Church services

National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland Due to current concerns over the Covid19 virus Saint Patrick 's Cathedral is closed to the public .
Services are accessible on live stream only .
Please join us in worship online : https : //www.stpatrickscathedral.ie/worship/video-stream/ THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT 9.15 EUCHARIST 11.15 CHORAL EUCHARIST sung by the Lay Vicars Choral Da Monte : Missa Si ambulavero , Psalm 127 : vv1-4 , Palestrina : Sicut Cervus , Preacher : The Revd .
D.W.T .
Crooks , M.A , B.D.
, Prebendary of Howth .
15.15 EVENSONG sung by the Lay Vicars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ E , Psalm : 108 , Biebl : Ave Maria , Howells : Rhapsody No .
1 in Db CHORAL EVENSONG at 17.30 on Monday to Friday .
EUCHARIST is said at 11.05 on Wednesday , Thursday and Saturday .
For further information visit www.stpatrickscathedral.ie or telephone 01 453 9472 .
St John the Evangelist , Park Avenue , Sandymount With great regret we have decided to suspend public worship at St. John ’ s .
We will review this decision in time for Palm Sunday .
www.sandymount.dublin.anglican.org Whitechurch Parish 8.00 a.m. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prayer and Holy Baptism .
*Sunday Club .
7.00 p.m. , A Service of Healing and Wholeness .
Dun Laoghaire , Co Dublin The Methodist Church , Northumberland Avenue , Dun Laoghaire .
Sunday Service 11am .
All Welcome .
For further details www.dlmc.org

CATHEDRALS
National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland Due to current concerns over the Covid19 virus Saint Patrick's Cathedral is closed to the public. Services are accessible on live stream only. Please join us in worship online: https://www.stpatrickscathedral.ie/worship/video-stream/ THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT 9.15 EUCHARIST 11.15 CHORAL EUCHARIST sung by the Lay Vicars Choral Da Monte: Missa Si ambulavero, Psalm 127: vv1-4, Palestrina: Sicut Cervus, Preacher: The Revd. D.W.T. Crooks, M.A, B.D., Prebendary of Howth. 15.15 EVENSONG sung by the Lay Vicars Choral Responses: Rose, Macpherson in E, Psalm: 108, Biebl: Ave Maria, Howells: Rhapsody No. 1 in Db CHORAL EVENSONG at 17.30 on Monday to Friday. EUCHARIST is said at 11.05 on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. For further information visit www.stpatrickscathedral.ie or telephone 01 453 9472.
CHURCH OF IRELAND
Ardamine Group, Co Wexford Monamolin 9.00am (Morning Prayer) Kilmuckridge 10.15am (Holy Communion) Clonevan 11.30am (Morning Prayer)
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Cork Carrigaline Union. 930am- Holy Communion - St John's Monkstown. 11am- All-Age Celebration -St Mary's Carrigaline. Every Wednesday at 1030am Holy Communion St Mary's Carrigaline. www.carrigalineunion.org
Rathmichael Parish 08.30 hrs. Holy Communion. 11.00 hrs. Morning Prayer. 19.00 hrs. Holy Communion.
St John the Evangelist, Park Avenue, Sandymount With great regret we have decided to suspend public worship at St. John's. We will review this decision in time for Palm Sunday. www.sandymount.dublin.anglican.org
Whitechurch Parish 8.00 a.m., Holy Communion. 10.30 a.m., Morning Prayer and Holy Baptism. *Sunday Club. 7.00 p.m., A Service of Healing and Wholeness.
METHODIST
Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin The Methodist Church, Northumberland Avenue, Dun Laoghaire. Sunday Service 11am. All Welcome. For further details www.dlmc.org


theirishtimes--2020-03-21--The Irish Times view on disruption to education: Keep calm and stay focused

Like so much else during the coronavirus crisis , our education system is in uncharted waters .
Parents and teachers have no firm of idea of when schools will reopen .
Junior and Leaving Cert students do not know if they will have exams during the summer .
Third-level institutions are grappling with remote teaching and online assessments .
It is little surprise that so many parents , students and educators feel anxious and concerned over the impact this uncertainty will have on pupils ’ education and future prospects .
Many crave much greater levels of clarity and support .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week that Junior and Leaving Cert oral and practical performance tests have been cancelled is a good first step .
Many will debate whether the decision to give students full marks for these components is the right approach and if it undermines the integrity of the exams .
However , against a backdrop of a public health emergency which is set to get worse before its gets better , there are no good options .
At the very least , it gives students some much-needed certainty .
Whatever solution is found to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all students are treated fairly and no one is disadvantaged in any way .
It is also vital to minimise the impact of school closures on teaching and learning for children .
The Department of Education says all schools have been asked to continue lesson plans and , where possible , provide online lessons for students .
While some schools or individual teachers are well equipped to provide learning support online , many others are not .
Even if these supports existed , in many parts of the country broadband access is either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – such as equipping teachers to teach remotely from their schools – are found , there is a real risk of a digital divide opening up between students .
The impact on third-level , too , is still being quantified .
At a time when so many institutions are heavily reliant on international students as a vital source of income , many will face a financial black-hole .
To their credit , many have responded quickly to provide lectures online and replace exams with online assessments .
There is no doubting the daunting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in confronting the coronavirus crisis .
It is only right that we take whatever measures are necessary to protect our most vulnerable .
Amid the disruption , children are continuing to learn , albeit in new and different ways .
In time , the crisis will pass .
The schools will reopen .
Exams will take place .
In the meantime , perhaps the best advice for students – especially those in exam years – is to stay calm , keep focused and assume that a normality of sorts will resume in time @

The best advice for students - especially those in exam years - is to stay calm, keep focused and assume that a normality of sorts will resume in time. Photograph: iStock
Like so much else during the coronavirus crisis, our education system is in uncharted waters. Parents and teachers have no firm of idea of when schools will reopen. Junior and Leaving Cert students do not know if they will have exams during the summer.
Third-level institutions are grappling with remote teaching and online assessments. It is little surprise that so many parents, students and educators feel anxious and concerned over the impact this uncertainty will have on pupils’ education and future prospects. Many crave much greater levels of clarity and support.
The Minister for Education’s announcement this week that Junior and Leaving Cert oral and practical performance tests have been cancelled is a good first step. Many will debate whether the decision to give students full marks for these components is the right approach and if it undermines the integrity of the exams. However, against a backdrop of a public health emergency which is set to get worse before its gets better, there are no good options.
At the very least, it gives students some much-needed certainty. Whatever solution is found to the summer exams, it is essential all students are treated fairly and no one is disadvantaged in any way.
READ MORE
It is also vital to minimise the impact of school closures on teaching and learning for children. The Department of Education says all schools have been asked to continue lesson plans and, where possible, provide online lessons for students. While some schools or individual teachers are well equipped to provide learning support online, many others are not.
Even if these supports existed, in many parts of the country broadband access is either poor or non-existent. Unless creative solutions – such as equipping teachers to teach remotely from their schools – are found, there is a real risk of a digital divide opening up between students.
The impact on third-level, too, is still being quantified. At a time when so many institutions are heavily reliant on international students as a vital source of income, many will face a financial black-hole. To their credit, many have responded quickly to provide lectures online and replace exams with online assessments.
There is no doubting the daunting scale of the challenge facing the State in confronting the coronavirus crisis. It is only right that we take whatever measures are necessary to protect our most vulnerable.
Amid the disruption, children are continuing to learn, albeit in new and different ways. In time, the crisis will pass. The schools will reopen. Exams will take place. In the meantime, perhaps the best advice for students – especially those in exam years – is to stay calm, keep focused and assume that a normality of sorts will resume in time.


theirishtimes--2020-03-21--Cocooning from coronavirus: Lack of detail causes concern for some elderly

