theirishtimes--2020-03-08--How do I apply for an MBA?

How do I apply for an MBA?

Choosing which MBA to take on is the first hurdle , but what ’ s the application process like - and can it be off-putting ?
Luckily , for most MBA courses , applying is more of a cakewalk than a marathon , and once budding students have chosen their course , most colleges just want to know they ’ re up to the task .
Ronan Kearns , president of the MBA Association of Ireland , completed his MBA in 2004 and went on to work in the engineering industry .
In 2013 , he took on the two-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Technology ( now part of TU Dublin ) .
“ I ’ d done a postgraduate in 2009 and chose the MBA because I wanted to keep learning and developing , ” he says .
Kearns says he chose TU Dublin because , although it wasn ’ t accredited by the Association of MBAs ( AMBA ) - widely regarded as the gold standard in MBA accreditation - at the time , accreditation was in the pipeline .
Location and cost were also big factors for him .
“ In the application @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find out if you have sufficient postgraduate experience , or you have held some position of responsibility in the workplace , such as mid-management , ” Kearns explains .
“ You do also have to tick some academic boxes : a level eight undergraduate degree , or a postgraduate degree , or some other suitable experience .
Once I was accepted on the course , I was offered the opportunity to speak to a psychologist so I could fully understand my own reasons for doing it .
You are not just turning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a significant commitment involved .
You have to make sure you have thought it through.
” Sometimes students will meet with department staff and , while this might seem intimidating , it is a good opportunity for the student to ask questions .
Andree Harpur , an independent careers consultant based in Dublin , says that some of her clients stress about the application procedure or being interviewed .
“ I say : hold on , you are interviewing them .
They have a very expensive that are trying to sell you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that bring you and does it line up with your plan.
” After doing her undergraduate in applied languages at DCU , Elisha Daniëls , who is now senior project manager and marketing strategist at Proactive Design in Marketing , did her MBA in NUI Galway .
“ I had been away from the workplace on maternity leave and had cause for reflection about my career as a technical translator , ” she says .
“ I wanted a wholesale change and , as I read more on the prospectus , I realised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into , there was nothing it wouldn ’ t be useful for.
” After speaking with career consultants , Daniëls was even more confident she was making the right decision .
“ I spoke to the director and she spent time with me answering questions .
She invited me to an MBA masterclass with past and current students , so I could get an idea of the caliber of both the course and its graduates .
I could get a sense of the things they were talking about and get exposure to current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students sealed the deal .
I spoke to people who told me a little about themselves and what they felt the MBA had given them .
It had brought their career on in leaps and bounds.
” The application process involved sending her CV and explaining why she wanted to be on the MBA course and why she was suitable ; this was followed by an interview with the MBA director and another member of the teaching staff .
“ They base their decision upon your interview and your qualifications , ” says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are trying to build a rich network within the class and this means that they want people with different experiences and different perspectives - including people who are in the earlier stages of their career alongside people who are further along .
This allows everyone to draw from one another professionally.
” Because MBA students tend to be people who have workplace experience , they ’ re more likely than the average postgraduate to have children - and this can mean that they ’ ve more childcare issues to figure out .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masters part-time and I had young children too , ” says Kearns .
“ I felt I ’ d be able to balance things better before they started in school .
I don ’ t want to sugarcoat : it was hard working , doing the course and having a young family .
You do need to go in with your eyes wide open and be aware that it is a significant time commitment.
” Daniëls says she faced similar issues in taking on an MBA but , like Kearns , feels it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children were just one and three , and it was a challenge , but I had a lot of support at home from my husband .
When you decide to do an MBA , you ’ re not just making the decision for yourself , so you do need the support network .
But ultimately , the MBA elevated my thinking and my career and it was transformational .
”

Once budding students have chosen their course, most colleges just want to know they’re up to the task. Photograph: Getty
Choosing which MBA to take on is the first hurdle, but what’s the application process like - and can it be off-putting?
Luckily, for most MBA courses, applying is more of a cakewalk than a marathon, and once budding students have chosen their course, most colleges just want to know they’re up to the task.
Ronan Kearns, president of the MBA Association of Ireland, completed his MBA in 2004 and went on to work in the engineering industry. In 2013, he took on the two-year, part-time MBA in the Dublin Institute of Technology (now part of TU Dublin).
“I’d done a postgraduate in 2009 and chose the MBA because I wanted to keep learning and developing,” he says.
READ MORE
Kearns says he chose TU Dublin because, although it wasn’t accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA) - widely regarded as the gold standard in MBA accreditation - at the time, accreditation was in the pipeline. Location and cost were also big factors for him.
“In the application process, the course provider is trying to find out if you have sufficient postgraduate experience, or you have held some position of responsibility in the workplace, such as mid-management,” Kearns explains. “You do also have to tick some academic boxes: a level eight undergraduate degree, or a postgraduate degree, or some other suitable experience. Once I was accepted on the course, I was offered the opportunity to speak to a psychologist so I could fully understand my own reasons for doing it. You are not just turning up to get a degree, there is a significant commitment involved. You have to make sure you have thought it through.”
Sometimes students will meet with department staff and, while this might seem intimidating, it is a good opportunity for the student to ask questions.
Andree Harpur, an independent careers consultant based in Dublin, says that some of her clients stress about the application procedure or being interviewed. "I say: hold on, you are interviewing them. They have a very expensive that are trying to sell you, but you should ask where will that bring you and does it line up with your plan."
After doing her undergraduate in applied languages at DCU, Elisha Daniëls, who is now senior project manager and marketing strategist at Proactive Design in Marketing, did her MBA in NUI Galway.
After doing her undergraduate in applied languages at DCU, Elisha Daniëls, who is now senior project manager and marketing strategist at Proactive Design in Marketing, did her MBA in NUI Galway.
“I had been away from the workplace on maternity leave and had cause for reflection about my career as a technical translator,” she says. “I wanted a wholesale change and, as I read more on the prospectus, I realised that no matter what career I went into, there was nothing it wouldn’t be useful for.”
After speaking with career consultants, Daniëls was even more confident she was making the right decision. “I spoke to the director and she spent time with me answering questions. She invited me to an MBA masterclass with past and current students, so I could get an idea of the caliber of both the course and its graduates. I could get a sense of the things they were talking about and get exposure to current students - and the enthusiasm of those students sealed the deal. I spoke to people who told me a little about themselves and what they felt the MBA had given them. It had brought their career on in leaps and bounds.”
The application process involved sending her CV and explaining why she wanted to be on the MBA course and why she was suitable; this was followed by an interview with the MBA director and another member of the teaching staff.
“They base their decision upon your interview and your qualifications,” says Daniëls. “Ultimately, all MBAs are trying to build a rich network within the class and this means that they want people with different experiences and different perspectives - including people who are in the earlier stages of their career alongside people who are further along. This allows everyone to draw from one another professionally.”
Because MBA students tend to be people who have workplace experience, they’re more likely than the average postgraduate to have children - and this can mean that they’ve more childcare issues to figure out.
“I was working full-time, doing a masters part-time and I had young children too,” says Kearns. “I felt I’d be able to balance things better before they started in school. I don’t want to sugarcoat: it was hard working, doing the course and having a young family. You do need to go in with your eyes wide open and be aware that it is a significant time commitment.”
Daniëls says she faced similar issues in taking on an MBA but, like Kearns, feels it was worth the sacrifices.
“My children were just one and three, and it was a challenge, but I had a lot of support at home from my husband. When you decide to do an MBA, you’re not just making the decision for yourself, so you do need the support network. But ultimately, the MBA elevated my thinking and my career and it was transformational.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--Coronavirus: Number of confirmed cases rises to 21

