, which allows gardaí to hold suspects for up to 48 hours.
Gardaí have cordoned off the scene of the burglary to allow technical experts carry out a forensic examination.


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Today expected to be hottest day of the year so far

Temperatures are expected to go above 27 degrees in parts of the country on Tuesday , making it the hottest day of the year so far .
By 8am temperatures were already reaching 16 degrees according to early reports from weather stations .
Top temperatures of 27 are expected in Leinster and Munster , with the north and west of the country to be cooler at between 15 and 20 degrees , and cooler still along the coast .
Light north-westerly winds are to become stronger during the day , Met Éireann has forecast .
On Monday temperatures reached 27.1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exceeding the high of 26.8 degrees recorded in Mount Dillon , Co Roscommon , on Saturday .
Weather stations across the country reported no rainfall on Monday , as the dry , sunny weather of recent weeks continued .
An imminent hosepipe ban is highly likely as water supplies plunge to “ drought conditions ” during the lengthy dry spell , Irish Water has warned householders .
There has been “ unprecedented demand ” over recent weeks as it appealed to the public to only use water for necessary activities .
Some 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ drought ” level , while a further 38 are “ pending drought ” , said Yvonne Harris , the utility ’ s head of customer operations .
“ We feel it is highly likely we will be required to implement a water conservation order , ” she added .
The fine weather is to come to and end on Tuesday night , with rainfall expected to spread from the south east .
The rest of the week is to be much cooler , with Wednesday forecast to be blustery and cloudy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ between 11 and 14 degrees , but may reach 20 degrees elsewhere .
Thursday is to be a cool , damp day , with rain showers from the morning onwards , and temperatures of 12 to 16 degrees .
The showery and cloudy conditions will continue into Friday and Saturday , with top temperatures of between nine and 14 degrees .
This spring has been the driest on record in Leinster since digital records began around 70 years ago , Met Éireann has said .
Since early March seven weather stations have experienced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is 15 consecutive days without rain .
Drought-like conditions have been most apparent in Dublin where the Phoenix Park weather station had 42 days from March 18th to April 28th in which just 5.8mm of rain fell , with record low levels seen in May as well .
Demand for water on hot days was “ soaring beyond any previous levels , ” Ms Harris said .
“ Last Saturday when it was a very hot and sunny day in Dublin , we experienced an additional demand of 30 million litres of water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morning Ireland .
“ That is the equivalent of an additional 200,000 people ( using water ) in Dublin .
And we have found that our data is showing similar trends throughout the country.
” Latest figures on water usage were recorded before the dry and sunny bank holiday weekend .
In the meantime , supplies from rivers , lakes and springs are “ drying up ” , Ms Harris said .
Technical teams at Irish Water are currently monitoring supply levels and a conservation order is expected to be announced once they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ utility ’ s criteria for restrictions .
Ms Harris said she could not predict when it would be announced or how long it would last , as it would be weather dependent .
Hand washing hygiene was obviously critical during the pandemic , Ms Harris added , but she appealed to the public not to use water for “ unnecessary purposes ” .

