theirishtimes--2020-11-18--Children’s hospital contractor submits claims for ‘hundreds of millions of euro’ extra

BAM , the main contractor on the National Children ’ s Hospital , has submitted claims for extra costs worth “ hundreds of millions of euro ” , the Oireachtas health committee has been told .
David Gunning , the chief officer of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board ( NPHDB ) , told the committee on Wednesday that BAM “ has been underforming as regards project execution and has been extremely assertive as regards claims .
“ Since the commencement of this project there have been hundreds of claims for hundreds of millions of euro and the sheer volume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is consuming a significant amount of executive and project team time , ” Mr Gunning said in a written statement to the committee .
The committee heard that in some instances , these claims have been paid , but also that BAM has being making claims for funding “ on matters that we believe fall within its contractual obligations ” .
He told TDs and Senators that the baord is using “ all levers ” available to it “ to manage and defend against claims so as to protect the public purse ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in front of the committee , in November , it said that delays caused by BAM being behind on schedule on construction works amounted to four months .
That has increased to six months by the time the site was closed in March as a result of Covid-19 restrictions .
Mr Gunning told the committee that BAM did not reopen works on the site until July 13th , seven weeks after it was permitted to do so , and despite “ ongoing engagement with the NPHDB ” .
“ Despite ongoing engagement with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without a valid works programme that is in line with its contractual obligations , ” Mr Gunning said , adding that the NPHDB is withholding 15 per cent of monies invoiced every month “ until such time as a compliant programme is delivered ” .
Mr Gunning said the NPHDB is “ interrogating the programmes provided by the contractor and evaluating all current and potential cost pressures on the project ” .
The contract for the hospital has a guaranteed maximum price , which Mr Guinning will tell the committee means the contractor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timeframe set out “ and within the budget agreed ” .
“ If it fails to do so for any reason , the construction cost must be borne by the contractor.
” In spite of this , BAM has been making the extra claims .
“ Where the contractor is entitled to costs under the contract , the NPHDB has been discharging payments , but claims are being made for funding on matters that we believe fall within its contractual obligations .
“ We are using all levers available to us through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Main Contractor in order to deliver performance , and to manage and defend against claims so as to protect the public purse , ” he will tell the committee .
While there is a dispute management process which is dealing with claims , Mr Gunning will tell the committee he is limited in how much he can discuss specific issues at stake due to confidentiality clauses .
However , one dispute has reached the High Court , in relation to the instruction for Phase B construction works to begin , issued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year .
BAM has disputed the validity of that instruction , and the dispute resolution process has failed to find a solution .
“ In order to rigorously defend the public purse , the NPHDB has been left with no option but to bring the matter to the High Court , ” the committee heard on Wednesday .
That case is set to proceed next month .
Mr Gunning said a claim about the design of the hospital by BAM will be at the core of the case .
Phelim Devine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say that notwithstanding the fact that progress has been “ slower than projected ” , substantial works have been completed at the 12-acre site .

BAM, the main contractor on the National Children's Hospital, has submitted more than 600 claims for extra costs amounting to more than €200 million, an Oireachtas committee has been told.
In a written statement to the committee, the chief officer of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) initially stated that claims for extra costs worth "hundreds of millions of euro", had been submitted.
David Gunning told Sinn Féin's health spokesman, David Cullinane, during the committee hearing that "as of right now, we have over 600 claims for a total amount of money which is in excess of €200 million".
He later told Fianna Fáil’s Cathal Crowe that some are “quite large”, relating to tens of millions of euros, while others are for “trivial items”. He said there has been an effort to address the claims, but that only a “handful of these have been resolved”.
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Despite repeated requests from committee members, Mr Gunning could not provide concrete timelines or cost projections for the delivery of the project. He told Social Democrats co-leader Roisin Shortall that the board is continuing to work towards the contract timelines, which she described as “delusional”.
However, Mr Gunning did conceded there would be delays and associated cost issues on the project.
“The contract date for completion is August 2022, and I guess it’s absolutely fair to say that we have no expectation at this time that that date will be fulfilled,” he said, adding that while the approved budget for the project is €1.433 billion, “it’s fair to say there are considerable pressures on that particular budget.”
“Time on any project tends to impact costs, and this project will not be an exception to that particular issue.”
He said that the NPHDB hoped to give an update on both timing and costs in the first quarter of 2021.
Company statement
In a statement issued on Wednesday, BAM said it is “fully committed” to delivering the project, and disputed several issues raised at the committee.
The company argued that it has “not received a fully complete, co-ordinated design for the project” and that new amendments are being added to the design “all the time”.
It said that it was required to notify the board whenever an event arose which might give rise to additional costs, and argued that there have been almost 10,000 new drawings since January 2019. “Therefore it is hardly surprising that there are hundreds of notifications from BAM and its major subcontractors of potential additional costs/delays.”
BAM also criticised the NPHDB for its compliance with several other technical issues, including sign off for certain design stages and the failure to supply of a full set of working drawings at the time the instruction to move to above ground works was issued, in January 2019.
It said that the impression was given that it has no work programme, but it has “several programmes and has updated them every month”, and that each has a specified end date. It said it disagrees with the contention that work programmes are “non compliant”.
It said it continues to engage with the board “through all of the mechanisms in the contract” on these issues, and that it has no capacity issues in terms of delivering the project. The company said “It has not been explained what specific provisions of the contract prevent it from being included in the Covid compensation arrangements.”
Covid shutdown
In March of this year, the committee was told that the project was six months behind schedule, which was further impacted by the seven week shutdown associated with Covid.
This was followed by another seven week period where BAM and the board were in dispute over whether the developer would return to work, due to the costs of resuming construction amid Covid-19 restrictions. During that period, Mr Gunning said that BAM made several requests for additional payments.
“Those two periods added to the accumulated delay as in March, would give a clear indication of where the project was and where the project is currently, in terms of its accumulated delay,” Mr Gunning said. He said that projected payments to BAM at this point should have been around €545 million, but actual payments were €308 million, giving an idea of how far behind schedule the hospital was.
He told Ms Shortall that around €2 million had been paid out “over and above” agreed contractual payments so far, and around €15 million had been budgeted up until August 2022 for fees for lawyers and other experts - a figure that was “considerably higher” than anticipated due to the extensive disputes with BAM.
Eilish Hardiman, the chief executive of Children’s Healthcare Ireland, which will run the hospital, told Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan that it will take eight or nine months for the hospital to become fully operational after it is handed over when building is completed.
The committee also heard that there are disputed figures relating to the development of satellite sites at Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown and Tallaght. While Mr Gunning said the Connolly figure was not significant, in Tallaght a conciliation process is under way for “one large (claim), which is for a number, a significant amount”, and that “we are trending above the contract price in Tallaght”.
Mr Gunning told Fine Gael Senator Sean Kyne that, at this stage, concrete and steel works at the site should be completed, the facade should be three-quarters finished and the fitout should be almost halfway complete. “We’re not completed with any of those individual items,” he said. “The delay in our estimation would be down to the challenge that contractors faced in terms of providing resources to the project,” he said.
In his written statement to the committee, Mr Gunning said BAM “has been underperforming as regards project execution and has been extremely assertive as regards claims.
The committee heard that in some instances, these claims have been paid, but also that BAM has being making claims for funding “on matters that we believe fall within its contractual obligations”.
He told TDs and Senators that the board is using “all levers” available to it “to manage and defend against claims so as to protect the public purse”.
During the course of questioning on Wednesday, Mr Gunning was asked about the degree to which design of the project had changed. He said that the board’s view is that the design upon which the developer made their quotations and tendered was “pretty complete and was accepted as so”
“We’d argue there hasn’t been any significant change in terms of the scope of the project, what we’re expecting to build,” he said.
Engagement
Regarding the delay to resuming works, in his written statement Mr Gunning told the committee that BAM did not reopen works on the site until July 13th, seven weeks after it was permitted to do so, and despite “ongoing engagement with the NPHDB”.
“Despite ongoing engagement with the main contractor, we are still without a valid works programme that is in line with its contractual obligations,” Mr Gunning said, adding that the NPHDB is withholding 15 per cent of monies invoiced every month “until such time as a compliant programme is delivered”.
Mr Gunning said the NPHDB is “interrogating the programmes provided by the contractor and evaluating all current and potential cost pressures on the project”.
The contract for the hospital has a guaranteed maximum price, which Mr Gunning told the committee means the contractor has to deliver the project in the timeframe set out “and within the budget agreed”.
“If it fails to do so for any reason, the construction cost must be borne by the contractor.” In spite of this, BAM has been making the extra claims.
“Where the contractor is entitled to costs under the contract, the NPHDB has been discharging payments, but claims are being made for funding on matters that we believe fall within its contractual obligations.
“We are using all levers available to us through the contractual process to both put pressure on the Main Contractor in order to deliver performance, and to manage and defend against claims so as to protect the public purse,” he said in a statement to the committee .
While there is a dispute management process which is dealing with claims, Mr Gunning told the committee he is limited in how much he can discuss specific issues at stake due to confidentiality clauses. However, one dispute has reached the High Court, in relation to the instruction for Phase B construction works to begin, issued to BAM by the NPHDB on January 8th last year.
BAM has disputed the validity of that instruction, and the dispute resolution process has failed to find a solution. “In order to rigorously defend the public purse, the NPHDB has been left with no option but to bring the matter to the High Court,” he said in his written statement. That case is set to proceed next month.
Mr Gunning said a claim about the design of the hospital by BAM will be at the core of the case.