Kay Walshe would have no problem “ cocooning ” during the coronavirus pandemic .
It is the older friends of the 71-year-old Kilkenny woman who are living remotely that she is more worried about .
She is ready if Taoiseach Leo Varadkar eventually asks the elderly and people with long-term illness to stay at home for several weeks to protect themselves from Covid-19 .
“ If he comes out and says we have to stay in our house , we will .
If you can not stay in your own house , where can you stay ?
We won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have our phones and we have our computers .
It is only a temporary thing to stop everything , ” said Walshe .
Two days before Mother ’ s Day , Walshe ’ s daughter Valerie continues to provide an essential service .
Kay has imposed her own extreme form of self-isolation : she has not left the house for a week , relying on her daughter , always wearing a protective mask , to drop in supplies .
The first thing Walshe thought about when the nation first heard the word @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his address to the nation was that he did not mean people like her .
She is healthy and active in the community .
But if asked by the Government , she will make her self-imposed quarantine official to protect herself and people her age from the virus .
“ You have to do what you are told .
You are not the exception.
” She is one of the youngest in her active retirement group in her home town of Ballyragget .
She worries about how her older friends will cope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our best bridge players ” – who still drives herself around and does her own shopping .
“ I hope we don ’ t get it .
We will do everything we can not to get it , ” she said .
Varadkar gave little away in his 11-minute speech about what “ cocooning ” would exactly involve , apart from saying the Government was “ putting in place the systems to ensure ” that they will “ have food , supplies and are checked on ” .
He told the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , particularly the most vulnerable , the most precious in our society ” .
The lack of operational detail on how such drastic steps will work , particularly in remote , rural areas , has unsettled many people in the age bracket Varadkar was addressing .
People aged 65 and over accounted for 19 per cent of the population , or almost 640,000 people , according to the 2016 census .
Almost 40 per cent of people living alone were that age .
“ There were a lot of people who heard cocooning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taoiseach ’ s speech , ” said Peter Kavanagh , spokesman for Age Retirement Ireland .
“ It put shivers up people ’ s spines because they don ’ t know what it is and people are sort of leaping to conclusions.
” Several groups representing the interests of older people participated in a conference call with the HSE on Thursday , but the health service could shed no further light on the plan .
Flagging the measure in a landmark speech without elaborating caused anger .
Paddy Connolly , chief executive of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the job of public health officials , not a speechwriter , to make significant public announcements that affect so many .
“ It would be helpful if they used clear language and relied on public health information and advice , and on less-tangential terms that people don ’ t understand , ” he said .
In the vacuum of information , advocacy groups fear the social media mill of rumour around what cocooning might involve and how the large numbers of people affected will be managed .
“ The last thing you want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many people into house arrest , more people than you need to , ” said Kavanagh .
His bigger concern is that the services are not there to support cocooning , given that online shopping delivery services are overwhelmed and people in rural areas do not have adequate broadband to communicate with loved ones so as to avoid the ravages of social isolation .
“ There is a massive job to be done on the whole infrastructure side before we can look at effective self-isolation or ‘ cocooning ’ that does not affect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Kavanagh .
“ We are a long way from that .
It is a worrying prospect .
”

Kay Walsh has imposed her own extreme form of self isolation, she has not left the house for a week, relying on her daughter, always wearing a protective mask, to drop in supplies.
Kay Walshe would have no problem "cocooning" during the coronavirus pandemic.
It is the older friends of the 71-year-old Kilkenny woman who are living remotely that she is more worried about. She is ready if Taoiseach Leo Varadkar eventually asks the elderly and people with long-term illness to stay at home for several weeks to protect themselves from Covid-19.
“If he comes out and says we have to stay in our house, we will. If you cannot stay in your own house, where can you stay? We won’t die for lack of company. We have our phones and we have our computers. It is only a temporary thing to stop everything,” said Walshe.
Two days before Mother’s Day, Walshe’s daughter Valerie continues to provide an essential service. Kay has imposed her own extreme form of self-isolation: she has not left the house for a week, relying on her daughter, always wearing a protective mask, to drop in supplies.
READ MORE
The first thing Walshe thought about when the nation first heard the word “cocooning” after Varadkar mentioned it in his address to the nation was that he did not mean people like her. She is healthy and active in the community.
But if asked by the Government, she will make her self-imposed quarantine official to protect herself and people her age from the virus. “You have to do what you are told. You are not the exception.”
Older friends
She is one of the youngest in her active retirement group in her home town of Ballyragget. She worries about how her older friends will cope, including a 94-year-old – "one of our best bridge players" – who still drives herself around and does her own shopping.
“I hope we don’t get it. We will do everything we can not to get it,” she said.
Varadkar gave little away in his 11-minute speech about what “cocooning” would exactly involve, apart from saying the Government was “putting in place the systems to ensure” that they will “have food, supplies and are checked on”.
He told the country the measure would “save many lives, particularly the most vulnerable, the most precious in our society”.
The lack of operational detail on how such drastic steps will work, particularly in remote, rural areas, has unsettled many people in the age bracket Varadkar was addressing.
People aged 65 and over accounted for 19 per cent of the population, or almost 640,000 people, according to the 2016 census. Almost 40 per cent of people living alone were that age.
"There were a lot of people who heard cocooning for the very first time in the Taoiseach's speech," said Peter Kavanagh, spokesman for Age Retirement Ireland. "It put shivers up people's spines because they don't know what it is and people are sort of leaping to conclusions."
Several groups representing the interests of older people participated in a conference call with the HSE on Thursday, but the health service could shed no further light on the plan.
Elaborating
Flagging the measure in a landmark speech without elaborating caused anger.
Paddy Connolly, chief executive of Age Action, felt it should be the job of public health officials, not a speechwriter, to make significant public announcements that affect so many.
“It would be helpful if they used clear language and relied on public health information and advice, and on less-tangential terms that people don’t understand,” he said.
In the vacuum of information, advocacy groups fear the social media mill of rumour around what cocooning might involve and how the large numbers of people affected will be managed.
“The last thing you want is to be sort of shutting too many people into house arrest, more people than you need to,” said Kavanagh.
His bigger concern is that the services are not there to support cocooning, given that online shopping delivery services are overwhelmed and people in rural areas do not have adequate broadband to communicate with loved ones so as to avoid the ravages of social isolation.
“There is a massive job to be done on the whole infrastructure side before we can look at effective self-isolation or ‘cocooning’ that does not affect people’s wellbeing and health,” said Kavanagh. “We are a long way from that. It is a worrying prospect.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-21--Varadkar, Coveney and Harris should retain roles, Greens say

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has proposed that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar , Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney and Minister for Health Simon Harris remain in their jobs as part of a temporary national unity government .
Mr Ryan outlined the proposal in a letter to all other party leaders in which he further elaborated on his party ’ s call for a national unity government to deal with the coronavirus crisis .
It had been assumed that Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin would be Taoiseach first if he forms a government with Fine Gael , and would rotate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some in Fine Gael have now raised the prospect of Mr Varadkar being Taoiseach first to continue dealing with the coronavirus crisis .
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald on Friday said the idea of a national unity government should be examined but others , such as Fianna Fáil , Fine Gael and Labour have been cool on the proposal .
* A Green Party spokesman said the proposal was intended to ensure there was no disruption in key departments and to also stimulate discussion .
It is also understood Mr Ryan put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Varadkar , Mr Coveney and Mr Harris would remain in place .
Ms McDonald had previously downplayed the idea of a unity government but , in her latest comments , left the door open to it while still expressing some doubts .
“ We need to look at every option , ” she told Today FM .
“ The issue with a national unity government is how exactly would it work and would it be coherent enough to respond quickly .
“ That is the concern but , yes , there is merit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces coming together because we all represent different sections of our people , whatever our views on other political matters .
“ It is one of the options on the table .
I still think a better option would be a government for change that reflects the outcome of the last election but I don ’ t hold all of the cards in this and my concern and our concern at this time is to do the right thing for people and certainly that unity government option needs to be looked at , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns about how the Dáil and Seanad will function by passing measures and by giving oversight to proposals to tackle the crisis , The issue of the appointment of 11 Senators by a new Taoiseach was also raised by those in Sinn Féin as an issue that may have to be dealt with .
There is concern that no legislation can be passed by the Oireachtas once the incoming Seanad is elected until a new government is formed .
The two candidates for the leadership of Labour – Alan Kelly and Aodhán Ó @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a national unity government but raised the prospect of their party ’ s six TDs allowing a new government take office by either voting for it or abstaining .
Both raised concerns , however , about moving ministers in the immediate future at a time of national crisis .
Mr Ó Ríordáin said : “ If two of the three power blocs in the house have an agreement to form a government and that government can lead us through this period , I think the Labour Party would be working with that government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government necessarily.
” Mr Kelly said : “ At this moment in time , we need to focus on the next 10 days to two weeks [ as they ] are critical for this country .
“ If there is a government to be formed and it needs to facilitated , in the interests if the country , then the Labour Party as usual will put the country first and would have discussions on that.
” * This article was amended on Saturday , March 21st , 2010 .