Two new cases of the coronavirus Covid-19 have been confirmed by the HSE , bringing to 21 the number of confirmed cases in the Republic to date .
It said both cases were as a result of transmission of the virus in the community .
The National Public Health Emergency Team said one of the cases involved a female in the east of the country .
The other involved a male in the south of the country and was associated with the Bon Secours Hospital in Cork .
It said a risk assessment was underway , adding the HSE was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacts the patients may have had , to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread ” .
Dr Tony Holohan , chief medical officer with the Department of Health , said on Sunday : “ Ireland remains in containment phase with 21 cases to date , three of which are associated with community transmission .
“ Most people who become infected with Covid-19 experience a mild illness and recover , but it can be more severe for some .
“ Every individual needs to be aware of how to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others .
“ The most important way they can do this is by following public health advice.
” This includes washing hands regularly with soap and water ; maintaining at least 1 metre ( 3 feet ) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing/sneezing ; avoid touching your eyes , nose and mouth ; and practice cough and sneeze hygiene .
The 19th confirmed case was announced on Saturday .
It was a man from the east of Ireland who had travelled from Italy .
Earlier , HSE chief executive Paul Reid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that up to 1.9 million people could become sick as a result of contracting the coronavirus .
However , Mr Reid said modelling work on how the Covid-19 outbreak could impact the country would not be completed until later in the week .
The Business Post reported on Sunday that health authorities were forecasting that about 40 per cent of the population could become sick as a result of the virus .
Mr Reid said he could not dispute these figures , but said the work was not yet concluded and the evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of northern Italy has been put in a state of quarantine as a result of the outbreak there .
The measures , which are due to be in place for a month , are expected to affect some 16 million people .
There have been seven confirmed cases in Northern Ireland to date .
Mr Reid said the health service had plans to deal with a surge in the numbers who become most seriously ill as a result of the coronavirus .
These include using high dependency units , resuscitation units and intensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He told RTÉ ’ s This Week programme that the Government had also allocated an additional €20million to open a further 25 intensive care beds in the public hospital system .
Mr Reid said the HSE was looking to take actions that would prevent the coronavirus having a sudden impact on the health service and rather to spread the effects over a longer period of time .
He also said close to 100 health staff in Cork had been impacted as a result of a case of coronavirus identified in a patient last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Authorities have been unable to establish how he fell ill with the virus .
When the case was first confirmed , 60 staff were told to self-isolate .
Mr Reid said the health system could not sustain that level of staff having to self-isolate .
CUH on Sunday said it would be reducing and rescheduling outpatient appointments between Monday and Wednesday as a result of the coronavirus .
It said services including dialysis , radiation therapy , infusions , endoscopy , chemotherapy , cystic fibrosis treatments and the dressings clinic would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointments .
Surgeries are to proceed as normal unless patients are contacted and advised otherwise .
“ All other appointments are being rescheduled , unless patients are directly contacted by the hospital to attend their scheduled appointment , ” the hospital said in a statement , which added that visiting restrictions remain in place throughout the facility .
“ Cork University Hospital apologises for any inconvenience this may cause to patients.
” Under new rules announced on Saturday healthcare workers who have had close contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 but have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be essential workers , may work , provided they adhere to infection control precautions .
They will also have to undergo twice daily monitoring for 14 days .
Health workers who have had close contact with a confirmed coronavirus case and have developed symptoms are to be excluded from work .
Mr Reid said the health service would take every action possible to protect the public .
He said he had received full support from the Government and there would be “ no short steps ” .
It was announced on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health service are to be lifted to deal with the outbreak .
Siptu said on Sunday that this would not only apply to nurses but also other essential grades in the health service .
The HSE said there would be “ no barriers to the recruitment of the workforce that is required to support our critical clinical services during the Covid -19 ” .
“ The HSE are also expediting all other avenues in terms of those on panels and awaiting appointment , those who have left the service for reasons of retirement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also being identified and contacted , ” a spokeswoman said .
“ The HSE will ensure that every method of engaging staff that are required for managing services at this time are maximised and we will not fall short in this regard.
” In proposals tabled to trade unions on Friday , the HSE said that if a national public health emergency was declared in relation to Covid -19 , the cancellation of annual and discretionary leave would , if necessary , be considered by the National Crisis Management Team .
It said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have to be cancelled or postponed in order to deal with the effects of the covid-19 infection .

Cork University Hospital (CUH) on Sunday said it would be reducing and rescheduling outpatient appointments between Monday and Wednesday as a result of the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. Photograph: Mark Kerton/PA Wire.
Two new cases of the coronavirus Covid-19 have been confirmed by the HSE, bringing to 21 the number of confirmed cases in the Republic to date.
It said both cases were as a result of transmission of the virus in the community.
The National Public Health Emergency Team said one of the cases involved a female in the east of the country. The other involved a male in the south of the country and was associated with the Bon Secours Hospital in Cork.
It said a risk assessment was underway, adding the HSE was “now working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients may have had, to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread”.
READ MORE
Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer with the Department of Health, said on Sunday: “Ireland remains in containment phase with 21 cases to date, three of which are associated with community transmission.
“Most people who become infected with Covid-19 experience a mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for some.
“Every individual needs to be aware of how to protect their own health and the health of others.
“The most important way they can do this is by following public health advice.”
This includes washing hands regularly with soap and water; maintaining at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing/sneezing; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; and practice cough and sneeze hygiene.
The 19th confirmed case was announced on Saturday. It was a man from the east of Ireland who had travelled from Italy.
Earlier, HSE chief executive Paul Reid said it could not dispute reported projections that up to 1.9 million people could become sick as a result of contracting the coronavirus.
However, Mr Reid said modelling work on how the Covid-19 outbreak could impact the country would not be completed until later in the week.
The Business Post reported on Sunday that health authorities were forecasting that about 40 per cent of the population could become sick as a result of the virus. Mr Reid said he could not dispute these figures, but said the work was not yet concluded and the evidence was changing day by day.
Much of northern Italy has been put in a state of quarantine as a result of the outbreak there. The measures, which are due to be in place for a month, are expected to affect some 16 million people. There have been seven confirmed cases in Northern Ireland to date.
Mr Reid said the health service had plans to deal with a surge in the numbers who become most seriously ill as a result of the coronavirus. These include using high dependency units, resuscitation units and intensive care facilities in the private sector.
He told RTÉ’s This Week programme that the Government had also allocated an additional €20million to open a further 25 intensive care beds in the public hospital system.
Sudden impact
Mr Reid said the HSE was looking to take actions that would prevent the coronavirus having a sudden impact on the health service and rather to spread the effects over a longer period of time. He also said close to 100 health staff in Cork had been impacted as a result of a case of coronavirus identified in a patient last week at Cork University Hospital (CUH).
Authorities have been unable to establish how he fell ill with the virus. When the case was first confirmed, 60 staff were told to self-isolate. Mr Reid said the health system could not sustain that level of staff having to self-isolate.
CUH on Sunday said it would be reducing and rescheduling outpatient appointments between Monday and Wednesday as a result of the coronavirus.
It said services including dialysis, radiation therapy, infusions, endoscopy, chemotherapy, cystic fibrosis treatments and the dressings clinic would not be impacted by the rescheduling of appointments. Surgeries are to proceed as normal unless patients are contacted and advised otherwise.
“All other appointments are being rescheduled, unless patients are directly contacted by the hospital to attend their scheduled appointment,” the hospital said in a statement, which added that visiting restrictions remain in place throughout the facility.
“Cork University Hospital apologises for any inconvenience this may cause to patients.”
Under new rules announced on Saturday healthcare workers who have had close contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 but have not developed symptoms, and are deemed to be essential workers, may work, provided they adhere to infection control precautions. They will also have to undergo twice daily monitoring for 14 days.
Symptoms
Health workers who have had close contact with a confirmed coronavirus case and have developed symptoms are to be excluded from work.
Mr Reid said the health service would take every action possible to protect the public. He said he had received full support from the Government and there would be “no short steps”.
It was announced on Saturday that recruitment restrictions in place in the health service are to be lifted to deal with the outbreak. Siptu said on Sunday that this would not only apply to nurses but also other essential grades in the health service.
The HSE said there would be “no barriers to the recruitment of the workforce that is required to support our critical clinical services during the Covid -19”.
“The HSE are also expediting all other avenues in terms of those on panels and awaiting appointment, those who have left the service for reasons of retirement, career break, secondments etc are also being identified and contacted,” a spokeswoman said.
“The HSE will ensure that every method of engaging staff that are required for managing services at this time are maximised and we will not fall short in this regard.”
In proposals tabled to trade unions on Friday, the HSE said that if a national public health emergency was declared in relation to Covid -19, the cancellation of annual and discretionary leave would, if necessary, be considered by the National Crisis Management Team. It said that some or all identified non-essential services may have to be cancelled or postponed in order to deal with the effects of the covid-19 infection.


