theirishtimes--2020-06-06--Hundreds protest outside US embassy in Dublin over George Floyd death

Hundreds of protesters gathered at the US embassy in Ballsbridge in Dublin on Saturday in support of the Black Lives Matter movement , in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Mr Floyd was killed on May 25th while in police custody in the city of Minneapolis .
He died after a white police officer held him down by pressing a knee into his neck , sparking days of protest .
Demonstrations also took place in Northern Ireland with crowds gathering in Derry and outside Custom House Square in Belfast .
In Dublin , organisers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( PPE ) to those in attendance and urged people to respect social distancing measures .
At the protest was Lucky Khambule of Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland ( Masi ) .
“ Today is a protest by the people in response to what has happened in America when George Floyd has been killed innocently , ” he said .
He said the protesters had gathered “ in solidarity with all the black people and everyone else in America and throughout the world , because what happened there is something that can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me can happen to everybody.
” “ So we are here standing and saying no to racism and direct provision .
Let people live freely and be a happy family.
” Also present was Patrick Umokoro , of the Neo Black Movement of Africa , who said : “ This protest is not a black against white thing .
This is a protest to say all lives matter , including black lives.
” A Garda spokeswoman said gardaí had been in contact with the organisers of protests to make them aware of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garda Síochána has also advised them of the health risk to participants and the wider community from such protests , ” she said .
“ In addition , both the CMO [ chief medical officer ] and the Minister for Health have stated that such mass gatherings should not take place as they may pose a health risk to those taking part and those that attendees have contact with after the event.
” In the North , PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd had urged organisers to call off the rallies , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was against coronavirus regulations , as was travelling for a protest .
The Lord Mayor of Dublin had on Friday urged people not to join the protest , saying people could show their solidarity by signing an online book of condolence for Mr Floyd .
Tom Brabazon told Newstalk FM that protest organisers would not be able to control every individual who attends .
“ I understand why people were angry and I understand the need to protest but we are in the middle of a pandemic and I would urge people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their message across .
“ One of those ways is the online book of condolence that was opened up by Dublin City Council .
“ And while a lot of the individuals will be responsible and try to socially distance , it is not always going to be possible with those numbers involved.
” – Additional reporting : PA

A Black Lives Matter protest has taken place at the US Embassy in Dublin organised by Black Pride Ireland, MERJ (Migrants and Ethnic Minorities) and MASI (Movement of Asylum Seekers For Ireland). Video: Bryan O’Brien
Hundreds of protesters gathered at the US embassy in Ballsbridge in Dublin on Saturday in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Mr Floyd was killed on May 25th while in police custody in the city of Minneapolis. He died after a white police officer held him down by pressing a knee into his neck, sparking days of protest.
Demonstrations also took place in Northern Ireland with crowds gathering in Derry and outside Custom House Square in Belfast.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 4 Demonstrators at the Black Lives Matter protest outside the US embassy, in Ballsbridge, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
In Dublin, organisers of the protest handed out personal protective equipment (PPE) to those in attendance and urged people to respect social distancing measures.
READ MORE
At the protest was Lucky Khambule of Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (Masi).
“Today is a protest by the people in response to what has happened in America when George Floyd has been killed innocently,” he said.
He said the protesters had gathered “in solidarity with all the black people and everyone else in America and throughout the world, because what happened there is something that can happen to you, can happen to me can happen to everybody.”
“So we are here standing and saying no to racism and direct provision. Let people live freely and be a happy family.”
Also present was Patrick Umokoro, of the Neo Black Movement of Africa, who said: “This protest is not a black against white thing. This is a protest to say all lives matter, including black lives.”
Honor Nolan, at the Black Lives Matter protest outside the US Embassy, in Ballsbridge, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Demonstrators at the Black Lives Matter protest outside the US embassy, in Ballsbridge, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
A Garda spokeswoman said gardaí had been in contact with the organisers of protests to make them aware of their obligations under Covid-19 regulations.
“An Garda Síochána has also advised them of the health risk to participants and the wider community from such protests,” she said.
“In addition, both the CMO [chief medical officer] and the Minister for Health have stated that such mass gatherings should not take place as they may pose a health risk to those taking part and those that attendees have contact with after the event.”
The Black Lives Matter protest outside the US Embassy, in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
In the North, PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd had urged organisers to call off the rallies, saying any gathering of more than six people was against coronavirus regulations, as was travelling for a protest.
The Lord Mayor of Dublin had on Friday urged people not to join the protest, saying people could show their solidarity by signing an online book of condolence for Mr Floyd.
Tom Brabazon told Newstalk FM that protest organisers would not be able to control every individual who attends. “I understand why people were angry and I understand the need to protest but we are in the middle of a pandemic and I would urge people to look at alternatives in terms of getting their message across.
“One of those ways is the online book of condolence that was opened up by Dublin City Council.
“And while a lot of the individuals will be responsible and try to socially distance, it is not always going to be possible with those numbers involved.” – Additional reporting: PA


theirishtimes--2020-06-06--Dublin City Council to install temporary public toilet facilities

Dublin City Council is installing temporary public toilet facilities on streets in Dublin as shopping centres , restaurants and pubs remain closed due to coronavirus , also known as Covid-19 .
From Monday , phase two of the government ’ s roadmap for reopening society and businesses will begin , allowing street-facing stores to reopen .
However , concerns were raised about public bathroom facilities for shoppers , as many of them are located in shopping centres , restaurants and pubs , all of which are not permitted to reopen until later in the Summer .
In light of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public toilets at St Stephen ’ s Green and Wolfe Tone Square , while public toilets will also be available at the Ilac Centre , St Patrick ’ s Park at City Hall off Barnardo Square .
A spokesman for the council said people travelling to the city should “ be mindful ” of very limited public facilities such as bathrooms and toilets due to the non-availability of restaurants , pubs and hotels during this phase .
Speaking at the launch of a campaign about the health and safety regulations being put in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Dublin City Council , said the local authority has been in talks with local businesses about what is required for reopening the city safely .
“ A key part of that is access to public toilets .
We ’ ve installed public toilets at the top of Grafton Street this morning and others are going into place over the weekend .
Those are the public toilet facilities that will be in place by Monday , ” Mr Kenny said .
The council has also put a number of health and safety measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stickers on the ground on Grafton Street and Henry Street to mark out where people should queue so they can abide by social distancing .
Shoppers can expect queues to enter stores , changing rooms being shut and staff wearing personal protective equipment .

Dublin City Council is installing temporary public toilet facilities on streets in Dublin as shopping centres, restaurants and pubs remain closed due to coronavirus, also known as Covid-19.
From Monday, phase two of the government’s roadmap for reopening society and businesses will begin, allowing street-facing stores to reopen.
However, concerns were raised about public bathroom facilities for shoppers, as many of them are located in shopping centres, restaurants and pubs, all of which are not permitted to reopen until later in the Summer.
In light of this issue, the council has placed temporary public toilets at St Stephen’s Green and Wolfe Tone Square, while public toilets will also be available at the Ilac Centre, St Patrick’s Park at City Hall off Barnardo Square.
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A spokesman for the council said people travelling to the city should “be mindful” of very limited public facilities such as bathrooms and toilets due to the non-availability of restaurants, pubs and hotels during this phase.
Speaking at the launch of a campaign about the health and safety regulations being put in place, Brendan Kenny, chief executive of Dublin City Council, said the local authority has been in talks with local businesses about what is required for reopening the city safely.
"A key part of that is access to public toilets. We've installed public toilets at the top of Grafton Street this morning and others are going into place over the weekend. Those are the public toilet facilities that will be in place by Monday," Mr Kenny said.
The council has also put a number of health and safety measures in place, such as placing decals and stickers on the ground on Grafton Street and Henry Street to mark out where people should queue so they can abide by social distancing.
Shoppers can expect queues to enter stores, changing rooms being shut and staff wearing personal protective equipment.


theirishtimes--2020-06-06--Nine more deaths from Covid-19 recorded in Ireland along with 24 new cases