theirishtimes--2020-11-18--Covid-19: Some people ‘turning up for funerals’ and not wearing face masks

People “ turning up for funerals ” and not following guidelines such as wearing face masks and social distancing were leading to an increase of Covid cases connected to funerals , the Irish Association of Funeral Directors has said .
Mary Cunniffe , spokeswoman for the association , told RTÉ radio ’ s Morning Ireland the group had been disappointed to see the chief medical officer ’ s report on the issue , but the information “ did not come as a huge surprise.
” Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said earlier this week it was a worrying development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ count is rising , now having reached more than 400 per day .
“ There are examples of small numbers of people congregating for social purposes and simply ignoring the important public health messages , ” he said .
“ We are also seeing a number of outbreaks across the country .
These include outbreaks in association with funerals .
We understand that this is a difficult time for families but it is really important that we do everything we can to avoid the circumstances which promote transmission of the virus.
” Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many groups to ensure that funerals were observed within the boundaries of correct Covid guidelines .
It was unfortunate that there was some noncompliance , she said , with people “ turning up to funerals ” and not adhering to guidelines with regard to wearing face masks , hand hygiene and observing social distance .
The association is an all-island group with a membership of 342 undertakers and , according to its website , conducts “ 80 per cent of funerals on the island of Ireland ” .
Ms Cunniffe said the funeral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep details of funeral arrangements to a minimum .
Funeral directors , churches , crematoria , clergy and humanist celebrants were all observing restrictions , she said .
But they had no control over occasions such as wakes or to dissuade people from calling to the home of the bereaved .
Ms Cunniffe also expressed concern that some media platforms were publishing details about reposing when such arrangements should not be publicised .
She said there was no pressure on people to attend funerals , there were other ways in which they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telephone call , sending cards or flowers .

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said on Sunday there were a number of outbreaks of Covid associated with funerals. Photograph: iStock
People “turning up for funerals” and not following guidelines such as wearing face masks and social distancing were leading to an increase of Covid cases connected to funerals, the Irish Association of Funeral Directors has said.
Mary Cunniffe, spokeswoman for the association, told RTÉ radio's Morning Ireland the group had been disappointed to see the chief medical officer's report on the issue, but the information "did not come as a huge surprise."
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said earlier this week it was a worrying development that the average daily five-day coronavirus case count is rising, now having reached more than 400 per day.
Hospital Report
“There are examples of small numbers of people congregating for social purposes and simply ignoring the important public health messages,” he said.
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“We are also seeing a number of outbreaks across the country. These include outbreaks in association with funerals. We understand that this is a difficult time for families but it is really important that we do everything we can to avoid the circumstances which promote transmission of the virus.”
Ms Cunniffe saidher association had been working with many groups to ensure that funerals were observed within the boundaries of correct Covid guidelines.
It was unfortunate that there was some noncompliance, she said, with people “turning up to funerals” and not adhering to guidelines with regard to wearing face masks, hand hygiene and observing social distance.
The association is an all-island group with a membership of 342 undertakers and, according to its website, conducts “80 per cent of funerals on the island of Ireland”.
Ms Cunniffe said the funeral directors “strongly recommend” to families to keep details of funeral arrangements to a minimum.
Funeral directors, churches, crematoria, clergy and humanist celebrants were all observing restrictions, she said. But they had no control over occasions such as wakes or to dissuade people from calling to the home of the bereaved.
Ms Cunniffe also expressed concern that some media platforms were publishing details about reposing when such arrangements should not be publicised.
She said there was no pressure on people to attend funerals, there were other ways in which they could extend condolences such as making a telephone call, sending cards or flowers.


theirishtimes--2020-11-18--You can’t furlough an elephant: Dublin Zoo facing Covid-19 cash crisis

The Government will intervene to support Dublin Zoo and Fota Wildlife Park as they strugggle financially during the pandemic , Taoiseach Micheál Martin has told the Dáil .
Dublin Zoo said it is facing an existential threat and could be forced to close its gates for good if it does not find a way to plug an almost €10 million hole in its finances caused by Covid-19 .
Starved of millions of euros of income over the last eight months , one of the most popular visitor attractions in the country is still spending €500,000 on feeding and caring for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday morning , it launched a massive fund raising programme , which it hopes will keep its doors open and allow it to celebrate its 200th birthday in 10 years time .
With its Save Dublin Zoo fundraising campaign , it is appealing to the Irish public for help , as financial losses caused by ongoing Covid-19 restrictions continue to mount .
It warned that its emergency cash reserves , built up over a decade of growth , are beginning to run out and without support , it may have to make the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public .
The zoo remains closed because of Covid-19 restrictions but its dedicated animal care team is still providing care to more than 400 animals .
The zoo said it costs €500,000 per month to feed , house and provide care for the animals , but without regular income from visitor gate receipts since March , it can not make ends meet .
“ We are struggling financially and without support - concerned that we don ’ t have sufficient reserves to get through the winter and may even have to close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why we ’ re asking the Irish public for help , ” the newly installed director of Dublin Zoo Dr Christoph Schwitzer said .
“ In normal times it costs about a million a month to run Dublin Zoo - we ’ ve tried to make any cost savings possible during the pandemic and we have achieved that , but there are limits .
You can ’ t furlough an elephant , you can ’ t switch off a zoo at night when you go home , ” he told RTE ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and deserve 24/7 care .
We provide the highest standards of animal care and welfare possible so animal care alone costs us half a million a month and these are very high fixed costs and with no income from visitation we have difficulty meeting them .
“ We haven ’ t gotten any statutory funding from the government in the past 15 years , we ’ re very proud to be able to stand on our own two feet .
due to the support of our visitors .
It is a struggle , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however small.
” In the Dáil on Wednesday , Mr Martin said the Government “ will do everything we possibly can to ensure Dublin zoo stays open and I will be working with Ministers to make sure that happens ” .
He said : “ In my view , given the extraordinary circumstances of a global pandemic , a once in a 100 year event the Government has to intervene here and the Government has to work with Dublin Zoo to make it is available for generations to come.
” He said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advocate for Dublin Zoo and engineered a significant investment for the zoo and set it in train to become the very modern facility that it became .
Mr Martin said it was some time since capital funding has been allocated to the zoo by Government .
He was responding to Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald who highlighted Dublin Zoo ’ s appeal for assistance , and Cork East Fine Gael TD David Stanton who appealed for assistance for Fota in Cork .
Ms McDonald said closure of the zoo would be devastating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generally rely on Government money “ but it needs help now ” .
The zoo is a not-for-profit organisation and does not receive funding from the State .
Revenue streams , in the form of gate receipts and onsite sales , have all but evaporated because of Covid-19 and to date Dublin Zoo has lost €8.2 million in potential revenue .
“ Although we are closed to the public and the financial losses continue to mount , our passion , love and dedication to the animals in our care is as strong as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Operations Manager Gerry Creighton .
“ Our amazing animal care team has continued to deliver a world-class standard of care in tough operating conditions and that will never change .
We ’ ve tried to stay positive by providing a safe and enjoyable environment for the people of Ireland during this awful pandemic .
“ However , our situation is very serious .
For generations , we have been a place where families and friends come together to connect with nature , learn about animals and be inspired together .
We can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and are running out of time .
People are being asked to make donations at www.DublinZoo.ieor to host a fundraising event .
There are also adoption packs being sold to will help support the animals at the zoo .
People are also being asked to spread the word of the “ Save Dublin Zoo ” campaign by posting their favourite memory of Dublin Zoo along with a donation or fundraiser on social media with the hashtag # SaveDublinZoo All the money will go towards the care of Dublin Zoo animals .
€25 is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandas for a day .
€50 is enough to feed a lion for one day .
€75 euro will feed an elephant for a day .
€100 will feed a southern white rhinoceros for a week .