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has told the country that this St Patrick’s Day is a day no one will ever forget. Video: RTÉ
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has proposed that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney and Minister for Health Simon Harris remain in their jobs as part of a temporary national unity government.
Mr Ryan outlined the proposal in a letter to all other party leaders in which he further elaborated on his party’s call for a national unity government to deal with the coronavirus crisis.
It had been assumed that Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin would be Taoiseach first if he forms a government with Fine Gael, and would rotate the position with Mr Varadkar.
However, some in Fine Gael have now raised the prospect of Mr Varadkar being Taoiseach first to continue dealing with the coronavirus crisis.
READ MORE
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald on Friday said the idea of a national unity government should be examined but others, such as Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour have been cool on the proposal. *
A Green Party spokesman said the proposal was intended to ensure there was no disruption in key departments and to also stimulate discussion. It is also understood Mr Ryan put no time limits on how long Mr Varadkar, Mr Coveney and Mr Harris would remain in place.
Ms McDonald had previously downplayed the idea of a unity government but, in her latest comments, left the door open to it while still expressing some doubts.
‘Respond quickly’
“We need to look at every option,” she told Today FM. “The issue with a national unity government is how exactly would it work and would it be coherent enough to respond quickly.
“That is the concern but, yes, there is merit of course in all of the political forces coming together because we all represent different sections of our people, whatever our views on other political matters.
“It is one of the options on the table. I still think a better option would be a government for change that reflects the outcome of the last election but I don’t hold all of the cards in this and my concern and our concern at this time is to do the right thing for people and certainly that unity government option needs to be looked at, absolutely.”
Sinn Féin sources also raised concerns about how the Dáil and Seanad will function by passing measures and by giving oversight to proposals to tackle the crisis,
The issue of the appointment of 11 Senators by a new Taoiseach was also raised by those in Sinn Féin as an issue that may have to be dealt with. There is concern that no legislation can be passed by the Oireachtas once the incoming Seanad is elected until a new government is formed.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald: “. . . Our concern at this time is to do the right thing for people and certainly that unity government option needs to be looked at, absolutely.” Photograph: Collins
‘National crisis’
The two candidates for the leadership of Labour – Alan Kelly and Aodhán Ó Ríordáin – also downplayed the idea of a national unity government but raised the prospect of their party's six TDs allowing a new government take office by either voting for it or abstaining. Both raised concerns, however, about moving ministers in the immediate future at a time of national crisis.
Mr Ó Ríordáin said: “If two of the three power blocs in the house have an agreement to form a government and that government can lead us through this period, I think the Labour Party would be working with that government in facilitating without taking part in that government necessarily.”
Mr Kelly said: “At this moment in time, we need to focus on the next 10 days to two weeks [as they] are critical for this country.
“If there is a government to be formed and it needs to facilitated, in the interests if the country, then the Labour Party as usual will put the country first and would have discussions on that.”
* This article was amended on Saturday, March 21st, 2010.


theirishtimes--2020-03-21--Coronavirus: Government to ramp up support for laid-off workers

The Government is considering a proposal under which it could pay up to three-quarters of the wages of thousands of staff who have been laid off as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
In the interim , the Government on Friday night announced changes to its existing financial support arrangements , which would allow employers to top up the Covid-19 unemployment payment of €203 per week offered by the State to the 140,000 people who have lost their jobs in the past week .
Sources said Ministers were now looking at a broader scheme similar to measures being introduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the government has committed to pay 80 per cent of wages , up to £2,500 per month , for people out of work as a result of the pandemic .
It is expected the details of such a scheme will be announced in the next week , with work ongoing at Government level on how it would apply in Ireland .
Trade unions submitted proposals to Government on Friday for a €1.75 billion scheme which would pay workers up to a cap equivalent of €40,000 per year .
It would see the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wages for up to three months , with employers covering the remainder .
Unions and business lobby groups had strongly criticised the Government over the rules governing its existing employer refund scheme , which they maintained would penalise employers who gave workers additional money .
Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty said last night the Government had agreed that employers who engaged with the scheme “ should be allowed to top up the payment by the State ” .
Meanwhile , President Michael D Higgins last night signed the Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Measures in the Public Interest ) Bill 2020 , which was passed in the Seanad and gives the Government emergency powers to deal with the pandemic .
“ As President , I am urging all citizens , given the emergency of our situation in relation to the grave challenge to our public health , to respond in a generous way to the Health Service Executive ’ s advice on measures to alleviate the spread of Covid19 , ” Mr Higgins said .
“ These new health and social measures may be difficult for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we are at a point now when a person ’ s actions have consequences not only for themselves but for all in society .
Irresponsible individual action puts all at risk .
We must draw on our strengths now.
” Speaking in Templemore , Co Tipperary , Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was hopeful the new powers would not have to be used .
Ireland had a history of policing “ by consent , never by coercion ” , he said .
“ And I hope that is never going to change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public health officials say they have no current plans for further social restrictions or the closure of borders to counter the spread of coronavirus .
Ireland can “ get a long way down the road ” in fighting the virus through compliance by people with the measures already introduced , according to chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan .
Another 126 new cases of the disease were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team on Friday evening , with cases involving community transmission surpassing the number of travel-related cases for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 683 confirmed cases in the Republic , and three deaths .
With doctors at the frontline of the health services growing increasingly concerned about the system ’ s ability to respond to the massive surge of cases expected over the coming weeks , some have suggested a “ lockdown ” of non-essential services would help buy time by reducing the spread of infection .
Oncologist and former senator Prof John Crown said on Friday night all non-essential workplaces should be closed , though people could continue to work from home .
Asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposals to stop people leaving their homes as “ very severe ” and “ draconian ” .
“ I don ’ t think at this moment in time , based on the measures in place and the high compliance , we have justification for stepping up to something like that , ” he told a briefing in the Department of Health .
“ I don ’ t anticipate us recommending the closure of borders , ” he added , pointing out that incoming travellers were required to self-quarantine for 14 days .

The Department of Social Protection is struggling to maintain social distancing with the surge in emergency unemployment claims from people signing on due to the coronavirus outbreak. Video: Enda O'Dowd
The Government is considering a proposal under which it could pay up to three-quarters of the wages of thousands of staff who have been laid off as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
In the interim, the Government on Friday night announced changes to its existing financial support arrangements, which would allow employers to top up the Covid-19 unemployment payment of €203 per week offered by the State to the 140,000 people who have lost their jobs in the past week.
Sources said Ministers were now looking at a broader scheme similar to measures being introduced elsewhere in Europe and the UK, where the government has committed to pay 80 per cent of wages, up to £2,500 per month, for people out of work as a result of the pandemic.
It is expected the details of such a scheme will be announced in the next week, with work ongoing at Government level on how it would apply in Ireland.
READ MORE
Trade unions submitted proposals to Government on Friday for a €1.75 billion scheme which would pay workers up to a cap equivalent of €40,000 per year. It would see the Government pay 75 per cent of the wages for up to three months, with employers covering the remainder.
Unions and business lobby groups had strongly criticised the Government over the rules governing its existing employer refund scheme, which they maintained would penalise employers who gave workers additional money.
Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty said last night the Government had agreed that employers who engaged with the scheme "should be allowed to top up the payment by the State".
Emergency powers
Meanwhile, President Michael D Higgins last night signed the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Bill 2020, which was passed in the Seanad and gives the Government emergency powers to deal with the pandemic.
“As President, I am urging all citizens, given the emergency of our situation in relation to the grave challenge to our public health, to respond in a generous way to the Health Service Executive’s advice on measures to alleviate the spread of Covid19,” Mr Higgins said.
“These new health and social measures may be difficult for many, but they affect us all and we are at a point now when a person’s actions have consequences not only for themselves but for all in society. Irresponsible individual action puts all at risk. We must draw on our strengths now.”
Speaking in Templemore, Co Tipperary, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was hopeful the new powers would not have to be used. Ireland had a history of policing "by consent, never by coercion", he said. "And I hope that is never going to change as a consequence of this crisis."
A sign displaying guidance on social distancing in the Botanic Gardens in Dublin. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Public health officials say they have no current plans for further social restrictions or the closure of borders to counter the spread of coronavirus.
Ireland can "get a long way down the road" in fighting the virus through compliance by people with the measures already introduced, according to chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan.
Community transmission
Another 126 new cases of the disease were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team on Friday evening, with cases involving community transmission surpassing the number of travel-related cases for the first time.
There are now a total of 683 confirmed cases in the Republic, and three deaths.
With doctors at the frontline of the health services growing increasingly concerned about the system's ability to respond to the massive surge of cases expected over the coming weeks, some have suggested a "lockdown" of non-essential services would help buy time by reducing the spread of infection. Oncologist and former senator Prof John Crown said on Friday night all non-essential workplaces should be closed, though people could continue to work from home.
Asked about such calls, Dr Holohan described proposals to stop people leaving their homes as “very severe” and “draconian”.
"I don't think at this moment in time, based on the measures in place and the high compliance, we have justification for stepping up to something like that," he told a briefing in the Department of Health.
“I don’t anticipate us recommending the closure of borders,” he added, pointing out that incoming travellers were required to self-quarantine for 14 days.


theirishtimes--2020-03-21--Thinking Anew – How will we be judged?

Thinking Anew – How will we be judged?