Nine more people diagnosed with Covid-19 have died , bringing the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in the State to 1,678 , the Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) said it had been informed on Saturday evening .
Notification of 24 new confirmed coronavirus cases was received by the HPSC as of midnight on Friday , meaning there are now 25,183 cases in Ireland .
As of midnight on Thursday , with the data relating to 25,159 cases , some 57 per cent of those affected were women and 43 per cent male , while the median age of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 per cent of cases ( 3,319 ) had been hospitalised and , of those , 410 were admitted to ICU .
A total of 8,059 cases were associated with healthcare workers .
Dublin has by far the highest number of cases at 12,127 , representing 48 per cent of all cases , followed by Cork with 1,528 cases and then Kildare with 1,423 .
So-called community transmission accounts for 39 per cent of those for whom transmission status is known , with close contact accounting for 59 per cent and travel abroad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further death from coronavirus was recorded in Northern Ireland on Saturday , bringing the total number of deaths to 537 .
The North ’ s Department of Health made the announcement on Saturday afternoon .
Figures released by the Health Service Executive late on Friday night showed a total of 123 people with confirmed cases of Covid-19 are in hospitals across the Republic , down from 182 this time last week and 618 a month ago , The steady decline in hospitalisations comes as the government announced plans to accelerate elements of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by positive data which suggests the coronavirus is largely suppressed in the community .
The Mater Hospital in Dublin accounts for the largest single share of confirmed Covid cases , with 31 .
A further 19 are in Tallaght , and 10 in Galway .
The HSE figures , which are current up to 8pm on Friday night , show that there are a further 223 suspected cases of Covid-19 across the hospital system .
Some 57 of these cases are in Limerick , with another 27 at St James ’ s Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 8pm last night saw just six new hospital admissions for Covid-19 , compared to eight a week ago and 27 on June 6th .
The HSE figures also show a total of 103 vacant critical care beds across the system .
A total of 37 Covid-19 cases are in critical care , with 10 further suspected cases also in intensive care units across the country .
Some 23 confirmed Covid-19 patients are on ventilators , alongside a further six suspected cases .
Eight of the confirmed cases in critical care are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six in St James ’ s , and five each in Beaumont and Tallaght Hospitals .

Some 23 confirmed Covid-19 patients are on ventilators, alongside a further six suspected cases.
Nine more people diagnosed with Covid-19 have died, bringing the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in the State to 1,678, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) said it had been informed on Saturday evening.
Notification of 24 new confirmed coronavirus cases was received by the HPSC as of midnight on Friday, meaning there are now 25,183 cases in Ireland.
As of midnight on Thursday, with the data relating to 25,159 cases, some 57 per cent of those affected were women and 43 per cent male, while the median age of confirmed cases was 48 years.
Some 13 per cent of cases (3,319) had been hospitalised and, of those, 410 were admitted to ICU. A total of 8,059 cases were associated with healthcare workers.
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Dublin has by far the highest number of cases at 12,127, representing 48 per cent of all cases, followed by Cork with 1,528 cases and then Kildare with 1,423.
So-called community transmission accounts for 39 per cent of those for whom transmission status is known, with close contact accounting for 59 per cent and travel abroad 2 per cent.
Meanwhile, one further death from coronavirus was recorded in Northern Ireland on Saturday, bringing the total number of deaths to 537.
The North’s Department of Health made the announcement on Saturday afternoon.
Figures released by the Health Service Executive late on Friday night showed a total of 123 people with confirmed cases of Covid-19 are in hospitals across the Republic, down from 182 this time last week and 618 a month ago,
The steady decline in hospitalisations comes as the government announced plans to accelerate elements of the roadmap for exiting lockdown, partially driven by positive data which suggests the coronavirus is largely suppressed in the community.
The Mater Hospital in Dublin accounts for the largest single share of confirmed Covid cases, with 31. A further 19 are in Tallaght, and 10 in Galway.
The HSE figures, which are current up to 8pm on Friday night, show that there are a further 223 suspected cases of Covid-19 across the hospital system. Some 57 of these cases are in Limerick, with another 27 at St James's Hospital in Dublin.
The 24 hours leading up to 8pm last night saw just six new hospital admissions for Covid-19, compared to 16 a week ago and 27 on June 6th. The HSE figures also show a total of 103 vacant critical care beds across the system. A total of 37 Covid-19 cases are in critical care, with 10 further suspected cases also in intensive care units across the country.
Some 23 confirmed Covid-19 patients are on ventilators, alongside a further six suspected cases. Eight of the confirmed cases in critical care are in the Mater, with a further six in St James’s, and five each in Beaumont and Tallaght Hospitals.


theirishtimes--2020-06-06--Dublin shoppers urged to wait until 10.30am to allow commuters travel first

People are being urged to wait until after 10.30am before entering Dublin City Centre for retail purposes to ensure public transport is available for essential workers at peak times .
As the country begins to reopen on Monday , a new campaign led by Dublin City Council is encouraging individuals to plan their journeys in advance , cycle or walk where possible and to practise social distancing at all times .
Public transport will operate at 20 per cent capacity to allow for social distancing to be in place .
Anne Graham , chief executive of the National Transport Authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used by essential workers or for people making essential journeys .
“ In particular , only those who absolutely have to travel at peak times on public transport , should do so , ” she added .
Richard Guiney , chief executive of Dublin Town , said a collective effort is crucially important for the successful reopening of the city .
“ Two-thirds of Dubliners , when they come to Dublin City to spend money , they use public transport .
For obvious reasons , that capacity is just not going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Mr Guiney said .
“ In terms of coming into Dublin city , to maintain that social distancing and also the safety they want , if they could come in post-10.30am that makes a big difference.
” Lord Mayor of Dublin , Tom Brabazon , has encouraged people “ not to all rush in together ” as only 25 per cent of shops and businesses are going to be reopened .
“ My message to all Dubliners is that we are looking forward to welcoming you back into the heart of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember that we are easing open , ” Mr Brabazon said .
Shops are also preparing to reopen from Monday , with hand sanitiser present at the doors and decals on the floor to mark out social distancing .
Ken Costigan , the owner of The Great Outdoors shop on South Great George ’ s Street in Dublin , said he and his team are excited to reopen and have undergone training days to ensure it can be as safe as possible for shoppers .
“ We ’ ve had some really good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remove a lot of stock , we ’ ve removed stands , we ’ ve relaid it out , we put arrows on the floor to try and direct people , ” Mr Costigan said .
“ It ’ s going to be a challenge for us because a lot of stuff is different .
We ’ re going to start off with about 10 or 12 customers at a time .
We want people to feel very , very comfortable.
” Mr Costigan acknowledged that operating at reduced capacity due to social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ it still costs money for any business to be closed ” .

Gardaí on duty on O’Connell Street, Dublin, checking passengers on Dublin Bus during Covid-19 lockdown in May. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
People are being urged to wait until after 10.30am before entering Dublin City Centre for retail purposes to ensure public transport is available for essential workers at peak times.
As the country begins to reopen on Monday, a new campaign led by Dublin City Council is encouraging individuals to plan their journeys in advance, cycle or walk where possible and to practise social distancing at all times.
Public transport will operate at 20 per cent capacity to allow for social distancing to be in place.
Anne Graham, chief executive of the National Transport Authority, said public transport should only be used by essential workers or for people making essential journeys.
READ MORE
“In particular, only those who absolutely have to travel at peak times on public transport, should do so,” she added.
Richard Guiney, chief executive of Dublin Town, said a collective effort is crucially important for the successful reopening of the city.
“Two-thirds of Dubliners, when they come to Dublin City to spend money, they use public transport. For obvious reasons, that capacity is just not going to be available for the next period of time,” Mr Guiney said.
“In terms of coming into Dublin city, to maintain that social distancing and also the safety they want, if they could come in post-10.30am that makes a big difference.”
A Dublin Bus, marked for socially distanced seating. Photograph Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Tom Brabazon, has encouraged people “not to all rush in together” as only 25 per cent of shops and businesses are going to be reopened.
“My message to all Dubliners is that we are looking forward to welcoming you back into the heart of the city from Monday, but please remember that we are easing open,” Mr Brabazon said.
Shops are also preparing to reopen from Monday, with hand sanitiser present at the doors and decals on the floor to mark out social distancing.
A challenge
Ken Costigan, the owner of The Great Outdoors shop on South Great George’s Street in Dublin, said he and his team are excited to reopen and have undergone training days to ensure it can be as safe as possible for shoppers.
“We’ve had some really good training ... we’ve had to remove a lot of stock, we’ve removed stands, we’ve relaid it out, we put arrows on the floor to try and direct people,” Mr Costigan said.
“It’s going to be a challenge for us because a lot of stuff is different. We’re going to start off with about 10 or 12 customers at a time. We want people to feel very, very comfortable.”
Mr Costigan acknowledged that operating at reduced capacity due to social distancing created concerns about profitability but added that “it still costs money for any business to be closed”.