Dublin Zoo’s animal care team is still providing care to more than 400 animals while shut down. Photograph: Bryan O Brien / The Irish Times
The Government will intervene to support Dublin Zoo and Fota Wildlife Park in Co Cork as they struggle financially during the pandemic, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has told the Dáil.
Dublin Zoo said it is facing an existential threat and could be forced to close its gates for good if it does not find a way to plug an almost €10 million hole in its finances caused by Covid-19.
Losing out on of millions of euros of income over the last eight months, one of the most popular visitor attractions in the country is still spending €500,000 a month on feeding and caring for the animals under its care.
Dublin Zoo, one of the most popular visitor attractions in the country, is still spending €500,000 a month on feeding and caring for the animals. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
Yesterday morning, it launched a Save Dublin Zoo fundraising programme, which it hopes will help to keep it open. It warned that its emergency cash reserves, built up over a decade of growth, are beginning to run out and, without support, it may have to make the difficult decision to close its gates to the public.
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However, within five hours of making its plea, the zoo had raised more than €1 million from the general public, the organisation saying it was “lost for words”in a post on its social media accounts on Wednesday afternoon.
Animal care
The zoo remains closed because of current Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions, but its dedicated animal care team is still providing care to more than 400 animals.
Dublin Zoo celebrated in March its first penguin chicks hatching since 2013.
Meerkats at Dublin Zoo warm up with the help of heat lamps when cold weather hits. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
"We are struggling financially and without support – concerned that we don't have sufficient reserves to get through the winter and may even have to close to the public. That's why we're asking the Irish public for help," the newly installed director of Dublin Zoo Dr Christoph Schwitzer said.
"In normal times it costs about a million a month to run Dublin Zoo. We've tried to make any cost savings possible during the pandemic and we have achieved that, but there are limits. You can't furlough an elephant, you can't switch off a zoo at night when you go home," he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme.
“We haven’t gotten any statutory funding from the Government in the past 15 years. We’re very proud to be able to stand on our own two feet, due to the support of our visitors..”
In the Dáil on Wednesday, Mr Martin said the Government “will do everything we possibly can to ensure Dublin Zoo stays open and I will be working with Ministers to make sure that happens”.
He said: “In my view, given the extraordinary circumstances of a global pandemic, a once-in-a-hundred-year event, the Government has to intervene here and the Government has to work with Dublin Zoo to make sure it is available for generations to come.”
Dublin Zoo’s animal care team is still providing care to more than 400 animals while shut down. Photograph: Bryan O Brien / The Irish Times
Mr Martin said it was some time since capital funding has been allocated to the zoo by government.
People are being asked to make donations at DublinZoo.ieor to host a fundraising event.


theirishtimes--2020-11-18--Man remanded in custody over fatal stabbing at house in Co Mayo

A 31-year-old man has been remanded in custody charged with the murder of Michael McDonagh at a housing estate in Swinford , Co Mayo .
Matusz Batuik , with an address at 1 Carrabeg Estate , Swinford , appeared before Judge Fiona Lydon at Castlebar District Court charged with the murder of MrMcDonagh ( 24 ) on Monday .
She said that at 11.52pm on Tuesday , she arrested the accused at Castlebar Garda Station and at 12.20am on Wednesday , she formally charged him .
In reply to the charge , the accused replied ‘ No comment ’ .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ application was for a remand in custody to Harristown Court at Castlerea Prison on Friday at 10.30am .
Judge Lydon acceded to the request for a remand in custody .
The accused was represented at the hearing by solicitor Cathy McDarby , who requested appropriate psychiatric treatment for the accused while in custody .
She asked that he be placed in protective custody for his own safety while in prison and also requested free legal aid .
Judge Lydon agreed to the requests for psychiatric attention and free legal aid .
She said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ custody to the prison governor .
The accused , who was dressed in a blue , red and grey sweatshirt , did not speak during the brief hearing .
He had the services of an interpreter throughout the proceedings .

Matusz Batiuk, with an address at Carrabeg, Swinford, Co Mayo arriving at Castlebar District Court where he was charged with the murder of Michael McDonagh. Photograph: Keith Heneghan
A 31-year-old man has been remanded in custody charged with the murder of Michael McDonagh at a housing estate in Swinford, Co Mayo.
Matusz Batuik, with an address at 1 Carrabeg Estate, Swinford, appeared before Judge Fiona Lydon at Castlebar District Court charged with the murder of MrMcDonagh (24) on Monday.
Garda Sinead Caheny gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.
She said that at 11.52pm on Tuesday, she arrested the accused at Castlebar Garda Station and at 12.20am on Wednesday, she formally charged him.
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In reply to the charge, the accused replied ‘No comment’.
The court was told that the State application was for a remand in custody to Harristown Court at Castlerea Prison on Friday at 10.30am.
Judge Lydon acceded to the request for a remand in custody.
The accused was represented at the hearing by solicitor Cathy McDarby, who requested appropriate psychiatric treatment for the accused while in custody.
She asked that he be placed in protective custody for his own safety while in prison and also requested free legal aid.
Judge Lydon agreed to the requests for psychiatric attention and free legal aid.
She said she would leave the matter of protective custody to the prison governor.
The accused, who was dressed in a blue, red and grey sweatshirt, did not speak during the brief hearing. He had the services of an interpreter throughout the proceedings.


theirishtimes--2020-11-18--Night shift workers at heightened risk of asthma, study finds

Permanent night shift workers are at heightened risk of moderate to severe asthma , with “ far reaching ” public health implications given the prevalence of asthma and shift work , according to a new study .
The study published in the medical journal Throrax said about 20 per cent of employees in the developed world work permanent or rotating night shifts , which can causes a person ’ s internal body clock - or circadian rhythm - to be out of step with the external light and dark cycle .
It found that after taking account of age and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other potentially influential risk factors , there was a 36 per cent increase in the odds of having moderate to severe asthma in permanent night shift workers compared to those working normal office hours .
According to professor Marcus Butler , medical director of the Asthma Society of Ireland and a respiratory consultant physician at St James ’ Hospital , the study highlights an emerging area involving the ill-effects of shift working on health .
Compared with those working office hours , the study found shift workers were more likely to be men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas and in more deprived neighbourhoods .
Night shift workers were more likely to have poorer health and were more likely to work in service jobs or as process , plant and machine operatives .
According to Prof Butler , the study , while undertaken by researchers in the University of Manchester in the UK , was “ a cause of concern ” for people here , given that asthma issues in the UK mirror those in Ireland “ to a large extent ” .
He said the study “ can serve to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ill-effects of shift working on health ” .
“ As the study points out , many of the permanent night shift workers are more likely to be living in deprived neighbourhoods and may have other disparities in health care access .
The Asthma Society aims to improve asthma quality of life for all , and to leave no one behind , ” he said .
He said the implications for Ireland were that findings in this large scale study , “ predominantly among individuals of European ancestry , are likely to be also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We share a very close genetic ancestry with the UK , and asthma has a complex genetic relationship in its causation , interacting with environmental factors .
This important study is highlighting one such environmental factor that has complex associated lifestyle , exposure implications and emotional well-being factors relating to shift work , which seems likely to be relevant to contributing to asthma ” he said .
Further studies in this area are needed to help inform decision-making for policy makers and employers ” Prof Butler said .
Study author Dr Hannah Durrington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of Manchester said the “ misalignment ” of an individual ’ s circadian rhythm with the external day and night cycle was associated with “ a heightened risk of various metabolic disorders , cardiovascular disease , and cancer ” .
The Asthma Society ’ s Asthma and COPD Adviceline is available on 1800 44 54 64 and a WhatsApp service on on 086 059 0132 .
Both services are free and allow users to communicate directly with an asthma/COPD nurse specialist .

Permanent night shift workers are at heightened risk of moderate to severe asthma, with “far reaching” public health implications given the prevalence of asthma and shift work, according to a new study.
The study published in the medical journal Throrax said about 20 per cent of employees in the developed world work permanent or rotating night shifts, which can causes a person's internal body clock - or circadian rhythm - to be out of step with the external light and dark cycle.
It found that after taking account of age and sex, and a wide range of other potentially influential risk factors, there was a 36 per cent increase in the odds of having moderate to severe asthma in permanent night shift workers compared to those working normal office hours.
According to Prof Marcus Butler, medical director of the Asthma Society of Ireland and a respiratory consultant physician at St Vincent’s University Hospital, the study highlights an emerging area involving the ill-effects of shift working on health.
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Compared with those working office hours, the study found shift workers were more likely to be men, smokers and to live in urban areas and in more deprived neighbourhoods.
Night shift workers were more likely to have poorer health and were more likely to work in service jobs or as process, plant and machine operatives.
According to Prof Butler, the study, while undertaken by researchers in the University of Manchester in the UK, was “a cause of concern” for people here, given that asthma issues in the UK mirror those in Ireland “to a large extent”.
He said the study “can serve to draw focus on the emerging area concerning ill-effects of shift working on health”.
Quality of life
“ As the study points out, many of the permanent night shift workers are more likely to be living in deprived neighbourhoods and may have other disparities in health care access. The Asthma Society aims to improve asthma quality of life for all, and to leave no one behind,” he said.
He said the implications for Ireland were that findings in this large scale study, “predominantly among individuals of European ancestry, are likely to be also attributable to Irish asthma patients.”
“We share a very close genetic ancestry with the UK, and asthma has a complex genetic relationship in its causation, interacting with environmental factors. This important study is highlighting one such environmental factor that has complex associated lifestyle, exposure implications and emotional well-being factors relating to shift work, which seems likely to be relevant to contributing to asthma” he said.
Further studies in this area are needed to help inform decision-making for policy makers and employers” Prof Butler said.
Study author Dr Hannah Durrington of the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Manchester said the “misalignment” of an individual’s circadian rhythm with the external day and night cycle was associated with “a heightened risk of various metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and cancer”.
The Asthma Society’s Asthma and COPD Adviceline is available on 1800 44 54 64 and a WhatsApp service on on 086 059 0132. Both services are free and allow users to communicate directly with an asthma/COPD nurse specialist.