To say that Jean Vanier , the founder of L ’ Arche International , was considered a hero by Christians is an understatement , and when he died last year his life of service to people with disabilities was widely acknowledged .
Recently , however , L ’ Arche released a report , indicating that there was “ sufficient evidence to establish that Vanier engaged in manipulative sexual relationships with at least six adult ( not disabled ) women over a 30-year period ” .
For those who were once inspired by this man and his work , not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news , but sadly he is just another name to be added to a long list of eminent and often privileged people who remind us that the ongoing power struggle between good and evil is a factor in every human life .
In one of his books Vanier refers to “ something over which we have no control , the terrifying powers of darkness in us.
” St Paul put it another way : “ For I do not do the good I want to do , but the evil I do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Understandably people were offended by Vanier ’ s betrayal of trust but passing judgment is another matter , according to Anglican theologian Norman Pittenger in his book The Last Things : “ Only [ God ] can make a final judgment .
His appraisal will be accurate , while at the same time it will be merciful .
In stating this I am trying to indicate what seems to me the insight in the traditional view that God is just , not in the human sense of meting out .
.
.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ some prior set of laws or regulations , but in the divine sense of complete understanding .
Further I am trying to indicate , by the word ‘ mercy ’ , that God ’ s appraisal is more than accurate , in terms of complete understanding ; it is also characterised by God ’ s loving kindness , his never failing mercy which always makes the best out of every situation and finds the best in every person.
” Jean Vanier ’ s failures represent loss for humanity , an issue raised in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discusses the fall of King Saul .
He is judged a failure and is to be replaced and forgotten but the first line of the reading reminds us there is a human side to such events : “ The LORD said to Samuel , “ How long will you grieve over Saul ?
I have rejected him from being king over Israel.
” Samuel grieves because he had known and admired Saul in better times and served him loyally .
Samuel grieves at the loss of possibility , for what might have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ falls through his or her own folly and weakness .
The gospel reading warns against misjudging people .
The main character is a blind beggar who depends on charity for his survival .
He is spoken about and not to .
His disability is said to be the result of sin .
( Is this how we feel about the homeless on our streets ? )
He is not listened to and when people want to know anything about him , they ask his parents .
The man is healed by Jesus but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Jesus , he is accused , interrogated and even ostracised ; the onlookers simply don ’ t get it .
But this is not just a story about one man ’ s blindness ; it is also about the disciples , the Pharisees , who choose not to see what is in front of them , a warning to all of us .
This broader application is strengthened by the suggestion that the Greek translated “ a man born blind ” could also mean “ humanity , blind from birth ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ regularly saw the man begging but were unable to identify with him .
They could see because they passed him every other day , but they had never taken time to take a closer look .
That is an uncomfortable message for anyone walking the streets of our towns and cities , home to so many who are unwanted and intentionally unseen .
How will we be judged ?

To say that Jean Vanier, the founder of L’Arche International, was considered a hero by Christians is an understatement, and when he died last year his life of service to people with disabilities was widely acknowledged. Recently, however, L’Arche released a report, indicating that there was “sufficient evidence to establish that Vanier engaged in manipulative sexual relationships with at least six adult (not disabled) women over a 30-year period”.
For those who were once inspired by this man and his work, not to mention his writings, this was devastating news, but sadly he is just another name to be added to a long list of eminent and often privileged people who remind us that the ongoing power struggle between good and evil is a factor in every human life.
In one of his books Vanier refers to “something over which we have no control, the terrifying powers of darkness in us.” St Paul put it another way: “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing.”
Understandably people were offended by Vanier’s betrayal of trust but passing judgment is another matter, according to Anglican theologian Norman Pittenger in his book The Last Things: “Only [God] can make a final judgment. His appraisal will be accurate, while at the same time it will be merciful. In stating this I am trying to indicate what seems to me the insight in the traditional view that God is just, not in the human sense of meting out . . . the proper rewards or punishments according to some prior set of laws or regulations, but in the divine sense of complete understanding. Further I am trying to indicate, by the word ‘mercy’, that God’s appraisal is more than accurate, in terms of complete understanding; it is also characterised by God’s loving kindness, his never failing mercy which always makes the best out of every situation and finds the best in every person.”
READ MORE
Jean Vanier’s failures represent loss for humanity, an issue raised in tomorrow’s Old Testament reading which discusses the fall of King Saul. He is judged a failure and is to be replaced and forgotten but the first line of the reading reminds us there is a human side to such events: “The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel.”
Samuel grieves because he had known and admired Saul in better times and served him loyally. Samuel grieves at the loss of possibility, for what might have been, something worth remembering even when someone falls through his or her own folly and weakness.
The gospel reading warns against misjudging people. The main character is a blind beggar who depends on charity for his survival. He is spoken about and not to. His disability is said to be the result of sin. (Is this how we feel about the homeless on our streets?) He is not listened to and when people want to know anything about him, they ask his parents. The man is healed by Jesus but when he tries to explain his transformation by Jesus, he is accused, interrogated and even ostracised; the onlookers simply don’t get it.
But this is not just a story about one man’s blindness; it is also about the disciples, the Pharisees, who choose not to see what is in front of them, a warning to all of us. This broader application is strengthened by the suggestion that the Greek translated “a man born blind” could also mean “humanity, blind from birth”. The real judgment is on those who regularly saw the man begging but were unable to identify with him. They could see because they passed him every other day, but they had never taken time to take a closer look. That is an uncomfortable message for anyone walking the streets of our towns and cities, home to so many who are unwanted and intentionally unseen. How will we be judged?


theirishtimes--2020-03-21--Naval vessel to become coronavirus testing centre

An Irish naval vessel is being transformed into a coronavirus testing centre .
The LÉ Samuel Beckett is berthed at Sir John Rogerson ’ s Quay on the Liffey in Dublin city centre .
Army engineers provided power and lighting for the vessel , while others erected tents along the quayside close to the Central Bank .
It is part of a major effort by the Defence Forces to support the health service ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic .
On Friday , President Michael D Higgins signed into law emergency health legislation giving the power to impose detention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law , the Health ( Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest ) Bill 2020 , the authorities can order people to stay indoors , close down non-essential businesses , cancel events and have the ability to impose targeted restrictions on specific areas of the country .
Meanwhile , more than 10,000 people in the Republic have now been tested for the virus .
Dr Colm Henry , chief clinical officer with the HSE , said it was “ focused completely ” on identifying cases and contacts and isolating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been informed of 102 new confirmed cases of the virus in Ireland .
There are now 785 confirmed cases .
- PA

The LÉ Samuel Beckett berthed on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay in Dublin. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
An Irish naval vessel is being transformed into a coronavirus testing centre.
The LÉ Samuel Beckett is berthed at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay on the Liffey in Dublin city centre.
Army engineers provided power and lighting for the vessel, while others erected tents along the quayside close to the Central Bank.
It is part of a major effort by the Defence Forces to support the health service's response to the coronavirus pandemic.
READ MORE
Defence forces tents have been set up alongside the LÉ Samuel Beckett in Dublin ahead of it becoming a testing centre for Covid-19. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Defence forces tents opposite the Central Bankon Sir John Rogerson’s Quay in Dublin. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
On Friday, President Michael D Higgins signed into law emergency health legislation giving the power to impose detention and other measures.
Under the new law, the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Bill 2020, the authorities can order people to stay indoors, close down non-essential businesses, cancel events and have the ability to impose targeted restrictions on specific areas of the country.
Meanwhile, more than 10,000 people in the Republic have now been tested for the virus.
Dr Colm Henry, chief clinical officer with the HSE, said it was "focused completely" on identifying cases and contacts and isolating patients.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has been informed of 102 new confirmed cases of the virus in Ireland. There are now 785 confirmed cases. - PA


theirishtimes--2020-03-21--Coronavirus: Latest figures reveal 102 new cases in the Republic

There are 102 new cases of coronavirus in the Republic of Ireland , the Department of Health has confirmed in its latest update .
No additional deaths have emerged from the virus , meaning the death toll in the Republic remains at three .
The latest confirmed cases brings the total number of people with the virus in the Republic to 785 , up from 683 on Friday .
Of those for whom the transmission status is known , community transmission accounts for 42 per cent , close contact accounts for 23 per cent while travel abroad accounts for 35 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working to identify any contacts those who have tested positive had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread .
The number of cases in Ireland has more than doubled in the last three days .
Thursday saw a spike of 191 cases , followed by 126 on Friday .
HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said the number of people in State tested for the disease has surpassed 10,000 , with a further 50,000 people expected to be tested in the coming weeks .
There will soon be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Government has warned that there could be up to 15,000 cases in the Republic by the end of the month .
On Saturday , Northern Ireland reported its single biggest daily increase of confirmed cases of the virus since the first was confirmed at the end of February .
Stormont ’ s Department of Health said today there were 22 new positive cases , bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 108 .
To date one person who tested positive has died .
This brings to 893 the number of cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday night ’ s Late Late Show the chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said the strictures on the general population should be enough to contain the spread of the virus , if people obey them and he said a general lockdown was not needed .
“ We don ’ t think that measures like that are necessary at this moment in time .
So what we ’ re trying to emphasise is if most of the people in the population follow most of measures we ’ ve recommended , most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If they follow those measures , we think that can have the effect of interrupting the chains of transmission .
”

