theirishtimes--2020-07-19--Coronavirus: No further deaths and 10 new cases confirmed in the State

There have been no further deaths related to Covid-19 and 10 new cases , according to figures released by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) on Sunday .
There have now been a total of 1,753 Covid -19 related deaths in the State and there have been 25,760 confirmed cases .
In a statement acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn urged people to remain vigilant and said the pripority was reopening of schools and health facilities .
“ All it would take for Covid-19 to regain a foothold in our communities is complacency .
As the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must remain vigilant here in Ireland .
Every day , in our individual actions , we have the power to limit the spread of this virus .
Our priority going forward has to be the reopening of schools and resumption of non-Covid-19 healthcare services , ” he said .
Figures are being closely watched among policy-makers .
On Sunday the Minister for Agriculture said the Government is not scared to make tough calls to prioritise public health as Ireland continues to emerge from lockdown .
Dara Calleary said pushing back the reopening date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not baulk at taking unpopular decisions in order to suppress Covid-19 .
Mr Calleary ’ s remarks came ahead of a week when the Government will publish its green list for safe travel and unveil an economic stimulus package aimed at supporting businesses and workers worst hit by the pandemic .
The newly formed coalition , and in particular freshly appointed education minister Norma Foley , are also facing intensifying calls to provide clarity on plans for schools reopening at the end of August .
Mr Calleary , who replaced Barry Cowen as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said public health would be at the heart of all the Government ’ s considerations .
“ We made the tough call on the pubs during the week , ” he told RTE ’ s The Week In Politics .
“ We have shown as a government that we will make tough calls , we ’ re not going to progress the ( recovery ) roadmap unless it ’ s safe to do so .
“ It might be popular to do so , but unless it ’ s safe and unless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do so.
” The July stimulus package , which is due to be published on Tuesday or Wednesday , is set to include a series of measures to boost the economy .
It is expected to deliver extensions to the wage subsidy scheme and the waiver on commercial rates .
Restart grants for business are likely to be offered , as are low interest loan options .
“ We have to protect the economy , ” Mr Calleary said .
“ We have to protect those that create jobs .
And , yes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sectors taking a particular hit and I would hope to see them getting a focus in this stimulus package as well .
“ But we have shown this week that we will make the hard decisions in relation to public health and that we will protect public health and public health will be at the heart of any decisions in the coming weeks.
” Responding to calls from school leaders for detail on the planned restart of classroom learning , Mr Calleary insisted “ huge work ” was ongoing .
He said ensuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autumn was the Government ’ s “ number one priority ” .
There were no Covid-19 figures from Northern Ireland on Sunday as it no longer updates its coronavirus statistics at weekends .
The most recent available figures , released by the North ’ s health department on Friday , reported no new coronavirus-related deaths in the preceding 24 hours .
Its death total remains at 556 .
The department also reported 19 new confirmed cases of the virus , taking the total number of positive cases in the North to 5,834 .
@ @ @ @

There were no Covid-19 figures from Northern Ireland on Sunday as it no longer updates its coronavirus statistics at weekends.Detail of coronavirus test sample. Photograph: iStock
There have been no further deaths related to Covid-19 and 10 new cases, according to figures released by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on Sunday.
There have now been a total of 1,753 Covid -19 related deaths in the State and there have been 25,760 confirmed cases.
In a statement acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn urged people to remain vigilant and said the pripority was reopening of schools and health facilities.
“All it would take for Covid-19 to regain a foothold in our communities is complacency. As the pandemic accelerates around the world, we must remain vigilant here in Ireland. Every day, in our individual actions, we have the power to limit the spread of this virus. Our priority going forward has to be the reopening of schools and resumption of non-Covid-19 healthcare services,” he said.
READ MORE
Figures are being closely watched among policy-makers. On Sunday the Minister for Agriculture said the Government is not scared to make tough calls to prioritise public health as Ireland continues to emerge from lockdown.
Dara Calleary said pushing back the reopening date for all pubs demonstrated that ministers would not baulk at taking unpopular decisions in order to suppress Covid-19.
Mr Calleary’s remarks came ahead of a week when the Government will publish its green list for safe travel and unveil an economic stimulus package aimed at supporting businesses and workers worst hit by the pandemic.
The newly formed coalition, and in particular freshly appointed education minister Norma Foley, are also facing intensifying calls to provide clarity on plans for schools reopening at the end of August.
Mr Calleary, who replaced Barry Cowen as agriculture minister last week following his sacking, said public health would be at the heart of all the Government’s considerations. “We made the tough call on the pubs during the week,” he told RTE’s The Week In Politics.
“We have shown as a government that we will make tough calls, we’re not going to progress the (recovery) roadmap unless it’s safe to do so. “It might be popular to do so, but unless it’s safe and unless public health stands up we cannot do so.”
The July stimulus package, which is due to be published on Tuesday or Wednesday, is set to include a series of measures to boost the economy. It is expected to deliver extensions to the wage subsidy scheme and the waiver on commercial rates. Restart grants for business are likely to be offered, as are low interest loan options. “We have to protect the economy,” Mr Calleary said. “We have to protect those that create jobs. And, yes, there’s a lot of sectors taking a particular hit and I would hope to see them getting a focus in this stimulus package as well.
“But we have shown this week that we will make the hard decisions in relation to public health and that we will protect public health and public health will be at the heart of any decisions in the coming weeks.”
Responding to calls from school leaders for detail on the planned restart of classroom learning, Mr Calleary insisted “huge work” was ongoing. He said ensuring the safe reopening of schools in the autumn was the Government’s “number one priority”.
There were no Covid-19 figures from Northern Ireland on Sunday as it no longer updates its coronavirus statistics at weekends. The most recent available figures, released by the North’s health department on Friday, reported no new coronavirus-related deaths in the preceding 24 hours. Its death total remains at 556. The department also reported 19 new confirmed cases of the virus, taking the total number of positive cases in the North to 5,834. - Additional reporting PA


theirishtimes--2020-07-19--Two men charged over €55k cocaine seizure in Cork

Two men have appeared in court charged in connection with a €55,000 drugs seizure by undercover gardaí in an intelligence led operation in a Cork suburb over the weekend .
Brian O ’ Hanlon ( 42 ) and Arthur Ward ( 47 ) were brought before a special sitting of Cork District Court on Sunday afternoon following the seizure by the Cork City Divisional Drugs Unit on Friday evening .
Mr O ’ Hanlon of Maple Lawn , Ballincollig was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply at the car park of the Oriel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Ward of Caislean Close , Ballincollig was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply at his home at Caislean Close , Ballincollig , also on July 17th .
Det Garda Declan Keane of the Cork City Divisional Drugs Squad gave evidence of arrest , charge and caution in relation to Mr O ’ Hanlon and said that Mr O ’ Hanlon made no reply to the charges .
Inspector Pat Murphy said that gardai were objecting to bail for Mr O ’ Hanlon but Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eddie Burke said that his client was not making any application for bail .
Judge John King noted that Mr O ’ Hanlon was not seeking bail and he remanded him in custody to appear again by video link at Cork District Court on July 22nd for the DPP ’ s directions .
Judge King also granted Mr O ’ Hanlon free legal aid after hearing from Mr Burke that his client was not working as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and was in receipt of the Covid-19 payment .
He also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given appropriate medical attention while on remand after being informed by Mr Burke that his client currently has a medical condition that needs medication .
Det Garda Liam Finn of the Cork City Divisional Drugs Unit then gave evidence of arrest , charge and caution in relation to Mr Ward and told the court that Mr Ward made no reply to the charges .
He said gardai had no objection to Mr Ward being remanded on bail with conditions and Mr Ward ’ s solicitor , Daithi O Donnabhain said his client was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gardaí .
Judge King remanded Mr Ward on his bond of €500 to appear again at Cork District Court on July 22nd for the DPP ’ s directions as he specified the bail conditions being sought by gardaí to Mr Ward .
He ordered Mr Ward to reside at his home at Caislean Close in Ballincollig and to notify gardaí of any change of address while he also ordered him to abide by an 11pm to 6am curfew at his home .
He also ordered Mr Ward to sign on daily at Gurranebraher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered him to surrender his passport and not apply for any replacement travel documents .
And he also ordered Mr Ward to supply gardaí with a mobile phone number and to keep the phone charged and in credit so he can be contacted by Gardaí 24 hours a day , seven days a week .