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--Coronavirus: Footballer diagnosed after match in Northern Ireland

Two football teams in Northern Ireland have been told to take precautionary measures after a player tested positive for coronavirus after a match .
In a statement , Hanover Football Club in Co Armagh confirmed that one of its players was diagnosed with Covid-19 after Saturday ’ s game .
The footballer was one of three people to have contracted coronavirus as confirmed by health officials on Saturday evening .
The latest three cases are all adults who had recently travelled from Italy and are linked to a previously confirmed positive case .
It takes the total number of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Portadown club said they were only made aware of the player ’ s positive test following their game against Co Tyrone club Coagh United reserves .
In a statement they said that , immediately after the confirmation , the club contacted all Hanover FC players as well as Coagh United and those involved in the Mid Ulster Football League .
“ ( We are ) liaising with the NHS via their helpline for advice which has now been passed on to all in question , ” the statement added .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have arranged for a deep clean to be performed by qualified contractors .
“ Again we wish to stress that this was something we had no prior knowledge ( of ) but , following swift actions upon discovery , we hope that this will help ensuring all those in direct contact with the person in questions remains unaffected.
” Upper Bann DUP MP Carla Lockhart said : “ My thoughts are with the player who has contracted this virus and I wish him a speedy recovery and return to full health again .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for their swift actions and openness on this sensitive matter.
” The North ’ s Public Health Agency said “ staff are working quickly to identify contacts the individuals may have had , with the objective of preventing further spread of the virus ” .
“ Further positive tests have been expected and the advice to the public remains unchanged .
Northern Ireland is still in the containment phase , ” added the department .
The department said that in line “ with established protocols , presumptive positive Northern Ireland test results are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ verification ” .
– Additional reporting from PA

A nurse during a demonstration of the Coronavirus pod and COVID-19 virus testing procedures set-up beside Antrim Area Hospital, Co Antrim in Northern Ireland. File Photograph: Michael Cooper/PA Wire
Two football teams in Northern Ireland have been told to take precautionary measures after a player tested positive for coronavirus after a match.
In a statement, Hanover Football Club in Co Armagh confirmed that one of its players was diagnosed with Covid-19 after Saturday’s game. The footballer was one of three people to have contracted coronavirus as confirmed by health officials on Saturday evening.
The latest three cases are all adults who had recently travelled from Italy and are linked to a previously confirmed positive case. It takes the total number of coronavirus cases in the region to seven.
The Portadown club said they were only made aware of the player’s positive test following their game against Co Tyrone club Coagh United reserves. In a statement they said that, immediately after the confirmation, the club contacted all Hanover FC players as well as Coagh United and those involved in the Mid Ulster Football League.
READ MORE
“(We are) liaising with the NHS via their helpline for advice which has now been passed on to all in question,” the statement added. “We also immediately cancelled a planned function and have arranged for a deep clean to be performed by qualified contractors. “Again we wish to stress that this was something we had no prior knowledge (of) but, following swift actions upon discovery, we hope that this will help ensuring all those in direct contact with the person in questions remains unaffected.”
Upper Bann DUP MP Carla Lockhart said: “My thoughts are with the player who has contracted this virus and I wish him a speedy recovery and return to full health again. “Hanover FC are to be commended for their swift actions and openness on this sensitive matter.”
The North’s Public Health Agency said “staff are working quickly to identify contacts the individuals may have had, with the objective of preventing further spread of the virus”.
“Further positive tests have been expected and the advice to the public remains unchanged. Northern Ireland is still in the containment phase,” added the department.
The department said that in line “with established protocols, presumptive positive Northern Ireland test results are sent to Public Health England laboratories for verification”. – Additional reporting from PA


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--On this day, 1895: Robbery, polar exploration and a cryptic classified ad

At the police courts in Dublin , a case of “ robbery with violence ” came up in the northern division before Mr Wall .
Three women – Julia Mulhall , Kate Kelly and Clara Gleeson – were accused of taking ( “ by force ” ) the purse of a man identified as Lowe .
The purse contained more than £7 in gold , silver and copper .
The report , published on this day in 1895 , gives little detail about the women – only that they resided at Dubin ’ s Montgomery Street – modern-day Foley Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was commonly called , was a well-known red light district .
Prison register entries for the three women shed a little more light ; Kelly ( 37 ) and Mulhall ( 23 ) were from Dublin , while Gleeson ( 24 ) was from Derry .
“ Pros ” is the abbreviation listed in the occupation column for all three women , who were released on September 6th having each served six months of hard labour for the robbery .
Elsewhere in the edition , much space was devoted to new land legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill was published , in full , on page 5 that day .
Introduced by chief secretary for Ireland John Morley , it was an attempt to “ further amend the law relating to the occupation and ownership of land in Ireland , and for other purposes thereto ” .The Irish Times , for its part , considered the Bill “ to be of a very bold and drastic nature ” .
The paper that day expressed some scepticism over a “ hare-brained ” polar expedition planned by Swedish explorer Salomon August Andrée @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ To the public it will appear that this is a wreckless casting away of valuable life , ” reads commentry on page four .
“ In the present condition of aeronautic knowledge a balloon is an unmanageable machine , not by any means one of those governable air ships of romance whereof we have heard so much recently in exaggerated fiction.
” A telegram from Northamton warned of the threat of a great strike in the shoe trade , while the weather at home was shaping up to be rainy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the familiar-sounding outlook .
On the same page , a “ splendid meeting ” of unionists in Aberdeen earned much space .
In foreign news , the latest updates from the First Sino-Japanese War indicated some 2,000 Chinese soldiers had been killed during the previous day ’ s fighting .
In Britain , meanwhile , a petition had been signed by more than 400 “ of the most influential and representative names among the Roman Catholic body of Great Britain ” in a bid , said the report , to remove obstacles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cambridge universities .
The classifieds were , as was usual in those decades , plentiful and prominent .
On page 2 , a quite typical notice seeking employment was featured : “ A young lady wishes to obtain employment as Companion or Lady Help : willing to assist in housework generally or take entire charge of young children.
” A small advertisement , issued by H Carrington Esq of Letterbreen , Enniskillen , promised the purchaser “ a secret of success in life ” .
The gentleman would , in one lesson by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ art of easy , well-bred self possession on all occasions : sense of diffidence and awkwardness removed at once and for ever ; no failure ; fee 2s 6d.
” The following notice , however , is the most interesting in the day ’ s edition – certainly the most cryptic : “ Just learned accidentally your whereabouts .
Does this explain your suggestion ( if yours ) to visit , which has puzzled me exceedingly ?
Surely all the efforts to make opportunities proved desire to speak ; but when was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas , leaves us without strength or courage , but a chance to speak , with some encouragement , would be irresistible - L .
”

