theirishtimes--2020-09-29--Demolition of historic home of The O’Rahilly in Dublin begins

Work has begun on the demolition of 40 Herbert Park , Ballsbridge , the former home of The O ’ Rahilly , the only leader to have been killed fighting during the 1916 Rising .
The demolition , to make way for an apartment and hotel development of up to 12 storeys has been compared to the “ the demolition of the Anne Frank House in the Netherlands ” .
Numbers 36 and 38 have already been demolished but several houses of similar vintage and style at numbers 1-34 Herbert Park are included on Dublin City Council ’ s Record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a development company owned by the McSharry and Kennedy families , which also owns the Herbert Park Hotel , had applied to An Bord Pleanala under the Strategic Housing Initiative , for the aparthotel extension and 105 apartments fronting on to Herbert Park .
The development was approved last month by the board despite objections from Dublin City Councillors , local residents , 1916 relatives and the O ’ Rahilly ’ s grandson Proinsias Ó Rathaille .
Dublin City Councillor Deirdre Conroy who opposed the demolition of the O ’ Rahilly house said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the 1916 rebellion , and she could not understand how it had not been listed for preservation .
She said the demolition of The O ’ Rahilly House was comparable to the authorities in the Netherlands potentially permitting “ the demolition of the Anne Frank house on the grounds that it was only a terraced house.
” Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh described the demolition as “ a wanton act of vandalism on our culture and historical heritage ” .
An Taisce , the national heritage body told the planning board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the historic association with Michael Joseph O ’ Rahilly .
The An Taisce Top Ten buildings at Risk in Ireland 2020 list published this July , included two in Dublin , the Iveagh Markets , a former indoor market building in the Liberties in Dublin 8 and the The House by the Churchyard , in Chapilizod , Dublin 20 .
In his online publication The Irish Aesthete the architectural historian Robert O ’ Byrne notes : “ This is the eponymous House by the Churchyard , standing – just about – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laurence ’ s Church ” which gave its name to Sheridan Le Fanu ’ s novel .
It is believed to date from about 1740 .

The O’Rahilly home in Herbert Park, Dublin should not have been demolished Taoiseach Micheal Martin has told the Dáil.
Early on Tuesday morning work began on the demolition of 40 Herbert Park, Ballsbridge, the former home of The O’Rahilly, the only leader to have been killed fighting during the 1916 Rising. The demolition is to make way for an apartment and hotel development of up to 12 storeys.
Mr Martin said “iconic and historic locations such as this should be preserved or at a minimum incorporated into any new developments”.
File photograph of Proinsias O’Rathaille, grandson of The O’Rahilly, outside the house.Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
He told Aontu TD Peadar Toibin “I don’t believe that buildings of this historic value should be demolished in such a manner”.
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Derryroe Ltd, a development company owned by the McSharry and Kennedy families, which also owns the Herbert Park Hotel, had applied to An Bord Pleanala under the Strategic Housing Initiative, for the aparthotel extension and 105 apartments fronting on to Herbert Park.
The development was approved by the board despite objections from Dublin City Councillors, local residents, 1916 relatives and the O’Rahilly’s grandson Proinsias Ó Rathaille.
Mr Toibin asked “why wasn’t there one Minister to stand up for that building before it was demolished”.
Mr Martin said there had been exhaustive discussions involving TDs and Senators about Moore Street, a key location in the 1916 Rising with a conclusion that “I think could enable the derelictions to end, the locations to be restored in an historically appropriate way and development to occur as well.
“It took a long time in terms of Moore Street and I think something similar should have happened here in my view.
Mr Toibin said “today that building lies in rubble. In a shocking act of cultural vandalism at 6.30 this morning against the motion passed by Dublin City Council with regards listing that particular building, the developer demolished it.”
File photograph of Proinsias O’Rathaille, grandson of The O’Rahilly, outside the house.Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
The O’Rahilly’s home was the location of much of the planning and development during the 1916 revolutionary period, he said.
He said that the Asgard gun running was organised there along with a lot of the events in the 1916 Rising and Cumann na mBan was founded there.
Numbers 36 and 38 have already been demolished but several houses of similar vintage and style at numbers 1-34 Herbert Park are included on Dublin City Council’s Record of Protected Structures.
Dublin City Councillor Deirdre Conroy who opposed the demolition of the O’Rahilly house said it would certainly have hosted planning meetings for the 1916 rebellion, and she could not understand how it had not been listed for preservation.
She said the demolition of The O’Rahilly House was comparable to the authorities in the Netherlands potentially permitting “the demolition of the Anne Frank house on the grounds that it was only a terraced house.”
Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh described the demolition as “a wanton act of vandalism on our culture and historical heritage”.
An Taisce, the national heritage body told the planning board the house has historic and social significance due to the historic association with Michael Joseph O’Rahilly.
The An Taisce Top Ten buildings at Risk in Ireland 2020 list published this July, included two in Dublin, the Iveagh Markets, a former indoor market building in the Liberties in Dublin 8 and the The House by the Churchyard, in Chapilizod, Dublin 20.
In his online publication The Irish Aesthete the architectural historian Robert O’Byrne notes : “This is the eponymous House by the Churchyard, standing – just about – outside the gates of the adjacent St Laurence’s Church” which gave its name to Sheridan Le Fanu’s novel. It is believed to date from about 1740.


theirishtimes--2020-09-29--Irish Water criticised by advisory body for lack of progress on discharges and leakage

Irish Water has been strongly criticised for failing to adequately address discharges of untreated sewage at many locations around the country and making insufficient progress on addressing massive leakage in water supply systems .
The findings are in the latest report of the Water Advisory Body ( WAB ) which advises the Minister for Housing , Planning and Local Government on measures needed to improve transparency and accountability in the utility and progress on investment .
The pace at which Irish Water is fixing “ the legacy of deficiencies in Ireland ’ s waste water treatment infrastructure is too slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment for many areas ” , concludes its report for the second quarter of 2020 published on Tuesday .
A total of 19 large towns and cities do not meet EU standards set to protect the environment “ while 33 towns and villages will continue discharging raw sewage after 2021 because they will still not have a waste water treatment plant , ” it finds .
WAB chairman Paul McGowan , noted : “ Work around leakage needs to be linked to effective and clear communication around the continuous need for water conservation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the sun shines .
The concurrent impact of Covid-19 and the recent drought have given a stark reminder of Ireland ’ s water capacity challenges.
” Leakage : Irish Water acknowledges leakage from its “ water supply networks is at unacceptable levels and well above international norms ” ; Fixing leaks : The “ First Fix Scheme ” shows “ a continued and disappointing drop-off in the number of leak repairs completed since mid-2016 ” ; Boil Water Notices : The WAB “ notes with concern the trends for long term boil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – the notices are required where contamination , such as the presence of bacteria or a pathogen , poses a health risk ; Urban waste water treatment : Overall compliance is very low though there is an increase in the percentage of urban areas meeting licence standards .
More than half of the 75 per cent non-compliance , however , can be attributed to Ringsend waste water treatment plant , which treats some 40 per cent of Ireland ’ s public waste water but is operating at over capacity and not in compliance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was built to cater for 1.6 million people while more than €400 million is being spend on upgrading it , increasing its capacity to 2.1 million .
While quality of treated waste water will improve as upgrade works proceed , it is “ not expected to start meeting the required standards until the end of 2022 at the earliest ” .
The WAB welcomes progress on mains replacement with 407km of watermains in 2018 and 333km in 2019 being replaced or rehabilitated – “ a substantial increase compared to 2017 ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ very high ” .
Multiple failures last year at the Leixlip water treatment plant – which provides much of the Dublin region and parts of Kildare and Meath with drinking water – highlighted the serious lack of resilience in Irish water supplies , it warns .
The WAB highlights the urgent need to complete installation of ultraviolet disinfection at the “ old ” Leixlip Water Treatment Plant “ to ensure greater security of supply to the Greater Dublin Area ” .
“ The growing uncertainty in Irish Water ’ s planning and delivery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is undermining confidence in the security of supply of safe drinking water.
” The WAB chairman underlined the need for the utility to make better progress on its strategic investments .
“ Waste water compliance , leakage and funding have emerged as being critically important in terms of Irish Water demonstrating clear progress to address known deficiencies in the water and waste water systems , but also to demonstrate to the EU , the Oireachtas and the public that concrete progress is being made to address these deficiencies , ” Mr McGowan added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irish Water must address consistently and progressively , the report underlines .
“ This is important to demonstrate to the public that concrete actions are being taken to address the serious capacity issues in the provision of water .
By addressing leakage it is the body ’ s view that the public will have more confidence in the need for the investment required to address critical water supply capacity issues , particularly in the eastern/Dublin region.
” Irish Water must “ demonstrate it is delivering outputs and outcomes that benefit customers , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WAB accepts it requires significant and sustained financing to deliver its capital investment programme , and acknowledges Covid-19 and other uncertainties create financial impacts .
“ Unlike other utilities such as ESB Networks or Gas Networks Ireland , Irish Water largely depends on Exchequer financing for the funding of its operations and capital investment programme .
The certainty and year-to-year flexibility of that funding will have a significant impact on the delivery of these desired outcomes.
” Irish Water said it would respond to the report later today .