theirishtimes--2020-06-07--Former Kilkenny hurler killed in crash wore colours with 'pride and distinction'

Tributes have been paid to former star hurler and coach Lester Ryan snr ( 61 ) following his death in the village of Gowran , Co Kilkenny .
Mr Ryan , uncle of Lester Ryan who captained the senior All-Ireland Kilkenny hurling team and who retired two years ago , died on Saturday afternoon after his bike and a tractor collided close to his home at around 3.30pm .
Local councillor Pat Fitzpatrick , a former neighbour of Mr Ryan , said the community was devastated at what had happened .
“ We are heartbroken to hear of this tragedy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Clara is in complete shock .
“ He was a man who wore the maroon of Clara and the black and amber of Kilkenny with great pride and distinction .
Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Christine and their family.
” Mr Ryan , a married father of three , retired from a coaching position at Leinster Council level .
He won two All-Ireland minor hurling medals , three Leinster senior hurling medals and has appeared in two All-Ireland finals .
He won two All-Ireland minor hurling medals , three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his county in two All-Ireland finals .
As a youth , he attended St Kieran ’ s College .
Emergency services , including two fire units , gardaí and ambulances were called to the scene , but it is understood Mr Ryan died at the scene .
His brother , Harry also played hurling with his local club Clara and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1983 until 1988 .
More recently , he coached young people within the Leinster Council , refereed , and in 2008 managed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second time the family has been hit by tragedy .
A brother , Johnny , Lester jnr ’ s father , died in a farming accident on the family farm in Dunbell in January , 2015 .
Following his father ’ s death , Lester jnr said his father was “ incredibly safety conscious ” and had constantly warned his family to be “ extra careful ” around machinery .

Tributes have been paid to former star hurler and coach Lester Ryan snr (61) following his death in the village of Gowran, Co Kilkenny.
Mr Ryan, uncle of Lester Ryan who captained the senior All-Ireland Kilkenny hurling team and who retired two years ago, died on Saturday afternoon after his bike and a tractor collided close to his home at around 3.30pm.
Local councillor Pat Fitzpatrick, a former neighbour of Mr Ryan, said the community was devastated at what had happened.
“We are heartbroken to hear of this tragedy. Everyone in the parishes in Gowran and Clara is in complete shock.
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“He was a man who wore the maroon of Clara and the black and amber of Kilkenny with great pride and distinction. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Christine and their family.”
Mr Ryan, a married father of four, retired from a coaching position at Leinster Council level. He won two All-Ireland minor hurling medals, three Leinster senior hurling medals and has appeared in two All-Ireland finals.
He won two All-Ireland minor hurling medals, three Leinster senior hurling medals, and represented his county in two All-Ireland finals. As a youth, he attended St Kieran’s College.
Emergency services, including two fire units, gardaí and ambulances were called to the scene, but it is understood Mr Ryan died at the scene.
His brother, Harry also played hurling with his local club Clara and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1983 until 1988.
More recently, he coached young people within the Leinster Council, refereed, and in 2008 managed the Irish Shinty team.
It is the second time the family has been hit by tragedy. A brother, Johnny, Lester jnr’s father, died in a farming accident on the family farm in Dunbell in January, 2015.
Following his father’s death, Lester jnr said his father was “incredibly safety conscious” and had constantly warned his family to be “extra careful” around machinery.


theirishtimes--2020-06-07--Teenager assaulted in Co Cork stabbing

Teenager assaulted in Co Cork stabbing

A teenager was attacked and stabbed during a robbery in Co Cork on Saturday night .
A 17-year-old suffered a number of stab wounds to his head and back during the robbery which happened in the Waterpark area of Carrigaline in South Cork at around 10.25pm .
Gardaí have appealed to the public for assistance in their investigation into the incident .
The injured youth is believed to have been with friends in a green area when another group tried to steal his mobile phone and he suffered the stab wounds and cuts when he was hit with a broken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 garda units including uniformed officers , detectives and members of the Armed Support Unit ( ASU ) responded , with the injured teenager given First Aid at the scene .
He was later rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital ( CUH ) where he underwent surgery for his injuries , which were described as “ non-life threatening ” .
He was this morning described as being in a stable condition .
Gardaí immediately began an investigation and arrested four teenagers shortly after 11pm .
Three were released without charge but a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The arrested teenager is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act which allows gardaí detain suspects for up to 24 hours before they have to be charged or released .
Gardaí cordoned off the scene of the assault on Saturday night and garda technical experts carried out a forensic examination of the area while they also recovered a broken bottle which they believe was used in the assault .
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this incident and for any persons with any information to come forward and contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gardaí are in particular appealing for any road users who were travelling in the area at the time and may have camera footage , including dash-cam , to contact them and make it available .

A teenager has been arrested over an assault in Co Cork
A teenager was attacked and stabbed during a row in Co Cork on Saturday night and gardaí have appealed to the public for assistance in their investigation into an incident.
The 17-year-old suffered a number of serious wounds to his head and back when he was struck with a broken bottle in the Waterpark area of Carrigaline in south Cork at around 10.25pm.
It is understood the injured youth was walking with his girlfriend near a green area when they were approached by another group who asked them for money so they could get a bus back to Cork city.
It is understood that the injured youth, who is from Carrigaline, was attacked during a row over the bus money by another teenager who struck him on the head with a broken bottle and also stabbed him in the back causing serious injuries.
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The alarm was raised and 10 garda units including uniformed officers, detectives and members of the Armed Support Unit responded, with First Aid given to the injured teenager at the scene.
He was later taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital (CUH) where he underwent surgery for his injuries which were described as “non-life threatening” . He was described as being in a stable condition on Sunday.
Gardaí immediately began an investigation and arrested a 17-year-old suspect, who is not from Carrigaline, a short distance away and they recovered a mobile phone which had been stolen from the injured teenager.
The suspect was taken to the Bridewell Garda Station where he is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act which allows gardaí detain suspects for up to 24 hours before they have to be charged or released.
Gardaí cordoned off the scene of the assault on Saturday night and Garda technical experts carried out a forensic examination of the area while they also recovered a broken bottle which they believe was used in the assault.
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this incident and for anyone with information to come forward and contact them at Togher Garda station on 021-4947170.
In particular, they are appealing for any road users who were travelling in the area at the time and may have camera footage, including dash-cam, to contact them and make it available.


theirishtimes--2020-06-06--Protesters gather outside US embassy in Dublin over George Floyd death


theirishtimes--2020-06-08--Serving ‘substantial’ meal will be required for pubs to reopen