theirishtimes--2020-11-18--Way clear for Séamus Woulfe to start on Supreme Court early next year

Séamus Woulfe looks set to begin work as a Supreme Court judge early next year after the Government said it would not initiate a process to remove him from office .
Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Tuesday said the Coalition would take no further steps against Mr Justice Woulfe , who has been at the centre of a controversy over his attendance at the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner in August .
Mr Martin told the Dáil that the “ constitutional protection of the judiciary is best achieved in this particular case ” by such an approach .
The board of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s comments and it now appears there is no obstacle , barring possible action by Opposition parties , to the judge beginning work .
Sources believe , if he does so , that it will be from February in line with proposals set out under an informal resolution process initiated in October .
It is understood that several members of the board were relieved that the Government did not consider the matter met the threshold for the judge ’ s removal .
The Supreme Court is expected to meet in the coming days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources expressed strong scepticism about suggestions of Supreme Court judges resigning their positions or refusing to work with Mr Justice Woulfe .
“ The judges are adults and will behave like adults , ” one source said .
No statement was issued after the board meeting , which sources interpreted as indicating the council sees no role for itself in the Woulfe matter .
The controversy over Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s attendance at the dinner , along with some 80 other people during the pandemic , escalated after Chief Justice Frank Clarke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In it , the Chief Justice twice tells the judge he believes he should resign over his handling of matters since the publication on October 1st of a review of his attendance at the dinner .
The Taoiseach also rejected calls for Minister for Justice Helen McEntee to be called into the Dáil to make a statement and address questions on the process that led to Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s appointment to the Supreme Court .
It emerged last week that at least three judges had written to the Government seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not told of their applications before the former attorney general was selected in July .
In her first public comments on the matter , Ms McEntee told the Oireachtas justice committee that she had adhered to a “ very clear process ” before bringing Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s name to Cabinet .
Ms McEntee is understood to have expressed doubts about the matter being debated in the Dáil , notwithstanding the Ceann Comhairle saying such a debate could be permissible if it was confined to the process of the appointment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ handbook states that Ms McEntee should have informed the Coalition party leaders , Minister for Finance and Attorney General of interest in the role from other parties .
Opposition TDs are likely to continue raising the issue in the Oireachtas , with sources indicating there will be another attempt to have a question-and-answer session on the matter in the Dáil .
Parties are also likely to use Private Members ’ time , oral questions and parliamentary questions to pursue the issue .
Meanwhile , a Council of Europe report has concluded that Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fall short in terms of selecting the most qualified and suitable candidates .
It says that Ireland has failed to reform its system to a more transparent model where the most suitable candidates are selected without improper influence from government or parliament .
It finds fault , in particular , with the current system used by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board where it submits the names of at least seven people whom it recommends for appointment .
The assessors were critical of this because the long list and lack of rankings gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointments .

Séamus Woulfe: It appears there is no obstacle, barring possible action by Opposition parties, to the judge beginning work despite controversy. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Séamus Woulfe looks set to begin work as a Supreme Court judge early next year after the Government said it would not initiate a process to remove him from office.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Tuesday said the Coalition would take no further steps against Mr Justice Woulfe, who has been at the centre of a controversy over his attendance at the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner in August.
Mr Martin told the Dáil that the “constitutional protection of the judiciary is best achieved in this particular case” by such an approach.
The board of the Judicial Council met following the Taoiseach’s comments and it now appears there is no obstacle, barring possible action by Opposition parties, to the judge beginning work.
READ MORE
Sources believe, if he does so, that it will be from February in line with proposals set out under an informal resolution process initiated in October. It is understood that several members of the board were relieved that the Government did not consider the matter met the threshold for the judge’s removal.
Resignation of judges
The Supreme Court is expected to meet in the coming days to discuss the latest developments. Informed sources expressed strong scepticism about suggestions of Supreme Court judges resigning their positions or refusing to work with Mr Justice Woulfe.
“The judges are adults and will behave like adults,” one source said. No statement was issued after the board meeting, which sources interpreted as indicating the council sees no role for itself in the Woulfe matter.
The controversy over Mr Justice Woulfe’s attendance at the dinner, along with some 80 other people during the pandemic, escalated after Chief Justice Frank Clarke last week published correspondence with the judge. In it, the Chief Justice twice tells the judge he believes he should resign over his handling of matters since the publication on October 1st of a review of his attendance at the dinner.
The Taoiseach also rejected calls for Minister for Justice Helen McEntee to be called into the Dáil to make a statement and address questions on the process that led to Mr Justice Woulfe’s appointment to the Supreme Court.
It emerged last week that at least three judges had written to the Government seeking to fill the role but the Cabinet was not told of their applications before the former attorney general was selected in July.
‘Clear process’
In her first public comments on the matter, Ms McEntee told the Oireachtas justice committee that she had adhered to a “very clear process” before bringing Mr Justice Woulfe’s name to Cabinet.
Ms McEntee is understood to have expressed doubts about the matter being debated in the Dáil, notwithstanding the Ceann Comhairle saying such a debate could be permissible if it was confined to the process of the appointment.
Some TDs have argued that the Cabinet handbook states that Ms McEntee should have informed the Coalition party leaders, Minister for Finance and Attorney General of interest in the role from other parties.
Opposition TDs are likely to continue raising the issue in the Oireachtas, with sources indicating there will be another attempt to have a question-and-answer session on the matter in the Dáil. Parties are also likely to use Private Members’ time, oral questions and parliamentary questions to pursue the issue.
Meanwhile, a Council of Europe report has concluded that Ireland’s system of appointing judges continues to fall short in terms of selecting the most qualified and suitable candidates.
It says that Ireland has failed to reform its system to a more transparent model where the most suitable candidates are selected without improper influence from government or parliament.
It finds fault, in particular, with the current system used by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board where it submits the names of at least seven people whom it recommends for appointment. The assessors were critical of this because the long list and lack of rankings gave the government significant power in deciding on appointments.


theirishtimes--2020-11-19--Covid-19: Senior officials clash with Holohan at meeting on lifting lockdown

After more than nine months and over 69,000 cases of the disease , the State passed the milestone of 2,000 Covid-related deaths yesterday , as Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan urged people to “ work together ” to suppress further spread of the virus .
But there was further evidence of division between Government and its public health advisers .
Senior officials are said to have clashed with Dr Holohan during a meeting yesterday as efforts to draw up a plan to exit the lockdown and manage the pandemic over the Christmas period continue in Government .
According to three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior officials emphasised to Dr Holohan that the Government – not the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) – would make decisions about easing the lockdown and what restrictions would be in place over Christmas .
Officials , which included the secretary general of the Department of the Taoiseach Martin Fraser , the State ’ s most senior civil servant , also complained to Dr Holohan that Nphet members were seeking to pressure the Government with a series of media appearances .
One source said it was “ made clear ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the decision ” on reopening , scheduled for December 1st .
Another source confirmed that the Nphet “ media strategy ” was strongly criticised as some senior officials believed that its members are seeking to influence Government decisions through the media .
The Government is facing far-reaching decisions within the next week to 10 days on ending the lockdown , reopening commercial and social life and on how it manages the pandemic during December and the Christmas period .
Yesterday , Dr Holohan – reflecting on the death toll – said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indirectly , on families and communities all across Ireland ” .
With the Level 5 lockdown due to expire on December 1st Dr Holohan urged the public “ for the next two weeks , work from home , stay at home and follow public health advice ” .
The deaths of a further 12 people with Covid-19 were reported by Nphet yesterday bringing the total to 2,006 .
Nphet also reported a further 379 confirmed cases of the disease .
Nphet is due to meet today to discuss the current trends .
Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people “ haven ’ t been able to mourn the way they normally would ” describing the 2,000 milestone as a “ sobering day ” .
The issue of exiting Level 5 lockdown was the main topic for discussion last night at parliamentary meetings of the two main Coalition parties .
Taoiseach Micheál Martin told a Fianna Fáil meeting the Government will make a decision on exiting Level 5 lockdown next week , and that there will be a Dáil debate on the issue beforehand .
He said he wanted Christmas to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that it would be about “ trusting the public with their personal behaviour ” .
He also argued the Republic is doing well on controlling the disease in comparison to most European countries .
The meeting also heard calls for clarity on whether pubs will be able to open for Christmas .
Senator Lisa Chambers said that pubs are coming under pressure to order kegs in time for Christmas if they are to open , but expressed the belief they would not be able to do so , and that the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pub even if they were open .
At the Fine Gael meeting , TDs called on the Cabinet to begin consulting with the church on the plan for Christmas .
Former minister for justice Charlie Flanagan said advance planning was essential and should include “ celebrating the festival of Christmas through Christian worship ” .
Elsewhere the Government is seeking Dáil approval for a further €514 million in funding for the health service this year .
The money is aimed at covering the costs in 2020 of the Government ’ s overall €600 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which will run until next spring.There will also be additional funding or Covid-related spending in the supplementary estimate .
The supplementary estimate being sought by the Department of Health will also seek to offset income from private patients in public hospital which had been expected to be generated this year but which was curtailed as a result of Covid-19 restrictions .
In the summer the Dáil approved additional spending of almost €2 billion in additional funding for the Department of Health , largely to deal with Covid-19 .