Ringsend waste water treatment plant treats some 40 per cent of Ireland’s public waste water but is operating at over capacity and not in compliance with national and EU environmental regulations.
Irish Water has been strongly criticised for failing to adequately address discharges of untreated sewage at many locations around the country and making insufficient progress on addressing massive leakage in water supply systems.
The findings are in the latest report of the Water Advisory Body (WAB) which advises the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government on measures needed to improve transparency and accountability in the utility and progress on investment.
The pace at which Irish Water is fixing “the legacy of deficiencies in Ireland’s waste water treatment infrastructure is too slow and there are repeated delays in providing treatment for many areas”, concludes its report for the second quarter of 2020 published on Tuesday.
A total of 19 large towns and cities do not meet EU standards set to protect the environment “while 33 towns and villages will continue discharging raw sewage after 2021 because they will still not have a waste water treatment plant,” it finds.
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WAB chairman Paul McGowan, noted: “Work around leakage needs to be linked to effective and clear communication around the continuous need for water conservation and this (is )regardless of when the sun shines. The concurrent impact of Covid-19 and the recent drought have given a stark reminder of Ireland’s water capacity challenges.”
In evaluating 11 performance indicators, key findings include:
Leakage: Irish Water acknowledges leakage from its "water supply networks is at unacceptable levels and well above international norms";
Fixing leaks: The "First Fix Scheme" shows "a continued and disappointing drop-off in the number of leak repairs completed since mid-2016";
Boil Water Notices: The WAB "notes with concern the trends for long term boil water notices highlighted by the EPA" – the notices are required where contamination, such as the presence of bacteria or a pathogen, poses a health risk;
Urban waste water treatment : Overall compliance is very low though there is an increase in the percentage of urban areas meeting licence standards.
Ringsend waste water treatment plant
More than half of the 75 per cent non-compliance, however, can be attributed to Ringsend waste water treatment plant, which treats some 40 per cent of Ireland’s public waste water but is operating at over capacity and not in compliance with national and EU environmental regulations.
It was built to cater for 1.6 million people while more than €400 million is being spend on upgrading it, increasing its capacity to 2.1 million. While quality of treated waste water will improve as upgrade works proceed, it is “not expected to start meeting the required standards until the end of 2022 at the earliest”.
The WAB welcomes progress on mains replacement with 407km of watermains in 2018 and 333km in 2019 being replaced or rehabilitated – “a substantial increase compared to 2017”. Meanwhile compliance with microbiological indicators “remains very high”.
Multiple failures last year at the Leixlip water treatment plant – which provides much of the Dublin region and parts of Kildare and Meath with drinking water – highlighted the serious lack of resilience in Irish water supplies, it warns.
The WAB highlights the urgent need to complete installation of ultraviolet disinfection at the “old” Leixlip Water Treatment Plant “to ensure greater security of supply to the Greater Dublin Area”.
“The growing uncertainty in Irish Water’s planning and delivery of critical improvements to water treatment plants is undermining confidence in the security of supply of safe drinking water.”
The WAB chairman underlined the need for the utility to make better progress on its strategic investments. "Waste water compliance, leakage and funding have emerged as being critically important in terms of Irish Water demonstrating clear progress to address known deficiencies in the water and waste water systems, but also to demonstrate to the EU, the Oireachtas and the public that concrete progress is being made to address these deficiencies," Mr McGowan added.
Leakage
Leakage is a key metric that Irish Water must address consistently and progressively, the report underlines. “This is important to demonstrate to the public that concrete actions are being taken to address the serious capacity issues in the provision of water. By addressing leakage it is the body’s view that the public will have more confidence in the need for the investment required to address critical water supply capacity issues, particularly in the eastern/Dublin region.”
Irish Water must “demonstrate it is delivering outputs and outcomes that benefit customers, the environment and society”, but the WAB accepts it requires significant and sustained financing to deliver its capital investment programme, and acknowledges Covid-19 and other uncertainties create financial impacts.
"Unlike other utilities such as ESB Networks or Gas Networks Ireland, Irish Water largely depends on Exchequer financing for the funding of its operations and capital investment programme. The certainty and year-to-year flexibility of that funding will have a significant impact on the delivery of these desired outcomes."
Significant Achievements
Irish Water said that while significant achievements have been made in upgrading water and wastewater infrastructure, it acknowledged “the size and scale of the legacy issues, planning and land acquisition delays; the need to reprioritise investment to respond to emerging needs; and funding constraints has resulted in slower progress than initially forecast”.
“Irish Water is committed to providing a safe and reliable water supply and wastewater treatment service, protecting the environment and supporting the growth of homes and businesses,” its spokeswoman added.
Its investment plan, she said, “prioritises protection of public health and key outcomes such as leakage; removing water supplies from the EPA’s Remedial Action List; areas where there is raw sewage entering the rivers, lakes and the sea (untreated agglomerations); and areas identified by the European Court of Justice under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive”.
Irish Water had invested €250 million to date to stop the discharge of almost half of all untreated sewage in Ireland with 15 new wastewater plants delivered to date. It plans to begin construction of 12 new plants next year and to address the remaining sites throughout 2022 and 2023, subject to planning and funding. “We are committed to working with local communities to deliver these critical project in areas that have never previously been served by wastewater networks or plants.”
To support future investment planning, Scottish Water International were commissioned by the utility to review its internal processes. Implementation of their recommendations would play a role in future delivery of capital works.
Irish Water managing director Niall Gleeson said: “Despite a range of challenges to the delivery of wastewater infrastructure projects, including the poor condition of the legacy infrastructure and planning and land acquisition delays, Irish Water is making significant progress.”
Over the past six years, Irish Water had targeted resources to areas with the greatest population or volume of discharge. “As a result, we have succeeded in reducing the amount of raw sewage discharged by 50 per cent to date.”
“The completion of the Cork Lower Harbour Drainage Project in 2021 is on track and the construction of the Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is due to begin in 2021 subject to funding, will address the majority of the remaining untreated discharge,” Mr Gleeson said.
Leakage reduction continues to be a key area of focus with almost €1 billion will be invested over a 10-year period to reduce leakage nationally, he confirmed.
“The report is clear, however, that much more remains to be done. The building, repair and upgrading of Irish Water’s water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, water and sewer network will require a multi-billion euro investment programme over many years. Irish Water has a plan and is committed to providing a safe and reliable water supply, protecting the environment and supporting the growth of homes and businesses,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-09-29--Man’s death in prison after restraint by officers is investigated

A man has died in prison custody in Dublin after an incident during which he was subjected to control and restraint techniques by prison officers .
Three separate investigations were underway into the prisoner ’ s death with the Garda carrying out an investigation , the Inspector of Prisons conducting a ‘ death in custody ’ inquiry and the Irish Prison Service carrying out its own investigation .
The deceased was a 36-year-old Irish man who was on remand in Cloverhill Prison , Dublin .
The Irish Times understands he became engaged in a stand-off with staff on Monday after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison .
He was then tackled by a number of staff , who subjected him to control and restraint techniques to force him to move .
The man then became unwell and quickly became unresponsive .
Prison officers on the scene tried to revive him before paramedics arrived and the man was taken to hospital by ambulance .
However , despite efforts to save the prisoner , he was declared dead a short time later .
The precise detail of why the man was being moved by move within the prison was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postmortem on the remains of the dead man were awaited before a cause of death could be established .
Cloverhill Prison is fitted with an extensive CCTV system and a number of sources familiar with the case said they believed the man ’ s movements with staff within the jail were in an area covered by the camera system .
In reply to queries , the Irish Prison Service confirmed the death of a man who was being held at Cloverhill Prison .
It said the Garda and Inspector of Prisons had both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death and that the service was carrying out its own investigation into the fatality .
The office of the Inspector of Prisons said they were aware of the man ’ s death .
A spokesman said the man ’ s death was being investigated in the same way all deaths in prison custody were investigated by the office .

A man has died in prison custody in Dublin after an incident during which he was subjected to control and restraint techniques by prison officers.
Three separate investigations were begun into the prisoner’s death, from the Garda, the Inspector of Prisons and the Irish Prison Service.
The deceased was a 36-year-old Irish man who was on remand in Cloverhill Prison, Dublin.
He had been taken from his cell on Monday afternoon to appear before a District Court sitting via video link from the prison campus. On his way back to his cell from that court appearance, a stand-off ensued between him and the prison staff accompanying him, with control and restraint techniques used on him at that point.
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The man then became unwell and quickly became unresponsive. Prison officers on the scene tried to revive him before paramedics arrived and took the man to hospital by ambulance. However, despite efforts to save the prisoner, he was declared dead a short time later.
The results of a postmortem are awaited before a cause of death can be established.


theirishtimes--2020-09-29--Health staff told to wear masks when passing through busy hospital areas

Health staff have been told to wear masks when passing through busy areas of hospitals and other healthcare facilities , in addition to when they are in contact with patients .
The change in advice to healthcare workers follows expressions of concern from the public and patients over staff not wearing masks at times in health facilities .
Official guidance has yet to be updated but the change is referred to in new infection guidance and control advice for residential care facilities .
To address public concerns , HSE infection control specialists have recommended “ healthcare workers should be asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public areas of healthcare facilities in both the community and acute setting , ” it says .
This is in addition to an existing rule requiring the wearing of masks for all clinical contacts .
Residents should not be asked to wear masks all the time “ but there may be times when they should wear them if they can tolerate the mask ” .
Although visits by the public to patients are currently restricted in Level 2 areas and suspended in Level 3 areas , the guidance makes clear that “ window @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside a home and speak to a resident at a safe distance through an open window or by telephone , is acceptable at any level and during outbreaks .
According to the newly published document , there have been “ several cases ” of hospital-acquired infection in each of the last four weeks , compared to “ almost none ” in the previous 10 weeks .
There has also been an increase in patients with Covid-19 admitted from the community to residential care facilities , and an increase in outbreaks in nursing homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases continues to rise , with the 14-day incidence increasing to 88.3 cases per 100,000 population yesterday , compared to 84.5 on Sunday .
Incidence figures were up in 16 counties , down in five and unchanged in five , according to the latest epidemiological report from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) .
Donegal , with an incidence of 191 , and Dublin , on 160.3 , remain Covid-19 hotspots still with rising case numbers , while Monaghan recorded the biggest single daily increase .
In the week up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in family homes , and 18 in workplaces and 11 among extended family , according to HPSC figures .
There were also 11 outbreaks involving children in schools , but this does not mean transmission within the school has been established , the HPSC says .
There were four outbreaks in nursing homes and childcare facilities , three that were travel related or in restaurants/cafes and two in retail outlets , pubs and hospitals .
Of the 18 outbreaks in workplaces , just three were in meat or fish processing plants .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Roma , travellers , direct provision centres , prisons and the homeless .