Pubs serving food and opening on June 29th will have to give customers limited time slots in their premises and provide a “ substantial ” meal , under new guidelines being considered by Government officials .
Guidelines for reopening the hospitality industry following the Covid-19 lockdown are due to be published on Tuesday and sources involved in the drafting of the documents say pubs intending to open at the end of month may be asked to provide two courses and operate table service .
Hotels will also be advised to place key cards onto guests ’ phones , ban buffets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sources have said there is concern in the hospitality industry at the impact this will have on five-star hotels in particular and that further advice may be needed in relation to spas .
While the draft guidelines still contain references to the two-metre social distancing rule , there is significant pressure and lobbying from business groups to reduce this to one metre .
Meanwhile , Dublin buses , trains and trams will be closely monitored on Monday to ensure continued physical distancing as the second reopening phase from the Covid-19 lockdown kicks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in maintaining the two-metre limit between passengers would increase pressure to introduce mandatory wearing of face coverings .
The trade-off is considered risky as two-metre distancing is considered more effective in protecting against the virus and the State ’ s chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has said face coverings “ are not magic shields ” to prevent the transmission of the disease .
The Department of Health reported on Sunday that one more person had died from Covid-19 , bringing the death toll in the State to 1,679 .
There were a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported , bringing the total number of cases to 25,201 .
Minister for Health Simon Harris yesterday encouraged people to wear a face covering on public transport and in enclosed spaces such as shops , but the coverings are not compulsory .
The World Health Organisation ( WHO ) issued new advice on face coverings over the weekend saying that they should be worn where it is not possible to maintain social distancing .
Dr David Nabarro , WHO special envoy on Covid-19 , said that it was up to national governments to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverings mandatory .
On this question , a spokeswoman for Mr Harris said that as society and the economy reopens , “ individual hygiene measures will become more important than ever and face coverings is an additional hygiene measure that should be adopted in these certain circumstances ” .
“ Our position is constantly under review and all international evidence will be taken into consideration , ” she said .
Bus and train inspectors are due to monitor passenger numbers and distancing behaviour on Dublin Bus services and on Dart and commuter trains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent or less of normal to protect against the spread of the virus .
Normal weekday services are resuming after public transport use fell by 90 per cent during the lockdown .
Inspectors will check for “ any particular pinch points ” , said one source , though the most pressure is not expected until the hospitality industry opens in the third phase on June 29th .
Still , there is concern at the current low level of face coverings worn on public transport with one estimate putting it at 10 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services at a time when the UK is preparing to make face coverings mandatory on public transport in England from June 15th .
It has further emerged that the State ’ s health watchdog received 280 complaints about nursing homes - the sector worst affected by the virus - during the first two months of the pandemic .
In a complaint to the Health Information and Quality Authority , it was claimed that nursing home staff who tested positive for Covid-19 but had no symptoms were asked to continue working .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ untested staff at another home continued working though they had symptoms of the virus .

‘Substantial meal’ is needed to be served for pubs to serve drinks. Photograph: iStock
Pubs serving food and opening on June 29th will have to give customers limited time slots in their premises and provide a “substantial” meal, under new guidelines being considered by Government officials.
Guidelines for reopening the hospitality industry following the Covid-19 lockdown are due to be published on Tuesday and sources involved in the drafting of the documents say pubs intending to open at the end of month may be asked to provide two courses and operate table service.
Hotels will also be advised to place key cards onto guests’ phones, ban buffets and provide breakfast in the room.
Sources have said there is concern in the hospitality industry at the impact this will have on five-star hotels in particular and that further advice may be needed in relation to spas.
READ MORE
While the draft guidelines still contain references to the two-metre social distancing rule, there is significant pressure and lobbying from business groups to reduce this to one metre.
Transport monitoring
Meanwhile, Dublin buses, trains and trams will be closely monitored on Monday to ensure continued physical distancing as the second reopening phase from the Covid-19 lockdown kicks in.
Government and transport sources said difficulties in maintaining the two-metre limit between passengers would increase pressure to introduce mandatory wearing of face coverings.
The trade-off is considered risky as two-metre distancing is considered more effective in protecting against the virus and the State's chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has said face coverings "are not magic shields" to prevent the transmission of the disease.
The Department of Health reported on Sunday that one more person had died from Covid-19, bringing the death toll in the State to 1,679. There were a further 25 confirmed cases of the disease reported, bringing the total number of cases to 25,201.
Minister for Health Simon Harris yesterday encouraged people to wear a face covering on public transport and in enclosed spaces such as shops, but the coverings are not compulsory.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) issued new advice on face coverings over the weekend saying that they should be worn where it is not possible to maintain social distancing.
Dr David Nabarro, WHO special envoy on Covid-19, said that it was up to national governments to decide on a policy of making face coverings mandatory.
On this question, a spokeswoman for Mr Harris said that as society and the economy reopens, “individual hygiene measures will become more important than ever and face coverings is an additional hygiene measure that should be adopted in these certain circumstances”.
“Our position is constantly under review and all international evidence will be taken into consideration,” she said.
Nursing home complaints
Bus and train inspectors are due to monitor passenger numbers and distancing behaviour on Dublin Bus services and on Dart and commuter trains as capacity will be limited to 25 per cent or less of normal to protect against the spread of the virus.
Normal weekday services are resuming after public transport use fell by 90 per cent during the lockdown. Inspectors will check for “any particular pinch points”, said one source, though the most pressure is not expected until the hospitality industry opens in the third phase on June 29th.
Still, there is concern at the current low level of face coverings worn on public transport with one estimate putting it at 10 per cent of travellers on bus and rail services at a time when the UK is preparing to make face coverings mandatory on public transport in England from June 15th.
It has further emerged that the State’s health watchdog received 280 complaints about nursing homes - the sector worst affected by the virus - during the first two months of the pandemic.
In a complaint to the Health Information and Quality Authority, it was claimed that nursing home staff who tested positive for Covid-19 but had no symptoms were asked to continue working.
In a separate complaint, it was alleged that untested staff at another home continued working though they had symptoms of the virus.


theirishtimes--2020-06-08--‘It’s going extremely smoothly’: School principals on Leaving Cert grading

Within hours of the announcement , the phone calls and emails began to arrive .
“ One parent said his child joined the school recently and was concerned that teachers didn ’ t know her well enough , ” says the principal of a fee-paying school .
“ Another got on to say their child did very badly in the mocks ; another said there had been an illness in the family during the year and this should be taken into account.
” While there was no agitating for specific grades , the principal says the aim was clear : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not lose out under the new calculated-grades system for Leaving Cert students .
Another private school principal jokes about the possibility of joining a witness protection programme for school leaders ; another admits to doing the weekly shop away from the school catchment area .
“ This is Ireland – it ’ s a parish , after all , ” one principal says .
“ We expected parents to arrive with magnums of Champagne .
In the end , any inquiries were mostly tentative .
We were being reminded of challenging circumstances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in a nursing home and praying for a H1 ’ .
” In one south Dublin school , the principal says that although it has a “ demanding clientele ” , most have respected its firm rules about not contacting the school over the grading process .
“ We made it clear early on to parents and students that we were keeping the altar rails well and truly locked .
That was respected , by and large.
” The move towards schools issuing grades for their Leaving Cert pupils has been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system where , critics say , change comes dropping slow .
One of the biggest obstacles to introducing such a system in the past has been the fear of teachers and principals facing pressure over the grades they award to students .
Yet , out of a dozen or so principals contacted by The Irish Times , the majority said that although there was some contact from parents in the days following the cancellation of the exams , the process had gone much more smoothly than expected .
The fact that official guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exams were cancelled , prohibited any contact over grades or class rankings helped , they say .
But mostly , they say , parents and students seem to have trusted their schools in awarding fair and accurate grades .
“ It ’ s going extremely smoothly , ” says one principal .
“ Once teachers got over the fact that it is was happening , they rallied quickly .
They know their students well and have no problem coming up with an accurate grade.
” Another adds : “ Teachers have had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount of time and use their professional judgment ... but , listen , if you can ’ t mark your own kids , you should just pack up and leave your job.
” Some principals say they have had to adjust inflated grades in some subjects to bring them into line with school records over recent years .
“ In a case where the H1s are off the charts , you ’ ve got to say : ‘ Get real , lads.
’ But mostly grades are coming back in the bounds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three- to five-year period .
Classes , by and large , don ’ t change much from year to year.
” Another principal adds , “ If we we don ’ t pull the grades in , the computer will do it , so it ’ s in our interests to get it right first time around ” , referring to the Department of Education standardisation process , where grades may be adjusted up or down to match a “ bell curve ” or expected national distribution of grades .
Where there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting estimated grades from tutors for students taking subjects outside the school .
Some grumble that grind-school teachers , in particular , are giving too many high grades to students , which may have implications for the school ’ s grade profile .
Others say they are agonising over whether they can stand over giving a grade to a student , for example , fluent in Russian who is taking the subject outside the school without a tutor .
Some principals complain about the uncertainty leading up to the cancellation of the exams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting answers to key questions .
“ It ’ s been managed appallingly badly , ” says one principal .
“ The quality of the guidance and training is poor.
” But overall most feel the process will inform future exams and build momentum for Leaving Cert reform .
“ We ’ ll have to move to a continual-assessment model , ” says one .
Another says that , on balance , a version of the calculated grades system would be an improvement on the Leaving Cert .
“ This is easier to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue , it could improve it .
There ’ s a lot to be said for it .
It ’ s prudent to expect a system like this will still be in place next year .
”