A member of the National Ambulance Service with members of the Defence Forces on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay in Dublin. Army tents have been set up alongside the LE Samuel Beckett ahead of it becoming a testing centre for Covid-19. Photograph: PA
There are 102 new cases of coronavirus in the Republic of Ireland, the Department of Health has confirmed in its latest update.
No additional deaths have emerged from the virus, meaning the death toll in the Republic remains at three.
The latest confirmed cases brings the total number of people with the virus in the Republic to 785, up from 683 on Friday.
Of those for whom the transmission status is known, community transmission accounts for 42 per cent, close contact accounts for 23 per cent while travel abroad accounts for 35 per cent.
READ MORE
The HSE is now working to identify any contacts those who have tested positive had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.
The number of cases in Ireland has more than doubled in the last three days.
Thursday saw a spike of 191 cases, followed by 126 on Friday.
HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said the number of people in State tested for the disease has surpassed 10,000, with a further 50,000 people expected to be tested in the coming weeks. There will soon be 32 testing centres throughout the country.
The Government has warned that there could be up to 15,000 cases in the Republic by the end of the month.
Northern Ireland
On Saturday, Northern Ireland reported its single biggest daily increase of confirmed cases of the virus since the first was confirmed at the end of February.
Stormont’s Department of Health said today there were 22 new positive cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 108. To date one person who tested positive has died.
This brings to 893 the number of cases on the island of Ireland.
On Friday night's Late Late Show the chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said the strictures on the general population should be enough to contain the spread of the virus, if people obey them and he said a general lockdown was not needed.
“We don’t think that measures like that are necessary at this moment in time. So what we’re trying to emphasise is if most of the people in the population follow most of measures we’ve recommended, most of the time,” he said.
“If they follow those measures, we think that can have the effect of interrupting the chains of transmission.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-21--Coronavirus: Trainee Ryanair crew in Dublin quarantine after positive tests

A group of trainee Italian Ryanair stewards all tested positive for coronavirus and are in quarantine in Dublin , according to reports in Italy .
Of the 17 members of the group , who had been in training in Bergamo , northern Italy , the epicentre of the virus , 15 are Italians and all tested positive for the disease .
They were training with Dublin-based recruitment company Crewlink which confirmed to The Irish Times the group has been quarantined in co-ordination with the HSE and the Italian embassy .
All are in “ precautionary self-isolation ” until March 24th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crewlink is the official recruitment partner for Ryanair and the airlines it has acquired : Buzz , Laudamotion and Malta Air .
According to media reports in Italy , the trainees left Bergamo , where they were training , on March 2nd bound for Bari in the south of Italy .
From there they flew to Dublin on the following Saturday , March 7th , when a female trainee felt ill in her hotel and was taken to hospital .
She tested positive for coronavirus as did 15 of the 17 of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to various reports in Italian newspapers .
There was criticism of the Irish Government at the time for not shutting down flights from Italy when it became apparent that the situation regarding coronavirus in the country had become grave .
One trainee steward is quoted in the Gazzetta del Sud , a newspaper in the south of Italy , as calling on the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to intervene .
He said four women among them had been seen by a doctor but the rest had not , yet all were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who did not give his full name , added : “ Some very kind social workers are bringing us groceries , but they do not know anything about our health conditions or how we should behave .
“ We got in touch with the Italian embassy in Dublin - to find out if we can be repatriated or at least if they can help us find accommodation .
Ryanair has been close to us , making sure that as soon as the flights resume and the emergency is over , we can start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we all hope for.
” The Italian embassy in Dublin did not respond to the request from The Irish Times for a statement , but officials did give a statement to the Italian press .
“ The Italian Embassy in Dublin , in close connection with the Farnesina [ Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs ] crisis unit is constantly in contact with the group of compatriots to provide them with any possible assistance .
They are respecting the quarantine imposed by the Irish health authorities.
” The HSE and the Department of Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not provide “ information about individual activations of preparedness plans or about individual cases of Covid-19 ( coronavirus ) other than confirmed cases .
“ The approach which has been taken to date in Ireland is in line with guidance from the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) and the European Centre of Disease Control.
” Ryanair said the group involved were the responsibility of Crewlink .
Its human resources manager Sylwia Woloch issued a brief statement : “ All Italian trainees have been taken care of by Crewlink in coordination with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Crewlink and the Italian Embassy in Dublin are working closely , regarding the care and repatriation of their trainees who are currently in precautionary self-isolation up until 24th March .
”

Grounded Ryanair planes this week. 17 trainees from the airline are in quarantine in Dublin. Photograph: Benoit Doppagne/Belga/AFP via Getty
A group of trainee Italian Ryanair stewards all tested positive for coronavirus and are in quarantine in Dublin, according to reports in Italy.
Of the 17 members of the group, who had been in training in Bergamo, northern Italy, the epicentre of the virus, 15 are Italians and all tested positive for the disease.
They were training with Dublin-based recruitment company Crewlink which confirmed to The Irish Times the group has been quarantined in co-ordination with the HSE and the Italian embassy.
All are in "precautionary self-isolation" until March 24th, Crewlink confirmed in a statement. Crewlink is the official recruitment partner for Ryanair and the airlines it has acquired: Buzz, Laudamotion and Malta Air.
READ MORE
According to media reports in Italy, the trainees left Bergamo, where they were training, on March 2nd bound for Bari in the south of Italy.
From there they flew to Dublin on the following Saturday, March 7th, when a female trainee felt ill in her hotel and was taken to hospital.
She tested positive for coronavirus as did 15 of the 17 of her colleagues, all of them Italian, according to various reports in Italian newspapers.
There was criticism of the Irish Government at the time for not shutting down flights from Italy when it became apparent that the situation regarding coronavirus in the country had become grave.
Quarantine
One trainee steward is quoted in the Gazzetta del Sud, a newspaper in the south of Italy, as calling on the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to intervene.
He said four women among them had been seen by a doctor but the rest had not, yet all were in quarantine.
The trainee steward, who did not give his full name, added: “Some very kind social workers are bringing us groceries, but they do not know anything about our health conditions or how we should behave.
“We got in touch with the Italian embassy in Dublin - to find out if we can be repatriated or at least if they can help us find accommodation. Ryanair has been close to us, making sure that as soon as the flights resume and the emergency is over, we can start working. And that’s what we all hope for.”
The Italian embassy in Dublin did not respond to the request from The Irish Times for a statement, but officials did give a statement to the Italian press.
"The Italian Embassy in Dublin, in close connection with the Farnesina [Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs] crisis unit is constantly in contact with the group of compatriots to provide them with any possible assistance. They are respecting the quarantine imposed by the Irish health authorities."
HSE statement
The HSE and the Department of Health issued a statement stating that they do not provide "information about individual activations of preparedness plans or about individual cases of Covid-19 (coronavirus) other than confirmed cases.
"The approach which has been taken to date in Ireland is in line with guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Centre of Disease Control."
Ryanair said the group involved were the responsibility of Crewlink. Its human resources manager Sylwia Woloch issued a brief statement: "All Italian trainees have been taken care of by Crewlink in coordination with the Irish HSE (Health Service Executive). Crewlink and the Italian Embassy in Dublin are working closely, regarding the care and repatriation of their trainees who are currently in precautionary self-isolation up until 24th March."


theirishtimes--2020-03-21--Coronavirus: Ringsend residents invent balcony bingo to keep entertained

Residents of a Dublin inner-city community have started a novel form of bingo to wile away the hours while the country is effectively in lockdown and people are being asked to practice social distancing .
Up to 60 residents in the Canon Mooney Gardens flat complex in Ringsend played bingo from their balconies or doors with compere Michael Larkin broadcasting from a public address system outside on Friday .
The complex has a lot of elderly residents and is also home to some families .
The bingo event was organised by staff from the Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the response it received on social media , the idea is being extended to other flat complexes in the area .
“ We were trying to come up with ways to connect the community while maintaining social distancing , ” said RICC staff member Jennifer Betts .
“ The flats are a great place and people can come out to their door .
As a community centre we are trying to be the focal point for people locally.
” The RICC has been delivering free dinners to the older community , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Food and Joanne ’ s The Bridge Café and checking in on those who are isolated and maintaining an online presence with baking and poetry competitions .
RICC manager Lorraine Barry said she was “ so humbled and proud of our community ” at a trying time .
“ We want our community to know that the centre and its wonderful staff are on hand to support our community in any way that we can , ” she added .
“ So we are urging people who may have any further creative ideas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way , whilst adhering to social distancing , to get in touch .
”