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan: “We are seeing a number of things which concern us. There are examples of small numbers of people congregating for social purposes and simply ignoring the important public health messages. They are putting our collective progress at risk.” Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
After more than nine months and over 69,000 cases of the disease, the State passed the milestone of 2,000 Covid-related deaths yesterday, as Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan urged people to “work together” to suppress further spread of the virus.
But there was further evidence of division between Government and its public health advisers. Senior officials are said to have clashed with Dr Holohan during a meeting yesterday as efforts to draw up a plan to exit the lockdown and manage the pandemic over the Christmas period continue in Government.
According to three sources with knowledge of the meeting, senior officials emphasised to Dr Holohan that the Government – not the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) – would make decisions about easing the lockdown and what restrictions would be in place over Christmas.
Hospital Report
Officials, which included the secretary general of the Department of the Taoiseach Martin Fraser, the State’s most senior civil servant, also complained to Dr Holohan that Nphet members were seeking to pressure the Government with a series of media appearances.
READ MORE
One source said it was “made clear” to Nphet “that the Government will make the decision” on reopening, scheduled for December 1st. Another source confirmed that the Nphet “media strategy” was strongly criticised as some senior officials believed that its members are seeking to influence Government decisions through the media.
The Government is facing far-reaching decisions within the next week to 10 days on ending the lockdown, reopening commercial and social life and on how it manages the pandemic during December and the Christmas period.
Yesterday, Dr Holohan – reflecting on the death toll – said the pandemic has “impacted, directly and indirectly, on families and communities all across Ireland”. With the Level 5 lockdown due to expire on December 1st Dr Holohan urged the public “for the next two weeks, work from home, stay at home and follow public health advice”.
The deaths of a further 12 people with Covid-19 were reported by Nphet yesterday bringing the total to 2,006. Nphet also reported a further 379 confirmed cases of the disease. Nphet is due to meet today to discuss the current trends.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly told RTÉ the people "haven't been able to mourn the way they normally would" describing the 2,000 milestone as a "sobering day".
Main topic
The issue of exiting Level 5 lockdown was the main topic for discussion last night at parliamentary meetings of the two main Coalition parties. Taoiseach Micheál Martin told a Fianna Fáil meeting the Government will make a decision on exiting Level 5 lockdown next week, and that there will be a Dáil debate on the issue beforehand. He said he wanted Christmas to be "meaningful, enjoyable and safe" and that it would be about "trusting the public with their personal behaviour".
He also argued the Republic is doing well on controlling the disease in comparison to most European countries.
The meeting also heard calls for clarity on whether pubs will be able to open for Christmas. Senator Lisa Chambers said that pubs are coming under pressure to order kegs in time for Christmas if they are to open, but expressed the belief they would not be able to do so, and that the public may not want to go to a pub even if they were open.
At the Fine Gael meeting, TDs called on the Cabinet to begin consulting with the church on the plan for Christmas. Former minister for justice Charlie Flanagan said advance planning was essential and should include "celebrating the festival of Christmas through Christian worship".
Elsewhere the Government is seeking Dáil approval for a further €514 million in funding for the health service this year. The money is aimed at covering the costs in 2020 of the Government’s overall €600 million winter plan for the health service which will run until next spring.There will also be additional funding or Covid-related spending in the supplementary estimate.
The supplementary estimate being sought by the Department of Health will also seek to offset income from private patients in public hospital which had been expected to be generated this year but which was curtailed as a result of Covid-19 restrictions .
In the summer the Dáil approved additional spending of almost €2 billion in additional funding for the Department of Health, largely to deal with Covid-19.


theirishtimes--2020-11-19--Minister warns campaigners labs could walk away from CervicalCheck tribunal

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has warned women affected by the CervicalCheck controversy that laboratories could walk away from a planned tribunal if he makes certain changes asked for by the women .
Mr Donnelly also told the 221 plus group that designated members of the tribunal may leave because of delays in its establishment .
The tribunal was due to commence its work last month but , in the face of objections from some victims , including campaigner Vicky Phelan , the Government agreed to postpone the start date in the hope that their concerns can be met .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of limitations and has also asked that applicants to the tribunal who receive an award be allowed to return to the tribunal should they suffer a recurrence of their cancer .
In a letter sent to the group on November 8th , Mr Donnelly said that he believed it was “ important to be clear on what I believe to be our shared goal ” .
“ As I said , the tribunal is now paused , at your request .
I am aware that continuing delays in getting it up-and-running create a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of your members can have their claims dealt with , particularly given the difficulties in having hearings proceed in the courts at present .
“ At the same time , members-designate of the tribunal have been taken from the courts and are eager to get started .
As you know , during the previous delay in commencing the tribunal due to Covid , two of the three members took up other roles .
I have a concern that if there is another significant delay , some of the current members might also have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” He said there were “ constitutional ” challenges to making changes asked for by the group .
On the issue of recurrence , he said : “ For the tribunal to work , it must follow the process of the High Court .
I am being guided by the very clear advice of the Attorney General .
“ I have taken advice from several expert sources and I believe that a provision that would expand the ability of the tribunal to make awards beyond how the High Court operates would cause the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meaning that no cases could proceed at the tribunal.
” On the issue of the statute of limitations , Mr Donnelly said if it were amended “ it would almost certainly lead to the withdrawal of the labs from the tribunal , again meaning that no claims would be heard in that forum .
“ I take on board your view that the issues in relation to the statute are quite simple ; but it is unfortunately the case that the remedies are not as simple as is suggested .
“ I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tribunal to work , the laboratories must be kept involved.
” In a letter sent yesterday , the 221 plus group told the Minister that “ time is up ” to resolve issues around the planned new tribunal .
The group said they fear the Government is “ playing politics ” on the issue and is unwilling to address the concerns of the women .
“ As we see it , time is up and we are now setting about communicating to our members to that effect which we will do before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basis in fact to show otherwise before we do so we would welcome seeing it .
“ As we have now stated on a number of occasions 221 plus has no basis on which to express confidence in the tribunal as proposed at this point .
”

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has warned women affected by the CervicalCheck controversy that laboratories could walk away from a planned tribunal if he makes certain changes asked for by the women.
Mr Donnelly also told the 221 plus group that designated members of the tribunal may leave because of delays in its establishment.
The tribunal was due to commence its work last month but, in the face of objections from some victims, including campaigner Vicky Phelan, the Government agreed to postpone the start date in the hope that their concerns can be met.
The group has concerns about the statute of limitations and has also asked that applicants to the tribunal who receive an award be allowed to return to the tribunal should they suffer a recurrence of their cancer.
READ MORE
In a letter sent to the group on November 8th, Mr Donnelly said that he believed it was “important to be clear on what I believe to be our shared goal”.
“As I said, the tribunal is now paused, at your request. I am aware that continuing delays in getting it up-and-running create a situation where few – if any – of your members can have their claims dealt with, particularly given the difficulties in having hearings proceed in the courts at present.
“At the same time, members-designate of the tribunal have been taken from the courts and are eager to get started. As you know, during the previous delay in commencing the tribunal due to Covid, two of the three members took up other roles. I have a concern that if there is another significant delay, some of the current members might also have to be released back to the courts.”
He said there were “constitutional” challenges to making changes asked for by the group.
On the issue of recurrence, he said: “For the tribunal to work, it must follow the process of the High Court. I am being guided by the very clear advice of the Attorney General.
“I have taken advice from several expert sources and I believe that a provision that would expand the ability of the tribunal to make awards beyond how the High Court operates would cause the laboratories to withdraw from the process, meaning that no cases could proceed at the tribunal.”
On the issue of the statute of limitations, Mr Donnelly said if it were amended “it would almost certainly lead to the withdrawal of the labs from the tribunal, again meaning that no claims would be heard in that forum.
“I take on board your view that the issues in relation to the statute are quite simple; but it is unfortunately the case that the remedies are not as simple as is suggested.
“I have taken extensive legal advice and, for the tribunal to work, the laboratories must be kept involved.”
‘Time is up’
In a letter sent yesterday, the 221 plus group told the Minister that “time is up” to resolve issues around the planned new tribunal.
The group said they fear the Government is “playing politics” on the issue and is unwilling to address the concerns of the women.
“As we see it, time is up and we are now setting about communicating to our members to that effect which we will do before the weekend. If there is any basis in fact to show otherwise before we do so we would welcome seeing it.
“As we have now stated on a number of occasions 221 plus has no basis on which to express confidence in the tribunal as proposed at this point.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-19--Covid-19: Reopening Ireland is clouded in doubt in the absence of hard facts