Within hours of the announcement, the phone calls and emails began to arrive.
“One parent said his child joined the school recently and was concerned that teachers didn’t know her well enough,” says the principal of a fee-paying school.
“Another got on to say their child did very badly in the mocks; another said there had been an illness in the family during the year and this should be taken into account.”
While there was no agitating for specific grades, the principal says the aim was clear: parents were desperate to ensure their children would not lose out under the new calculated-grades system for Leaving Cert students.
READ MORE
We expected parents to arrive with magnums of Champagne. In the end, any inquiries were mostly tentative
Another private school principal jokes about the possibility of joining a witness protection programme for school leaders; another admits to doing the weekly shop away from the school catchment area.
"This is Ireland – it's a parish, after all," one principal says. "We expected parents to arrive with magnums of Champagne. In the end, any inquiries were mostly tentative. We were being reminded of challenging circumstances facing students, rather than 'Granny is in a nursing home and praying for a H1'."
In one south Dublin school, the principal says that although it has a “demanding clientele”, most have respected its firm rules about not contacting the school over the grading process.
“We made it clear early on to parents and students that we were keeping the altar rails well and truly locked. That was respected, by and large.”
The move towards schools issuing grades for their Leaving Cert pupils has been a leap in the dark for an education system where, critics say, change comes dropping slow.
One of the biggest obstacles to introducing such a system in the past has been the fear of teachers and principals facing pressure over the grades they award to students.
Yet, out of a dozen or so principals contacted by The Irish Times, the majority said that although there was some contact from parents in the days following the cancellation of the exams, the process had gone much more smoothly than expected.
Trusting teachers
The fact that official guidance, issued a few days after the exams were cancelled, prohibited any contact over grades or class rankings helped, they say. But mostly, they say, parents and students seem to have trusted their schools in awarding fair and accurate grades.
“It’s going extremely smoothly,” says one principal. “Once teachers got over the fact that it is was happening, they rallied quickly. They know their students well and have no problem coming up with an accurate grade.”
Another adds: “Teachers have had to sit down, put in a huge amount of time and use their professional judgment ... but, listen, if you can’t mark your own kids, you should just pack up and leave your job.”
Some principals say they have had to adjust inflated grades in some subjects to bring them into line with school records over recent years.
If we we don't pull the grades in, the computer will do it, so it's in our interests to get it right first time around
“In a case where the H1s are off the charts, you’ve got to say: ‘Get real, lads.’ But mostly grades are coming back in the bounds of what the school has got over a three- to five-year period. Classes, by and large, don’t change much from year to year.”
Another principal adds, “If we we don’t pull the grades in, the computer will do it, so it’s in our interests to get it right first time around”, referring to the Department of Education standardisation process, where grades may be adjusted up or down to match a “bell curve” or expected national distribution of grades.
Where there are problems, principals say, it is getting estimated grades from tutors for students taking subjects outside the school.
Grind schools
Some grumble that grind-school teachers, in particular, are giving too many high grades to students, which may have implications for the school’s grade profile.
Others say they are agonising over whether they can stand over giving a grade to a student, for example, fluent in Russian who is taking the subject outside the school without a tutor.
Some principals complain about the uncertainty leading up to the cancellation of the exams, delays in receiving guidance and difficulties getting answers to key questions.
“It’s been managed appallingly badly,” says one principal. “The quality of the guidance and training is poor.”
There's a lot to be said for it. It's prudent to expect a system like this will still be in place next year
But overall most feel the process will inform future exams and build momentum for Leaving Cert reform.
“We’ll have to move to a continual-assessment model,” says one. Another says that, on balance, a version of the calculated grades system would be an improvement on the Leaving Cert.
“This is easier to handle, and where attendance is an issue, it could improve it. There’s a lot to be said for it. It’s prudent to expect a system like this will still be in place next year.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-08--Safety concerns delay restart of children’s hospital construction

Construction work on the €1.7 billion new national children ’ s hospital has yet to restart despite the easing of Covid-19 restrictions .
More than three weeks on , work has yet to resume on the half-built building on the campus of St James ’ s Hospital .
Safety concerns relating to the proximity of the adult hospital to the construction site during the Covid-19 outbreak are believed to be among the factors delaying the resumption of work , according to one source .
Several storeys of the building have been erected , though doors and windows have not yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital Development Board , which is building the facility , said it remained engaged with the main contractor in relation to reopening the construction site .
The project has been plagued by controversies over location and cost overruns , and is already years behind schedule .
A previous stoppage was estimated to have added €10 million a month to the cost of construction .
With work stopped since March 31st because of the Covid-19 crisis , further delays in completing the project , as well as further cost increases , are likely .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing and other infection control measures necessitated by the virus will significantly add to general building costs .
“ It is too early at this point to fully assess what impact Covid-19 might have on the new children ’ s hospital project , ” a board spokeswoman told The Irish Times .
Staff of the board , the contractors and the design team are continuing to work remotely on all construction elements of the projects in the interim , in line with Government guidance , she added .
Bam , the building contractor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the building contract between the board and Bam was admitted to the fast-track Commercial Court in late April .
The board is taking legal proceedings against Bam Building Ltd over a claim by the company disputing the validity of an instruction by the board to start above-ground construction works in January 2019 .
Bam claims the board was required to give it a “ complete , fully co-ordinated ” design before the instruction could issue and had not done so .
The issue came before the court after conciliation failed to settle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was essential “ this fundamental contractual issue ” was resolved “ in order to rigorously defend the public purse ” , the board told the court .
Bam is considering lodging a counter-claim , the court also heard .

With work on the new national children’s hospital stopped since March 31st because of the Covid-19 crisis, further delays in completing the project, as well as further cost increases, are likely.
Construction work on the €1.7 billion new national children’s hospital has yet to restart despite the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. More than three weeks on, work has yet to resume on the half-built building on the campus of St James’s Hospital.
Safety concerns relating to the proximity of the adult hospital to the construction site during the Covid-19 outbreak are believed to be among the factors delaying the resumption of work, according to one source. Several storeys of the building have been erected, though doors and windows have not yet been put in.
The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, which is building the facility, said it remained engaged with the main contractor in relation to reopening the construction site.
The project has been plagued by controversies over location and cost overruns, and is already years behind schedule. A previous stoppage was estimated to have added €10 million a month to the cost of construction.
READ MORE
With work stopped since March 31st because of the Covid-19 crisis, further delays in completing the project, as well as further cost increases, are likely. The Construction Industry Federation has warned social distancing and other infection control measures necessitated by the virus will significantly add to general building costs.
“It is too early at this point to fully assess what impact Covid-19 might have on the new children’s hospital project,” a board spokeswoman told The Irish Times.
Staff of the board, the contractors and the design team are continuing to work remotely on all construction elements of the projects in the interim, in line with Government guidance, she added.
Contract
Bam, the building contractor, declined to comment. A row over the building contract between the board and Bam was admitted to the fast-track Commercial Court in late April.
The board is taking legal proceedings against Bam Building Ltd over a claim by the company disputing the validity of an instruction by the board to start above-ground construction works in January 2019.
Bam claims the board was required to give it a “complete, fully co-ordinated” design before the instruction could issue and had not done so.
The issue came before the court after conciliation failed to settle the differences between the two sides.
It was essential “this fundamental contractual issue” was resolved “in order to rigorously defend the public purse”, the board told the court.
Bam is considering lodging a counter-claim, the court also heard.


theirishtimes--2020-06-08--Councils ‘not expected’ to post staff to supervise playgrounds