At the police courts in Dublin, a case of “robbery with violence” came up in the northern division before Mr Wall. Three women – Julia Mulhall, Kate Kelly and Clara Gleeson – were accused of taking (“by force”) the purse of a man identified as Lowe. The purse contained more than £7 in gold, silver and copper.
The report, published on this day in 1895, gives little detail about the women – only that they resided at Dubin’s Montgomery Street – modern-day Foley Street. The Monto, as the area was commonly called, was a well-known red light district.
Prison register entries for the three women shed a little more light; Kelly (37) and Mulhall (23) were from Dublin, while Gleeson (24) was from Derry. “Pros” is the abbreviation listed in the occupation column for all three women, who were released on September 6th having each served six months of hard labour for the robbery.
Elsewhere in the edition, much space was devoted to new land legislation; the Land Law (Ireland) Bill was published, in full, on page 5 that day. Introduced by chief secretary for Ireland John Morley, it was an attempt to "further amend the law relating to the occupation and ownership of land in Ireland, and for other purposes thereto".The Irish Times, for its part, considered the Bill "to be of a very bold and drastic nature".
READ MORE
The paper that day expressed some scepticism over a “hare-brained” polar expedition planned by Swedish explorer Salomon August Andrée, who intended to travel by balloon.
“To the public it will appear that this is a wreckless casting away of valuable life,” reads commentry on page four. “In the present condition of aeronautic knowledge a balloon is an unmanageable machine, not by any means one of those governable air ships of romance whereof we have heard so much recently in exaggerated fiction.”
‘Splendid meeting’
A telegram from Northamton warned of the threat of a great strike in the shoe trade, while the weather at home was shaping up to be rainy and windy. “Not settled weather” was the familiar-sounding outlook. On the same page, a “splendid meeting” of unionists in Aberdeen earned much space.
In foreign news, the latest updates from the First Sino-Japanese War indicated some 2,000 Chinese soldiers had been killed during the previous day’s fighting. In Britain, meanwhile, a petition had been signed by more than 400 “of the most influential and representative names among the Roman Catholic body of Great Britain” in a bid, said the report, to remove obstacles that prevented Catholics from attending Oxford and Cambridge universities.
The classifieds were, as was usual in those decades, plentiful and prominent. On page 2, a quite typical notice seeking employment was featured: “A young lady wishes to obtain employment as Companion or Lady Help: willing to assist in housework generally or take entire charge of young children.”
A small advertisement, issued by H Carrington Esq of Letterbreen, Enniskillen, promised the purchaser "a secret of success in life". The gentleman would, in one lesson by correspondence, share the "secret and art of easy, well-bred self possession on all occasions: sense of diffidence and awkwardness removed at once and for ever; no failure; fee 2s 6d."
The following notice, however, is the most interesting in the day’s edition – certainly the most cryptic: “Just learned accidentally your whereabouts. Does this explain your suggestion (if yours) to visit, which has puzzled me exceedingly? Surely all the efforts to make opportunities proved desire to speak; but when was the chance given? Illness, almost since Christmas, leaves us without strength or courage, but a chance to speak, with some encouragement, would be irresistible - L.”
Full edition: March 8th, 1895


theirishtimes--2020-03-09--How to choose the right MBA

How to choose the right MBA

There ’ s no shortage of choices when it comes to MBAs in Ireland , but which one should you go for ?
It all depends on your priorities .
The UCD Smurfit School of Business has the highest international ranking , while the prestige of Trinity means that its MBA also has an allure .
But this doesn ’ t mean that other providers should be discounted , and there are other factors to bear in mind , too .
We spoke to Andrée Harpur , an independent and experienced careers consultant who has worked extensively with MBA applicants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and president of the MBA Association of Ireland ; and recent MBA graduate David Conway , regional director at ComfortDelGro , one of the world ’ s largest land transport companies with a fleet of over 46,000 vehicles .
These are their top tips .
1 .
Why do you want to do it ?
Andrée Harpur : Many people tell me that they want to do the MBA because they feel it will advance their career .
But I tell them it won ’ t necessarily - unless they have a clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring them .
Ask yourself : why do I want to do this MBA ?
I ’ ve had clients who have done MBA without this plan and then , when it was finished , they weren ’ t sure what to do with it .
Much of the MBA is about leadership and management , so if these aren ’ t positions you want , it mightn ’ t be for you .
Ronan Kearns : Some of those I met on the course were doing it out of interest or because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pursue it .
For others , it was about progressing in their current career , or transitioning from one career to another .
I know of people , for instance , who have gone from technical roles in STEM jobs to finance roles , and the MBA bridged that gap .
And MBAs also provide you with important contacts .
David Conway : I didn ’ t have an undergraduate degree .
When I left school I set up a transport business in Limerick but , as the business and its challenges grew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my skills , so I dipped my toe in the water with a management cert at the University of Limerick , followed by a diploma .
Then I decided to take it to the next level with the MBA at UL .
Andrée Harpur : MBAs may link in with different companies and students work with them to find solutions to their real business issues .
If you want to work with , for instance , a tech firm but the placements or companies that they work with are primarily in marketing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But if they can link you with the tech companies and you can work with them , it could be useful .
I also advise clients to find out who is lecturing on the courses and what is their background and experience .
If you have , for instance , a general commerce degree and you want to focus on finance , they might be able to link you with a finance firm you could do some research with .
Ronan Kearns : MBAs have different course content , so try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do you go with a ( general ) executive MBA or a specialist one in an area such as finance or marketing ?
In the UK , there ’ s an MBA in football management for some of the Premier League teams .
For me as an engineer , however , the general executive MBA was the right fit .
But my understanding is that while there are variations on the theme , the course content is broadly similar and all courses accredited by AMBA ( the Association of MBAs , widely considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specific learning outcomes - what may vary is how these outcomes are delivered .
I did two years of coursework across four semesters including accounting , marketing , enterprise , human resources , economics and anything that would be useful in a business context .
David Conway : The course content was broad , varied and included a large amount of material across different modules such as corporate finance and strategic marketing .
Andrée Harpur : Some of my clients are married with children and they need to know that it is really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk to their partners and bear in mind that they won ’ t be as available as they have been previously .
There is a lot of group work and some courses may require Saturday attendance .
So if you live in Galway but drive to Dublin for the MBA , that ’ s going to take up even more time .
You ’ d need to be really clear as to why you ’ re driving to Dublin and what part of the course warrants that time , energy and travel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ why do you want to do this ?
David Conway : Location was a consideration , but it wasn ’ t the only one .
I did consider going to Dublin for a one-year , full-time MBA but the two-year structure , which included block release , suited me a lot more now that I had young children .
I also had my own business so a part-time option meant I could step out of it for a few days once a month to focus on study .
Ronan Kearns : Location was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based in Dublin which gave me more choice .
Outside the capital , there are more limited options , but they ’ re still very good .
4 .
Can you pay for it ?
Andrée Harpur : Cost is perhaps the first thing to consider , because the difference is price from one MBA to another can be as much as €20,000 .
Ronan Kearns : When I started looking at MBA options , there were the big university options like UCD , DCU and Trinity and then the smaller colleges such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I weighed up the cost against the content .
5 .
Can you manage it ?
Ronan Kearns : I found time management became a key skill as I learned to manage work , course deadlines and family commitments .
It was intense but I could see the benefit .
6 .
Does the global ranking really matter ?
Andrée Harpur : The UCD Smurfit School of Business [ which is the number one ranked business school in Ireland ] highlights its global ranking .
If you ’ re doing an MBA with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the US , Australia or South Africa - that global ranking may become really important .
When they arrive with the MBA , their company may research where they did it .
The Smurfit MBA has been around for a long time so they may have built up a lot of contacts , credibility and industry links , all of which count for a lot .
But Smurfit is far from the only option .
Dublin Business School runs an MBA too and while it has not been around as long , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ content isn ’ t as good .
And if you are someone who is going to stay in Ireland and do the MBA , that global ranking matters less , perhaps .
7 .
What do you want to leave with ?
David Conway : When I finished the MBA , I felt confident that I had a broader skillset and was able to use the tools I needed to solve a problem .
Having an MBA gave me an edge and advantage over others .
* The Irish Times will publish Postgraduate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10th .
For more visit : irishtimes.com/postgradmba

