theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Ireland to get more than 2m doses of Pfizer Covid vaccine if approved

Public health officials have cautiously welcomed news that a vaccine being developed by Pfizer could be more than 90 per cent effective , while airline and hotel stocks soared on the announcement .
National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) members described the drug giant ’ s announcement , based on limited data from phase 3 trials , as a “ good first step ” but said they awaited more detailed information being published .
Based on its population share , Ireland is in line to receive more than two million doses of the vaccine , if approved , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal being negotiated by the EU with Pfizer .
A proportion of these doses could be made available by the end of this year if , ultimately , emergency authorisation is given by regulatory bodies .
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said officials needed to see reliable data made available to regulators and published in the scientific literature .
“ We ’ re hopeful but it ’ s certainly not a time for celebration , ” he said , adding that people needed to stick to the basic public health measures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ effectiveness and safety known , Ireland would be able to organise the distribution of supplies as part of joint procurement arrangements with the EU , he said .
Dr Holohan said a lot of “ anticipatory planning work ” has gone on behind the scenes in advance of the arrival of a vaccine and “ when the time is right we ’ ll set out the details ” .
“ Certainly it ’ s positive .
At over 90 per cent effective , if that holds true in the real world it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr Cillian de Gascun , director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory , told a Nphet briefing .
He pointed out that the Pfizer vaccine posed a number of supply challenges , as two doses are required and the doses must be maintained at extremely low temperatures .
One more death was reported by Nphet last night , along with 270 new cases , the lowest daily number since late September .
Ministers are likely to discuss Ireland ’ s ongoing Covid-19 restrictions at Cabinet this morning as a memorandum on the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ items on the agenda , sources said .
Among the major decisions required in the coming weeks by the Government is what level of travel restrictions are in place for Christmas , when several hundred thousand people would normally arrive in Ireland for the holidays .
More generally , there are intensive discussions going on in Government about reopening after the lockdown ends at the beginning of December .
The new vaccine is expected to be submitted to authorities for emergency approval in the third week of November .
European Commission president Ursula @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ soon ” sign a contract with Pfizer for up to 300 million doses .
Anthony Fauci , the head of the US National Institutes of Health , described 90 per cent effectiveness as “ just extraordinary ” , but US president-elect Joe Biden urged caution , stressing that the end of the battle against Covid-19 was “ still months away ” .
The details released by Pfizer comes from the first formal review of the data by an outside panel of experts .
Out of the 43,000 trial participants , the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evaluators to calculate the effectiveness after two doses .
The announcement by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech sparked big rises in share values in sectors that have been depressed during the pandemic .
On the Irish stock exchange , Ryanair shares rose by 14 per cent while Dalata , the State ’ s biggest hotel group , finished the day more than 30 per cent ahead .
“ This is good news for the world and will give a big lift .
There is a lot of pent-up demand , particularly in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Dalata chief executive .

Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said on Monday that once a safe and effective vaccine was available, Ireland would be able to organise the distribution of supplies. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
Public health officials have cautiously welcomed news that a vaccine being developed by Pfizer could be more than 90 per cent effective, while airline and hotel stocks soared on the announcement.
National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) members described the drug giant’s announcement, based on limited data from phase 3 trials, as a “good first step” but said they awaited more detailed information being published.
Based on its population share, Ireland is in line to receive more than two million doses of the vaccine, if approved, under the terms of a collective supply deal being negotiated by the EU with Pfizer. A proportion of these doses could be made available by the end of this year if, ultimately, emergency authorisation is given by regulatory bodies.
Hospital Report
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said officials needed to see reliable data made available to regulators and published in the scientific literature. "We're hopeful but it's certainly not a time for celebration," he said, adding that people needed to stick to the basic public health measures.
READ MORE
Distribution of supplies
Once a vaccine was available and its effectiveness and safety known, Ireland would be able to organise the distribution of supplies as part of joint procurement arrangements with the EU, he said.
Dr Holohan said a lot of “anticipatory planning work” has gone on behind the scenes in advance of the arrival of a vaccine and “when the time is right we’ll set out the details”.
“Certainly it’s positive. At over 90 per cent effective, if that holds true in the real world it will be a very good start,” Dr Cillian de Gascun, director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory, told a Nphet briefing.
He pointed out that the Pfizer vaccine posed a number of supply challenges, as two doses are required and the doses must be maintained at extremely low temperatures.
One more death was reported by Nphet last night, along with 270 new cases, the lowest daily number since late September.
Ministers are likely to discuss Ireland’s ongoing Covid-19 restrictions at Cabinet this morning as a memorandum on the new European traffic light system is among the items on the agenda, sources said.
Travel restrictions
Among the major decisions required in the coming weeks by the Government is what level of travel restrictions are in place for Christmas, when several hundred thousand people would normally arrive in Ireland for the holidays.
More generally, there are intensive discussions going on in Government about reopening after the lockdown ends at the beginning of December.
The new vaccine is expected to be submitted to authorities for emergency approval in the third week of November.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said yesterday it would "soon" sign a contract with Pfizer for up to 300 million doses.
Anthony Fauci, the head of the US National Institutes of Health, described 90 per cent effectiveness as "just extraordinary", but US president-elect Joe Biden urged caution, stressing that the end of the battle against Covid-19 was "still months away".
First formal review
The details released by Pfizer comes from the first formal review of the data by an outside panel of experts. Out of the 43,000 trial participants, the first 94 who were infected enabled the independent evaluators to calculate the effectiveness after two doses.
The announcement by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech sparked big rises in share values in sectors that have been depressed during the pandemic. On the Irish stock exchange, Ryanair shares rose by 14 per cent while Dalata, the State's biggest hotel group, finished the day more than 30 per cent ahead. "This is good news for the world and will give a big lift. There is a lot of pent-up demand, particularly in our sector," said Pat McCann, the Dalata chief executive.


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Government expected to easily win vote of confidence in Leo Varadkar

The Opposition is expected to attack Tánaiste Leo Varadkar ’ s argument that he leaked a confidential GP pay deal to secure support for it during a confidence motion in the Dáil today .
However , the Government remains bullish about the vote tomorrow , called by Sinn Féin after a controversy over the leak of the deal with the Irish Medical Organisation to Maitiú Ó Tuathail , then president of the National Association of General Practitioners ( NAGP ) .
Some on the Opposition benches were sceptical about the political impact of the vote , a sense which deepened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affair by Village magazine , which broke the original story , were disputed by Ministers involved , as well as Dr Ó Tuathail .
Mr Varadkar , Dr Ó Tuathail , Simon Harris and Paschal Donohoe all disputed an account published by the magazine , which was largely based on text messages purportedly sent by the former NAGP president .
“ There ’ s enough there for people who believe the worst of Leo or Fine Gael , ” one Opposition source said .
“ But there ’ s nothing that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Féin is also expected to focus on what it says are 35 differences between the copy given to Dr Ó Tuathail and the final published version , some elements of which it will argue were significant – especially changes the party believes were made on how compliance and performance with the goals outlined in the agreement was to be evaluated .
The party will ask why the NAGP was frozen out of discussions for months on end if it was the policy of the Government to bring all GPs with them on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t passed on to the NAGP .
Opposition parties are expected to offer broader critiques of Mr Varadkar ’ s performance as minister , not confined to the leaking issue .
Some sources on the Opposition benches were sceptical of Sinn Féin ’ s decision to force a confidence vote on the leaking issue , The Government is expected to win the vote easily with the support of all its TDs .
Political sources had speculated whether Marc MacSharry , the Fianna Fáil TD for Sligo-Leitrim , might vote against the Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will do so .
The Government on Monday put down a motion of confidence in the Tánaiste which will overrule the Sinn Féin motion .
The move by the Government prompted a row on the Dáil ’ s business committee , which a source said was “ the most fractious ” seen in this term .
While the move is standard , Opposition members on the committee reacted angrily , while the Government argued that Sinn Féin had misled the committee by not disclosing last week its intention to move a motion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sit briefly at Leinster House this Tuesday afternoon , before relocating to the larger Convention Centre , which is needed to accommodate a vote of all TDs .
Several committee sittings planned for Tuesday have also been cancelled to free up time for the vote .
Fine Gael has also sought to move the political focus onto Sinn Féin .
The Seanad will debate a motion by Senator Barry Ward on the donation of €4 million to the party from the estate of William Hampton .
Mr Ward has asked that the Seanad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irish electoral law is €2,500 .
Mr Ward said he is also asking that Sipo be given new powers which he says could be used to target what he described as “ Sinn Féin ’ s practice of using lax Northern Irish regulations on political donations to accept massive political gifts ”