A video of a Ringsend community playing bingo while adhering to social distancing went viral on social media getting over a million views, they now plan on hosting more games. Video: Enda O'Dowd
The man who invented balcony bingo last week and then brought it to families confined to their homes in a flat complex in Dublin's Ringsend has expressed amazement at how far and how fast his novel approach to bringing isolated people together has spread.
On Friday and then again on Sunday Michael Larkin hosted bingo sessions for residents of the Canon Mooney Gardens flat complex in Dublin 4 with Easter eggs as prizes for the children and, possibly even more prized toilet rolls on offer for the grown ups.
He told The Irish Times that he had been “in lockdown with the kids” last week when he had the notion to arrange a game of bingo for his neighbours in a fashion which would strictly adhere to all the social distancing rules now in place around the country.
He had never organised – or even played – a bingo game in his life but when the community activist suggested it to his family they reckoned he was onto a winner.
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So he got kitted out in a white disposable boiler suit, mask and gloves and with electricity borrowed from a neighbour set up a bingo stall on the roof of “the pram sheds” in the complex.
“Once I was on the pram sheds I made the big announcement and said to everyone to stay on their balcony. I said if they were not on the balcony they would not be allowed play.”
Residents at their doors and balconies for the bingo initiative organised at Canon Mooney Gardens in Ringsend. Photograph: Alan Betson
While the game was getting under way and people were getting their bingo cards – from a safe distance – his daughter Hollie used the PA system to play music. “I played music for half an hour while the bingo cards were going around just to keep everyone going. I played a bit of Tina Turner and Whitney Houston.”
Then the game started. It lasted hours. “It took around 2½ hours to play the bingo and it was absolutely bitter cold,” Larkin said.
He returned, shivering, to his own flat and after which his phone lit up with calls coming from as far apart as Washington and Australia. “They were all saying that the Italians were singing on the balcony and the Irish were playing bingo. It’s all just a bit of craic at the end of the day,” he said.
It is a bit more than a bit of craic, as it happens.
Larkin said there were a lot of children and older people in the complex and none of them had been allowed leave their homes in recent days. “This is all about helping to connect people and keep them safe.”
On Friday, as many as 60 residents took part in the “balcony bingo” with the number climbing on Sunday as more parents got in on the act. The complex has a lot of elderly residents and is also home to some families.
Given the success of the event, plans are being put in place to extend it to other flat complexes in the area.
"We were trying to come up with ways to connect the community while maintaining social distancing," said Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre staff member Jennifer Betts.
“The flats are a great place and people can come out to their door. As a community centre we are trying to be the focal point for people locally.”
The centre has been delivering free dinners to the older community, provided by aircraft leasing company Avolon, Artizan Food and Joanne’s The Bridge Cafe, and checking in on those who are isolated. It is also maintaining an online presence with baking and poetry competitions.


theirishtimes--2020-03-21--Coronavirus: NUJ calls for ‘crisis forum’ to discuss threat to jobs

The National Union of Journalists ( NUJ ) has called for a “ crisis forum ” between the media industry , unions , Government , and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland ( BAI ) to discuss how the industry could be supported during the coronavirus crisis .
Celtic Media Group , one of the country ’ s largest local and regional newspaper organisations , announced on Friday that a number of staff would be laid off on a temporary basis during the Covid-19 pandemic due to a collapse in revenues .
Séamus Dooley , NUJ Irish secretary , said many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs due to the financial fallout of the coronavirus outbreak .
“ Public interest journalism is vital in times of crisis yet many journalists are deeply apprehensive about their future as a result of the decline in advertising revenue , barriers to circulation and the precarious financial position of many companies ” , he said .
Mr Dooley called on the Government to look at “ imaginative means ” of supporting the sector during the coronavirus outbreak .
The NUJ official said the call was not “ special pleading ” from the sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive challenge facing the health service that media companies were supported in performing their duty of informing the public .
Mr Dooley said it was an “ especially difficult time ” for freelance journalists and photographers , who were in more precarious positions in the event of cutbacks .
“ While many media organisations may be tempted to introduce layoffs or redundancies we believe that in the current emergency newsrooms must be fully staffed , ” he said , to keep the public informed on the unprecedented crisis .
On Friday , Newsbrands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalism was designated as an “ essential service ” in the event of any future restriction of public movement .
The group , which represents the national newspaper industry , wrote to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar asking that in any further measures to halt the spread of the virus , allowances would be made so journalists could continue their work to keep the public informed during the crisis .
The letter warned the media industry was facing intense financial pressures due to drastic declines in advertising revenue on foot of the wider economic shocks @ @ @ @ @

The National Union of Journalists is seeking a ‘crisis forum’ between the media industry, unions, Government, and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to discuss supports for the sector during the coronavirus crisis.
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for a "crisis forum" between the media industry, unions, Government, and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to discuss how the industry could be supported during the coronavirus crisis.
Celtic Media Group, one of the country's largest local and regional newspaper organisations, announced on Friday that a number of staff would be laid off on a temporary basis during the Covid-19 pandemic due to a collapse in revenues.
Séamus Dooley, NUJ Irish secretary, said many journalists were now fearful of losing their jobs due to the financial fallout of the coronavirus outbreak.
“Public interest journalism is vital in times of crisis yet many journalists are deeply apprehensive about their future as a result of the decline in advertising revenue, barriers to circulation and the precarious financial position of many companies”, he said.
READ MORE
Mr Dooley called on the Government to look at “imaginative means” of supporting the sector during the coronavirus outbreak.
The NUJ official said the call was not “special pleading” from the sector, but it was essential during the massive challenge facing the health service that media companies were supported in performing their duty of informing the public.
Mr Dooley said it was an “especially difficult time” for freelance journalists and photographers, who were in more precarious positions in the event of cutbacks.
“While many media organisations may be tempted to introduce layoffs or redundancies we believe that in the current emergency newsrooms must be fully staffed,” he said, to keep the public informed on the unprecedented crisis.
On Friday, Newsbrands Ireland called on the Government to ensure journalism was designated as an "essential service" in the event of any future restriction of public movement.
The group, which represents the national newspaper industry, wrote to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar asking that in any further measures to halt the spread of the virus, allowances would be made so journalists could continue their work to keep the public informed during the crisis.
The letter warned the media industry was facing intense financial pressures due to drastic declines in advertising revenue on foot of the wider economic shocks of the global pandemic.


theirishtimes--2020-03-21--Why are we having such spectacular sunsets? It’s all down to the light . . .

Dramatic sunsets which have draped vivid warm colours over Irish skies in recent evenings are set to continue , forecasters are predicting .
Intense hues of yellow , orange and red have been lighting up dusk around the country , briefly distracting from the dark mood felt by many underneath the skies .
So why are the sunsets and sunrises so dramatic at the moment .
Well , the answer , according to Met Éireann meteorologist Siobhán Ryan , is partly to do with the weather at the moment and also the time of year .
The country is enjoying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this dry , calm , still weather “ scatters the light ” molecules in a different way and also the changing directions of light rays , she said .
“ Our eyes are sensitive to the wavelengths in that and the different colours associated with different wavelengths , which bend in different directions.
” Both at sunrise and sunset , light has to travel a greater distance to reach our eyes , than during the day , when it is more directly overheard .
So more of the blue — that we see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .
This reveals more of the warmer colours of the rainbow that make up light .
Because we are coming into the spring equinox , there is also more sunlight and the sun is higher in the sky .
“ On Friday there were quite spectacular sunrises and and particularly sunsets around the country , ” said Ms Ryan .
“ The east coast probably saw the best sunsets , as there was cloud rolling up from the south of the country.
” And , says Ms Ryan , we can expect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coming days , as an easterly airflow likely keeps the air dry and clear .
“ Eastern and southern counties and maybe inland could expect some fairly spectacular sunrises and sunsets to come , ” she said .
“ Nice springy weather ” is also on the way for most of the country over the next two to three days , with temperatures expected to jump into double digits .
Following a cold Saturday - with the mercury hovering between 5 and 8 degrees - parts of the midlands and west could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is forecast to be fresher in the east and south , with winds coming off the Irish and Celtic Seas , but temperatures should still rise to 11 and 12 degrees in parts .
The conditions are expected to last until Tuesday when rain is predicted to move across the country .

Dramatic sunsets which have draped vivid warm colours over Irish skies in recent evenings are set to continue until Monday evening, forecasters are predicting.
Intense hues of yellow, orange and red have been lighting up dusk around the country, briefly distracting from the dark mood felt by many underneath the skies.
But why are the sunsets and sunrises so dramatic at the moment?
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 4 Sunset over Clonakilty, Co Cork on Friday night. Photograph: David Norman
Well, the answer, according to Met Éireann meteorologist Siobhán Ryan, is partly to do with the current weather and also the time of year.
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The country is enjoying a couple of relatively settled days and this dry, calm, still weather “scatters the light” molecules in a different way and also changes the directions of light rays, she says.
“Our eyes are sensitive to the wavelengths in that and the different colours associated with different wavelengths, which bend in different directions.”
Both at sunrise and sunset, light has to travel a greater distance to reach our eyes, than during the day, when it is more directly overhead.
So more of the blue – that we see in a cloudless sky – gets filtered out. This reveals more of the warmer colours of the rainbow that make up light.
Because we are coming into the spring equinox, there is also more sunlight and the sun is higher in the sky.
“On Friday there were quite spectacular sunrises and particularly sunsets around the country,” says Ms Ryan.
“The east coast probably saw the best sunsets, as there was cloud rolling up from the south of the country.”
And, says Ms Ryan, we can expect to see more of the same as an easterly airflow will likely keep the air dry and clear, before conditions change on Tuesday.
“Eastern and southern counties and maybe inland could expect some fairly spectacular sunrises and sunsets to come,” she says.
“Nice springy weather” being enjoyed in many counties since Sunday, with temperatures jumping into double digits, is expected to last until Tuesday when rain is predicted to move across the country.