Two men have appeared in court charged in connection with a €55,000 drugs seizure in Cork. Photograph: Frank Miller/The Irish Times
Two men have appeared in court charged in connection with a €55,000 drugs seizure by undercover gardaí in an intelligence led operation in a Cork suburb over the weekend.
Brian O'Hanlon (42) and Arthur Ward (47) were brought before a special sitting of Cork District Court on Sunday afternoon following the seizure by the Cork City Divisional Drugs Unit on Friday evening.
Mr O'Hanlon of Maple Lawn, Ballincollig was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply at the car park of the Oriel House Hotel in Ballincollig on July 17th.
Mr Ward of Caislean Close, Ballincollig was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply at his home at Caislean Close, Ballincollig, also on July 17th.
READ MORE
Det Garda Declan Keane of the Cork City Divisional Drugs Squad gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in relation to Mr O'Hanlon and said that Mr O'Hanlon made no reply to the charges.
Inspector Pat Murphy said that gardai were objecting to bail for Mr O'Hanlon but Mr O'Hanlon's solicitor, Eddie Burke said that his client was not making any application for bail.
Judge John King noted that Mr O'Hanlon was not seeking bail and he remanded him in custody to appear again by video link at Cork District Court on July 22nd for the DPP's directions.
Judge King also granted Mr O’Hanlon free legal aid after hearing from Mr Burke that his client was not working as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and was in receipt of the Covid-19 payment.
He also ordered that Mr O’Hanlon be given appropriate medical attention while on remand after being informed by Mr Burke that his client currently has a medical condition that needs medication.
Det Garda Liam Finn of the Cork City Divisional Drugs Unit then gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in relation to Mr Ward and told the court that Mr Ward made no reply to the charges.
He said gardai had no objection to Mr Ward being remanded on bail with conditions and Mr Ward’s solicitor, Daithi O Donnabhain said his client was agreeable to the conditions being sought by gardaí.
Judge King remanded Mr Ward on his bond of €500 to appear again at Cork District Court on July 22nd for the DPP’s directions as he specified the bail conditions being sought by gardaí to Mr Ward.
He ordered Mr Ward to reside at his home at Caislean Close in Ballincollig and to notify gardaí of any change of address while he also ordered him to abide by an 11pm to 6am curfew at his home.
He also ordered Mr Ward to sign on daily at Gurranebraher Garda Station between 9am and 9pm and ordered him to surrender his passport and not apply for any replacement travel documents.
And he also ordered Mr Ward to supply gardaí with a mobile phone number and to keep the phone charged and in credit so he can be contacted by Gardaí 24 hours a day, seven days a week.


theirishtimes--2020-07-19--State did not apologise to Ruth Morrissey ‘now it is too late’, says husband after her death

The State did not apologise to CervicalCheck campaigner Ruth Morrissey for the “ magnitude of harm ” caused by the misreading of her smear and “ now it is too late ” , her husband has said following the 39-year-old ’ s death .
Ms Morrissey , the terminally ill Limerick woman who sued the HSE and two laboratories over the misreading of her cervical smear test results , died on Sunday morning at Milford Hospice following a prolonged battle with cancer .
A statement issued by her solicitor Cian O ’ Carroll on behalf of her husband Paul , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her life and chief among those accomplishments is the love she and Paul shared and the wonderful daughter they brought into this world and raised with love ” .
“ Ruth had a sparkle to her smile , her wit and her intelligence .
That sparkle made her wonderful company and her friendship was a gift she gave generously to anyone who knew her , ” it added .
The statement acknowledged that Ms Morrissey “ showed courage and determination throughout that 36 day marathon trial ” in the High Court action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests .
“ Despite the magnitude of the harm caused to her by avoidable errors , despite the broken promise of a Taoiseach who said no other woman would have to go to trial , despite using Ruth as a test case through the final years and months of her life , neither the HSE nor the State has ever apologised to her , and now it is too late , ” it added .
Mr O ’ Carroll said that the Morrissey and Moloney families wished to thank all those who gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Morrissey .
“ Ruth ’ s life was a very happy one and none of the hardships of recent years robbed her of her good cheer and positive spirit .
She fought fiercely to stay alive for the family she adored , ” the statement said .
“ The example she set stands as an enduring inspiration of strength and determination that should help many others through difficult times in the future.
” Earlier this week , the Supreme Court was told that Ms Morrissey and her husband Paul had been paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ awarded to them by the High Court over misreading of her cervical smear tests .
In 2019 , the High Court heard Ms Morrissey was not told until 2018 that a review carried out in 2014 showed smears taken under the CervicalCheck screening programme in 2009 and 2012 had been incorrectly reported .
Her cancer returned in 2018 , leaving her terminally ill. Two laboratories - Quest Diagnostics and Medlab - and the HSE had appealed aspects of the May 2019 High Court judgment of Mr Justice Kevin Cross , regarded as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in cervical screening .
President Michael D. Higgins paid tribute to Ms Morrissey , saying so many people across Ireland will have learned of her death with “ great sadness ” .
“ Ruth Morrissey ’ s tremendous courage in an arduous campaign for truth and justice leaves a legacy of courage for all Irish people , and for those campaigning for women ’ s right to healthcare in particular .
“ Sabina and I send our sincere condolences to her husband Paul , their daughter , her family and friends , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morrissey ’ s journey , ” he said .
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was deeply saddened by her death and extended sympathies to her family .
He described her as a “ brave , courageous woman who worked tirelessly for others and for future generations of women in this country.
” “ She was generous of spirit and had the interests of others at heart , ” he said .
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar also extended his sympathy to Ms Morrissey ’ s family and friends .
He said that last October , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a formal State apology to all women and their families affected by the CervicalCheck scandal .
Ms Morrissey along with campaigners such as Vicky Phelan , Lorraine Walsh , Stephen Teap and the late Emma Mhic Mhathúna , were leading women ’ s health advocates in light of the scandal , which affected some 221 women .
Ms Phelan paid tribute to Ms Morrissey on Twitter , describing her as “ one of the strongest women I know , and also one of the most positive ” .
“ I never once saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I saw her when she was very ill , ” Ms Phelan posted .
“ My children are away for a few days at my parents .
I am so glad they are not here .
I don ’ t have to try to put on a brave face and can just sit here with my feelings and grieve for Ruth and for the life she didn ’ t get to live , for the time she didn ’ t get to spend with Libby.
” Fellow campaigner Stephen Teap said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find the words to display my sadness at hearing this news ” .
He described Ms Morrissey as “ a kind and gentle soul who I was honoured to know , always checking up on me and my boys even in the middle of her own battles .
This world is at a loss without her.
” Lorraine Walsh said she was “ a beautiful , gentle lady ” .
“ Your life has been cut short far too soon , you shouldered a great burden for many of us , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it is “ with great sadness ” that he learned of her death , adding that she was “ an incredible , brave , compassionate woman , campaigner and patient advocate ” .
Labour leader Alan Kelly said : “ Ruth and her family have shown so much bravery in the eyes of adversary since her cancer diagnosis.It is never easy to go up against the State to challenge an injustice but Ruth did just that .
“ The State should never have appealed Ruth ’ s case given the circumstances but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for many women in Ireland.Ruth ’ s fight for justice while enduring a devastating cancer diagnosis has not just been an inspiration for me but for so many people right across our island.
” In his judgement of her case , Mr Justice Kevin Cross said that if her 2009 smear had been properly analysed and her 2012 slide was deemed inadequate , she would have been spared the pain and distress that followed her .
“ She would have been spared the prospect and knowledge that her daughter and her husband will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care and guidance , ” the judge stated .
Speaking outside the High Court after the landmark ruling in 2019 , Ms Morrissey said she hoped the decision in her case might mean that the “ women who are left ” won ’ t have to go through a court process and “ fight for their right to have a good life in what they have left.
” She encouraged women to continue going for smear tests “ even though it failed me , but it does save many , many lives .
@