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar: “There’s enough there for people who believe the worst of Leo or Fine Gael,” one Opposition source said. “But there’s nothing that’s going to hang him tomorrow.” Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
The Opposition is expected to attack Tánaiste Leo Varadkar’s argument that he leaked a confidential GP pay deal to secure support for it during a confidence motion in the Dáil today.
However, the Government remains bullish about the vote tomorrow, called by Sinn Féin after a controversy over the leak of the deal with the Irish Medical Organisation to Maitiú Ó Tuathail, then president of the National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP).
Some on the Opposition benches were sceptical about the political impact of the vote, a sense which deepened further after more allegations published about the affair by Village magazine, which broke the original story, were disputed by Ministers involved, as well as Dr Ó Tuathail.
Mr Varadkar, Dr Ó Tuathail, Simon Harris and Paschal Donohoe all disputed an account published by the magazine, which was largely based on text messages purportedly sent by the former NAGP president.
READ MORE
"There's enough there for people who believe the worst of Leo or Fine Gael, " one Opposition source said. "But there's nothing that's going to hang him tomorrow."
Sinn Féin is also expected to focus on what it says are 35 differences between the copy given to Dr Ó Tuathail and the final published version, some elements of which it will argue were significant – especially changes the party believes were made on how compliance and performance with the goals outlined in the agreement was to be evaluated.
The party will ask why the NAGP was frozen out of discussions for months on end if it was the policy of the Government to bring all GPs with them on the issue, and why the document wasn’t passed on to the NAGP.
Broader critiques
Opposition parties are expected to offer broader critiques of Mr Varadkar’s performance as minister, not confined to the leaking issue. Some sources on the Opposition benches were sceptical of Sinn Féin’s decision to force a confidence vote on the leaking issue,
The Government is expected to win the vote easily with the support of all its TDs. Political sources had speculated whether Marc MacSharry, the Fianna Fáil TD for Sligo-Leitrim, might vote against the Government, but he has not indicated he will do so.
The Government on Monday put down a motion of confidence in the Tánaiste which will overrule the Sinn Féin motion. The move by the Government prompted a row on the Dáil’s business committee, which a source said was “the most fractious” seen in this term.
Misled the committee
While the move is standard, Opposition members on the committee reacted angrily, while the Government argued that Sinn Féin had misled the committee by not disclosing last week its intention to move a motion of no confidence.
The Dáil will first sit briefly at Leinster House this Tuesday afternoon, before relocating to the larger Convention Centre, which is needed to accommodate a vote of all TDs. Several committee sittings planned for Tuesday have also been cancelled to free up time for the vote.
Fine Gael has also sought to move the political focus onto Sinn Féin. The Seanad will debate a motion by Senator Barry Ward on the donation of €4 million to the party from the estate of William Hampton.
Mr Ward has asked that the Seanad note that the maximum donation allowable under Irish electoral law is €2,500. Mr Ward said he is also asking that Sipo be given new powers which he says could be used to target what he described as "Sinn Féin's practice of using lax Northern Irish regulations on political donations to accept massive political gifts"


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Irish people with disabilities still ‘locked out’ of public spaces

More than seven out of 10 people with physical disabilities in Ireland have little or no access to public spaces and amenities , while two-thirds continue to report difficulties in accessing public buildings , the Irish Wheelchair Association ( IWA ) has said .
New research published by the association finds 77 per cent of people with physical disabilities still face problems when using public pavements , parking and pedestrian crossings , and 66 per cent struggle to access public buildings offering healthcare , retail and leisure facilities .
In a survey of nearly 1,000 people , the charity also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical disabilities still find that public toilets , lifts , emergency exits and parking machines do not cater to their needs .
More than 60 per cent of respondents said they often found there was poor or no accessible public parking at public buildings , while 73 per cent have to navigate steps when they arrive at the main entrance of public buildings .
Tony Cunningham , IWA ’ s director of property , housing and access , warned that people with physical disabilities continued to be “ locked out of public spaces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building regulations were making simple day-to-day activities “ needlessly complicated ” because of their “ extremely narrow view of accessibility ” .
He said builders , architects , local authorities and design professionals must be made more aware of what accessibility actually means , noting that many accessible toilets continued to pose problems for wheelchair-users .
“ So many of our members talk to us about so-called ‘ accessible toilets ’ that don ’ t fit a wheelchair with the door closed , ‘ accessible parking ’ without level access to the adjacent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access ramp to a building entrance.
” He said the decision by many cafés , pubs and restaurants to move their customers outside during Covid-19 to keep businesses open meant wheelchair-users were “ struggling to navigate the reduced space on paths in our towns ” .
Wheelchair-accessible housing designs must also be reviewed so that new builds have higher accessibility standards and bring new stock for wheelchair- users into the housing market , said Mr Cunningham .
The charity , which marks its 60th anniversary this week , is calling for a review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in conjunction with the release of its new guidelines for designing accessible environments .
The guidelines , which were last published in 2014 , set the standards for accessibility across construction , housing , retail , tourism , public amenities , hospitality and sport , and include submissions from the National Council of the Blind , Inclusion Ireland and the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland .
The charity has called for all groups involved in planning , building and design to adopt the latest guidelines so “ people with disabilities can live @ @ @ @ @ @