Local authorities are “ not expected ” to post staff to supervise playgrounds in order for the children ’ s facilities to reopen as some councils initially feared , officials have clarified .
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced on Friday that “ outdoor facilities and amenities for children ” could reopen under the acceleration of phase two of the Government ’ s roadmap for easing Covid-19 restrictions .
This would include reopening playgrounds as long as they are supervised , he said .
Playgrounds across the country have been closed since lockdown restrictions were introduced to combat the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interpreted the guidance as supervision from parents , while others have taken it to mean supervision by council staff , which local authorities are not in a position to provide .
Dublin City Council ( DCC ) had said it does not “ operate supervised playgrounds ” and pending “ further clarification ” will not be reopening any of its playgrounds on Monday .
DCC operates about 100 playgrounds , almost 70 of which are in public parks with the remainder located in the grounds of social housing complexes .
The council has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be required to supervise a playground , which would mean redeploying hundreds of staff , which is thought to be unfeasible .
Waterford City and County Council also said it will not be reopening its playgrounds , as the local authority requires “ clarification on what constitutes a supervised playground with controlled access , ” a spokeswoman said .
“ Local authorities are not expected to supervise play activities or control of access ” to playgrounds , a Department of Housing and Local Government spokesman clarified on Sunday .
“ These are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged to adhere to the public health advice on protection from the Covid-19 virus , ” he said .
The reference to supervision related to “ the normal supervisory and inspection activities of local authorities and community groups of such facilities ” , he said .
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has said all parks and playgrounds would be reopening over the week from Monday , “ after a period of assessment and inspection checks on all equipment.
” In a statement , the council said “ parent and guardians of children using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their children in line with existing physical distancing and hygiene guidelines ” .
Fingal County Council are to begin a “ phased reopening of playgrounds ” , a spokesman said .
Similarly Wicklow County Council said it was working to reopen playgrounds from the start of the week .
“ Each playground will have to be risk assessed and appropriate signage erected reminding users that all children should be supervised by an adult , ” a spokesman said .
A spokesman for Galway City Council said it interpreted the supervision condition to refer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities of local authorities and community groups of playgrounds ” .
The local authority would plan to reopen its playgrounds during the week , with a schedule to clean each facility beforehand .
Tanya Ward , chief executive of the Children ’ s Rights Alliance , said it was vital playgrounds reopened , particularly in Dublin “ where children don ’ t have the same access to green space ” as other parts of the country , she said .

Playgrounds across the country have been closed since lockdown restrictions were introduced to combat the spread of the coronavirus in mid-March. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill/The Irish Times
Local authorities are “not expected” to post staff to supervise playgrounds in order for the children’s facilities to reopen as some councils initially feared, officials have clarified.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced on Friday that "outdoor facilities and amenities for children" could reopen under the acceleration of phase two of the Government's roadmap for easing Covid-19 restrictions. This would include reopening playgrounds as long as they are supervised, he said.
Playgrounds across the country have been closed since lockdown restrictions were introduced to combat the spread of the coronavirus in mid-March
Some local authorities had interpreted the guidance as supervision from parents, while others have taken it to mean supervision by council staff, which local authorities are not in a position to provide.
READ MORE
Dublin City Council (DCC) had said it does not "operate supervised playgrounds" and pending "further clarification" will not be reopening any of its playgrounds on Monday.
DCC operates about 100 playgrounds, almost 70 of which are in public parks with the remainder located in the grounds of social housing complexes.
The council has indicated at least three staff members would be required to supervise a playground, which would mean redeploying hundreds of staff, which is thought to be unfeasible.
Clarification
Waterford City and County Council also said it will not be reopening its playgrounds, as the local authority requires "clarification on what constitutes a supervised playground with controlled access," a spokeswoman said.
“Local authorities are not expected to supervise play activities or control of access” to playgrounds, a Department of Housing and Local Government spokesman clarified on Sunday.
“These are the responsibility of parents or guardians who are urged to adhere to the public health advice on protection from the Covid-19 virus,” he said.
The reference to supervision related to “the normal supervisory and inspection activities of local authorities and community groups of such facilities”, he said.
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has said all parks and playgrounds would be reopening over the week from Monday, "after a period of assessment and inspection checks on all equipment."
In a statement, the council said “parent and guardians of children using the playgrounds will be expected to supervise their children in line with existing physical distancing and hygiene guidelines”.
Fingal County Council are to begin a "phased reopening of playgrounds", a spokesman said.
Vital reopening
Similarly Wicklow County Council said it was working to reopen playgrounds from the start of the week.
“Each playground will have to be risk assessed and appropriate signage erected reminding users that all children should be supervised by an adult,” a spokesman said.
A spokesman for Galway City Council said it interpreted the supervision condition to refer “to the normal supervisory and inspection activities of local authorities and community groups of playgrounds”.
The local authority would plan to reopen its playgrounds during the week, with a schedule to clean each facility beforehand.
Tanya Ward, chief executive of the Children's Rights Alliance, said it was vital playgrounds reopened, particularly in Dublin "where children don't have the same access to green space" as other parts of the country, she said.


theirishtimes--2020-06-08--Covid-19: Enough protective equipment secured until October

The Health Service Executive ( HSE ) has secured protective equipment sufficient to meet the State ’ s needs through to October , it has confirmed .
The availability of Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE ) has emerged as one of the major themes of the Covid-19 crisis , with countries competing against each other to secure enough supplies .
In a statement , the HSE said it had enough equipment to last until the beginning of October , through a combination of stock on hand and scheduled for delivery over the coming weeks from approved suppliers .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it was distributing more than 11 million items of PPE per week to more than 2,800 public and private health and social care locations across the State such as acute hospitals , community healthcare settings and long term residential facilities .
“ As an illustration of the increase in scale and complexity , consider that in 2019 the HSE national distribution centre distributed just over 1 million units of PPE , in contrast during the week of 8-14 May alone , in excess of 11 million units of PPE were distributed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It has developed an algorithm to determine daily requirements for PPE across a variety of healthcare settings .
PPE – gloves , masks , gowns and other items – is key to minimising the risk of transmission of Covid-19 , especially in healthcare settings , and when procedures are underway which increase the risk of aersolisation – the virus spreading through exhaled droplets .
At the height of the crisis , in late March and early April , protocols were developed to help health workers balance their ethical obligations against the risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come to pass , according to minutes of the acute hospital preparedness subgroup of the National Public health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) .
A meeting on April 9th was told that a paper had been drafted to provide guidance for healthcare workers “ in balancing their duty of care to their patients against the magnitude of risk faced , in situations where an intervention on a Covid-19 patient is required and PPE is in short supply ” .
This included guidance in high-risk situations “ the duty of care does not extend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patient is scheduled to undergo an aerosol generating procedure and PPE is not available ” .
The meeting was told by the Deputy Chief Nursing Officer ( DCNO ) , Rachel Kenna , that clarity and support was needed “ at a time when healthcare workers are anxious and concerned ” .
Ms Kenna also raised that while guidance on the ethical use of PPE exists , it “ is not applied consistently across the system , leading to further fear and confusion ” .
The most visible aspect of the State ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ airbridge ” strategy , which saw Aer Lingus flights chartered by the HSE to ferry hundreds of millions of euros worth of equipment back from where it was sourced in China .
At its peak , this was operating 35 flights per week .
The HSE has also worked on identifying and securing existing and potentially new indigenous suppliers of PPE , it said in a statement .
In addition to purchasing PPE from domestic and overseas suppliers , the State has been urged to examine methods of large-scale decontamination of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach would reduce the need to rely on importation of equipment , as well as the associated costs .