There's no shortage of choices when it comes to MBAs in Ireland, but which one should you go for?
It all depends on your priorities. The UCD Smurfit School of Business has the highest international ranking, while the prestige of Trinity means that its MBA also has an allure. Other third level institutions such as TU Dublin offer internationally accredited MBA programmes. But this doesn’t mean that other providers should be discounted, and there are other factors to bear in mind, too.
Andrée Harpur
We spoke to Andrée Harpur, an independent and experienced careers consultant who has worked extensively with MBA applicants; Ronan Kearns, an MBA graduate and president of the MBA Association of Ireland; and recent MBA graduate David Conway, regional director at ComfortDelGro, one of the world's largest land transport companies with a fleet of over 46,000 vehicles.
These are their top tips.
READ MORE
1. Why do you want to do it?
Andrée Harpur: Many people tell me that they want to do the MBA because they feel it will advance their career. But I tell them it won't necessarily - unless they have a clear plan for where they want it to bring them. Ask yourself: why do I want to do this MBA? I've had clients who have done MBA without this plan and then, when it was finished, they weren't sure what to do with it. Much of the MBA is about leadership and management, so if these aren't positions you want, it mightn't be for you.
Ronan Kearns: Some of those I met on the course were doing it out of interest or because they had the time and money to pursue it. For others, it was about progressing in their current career, or transitioning from one career to another. I know of people, for instance, who have gone from technical roles in STEM jobs to finance roles, and the MBA bridged that gap. And MBAs also provide you with important contacts.
David Conway: I didn't have an undergraduate degree. When I left school I set up a transport business in Limerick but, as the business and its challenges grew, I felt I needed to broaden my skills, so I dipped my toe in the water with a management cert at the University of Limerick, followed by a diploma. Then I decided to take it to the next level with the MBA at UL.
2. What’s on the MBA?
Andrée Harpur: MBAs may link in with different companies and students work with them to find solutions to their real business issues. If you want to work with, for instance, a tech firm but the placements or companies that they work with are primarily in marketing, that may not be the right fit. But if they can link you with the tech companies and you can work with them, it could be useful. I also advise clients to find out who is lecturing on the courses and what is their background and experience.
If you have, for instance, a general commerce degree and you want to focus on finance, they might be able to link you with a finance firm you could do some research with.
Ronan Kearns: MBAs have different course content, so try to find one that fits your interests. Do you go with a (general) executive MBA or a specialist one in an area such as finance or marketing? In the UK, there's an MBA in football management for some of the Premier League teams. For me as an engineer, however, the general executive MBA was the right fit. But my understanding is that while there are variations on the theme, the course content is broadly similar and all courses accredited by AMBA (the Association of MBAs, widely considered as the gold standard internationally) have specific learning outcomes - what may vary is how these outcomes are delivered. I did two years of coursework across four semesters including accounting, marketing, enterprise, human resources, economics and anything that would be useful in a business context.
David Conway: The course content was broad, varied and included a large amount of material across different modules such as corporate finance and strategic marketing.
3. Where’s your head at?
Andrée Harpur: Some of my clients are married with children and they need to know that it is really time-consuming, so they will need to talk to their partners and bear in mind that they won't be as available as they have been previously. There is a lot of group work and some courses may require Saturday attendance. So if you live in Galway but drive to Dublin for the MBA, that's going to take up even more time. You'd need to be really clear as to why you're driving to Dublin and what part of the course warrants that time, energy and travel. Go back to the initial question: why do you want to do this?
David Conway: Location was a consideration, but it wasn't the only one. I did consider going to Dublin for a one-year, full-time MBA but the two-year structure, which included block release, suited me a lot more now that I had young children. I also had my own business so a part-time option meant I could step out of it for a few days once a month to focus on study.
Ronan Kearns: Location was key for me. I'm based in Dublin which gave me more choice. Outside the capital, there are more limited options, but they're still very good.
4. Can you pay for it?
Andrée Harpur: Cost is perhaps the first thing to consider, because the difference is price from one MBA to another can be as much as €20,000.
Ronan Kearns: When I started looking at MBA options, there were the big university options like UCD, DCU and Trinity and then the smaller colleges such as the National College of Ireland. I weighed up the cost against the content.
Ronan Kearns
5. Can you manage it?
Ronan Kearns: I found time management became a key skill as I learned to manage work, course deadlines and family commitments. It was intense but I could see the benefit.
6. Does the global ranking really matter?
Andrée Harpur: The UCD Smurfit School of Business [which is the number one ranked business school in Ireland] highlights its global ranking. If you're doing an MBA with a view to moving overseas - perhaps to the US, Australia or South Africa - that global ranking may become really important. When they arrive with the MBA, their company may research where they did it. The Smurfit MBA has been around for a long time so they may have built up a lot of contacts, credibility and industry links, all of which count for a lot.
But Smurfit is far from the only option. Dublin Business School runs an MBA too and while it has not been around as long, that doesn't mean the course content isn't as good. And if you are someone who is going to stay in Ireland and do the MBA, that global ranking matters less, perhaps.
David Conway
7. What do you want to leave with?
David Conway: When I finished the MBA, I felt confident that I had a broader skillset and was able to use the tools I needed to solve a problem. Having an MBA gave me an edge and advantage over others.
* The Irish Times will publish Postgraduate & MBS Options 2020 on Tuesday March 10th. For more visit: irishtimes.com/postgradmba


theirishtimes--2020-03-09--Simon Harris expects ‘rapid escalation’ of Covid-19 cases

The Minister for Health Simon Harris has said that he is taking seriously the advice of expert epidemiologist Professor Sam McConkey who predicted there could be between 80,000 and 120,000 deaths in Ireland from coronavirus .
Prof McConkey , the head of the department of international health and tropical medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , told RTÉ ’ s This Week programme on Sunday that coronavirus “ could be like the Spanish flu , the Irish Civil War and the 1929 stock market crash all at once ” .
He predicted that in the worst case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or four million people in the Republic could get the disease with a death rate of between 2 and 3 per cent ( 80,000 to 120,000 ) .
Speaking in advance of a special Cabinet meeting on the disease , Mr Harris said governments in the past had dismissed health advice which has been challenging and “ I ’ m not going to do that ” .
“ Prof McConkey has a view and he has been clear in articulating it .
He has said , and I agree with him , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to acquire a whole of government and whole of society approach .
“ The impact of this could go well beyond the health service , though it is primarily a health challenge .
It could change the way temporarily all of us go about parts of our lives and it could impact our workplace , our schools and our families .
“ I am very confident that we have the best possible people working on this and we will continue to be guided by expert voices.
” Mr Harris said the public can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government this week in relation to the virus .
He said measures will be brought in to help vulnerable older people this week .
He said there was a “ moderate to high ” possibility of Ireland following Italy in having a mass outbreak of coronavirus .
He anticipated a “ rapid escalation of cases ” over the coming days in Ireland and the Department of Health is currently conducting a modelling exercise which was the “ best guess estimate ” as to how the disease might take off in Ireland .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have a projection of our best guess and our best estimate ” .
Mr Harris was asked again why the Government has not announced a cancellation of all St Patrick ’ s Day parades in Dublin .
He said politicians would not make a “ knee-jerk announcement ” and that the Government would make a collective decision about St Patrick ’ s Day when the Cabinet meets today .
The meeting will hear from the chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan about the risks involved in running St Patrick ’ s Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be brought to this in the next 24 to 48 hours .
We will follow the public health advice .
As we have previously said , this is a fast-evolving , dynamic situation , ” Mr Harris explained .
“ I want a Government listening to public health experts .
I don ’ t want politicians making these decisions .
I want the best brains in the country giving advice to politicians and politicians following that advice.
” Mr Harris pointed out that the department published advice on its website to those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defended the decision not to ban flights from northern Italy saying that countries acting unilaterally in relation to travel restrictions “ will have very little effect .
We live in the European Union .
We need to act together on this .
If we get to the change where that is necessary , we should look at it on a European level .
”