Eight months into the pandemic and we still know worryingly little about where cases occur most frequently and where risk is highest .
With over one-quarter of positive tests among people showing no symptoms , this is no easy task , yet the lack of Irish data is particularly concerning .
Much of what we learn arises when a public health official sounds off about a particular area of concern linked to recent outbreaks – most recently funerals or street-drinking .
The media may respond by pointing out that there is no data on the number of outbreaks around , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Or that the official figures show low numbers of cases in particular settings – for example , the HSE says there was just one outbreak apiece last week around shops , sporting activities and religious ceremonies .
To which the officials will reply that they can not be expected to drill more deeply into the data in the middle of a pandemic , or that there is simply more to it than meets the eye .
This is true to an extent .
Official figures tell us just 1,000 out of our 69,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well be true .
But those cases – from the earliest days of the pandemic on – seeded further outbreaks here , and these cases were categorised differently .
The data tells us 75 per cent of all outbreaks are in private homes , yet officials reason that the people in those houses must first have picked up the virus somewhere else .
“ We ’ ve been very poor at learning which specific measures are most effective , ” says immunologist Prof Paul Moynagh of Maynooth University .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , retail is a problem .
So we end up with a blanket approach to restrictions , which is so costly.
” Given the stakes at play with our yo-yo restrictions , our ignorance of the impact of different activities makes for a frustrating situation .
In the North it has been estimated that opening schools would add 0.2 to the reproduction number but no such calculations have been done here .
On Wednesday the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) published a review of the international evidence on outbreaks that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s a long list that includes nursing homes , hospitals , meat and food processing plants , large shared accommodation , sporting activities , bars , nightclubs and restaurants , gyms , offices , shopping centres , cruise ships , weddings , shopping malls , prisons , mines and religious settings .
While the finding that indoor , high-occupancy and poorly ventilated spaces present an increased risk of transmitting the virus is pretty self-evident by now , the focus in the review on super-spreader events is interesting .
A small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most conducive conditions for the spread of infection , can give rise to a disproportionately large number of infections .
Japan has had a successful run fighting the virus by focusing on “ super-spreader ” events , retrospectively tracing contacts as quickly as possible .
Here in Ireland , as Hiqa notes , information on these events is currently lacking , as is an understanding of where infections get into households .
“ Better Irish data on the source of infection and risk of transmission associated with different settings and activities would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and further aid policy decisions , ” the review states .
In the US the Texas Medical Association has ranked activities by risk level , from opening the post ( low ) to going to the beach ( moderate ) to attending a large music concert ( high ) .
Other highest risk activities include going to a sports stadium , attending a large religious service and going to a bar .
In truth , this doesn ’ t help much as so many other factors can influence outcomes .
Was social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they hand-sanitise ?
On an individual level , our perception of personal risk is likely to influence our behaviour , and no amount of data will alter this .
Hiqa says Irish data on settings and activities associated with increased risk of virus transmission is needed , and consideration should be given to retrospective contact tracing and case-control studies .
The National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) says it is examining “ a number of key considerations that will support the potential easing of restrictions in the coming weeks ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ relative risk , though , the debate about reopening the country is doomed to continue in a fog of uncertainty .

In the North it has been estimated that opening schools would add 0.2 to the reproduction number, but no such calculations have been done in the Republic. Photograph: Getty Images
Eight months into the pandemic and we still know worryingly little about where cases occur most frequently and where risk is highest.
With over one-quarter of positive tests among people showing no symptoms, this is no easy task, yet the lack of Irish data is particularly concerning.
Much of what we learn arises when a public health official sounds off about a particular area of concern linked to recent outbreaks – most recently funerals or street-drinking.
Hospital Report
The media may respond by pointing out that there is no data on the number of outbreaks around, say, burials or outdoor drinking. Or that the official figures show low numbers of cases in particular settings – for example, the HSE says there was just one outbreak apiece last week around shops, sporting activities and religious ceremonies.
READ MORE
To which the officials will reply that they cannot be expected to drill more deeply into the data in the middle of a pandemic, or that there is simply more to it than meets the eye.
This is true to an extent. Official figures tell us just 1,000 out of our 69,000 cases originated overseas, and that may well be true. But those cases – from the earliest days of the pandemic on – seeded further outbreaks here, and these cases were categorised differently.
The data tells us 75 per cent of all outbreaks are in private homes, yet officials reason that the people in those houses must first have picked up the virus somewhere else.
"We've been very poor at learning which specific measures are most effective," says immunologist Prof Paul Moynagh of Maynooth University. "It's difficult to get data that, say, retail is a problem. So we end up with a blanket approach to restrictions, which is so costly."
Opening schools
Given the stakes at play with our yo-yo restrictions, our ignorance of the impact of different activities makes for a frustrating situation.
In the North it has been estimated that opening schools would add 0.2 to the reproduction number but no such calculations have been done here.
On Wednesday the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) published a review of the international evidence on outbreaks that identified the most likely locations for transmission. It’s a long list that includes nursing homes, hospitals, meat and food processing plants, large shared accommodation, sporting activities, bars, nightclubs and restaurants, gyms, offices, shopping centres, cruise ships, weddings, shopping malls, prisons, mines and religious settings.
While the finding that indoor, high-occupancy and poorly ventilated spaces present an increased risk of transmitting the virus is pretty self-evident by now, the focus in the review on super-spreader events is interesting.
A small number of these events, occurring in the most conducive conditions for the spread of infection, can give rise to a disproportionately large number of infections.
Japan has had a successful run fighting the virus by focusing on "super-spreader" events, retrospectively tracing contacts as quickly as possible.
Here in Ireland, as Hiqa notes, information on these events is currently lacking, as is an understanding of where infections get into households.
“Better Irish data on the source of infection and risk of transmission associated with different settings and activities would support public health education and awareness campaigns and further aid policy decisions,” the review states.
In the US the Texas Medical Association has ranked activities by risk level, from opening the post (low) to going to the beach (moderate) to attending a large music concert (high).
Other highest risk activities include going to a sports stadium, attending a large religious service and going to a bar.
In truth, this doesn’t help much as so many other factors can influence outcomes. Was social distancing observed? Were people masked? Did they hand-sanitise?
Personal risk
On an individual level, our perception of personal risk is likely to influence our behaviour, and no amount of data will alter this.
Hiqa says Irish data on settings and activities associated with increased risk of virus transmission is needed, and consideration should be given to retrospective contact tracing and case-control studies.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) says it is examining “a number of key considerations that will support the potential easing of restrictions in the coming weeks”.
In the absence of hard information on relative risk, though, the debate about reopening the country is doomed to continue in a fog of uncertainty.


theirishtimes--2020-11-19--Geothermal energy could be new heat source for Ireland, reports show