At the peak of demand, the health service said it was distributing more than 11 million items of PPE per week to more than 2,800 public and private health and social care locations across the State Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has secured protective equipment sufficient to meet the State's needs through to October, it has confirmed.
The availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has emerged as one of the major themes of the Covid-19 crisis, with countries competing against each other to secure enough supplies.
In a statement, the HSE said it had enough equipment to last until the beginning of October, through a combination of stock on hand and scheduled for delivery over the coming weeks from approved suppliers.
At the peak of demand, the health service said it was distributing more than 11 million items of PPE per week to more than 2,800 public and private health and social care locations across the State such as acute hospitals, community healthcare settings and long term residential facilities.
READ MORE
Algorithm
“As an illustration of the increase in scale and complexity, consider that in 2019 the HSE national distribution centre distributed just over 1 million units of PPE, in contrast during the week of 8-14 May alone, in excess of 11 million units of PPE were distributed,” a spokeswoman for the HSE said.
It has developed an algorithm to determine daily requirements for PPE across a variety of healthcare settings.
PPE – gloves, masks, gowns and other items – is key to minimising the risk of transmission of Covid-19, especially in healthcare settings, and when procedures are underway which increase the risk of aersolisation – the virus spreading through exhaled droplets.
At the height of the crisis, in late March and early April, protocols were developed to help health workers balance their ethical obligations against the risk of operating without PPE, should that come to pass, according to minutes of the acute hospital preparedness subgroup of the National Public health Emergency Team (NPHET).
A meeting on April 9th was told that a paper had been drafted to provide guidance for healthcare workers “in balancing their duty of care to their patients against the magnitude of risk faced, in situations where an intervention on a Covid-19 patient is required and PPE is in short supply”.
This included guidance in high-risk situations “the duty of care does not extend to, in particular where a Covid-19 patient is scheduled to undergo an aerosol generating procedure and PPE is not available”.
Inconsistency
The meeting was told by the Deputy Chief Nursing Officer (DCNO), Rachel Kenna, that clarity and support was needed "at a time when healthcare workers are anxious and concerned". Ms Kenna also raised that while guidance on the ethical use of PPE exists, it "is not applied consistently across the system, leading to further fear and confusion".
The most visible aspect of the State's efforts to secure PPE has been the "airbridge" strategy, which saw Aer Lingus flights chartered by the HSE to ferry hundreds of millions of euros worth of equipment back from where it was sourced in China.
At its peak, this was operating 35 flights per week. The HSE has also worked on identifying and securing existing and potentially new indigenous suppliers of PPE, it said in a statement.
In addition to purchasing PPE from domestic and overseas suppliers, the State has been urged to examine methods of large-scale decontamination of masks and other items. Such an approach would reduce the need to rely on importation of equipment, as well as the associated costs.


theirishtimes--2020-06-08--‘We were almost overwhelmed’: Life in a hospital on the North’s Covid-19 front line

At its busiest , 10 or more people with coronavirus were being admitted to Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Derry every day .
“ I think we were aware we could become overwhelmed , but we didn ’ t hit that point .
We weren ’ t too far off it , I think , ” says respiratory consultant Dr Martin Kelly .
Some of their patients were “ frighteningly ” sick ; “ middle-aged people with otherwise good health who would land in very short of breath who ’ d never been short of breath in their lives before , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” He recalls several patients who were extremely ill. “ One of them in particular I thought , ‘ Are you going to make it ?
’ , but she did , and there have been others as well who did , and it ’ s a joy to see that.
” According to the North ’ s Department of Health , as of June 6th , 537 people with a positive test for coronavirus have died in mainly hospital settings in Northern Ireland since the Covid-19 outbreak began .
Derry has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 21 deaths .
It is clear the virus is in retreat .
Of the 1,120 people who were tested in the most recent 24-hour period , only 14 were positive .
At the end of last week , Altnagelvin marked its own milestone , with the last of its coronavirus patients discharged from intensive care .
Dr Kelly describes the feeling of relief and the “ very real sense of achievement ” , especially among intensive care staff .
“ We didn ’ t lose anybody in intensive care.
” Yet there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much has had to change in the hospital , and nobody knows if the virus may return .
“ There is a sense we ’ ve come out into a territory which is not the same as when we went in.
” At Altnagelvin , many of their coronavirus patients arrived as referrals from the local Covid-19 centre , staffed by GPs on the hospital site .
The sickest were sent to intensive care , where there were 10 beds , though plans were put in place to double this if needed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but as it turned out we were never overwhelmed.
” They were “ relatively lucky that not too many staff got sick ” , Dr Kelly says , which he puts down to the availability of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) .
“ Some of that was provided by companies who started manufacturing it , and a lot of credit ’ s due there , but we were well protected.
” This meant his family was protected too ; Dr Kelly ’ s wife is also a doctor at Altnagelvin and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus home was a concern .
“ You have a duty , like you have with your patients , to try and maintain some semblance of calm and balance , so I think they saw that we were taking it seriously , but not allowing ourselves to be overwhelmed , and from a purely practical perspective doing things like making sure you had a shower before you came home .
“ I suppose they ’ ve seen us go out to work over the years as doctors and realising that it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but that we want to .
This is our job , ” he says .
Originally from Omagh , Co Tyrone , home for Dr Kelly is Burnfoot , Co Donegal ; crossing the Border every day to go to work , he has been stopped at checkpoints by both gardaí and the PSNI .
In his view , there has was “ very good compliance locally ” with lockdown measures , though as the weeks have gone on and the restrictions have begun to be relaxed he has seen more people out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been a lot of admiration within Northern Ireland of the actions of the southern government ; that ’ s not to say that they haven ’ t done well up here either , but I think people have looked at Leo Varadkar and said he ’ s done good .
He has many critics , but I think he has demonstrated leadership.
” In Altnagelvin , Dr Kelly and his colleagues are already preparing for life after lockdown .
There is still a reluctance among people to come to hospital for fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often presents late , is a particular concern , and he urges anyone with symptoms to seek medical advice .
The hospital is also exploring different ways of working , such as consultation by telephone or video conferencing .
“ We ’ re a long way from a waiting room full of patients.
” Waiting lists - already lengthy before the coronavirus crisis – are one of the challenges ahead .
“ People won ’ t be forgotten about , ” says Dr Kelly .
“ It will be difficult – there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s grand and in two or three months it will be totally back to normal , no doubt we won ’ t , but we ’ re working on it .
“ There are a lot of good people who work in the NHS , and we will do our best to claw that back .
”

At its busiest, 10 or more people with coronavirus were being admitted to Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Derry every day.
"I think we were aware we could become overwhelmed, but we didn't hit that point. We weren't too far off it, I think," says respiratory consultant Dr Martin Kelly.
Some of their patients were “frighteningly” sick; “middle-aged people with otherwise good health who would land in very short of breath who’d never been short of breath in their lives before, and needing oxygen. It was intense.”
He recalls several patients who were extremely ill. “One of them in particular I thought, ‘Are you going to make it?’, but she did, and there have been others as well who did, and it’s a joy to see that.”
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According to the North's Department of Health, as of June 6th, 537 people with a positive test for coronavirus have died in mainly hospital settings in Northern Ireland since the Covid-19 outbreak began. Derry has been one of the least affected areas, with 21 deaths.
It is clear the virus is in retreat. Of the 1,120 people who were tested in the most recent 24-hour period, only 14 were positive.
At the end of last week, Altnagelvin marked its own milestone, with the last of its coronavirus patients discharged from intensive care.
Dr Kelly describes the feeling of relief and the “very real sense of achievement”, especially among intensive care staff. “We didn’t lose anybody in intensive care.”
Yet there is also “slight trepidation”; much has had to change in the hospital, and nobody knows if the virus may return. “There is a sense we’ve come out into a territory which is not the same as when we went in.”
Covid-19 centre
At Altnagelvin, many of their coronavirus patients arrived as referrals from the local Covid-19 centre, staffed by GPs on the hospital site.
The sickest were sent to intensive care, where there were 10 beds, though plans were put in place to double this if needed. “It would have been a challenge, but as it turned out we were never overwhelmed.”
They were “relatively lucky that not too many staff got sick”, Dr Kelly says, which he puts down to the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE).
“Some of that was provided by companies who started manufacturing it, and a lot of credit’s due there, but we were well protected.”
This meant his family was protected too; Dr Kelly’s wife is also a doctor at Altnagelvin and, with two teenage children, bringing the virus home was a concern.
“You have a duty, like you have with your patients, to try and maintain some semblance of calm and balance, so I think they saw that we were taking it seriously, but not allowing ourselves to be overwhelmed, and from a purely practical perspective doing things like making sure you had a shower before you came home.
“I suppose they’ve seen us go out to work over the years as doctors and realising that it’s not that we have to, but that we want to. This is our job,” he says.
Border checks
Originally from Omagh, Co Tyrone, home for Dr Kelly is Burnfoot, Co Donegal; crossing the Border every day to go to work, he has been stopped at checkpoints by both gardaí and the PSNI.
In his view, there has was “very good compliance locally” with lockdown measures, though as the weeks have gone on and the restrictions have begun to be relaxed he has seen more people out and about.
"I think there has been a lot of admiration within Northern Ireland of the actions of the southern government; that's not to say that they haven't done well up here either, but I think people have looked at Leo Varadkar and said he's done good. He has many critics, but I think he has demonstrated leadership."
In Altnagelvin, Dr Kelly and his colleagues are already preparing for life after lockdown. There is still a reluctance among people to come to hospital for fear of infection; lung cancer, which often presents late, is a particular concern, and he urges anyone with symptoms to seek medical advice.
The hospital is also exploring different ways of working, such as consultation by telephone or video conferencing. “We’re a long way from a waiting room full of patients.”
Waiting lists - already lengthy before the coronavirus crisis – are one of the challenges ahead. “People won’t be forgotten about,” says Dr Kelly. “It will be difficult – there’s no point in saying it’s grand and in two or three months it will be totally back to normal, no doubt we won’t, but we’re working on it.
“There are a lot of good people who work in the NHS, and we will do our best to claw that back.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-07--Six-week hosepipe ban to come into force from Tuesday