The State did not apologise to CervicalCheck campaigner Ruth Morrissey for the "magnitude of harm" caused by the misreading of her smear and "now it is too late", her husband has said following the 39-year-old's death.
Ms Morrissey, the terminally ill Limerick woman who sued the HSE and two laboratories over the misreading of her cervical smear test results, died on Sunday morning at Milford Hospice following a prolonged battle with cancer.
A statement issued by her solicitor Cian O’Carroll on behalf of her husband Paul, said Ms Morrissey “achieved so much in her life and chief among those accomplishments is the love she and Paul shared and the wonderful daughter they brought into this world and raised with love”.
I was on my own this morning at home when I received the news that I have been dreading for some time now, the news that my good friend and fellow CervicalCheck campaigner Ruth Morrissey has died.
Ruth passed away peacefully at Milford Hospice... pic.twitter.com/QWms9G6rH1 — Vicky Phelan (@PhelanVicky) July 19, 2020
“Ruth had a sparkle to her smile, her wit and her intelligence. That sparkle made her wonderful company and her friendship was a gift she gave generously to anyone who knew her,” it added.
READ MORE
The statement acknowledged that Ms Morrissey "showed courage and determination throughout that 36 day marathon trial" in the High Court action over the misreading of her cervical smear tests.
“Despite the magnitude of the harm caused to her by avoidable errors, despite the broken promise of a Taoiseach who said no other woman would have to go to trial, despite using Ruth as a test case through the final years and months of her life, neither the HSE nor the State has ever apologised to her, and now it is too late,” it added.
Mr O’Carroll said that the Morrissey and Moloney families wished to thank all those who gave help, support and medical care to Ms Morrissey.
Ruth Morrissey and her husband, Paul share a kiss outside the Four Courts after a High Court judgement in 2019. Photograph: Collins Courts
“Ruth’s life was a very happy one and none of the hardships of recent years robbed her of her good cheer and positive spirit. She fought fiercely to stay alive for the family she adored,” the statement said.
"The example she set stands as an enduring inspiration of strength and determination that should help many others through difficult times in the future."Earlier this week, the Supreme Court was told that Ms Morrissey and her husband Paul had been paid the full sum of €2.16 million damages awarded to them by the High Court over misreading of her cervical smear tests.
In 2019, the High Court heard Ms Morrissey was not told until 2018 that a review carried out in 2014 showed smears taken under the CervicalCheck screening programme in 2009 and 2012 had been incorrectly reported. Her cancer returned in 2018, leaving her terminally ill.
Two laboratories - Quest Diagnostics and Medlab - and the HSE had appealed aspects of the May 2019 High Court judgment of Mr Justice Kevin Cross, regarded as a test case concerning the standard of care in cervical screening.
President
President Michael D. Higgins paid tribute to Ms Morrissey, saying so many people across Ireland will have learned of her death with "great sadness".
“Ruth Morrissey’s tremendous courage in an arduous campaign for truth and justice leaves a legacy of courage for all Irish people, and for those campaigning for women’s right to healthcare in particular.
“Sabina and I send our sincere condolences to her husband Paul, their daughter, her family and friends, and to all those who have shared Mrs Morrissey’s journey,” he said.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was deeply saddened by her death and extended sympathies to her family. He described her as a “brave, courageous woman who worked tirelessly for others and for future generations of women in this country.”
“She was generous of spirit and had the interests of others at heart,” he said.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar also extended his sympathy to Ms Morrissey’s family and friends. He said that last October, while he was taoiseach, he gave a formal State apology to all women and their families affected by the CervicalCheck scandal.
Ms Morrissey along with campaigners such as Vicky Phelan, Lorraine Walsh, Stephen Teap and the late Emma Mhic Mhathúna, were leading women's health advocates in light of the scandal, which affected some 221 women.
Ms Phelan paid tribute to Ms Morrissey on Twitter, describing her as "one of the strongest women I know, and also one of the most positive".
“I never once saw her without a smile on her face and I saw her when she was very ill,” Ms Phelan posted.
“My children are away for a few days at my parents. I am so glad they are not here. I don’t have to try to put on a brave face and can just sit here with my feelings and grieve for Ruth and for the life she didn’t get to live, for the time she didn’t get to spend with Libby.”
Ruth and Paul Morrissey . Photograph: Collins Courts
Fellow campaigner Stephen Teap said he was “strugglin[g] to find the words to display my sadness at hearing this news”.
He described Ms Morrissey as “a kind and gentle soul who I was honoured to know, always checking up on me and my boys even in the middle of her own battles. This world is at a loss without her.”
Lorraine Walsh said she was “a beautiful, gentle lady”.
“Your life has been cut short far too soon, you shouldered a great burden for many of us,” she said.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said it is "with great sadness" that he learned of her death, adding that she was "an incredible, brave, compassionate woman, campaigner and patient advocate".
Labour leader Alan Kelly said : "Ruth and her family have shown so much bravery in the eyes of adversary since her cancer diagnosis.It is never easy to go up against the State to challenge an injustice but Ruth did just that.
“The State should never have appealed Ruth’s case given the circumstances but her winning has set the standard now for many women in Ireland.Ruth’s fight for justice while enduring a devastating cancer diagnosis has not just been an inspiration for me but for so many people right across our island.”
In his judgement of her case, Mr Justice Kevin Cross said that if her 2009 smear had been properly analysed and her 2012 slide was deemed inadequate, she would have been spared the pain and distress that followed her.
“She would have been spared the prospect and knowledge that her daughter and her husband will have to go through life without her care and guidance,” the judge stated.
Speaking outside the High Court after the landmark ruling in 2019, Ms Morrissey said she hoped the decision in her case might mean that the “women who are left” won’t have to go through a court process and “fight for their right to have a good life in what they have left.”
She encouraged women to continue going for smear tests “even though it failed me, but it does save many, many lives.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-20--Q&A: Why is the travel green list causing such a problem?

Why is there such controversy in Ireland over the issuing of a green list ?
Publication of Ireland ’ s so-called “ green list ” of countries that are safe to travel to during the Covid-19 pandemic is delayed yet again , amid growing recrimination .
It is now likely to come in the form of a very limited number of countries agreed at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday .
In others words , it will identify the countries that have a similar level of coronavirus to us – or lower .
If only it was that easy .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confusing , if not illogical .
“ Green ” suggests go , yet the public health recommendation from Nphet is against “ non-essential travel ” ie taking a holiday – the unofficial advice seems to be : “ just don ’ t go !
” Meanwhile , Ryanair continues to advertise about operating 1,000 flights a day , with a clear “ go holiday ” message .
Meanwhile , arrangements for those coming to Ireland is equally confusing , but giving rise to particular concerns because of lack of consistency on isolation requirements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is fuelling fears it could be the weak point that could lead to a second surge of cases .
The worrying backdrop is the pandemic is accelerating globally with 14.6 million cases and more than 600,000 deaths – travel remains a key vector of transmission .
The prolonged meeting of EU leaders gathered in Brussels in efforts to agree a Covid-19 rescue package has detained Taoiseach Micheál Martin , resulting in the latest delay .
Separately , there are obvious tensions about how best to proceed among the three parties in Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , different forms of lists operating in Europe , and marked differences between Ireland and the UK , manifest in divergent arrangements between the Republic and Northern Ireland .
Why do we need a green list when advice is don ’ t fly ?
The concept of a list arose some months ago as countries desperately sought to re-open their economies to ease the effects of lockdown .
It was supposed to be a controlled way of returning to a degree of normality by agreeing “ travel corridors ” between countries getting control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect eliminated it .
It was a pragmatic approach , given variation in response of different countries , while recognising particular progress at a European level – and reflected that we probably have to live with Covid-19 for years to come .
The outgoing government favoured this approach and committed to publishing the list .
There is no doubt that delays in forming a government pushed back its publication , heightened confusion and coincided with Ireland becoming out of step with most of Europe .
EU countries within the Schengen area lifted border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ireland being in the common travel area with the UK compounded difficulties .
The added problem since is that outbreaks have persisted , even in countries that initially were doing well .
Is there any merit now for persisting with a list ?
Arguably , a list of countries performing on a par with Ireland or better is a logical way to go , and can inform better policy in the best interest of public health .
The list can be regularly updated , expanded in line with low incidence or adjusted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on a key indicator ; the 14-day cumulative number of coronavirus infections per 100,000 people .
Equally , essential travel has to be facilitated for trade purposes and travel corridors enable arrangements to be optimised based on up-to-date data in spite of obvious difficulties with disease spikes .
The problem is that agreeing a list doesn ’ t necessarily resolve other key issues , most notably confused messaging for the public and differences in restrictions and advice between north and south , which heighten risk of a resurgence .
So what are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ireland ?
The advisability of publishing the list when coronavirus infections are increasing in Ireland and other European countries is a big worry for ministers .
Some point to a contradiction with the public being advised against non-essential travel to prevent Covid-19 cases being imported , yet the Government is still publishing a list of countries not subject to the quarantine rule .
Differences with the UK and the Republic ’ s open border with the North is , perhaps , where the biggest discrepancy arises .
There are 59 countries on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s is set to be a fraction of that .
People can travel from numerous countries , land in Belfast , and travel south with little or no traceability .
Equally , many from the North are using Dublin airport on the basis of non-essential travel , yet current recommendations for southerners is firmly against this .
So which are the likely countries ?
The Government has indicated that less than 20 countries will be on the initial “ green list ” .
Big tourism destinations including Spain , Portugal and France will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a deaths per 100,000 rate higher than Ireland .
The rate in the US and the UK is significantly higher , so they won ’ t be on the list anytime soon .
On Friday , Ireland was at 4.3 per 100,000 people for Ireland compared with 17.7 for Spain , 11.1 for France , 48.5 for Portugal and 27.6 for Croatia .
Eight European countries have lower rates of infection than Ireland : Norway , Finland , Hungary , Estonia , Lithuania , Latvia , Cyprus and Malta .
People who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel insurance even if the country they visit is on the list .
Travel insurance exclusions denying cover to people who travel contrary to official guidance are the norm across the sector and as it stands the advice from the Government is that non-essential journeys overseas should be avoided .
Under current rules if a plane takes off and a passenger follows official guidance and avoids non-essential travel overseas then they are regarded as a no-show and are not entitled to any money back .
So this is likely to apply still to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For those who do travel , however , they won ’ t need to quarantine or self-isolate for 14 days on returning to Ireland .
They might not be using that term but a wide variety of “ air bridges ” , “ air corridors ” , “ travel bubbles ” or “ travel corridors ” are in place around the world ; reciprocal agreements between any number of countries that allow for non-essential travel , generally without requiring a self-isolated quarantining period upon arrival and return .
What is the best way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vital , especially for people considering travel .
In light of Covid-19 trends , there is a need to also strengthen enforcement of necessary conditions for arrivals through the key access points of international airports and ports .
Mandatory quarantine is justifiable from a public health point and ultimately may facilitate a more extensive opening up of the economy , though implementation is challenging .
Managing Covid-19 as best we can may be the current approach but what that means in the form a national strategy is not clear .
Meanwhile 12 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while 88 per cent are home grown , generated within communities – indicating where the greatest risk is .
The infectious diseases consultant Dr Jack Lambert based at the Mater Hospital , Dublin , summed up on Monday how we should proceed : “ We need to come up with a list of red and green travel zones .
We need to come up with solutions from a safety standpoint , a psychological stand point and an economic stand point.
” The goal was not elimination of the coronavirus , it was to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreaks , he said .
“ This might be a three-year thing.
” We are nowhere near that yet – “ Wait and see is not a plan , ” he added .
The gaps are such that delaying publication of that “ green list ” yet again can be justified until greater precision on guidance is provided and strengthened protocols .