Children enjoy the warm weather at Seapark beach in Holywood, Co Down on Monday. Photograph: David Young/PA Wire
Ireland enjoyed a fine, hot day on Tuesday but no records were broken - possibly a sign of things to come with a dip in temperatures expected ahead of next weekend.
It had been expected that Tuesday would see temperatures rise above 27 degrees - the record for this year so far set on bank holiday Monday in Co Mayo - but things did not quite heat up enough.
Met Eireann recorded the highest temperature of 26 degrees in Dublin's Phoenix Park, while elsewhere sunbathers in Co Roscommon sat under blue skies with temperatures of 25.8 degrees, with 24.7 degrees recorded in Co Tipperary. The finest conditions were in the midlands and south east of the country.
In the west and north things were a little chillier - Belmullet in Co Mayo recorded just 14 degrees.
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“Temperatures are going to pull back again; we’re looking at probably the mid to high teens in maxes for the rest of the week,” said a forecaster.
As we approach the weekend “it will be a little more broken. It could get cooler and blustier at times but it’s far from terrible weather [forecast].”
Much of the change is because the recent air flow has been coming in from the south east whereas that is now going to shift to the north west over the weekend. While there will be some rain, the general picture is for a slightly cooler, slightly gloomier period ahead.
On Tuesday night rainfall is expected to spread from the south east.
The rest of the week is to be much cooler, with Wednesday forecast to be blustery and cloudy. Temperatures in the north west will be between 11 and 14 degrees, but may reach 20 degrees elsewhere.
Thursday is to be a cool, damp day, with rain showers from the morning onwards, and temperatures of 12 to 16 degrees.
The showery and cloudy conditions will continue into Friday and Saturday, with top temperatures of between nine and 14 degrees.
Tuesday had started well - by 8am temperatures were already reaching 16 degrees according to early reports from weather stations.
Top temperatures of 27 had been expected in Leinster and Munster, with the north and west of the country to be cooler at between 15 and 20 degrees, and cooler still along the coast.
On Monday temperatures reached 27.1 degrees in Newport, Co Mayo, exceeding the high of 26.8 degrees recorded in Mount Dillon, Co Roscommon, on Saturday.
Weather stations across the country reported no rainfall on Monday, as the dry, sunny weather of recent weeks continued.
An imminent hosepipe ban is highly likely as water supplies plunge to “drought conditions” during the lengthy dry spell, Irish Water has warned householders.
There has been “unprecedented demand” over recent weeks as it appealed to the public to only use water for necessary activities.
Some 16 water supplies are already classified as at "drought" level, while a further 38 are "pending drought", said Yvonne Harris, the utility's head of customer operations.
“We feel it is highly likely we will be required to implement a water conservation order,” she added.
This spring has been the driest on record in Leinster since digital records began around 70 years ago, Met Éireann has said.
Since early March seven weather stations have experienced an “absolute drought,” which is 15 consecutive days without rain.
Drought-like conditions have been most apparent in Dublin where the Phoenix Park weather station had 42 days from March 18th to April 28th in which just 5.8mm of rain fell, with record low levels seen in May as well.
Demand for water on hot days was “soaring beyond any previous levels,” Ms Harris said.
“Last Saturday when it was a very hot and sunny day in Dublin, we experienced an additional demand of 30 million litres of water,” she told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
“That is the equivalent of an additional 200,000 people (using water) in Dublin. And we have found that our data is showing similar trends throughout the country.”
Latest figures on water usage were recorded before the dry and sunny bank holiday weekend. In the meantime, supplies from rivers, lakes and springs are “drying up”, Ms Harris said.
Technical teams at Irish Water are currently monitoring supply levels and a conservation order is expected to be announced once they have dipped to levels stated under the utility’s criteria for restrictions.
Ms Harris said she could not predict when it would be announced or how long it would last, as it would be weather dependent.
Hand washing hygiene was obviously critical during the pandemic, Ms Harris added, but she appealed to the public not to use water for “unnecessary purposes”.


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Body of missing five-year-old recovered from Lough Mask, Co Mayo

The search operation for a missing five-year-old boy has been stood down after his body was recovered from Lough Mask @ @ @ @ @ morning .
Gardaí confirmed the development in a statement released shortly before 9am .
A @ @ @ @ @ .
The boy is believed to have fallen out of a dinghy which drifted from @ @ @ @ @ Gardaí in Castlebar were assisted by Coast Guard , Civil Defence , Lough Mask Water @ @ @ @ @ Gardaí and the Coast Guard began the search on Monday after the alarm was raised @ @ @ @ @ inflatable boat was spotted in the water .
The missing child is from the local @ @ @ @ @ helicopter , based in Shannon , Co Clare , conducted an aerial survey of the @ @ @ @ @ while search teams worked to locate the boy .
The local Lough Mask water rescue @ @ @ @ @ the operation , along with the local mountain rescue service .
Local residents and divers @ @ @ @ @ The boy was last seen on the Toormakeady side of the lake .

Gardaí and the Coast Guard began the search on Monday after the alarm was raised at 6.30pm, when the inflatable boat was spotted in the water. Photograph: Lenny Antoneli
The five-year-old boy whose body was taken from Lough Mask in Co Mayo today has been named locally as Ben Duffy.
A search operation for the missing boy had been stood down after his body was recovered on Tuesday morning.
It is understood he had been in a small boat which capsized after drifting from the shoreline on Monday.
Gardaí in Castlebar, assisted by Coast Guard, Civil Defence, Lough Mask Water Rescue and local divers, confirmed the search had been brought to an end in a statement released shortly before 9am.
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The search began on Monday after the alarm was raised at 6.30pm, when the inflatable boat was spotted in the water.
The Coast Guard helicopter, based in Shannon, Co Clare, conducted an aerial survey of the lake on Monday evening, while search teams worked to locate the boy.
The local Lough Mask water rescue team was also involved in the operation, along with the local mountain rescue service. Local residents and divers had also been assisting.
The boy had last been seen on the Toormakeady side of the lake.