Harnessing natural energy from beneath the Earth ’ s surface presents a significant new heat source for Ireland , and is suitable for use in residential , commercial and municipal buildings , two reports compiled for the Government conclude .
New developments in geoscience and technological advances mean geothermal energy is no longer limited to volcanic areas of the world , according to reports from the Department of the Environment , Climate and Communications ( DECC ) and Geological Survey Ireland ( GSI ) .
The heat is derived beneath the surface of the Earth ; water and/or steam carry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surface so it can be used for heating and cooling purposes – or harnessed to generate clean electricity .
Geothermal is a secure , environmentally sustainable and cost-effective source of renewable energy , the reports underline .
In Ireland ’ s case it can be used to heat a wide variety of buildings , while at the same time decarbonise the heat sector , which is responsible for more than one-third of the country ’ s energy consumption .
Along with individual home and commercial geothermal systems , geothermal district heating networks can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , industrial and municipal buildings in urban areas .
The best heat sources are likely to be near the east coast ; the south coast and much of the western seaboard – while most of Northern Ireland has particularly strong potential .
The Assessment of Geothermal Resources for District Heating and Roadmap for a Policy and Regulatory Framework for Geothermal Energy in Ireland were developed to support the Government ’ s commitments under the 2019 climate action plan and the programme for government .
The former summarises recent technological developments , including improved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which have facilitated growth in the geothermal energy sector globally , while the latter sets out steps to develop geothermal energy in Ireland .
Addressing the Geoscience 2020 conference , Minister for the Environment Éamon Ryan said it was great to see new developments in geothermal energy that could help decarbonise Ireland ’ s heat sector .
“ We are already seeing exciting projects like the ESB head office and the Lahinch leisure centre leading the way [ in deploying geothermal energy ] .
” Ireland could learn from European colleagues , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partners , develop “ these exciting opportunities that can complement other renewable technologies such as wind and solar ” .
Development of the energy source , including research and policy supporting it , would be a priority for his department in coming years , he said .
It has begun a consultation process and is accepting submissions – notably via the email geothermal @ decc.gov.ie

Harnessing natural energy from beneath the Earth's surface presents a significant new heat source for Ireland, and is suitable for use in residential, commercial and municipal buildings, two reports compiled for the Government conclude.
New developments in geoscience and technological advances mean geothermal energy is no longer limited to volcanic areas of the world, according to reports from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) and Geological Survey Ireland (GSI).
The heat is derived beneath the surface of the Earth; water and/or steam carry this energy to the Earth’s surface so it can be used for heating and cooling purposes – or harnessed to generate clean electricity. Geothermal is a secure, environmentally sustainable and cost-effective source of renewable energy, the reports underline.
In Ireland’s case it can be used to heat a wide variety of buildings, while at the same time decarbonise the heat sector, which is responsible for more than one-third of the country’s energy consumption.
READ MORE
Along with individual home and commercial geothermal systems, geothermal district heating networks can be used to heat and cool residential, industrial and municipal buildings in urban areas.
The best heat sources are likely to be near the east coast; the south coast and much of the western seaboard – while most of Northern Ireland has particularly strong potential.
The Assessment of Geothermal Resources for District Heating and Roadmap for a Policy and Regulatory Framework for Geothermal Energy in Ireland were developed to support the Government’s commitments under the 2019 climate action plan and the programme for government.
The former summarises recent technological developments, including improved understanding of “Earth systems”, which have facilitated growth in the geothermal energy sector globally, while the latter sets out steps to develop geothermal energy in Ireland.
Map indicating possible temperatures of the Earth’s crust at about 2.5km depth. Courtesy of Ben Mather, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies/Geological Survey Ireland
Addressing the Geoscience 2020 conference, Minister for the Environment Éamon Ryan said it was great to see new developments in geothermal energy that could help decarbonise Ireland's heat sector. "We are already seeing exciting projects like the ESB head office and the Lahinch leisure centre leading the way [in deploying geothermal energy]."
Ireland could learn from European colleagues, and with expertise from the GSI and their partners, develop “these exciting opportunities that can complement other renewable technologies such as wind and solar”.
Development of the energy source, including research and policy supporting it, would be a priority for his department in coming years, he said. It has begun a consultation process and is accepting submissions – notably via the email geothermal@decc.gov.ie


theirishtimes--2020-11-19--Top human rights bodies warn Joe Biden on Brexit threats to Belfast Agreement

Major human rights bodies across the island of Ireland and in Britain have jointly warned US president-elect Joe Biden of the dangers posed by the United Kingdom ’ s departure from the European Union to the Belfast Agreement .
Fifteen leading advocates prepared a briefing paper for Mr Biden highlighting the threat to rights protections which they said go to the core of the agreement , also known as the Good Friday agreement , and which remain under threat .
The group – which includes Amnesty International , ICTU , the Centre for Cross Border Studies and the Equality Coalition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi about their concerns .
While debate has so far been dominated by trade issues , the group said other issues are of concern , too , including preventing a return of the human rights breaches that “ scarred Northern Ireland ’ s past ” .
Brexit threatens the rights and equality clauses in the Belfast Agreement , “ because European law has long been a critically important support for such rights .
“ We fought hard for a provision in the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement ( in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which guaranteed there would be no diminution of such rights as a result of Brexit ” the groups said .
The Biden paper highlights a number of threats , including the Internal Market Bill currently before Westminster and doubts about the UK ’ s future membership of the European Convention on Human Rights .
In addition , the UK Government ’ s lack of commitment to guaranteeing labour , anti-discrimination and environmental rights in Northern Ireland equal those enjoyed during the UK ’ s EU membership is also a concern .
Saying they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s continued support , they urge his transition team where possible to hold detailed discussions with British and Irish representatives .
The briefing was signed by : Amnesty International Ireland ; Amnesty International United Kingdom ; the Centre for Cross Border Studies ; the Children ’ s Law Centre ; the Children ’ s Rights Alliance ; the Committee on the Administration of Justice ; Community Work Ireland ; the Equality Coalition ; Free Legal Advice Centres ; Human Rights Consortium ; Irish Congress of Trade Unions ; Irish Council for Civil Liberties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Action and the Social Change Initiative .

Stormont minister for agriculture, Edwin Poots, has said that infrastructure to check goods at Northern Irish ports won't be ready until the middle of next year, months after the UK leaves the EU. Video: Northern Ireland Assembly
Major human rights bodies across the island of Ireland and in Britain have jointly warned US president-elect Joe Biden of the dangers posed by the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union to the Belfast Agreement.
Fifteen leading advocates prepared a briefing paper for Mr Biden highlighting the threat to rights protections which they said go to the core of the agreement, also known as the Good Friday agreement, and which remain under threat.
The group – which includes Amnesty International, ICTU, the Centre for Cross Border Studies and the Equality Coalition – previously alerted the speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi about their concerns.
While debate has so far been dominated by trade issues, the group said other issues are of concern, too, including preventing a return of the human rights breaches that “scarred Northern Ireland’s past”.
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Brexit threatens the rights and equality clauses in the Belfast Agreement, "because European law has long been a critically important support for such rights.
‘Fought hard’
“We fought hard for a provision in the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement (in the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland) which guaranteed there would be no diminution of such rights as a result of Brexit” the groups said.
The Biden paper highlights a number of threats, including the Internal Market Bill currently before Westminster and doubts about the UK’s future membership of the European Convention on Human Rights.
In addition, the UK Government’s lack of commitment to guaranteeing labour, anti-discrimination and environmental rights in Northern Ireland equal those enjoyed during the UK’s EU membership is also a concern.
Saying they would be grateful for president-elect Biden’s continued support, they urge his transition team where possible to hold detailed discussions with British and Irish representatives.
The briefing was signed by: Amnesty International Ireland; Amnesty International United Kingdom; the Centre for Cross Border Studies; the Children’s Law Centre; the Children’s Rights Alliance; the Committee on the Administration of Justice; Community Work Ireland; the Equality Coalition; Free Legal Advice Centres; Human Rights Consortium; Irish Congress of Trade Unions; Irish Council for Civil Liberties; the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action and the Social Change Initiative and the trade union, UNISON


theirishtimes--2020-11-19--Children’s hospital board considered terminating BAM contract amid Covid-19 row

The board developing the €1.7 billion National Children ’ s Hospital considered terminating its contract with BAM at the height of a bitter dispute over the company ’ s refusal to resume work on the site after Covid-19 restrictions were eased this summer .
The chief officer of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board ( NPHDB ) , David Gunning told the Oireachtas health committee on Wednesday that it reviewed all options available to it during the dispute “ right through to the termination option ” .
Work on the site had halted due to a dispute centred on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and only resumed following an intervention from Taoiseach Micheál Martin , who said he was “ angry ” about the delay .
On Wednesday , Mr Gunning told the health committee that the board ’ s “ intention was to refer the question of termination to conciliation ” , in line with agreed procedures under the deal to develop the project , but that this was dropped after the contractor agreed to return to the site .
He said that at the time BAM was “ extremely reluctant ” to return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional payments .
TDs were told that there are currently more than 600 claims for extra costs at the project , for a total amount in excess of €200 million .
He said some claims related to tens of millions of euros , and while there has been an effort to address them , only a “ handful of these have been resolved ” .
Mr Gunning could not provide revised timelines for the completion or total cost of the project to TDs , but conceded there is “ no expectation ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be met .
He added that there are “ considerable cost pressures ” and that “ time on any project tends to impact costs , and this project will not be an exception to that particular issue ” .
An update on both timing and costs is due in the first quarter of 2021 .
Mr Gunning told the committee that BAM “ has been underperforming as regards project execution and has been extremely assertive as regards claims ” , and that there was no “ valid work programme ” agreed for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some €15 million has been set aside to meet legal and other fees associated with the project , a figure that was “ considerably higher ” than anticipated .
In a statement issued on Wednesday , BAM said it is “ fully committed ” to delivering the project , and disputed several issues raised at committee .
The company argued it has “ not received a fully complete , co-ordinated design for the project ” and that new amendments are being added to the design “ all the time ” .
It said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board whenever an event arose which might give rise to additional costs .
“ Therefore it is hardly surprising that there are hundreds of notifications from BAM and its major subcontractors of potential additional costs/delays.
” BAM also criticised the NPHDB for its compliance with several other technical issues .
It said that the impression was given that it has no work programme , but it has “ several programmes and has updated them every month ” , and that each has a specified end date .
It said it disagrees with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compliant ” .
The company said : “ It has not been explained what specific provisions of the contract prevent it from being included in the Covid compensation arrangements .
”