People who travel outside of Ireland will invalidate their travel insurance even if the country they visit is on the list. Photograph: iStock
Why is there such controversy in Ireland over the issuing of a green list?
Publication of Ireland’s so-called “green list” of countries that are safe to travel to during the Covid-19 pandemic is delayed yet again, amid growing recrimination.
It is now likely to come in the form of a very limited number of countries agreed at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. In others words, it will identify the countries that have a similar level of coronavirus to us – or lower.
If only it was that easy. The messaging around this approach has becoming utterly confusing, if not illogical.
"Green" suggests go, yet the public health recommendation from Nphet is against "non-essential travel" ie taking a holiday – the unofficial advice seems to be: "just don't go!" Meanwhile, Ryanair continues to advertise about operating 1,000 flights a day, with a clear "go holiday" message.
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Meanwhile, arrangements for those coming to Ireland is equally confusing, but giving rise to particular concerns because of lack of consistency on isolation requirements and follow-up after arrival in Ireland. This is fuelling fears it could be the weak point that could lead to a second surge of cases.
The worrying backdrop is the pandemic is accelerating globally with 14.6 million cases and more than 600,000 deaths – travel remains a key vector of transmission.
The prolonged meeting of EU leaders gathered in Brussels in efforts to agree a Covid-19 rescue package has detained Taoiseach Micheál Martin, resulting in the latest delay.
Separately, there are obvious tensions about how best to proceed among the three parties in Government, exacerbated by obvious confusion about messaging, different forms of lists operating in Europe, and marked differences between Ireland and the UK, manifest in divergent arrangements between the Republic and Northern Ireland.
Why do we need a green list when advice is don’t fly?
The concept of a list arose some months ago as countries desperately sought to re-open their economies to ease the effects of lockdown.
It was supposed to be a controlled way of returning to a degree of normality by agreeing “travel corridors” between countries getting control of the virus, or having in effect eliminated it.
It was a pragmatic approach, given variation in response of different countries, while recognising particular progress at a European level – and reflected that we probably have to live with Covid-19 for years to come.
The outgoing government favoured this approach and committed to publishing the list. There is no doubt that delays in forming a government pushed back its publication, heightened confusion and coincided with Ireland becoming out of step with most of Europe.
EU countries within the Schengen area lifted border closures by June 15th under agreed guidelines. Ireland being in the common travel area with the UK compounded difficulties. The added problem since is that outbreaks have persisted, even in countries that initially were doing well.
Is there any merit now for persisting with a list?
Arguably, a list of countries performing on a par with Ireland or better is a logical way to go, and can inform better policy in the best interest of public health.
The list can be regularly updated, expanded in line with low incidence or adjusted when a country is not doing well based on a key indicator; the 14-day cumulative number of coronavirus infections per 100,000 people.
Equally, essential travel has to be facilitated for trade purposes and travel corridors enable arrangements to be optimised based on up-to-date data in spite of obvious difficulties with disease spikes.
The problem is that agreeing a list doesn’t necessarily resolve other key issues, most notably confused messaging for the public and differences in restrictions and advice between north and south, which heighten risk of a resurgence.
So what are the travel difficulties related to the island of Ireland?
The advisability of publishing the list when coronavirus infections are increasing in Ireland and other European countries is a big worry for ministers.
Some point to a contradiction with the public being advised against non-essential travel to prevent Covid-19 cases being imported, yet the Government is still publishing a list of countries not subject to the quarantine rule.
Differences with the UK and the Republic’s open border with the North is, perhaps, where the biggest discrepancy arises. There are 59 countries on the UK travel list; Ireland’s is set to be a fraction of that.
People can travel from numerous countries, land in Belfast, and travel south with little or no traceability. Equally, many from the North are using Dublin airport on the basis of non-essential travel, yet current recommendations for southerners is firmly against this.
So which are the likely countries?
The Government has indicated that less than 20 countries will be on the initial "green list". Big tourism destinations including Spain, Portugal and France will not be on the list because they have a deaths per 100,000 rate higher than Ireland. The rate in the US and the UK is significantly higher, so they won't be on the list anytime soon.
On Friday, Ireland was at 4.3 per 100,000 people for Ireland compared with 17.7 for Spain, 11.1 for France, 48.5 for Portugal and 27.6 for Croatia.
Eight European countries have lower rates of infection than Ireland: Norway, Finland, Hungary, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Cyprus and Malta.
Is travel insurance valid for a ‘green list’ country?
People who travel outside of Ireland will invalidate their travel insurance even if the country they visit is on the list.
Travel insurance exclusions denying cover to people who travel contrary to official guidance are the norm across the sector and as it stands the advice from the Government is that non-essential journeys overseas should be avoided.
Under current rules if a plane takes off and a passenger follows official guidance and avoids non-essential travel overseas then they are regarded as a no-show and are not entitled to any money back. So this is likely to apply still to a country on a green list.
For those who do travel, however, they won’t need to quarantine or self-isolate for 14 days on returning to Ireland.
Are many countries operating green lists?
They might not be using that term but a wide variety of “air bridges”, “air corridors”, “travel bubbles” or “travel corridors” are in place around the world; reciprocal agreements between any number of countries that allow for non-essential travel, generally without requiring a self-isolated quarantining period upon arrival and return.
What is the best way to proceed?
Providing greater clarity is vital, especially for people considering travel. In light of Covid-19 trends, there is a need to also strengthen enforcement of necessary conditions for arrivals through the key access points of international airports and ports.
Mandatory quarantine is justifiable from a public health point and ultimately may facilitate a more extensive opening up of the economy, though implementation is challenging.
Managing Covid-19 as best we can may be the current approach but what that means in the form a national strategy is not clear.
Meanwhile 12 per cent cases are coming into the country while 88 per cent are home grown, generated within communities – indicating where the greatest risk is.
The infectious diseases consultant Dr Jack Lambert based at the Mater Hospital, Dublin, summed up on Monday how we should proceed: "We need to come up with a list of red and green travel zones. We need to come up with solutions from a safety standpoint, a psychological stand point and an economic stand point."
The goal was not elimination of the coronavirus, it was to manage it effectively and deal with inevitable outbreaks, he said. “This might be a three-year thing.”
We are nowhere near that yet – “Wait and see is not a plan,” he added.
The gaps are such that delaying publication of that “green list” yet again can be justified until greater precision on guidance is provided and strengthened protocols.


theirishtimes--2020-07-20--TDs strongly encouraged to wear masks while attending Dáil

TDs have been “ strongly encouraged ” to wear face coverings in Leinster House and the Convention Centre under new advice issued by Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl .
The advice extends to the Dáil chamber and in committee rooms , but only when members are not making a contribution or speaking to the House .
In a note sent to members of the Dáil this morning , Mr Ó Fearghaíl wrote that “ the return to normal levels of parliamentary activity following the formation of Government requires extra vigilance and adherence ” to core public health measures such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ etiquette .
He continued : “ The wearing of a face covering can play an important part in indoor settings where it is not always possible to adhere to 2 metre social distancing.
” Therefore , I am strongly encouraging Members to wear a face covering in shared spaces and circulation areas , where at all possible , with effect from today… I would also encourage Memebrs to wear face coverings in the Chamber and in Committee rooms , when members are not speaking or making a contribution.
” The note outlines that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own face coverings , there will be reusable and disposable masks made available if required .
Similar guidance is set to be issued to parliamentary staff and other users of the buildings .
“ This measure is an important step for the protection of Members and staff .
It is consistent with the most recent public health advice , and I look forward to your operation in this regard , ” the advice finishes .

TDs have been "strongly encouraged" to wear face coverings in Leinster House and the Convention Centre under new advice issued by Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl.
The advice extends to the Dáil chamber and in committee rooms, but only when members are not making a contribution or speaking to the House.
In a note sent to members of the Dáil this morning, Mr Ó Fearghaíl wrote that “the return to normal levels of parliamentary activity following the formation of Government requires extra vigilance and adherence” to core public health measures such as hand hygiene, physical distancing and respiratory etiquette.
He continued: “The wearing of a face covering can play an important part in indoor settings where it is not always possible to adhere to 2 metre social distancing.”
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Therefore, I am strongly encouraging Members to wear a face covering in shared spaces and circulation areas, where at all possible, with effect from today… I would also encourage Memebrs to wear face coverings in the Chamber and in Committee rooms, when members are not speaking or making a contribution.”
The note outlines that while members are requested to use their own face coverings, there will be reusable and disposable masks made available if required. Similar guidance is set to be issued to parliamentary staff and other users of the buildings.
“This measure is an important step for the protection of Members and staff. It is consistent with the most recent public health advice, and I look forward to your operation in this regard,” the advice finishes.


theirishtimes--2020-07-20--Rent freeze and ban on evictions set for short extension as new law prepared

The Government is likely to extend the rent freeze and the ban on evictions on Monday – but only until the end of the month , by which time Ministers hope to have new legislation in place which will enable the measures to be put on a firmer legal footing .
Attorney General Paul Gallagher has advised Ministers that the legal underpinning for the rent freeze and the eviction ban – which have been in place since the pandemic hit , but are due to lapse today – is uncertain and could be open to challenge in the courts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation to put before the Dáil and Seanad before the end of the month which will clarify the powers of the Government to impose the measures , which will then be extended until the autumn .
Sources briefed on the subject said the Attorney General was “ exceptionally worried ” about the possibility of a legal challenge to the rent freeze by commercial landlords , though it is understood there are currently no such legal actions anticipated or before the courts .
It is understood the Government approved the short-term extension – which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its meeting last week .
Today ’ s planned Cabinet meeting has been postponed as the Taoiseach Micheál Martin is still in Brussels at the EU leaders summit .
However , an incorporeal meeting – held via teleconference – is likely to be held later to approve Dáil motions for this week .