theirishtimes--2020-03-21--Wicklow man recovered from coronavirus showed no symptoms after ski trip

A Co Wicklow solicitor has spoken of how he has recovered from coronavirus , which he said he picked up while on a skiing trip in Italy .
Donal O ’ Sullivan , a former mayor of Arklow and former president of Arklow Chamber of Commerce , said he was one of seven people who tested positive for the virus .
The seven were among a group of 18 people who had travelled to northern Italy earlier this month .
He said at that time there were only “ 10 to 12 ” confirmed cases of coronavirus , also known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said because schools and factories closed many people may have taken the opportunity to go skiing and the Italians “ had no idea of the levels of infection ” in the community .
He said he was doubly fortunate in that he was quarantined in the Mater Hospital in Dublin during the containment phase of the pandemic , and was completely symptom free as were his six friends who had tested positive after the trip .
Mr O ’ Sullivan said none of the seven had shown any symptoms and he now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HSE to say he was not infectious .
But he warned that many people would not be so fortunate as him , with those who do need treatment would be facing hospitals that would be struggling to cope .
He urged people to follow the advice of the HSE .
Mr O ’ Sullivan told East Coast FM ’ s Declan Meehan that one of the members of his skiing party from the north of the country was a nurse who had insisted on a test on return from the holiday .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other members of the group wanted to get a test , but he said the HSE had initially not wanted to test as none were showing symptoms .
Mr O ’ Sullivan said that the very great danger was that people with mild infections like he had , would be infectious without even knowing they had the virus .
Mr O ’ Sullivan said he had now been discharged from hospital but his practice would be observing all HSE health recommendations and using email and phone instead of face-to-face consultations .

Donal O’Sullivan was quarantined in the Mater Hospital in Dublin during the containment phase of the pandemic. Photograph: Frank Miller/The Irish Times
A Co Wicklow solicitor has spoken of how he has recovered from coronavirus, which he said he picked up while on a skiing trip in Italy.
Donal O’Sullivan, a former mayor of Arklow and former president of Arklow Chamber of Commerce, said he was one of seven people who tested positive for the virus. The seven were among a group of 18 people who had travelled to northern Italy earlier this month.
He said at that time there were only “10 to 12” confirmed cases of coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, in Italy. But he said because schools and factories closed many people may have taken the opportunity to go skiing and the Italians “had no idea of the levels of infection” in the community.
He said he was doubly fortunate in that he was quarantined in the Mater Hospital in Dublin during the containment phase of the pandemic, and was completely symptom free as were his six friends who had tested positive after the trip.
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Mr O’Sullivan said none of the seven had shown any symptoms and he now had been given a certificate from the HSE to say he was not infectious.
But he warned that many people would not be so fortunate as him, with those who do need treatment would be facing hospitals that would be struggling to cope. He urged people to follow the advice of the HSE.
Mr O’Sullivan told East Coast FM’s Declan Meehan that one of the members of his skiing party from the north of the country was a nurse who had insisted on a test on return from the holiday. When she tested positive he and all the other members of the group wanted to get a test, but he said the HSE had initially not wanted to test as none were showing symptoms.
Mr O’Sullivan said that the very great danger was that people with mild infections like he had, would be infectious without even knowing they had the virus.
Mr O’Sullivan said he had now been discharged from hospital but his practice would be observing all HSE health recommendations and using email and phone instead of face-to-face consultations.


theirishtimes--2020-03-21--Coronavirus: How charities and State agencies can help if you’re stressed

With 140 , 000 people losing their jobs over recent days as a result of the coronavirus outbreak , many are struggling with worries about their financial future , their rent and mortgage repayments and how to manage the stress caused by the crisis .
State agencies and charities are at pains to point out that they remain open for business and are stepping up their response to help people cope – particularly the most vulnerable – through difficult days and weeks ahead .
Here is how some are helping : St Vincent de Paul ’ s reason for being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficulty .
It can help towards the cost of essential household items , such as food , clothing , heating or other household bills for those struggling .
It also has emergency homeless services for men in Cork , Limerick , Waterford , Wexford , Carlow , Ennis , Letterkenny and Longford .
Make contact through their website ( svp.ie ) by email ( info @ svp.ie ) or by calling your local office .
The Dublin office can be reached at 01 884 8200 .
Alone has 2,000 volunteers who provide telephone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Professional staff can also offer support to older people experiencing loneliness , financial and housing difficulties as well as any other challenges they may face .
The charity has launched a national support line and additional supports for older people relating to the coronavirus outbreak .
You can contact them on 0818 222 024 if you have concerns about your own wellbeing or the wellbeing of an older person you know .
Further information can also be found on www.alone.ie or email hello @ alone.ie The Government has introduced a COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the self-employed who have lost employment due to the outbreak .
Those affected should fill out a one-page application form for the flat rate payment of €203 per week over the coming six weeks .
You do not have to call into an Intro centre .
You can apply online at mywelfare.ie ( you will need a public services card ) ; download a form at gov.ie/jobseekers and return to FREEPOST PO BOX 12896 , Dublin 1 ; phone 1890 800 024 or 01 2481398 to have a form sent out to you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Focus Ireland helps people who are homeless or worried about losing their home .
If you find yourself in urgent need of a bed in Dublin , call the charity ’ s freephone number : 1800 707 707 .
Outside the capital , check with one of the local offices .
Details are available on the website ( focusireland.ie ) .
If you are concerned about losing your home , you can also check online for contact details for your local office .
In Dublin you can call 01 671 25 55 or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also a housing charity , which is reporting a significant increase in calls from renters who believe their tenancies are at risk due to the outbreak .
You can contact them at 1800 454 454 , by email on advice @ threshold.ie or through its website ( threshold.ie ) The Money Advice and Budgeting Service ( MABS ) is the State ’ s money advice service , which helps guide people with debts , including mortgage arrears , bank loans , overdrafts , utilities or credit cards .
The service is free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MABS helpline on 0761 07 2000 , Monday to Friday , between 9am - 8pm .
Or , for a callback from the helpline , email helpline @ mabs.ie .
Aware is a mental health charity which is able to help people manage their mental well-being during the coronavirus outbreak .
You can contact the support line if you are concerned about your mood or the mood of a loved one on 1800 80 48 48 , seven days a week between 10am-10pm .
You can also email on supportmail @ aware.ie , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You can also log onto the charity ’ s website ( aware.ie ) , where they have compiled information on how best to manage stress and worry , including how to connect with loved ones , physical exercise , nutrition , sleep and relaxation techniques .
Samaritans urge anyone to get in touch with them about “ anything that ’ s troubling you , no matter how large or small the issue feels.
” Volunteers listen with “ no judgement , no pressure ” to help you work through what ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provides information and contact details for specialist supports for specific issues .
You can call the charity free on 116 123 or email a volunteer at jo @ samaritans.ie .

With 140, 000 people losing their jobs over recent days as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, many are struggling with worries about their financial future, their rent and mortgage repayments and how to manage the stress caused by the crisis.
State agencies and charities are at pains to point out that they remain open for business and are stepping up their response to help people cope – particularly the most vulnerable – through difficult days and weeks ahead.
Here is how some are helping:
St Vincent de Paul
St Vincent de Paul's reason for being is to help people in times of difficulty. It can help towards the cost of essential household items, such as food, clothing, heating or other household bills for those struggling. It also has emergency homeless services for men in Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, Ennis, Letterkenny and Longford. Make contact through their website (svp.ie) by email (info@svp.ie) or by calling your local office. The Dublin office can be reached at 01 884 8200.
READ MORE
Alone
Alone has 2,000 volunteers who provide telephone support and befriending for older people. Professional staff can also offer support to older people experiencing loneliness, financial and housing difficulties as well as any other challenges they may face. The charity has launched a national support line and additional supports for older people relating to the coronavirus outbreak. You can contact them on 0818 222 024 if you have concerns about your own wellbeing or the wellbeing of an older person you know. Further information can also be found on www.alone.ie or email hello@alone.ie
Covid-19 unemployment payment
The Government has introduced a COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, available to all employees and the self-employed who have lost employment due to the outbreak. Those affected should fill out a one-page application form for the flat rate payment of €203 per week over the coming six weeks. You do not have to call into an Intro centre. You can apply online at mywelfare.ie (you will need a public services card); download a form at gov.ie/jobseekers and return to FREEPOST PO BOX 12896, Dublin 1; phone 1890 800 024 or 01 2481398 to have a form sent out to you; or email forms@welfare.ie.
Focus Ireland
Focus Ireland helps people who are homeless or worried about losing their home.
If you find yourself in urgent need of a bed in Dublin, call the charity's freephone number: 1800 707 707. Outside the capital, check with one of the local offices. Details are available on the website (focusireland.ie) . If you are concerned about losing your home, you can also check online for contact details for your local office. In Dublin you can call 01 671 25 55 or email (dublinadvice@focusireland.ie)
Threshold
Threshold is also a housing charity, which is reporting a significant increase in calls from renters who believe their tenancies are at risk due to the outbreak. You can contact them at 1800 454 454, by email on advice@threshold.ie or through its website (threshold.ie)
MABS
The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) is the State’s money advice service, which helps guide people with debts, including mortgage arrears, bank loans, overdrafts, utilities or credit cards. The service is free and confidential. You can contact the MABS helpline on 0761 07 2000, Monday to Friday, between 9am - 8pm.
Or, for a callback from the helpline, email helpline@mabs.ie.
Aware
Aware is a mental health charity which is able to help people manage their mental well-being during the coronavirus outbreak. You can contact the support line if you are concerned about your mood or the mood of a loved one on 1800 80 48 48, seven days a week between 10am-10pm. You can also email on supportmail@aware.ie, where someone should respond within 24 hours. You can also log onto the charity's website (aware.ie), where they have compiled information on how best to manage stress and worry, including how to connect with loved ones, physical exercise, nutrition, sleep and relaxation techniques.
Samaritans
Samaritans urge anyone to get in touch with them about "anything that's troubling you, no matter how large or small the issue feels." Volunteers listen with "no judgement, no pressure" to help you work through what's on your mind. The charity also provides information and contact details for specialist supports for specific issues. You can call the charity free on 116 123 or email a volunteer at jo@samaritans.ie.