Washing your hands properly is still the best way to slow down the spread of coronavirus. Conor Pope from The Irish Times looks at the common mistakes people make.
The Minister for Health Simon Harris has said that he is taking seriously the advice of expert epidemiologist Professor Sam McConkey who predicted there could be between 80,000 and 120,000 deaths in Ireland from coronavirus.
Prof McConkey, the head of the department of international health and tropical medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, told RTÉ's This Week programme on Sunday that coronavirus "could be like the Spanish flu, the Irish Civil War and the 1929 stock market crash all at once".
He predicted that in the worst case scenario 80 per cent of the population or four million people in the Republic could get the disease with a death rate of between 2 and 3 per cent (80,000 to 120,000).
Speaking in advance of a special Cabinet meeting on the disease, Mr Harris said governments in the past had dismissed health advice which has been challenging and “I’m not going to do that”.
READ MORE
“Prof McConkey has a view and he has been clear in articulating it. He has said, and I agree with him, that this is a challenge which is going to require a whole of government and whole of society approach.
Impact
“The impact of this could go well beyond the health service, though it is primarily a health challenge. It could change the way temporarily all of us go about parts of our lives and it could impact our workplace, our schools and our families.
“I am very confident that we have the best possible people working on this and we will continue to be guided by expert voices.”
Mr Harris said the public can expect “big decisions” from the Government this week in relation to the virus. He said measures will be brought in to help vulnerable older people this week.
He said there was a "moderate to high"possibility of Ireland following Italy in having a mass outbreak of coronavirus.
He anticipated a "rapid escalation of cases" over the coming days in Ireland and the Department of Health is currently conducting a modelling exercise which was the "best guess estimate" as to how the disease might take off in Ireland. "By the end of the week we will have a projection of our best guess and our best estimate".
Mr Harris was asked again why the Government has not announced a cancellation of all St Patrick’s Day parades in Dublin.
He said politicians would not make a “knee-jerk announcement” and that the Government would make a collective decision about St Patrick’s Day when the Cabinet meets today.
Risks
The meeting will hear from the chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan about the risks involved in running St Patrick's Day parades.
“I think clarity needs to be brought to this in the next 24 to 48 hours. We will follow the public health advice. As we have previously said, this is a fast-evolving, dynamic situation,” Mr Harris explained.
“I want a Government listening to public health experts. I don’t want politicians making these decisions. I want the best brains in the country giving advice to politicians and politicians following that advice.”
Mr Harris pointed out that the department published advice on its website to those organising large public gatherings.
He also defended the decision not to ban flights from northern Italy saying that countries acting unilaterally in relation to travel restrictions "will have very little effect. We live in the European Union. We need to act together on this. If we get to the change where that is necessary, we should look at it on a European level."


theirishtimes--2020-03-09--Shane Ross: Government will not make decision on St Patrick’s Day

The decision to cancel the St Patrick ’ s Day festival is a matter for public health officials , not politicians , Minister for Transport , Tourism and Sport Shane Ross has said .
Speaking ahead of a meeting of a new Cabinet sub-committee on the coronavirus outbreak this morning , Mr Ross said that calling off next week ’ s festival was “ a very , very big decision ” .
The acting minister , speaking to The Irish Times at the reopening of Stepaside Garda Station in south Co Dublin , acknowledged the public health risks but also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off a major event .
“ It is a decision which I won ’ t make and the government as a whole won ’ t make .
Politicians won ’ t make it .
It will be a health decision .
We will take their advice , ” said Mr Ross .
“ I can see both sides of the story and I am very glad I don ’ t have to make that decision because I don ’ t have the expertise but if the Department of Health say it should not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take place.
” Referring to remarks over the weekend by leading cancer doctor , Professor John Crown , who called for the cancellation of the festival on public health grounds , Mr Ross said that his views that to be respected and the different medical views showed how difficult a decision it was .
“ It would be absolutely crazy for us if the chief medical officer said , ‘ don ’ t do it , ’ and we did it , ” said Mr Ross .
“ At the end of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their best advice and if they say go ahead which is what they are saying at the moment and if before St Patrick ’ s Day , they say ‘ no , it has got to the stage where we think it should be canceled ’ , it will be cancelled .
It is as simple as that .
“ We don ’ t have the expertise to do that but we do feel very , very strongly for the tourist industry and we do feel very strongly for the restaurateurs and the @ @ @

The decision to cancel the St Patrick’s Day festival is a matter for public health officials, not politicians, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross has said.
Speaking ahead of a meeting of a new Cabinet sub-committee on the coronavirus outbreak this morning, Mr Ross said that calling off next week’s festival was “a very, very big decision”.
The acting minister, speaking to The Irish Times at the reopening of Stepaside Garda Station in south Co Dublin, acknowledged the public health risks but also the potential damage to businesses from calling off a major event.
“It is a decision which I won’t make and the government as a whole won’t make. Politicians won’t make it. It will be a health decision. We will take their advice,” said Mr Ross.
READ MORE
“I can see both sides of the story and I am very glad I don’t have to make that decision because I don’t have the expertise but if the Department of Health say it should not take place, it won’t take place.”
Referring to remarks over the weekend by leading cancer doctor, Professor John Crown, who called for the cancellation of the festival on public health grounds, Mr Ross said that his views that to be respected and the different medical views showed how difficult a decision it was.
“It would be absolutely crazy for us if the chief medical officer said, ‘don’t do it,’ and we did it,” said Mr Ross. “At the end of the day, we have got to take their best advice and if they say go ahead which is what they are saying at the moment and if before St Patrick’s Day, they say ‘no, it has got to the stage where we think it should be canceled’, it will be cancelled. It is as simple as that.
“We don’t have the expertise to do that but we do feel very, very strongly for the tourist industry and we do feel very strongly for the restaurateurs and the hotels.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-09--Drinks industry lobbyists met Government members and officials 361 times in 2018

Drinks industry lobbyists met Government ministers , senior officials and Oireachtas members more than 350 times the year the Dáil debated legislation aimed at combating harmful alcohol consumption .
Research by Alcohol Action Ireland to be presented at an international conference in Dublin on Monday shows that in 2018 , the year the Public Health ( Alcohol ) Bill was enacted but not implemented , drinks industry representatives registered 96 lobbying returns .
The returns showed meetings on 361 occasions that year when the Dáil was in session for only 108 days and passed the Bill after a two-year delay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be delivered at the bi-annual meeting of the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance , a network of international not-for-profit organisations and people in public health agencies whose aim is to “ reduce alcohol-related harm worldwide by promoting science-based policies independent of commercial interests ” .
The lobbying returns for the legislation in Ireland showed four of the top 10 global alcohol businesses were among eight drinks producers , four public affairs consultancies and 14 linked businesses including vintners and advertisers who between them met eight Cabinet Ministers including the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government Chief Whip and deputy whip .
The lobbyists also had 36 separate meetings with Ministers of State across all portfolios and 12 meetings with ministerial special advisers in eight departments including the Department of Health .
They also met individual TDs on 309 occasions , and contacted each TD by letter or email 17 times that year .
Director of communications and advocacy for Alcohol Action Ireland Eunan McKinney will tell conference delegates “ the onslaught of pressure on Irish parliamentarians to stall and/or amend the alcohol legislation was incessant and unrelenting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source of delay to enacting a framework for alcohol control and probably the reason , now , for the further delay in its implementation ” .
Mr McKinney states that 510 days after the Bill was passed , “ Ireland still does not have minimum unit pricing for alcohol products .
“ It still is not informing its citizens of the known risk between alcohol and fatal cancers , and it still is allowing alcohol brands pitch their chat-up lines to the nation ’ s children.
” Speaking in advance of the conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 16 months since the Bill was passed “ only two or three parts ” have been implemented .
They include the removal of advertising from within 200m of schools and from public transport .
The result is that there is very little advertising of alcohol in outdoor advertising now , he acknowledged .
In cinemas , alcohol advertising can only be shown in films for over 18s .
In November this year , there will be structural separation of alcohol from other products in supermarkets , shops and petrol stations .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time it came out of the Seanad , ” he adds .
But “ the really big stuff ” has not happened , including minimum unit pricing to create a base price below which alcohol can not be sold , he said .
The broadcasting watershed preventing alcohol advertising being shown before 9pm has not yet come into effect .
The labelling of products has yet to be implemented where they will include ingredients and calorie content as well as the message that alcohol consumption is linked to cancer .
The conference was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris who said “ the way we consume alcohol in Ireland damages our health , our society and our economy .
“ If we can reduce our alcohol consumption and delay the age at which our children start to drink , we will save lives and prevent the many serious illnesses that are caused by the misuse of alcohol.
” The theme of the Dublin conference is Alcohol Equity and Global Health : the benefit of alcohol control for sustainable development for all .
At the conference the HSE will present its askaboutalcohol.ie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 legislation .
Project manager of the HSE alcohol programme Marion Rackard said the campaign aimed to stimulate new conversations about alcohol and to support behaviour change by “ providing trusted information on alcohol from health professionals including : A to Z information on alcohol and related harms , a drinks calculator , a self-assessment tool , a service finder and a helpline ” .