Attorney General Paul Gallagher has advised that the legal underpinning for the rent freeze and the eviction ban – in place since the pandemic hit – is uncertain and could be open to challenge in the courts.
The Government has said it will extend the rent freeze and the ban on evictions until the end of the month, by which time ministers hope to have new legislation in place which will enable the measures to be put on a firmer footing.
In a statement on Monday night, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien said the moratorium would be extended until August 1st following discussions with the Attorney General.
“I have been advised that the need to restrict the movement of persons is increasingly at variance with the relaxations provided for in the roadmap for reopening society and business,” he said.
“I have obviously taken this advice on board and recommended a short extension under the existing emergency legislation to afford me the time to bring forward robust legislation that will provide real protection to tenants and property owners alike.”
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Government sources insist that rent controls will remain in place through rent pressure zones, which limit annual rent increases to four per cent across many parts of the country.
Officials say that rather than freeze rents at their current level, they want to see them come down, as the collapse of Airbnb bookings frees up capacity, especially in Dublin.
The Cabinet held a meeting via teleconference on Monday evening.
Mr O’Brien said it was “well-known that the rent freeze could not be extended indefinitely.
“So it is important we have strong legislation, which combines targeting those who are most vulnerable with longer term measures to address rent arrears, in place prior to the Dáil recess,” he said.
But Sinn Féin has sharply criticised the Government for the uncertainty, and People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said that people were already being threatened with eviction yesterday.
Sinn Féin housing spokesman Eoin O Broin criticised the last minute nature of the announcement, just hours before the existing freeze and ban elapsed.
“I have to say, if this was a deadline affecting banks, insurance companies, large developers, there is no way in hell it would be left to the 11th or 12th hour. This would have been resolved weeks ago. So I think it’s a shambles. It doesn’t augur well for the new minister. What we need to see is the extension until October at the least . . . and if additional legislation needs to be brought in, we’re open to discussing that with the minister,” he said.
Mr Boyd Barrett said that he had been contacted by constituents whose landlords where threatening to evict them as soon as the ban on evictions lapsed.
Attorney General Paul Gallagher has advised ministers that the legal underpinning for the rent freeze and the eviction ban – which have been in place since the pandemic hit, but are due to lapse today – is uncertain and could be open to challenge in the courts.
Officials are understood to be preparing new legislation to put before the Dáil and Seanad before the end of the month which will clarify the powers of the Government to impose the measures, which will then be extended until the autumn.
Sources briefed on the subject said that the Attorney was “exceptionally worried” about the possibility of a legal challenge to the rent freeze by commercial landlords, though it is understood that there are currently no such legal actions anticipated or before the courts.
Mr O Broin was highly critical, however of the advice from Mr Gallagher. “One of the problems is the Attorney General they’ve appointed,” he said.
He said that “most of the country’s leading scholars on constitutional law” took a less restrictive view of property rights in the constitution than Mr Gallagher apparently does.
He said that Fine Gael and Fianna Fail had appointed Attorneys General who take a much more “conservative with a small c approach to property rights”.
He said that within three weeks of taking office, “Fianna Fail’s housing minister is having a blazing row with Fianna Fail’s Attorney General over whether or not they can protect renters. That worries me about where this government is going to go particularly with this Attorney General’s advice”.


theirishtimes--2020-07-20--Inquest into death of Valerie French Kilroy adjourned

An inquest into the death of mother-of-three Valerie French Kilroy , who was found with a stab wound at her home in Westport last year , was opened and adjourned on Monday .
The State sought to have the hearing , which lasted seven minutes at Mayo ’ s Coroner ’ s Court , adjourned to allow criminal proceedings to take place .
Mrs French Kilroy ( 41 ) was found dead at her home at Kilbree Lower , Westport on June 14th , 2019 .
A postmortem into her death , carried out by State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ association with blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to the neck .
Incised wounds to her hands were a contributory factor .
Last October Mrs French Kilroy ’ s husband James Kilroy was sent forward for trial , charged with her murder .
Det Insp Gary Walsh told the inquest a trial date has been set for February of next year .
Mrs French Kilroy ’ s brother attended the hearing and gave evidence of identifying his sister ’ s remains at the mortuary at Mayo University Hospital the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s family had sought a copy of the postmortem report but coroner Patrick O ’ Connor said the release of any documentation could be prejudicial to the criminal proceedings and he would not be releasing the report .
He exceeded to the State ’ s request to adjourn the inquest , pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings , to July 21st , 2021 .

Valerie French-Kilroy was found dead at a house in the Kilbree area, near Westport, in June 2019.
An inquest into the death of Valerie French-Kilroy, who was found with a stab wound at her home in Westport last year, was opened and adjourned on Monday.
The State sought to have the hearing, which lasted seven minutes at Mayo’s Coroner’s Court, adjourned to allow criminal proceedings to take place.
Ms French-Kilroy (41), who was an occupational therapist and the mother of three young boys, was found dead at her home at Kilbree Lower, Westport on June 14th, 2019.
A postmortem into her death, carried out by State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan found she died from ligature strangulation in association with blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to the neck.
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Incised wounds to her hands were a contributory factor.
Last October her husband, James Kilroy, was sent forward for trial, charged with her murder.
Det Insp Gary Walsh told the inquest a trial date has been set for February 2021.
Ms French-Kilroy's brother attended the hearing and gave evidence of identifying his sister's remains at the mortuary at Mayo University Hospital the day after her death.
The deceased’s family had sought a copy of the postmortem report but coroner Patrick O’Connor said the release of any documentation could be prejudicial to the criminal proceedings and he would not be releasing the report. He exceeded to the State’s request to adjourn the inquest, pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings, to July 21st, 2021.


theirishtimes--2020-07-20--Number of people claiming Covid-19 payment has fallen by almost half

The number of people receiving the Government ’ s special pandemic unemployment payment has fallen by 31,800 in the past week to 313,800 , the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has said .
It said on Monday that in the past fortnight , the number of people closing their claim for the pandemic unemployment payment had dropped by almost 100,000 .
At its peak in early May there were nearly 600,000 people receiving the special Covid unemployment payment .
The department said the main sectors where employees returned to work this week were accommodation and food services ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motor vehicles and motorcycles ; and construction .
It said the largest cohort returning to work were those aged between 35 and 44 .
In addition to the pandemic unemployment payment , an estimated 415,000 people working for about 67,400 employers are having their pay supported by the Government ’ s separate Temporary Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme .
A further 220,900 people were on the live register at the end of June .
The department said this was the third week of operation of the Government ’ s new two-tiered payment structure for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It said the majority of people – 226,300 – would continue to receive the original €350 rate of payment which is 23,500 fewer than last week .
It said 87,500 people will receive the lower €203 rate of payment this week which was 8,300 fewer than last week .
Under the revised payment arrangements those whose average weekly earnings in 2019 or January and February 2020 were less than €200 gross receive a pandemic unemployment payment of €203 .
The department said about three quarters of claimants would continue to receive the original @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protection Heather Humphreys said on Monday that the figures this week showed increasing numbers of people were returning to work as businesses large and small throughout the entire country emerged from the Covid-19 health crisis .
“ This week , I will be announcing initiatives under the Government ’ s July stimulus package aimed specifically at enabling people to move back into employment .
I have been working closely with the officials in my Department and my colleagues in Government on developing a suite of measures that will stimulate the economy and provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ element of the package will be enhancing the supports available to people who have lost employment during this pandemic to assist them back into work as quickly as possible.
” The Minister said while she was pleased with the figures showing greater numbers were returning to work , she was cautious .
“ It is absolutely critical that we heed the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team as everyone is eager to move ahead .
Now is not the time to become complacent and we must continue to follow the advice @ @ @ @

The main sectors where employees are returning to work are accommodation and food services; wholesale and retail trade; construction and the motor trade. Photograph: Getty Images
The number of people receiving the Government's special pandemic unemployment payment has fallen by 31,800 in the past week to 313,800, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has said.
It said on Monday that in the past fortnight, the number of people closing their claim for the pandemic unemployment payment had dropped by almost 100,000.
At its peak in early May there were nearly 600,000 people receiving the special Covid unemployment payment.
The department said the main sectors where employees returned to work this week were accommodation and food services; wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; and construction.
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It said the largest cohort returning to work were those aged between 35 and 44.
In addition to the pandemic unemployment payment, an estimated 415,000 people working for about 67,400 employers are having their pay supported by the Government’s separate Temporary Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme.
A further 220,900 people were on the live register at the end of June.
The department said this was the third week of operation of the Government’s new two-tiered payment structure for people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment.
It said the majority of people – 226,300 – would continue to receive the original €350 rate of payment which is 23,500 fewer than last week.
It said 87,500 people will receive the lower €203 rate of payment this week which was 8,300 fewer than last week.
Under the revised payment arrangements those whose average weekly earnings in 2019 or January and February 2020 were less than €200 gross receive a pandemic unemployment payment of €203.
The department said about three quarters of claimants would continue to receive the original €350 benefit.
The Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said on Monday that the figures this week showed increasing numbers of people were returning to work as businesses large and small throughout the entire country emerged from the Covid-19 health crisis.
“This week, I will be announcing initiatives under the Government’s July stimulus package aimed specifically at enabling people to move back into employment. I have been working closely with the officials in my Department and my colleagues in Government on developing a suite of measures that will stimulate the economy and provide supports to businesses.
“A key element of the package will be enhancing the supports available to people who have lost employment during this pandemic to assist them back into work as quickly as possible.”
The Minister said while she was pleased with the figures showing greater numbers were returning to work, she was cautious.
“It is absolutely critical that we heed the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team as everyone is eager to move ahead. Now is not the time to become complacent and we must continue to follow the advice of Nphet.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-20--Experts warn publication of travel ‘green list’ will create confusion