Work on the site had halted due to a dispute centred on the costs of resuming work under Covid-19 restrictions, and only resumed following an intervention from Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
The board developing the €1.7 billion National Children’s Hospital considered terminating its contract with BAM at the height of a bitter dispute over the company’s refusal to resume work on the site after Covid-19 restrictions were eased this summer.
The chief officer of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB), David Gunning told the Oireachtas health committee on Wednesday that it reviewed all options available to it during the dispute "right through to the termination option".
Work on the site had halted due to a dispute centred on the costs of resuming work under Covid-19 restrictions, and only resumed following an intervention from Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who said he was “angry” about the delay.
On Wednesday, Mr Gunning told the health committee that the board’s “intention was to refer the question of termination to conciliation”, in line with agreed procedures under the deal to develop the project, but that this was dropped after the contractor agreed to return to the site.
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He said that at the time BAM was “extremely reluctant” to return to work on the site, and requested additional payments.
TDs were told that there are currently more than 600 claims for extra costs at the project, for a total amount in excess of €200 million. He said some claims related to tens of millions of euros, and while there has been an effort to address them, only a “handful of these have been resolved”.
BAM ‘underperforming’
Mr Gunning could not provide revised timelines for the completion or total cost of the project to TDs, but conceded there is “no expectation” the targeted completion date of August 2022 will be met.
He added that there are “considerable cost pressures” and that “time on any project tends to impact costs, and this project will not be an exception to that particular issue”. An update on both timing and costs is due in the first quarter of 2021.
Mr Gunning told the committee that BAM “has been underperforming as regards project execution and has been extremely assertive as regards claims”, and that there was no “valid work programme” agreed for the project.
The committee also heard that some €15 million has been set aside to meet legal and other fees associated with the project, a figure that was “considerably higher” than anticipated.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, BAM said it is “fully committed” to delivering the project, and disputed several issues raised at committee. The company argued it has “not received a fully complete, co-ordinated design for the project” and that new amendments are being added to the design “all the time”. It said that it was required to notify the board whenever an event arose which might give rise to additional costs.
“Therefore it is hardly surprising that there are hundreds of notifications from BAM and its major subcontractors of potential additional costs/delays.”
Technical issues
BAM also criticised the NPHDB for its compliance with several other technical issues.
It said that the impression was given that it has no work programme, but it has “several programmes and has updated them every month”, and that each has a specified end date. It said it disagrees with the contention that work programmes are “non compliant”.
The company said: “It has not been explained what specific provisions of the contract prevent it from being included in the Covid compensation arrangements.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-19--Report recommends new body to oversee legal training

The monopoly roles played by the Law Society and the Society of King ’ s Inns in providing professional training to become , respectively , solicitors and barristers , would end under recommendations made in a new report .
The two societies have played monopoly roles in training for the professions since long before the foundation of the State .
The Legal Services Regulatory Authority ( LSRA ) has proposed a new statutory framework for the education of lawyers , under which a single body would be responsible for the setting and maintaining of legal educational standards .
The two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new standards , but any other educational provider that also met the standards would be allowed to provide education for the two professions .
A new independent body , the Legal Practitioners Education and Training Committee , is recommended in the report , which is called Setting Standards : Legal Practitioner Education and Training .
The committee would ensure that existing providers of legal education adhere to the new standards , but also “ scrutinise and accredit new providers of legal education ” .
The report recommends reforms that would , for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standards required to practise as a solicitor or barrister .
It follows on from an earlier report that identified indirect barriers to entry into the two professions , and the existence of unnecessary duplication in learning and assessment .
The report notes there has been a series of earlier reports from other bodies recommending reform , including a 2006 report from the Competition Authority that said the education of solicitors and barristers should be regulated independently of the profession .
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has welcomed the proposal to widen the opportunities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determined that there should be more equity and diversity in access to the legal professions and in their education and training structures , ” she said .
“ We must address those financial and administrative barriers that aspiring lawyers continue to face at the outset of their careers for once and for all.
” A number of the submissions made to the LSRA argued that people who had already obtained a law degree should be provided with certain exemptions in terms of subsequent legal professional training .
In its submission , the Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ significant concerns ” about a proposed scheme where “ commercial service providers ” could be determining whether standards and competencies had been met .
The judges expressed concern that “ a proliferation of service providers might undermine the ability of existing providers to maintain their standards ” , according to the report .
The judges ’ association also said the King ’ s Inns and Law Society schools were run on a not-for-profit basis and that it was “ uneasy that the provision of professional legal training might be seen as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submission , the McCann Fitzgerald law firm welcomed the proposal that the “ effective monopoly of the Law Society in the education and training of solicitors should be removed ” .
“ We believe that the introduction of other providers , and so the introduction of some level of competition , will be a positive development for the legal profession .
It should also facilitate the provision of training duly tailored to the needs of the various areas of practice in the profession.
” A separate report , also published by the LSRA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommend that the two branches of the legal profession be unified .
In a report entitled Greater than the Sum of its Parts – Consideration of Unification of the Solicitors ’ Profession and Barristers ’ Profession , the authority said it would return to a consideration of this matter in five years .

The Law Society of Ireland and the Society of King’s Inns have played monopoly roles in training for the legal professions since long before the foundation of the State. File photograph: Eric Luke
The monopoly roles played by the Law Society and the Society of King’s Inns in providing professional training to become, respectively, solicitors and barristers, would end under recommendations made in a new report.
The two societies have played monopoly roles in training for the professions since long before the foundation of the State.
The Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) has proposed a new statutory framework for the education of lawyers, under which a single body would be responsible for the setting and maintaining of legal educational standards.
The two societies would be required to reach these new standards, but any other educational provider that also met the standards would be allowed to provide education for the two professions.
READ MORE
A new independent body, the Legal Practitioners Education and Training Committee, is recommended in the report, which is called Setting Standards: Legal Practitioner Education and Training.
The committee would ensure that existing providers of legal education adhere to the new standards, but also “scrutinise and accredit new providers of legal education”.
The report recommends reforms that would, for the first time, define the competence and standards required to practise as a solicitor or barrister.
It follows on from an earlier report that identified indirect barriers to entry into the two professions, and the existence of unnecessary duplication in learning and assessment.
The report notes there has been a series of earlier reports from other bodies recommending reform, including a 2006 report from the Competition Authority that said the education of solicitors and barristers should be regulated independently of the profession.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has welcomed the proposal to widen the opportunities for legal education.
“I am determined that there should be more equity and diversity in access to the legal professions and in their education and training structures,” she said.
“We must address those financial and administrative barriers that aspiring lawyers continue to face at the outset of their careers for once and for all.”
A number of the submissions made to the LSRA argued that people who had already obtained a law degree should be provided with certain exemptions in terms of subsequent legal professional training.
In its submission, the Association of Judges of Ireland said it had “significant concerns” about a proposed scheme where “commercial service providers” could be determining whether standards and competencies had been met.
The judges expressed concern that “a proliferation of service providers might undermine the ability of existing providers to maintain their standards”, according to the report.
The judges’ association also said the King’s Inns and Law Society schools were run on a not-for-profit basis and that it was “uneasy that the provision of professional legal training might be seen as an opportunity for profit”.
In its submission, the McCann Fitzgerald law firm welcomed the proposal that the "effective monopoly of the Law Society in the education and training of solicitors should be removed".
“We believe that the introduction of other providers, and so the introduction of some level of competition, will be a positive development for the legal profession. It should also facilitate the provision of training duly tailored to the needs of the various areas of practice in the profession.”
A separate report, also published by the LSRA, concludes it would be premature to recommend that the two branches of the legal profession be unified.
In a report entitled Greater than the Sum of its Parts – Consideration of Unification of the Solicitors’ Profession and Barristers’ Profession, the authority said it would return to a consideration of this matter in five years.