The lobbyists also had 36 separate meetings with Ministers of State across all portfolios. Photograph: iStock
Drinks industry lobbyists met Government ministers, senior officials and Oireachtas members more than 350 times the year the Dáil debated legislation aimed at combating harmful alcohol consumption.
Research by Alcohol Action Ireland to be presented at an international conference in Dublin on Monday shows that in 2018, the year the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill was enacted but not implemented, drinks industry representatives registered 96 lobbying returns.
The returns showed meetings on 361 occasions that year when the Dáil was in session for only 108 days and passed the Bill after a two-year delay in the Seanad.
The paper is to be delivered at the bi-annual meeting of the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance, a network of international not-for-profit organisations and people in public health agencies whose aim is to “reduce alcohol-related harm worldwide by promoting science-based policies independent of commercial interests”.
READ MORE
The lobbying returns for the legislation in Ireland showed four of the top 10 global alcohol businesses were among eight drinks producers, four public affairs consultancies and 14 linked businesses including vintners and advertisers who between them met eight Cabinet Ministers including the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as well as his chief adviser and the Government Chief Whip and deputy whip.
The lobbyists also had 36 separate meetings with Ministers of State across all portfolios and 12 meetings with ministerial special advisers in eight departments including the Department of Health.
They also met individual TDs on 309 occasions, and contacted each TD by letter or email 17 times that year.
Director of communications and advocacy for Alcohol Action Ireland Eunan McKinney will tell conference delegates “the onslaught of pressure on Irish parliamentarians to stall and/or amend the alcohol legislation was incessant and unrelenting.
“This has been the principal source of delay to enacting a framework for alcohol control and probably the reason, now, for the further delay in its implementation”.
Mr McKinney states that 510 days after the Bill was passed, “Ireland still does not have minimum unit pricing for alcohol products.
“It still is not informing its citizens of the known risk between alcohol and fatal cancers, and it still is allowing alcohol brands pitch their chat-up lines to the nation’s children.”
Implementation of Bill
Speaking in advance of the conference Mr McKinney said that in the more than 16 months since the Bill was passed “only two or three parts” have been implemented.
They include the removal of advertising from within 200m of schools and from public transport.
The result is that there is very little advertising of alcohol in outdoor advertising now, he acknowledged.
In cinemas, alcohol advertising can only be shown in films for over 18s.
In November this year, there will be structural separation of alcohol from other products in supermarkets, shops and petrol stations.
“That measure was significantly diluted by the time it came out of the Seanad,” he adds.
But “the really big stuff” has not happened, including minimum unit pricing to create a base price below which alcohol cannot be sold, he said.
The broadcasting watershed preventing alcohol advertising being shown before 9pm has not yet come into effect.
The labelling of products has yet to be implemented where they will include ingredients and calorie content as well as the message that alcohol consumption is linked to cancer.
The conference was officially opened by Minister for Health Simon Harris who said "the way we consume alcohol in Ireland damages our health, our society and our economy.
“If we can reduce our alcohol consumption and delay the age at which our children start to drink, we will save lives and prevent the many serious illnesses that are caused by the misuse of alcohol.”
The theme of the Dublin conference is Alcohol Equity and Global Health: the benefit of alcohol control for sustainable development for all.
At the conference the HSE will present its askaboutalcohol.ie campaign which was developed to support the 2018 legislation.
Project manager of the HSE alcohol programme Marion Rackard said the campaign aimed to stimulate new conversations about alcohol and to support behaviour change by “providing trusted information on alcohol from health professionals including: A to Z information on alcohol and related harms, a drinks calculator, a self-assessment tool, a service finder and a helpline”.


theirishtimes--2020-03-09--Coronavirus: Cork hospital reschedules number of outpatient appointments

Outpatient appointments are being reduced/rescheduled at Cork University Hospital ( CUH ) from Monday to Wednesday inclusive as part of ongoing infection control measures .
Patients who will not be impacted and who are to attend as usual include persons who travel to the hospital for dialysis , the dressing and warfarin clinics , endoscopy , cystic fibrosis appointments , infusions and for chemotherapy and radiation therapy .
All other appointments are being rescheduled , unless patients are directly contacted by the hospital to attend their scheduled appointment .
Surgeries will proceed as normal unless patients are contacted by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apologised for any inconvenience this may cause to patients .
Visiting restrictions remain throughout the hospital .
CUH wish to thank the public for their patience and support at this time .
The hospital will continue to keep the public updated .
The measures come following the identification of coronavirus in a middle aged male patient at CUH .
Authorities in Cork have been unable to explain how the patient contracted the virus making it the first community transmission of the disease .
A patient in the Bon Secours Hospital in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr John Sheehan has urged the public not to panic in the face of developments in the city and to take simple precautionary hygiene methods .
“ People ( who are worried about symptoms ) should ring their GP .
They shouldn ’ t go up to A & E and they shouldn ’ t go to the surgery .
The full confirmation for coronavirus takes 48 hours but they get an idea much faster .
Ordinary handwashing is as good ( as sanitisers . )
Soap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hygiene methods such as using your elbow when you are coughing .
Disposing of the tissues .
People should refrain from hand shaking .
All the ordinary measures , ” he said .
Anyone with concerns about Covid-19 can contact the national helpline on 1850-24-1850 .
Information will continue to be available at www.HSE.ie/coronavirus

The measures come following the identification of coronavirus in a middle aged male patient at CUH. File photograph: Provision
Outpatient appointments are being reduced/rescheduled at Cork University Hospital (CUH) from Monday to Wednesday inclusive as part of ongoing infection control measures.
Patients who will not be impacted and who are to attend as usual include persons who travel to the hospital for dialysis, the dressing and warfarin clinics, endoscopy, cystic fibrosis appointments, infusions and for chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
All other appointments are being rescheduled, unless patients are directly contacted by the hospital to attend their scheduled appointment.
Surgeries will proceed as normal unless patients are contacted by the hospital and advised otherwise.
READ MORE
CUH has apologised for any inconvenience this may cause to patients. Visiting restrictions remain throughout the hospital.
CUH wish to thank the public for their patience and support at this time. The hospital will continue to keep the public updated.
The measures come following the identification of coronavirus in a middle aged male patient at CUH.
Authorities in Cork have been unable to explain how the patient contracted the virus making it the first community transmission of the disease. A patient in the Bon Secours Hospital in the city has also been diagnosed with the coronavirus.
The Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr John Sheehan has urged the public not to panic in the face of developments in the city and to take simple precautionary hygiene methods.
“People (who are worried about symptoms) should ring their GP. They shouldn’t go up to A&E and they shouldn’t go to the surgery. The full confirmation for coronavirus takes 48 hours but they get an idea much faster. Ordinary handwashing is as good (as sanitisers.) Soap and water works as well.
Ordinary hygiene methods such as using your elbow when you are coughing. Disposing of the tissues. People should refrain from hand shaking. All the ordinary measures,” he said.
Anyone with concerns about Covid-19 can contact the national helpline on 1850-24-1850. Information will continue to be available at www.HSE.ie/coronavirus


theirishtimes--2020-03-09--Pressure builds to limit big gatherings over coronavirus