Experts have warned that a so-called “ green list ” of countries deemed comparatively safe in terms of Covid-19 infection spread will confuse people who might consider the list as informal permission to travel .
On Monday Labour ’ s transport spokesman Duncan Smith said the Government ’ s approach was problematic .
“ Green means go .
They ’ ve gotten the messaging all wrong , ” he told RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland , stressing the need for Ireland not to go backwards in terms of its control of the virus .
The list will include countries with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions to these countries will be eased .
Travellers returning from those countries will not have to self-isolate for 14 days .
However , higher coronavirus infection rates in the popular holiday destinations of Spain , Portugal , Britain and France means these countries are unlikely to be included .
The Government is continuing to warn against non-essential overseas trips .
It said the green list was being prepared for those who can not avoid essential travel and will be kept under regular review .
An announcement had been due to be made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once it became known that Taoiseach Micheál Martin was not expected to return from an EU summit in Brussels until this evening .
Tensions have grown between the three coalition parties over the publication of the list .
Government sources last night confirmed that the list would be reduced to a “ very limited ” number of countries when it is finalised at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday .
Intensive care consultant Dr Catherine Motherway said on Monday that clarity on the issue was needed .
“ I can see why people would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
“ If you don ’ t have to travel , you shouldn ’ t travel.
” Dr Motherway said she understood this was going to be difficult for the tourism industry and said this year people needed to support the travel industry in Ireland and holiday at home .
However , Dr Jack Lambert , consultant in infectious diseases , said there is a need for a list of the type that already exists elsewhere in the EU .
“ People are coming into Ireland whether we like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Today with Sarah McInerney .
“ We actually need to have a plan because Covid is not a short-term problem , it ’ s going to be a long-term problem ; we need to come up with long term solutions.
” Given the potential longevity of the pandemic , Dr Lambert argued for an approach that might include green and red zones , or areas of differing risk for travel .
“ We need to come up with a proactive plan for Ireland that makes sense from a safety standpoint , from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standpoint.
” He said just 12 per cent of current Covid-19 cases in Ireland are imported .
However , on the same programme , south Dublin GP Dr Maitiú Ó Tuathail said the creation of a the list could create confusion .
He said on top of a list of supposedly safe countries and a contradictory appeal not to travel , “ we are then being bombarded with ads ” from Ryanair on over 1,000 available destinations .
“ What I am seeing in my surgery is people that are completely confused .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a completely mixed message ... it needs to be simplified , ” he said .
He said overseas holidays should not be taken and essential travel could be clarified to personal or business emergencies , such as visiting a sick relative living abroad .
Meanwhile , as frustration mounts over the delay in its publication , political tensions have also grown between the three coalition parties .
It is understood the list , when eventually published , will include a very limited number of countries .

Ireland is set to publish a list of safe countries to travel to but Government advice remains that all unnecessary international travel should be avoided. Photograph: iStock
Experts have warned that a so-called “green list” of countries deemed comparatively safe in terms of Covid-19 infection spread will confuse people who might consider the list as informal permission to travel.
On Monday Labour's transport spokesman Duncan Smith said the Government's approach was problematic.
"Green means go. They've gotten the messaging all wrong," he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland, stressing the need for Ireland not to go backwards in terms of its control of the virus.
The list will include countries with similar coronavirus infection rates to Ireland travel restrictions to these countries will be eased.
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Travellers returning from those countries will not have to self-isolate for 14 days.
However, higher coronavirus infection rates in the popular holiday destinations of Spain, Portugal, Britain and France means these countries are unlikely to be included.
The Government is continuing to warn against non-essential overseas trips.
It said the green list was being prepared for those who cannot avoid essential travel and will be kept under regular review.
An announcement had been due to be made today but was deferred for 24 hours once it became known that Taoiseach Micheál Martin was not expected to return from an EU summit in Brussels until this evening.
Tensions have grown between the three coalition parties over the publication of the list.
Government sources last night confirmed that the list would be reduced to a “very limited” number of countries when it is finalised at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Intensive care consultant Dr Catherine Motherway said on Monday that clarity on the issue was needed.
“I can see why people would find the ‘green list’ confusing,” she said. “If you don’t have to travel, you shouldn’t travel.”
Dr Motherway said she understood this was going to be difficult for the tourism industry and said this year people needed to support the travel industry in Ireland and holiday at home.
Increase
However, Dr Jack Lambert, consultant in infectious diseases, said there is a need for a list of the type that already exists elsewhere in the EU.
“People are coming into Ireland whether we like it or not,” he told Today with Sarah McInerney.
“We actually need to have a plan because Covid is not a short-term problem, it’s going to be a long-term problem; we need to come up with long term solutions.”
Given the potential longevity of the pandemic, Dr Lambert argued for an approach that might include green and red zones, or areas of differing risk for travel.
“We need to come up with a proactive plan for Ireland that makes sense from a safety standpoint, from a psychological standpoint, and from an economic standpoint.”
He said just 12 per cent of current Covid-19 cases in Ireland are imported.
However, on the same programme, south Dublin GP Dr Maitiú Ó Tuathail said the creation of a the list could create confusion.
He said on top of a list of supposedly safe countries and a contradictory appeal not to travel, “we are then being bombarded with ads” from Ryanair on over 1,000 available destinations.
“What I am seeing in my surgery is people that are completely confused. I’m confused. It’s a completely mixed message...it needs to be simplified,” he said.
He said overseas holidays should not be taken and essential travel could be clarified to personal or business emergencies, such as visiting a sick relative living abroad.
Meanwhile, as frustration mounts over the delay in its publication, political tensions have also grown between the three coalition parties.
It is understood the list, when eventually published, will include a very limited number of countries.


theirishtimes--2020-07-20--Dublin construction site closes after workers test positive for coronavirus

A construction site in central Dublin has closed down temporarily on Monday after a number of building workers tested positive for coronavirus .
The building company , John Paul Construction , said that initially one employee had been found to have contracted the coronavirus but following testing it has been confirmed that others were also affected .
The site involved is understood to be a hotel and apartment complex at Townsend St in Dublin City centre .
In the statement , John Paul Construction said : “ Following confirmation that a staff member on one of our construction sites in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comprehensive testing has identified a number of additional positive cases .
“ We have followed the specific advice of the HSE and the Health and Safety Authority at all times in relation to this matter and are assisting the HSE in arranging further tests as required .
We have temporarily closed the site as advised by the HSE.
” The company said the health , safety and wellbeing of it workers and the communities in which it operated was its top priority “ and we wish those affected a speedy recovery ” .

‘We have temporarily closed the site as advised by the HSE.’ File photograph: The Irish Times
A coronavirus outbreak on a construction site in Dublin city centre is the first significant Covid-19 cluster on a building site during the pandemic, the State’s highest ranking public health official has said.
The State's acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said that the outbreak was the "first significant cluster on a construction site to date" during the Covid-19 pandemic.
There had been more than 20 cases identified with the outbreak and that a number of other workers on the building site have been tested and were awaiting results.
Speaking at the National Public Health Emergency Team briefing, Dr Glynn referred to the building site outbreak to urge employers across the construction industry and other workplaces to look at their health and safety protocols to avoid the spread of the virus.
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The construction site in central Dublin was closed down temporarily on Monday after building workers tested positive for coronavirus.
The building company, John Paul Construction, said initially one employee had been found to have contracted the coronavirus but following testing it has been confirmed that others were also affected.
The site involved is understood to be a hotel and apartment complex at Townsend Street in Dublin City centre.
In the statement, John Paul Construction said: “Following confirmation that a staff member on one of our construction sites in Dublin had tested positive for Covid-19, comprehensive testing has identified a number of additional positive cases.
"We have followed the specific advice of the HSE and the Health and Safety Authority at all times in relation to this matter and are assisting the HSE in arranging further tests as required. We have temporarily closed the site as advised by the HSE."
The company said the health, safety and wellbeing of it workers and the communities in which it operated was its top priority “and we wish those affected a speedy recovery”.
Meanwhile a Labour Party councillor has called for testing for Covid-19 to be made available to local residents living near the building site .
Kevin Donoghue, who represents Dublin south east inner city, said workers on the construction project "would have been using shops locally during breaks etc and we need to be ready to test local residents who might be impacted by this".
“Measures should be put in place to allow all residents in the area who are concerned to get tested immediately.”
The Construction Industry Federation said the "robust standard operating procedure and tracing systems, agreed by Government, industry and unions" were working .
“The system is evidently identifying cases of people with Covid-19 and identifying any close contacts and then requesting that they self-isolate. Before these systems were in place, anyone with Covid-19 could have been travelling between communities and work unbeknownst that they were potentially spreading infection. “
It said its message to people in the construction sector was to redouble their efforts to focus on hand hygiene and social distancing and follow the standard operating procedure rigorously.
“If it is not safe, stop and identify any issue to a Covid Compliance officer so action can be taken. These measures are still the most effective way to ensure Covid-19 stays out of construction sites. “
The CIF is also calling on its members and the wider industry continue to follow the SOP rigorously and encourage their employees to follow hygiene guidelines and obey social distancing protocols at home, at work; and in the community particularly as we approach builders’ holidays to ensure Covid-19 is not unknowingly introduced onto construction sites.