The Irish Wheelchair Association found that 68% of people with physical disabilities still find that public toilets, lifts, emergency exits and parking machines do not cater to their needs
More than seven out of 10 people with physical disabilities in Ireland have little or no access to public spaces and amenities, while two-thirds continue to report difficulties in accessing public buildings, the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) has said.
New research published by the association finds 77 per cent of people with physical disabilities still face problems when using public pavements, parking and pedestrian crossings, and 66 per cent struggle to access public buildings offering healthcare, retail and leisure facilities.
In a survey of nearly 1,000 people, the charity also found 68 per cent of people with physical disabilities still find that public toilets, lifts, emergency exits and parking machines do not cater to their needs.
More than 60 per cent of respondents said they often found there was poor or no accessible public parking at public buildings, while 73 per cent have to navigate steps when they arrive at the main entrance of public buildings.
READ MORE
Tony Cunningham, IWA’s director of property, housing and access, warned that people with physical disabilities continued to be “locked out of public spaces and buildings”, and that Irish building regulations were making simple day-to-day activities “needlessly complicated” because of their “extremely narrow view of accessibility”.
He said builders, architects, local authorities and design professionals must be made more aware of what accessibility actually means, noting that many accessible toilets continued to pose problems for wheelchair-users.
“So many of our members talk to us about so-called ‘accessible toilets’ that don’t fit a wheelchair with the door closed, ‘accessible parking’ without level access to the adjacent footpath, or a path without an access ramp to a building entrance.”
Reduced space
He said the decision by many cafés, pubs and restaurants to move their customers outside during Covid-19 to keep businesses open meant wheelchair-users were “struggling to navigate the reduced space on paths in our towns”.
Wheelchair-accessible housing designs must also be reviewed so that new builds have higher accessibility standards and bring new stock for wheelchair- users into the housing market, said Mr Cunningham.
The charity, which marks its 60th anniversary this week, is calling for a review of national building regulations around wheelchair-accessible housing in conjunction with the release of its new guidelines for designing accessible environments.
The guidelines, which were last published in 2014, set the standards for accessibility across construction, housing, retail, tourism, public amenities, hospitality and sport, and include submissions from the National Council of the Blind, Inclusion Ireland and the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland.
The charity has called for all groups involved in planning, building and design to adopt the latest guidelines so “people with disabilities can live the live they choose”.


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Séamus Woulfe profile: Judge in eye of storm was hard-working barrister who was well-regarded