Dr Ronan Glynn, the acting chief medical officer, appealed to those identified as close contacts of confirmed cases to avoid meeting up with other people, going to work or taking part in sporting activity. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins.
A further 363 cases of Covid-19, including 154 in Dublin, have been reported to the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
One further death from the disease has been confirmed, with the total now at 1,803.
Figures published on Tuesday evening show there have been 35,740 cases of the disease in the State, with the first was confirmed seven months ago on February 29th.
Hospital Report
Of the latest cases, 154 cases are in Dublin, 40 in Cork, 23 in Donegal, 16 in Wexford, 15 in Roscommon, 14 in Galway, 14 in Monaghan, 11 in Kildare, 11 in Meath, 11 in Wicklow, nine in Limerick, six in Clare, five in Mayo, five in Tipperary with the remaining 29 cases split among nine counties. Women accounted for 191 of the infections and men for 172.
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NPHET said 64 per cent of those who tested positive were aged under 45 and that 47 per cent were linked to outbreaks or close contact with a confirmed case. It said 58 cases were identified as being caused by community transmission.
Close contacts
Dr Ronan Glynn, the acting chief medical officer, appealed to those identified as close contacts of confirmed cases to avoid meeting up with other people, going to work or taking part in sporting activity.
“I know that these are difficult choices for people to make, but each individual effort will make a significant impact on the spread of this disease and, ultimately, on the numbers of deaths that we can prevent this winter,” he said in a statement.
NPHET officials are to attend Wednesday’s meeting of the Oireachtas special committee on Covid-19 alongside Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, the Department of Health said on Tuesday night.
Committee chairman Michael McNamara had criticised the decision of NPHET officials not to attend the meeting but in a change of heart the department said Dr Glynn, Prof Philip Nolan and Dr Cillian de Gascun would now be attending the meeting.
Separate data show the number of new Covid-19 cases being confirmed continues to rise, with the 14-day incidence increasing to 88.3 cases per 100,000 of population yesterday, compared to 84.5 on Sunday.
Incidence figures were up in 16 counties, down in five and unchanged in five, according to the latest epidemiological report from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).
Donegal, with an incidence of 191, and Dublin, on 160.3, remain Covid-19 hotspots still with rising case numbers, while Monaghan recorded the biggest single daily increase.
In the week up to September 19th, 391 outbreaks were reported in family homes, and 18 in workplaces and 11 among extended family, according to HPSC figures.
There were also 11 outbreaks involving children in schools, but this does not mean transmission within the school has been established, the HPSC says.
There were four outbreaks in nursing homes and childcare facilities, three that were travel related or in restaurants/cafes and two in retail outlets, pubs and hospitals.
Of the 18 outbreaks in workplaces, just three were in meat or fish processing plants.
No new outbreaks were reported in at-risk settings, including Roma, travellers, direct provision centres, prisons and the homeless.
Healthcare advice
Meanwhile, health staff have been told to wear masks when passing through busy areas of hospitals and other healthcare facilities, in addition to when they are in contact with patients.
The change in advice to healthcare workers follows expressions of concern from the public and patients over staff not wearing masks at times in health facilities.
Official guidance has yet to be updated but the change is referred to in new infection guidance and control advice for residential care facilities.
To address public concerns, HSE infection control specialists have recommended “healthcare workers should be asked to wear masks when transiting through busy public areas of healthcare facilities in both the community and acute setting,” it says. This is in addition to an existing rule requiring the wearing of masks for all clinical contacts.
Residents should not be asked to wear masks all the time “but there may be times when they should wear them if they can tolerate the mask”.
Although visits by the public to patients are currently restricted in Level 2 areas and suspended in Level 3 areas, the guidance makes clear that “window visits”, where a person stands outside a home and speak to a resident at a safe distance through an open window or by telephone, is acceptable at any level and during outbreaks.
According to the newly published document, there have been “several cases” of hospital-acquired infection in each of the last four weeks, compared to “almost none” in the previous 10 weeks.
There has also been an increase in patients with Covid-19 admitted from the community to residential care facilities, and an increase in outbreaks in nursing homes.


theirishtimes--2020-09-29--Cork clinic records 50% increase in women seeking counselling after pregnancy termination

Women seeking support after terminating a pregnancy increased significantly in Cork last year with the number of counselling sessions provided by a sexual health clinic in the city increasing by 50 per cent year on year , a new report says .
According to the 2019 annual report from the Cork Sexual Health Centre , it provided some 236 counselling sessions in 2019 to women who had terminations of pregnancy - a 50per cent increase on the 2018 figure when it provided 157 counselling sessions .
Cork Sexual Health Centre executive director Dr Martin Davoren said he felt the increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terminations of pregnancy , particularly in the wake of the 2018 referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution .
“ When we had the referendum , I think it gave people the opportunity to reflect on their own lives , in particular individuals who may have had a termination historically but felt they didn ’ t have the space to discuss that or the space to access the supports previously .
“ I think the figures may reflect such individuals coming forward now and wanting to talk about something , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , people didn ’ t speak about in an open manner , ” said Dr Davoren , adding that those seeking counselling spanned all ages .
The centre ’ s chairman Ciaran Lynch said the centre , which is based on Peter ’ s Street in Cork near the Mercy University Hospital , saw a growing demand for all of its services throughout 2019 .
“ In 2019 , we saw a rise in the number of people engaging with services for sexual health , post-termination , crisis pregnancy , HIV , sexuality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear indicator of the community ’ s need for high quality , professional and inclusive services.
” Dr Davoren said the centre introduced a number of new initiatives in 2019 , including a one-to-one mentoring service for people who are living with HIV which assists them on practical issues such as employment , adherence to medication and asylum applications .
The Cork Sexual Health Centre provided 120 support sessions to people living with HIV in 2019 while it also conducted over 700 free rapid HIV tests where people can get results within one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that used to test for diabetes , he said .
The centre has also introduced a peer-led LGBTQIA+ sexual health advisory service created with a view to creating a safe space for members of the community and their loved ones and some 67 support sessions were delivered to members of that community in 2019 .
Dr Davoren said the centre also reported a notable increase in the numbers requesting information about sexually transmitted diseases , which rose from 2,800 in 2018 to over 4,000 last year , and showed people taking a more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A rise in STI ( sexually transmitted infection ) -related queries is an indicator of the wider community ’ s evolving attitude to sexual health .
This is a very welcome change as it shows that people are increasingly viewing their sexual health as an integral part of their overall health and life.
” Dr Davoren said Cork had signed up to the global HIV fast-track cities initiative , the centre having acted as co-signatory for the county .

Those seeking counselling following a termination of pregnancy spanned all ages, the Cork Sexual Health Centre says
Women seeking support after terminating a pregnancy increased significantly in Cork last year with the number of counselling sessions provided by a sexual health clinic in the city increasing by 50 per cent year on year, a new report says.
According to the 2019 annual report from the Cork Sexual Health Centre, it provided some 236 counselling sessions in 2019 to women who had terminations of pregnancy - a 50per cent increase on the 2018 figure when it provided 157 counselling sessions.
Cork Sexual Health Centre executive director Dr Martin Davoren said he felt the increase reflected changing attitudes in Irish society towards terminations of pregnancy, particularly in the wake of the 2018 referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution.
“When we had the referendum, I think it gave people the opportunity to reflect on their own lives, in particular individuals who may have had a termination historically but felt they didn’t have the space to discuss that or the space to access the supports previously.
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“I think the figures may reflect such individuals coming forward now and wanting to talk about something, which for a long time in Irish society, people didn’t speak about in an open manner,” said Dr Davoren, adding that those seeking counselling spanned all ages.
The centre's chairman Ciaran Lynch said the centre, which is based on Peter's Street in Cork near the Mercy University Hospital, saw a growing demand for all of its services throughout 2019.
“In 2019, we saw a rise in the number of people engaging with services for sexual health, post-termination, crisis pregnancy, HIV, sexuality and relationship advice. This is a clear indicator of the community’s need for high quality, professional and inclusive services.”
Dr Davoren said the centre introduced a number of new initiatives in 2019, including a one-to-one mentoring service for people who are living with HIV which assists them on practical issues such as employment, adherence to medication and asylum applications.
The Cork Sexual Health Centre provided 120 support sessions to people living with HIV in 2019 while it also conducted over 700 free rapid HIV tests where people can get results within one minute of a finger prick test similar that used to test for diabetes, he said.
The centre has also introduced a peer-led LGBTQIA+ sexual health advisory service created with a view to creating a safe space for members of the community and their loved ones and some 67 support sessions were delivered to members of that community in 2019.
Dr Davoren said the centre also reported a notable increase in the numbers requesting information about sexually transmitted diseases, which rose from 2,800 in 2018 to over 4,000 last year, and showed people taking a more positive approach to sexual health.
“A rise in STI (sexually transmitted infection)-related queries is an indicator of the wider community’s evolving attitude to sexual health. This is a very welcome change as it shows that people are increasingly viewing their sexual health as an integral part of their overall health and life.”
Dr Davoren said Cork had signed up to the global HIV fast-track cities initiative, the centre having acted as co-signatory for the county.