Irish Water is to introduce a nationwide hosepipe ban from Tuesday to combat the effects of widespread drought on the country ’ s water supply .
The ban will prohibit people from using garden hosepipes for non-essential purposes such as watering plants , filling paddling pools , garden water fountains , or washing cars and other vehicles .
The national water utility warned last week that a hosepipe ban , officially known as a water conservation order , was likely due to the prolonged period of dry , sunny weather .
The hosepipe ban will apply for an initial six-week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21st , unless it is extended further .
Households found to be in breach of the ban can be fined €125 .
Irish Water has said 27 of its drinking water schemes are now at drought levels , with a further 50 at risk of drought .
This spring has been the driest on record in Dublin , Meath , Kildare , Wicklow , Sligo and Tipperary .
Last month was the driest May since 1850 , according to Met Éireann , leaving water reservoirs at critically low levels .
Niall Gleeson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ utility had to introduce the hosepipe ban as “ demand continues to outstrip supply and the dry weather looks set to continue ” .
“ It is essential that our water supply is protected if we are to avoid restrictions and outages over the coming weeks and months , ” he said .
“ The key messages are to leave the hose and the pressure washer in the shed ; don ’ t use paddling pools ; reuse household water for the garden ; and take shorter showers , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in July 2018 in the greater Dublin region , before extending it nationwide .
The duration of the ban was extended several times amid continued drought conditions and remained in place for Dublin and several other counties until September that year .
In recent weeks demand on the water supply for the greater Dublin region has surged during sunny days , at times nearing the utility ’ s maximum capacity of 615 million litres a day .
Irish Water has said it would need a minimum accumulation of 100mm of rainfall over a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to normal rainfall levels thereafter , to ease the threat to the country ’ s water supply .
However , Met Éireann ’ s forecast for the next week is for mostly dry conditions with some rain showers .
Longer-term forecasts predict the drier-than-normal weather to continue over the summer .
From early May demand has been steadily increasing , with stored water levels dropping , according to internal Irish Water management reports .
Household water usage has increased during the coronavirus lockdown , with people spending more time at home , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Covid-19 .
The reopening of businesses in the coming weeks is also expected to put additional pressure on the water supply .
About 40 per cent of water is also lost through leaks across the water network , which is a particular problem in Dublin , where older pipes can date to the Victorian era .
Exceptionally warm weather over the June bank holiday weekend saw an increase in demand equivalent to the daily usage of an extra 200,000 people in Dublin and surrounding counties .
This increase in water usage was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , Irish Water said .
“ Such weather brings people into their gardens and makes the use of hoses more likely , ” Mr Gleeson said .
“ Similarly with children confined to home , it can be tempting to use paddling pools ...
However , using a hosepipe for one hour is the equivalent of the daily water usage of an average family , and this is evidently a non-essential use of water , ” he said .
Irish Water has said the conservation order prohibits the use of water drawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the purpose of : – Watering a garden – Cleaning a private motor vehicle using a domestic hosepipe – Cleaning a private leisure boat – Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool ( except when using hand-held containers filled directly from a tap ) – Filling or maintaining a domestic pond ( excluding fish ponds ) – Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain ( with the exception of such use for commercial purposes ) – Filling or replenishing an artificial pond , lake or similar application .

Households found to be in breach of the ban can be fined €125. Photograph: iStock
Irish Water is to introduce a nationwide hosepipe ban from Tuesday to combat the effects of widespread drought on the country's water supply.
The ban will prohibit people from using garden hosepipes for non-essential purposes such as watering plants, filling paddling pools, garden water fountains, or washing cars and other vehicles.
The national water utility warned last week that a hosepipe ban, officially known as a water conservation order, was likely due to the prolonged period of dry, sunny weather.
The hosepipe ban will apply for an initial six-week period from Tuesday until midnight on July 21st, unless it is extended further. Households found to be in breach of the ban can be fined €125.
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Irish Water has said 27 of its drinking water schemes are now at drought levels, with a further 50 at risk of drought.
This spring has been the driest on record in Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Wicklow, Sligo and Tipperary. Last month was the driest May since 1850, according to Met Éireann, leaving water reservoirs at critically low levels.
Niall Gleeson, Irish Water managing director, said the utility had to introduce the hosepipe ban as "demand continues to outstrip supply and the dry weather looks set to continue".
“It is essential that our water supply is protected if we are to avoid restrictions and outages over the coming weeks and months,” he said.
“The key messages are to leave the hose and the pressure washer in the shed; don’t use paddling pools; reuse household water for the garden; and take shorter showers,” he said.
Surging demand
Irish Water last introduced a hosepipe ban in July 2018 in the greater Dublin region, before extending it nationwide. The duration of the ban was extended several times amid continued drought conditions and remained in place for Dublin and several other counties until September that year.
In recent weeks demand on the water supply for the greater Dublin region has surged during sunny days, at times nearing the utility’s maximum capacity of 615 million litres a day.
Irish Water has said it would need a minimum accumulation of 100mm of rainfall over a number of weeks, and a return to normal rainfall levels thereafter, to ease the threat to the country’s water supply.
However, Met Éireann’s forecast for the next week is for mostly dry conditions with some rain showers. Longer-term forecasts predict the drier-than-normal weather to continue over the summer.
From early May demand has been steadily increasing, with stored water levels dropping, according to internal Irish Water management reports.
Household water usage has increased during the coronavirus lockdown, with people spending more time at home, and regular handwashing advised to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Businesses reopening
The reopening of businesses in the coming weeks is also expected to put additional pressure on the water supply.
About 40 per cent of water is also lost through leaks across the water network, which is a particular problem in Dublin, where older pipes can date to the Victorian era.
Exceptionally warm weather over the June bank holiday weekend saw an increase in demand equivalent to the daily usage of an extra 200,000 people in Dublin and surrounding counties. This increase in water usage was largely replicated across the rest of the country, Irish Water said.
“Such weather brings people into their gardens and makes the use of hoses more likely,” Mr Gleeson said.
“Similarly with children confined to home, it can be tempting to use paddling pools ... However, using a hosepipe for one hour is the equivalent of the daily water usage of an average family, and this is evidently a non-essential use of water,” he said.
Irish Water has said the conservation order prohibits the use of water drawn through a hosepipe or similar apparatus for the purpose of:
– Watering a garden
– Cleaning a private motor vehicle using a domestic hosepipe
– Cleaning a private leisure boat
– Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool (except when using hand-held containers filled directly from a tap)
– Filling or maintaining a domestic pond (excluding fish ponds)
– Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain (with the exception of such use for commercial purposes)
– Filling or replenishing an artificial pond, lake or similar application.