Séamus Woulfe ( 58 ) was born in Raheny in 1962 and like so many of his colleagues at the Bar and on the bench , was educated at Belvedere College before going on to study law at Trinity College and then at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia , Canada .
He returned to Ireland to complete his legal training at the King ’ s Inns and qualified as a barrister in 1987 .
Woulfe developed a reputation as a hard worker and steadily built up a practice focusing on commercial and public law .
He also lectured part-time at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ junior counsel earned him a place on legal teams involved in some of the most important cases in Ireland in the 1990s .
Between 1991 and 1994 , he acted for Pat Rabbitte at the Beef tribunal , alongside Adrian Hardiman and Michael White who went to sit on the Supreme Court and Central Criminal Court respectively .
In 1992 , he appeared in the X Case at Supreme Court , where he acted for a 14-year-old girl who was pregnant as a result of rape and was seeking to travel to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shape abortion law for the next 26 years .
Woulfe has attributed some of this early success as a barrister to luck .
“ The Bar is sometimes a very unpredictable profession , but you can get a lucky break .
These cases got me a bit of a profile in a profession where you can ’ t advertise yourself , ” he told the Bar Review after his appointment as attorney general in 2017 .
He was a member of Fine Gael in Dublin Bay North and served for a time as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into contact with Richard Bruton , a local TD and a rising star in the party .
The two shared a close professional relationship and Woulfe would go on to act as an election agent for Bruton .
He would also represent or legally advise the party on occasion .
For example he acted for Fine Gael in 2015 in a High Court case taken by party member John Perry who argued he was unfairly dropped from the party ticket ahead of the general election .
Woulfe , who is married to barrister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was regarded as being on the progressive wing of the party .
Colleagues say he was pro-gay marriage and pro-choice long before those referendums .
As attorney general , he developed a reputation for sharing the government ’ s legal briefs fairly among men and women in the Law Library .
He was appointed a senior counsel in 2005 at the age of 43 and continued to practise from an office on Church Street he shared with other barristers .
He plays squash , tennis and golf and is an avid Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice-chairman of the Bar Council , having previously lost an election for chairman .
Woulfe ’ s name was in the mix for the attorney general post at an early stage following the 2017 election despite having little dealings with then taoiseach Leo Varadkar beforehand .
“ Richard [ Bruton ] made the introduction and he gained Leo ’ s confidence quickly , ” a Fine Gael politician said .
In a speech to Trinity ’ s Law Society in 2018 , Woulfe described the “ culture shock ” of moving from being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office of lawyers and sitting at the Cabinet table .
However , he quickly became well-regarded among colleagues and he fitted easily into the professional and social life of Leinster House .
Among the groups he joined was the Oireachtas Golf Society .
As well as giving more work to female barristers , he also gave work to young lawyers from all political hues and none , where previous attorneys general had been accused of favouring associates of the party which appointed them .
His background in public and regulatory law stood to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it came to Brexit .
Woulfe was key in marshalling the referendum on the Eighth Amendment and the subsequent legislative processes following its abolition .
This and the unprecedented number of private members ’ Bills introduced during the 30th Dáil meant he was probably one of the busiest attorney generals in many years , a politician said .
When Covid-19 hit , he was key in drafting restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus .
But Woulfe ’ s term was not without controversy .
In 2018 , in an address to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Journalists , Woulfe called the Judicial Appointments Bill championed by then minister for transport Shane Ross “ a dog ’ s dinner ” .
The resulting furore surprised Woulfe , who was not used to being in the public eye and later apologised for the remark to Ross .
Following the 2020 general election , Varadkar wanted to keep Woulfe on as attorney general but lost out in the negotiations .
Paul Gallagher became Attorney General and three weeks later , Woulfe was appointed to the Supreme Court in July .
He found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his attendance at the Oireachtas Golf Society Clifden dinner in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic .
Former chief justice Susan Denham was asked to report to the Supreme Court as to whether Mr Justice Woulfe should have attended the so-called Golfgate dinner .
Her answer was no .
But she also said it would be unjust and disproportionate to ask him to resign , and recommended an informal resolution of the matter .
She attached a transcript of her interview with him as an appendix to her report .
When the appendix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judicial Council on October 2nd , it dealt a further blow to confidence in Mr Justice Woulfe .
In the transcript of the September 8th meeting with Denham , he is quoted as saying , “ Unfortunately I think even judges are not above prejudging , judge , and in this mood of hysteria I can ’ t be sure that even some of my colleagues have prejudged me ” .
In the transcript , he further says : “ I think it ’ s more damaging to the Supreme Court if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the institution prevail over hounding a judge out of office for no valid reason.
” Press coverage of the Clifden dinner now looked “ objectively to be completely fake , overblown ” , he said , adding that he felt sorry for the organisers who “ had been pilloried ” for holding an event that “ some way it ’ s like a Ku Klux Klan ” .