theirishtimes--2020-09-29--North’s PPS upholds decision not to prosecute 15 British soldiers over Bloody Sunday

Prosecutors in the North have upheld their decision not to prosecute 15 soldiers over their actions on Bloody Sunday in Derry in 1972 .
The Public Prosecution Service ( PPS ) announced on Tuesday the result of an internal review which had been requested by the families of ten of those killed and ten of the injured .
The senior assistant director of the PPS Marianne O ’ Kane who carried out the review , and who the PPS said had not been involved in the previous decision , said she had concluded that the “ available evidence is insufficient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of any of the 15 soldiers who were the subjects of the reviews .
“ Accordingly , the decisions not to prosecute these 15 individuals all stand , ” she said .
The solicitor for the families , Ciarán Shiels , said the PPS ’ s decision was “ deeply disappointing ” but the families were “ not surprised ” .
They were “ left with no alternative now but to consider judicial review proceedings in the High Court , ” he said .
Thirteen people were killed when members of the British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on anti-internment marchers in Derry on Bloody Sunday , January 30 , 1972 .
A 14th died later .
In 2016 , 20 suspects - 18 former soldiers and two ex-official IRA members - were reported to prosecutors following a police investigation .
However in March 2019 the PPS announced that only one former soldier , known as Soldier F , would face charges in connection with Bloody Sunday .
He is currently facing two charges of murder - of William McKinney and James Wray - and five charges of attempted murder .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had not been met in regard to the other suspects , as well as a number of other potential offences - including murder - faced by Soldier F. The range of potential offences which were considered against the 15 soldiers included murder , attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent .
The PPS said that Ms O ’ Kane “ applied the Test for Prosecution afresh to the large volume of complex evidence and information considered by the original PPS decision-maker in order to reach new decisions ” , and detailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions were taken in regard to each review request the PPS said , concluded that “ the Test for Prosecution is not met on evidential grounds to prosecute any of the 15 soldiers in connection with the specific deaths or injuries sustained on January 30th 1972 .
A “ detailed explanation ” of the outcome was submitted to everyone who had requested a review on Tuesday , the PPS said , and the 15 suspects were also informed .
John Kelly , whose 17-year-old brother Michael was killed on Bloody Sunday , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time not surprised.
” The PPS decided last year not to prosecute Soldier F for Michael Kelly ’ s murder .
Speaking with other family members at the Bloody Sunday memorial in Derry ’ s Bogside on Tuesday morning , Mr Kelly said , “ We ’ re not giving up yet .
We now have the next stage , and it ’ s been a long road - coming up to nearly 50 years , we ’ re all getting old , a lot of people are dying , but as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ll go after them .
“ We ’ ll not stop until we see justice for our loved ones and the next stage is the judicial review in the High Court , I look forward to that .
“ I want to see Soldier F again .
He murdered my brother and he should be prosecuted for what he did , end of story.
” Mr Shiels said that to apply for a judicial review of the PPS ’ s decision “ one must first exhaust all alternative means of potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary hurdle that the families have had to take.
” He said their submissions to the PPS “ concentrated on 10 soldiers in relation to the incidences where we felt there was a realisable prosecution that could be available .
“ This is by no means the end of the road .
.
.
the campaign goes on , ” he said .
“ Nobody ’ s getting any younger but they are very resilient clients , they ’ ve been here before , they ’ ve taken knocks before .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process that we had to get past , we expected this , but I think in the High Court it ’ ll be another matter.
” Ms O ’ Kane said she knew the outcome “ will cause further upset to those who have pursued a long and determined journey for justice over almost five decades .
“ I can only offer reassurance to all of the families and victims of Bloody Sunday , and the wider community , that my decisions were conducted wholly independently and impartially , and in accordance with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The Foyle MP and SDLP leader , Colum Eastwood , said the PPS ’ s decision on Tuesday “ will cause more pain for those who have experienced the most unimaginable loss.
” He said the Bloody Sunday families had shown “ the most unshakeable dignity and integrity in moments of justice as well as moments of disappointment .
Today ’ s decision will not change that .
“ I am pledged to do all I can to support these families who mean so much to Derry .
We ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
The Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson described it as a “ deeply disappointing day ” for the Bloody Sunday families .
The DUP MP for East Derry Gregory Campbell questioned the cost and value of a judicial review .
“ Remember there ’ s already been almost £200 million spent on the public [ SAVILLE ] inquiry , the most expensive in legal history in the UK , ” he told the BBC .
“ Is there going to now be a judicial review , is that going to mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those involved , and what is the outcome going to be ?
“ Really , I think more and more people will be saying how much further is this going to go on.
” – Additional reporting PA

A file picture from Bloody Sunday in Derry on January 30th, 1972. Father Edward Daly and others are seen running down the street with an injured man after soldiers opened fire on protestors.
Prosecutors in the North have upheld their decision not to prosecute 15 soldiers over their actions on Bloody Sunday in Derry in 1972.
The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) announced on Tuesday the result of an internal review which had been requested by the families of ten of those killed and ten of the injured.
The senior assistant director of the PPS Marianne O’Kane who carried out the review, and who the PPS said had not been involved in the previous decision, said she had concluded that the “available evidence is insufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction of any of the 15 soldiers who were the subjects of the reviews.
“Accordingly, the decisions not to prosecute these 15 individuals all stand,” she said.
READ MORE
The solicitor for the families, Ciarán Shiels, said the PPS’s decision was “deeply disappointing” but the families were “not surprised”. They were “left with no alternative now but to consider judicial review proceedings in the High Court,” he said.
Thirteen people were killed when members of the British army’s Parachute Regiment opened fire on anti-internment marchers in Derry on Bloody Sunday, January 30, 1972. A 14th died later.
In 2016, 20 suspects - 18 former soldiers and two ex-official IRA members - were reported to prosecutors following a police investigation.
However in March 2019 the PPS announced that only one former soldier, known as Soldier F, would face charges in connection with Bloody Sunday.
He is currently facing two charges of murder - of William McKinney and James Wray - and five charges of attempted murder.
Prosecutors concluded that the Test for Prosecution had not been met in regard to the other suspects, as well as a number of other potential offences - including murder - faced by Soldier F.
The range of potential offences which were considered against the 15 soldiers included murder, attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
The PPS said that Ms O’Kane “applied the Test for Prosecution afresh to the large volume of complex evidence and information considered by the original PPS decision-maker in order to reach new decisions”, and detailed legal submissions were also considered.
New decisions were taken in regard to each review request the PPS said, concluded that “the Test for Prosecution is not met on evidential grounds to prosecute any of the 15 soldiers in connection with the specific deaths or injuries sustained on January 30th 1972.
A “detailed explanation” of the outcome was submitted to everyone who had requested a review on Tuesday, the PPS said, and the 15 suspects were also informed.
‘
Disappointed but not surprised’
John Kelly, whose 17-year-old brother Michael was killed on Bloody Sunday, said he was “disappointed but at the same time not surprised.” The PPS decided last year not to prosecute Soldier F for Michael Kelly’s murder.
Speaking with other family members at the Bloody Sunday memorial in Derry’s Bogside on Tuesday morning, Mr Kelly said, “We’re not giving up yet. We now have the next stage, and it’s been a long road - coming up to nearly 50 years, we’re all getting old, a lot of people are dying, but as long as we are able to walk we’ll go after them.
“We’ll not stop until we see justice for our loved ones and the next stage is the judicial review in the High Court, I look forward to that.
“I want to see Soldier F again. He murdered my brother and he should be prosecuted for what he did, end of story.”
Mr Shiels said that to apply for a judicial review of the PPS’s decision “one must first exhaust all alternative means of potential remedy, so it was therefore a necessary hurdle that the families have had to take.”
He said their submissions to the PPS “concentrated on 10 soldiers in relation to the incidences where we felt there was a realisable prosecution that could be available.
“This is by no means the end of the road . . . the campaign goes on,” he said. “Nobody’s getting any younger but they are very resilient clients, they’ve been here before, they’ve taken knocks before.
“We knew this was a stage in a process that we had to get past, we expected this, but I think in the High Court it’ll be another matter.”
Ms O’Kane said she knew the outcome “will cause further upset to those who have pursued a long and determined journey for justice over almost five decades.
“I can only offer reassurance to all of the families and victims of Bloody Sunday, and the wider community, that my decisions were conducted wholly independently and impartially, and in accordance with the Code for Prosecutors,” she said.
The Foyle MP and SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood, said the PPS’s decision on Tuesday “will cause more pain for those who have experienced the most unimaginable loss.”
He said the Bloody Sunday families had shown “the most unshakeable dignity and integrity in moments of justice as well as moments of disappointment. Today’s decision will not change that.
“I am pledged to do all I can to support these families who mean so much to Derry. We’ll continue to walk with them,” he said.
The Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson described it as a “deeply disappointing day” for the Bloody Sunday families.
The DUP MP for East Derry Gregory Campbell questioned the cost and value of a judicial review.
“Remember there’s already been almost £200 million spent on the public [SAVILLE]inquiry, the most expensive in legal history in the UK,” he told the BBC.
“Is there going to now be a judicial review, is that going to mean further trauma and delay for all of those involved, and what is the outcome going to be?
“Really, I think more and more people will be saying how much further is this going to go on.” – Additional reporting PA


theirishtimes--2020-09-29--New pub closing time of 11pm announced in Northern Ireland

A new pub closing time of 11pm in Northern Ireland was announced in the Northern Assembly by First Minister Arlene Foster on Tuesday morning .
The 11pm curfew for Northern Ireland bars and restaurants comes into effect from midnight on Wednesday night .
No alcohol or food will be served after 10.30 pm said Ms Foster , allowing customers 30 minutes drinking and eating-up time .
There had been concern in the Northern hospitality sector that the changed closing time to help deal with the rise in Covid-19 cases might be brought in line with the 10pm shutdown imposed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in Border areas , a 10pm closing time would give an advantage to pubs in the South where bars and restaurants close at 11.30 pm .
Ms Foster told the Assembly the Executive decided on last orders of 10.30pm and closing time of 11pm .
She said the decision was taken in the context of the rise in the incidence of coronavirus cases .
She referred to how in the past seven days there 1,513 new Covid-19 cases confirmed in the North taking the total to 10,949 , and how the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also referred to how there are now 51 Covid-19 patients in Northern Ireland hospitals with six of them being treated in intensive care units .
Ms Foster said the Covid-19 restrictions in the North were a “ necessary and proportionate approach to address the increase in the number of Covid cases that we have witnessed since early July ” .
“ The intention behind the early closing time is that socialising later in the evening is considered to increase the risk of the virus spreading , ” she said .
“ There will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other important social events will also be required to comply , ” added Ms Foster .