The first meeting of a Cabinet committee on the coronavirus will take place at Government Buildings on Monday as Ireland comes under pressure to follow a number of other European countries in limiting large public gatherings .
The French government announced on Sunday it was banning all gatherings of more than 1,000 people in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19 , a move that casts doubt on whether the Six Nations rugby finale between France and Ireland in Paris next Saturday will go ahead .
Germany ’ s health minister has recommended a similar ban on gatherings of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not yet government policy , while Italy has put almost a quarter of the country in lockdown due to the rapid spread of the disease .
• Confirmed cases on island of Ireland rises to 33 • Mainland China reports no new cases for second day in a row • Cruise ship with infected passengers to dock in California Officials and medical staff were on Sunday updating briefings for Ministers and senior civil servants ahead of Monday ’ s Cabinet subcommittee meeting .
Members of the committee – chaired by Taoiseach Leo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister for Health Simon Harris , Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Transport Shane Ross – will be briefed on the latest infection statistics and projections for future infections by public health and infectious diseases experts .
Officials said on Sunday that European developments – including the new measures in Italy and crowd controls elsewhere – would be discussed by Ministers on Monday .
Opposition parties are due to be briefed after the meeting .
On Monday morning acting Minister for Transport Shane Ross said public health officials , not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the St Patrick ’ s Day festival .
“ It is a decision which I won ’ t make and the government as a whole won ’ t make .
Politicians won ’ t make it .
It will be a health decision .
We will take their advice , ” he said .
Thirty-three cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed on the island of Ireland , with 21 in Ireland and 12 in Northern Ireland .
An Irish-born expert in molecular evolution has warned that Ireland is like Italy a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason to think that Ireland and Italy are so different , ” Prof James McInerney told RTÉ Radio .
“ Ireland ’ s future is not so different from Italy.
” In the UK , prime minister Boris Johnson will chair an emergency meeting of senior ministers to discuss the country ’ s response to the coronavirus crisis following the UK ’ s third death linked to the illness .
Public Health England confirmed on Sunday evening that a man in his 60s , with underlying health problems , died at North Manchester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It came on the day that confirmed cases of the virus in the UK reached 278 , after more than 23,500 people had been tested .
Mr Johnson will tell a meeting of the Government ’ s Cobra committee on Monday that tackling the outbreak will require a “ national and international effort ” .
In the United States , officials are preparing to receive thousands of people on board a cruise ship with at least 21 people on board infected by the coronavirus .
Fences were being installed at an 11-acre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as authorities organised flights and buses to whisk the more than 2,000 passengers aboard the Grand Princess to military bases or their home countries for a 14-day quarantine .
More than 3,500 people on the ship come from 54 countries , including Ireland .

Dublin’s St Patrick’s Day Parade, which is attended by hundreds of thousands of people is set to be cancelled this year in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons/The Irish Times
Three newly discovered cases of coronavirus were reported on Monday evening, bringing the total of confirmed cases in the Republic to 24.
The new cases included three women who had close contact with a confirmed case. Two, including one healthcare worker, are in the south of the country, and one is in the west.
It has also emerged that one previously reported case involved a person who had travelled from Africa through a European country. This is the only travel-related case not linked to Italy.
Fourteen of the 24 cases are associated with travel from an at-risk zone, seven came from contact with a confirmed case and two have arisen in the health service. Three cases are the result of community transmission for which there is as yet no explanation.
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Chief medical officer at the Department of Health Dr Tony Holohan said Ireland remained in a containment phase, but would “eventually” move to a delay phase and then on to a mitigation phase.
Ireland still has a “relatively small number of mostly isolated, sporadic cases,” he said.
He said it is planned to introduce a number of measures relating to individual and collective behaviour but it was not to start these before they are necessary. “The measures we deploy have to be deployed at the right time,” he said, otherwise people would become “fatigued” and their compliance would drop.
The new cases come after the Government agreed an aid package of some €3bn to deal with the public health and economic impact of coronavirus. It has also cancelled all St Patrick’s Day Parades in the State in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.
Sick pay
People affected by coronavirus are to receive sick pay of €305 per week from their first day of illness under a new initiative announced by the Government.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the existing conditions surrounding the sick payments, such as having a specific number of contributions, would be waived.
Payments will also be available to the self-employed. The Taoiseach said emergency legislation to change the existing rules governing sick pay would be introduced in the Dail next week. This measure is estimated to cost €2.4bn.
The decisions were made following a meeting of the new Cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19 and followed advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team.
It says the HSE is scaling up its actions to deal with a population impact over the coming months which will cost in the region of €435 million in 2020. It says a package for business will include a €200m "liquidity fund".
At a press conference in Government Buildings, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “It is possible we are facing events that are unprecedented in modern times”.
Mr Varadkar said the State’s response has to be “modulated and has to be calibrated” and said decisions on how to react to Coronavirus will not be made “on foot of pressure” from business, politics, the media or social media.
He said the Government will have to make sure “that the interventions that are going to take place have to work” at the right time. He said the spread of Coronavirus cannot be stopped but “it can be slowed” and that it warrants a societal response as well as a medical response.
“If the worst projections come true - come to be the case - if a vaccine and a treatment is not developed then obviously the situation is going to be not like anything that we’ve experienced in our living memory,” he added.
Coronavirus outbreak: Main developments on Monday
In Northern Ireland, two schools have been closed for a deep clean after a student tested positive for coronavirus. The health minister Robin Swann told the North's Assembly that the schools are located on the same site. Northern Ireland currently has 12 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
Councillors in Belfast have voted to cancel the city's St Patrick's Day parade because of coronavirus.
The St Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin draws nearly 500,000 people and it is the latest in a series of large public events to be cancelled. The celebrations were expected to generate €73 million for the economy.
The last time St Patrick’s Day parades were cancelled was due to the foot and mouth restrictions in 2001.
Concerns over the impact of coronavirus on the global economy on Monday prompted some of the biggest one-day stock market falls since the 2008 crash.
US stocks plunged 7 per cent after opening on Monday, triggering a 15-minute trading halt for the first time since December 2008.
The France-Ireland Six Nations game which was scheduled to conclude the Guinness 2020 Six Nations in the Stade de France next Saturday was postponed until October.
It has also been confirmed Mr Varadkar will shorten his St Patrick’s visit to the US to attend further meetings about coronavirus.
Mr Varadkar is not attending an engagement in New York on Tuesday and instead will begin his trip in Washington on Wednesday.
Ireland’s match against France in the Six Nations has been postponed until October. Photograph: Reuters
Stock markets were also spooked by the stand-off between Saudi Arabia and Russia which has triggered a 30 per cent crash in oil prices.
More than 110,000 people have been infected in 105 countries and territories and 3,800 have died, mostly in mainland China, according to a Reuters tally.
Europe
The whole of Italy is to be put on lockdown to deal with Coronavirus, the prime minister Giuseppe Conte announced on Monday.
He will move to extend restrictive measures on travel -- currently in force in the north -- throughout the rest of the country in a bid to limit the spread of coronavirus after the number of cases soared by 25 per cent. He also said all public gatherings will be banned.
The country has also reported 463 deaths from the virus an increase of 97 from Sunday. Italy’s cabinet is expected on Wednesday to approve a €7.5 billion package to help to offset the hit from the crisis.
Five people have died and 319 people have tested positive for the disease, up from 273 at the same point on Sunday, the UK's department of health said.
All sporting activity at all levels in Italy has been suspended until April 3rd at the earliest, the Italian national Olympic committee (Coni) has announced.
The French government announced on Sunday it was banning all gatherings of more than 1,000 people in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Germany has reported fourth deaths, and has also implemented a similar ban on gatherings of more than 1,000 people..
European Union leaders will hold emergency talks soon to discuss a joint response to coronavirus, officials said on Monday, as the bloc's executive considers relaxing state subsidy rules to allow extra public spending.
In the United States, officials are preparing to receive thousands of people on board a cruise ship with at least 21 people on board infected by coronavirus.
More than 3,500 people on the ship come from 54 countries, including Ireland. - Additional reporting agencies