theirishtimes--2020-07-20--People who travel abroad warned they will have no insurance cover

People who travel outside of Ireland have been warned they will invalidate their travel insurance even if the country they visit is on the so-called green list of safe countries due to be published by the Government .
Travel insurance exclusions denying cover to people who travel contrary to official guidance are the norm across the sector and as it stands the advice from the Government is that non-essential journeys overseas should be avoided .
The publication of the green list will not change that advice and an insurance industry group said this meant that anyone who decides to travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This could create complications should a policy holder fall ill or be the victim of a crime while abroad .
While those in possession of a European Health Insurance Card ( EHIC ) will be able to access medical care in most public hospitals in Europe , they will have to bear the costs of private treatments or repatriation , which can run to tens of thousands , if it is necessary .
They will also have no cover for lost bags , criminal damage or cancelled flights while they are overseas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be travellers planning on booking a holiday to a green list country “ to check with their insurer as to whether they are covered first ” .
A spokeswoman for the group pointed out that a green list “ does not equate to a relaxation ” of the guideline stating non-essential travel is to be avoided .
“ Government advice still remains that only essential travel should be undertaken and we await further clarity on any change to this position , ” she said .
The Government plans to ease travel restrictions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the green list of countries with similar coronavirus infection rates to Ireland .
Travellers returning from those countries will not have to self-isolate for 14 days .
Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary said the green list was being created because the State would be living with Covid-19 for some time and that there had to be a structure for business travel and for people coming into Ireland .
Ryanair at the weekend said it was “ absolutely not ” putting its business interests ahead of public health concerns and that “ travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes to the spread of Covid-19 .
The airline ’ s chief executive Eddie Wilson criticised the Government for what he said was its “ half baked quarantine ” rule and he called for travel restrictions to be lifted for countries across the EU , with the exception of Sweden .
He denied that he was making the call to protect Ryanair and expressed concern for Irish tourism operators who , he told RTÉ ’ s The Business , were facing bankruptcy unless visitors from overseas were allowed to travel to the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @

People who travel outside of Ireland have been warned they will invalidate their travel insurance even if the country they visit is on the so-called green list of safe countries due to be published by the Government.
Travel insurance exclusions denying cover to people who travel contrary to official guidance are the norm across the sector and as it stands the advice from the Government is that non-essential journeys overseas should be avoided.
The publication of the green list will not change that advice and an insurance industry group said this meant that anyone who decides to travel overseas will be doing so without cover. This could create complications should a policy holder fall ill or be the victim of a crime while abroad.
While those in possession of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will be able to access medical care in most public hospitals in Europe, they will have to bear the costs of private treatments or repatriation, which can run to tens of thousands, if it is necessary. They will also have no cover for lost bags, criminal damage or cancelled flights while they are overseas.
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Insurance Ireland has advised all would be travellers planning on booking a holiday to a green list country “to check with their insurer as to whether they are covered first”.
A spokeswoman for the group pointed out that a green list “does not equate to a relaxation” of the guideline stating non-essential travel is to be avoided.
“Government advice still remains that only essential travel should be undertaken and we await further clarity on any change to this position,” she said.
The Government plans to ease travel restrictions to and from some countries with the publication of the green list of countries with similar coronavirus infection rates to Ireland. Travellers returning from those countries will not have to self-isolate for 14 days.
Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary said the green list was being created because the State would be living with Covid-19 for some time and that there had to be a structure for business travel and for people coming into Ireland.
Ryanair at the weekend said it was “absolutely not” putting its business interests ahead of public health concerns and that “travel is not the bogeyman” when it comes to the spread of Covid-19.
The airline’s chief executive Eddie Wilson criticised the Government for what he said was its “half baked quarantine” rule and he called for travel restrictions to be lifted for countries across the EU, with the exception of Sweden.
He denied that he was making the call to protect Ryanair and expressed concern for Irish tourism operators who, he told RTÉ’s The Business, were facing bankruptcy unless visitors from overseas were allowed to travel to the country unimpeded by any Covid-19 related restrictions.


theirishtimes--2020-07-20--Funeral of Ruth Morrissey to take place on Wednesday

The funeral of CervicalCheck campaigner Ruth Morrissey is to take place in Limerick on Wednesday .
Ms Morrissey ( 39 ) , who died on Sunday following a prolonged battle with cancer , had sued the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) and two laboratories over the misreading of smear test results .
An 11am Requiem Mass at the Mary Magdalene Church in Monaleen will be livestreamed and followed by private cremation .
A death notice on Monday said Ms Morrissey had died peacefully at the Milford Care Centre , surrounded by family .
In compliance with current guidelines regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to family and close friends and the house will remain strictly private .
Ms Morrissey is survived by her husband Paul and daughter Libby .
Following her death , Mr Morrissey noted that the State had never apologised for what had happened as a result of the misreading of his wife ’ s smear tests .
“ Ruth had a sparkle to her smile , her wit and her intelligence , ” he said in a statement issued by solicitor Cian O ’ Carroll .
“ That sparkle made her wonderful company and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generously to anyone who knew her.
” The High Court had heard that Ms Morrissey was not told until 2018 that a review carried out in 2014 showed smears taken under the CervicalCheck screening programme in 2009 and 2012 had been incorrectly reported .
Her cancer returned in 2018 .
The Quest Diagnostics and Medlab laboratories , as well as the HSE , had appealed aspects of the 2019 High Court judgment of Mr Justice Kevin Cross .
This was regarded as a test case concerning the standard of care in cervical screening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
On Monday , cancer survivor Lorraine Walsh , who knew Ms Morrissey , said it was a sad day for the women of Ireland and all those who had been affected by the cervical cancer scandal .
“ Ruth was a kind gentle lady .
She was a real lady , ” she told RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland programme .
“ She fought a really hard battle for herself and for all the rest of us but sadly she lost that battle to this horrible disease.
” Ms Walsh said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day of her life for the last number of years , bringing her case to the High Court and then to the Supreme Court .
“ I am just sad for Ruth that she had to spend so long of the last two years of her life fighting for what was right and fighting for the truth and fighting for justice when she should have been spending that time with her lovely husband and her gorgeous daughter Libby.
” She said that even two years on from the revelations , the HSE and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court .
Mr Morrissey , she said , had just “ lost his whole life ” as a consequence of what had happened and is “ bitter and angry I ’ m sure for being robbed ” .

The funeral of CervicalCheck campaigner Ruth Morrissey is to take place in Limerick on Wednesday.
Ms Morrissey (39), who died on Sunday following a prolonged battle with cancer, had sued the Health Service Executive (HSE) and two laboratories over the misreading of smear test results.
An 11am Requiem Mass at the Mary Magdalene Church in Monaleen will be livestreamed and followed by private cremation.
A death notice on Monday said Ms Morrissey had died peacefully at the Milford Care Centre, surrounded by family.
READ MORE
In compliance with current guidelines regarding Covid-19, the funeral will be confined to family and close friends and the house will remain strictly private. Ms Morrissey is survived by her husband Paul and daughter Libby.
Following her death, Mr Morrissey noted that the State had never apologised for what had happened as a result of the misreading of his wife's smear tests.
“Ruth had a sparkle to her smile, her wit and her intelligence,” he said in a statement issued by solicitor Cian O’Carroll . “That sparkle made her wonderful company and her friendship was a gift she gave generously to anyone who knew her.”
The High Court had heard that Ms Morrissey was not told until 2018 that a review carried out in 2014 showed smears taken under the CervicalCheck screening programme in 2009 and 2012 had been incorrectly reported. Her cancer returned in 2018.
The Quest Diagnostics and Medlab laboratories, as well as the HSE, had appealed aspects of the 2019 High Court judgment of Mr Justice Kevin Cross. This was regarded as a test case concerning the standard of care in cervical screening which has provoked considerable controversy in recent years.
On Monday, cancer survivor Lorraine Walsh, who knew Ms Morrissey, said it was a sad day for the women of Ireland and all those who had been affected by the cervical cancer scandal.
“Ruth was a kind gentle lady. She was a real lady,” she told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland programme. “She fought a really hard battle for herself and for all the rest of us but sadly she lost that battle to this horrible disease.”
Ms Walsh said the State had fought Ms Morrissey every day of her life for the last number of years, bringing her case to the High Court and then to the Supreme Court.
“I am just sad for Ruth that she had to spend so long of the last two years of her life fighting for what was right and fighting for the truth and fighting for justice when she should have been spending that time with her lovely husband and her gorgeous daughter Libby.”
She said that even two years on from the revelations, the HSE and the State continued to fight women in court.
Mr Morrissey, she said, had just “lost his whole life” as a consequence of what had happened and is “bitter and angry I’m sure for being robbed”.


theirishtimes--2020-07-20--Alliance health spokeswoman now not going on holiday to Italy

The Alliance party ’ s health spokeswoman has said she will not take a family holiday to Italy while official guidance continues to advise against non-essential travel .
Paula Bradshaw , who is an MLA for South Belfast and a member of the Stormont health committee , had earlier defended her decision to take a holiday , telling RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland the guidance was “ advice , it ’ s not something that we ’ re mandated to do ” .
In a statement on Monday , she said that “ like many people , I have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italy .
“ I should be clear when I said I would operate within the guidance , that obviously includes not travelling if the regulations and guidance at the time state I should not do so .
That is currently the case .
“ It is important everyone , particularly in representative roles , adheres both to the spirit and letter of that guidance , ” she said .
She also said on social media that while she had “ initially booked to travel this Saturday , but my journey is not ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible within the current guidance .
“ I love Italy , and look forward to travelling there again when it is safe to do so !
” The NI Direct government website states that people are “ strongly advised not to book foreign travel or travel abroad unless it is essential.
” Ms Bradshaw , who sits on the Health Committee in Stormont , had said that guidelines in the North have not yet been signed off because full information was not available .
There were “ massive absurdities ” around the issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be taken such as temperature testing and contact tracing .
A consistent approach was required for the whole of the island of Ireland , she said .