The decision to close pubs at 11pm has been taken in the context of the rise in the incidence of coronavirus cases, First Minister Arlene Foster said. Photograph: iStock.
There is a risk of Northern Ireland recording 1,000 Covid-19 cases a day within a month if the current pattern continues, the North's chief scientific officer has warned.
Prof Ian Young, who also said the virus "is going to be with us forever", made his forecast on a day when the North's Department of Health reported 320 additional cases of the disease, the highest daily number to date.
“The number of cases is doubling, probably around every nine to 10 days at present. In a month from now we would be at around 1,000 cases per day if we continued on current trends,” said Prof Young.
He said that if current restrictions did not reduce numbers, he and chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride would not hesitate in recommending that the Northern Executive impose stronger restrictions.
READ MORE
“The Covid virus is going to be with us forever, for the rest of our lives and the question is how much of it will there be,” said Prof Young, adding that to reach a low level of transmission a 70 per cent vaccination rate would be required once a vaccine is available.
Pub closing times
Prof Young issued his warning on a day when the First Minister Arlene Foster announced a new pub closing time of 11pm for Northern Ireland. This applies to bars, hotels, restaurants and cafes and guesthouse bars comes into effect from midnight on Wednesday.
No alcohol or food will be served after 10.30pm, said Ms Foster, allowing customers 30 minutes drinking and eating up time.
There had been concern in the Northern hospitality sector that the change, aimed at helping to reduce a rise in Covid-19 cases, might be brought in line with the 10pm closing time imposed in Britain.
There was an additional worry that in Border areas a 10pm closing time would give an advantage to pubs in the State, where bars and restaurants close at 11.30pm.
Northern Ireland has now recorded 11,269 Covid-19 cases in all and the department says there have been 578 related deaths. There are currently 59 patients sick with the disease in Northern Ireland’s hospitals, with eight of these being treated in intensive care units.
Necessary approach
Ms Foster told the Assembly that the Covid-19 restrictions were a “necessary and proportionate approach to address the increase in the number of Covid cases that we have witnessed since early July”.
“The intention behind the early closing time is that socialising later in the evening is considered to increase the risk of the virus spreading because people adhere to the rules less strictly after consuming alcohol and in venues where they are used to mixing freely,” she said.
“There can be no exceptions to this, so weddings and other important social events will also be required to comply.”
Economy Minister Diana Dodds warned that the North "simply cannot afford another lockdown". She said Northern Ireland had seen around 9,000 redundancies during the pandemic and that with the furlough scheme ending next month there was "potential for a further spike in redundancies".
“While we have to look after our health, we also need to learn to work and live knowing that this virus is in our communities,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-09-29--Tyndall’s deep-tech innovation is ‘securing Ireland’s high-tech future’ – Taoiseach

A new Electron Beam Lithography Lab , which is unique in Ireland , has been opened at the Tyndall National Institute , the research centre specialising in information and communications technology based in Cork .
The new facility enables rapidly transition from fundamental research , to prototype and manufacture with industry – and is considered a critical enabler for high-tech industry in Ireland .
“ Tyndall is creating structures that are 100,000th the width of a human hair , ” explained its chairman Eoin O ’ Driscoll .
“ Manipulating matter at the atomic scale using electron beams is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The quantum devices Tyndall is developing will power the next generation of communications ; computing , chemistry , medtech , energy and climate mitigation technologies , ” he added .
Speaking after formally opening the new e-beam lab , the Taoiseach Micheál Martin paid tribute to Tyndall ’ s critical role in facilitating advanced research .
He added : “ Tyndall is doing fundamental work to secure Ireland ’ s future as a technology leader competing on the world stage for deep-tech innovation and research .
Tyndall is delivering ground-breaking work that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is strongly supporting key Irish technology companies and SMEs .
With facilities such as Tyndall , underpinned by Government investment , Ireland ’ s high-tech future is secure.
” The Taoiseach was also briefed on Tyndall ’ s expansion plan which will see and investment of €75 million in a campus expansion and new building to accommodate its anticipated doubling in size and impact by 2027 .
During his visit , Mr Martin spoke with some of award-winning PhD students and researchers about the impact of their work .
“ Our ambition is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years of research excellence and industrial impact and significantly scale to address societal challenges through deep-tech innovation , ” its chief executive Prof William Scanlon said .
“ The next five years will see us significantly develop our international presence and influence , enhance our long-term industry partnerships , invest in our talent pipeline to equip future leaders with a wide range of transferable skills , and continue to explore and commercialise new research fields , ” he noted .
Tyndall is a partnership of University College Cork and Government , including Science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income of more than €41 million per annum .
Its expansion is identified as a strategic investment priority in the National Development Plan , Project Ireland 2040 .
Its international standing is indicated by the scale of success it has had in securing funding through the European Commission ’ s Horizon 2020 programme for research .
It is one of Ireland ’ s five National Labs , and specialises in nanotechnology , electronics and photonics .
It works with industry and academia to transform research into products and solutions in core market areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health , agri-tech and the environment .
With a network of more than 200 industry partners and customers worldwide , it is home to a research community of 600 people of 52 nationalities , including industry researchers-in-residence .

Dr Graeme Maxwell, head of specialty products & services with Tyndall National Institute with Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the opening of the new Electron Beam Lithography Lab at the research facility in Cork. Photograph: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision
A new Electron Beam Lithography Lab, which is unique in Ireland, has been opened at the Tyndall National Institute, the research centre specialising in information and communications technology based in Cork.
The new facility enables rapidly transition from fundamental research, to prototype and manufacture with industry – and is considered a critical enabler for high-tech industry in Ireland.
“Tyndall is creating structures that are 100,000th the width of a human hair,” explained its chairman Eoin O’Driscoll.
“Manipulating matter at the atomic scale using electron beams is a gateway into deep tech quantum engineering technology. The quantum devices Tyndall is developing will power the next generation of communications; computing, chemistry, medtech, energy and climate mitigation technologies,” he added.
READ MORE
Speaking after formally opening the new e-beam lab, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin paid tribute to Tyndall’s critical role in facilitating advanced research.
He added: “Tyndall is doing fundamental work to secure Ireland’s future as a technology leader competing on the world stage for deep-tech innovation and research. Tyndall is delivering ground-breaking work that will transform our high-tech economy, and is strongly supporting key Irish technology companies and SMEs. With facilities such as Tyndall, underpinned by Government investment, Ireland’s high-tech future is secure.”
The Taoiseach was also briefed on Tyndall’s expansion plan which will see and investment of €75 million in a campus expansion and new building to accommodate its anticipated doubling in size and impact by 2027. During his visit, Mr Martin spoke with some of award-winning PhD students and researchers about the impact of their work.
"Our ambition is to build on Tyndall's 40 years of research excellence and industrial impact and significantly scale to address societal challenges through deep-tech innovation," its chief executive Prof William Scanlon said.
“The next five years will see us significantly develop our international presence and influence, enhance our long-term industry partnerships, invest in our talent pipeline to equip future leaders with a wide range of transferable skills, and continue to explore and commercialise new research fields,” he noted.
A strategic priority
Tyndall is a partnership of University College Cork and Government, including Science Foundation Ireland, and has a total income of more than €41 million per annum.
Its expansion is identified as a strategic investment priority in the National Development Plan, Project Ireland 2040. Its international standing is indicated by the scale of success it has had in securing funding through the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme for research.
It is one of Ireland’s five National Labs, and specialises in nanotechnology, electronics and photonics. It works with industry and academia to transform research into products and solutions in core market areas of electronics, communications, energy, health, agri-tech and the environment.
With a network of more than 200 industry partners and customers worldwide, it is home to a research community of 600 people of 52 nationalities, including industry researchers-in-residence.


theirishtimes--2020-09-29--Irish coach hire companies see value of assets plummet over pandemic