theirishtimes--2020-03-21--Government should launch repatriation operation to get stranded Irish home, says GP

The Government should initiate a repatriation operation to ensure Irish people stranded abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic can fly home , a doctor stuck in Peru has said .
On Tuesday the German government launched a €50 million repatriation operation to fly its citizens home .
The Irish government should consider a similar programme to support citizens stuck abroad , says Dr Ian Lindsay .
The retired general practitioner and his wife who live in Dublin are currently stranded in the Peruvian city of Cusco with his sister-in-law and partner .
The two couples travelled to Peru at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his wife Mary McCarron were scheduled to travel on to Buenos Aires in Argentina where their son is currently studying .
They became stranded in Cusco after Peru ’ s president Martin Vizcarra declared a state of emergency and closed the country ’ s borders for at least 15 days from March 16th .
The couple received an email on Wednesday from the Irish embassy in Chile saying Avianca airline was considering putting in place a chartered flight from Lima to London with a connecting flight from Cusco .
However , the flights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - $ 3,500 ( €2,790 -€3,250 ) for one-way economy class , or $ 7,500 ( € 6,970 ) for business class .
On Thursday evening , the embassy sent another email encouraging Irish travellers with flights cancelled by Air France or KLM to contact the airlines as “ we are hearing they are planning to run replacement flights in the coming days ” .
It also said Irish citizens should submit “ expressions of interest ” to the British SAGA travel agency who may also be chartering a flight from Lima to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s time for the Irish Government to step in and support its citizens who are abroad at this time of crisis .
The Irish representative in the Chilean embassy is trying to be helpful but “ there ’ s not much they can do , ” he says .
“ The first time I contacted them they said we ’ ll try and find another way for you to fly out .
But they ’ ve realised how difficult this is .
It ’ s impossible to contact airlines right now.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved directly .
They could organise for Irish people to get to the airport and get the airplane through diplomatic channels .
The Germans have got their people out and we ’ ve heard the Israelis are getting people out .
I know there ’ s cost implications but we need to get home.
” In Cusco , the two couples can only leave the apartment where they are staying to shop for food , use the bank or go the hospital .
There is also a curfew in place between 8pm and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , their son Michael and his three Irish friends , all students from TU Dublin , are hoping to board a flight to Lisbon on Friday evening before flying on to Dublin .
“ Things are changing overnight in Argentina so it ’ s really 50-50 whether he ’ ll be able to get on that flight .
I ’ ve sort of lost faith in our ability to get out , ” Dr Lindsay said .

The Government should initiate a repatriation operation to ensure Irish people stranded abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic can fly home, a doctor stuck in Peru has said.
On Tuesday the German government launched a €50 million repatriation operation to fly its citizens home. The Irish government should consider a similar programme to support citizens stuck abroad, says Dr Ian Lindsay.
The retired general practitioner and his wife who live in Dublin are currently stranded in the Peruvian city of Cusco with his sister-in-law and partner. The two couples travelled to Peru at the start of March and Dr Lindsay and his wife Mary McCarron were scheduled to travel on to Buenos Aires in Argentina where their son is currently studying.
They became stranded in Cusco after Peru’s president Martin Vizcarra declared a state of emergency and closed the country’s borders for at least 15 days from March 16th.
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The couple received an email on Wednesday from the Irish embassy in Chile saying Avianca airline was considering putting in place a chartered flight from Lima to London with a connecting flight from Cusco. However, the flights are expected to cost about $3,000 - $3,500 (€2,790 -€3,250) for one-way economy class, or $7,500 (€ 6,970) for business class.
On Thursday evening, the embassy sent another email encouraging Irish travellers with flights cancelled by Air France or KLM to contact the airlines as “we are hearing they are planning to run replacement flights in the coming days”.
It also said Irish citizens should submit “expressions of interest” to the British SAGA travel agency who may also be chartering a flight from Lima to the UK.
Dr Lindsay says it’s time for the Irish Government to step in and support its citizens who are abroad at this time of crisis.
The Irish representative in the Chilean embassy is trying to be helpful but “there’s not much they can do,” he says. “The first time I contacted them they said we’ll try and find another way for you to fly out. But they’ve realised how difficult this is. It’s impossible to contact airlines right now.”
“The Irish Government needs to get involved directly. They could organise for Irish people to get to the airport and get the airplane through diplomatic channels. The Germans have got their people out and we’ve heard the Israelis are getting people out. I know there’s cost implications but we need to get home.”
In Cusco, the two couples can only leave the apartment where they are staying to shop for food, use the bank or go the hospital. There is also a curfew in place between 8pm and 5am.
Meanwhile, in Buenos Aires, their son Michael and his three Irish friends, all students from TU Dublin, are hoping to board a flight to Lisbon on Friday evening before flying on to Dublin.
“Things are changing overnight in Argentina so it’s really 50-50 whether he’ll be able to get on that flight. I’ve sort of lost faith in our ability to get out,” Dr Lindsay said.


theirishtimes--2020-03-21--Coronavirus: 50,000 people register within three days to On Call for Ireland campaign

Some 50,000 people in less than three days have contacted the HSE about taking up posts in the health service to deal with the expected surge in demand for care arising from the coronavirus outbreak .
The Government said on Tuesday it would recruit everyone available with qualifications for roles in the health service during the current crisis .
Paul Reid , HSE chief executive , said the executive had been overwhelmed in recent days by those willing to help and support from right across business , communities , social care groups and individuals .
In the On Call for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their interest in three days .
“ We will be calling those ... interviewing about 6,000 per week starting from next week , ” he said .
In relation to fighting the spread of Covid-19 , he said this a war .
“ A war makes people anxious and uncertain but it is a war .
It ’ s a war against a very silent and dangerous enemy which is the virus but this war won ’ t be won with armies or guns .
It will be won by the communities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms of galvanising the communities will make a really big difference , ” he told Friday night ’ s Late Late Show .
He said the total number of beds in the public health system before the pandemic was just over 10,000 .
“ We are ramping up to match that with another 10,000 across the whole system , ” he said .
But he stressed the vast majority would not need to be treated in hospital .

HSE CEO Paul Reid said the organisation had been overwhelmed in recent days by those willing to help. Photograph: Crispin Rodwell for the Irish Times
Some 50,000 people in less than three days have contacted the HSE about taking up posts in the health service to deal with the expected surge in demand for care arising from the coronavirus outbreak.
The Government said on Tuesday it would recruit everyone available with qualifications for roles in the health service during the current crisis.
Paul Reid, HSE chief executive, said the executive had been overwhelmed in recent days by those willing to help and support from right across business, communities, social care groups and individuals.
In the On Call for Ireland appeal, 50,000 people had registered their interest in three days. "We will be calling those ... interviewing about 6,000 per week starting from next week," he said.
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In relation to fighting the spread of Covid-19, he said this a war. “A war makes people anxious and uncertain but it is a war. It’s a war against a very silent and dangerous enemy which is the virus but this war won’t be won with armies or guns. It will be won by the communities.
“What we do right now in terms of galvanising the communities will make a really big difference,” he told Friday night’s Late Late Show.
He said the total number of beds in the public health system before the pandemic was just over 10,000. “We are ramping up to match that with another 10,000 across the whole system,” he said.
But he stressed the vast majority would not need to be treated in hospital.