Paula Bradshaw: “I love Italy, and look forward to travelling there again when it is safe to do so!” File photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
The health spokesperson of Northern Ireland’s Alliance Party has said she will not go on holiday while guidance against non-essential travel remains in place.
Paula Bradshaw revealed in radio interviews on Monday that she intended to travel to Italy for a family holiday on Saturday, saying the guidance was "advice, it's not something that we're mandated to do."
However Ms Bradshaw changed her position in a statement issued shortly afterwards. “I should be clear,” she said, “when I said I would operate within the guidance, that obviously includes not travelling if the regulations and guidance at the time state I should not do so. That is currently the case.
“It is important everyone, particularly in representative roles, adheres both to the spirit and letter of that guidance,” she said.
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The NI Direct government website states that people are “strongly advised not to book foreign travel or travel abroad unless it is essential.”
However Italy is included on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s list of countries which are exempt from the restrictions on essential travel, and people returning to the UK from Italy are not required to self-quarantine for 14 days.
The North’s First Minister, Arlene Foster, said it was “not up to me to tell people should they go or should they not go.”
It is understood Ms Bradshaw, who is an MLA for South Belfast and a member of the Stormont health committee, made the decision independently after discussion with her family, and was not instructed to do so by her party.
The Irish Times was unable to make contact with Ms Bradshaw on Monday.
The Alliance Party leader, Naomi Long, said on Twitter that Ms Bradshaw had “said she would follow the regs [regulations] and guidance and I have no doubt she will. Like most of us, you can’t know what that is until the day prior to travel.”
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Ms Foster said there were around 60 countries on Northern Ireland’s so-called green list which people were permitted to travel to and from without the need for self-isolation.
“If they have booked a holiday and they [the country] are on the green or amber list then they can go without having to quarantine when they come back.
“Whether they go or not is entirely a matter for their own judgment,” she said.
Ms Bradshaw told RTÉ's Morning Ireland that she and her family were due to travel to Italy on Saturday, departing from Dublin airport.
On their return they will “go straight to the car park and head north” and will follow guidelines in their home town.
“We will do what is needed to protect everyone,” she said.
When asked about the Government advice not to travel unless it was essential, Ms Bradshaw replied: “It’s advice, it’s not something that we’re mandated to do.”
Her family will perform their civic duty when they return, she said. Ms Bradshaw said her 17-year-old daughter works as a cleaner in a care home and she will self-quarantine on her return.
“We won’t put anyone in jeopardy.”
Ms Bradshaw said that guidelines in the North have not yet been signed off because full information was not available. There were “massive absurdities” around the issue, but there were measures that could be taken such as temperature testing and contact tracing.
A consistent approach was required for the whole of the island of Ireland, she said.
She told BBC Radio Ulster’s Stephen Nolan Show that she was “not breaking any laws”, adding that “the guidance is there around all of those measures and we as a family have weighed it up.” -Additional reporting PA.


theirishtimes--2020-07-20--Thousands of health and community staff to step up campaign over pay restoration

Thousands of staff in State-funded organisations providing health and social services as well as community employment scheme supervisors are to step up campaigns over pay restoration and pensions , the trade union Siptu has said .
Both groups staged industrial action in February just before the country was hit by the coronavirus pandemic .
Meetings are expected to be held this week to map out an updated campaign .
Siptu said “ strong and concentrated action ” was needed from the Government to deal with long standing issues facing workers in the community and voluntary sector .
Siptu deputy general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said securing pay and pension justice for workers in community services remained “ very much unfinished business ” .
Staff in organisations which receive grant aid to provide services from the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) - known technically as Section 39 bodies - are seeking the restoration of pay which was cut following the economic crash nearly a decade ago .
Unions contend that while Section 39 organisations were urged to cut staff pay in line with reductions in remuneration to public servants during the austerity years , the personnel involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direct State employees .
Community employment supervisors want the Government to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation to give them access to an occupational pension scheme .
Mr King said : “ Over the next number of weeks , we intend to intensify our campaign for pay and pensions justice .
.
We have seen throughout the Covid-19 crisis community employment supervisors putting their shoulders to the wheel and keeping essential community services going across the country .
Section 39 workers have also stepped up and continued to provide frontline social and health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our society .
It is time these essential workers are valued , respected for the contribution they make and that it is recognised by the Government that these workers have a right to pay restoration and pension provision in line with the improvements secured in recent years by public service workers and across the private sector.
” Siptu community sector organiser Eddie Mullins said the community sector had long been the “ forgotten sector ” which had experienced disproportionate cuts during the years of austerity .
“ Before the Covid-19 outbreak , hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers came together for a national day of protest to highlight the failure of the last Government to deal with our members outstanding pay and pension claims .
This issue is not going away , ” he said .
In April 2018 , the then minister of state at the department of public expenditure Michael D ’ Arcy said community employment supervisors were employees of private companies and not of the State .
He said it could cost the State up to €188 million a year to pay for pensions for staff in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as a further €318 million for ex gratia lump sums .
In a note to the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee earlier this month the Department of Health said in October 2018 , a deal was reached at the Workplace Relations Commission ( WRC ) on pay restoration for staff in 50 Section 39 organisations on a pilot basis .
It said this process commenced in April 2019 with further payments due in October 2020 and October 2021 as appropriate .
However it indicated that there had been no developments in relation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organisations .
“ There had been initial engagements in recent months between the parties on this matter under the auspices of the WRC .
HSE management has indicated its willingness to undertake the preparatory work around implementation of pay restoration for this next group .
The HSE has also confirmed the following : • A dedicated resource was assigned to this work from January 2020 .
• The HSE are considering which bodies might form a ‘ phase 2 ’ of pay restoration .
• It is intended to use the learning from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this process .
“ However , despite the engagement that took place , it was not possible to reach an agreement .
Management remain available and committed to the process .
It is hoped that when the demands of the pandemic allow , engagement at the WRC can be reconvened .
”

Thousands of staff in State-funded organisations providing health and social services as well as community employment scheme supervisors are to step up campaigns over pay restoration and pensions, the trade union Siptu has said.
Both groups staged industrial action in February just before the country was hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Meetings are expected to be held this week to map out an updated campaign.
Siptu said “strong and concentrated action” was needed from the Government to deal with long standing issues facing workers in the community and voluntary sector.
READ MORE
Siptu deputy general secretary for the public service John King said securing pay and pension justice for workers in community services remained "very much unfinished business".
Staff in organisations which receive grant aid to provide services from the Health Service Executive (HSE) - known technically as Section 39 bodies - are seeking the restoration of pay which was cut following the economic crash nearly a decade ago.
Unions contend that while Section 39 organisations were urged to cut staff pay in line with reductions in remuneration to public servants during the austerity years, the personnel involved have not seen pay restoration, unlike direct State employees.
Community employment supervisors want the Government to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation to give them access to an occupational pension scheme.
Mr King said: “Over the next number of weeks, we intend to intensify our campaign for pay and pensions justice. . We have seen throughout the Covid-19 crisis community employment supervisors putting their shoulders to the wheel and keeping essential community services going across the country. Section 39 workers have also stepped up and continued to provide frontline social and health services to the most vulnerable people in our society. It is time these essential workers are valued, respected for the contribution they make and that it is recognised by the Government that these workers have a right to pay restoration and pension provision in line with the improvements secured in recent years by public service workers and across the private sector.”
‘Forgotten sector’
Siptu community sector organiser Eddie Mullins said the community sector had long been the "forgotten sector" which had experienced disproportionate cuts during the years of austerity.
“Before the Covid-19 outbreak, hundreds of community employment supervisors and Section 39 workers came together for a national day of protest to highlight the failure of the last Government to deal with our members outstanding pay and pension claims. This issue is not going away,” he said.
In April 2018, the then minister of state at the department of public expenditure Michael D’Arcy said community employment supervisors were employees of private companies and not of the State. He said it could cost the State up to €188 million a year to pay for pensions for staff in exchequer funded community and voluntary organisations, as well as a further €318 million for ex gratia lump sums.
In a note to the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee earlier this month the Department of Health said in October 2018, a deal was reached at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on pay restoration for staff in 50 Section 39 organisations on a pilot basis. It said this process commenced in April 2019 with further payments due in October 2020 and October 2021 as appropriate.
However it indicated that there had been no developments in relation to staff in about 250 other Section 39 organisations .
“There had been initial engagements in recent months between the parties on this matter under the auspices of the WRC. HSE management has indicated its willingness to undertake the preparatory work around implementation of pay restoration for this next group. The HSE has also confirmed the following:
A dedicated resource was assigned to this work from January 2020.
The HSE are considering which bodies might form a 'phase 2' of pay restoration.
It is intended to use the learning from the first 50 pilot organisations to streamline this process.
“However, despite the engagement that took place, it was not possible to reach an agreement. Management remain available and committed to the process. It is hoped that when the demands of the pandemic allow, engagement at the WRC can be reconvened.”