Irish coach hire companies have watched the value of their assets plummet due to the failure of UK operators and a flood of second-hand , unwanted vehicles on the market .
As well as a virtual halt to commercial activity , Irish companies must now deal with a collapse in the market price of buses that will impact on their ability to upgrade fleets and secure financing .
There are more than 1,700 coach operators of various sizes in Ireland , the majority of whom are awaiting some slice of a Government stimulus package due to be detailed at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed €10 million to help nurse the tourist end of the coach business in particular .
Fáilte Ireland , the industry body that will administer the money through a business continuity scheme , is currently drawing up plans to allocate finances and is currently devising eligibility criteria .
While acknowledging the problems facing the sector , the fund falls far short of the nine month €32 million subsidy deemed necessary to tide operators over until next March when it is hoped some life might come back into the sector .
That analysis of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by economist Jim Power last June , estimated that turnover had initially fallen by 95 per cent for most operators as a result of the pandemic , amounting to total losses of about €586 million .
“ It appears certain that without significant assistance from Government , many operators will not survive , ” it said .
Apart from the simple lack of passengers , the price of second-hand coaches that underpins company balance sheets has continued to decline , a further source of concern for commercial viability .
“ The value of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis , ” said JJ Kavanagh , of JJ Kavanagh & Sons , a larger operators based in Kilkenny .
“ I would estimate that the average vehicle value has depreciated by about 30 per cent.
” Higher-end tourist coaches cost between €250,000 and €325,000 .
Usually coaches have a “ first life ” of about 10 years before they become too old for tourist business and are replaced .
Most vehicles in Ireland are sourced through UK suppliers .
Chairman of the Coach Tourism and Transport Council ( CTTC ) John Halpenny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth £200,000 ( €220,000 ) are being sold through administration for as little as £80,000 .
Company balance sheets put a value on such tangible assets which , alongside earnings , help determine the value of the business .
In normal circumstances , physical assets will be written down in value over a set period to reflect their ageing work life but sudden , rapid depreciation upsets this formula .
Similar disruption to valuations was experienced by property companies in the aftermath of the financial crash .
Reduced balance sheets can lead to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the reasons attributed by the sector to the collapse in price of coaches is the decline of UK operators , notably Shearings , Wallace Arnold and National Holidays which went into administration at the beginning of the summer .
“ There is no actual demand for [ coaches ] because there is no work out there , ” said Jarlath Sweeney editor of the trade magazine Fleet Transport , who believes more operators are likely to go out of business .
“ The value of the product is depreciating .
”

One of the reasons attributed by the sector to the collapse in price of coaches is the decline of UK operators. Photograph: iStock
Irish coach hire companies have watched the value of their assets plummet due to the failure of UK operators and a flood of second-hand, unwanted vehicles on the market.
As well as a virtual halt to commercial activity, Irish companies must now deal with a collapse in the market price of buses that will impact on their ability to upgrade fleets and secure financing.
There are more than 1,700 coach operators of various sizes in Ireland, the majority of whom are awaiting some slice of a Government stimulus package due to be detailed at the end of September.
The Government has committed €10 million to help nurse the tourist end of the coach business in particular.
READ MORE
Fáilte Ireland, the industry body that will administer the money through a business continuity scheme, is currently drawing up plans to allocate finances and is currently devising eligibility criteria.
While acknowledging the problems facing the sector, the fund falls far short of the nine month €32 million subsidy deemed necessary to tide operators over until next March when it is hoped some life might come back into the sector.
That analysis of the industry's predicament, compiled by economist Jim Power last June, estimated that turnover had initially fallen by 95 per cent for most operators as a result of the pandemic, amounting to total losses of about €586 million.
“It appears certain that without significant assistance from Government, many operators will not survive,” it said.
Apart from the simple lack of passengers, the price of second-hand coaches that underpins company balance sheets has continued to decline, a further source of concern for commercial viability.
“The value of our fleets has been decimated by this crisis,” said JJ Kavanagh, of JJ Kavanagh & Sons, a larger operators based in Kilkenny. “I would estimate that the average vehicle value has depreciated by about 30 per cent.”
Higher-end tourist coaches cost between €250,000 and €325,000. Usually coaches have a “first life” of about 10 years before they become too old for tourist business and are replaced. Most vehicles in Ireland are sourced through UK suppliers.
Chairman of the Coach Tourism and Transport Council (CTTC) John Halpenny said some second-hand coaches in the UK worth £200,000 ( €220,000) are being sold through administration for as little as £80,000.
Company balance sheets put a value on such tangible assets which, alongside earnings, help determine the value of the business.
In normal circumstances, physical assets will be written down in value over a set period to reflect their ageing work life but sudden, rapid depreciation upsets this formula.
Similar disruption to valuations was experienced by property companies in the aftermath of the financial crash. Reduced balance sheets can lead to companies having trouble securing financing.
One of the reasons attributed by the sector to the collapse in price of coaches is the decline of UK operators, notably Shearings, Wallace Arnold and National Holidays which went into administration at the beginning of the summer.
“There is no actual demand for [coaches] because there is no work out there,” said Jarlath Sweeney editor of the trade magazine Fleet Transport, who believes more operators are likely to go out of business. “The value of the product is depreciating.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-29--‘Insane’ gathering of hundreds of students in Galway condemned

Large gatherings of young people in Galway city centre and at multiple house parties last night have been condemned as an “ insanity ” by local representatives .
As a consequence calls have been made this morning to restrict access to certain public spaces until the spread of Covid-19 can be brought under control .
As many as 1,000 mostly young people gathered close to the Spanish Arch on Monday night as the university term started while large groups also congregated on Shop Street and other locations around the city .
Footage shared widely on social media platforms showed large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Basin , across the river from the Spanish Arch .
Gardaí were also called to a site close to the River Corrib at the Engineering Building on the NUI Galway campus , locations in Ballybane and Renmore and to at least a dozen house parties in accommodation believed to be rented by students around the city .
NUI Galway described last night ’ s events as “ deplorable ” and said it had “ repeatedly appealed to the better judgment of our students and reminded them of their responsibilities ” .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ worked to ensure this years ’ experience of university life is safe , supportive and enjoyable , despite the limitations that the pandemic places on us .
NUI Galway leadership is this morning meeting with the Gardaí and Galway City Council about these incidents.
” It said the “ the vast majority of our students are doing their utmost to stay safe and helping to prevent the spread of Covid-19 , we won ’ t hesitate in dealing with any breaches of public health guidelines in line with our Student Code of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and including expulsion ) .
” Independent city councillor Colette Connolly said the events were “ an insanity , to be quite honest ” .
She pointed out that many older people live in the Claddagh which overlooks the Spanish Arch “ are scared and sick and tired of this , they are sick of having to pick up the rubbish left behind .
Either we have by-laws that prohibit public drinking or we don ’ t. ” She said that “ young people seem to think they have a God given right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they don ’ t .
There has to be a recognition that it is insufferable .
This is not about being down on young people but these are exceptional times and people have to show a little courage and a little discipline.
” She said limiting access to the Spanish Arch , as happened at the height of the lockdown earlier this year , would be a last resort but would have to be considered “ as it looks now like Galway is heading into Level 3 ” .
Galway Senator Ollie Crowe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying it would be impossible for them to immediately roster members of the force when incidents such as the riverside gathering happened .
Speaking on Today with Claire Byrne on RTÉ Radio One he pointed out that there was an Army barracks in Renmore , “ No doubt they would be willing to help restore order , ” he said .
The Fianna Fáil Senator called on all the young people involved to immediately self-quarantine and to assume that they had Covid-19 and not to travel home to their families .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for their misjudgement ” and to respect the public health guidelines .
Fine Gael councillor Eddie Hoare said he had been getting “ a lot of phonecalls and messages about it and certainly looked very bad , there was nearly a thousand people down at the Spanish Arch at one point.
” He said that the scenes “ certainly do send out the wrong message but I would not like this to be an attack on students and we have to be conscious that we are talking about very young people and many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the first time .
Having said that everyone needs to change their mind set and we have to work together to do that.
” The president of the NUIG student ’ s union Pádraic Toomey condemned last night scenes and said only a “ small minority ” of the student body in Galway had been involved .
“ We have 30,000 students in the college and most of those people are following public health guidelines , ” he said .
He pointed out that outdoor drinking at the Spanish Arch had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the college was closed .
“ We have a duty to point out when something is wrong and this is wrong.
” He said the main focus of the student ’ s union this year would be on supporting “ people who are struggling to cover the costs of their education and can barely afford to pay their rent never mind buy drink .
”

Large gatherings of young people in Galway city centre and at house parties have been condemned as an “insanity” by local representatives. Video: @ShifiStarkid/Twitter
Large gatherings of young people in Galway city centre and at multiple house parties last night have been condemned as an “insanity” by local representatives.
As a consequence calls have been made this morning to restrict access to certain public spaces until the spread of Covid-19 can be brought under control.
As many as 1,000 mostly young people gathered close to the Spanish Arch on Monday night as the university term started while large groups also congregated on Shop Street and other locations around the city.
Shop Street Galway right now.....when there’s about to be an announcement tomorrow that we could be going into further lockdown....a huge slap in the face to everyone trying so hard to social distance and to health workers and to sick friends and family. pic.twitter.com/30Fk5CPbvB — shifi (@ShifiStarkid) September 28, 2020
Footage shared widely on social media platforms showed large numbers of young people at the Claddagh Basin, across the river from the Spanish Arch.
READ MORE
Gardaí were also called to a site close to the River Corrib at the Engineering Building on the NUI Galway campus, locations in Ballybane and Renmore and to at least a dozen house parties in accommodation believed to be rented by students around the city.
NUI Galway described last night’s events as “deplorable” and said it had “repeatedly appealed to the better judgment of our students and reminded them of their responsibilities”.
In a statement the college authorities said they had “worked to ensure this years’ experience of university life is safe, supportive and enjoyable, despite the limitations that the pandemic places on us. NUI Galway leadership is this morning meeting with the Gardaí and Galway City Council about these incidents.”
It said the “the vast majority of our students are doing their utmost to stay safe and helping to prevent the spread of Covid-19, we won’t hesitate in dealing with any breaches of public health guidelines in line with our Student Code of Conduct (which has penalties up to and including expulsion).”
Independent city councillor Colette Connolly said the events were "an insanity, to be quite honest".
She pointed out that many older people live in the Claddagh which overlooks the Spanish Arch “are scared and sick and tired of this, they are sick of having to pick up the rubbish left behind. Either we have by-laws that prohibit public drinking or we don’t.”
She said that “young people seem to think they have a God given right to appropriate public spaces for drinking and they don’t. There has to be a recognition that it is insufferable. This is not about being down on young people but these are exceptional times and people have to show a little courage and a little discipline.”
She said limiting access to the Spanish Arch, as happened at the height of the lockdown earlier this year, would be a last resort but would have to be considered “as it looks now like Galway is heading into Level 3”.
Galway Senator Ollie Crowe called for the Army to assist gardaí, saying it would be impossible for them to immediately roster members of the force when incidents such as the riverside gathering happened. Speaking on Today with Claire Byrne on RTÉ Radio One he pointed out that there was an Army barracks in Renmore, “No doubt they would be willing to help restore order,” he said.
The Fianna Fáil Senator called on all the young people involved to immediately self-quarantine and to assume that they had Covid-19 and not to travel home to their families. He also called on them to “atone for their misjudgement” and to respect the public health guidelines.
Fine Gael councillor Eddie Hoare said he had been getting "a lot of phonecalls and messages about it and certainly looked very bad, there was nearly a thousand people down at the Spanish Arch at one point."
He said that the scenes “certainly do send out the wrong message but I would not like this to be an attack on students and we have to be conscious that we are talking about very young people and many of them would only be starting college for the first time. Having said that everyone needs to change their mind set and we have to work together to do that.”
The president of the NUIG student’s union Pádraic Toomey condemned last night scenes and said only a “small minority” of the student body in Galway had been involved.
“We have 30,000 students in the college and most of those people are following public health guidelines,” he said.
He pointed out that outdoor drinking at the Spanish Arch had been a common sight throughout the lockdown even when the college was closed. “We have a duty to point out when something is wrong and this is wrong.”
He said the main focus of the student’s union this year would be on supporting “people who are struggling to cover the costs of their education and can barely afford to pay their rent never mind buy drink.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-29--Coronavirus: Test-and-trace system could cost €700 million, says HSE chief Paul Reid

The Health Service Executive ( HSE ) is embarking on an “ enhanced surveillance project ” to look further back in time during the contact tracing process , the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee was told on Tuesday .
Dr John Cuddihy , director of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre , told Social Democrats co-leader Roisin Shortall the project will focus on activities over a 14-day period by new community transmission cases .
Dr Cuddihy said the project would look at “ the previous 14 days for more recent community transmission cases ” , and the information gleaned would then be incorporated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said the project may begin as early as next week .
Information will be gathered via a questionnaire that will focus on where people have been and who they may have interacted with .
The commitee was told by HSE chief executive Paul Reid the full-year cost of running the test-and-trace system could be as high as €700 million .
Mr Reid told the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee he expects the system to cost in the region of €450 million this year but that this will increase for 2021 .
Mr Reid told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full annual figure for next year , 2021 , will be €700 million ” .
Mr Reid is giving evidence on Ireland ’ s Covid response , with a specific focus on testing and tracing .
Earlier the HSE chief said the State may need to increase its lab testing capacity if growth in Covid-19 cases continues .
Mr Reid said the HSE is “ modelling [ testing ] out through the winter – if we keep running the way the virus is running , we ’ ll need some more capacity in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Féin ’ s David Cullinane it was difficult to “ put a number ” on the potential capacity as it depends on the progress of the disease in the community .
The HSE ’ s lead on testing , Niamh O ’ Beirne , said 91 per cent of swabs get a result within 48 hours .
The median end-to-end turnaround time for a negative sample is around two days , she said , growing to three days for a positive sample .
For the completion of contact tracing to take place , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she said .
Mr Reid said there are two recruitment campaigns ongoing to increase the staffing resource for testing and tracing , with 700 people being sought for swabbing and 500 contact tracers .
The HSE expects a total workforce of between 2,500 and 3,500 across all parts of the testing system , the committee was told .
The HSE is hoping to bring the first of its new cohort of contact tracers on board this week .
The committee also heard of the “ quite concerning ” mental health impacts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health service .
Dr Colm Henry , the HSE ’ s chief clinical officer , warned of the risk of “ diagnostic tunnel vision ” emerging , which could lead to serious infectious diseaes being missed due to a focus on testing for Covid .
The rise in hospitalisations associated with Covid is having an impact on the health service , Mr Reid told Labour ’ s Duncan Smith , with wards being frozen and isolated when cases emerge .
He also said there is an “ increasing trend of healthcare workers being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
Mr Reid said critical care capacity has grown from 225 beds at the outset of the pandemic , to 280 beds , with another 17 beds approved for funding in the winter plan .
In his opening statement , Mr Reid had warned “ it is increasingly evident that we can expect and should therefore plan for subsequent waves ” of the disease .
Amid admissions to hospital which are “ definitely rising ” , he said “ a difficult winter season , coupled with a resurgence in Covid-19 , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services ” .
Mr Reid told the committee even with a vaccine “ the reality is that we will be dealing with Covid-19 for a long time yet ” , and that behavioural and societal changes are needed to manage the pandemic .
In his opening statement , he also addressed the State ’ s Covid test-and-trace programme , which has been the subject of ongoing commentary since the increase in cases emerged in recent weeks .
The HSE is examining ways to bring down the turnaround time for tests , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – including Germany , France , Norway and Italy – when measured by the number of tests done per one million of population , he said .
“ In order to speed up test notification periods we are also looking at additional equipment , robots and process methodologies to increase our domestic testing capacity and turnaround , ” Mr Reid told the committee .
In the last week , the HSE completed 87,940 tests , according to Mr Reid ’ s opening statement , bringing the total to 1.12 million .
Last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completed , the highest number to date .
The committee also heard the testing capacity of the State is 100,000 per week , with “ surge capacity ” of 2,000 per day provided by German labs .
The first deliveries of flu vaccines started to GPs , nursing homes and pharmacists on September 17th , Mr Reid said , adding all shipments are expected to be delivered before the end of October .
He said the HSE has “ secured sufficient doses to vaccinate all the at-risk groups ” .
Change approved by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is offered to a wider group of people without a charge , including children aged two to 12 .

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is embarking on an “enhanced surveillance project” to look further back in time during the contact tracing process, the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee was told on Tuesday.
Dr John Cuddihy, director of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, told Social Democrats co-leader Roisin Shortall the project will focus on activities over a 14-day period by new community transmission cases.
Dr Cuddihy said the project would look at “the previous 14 days for more recent community transmission cases”, and the information gleaned would then be incorporated back into the contact tracing process. He said the project may begin as early as next week.
A spokeswoman for the HSE later said that in some instances, people with Covid are already asked to give details of their activities for up to 14 days prior to symptoms. However, the new project will apply to all confirmed cases of community transmission notified in the previous seven days.
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Questions will focus on visits to relatives or friends’ homes, eating out, entertainment, special events, sport and exercise, public transport or religious services, among other criteria. This, the HSE said, will enable quantitative analysis “to identify key settings where exposure to infection most likely occurred and potential hot spots for infection”.
The commitee was told by HSE chief executive Paul Reid the full-year cost of running the test-and-trace system could be as high as €700 million.
Mr Reid told the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee he expects the system to cost in the region of €450 million this year but that this will increase for 2021.
Mr Reid told Ms Shortall he is “estimating a full annual figure for next year, 2021, will be €700 million”.
Mr Reid is giving evidence on Ireland’s Covid response, with a specific focus on testing and tracing.
Earlier the HSE chief said the State may need to increase its lab testing capacity if growth in Covid-19 cases continues.
Mr Reid said the HSE is “modelling [testing] out through the winter – if we keep running the way the virus is running, we’ll need some more capacity in our labs”.
He told Sinn Féin’s David Cullinane it was difficult to “put a number” on the potential capacity as it depends on the progress of the disease in the community.
The HSE’s lead on testing, Niamh O’Beirne, said 91 per cent of swabs get a result within 48 hours. The median end-to-end turnaround time for a negative sample is around two days, she said, growing to three days for a positive sample.
For the completion of contact tracing to take place, the median time stretches to 3.5 days, she said.
Mr Reid said there are two recruitment campaigns ongoing to increase the staffing resource for testing and tracing, with 700 people being sought for swabbing and 500 contact tracers.
The HSE expects a total workforce of between 2,500 and 3,500 across all parts of the testing system, the committee was told. The HSE is hoping to bring the first of its new cohort of contact tracers on board this week.
The committee also heard of the “quite concerning” mental health impacts and other impacts of the virus on the health service. Dr Colm Henry, the HSE’s chief clinical officer, warned of the risk of “diagnostic tunnel vision” emerging, which could lead to serious infectious diseaes being missed due to a focus on testing for Covid.
The rise in hospitalisations associated with Covid is having an impact on the health service, Mr Reid told Labour’s Duncan Smith, with wards being frozen and isolated when cases emerge. He also said there is an “increasing trend of healthcare workers being infected by Covid or having to isolate”.
Mr Reid said critical care capacity has grown from 225 beds at the outset of the pandemic, to 280 beds, with another 17 beds approved for funding in the winter plan.
In his opening statement, Mr Reid had warned “it is increasingly evident that we can expect and should therefore plan for subsequent waves” of the disease.
Amid admissions to hospital which are “definitely rising”, he said “a difficult winter season, coupled with a resurgence in Covid-19, is the worst possible scenario for our health services”.
Mr Reid told the committee even with a vaccine “the reality is that we will be dealing with Covid-19 for a long time yet”, and that behavioural and societal changes are needed to manage the pandemic.
In his opening statement, he also addressed the State’s Covid test-and-trace programme, which has been the subject of ongoing commentary since the increase in cases emerged in recent weeks.
The HSE is examining ways to bring down the turnaround time for tests, and the State compares well with other European countries – including Germany, France, Norway and Italy – when measured by the number of tests done per one million of population, he said.
“In order to speed up test notification periods we are also looking at additional equipment, robots and process methodologies to increase our domestic testing capacity and turnaround,” Mr Reid told the committee.
In the last week, the HSE completed 87,940 tests, according to Mr Reid’s opening statement, bringing the total to 1.12 million. Last week, some 15,381 contact tracing calls were completed, the highest number to date.
The committee also heard the testing capacity of the State is 100,000 per week, with “surge capacity” of 2,000 per day provided by German labs.
The first deliveries of flu vaccines started to GPs, nursing homes and pharmacists on September 17th, Mr Reid said, adding all shipments are expected to be delivered before the end of October. He said the HSE has “secured sufficient doses to vaccinate all the at-risk groups”.
Change approved by the Cabinet last month mean the vaccine is offered to a wider group of people without a charge, including children aged two to 12.


theirishtimes--2020-09-29--Risk of localised flooding as yellow warning issued for several counties

Localised flooding is possible throughout the country , as yellow weather warnings are issued for several counties from Tuesday night .
Met Éireann has put a yellow rainfall warning in place for Wexford , Wicklow , Galway , Mayo , Cork , Kerry and Waterford from 9pm on Tuesday until midday on Wednesday .
There will be heavy and , at times , intense rainfall with totals of 25mm to 40mm expected , which may result in localised flooding , the forecaster said .
The rain will clear western counties by early Wednesday morning .
There is also a yellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will reach gale force eight on Tuesday night on Irish coastal waters from Mizen Head to Slyne Head to Bloody Foreland , transferring to southern and eastern coasts early Wednesday morning .
It is forecasted to turn cooler and more settled for the rest of the week and weekend .
Wednesday will have a wet and blustery start across the midlands and east , with heavy rain for a time and a continued risk of spot flooding .
Brighter , sunnier conditions with scattered showers in the west will gradually extend to all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees .
Showers will continue into Wednesday night , most frequent in the west , where some will be heavy and possibly thundery with hail .
Longer clearer intervals will occur over eastern parts of the country .
Lowest temperatures will be between two and six degrees , with the east being the coldest , where some grass frost is possible .
There will be widespread showers for a time on Thursday , some of the showers will be heavy and possibly thundery with hail .
Sunny spells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become mainly confined to coastal areas on Thursday night with clear spells developing inland .
There will be lows of two to five degrees with some grass frost developing .
Friday will be another cool day with a mix of bright spells and scattered showers , with the showers most frequent in the east of the country .
Current indications suggest that it will remain cool and unsettled for the weekend with showers or longer spells of rain , turning heavy at times .
There is also the potential for strong winds on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northwest .

There will be heavy and, at times, intense rainfall with totals of 25mm to 40mm expected. File photograph: Laura Hutton/The Irish Times
Localised flooding is possible throughout the country, as yellow weather warnings are issued for several counties from Tuesday night.
Met Éireann has put a yellow rainfall warning in place for Wicklow, Cavan, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Waterford from 4pm on Tuesday until midday on Wednesday.
There will be heavy and, at times, intense rainfall with totals of 25mm to 40mm expected, which may result in localised flooding, the forecaster said. The rain will clear western counties by early Wednesday morning.
Status Yellow - Rainfall warning for Wicklow, Cavan, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Waterford.
Valid: 16:00 Tuesday 29/09/2020 to 12:00 Wednesday 30/09/2020.
For more information on weather warnings and advisories:https://t.co/Xg3aMJlyuS pic.twitter.com/fZWvgWiRbj — Met Éireann (@MetEireann) September 29, 2020
There is also a yellow gale warning in place. Southerly winds will reach gale force eight on Tuesday night on Irish coastal waters from Mizen Head to Slyne Head to Bloody Foreland, transferring to southern and eastern coasts early Wednesday morning.
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It is forecasted to turn cooler and more settled for the rest of the week and weekend.
Wednesday will have a wet and blustery start across the midlands and east, with heavy rain for a time and a continued risk of spot flooding.
Brighter, sunnier conditions with scattered showers in the west will gradually extend to all areas through the day, with highest temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees.
Showers will continue into Wednesday night, most frequent in the west, where some will be heavy and possibly thundery with hail. Longer clearer intervals will occur over eastern parts of the country. Lowest temperatures will be between two and six degrees, with the east being the coldest, where some grass frost is possible.
There will be widespread showers for a time on Thursday, some of the showers will be heavy and possibly thundery with hail. Sunny spells will occur also.
The showers will become mainly confined to coastal areas on Thursday night with clear spells developing inland. There will be lows of two to five degrees with some grass frost developing.
Friday will be another cool day with a mix of bright spells and scattered showers, with the showers most frequent in the east of the country.
Current indications suggest that it will remain cool and unsettled for the weekend with showers or longer spells of rain, turning heavy at times. There is also the potential for strong winds on Sunday, particularly in the west and northwest.


theirishtimes--2020-09-29--Towns will not be ‘left behind’ following Bus Éireann routes cut, Ryan says

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has said that “ no town will be left behind ” and that if any gaps are identified following the decision of Bus Éireann to shut down several of its 18 routes then the National Transport Authority will make sure such gaps are closed .
Bus Éireann on Monday announced it is to close down some of inter-city Expressway routes as a result of financial pressures brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic .
The State-owned transport company is to end the current Dublin-Cork , Dublin-Limerick , Dublin-Galway and Dublin-Belfast routes .
An express service running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which ceased to operate during the summer is not now to resume .
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast on Tuesday , Mr Ryan said that he would prefer if Bus Éireann were to start looking at its services on other routes .
The decision to stop the routes was appropriate for the company to make in an effort to manage its resources , he said .
It is understood the company does not plan any job losses as a a result of the route closures .
Instead , it is understood Bus Éireann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Cork , Galway , Limerick and Waterford where it offers city services .
Bus Éireann said on Monday that it was closing and suspending the inter-urban routes “ in response to significant medium-term challenges posed by Covid-19 in order to safeguard Expressway ’ s remaining 14 national routes and meet demand required on other city and commuter services ” .
It said no dates had been determined yet as to when the services earmarked for closure would stop operating but that “ changes are likely early next year when the current commercial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Limerick and Galway routes expire ” .
“ The X51 service from Galway to Limerick and the X1 service Dublin to Belfast have not been in receipt of emergency funding and services will formally cease on these routes over the next few months .
The National Transport Authority is responsible for transport connectivity and will review requirements along these routes to mitigate any impact.
” The company said that the decision to close and suspend the routes followed “ considerable analysis and review over the past number of months ” .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) urged the Government and opposition TDs to support the retention of Bus Éireann services .
NBRU general secretary Dermot O ’ Leary said the union would “ move might and main to ensure that our members jobs are protected .
“ However , our ability to directly influence the retention of vital transport links into the towns and villages affected by this decision , will require community support and political intervention.
” The union said it had warned for several years about the threat to bus routes serving local communities .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of additional licences by the National Transport Authority to private operators would lead to “ market saturation ” .

Bus Éireann has to close down some of inter-city Expressway routes as a result of financial pressures brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Time
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has said that "no town will be left behind" and that if any gaps are identified following the decision of Bus Éireann to shut down several of its 18 routes then the National Transport Authority will make sure such gaps are closed.
Bus Éireann on Monday announced it is to close down some of inter-city Expressway routes as a result of financial pressures brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The State-owned transport company is to end the current Dublin-Cork, Dublin-Limerick, Dublin-Galway and Dublin-Belfast routes.
An express service running from Galway to Limerick via Shannon airport, which ceased to operate during the summer is not now to resume.
READ MORE
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast on Tuesday, Mr Ryan said that he would prefer if Bus Éireann were to start looking at its services on other routes. The decision to stop the routes was appropriate for the company to make in an effort to manage its resources, he said.
It is understood the company does not plan any job losses as a a result of the route closures. Instead, it is understood Bus Éireann is planning an expansion of its operations in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford where it offers city services.
Bus Éireann said on Monday that it was closing and suspending the inter-urban routes "in response to significant medium-term challenges posed by Covid-19 in order to safeguard Expressway's remaining 14 national routes and meet demand required on other city and commuter services".
It said no dates had been determined yet as to when the services earmarked for closure would stop operating but that “changes are likely early next year when the current commercial bus operator emergency supports to the Cork, Limerick and Galway routes expire”.
“The X51 service from Galway to Limerick and the X1 service Dublin to Belfast have not been in receipt of emergency funding and services will formally cease on these routes over the next few months. The National Transport Authority is responsible for transport connectivity and will review requirements along these routes to mitigate any impact.”
The company said that the decision to close and suspend the routes followed “considerable analysis and review over the past number of months”.
The National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) urged the Government and opposition TDs to support the retention of Bus Éireann services.
NBRU general secretary Dermot O’Leary said the union would “move might and main to ensure that our members jobs are protected.
“However, our ability to directly influence the retention of vital transport links into the towns and villages affected by this decision, will require community support and political intervention.”
The union said it had warned for several years about the threat to bus routes serving local communities. It said it had suggested that the provision of additional licences by the National Transport Authority to private operators would lead to “market saturation”.