Séamus Woulfe: found himself at the centre of controversy following his attendance at the Oireachtas Golf Society Clifden dinner in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Séamus Woulfe (58) was born in Raheny in 1962 and like so many of his colleagues at the Bar and on the bench, was educated at Belvedere College before going on to study law at Trinity College and then at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada. He returned to Ireland to complete his legal training at the King's Inns and qualified as a barrister in 1987.
Woulfe developed a reputation as a hard worker and steadily built up a practice focusing on commercial and public law. He also lectured part-time at Trinity.
His reputation as a steady junior counsel earned him a place on legal teams involved in some of the most important cases in Ireland in the 1990s.
Between 1991 and 1994, he acted for Pat Rabbitte at the Beef tribunal, alongside Adrian Hardiman and Michael White who went to sit on the Supreme Court and Central Criminal Court respectively.
READ MORE
In 1992, he appeared in the X Case at Supreme Court, where he acted for a 14-year-old girl who was pregnant as a result of rape and was seeking to travel to have an abortion. The case which would shape abortion law for the next 26 years.
Woulfe has attributed some of this early success as a barrister to luck. “The Bar is sometimes a very unpredictable profession, but you can get a lucky break. These cases got me a bit of a profile in a profession where you can’t advertise yourself,” he told the Bar Review after his appointment as attorney general in 2017.
Branch secretary
He was a member of Fine Gael in Dublin Bay North and served for a time as a branch secretary. This brought him into contact with Richard Bruton, a local TD and a rising star in the party. The two shared a close professional relationship and Woulfe would go on to act as an election agent for Bruton.
He would also represent or legally advise the party on occasion. For example he acted for Fine Gael in 2015 in a High Court case taken by party member John Perry who argued he was unfairly dropped from the party ticket ahead of the general election.
Woulfe, who is married to barrister Sheena Hickey and has two teenage children, was regarded as being on the progressive wing of the party. Colleagues say he was pro-gay marriage and pro-choice long before those referendums. As attorney general, he developed a reputation for sharing the government's legal briefs fairly among men and women in the Law Library.
He was appointed a senior counsel in 2005 at the age of 43 and continued to practise from an office on Church Street he shared with other barristers.
He plays squash, tennis and golf and is an avid Dublin GAA fan.
He also served as vice-chairman of the Bar Council, having previously lost an election for chairman.
Woulfe's name was in the mix for the attorney general post at an early stage following the 2017 election despite having little dealings with then taoiseach Leo Varadkar beforehand. "Richard [Bruton] made the introduction and he gained Leo's confidence quickly," a Fine Gael politician said.
‘Culture shock’
In a speech to Trinity's Law Society in 2018, Woulfe described the "culture shock" of moving from being a sole practitioner to heading a busy office of lawyers and sitting at the Cabinet table.
However, he quickly became well-regarded among colleagues and he fitted easily into the professional and social life of Leinster House. Among the groups he joined was the Oireachtas Golf Society.
As well as giving more work to female barristers, he also gave work to young lawyers from all political hues and none, where previous attorneys general had been accused of favouring associates of the party which appointed them.
His background in public and regulatory law stood to him in the role, particularly when it came to Brexit.
Woulfe was key in marshalling the referendum on the Eighth Amendment and the subsequent legislative processes following its abolition. This and the unprecedented number of private members’ Bills introduced during the 30th Dáil meant he was probably one of the busiest attorney generals in many years, a politician said.
When Covid-19 hit, he was key in drafting restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus. But Woulfe's term was not without controversy. In 2018, in an address to a lunch organised by Association of European Journalists, Woulfe called the Judicial Appointments Bill championed by then minister for transport Shane Ross "a dog's dinner".
The public eye
The resulting furore surprised Woulfe, who was not used to being in the public eye and later apologised for the remark to Ross.
Following the 2020 general election, Varadkar wanted to keep Woulfe on as attorney general but lost out in the negotiations. Paul Gallagher became Attorney General and three weeks later, Woulfe was appointed to the Supreme Court in July.
He found himself at the centre of controversy following his attendance at the Oireachtas Golf Society Clifden dinner in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Former chief justice Susan Denham was asked to report to the Supreme Court as to whether Mr Justice Woulfe should have attended the so-called Golfgate dinner. Her answer was no. But she also said it would be unjust and disproportionate to ask him to resign, and recommended an informal resolution of the matter.
She attached a transcript of her interview with him as an appendix to her report. When the appendix was published by the board of the Judicial Council on October 2nd, it dealt a further blow to confidence in Mr Justice Woulfe.
In the transcript of the September 8th meeting with Denham, he is quoted as saying, “Unfortunately I think even judges are not above prejudging, judge, and in this mood of hysteria I can’t be sure that even some of my colleagues have prejudged me”.
In the transcript, he further says: “I think it’s more damaging to the Supreme Court if they allow some sort of theoretical damage to the institution prevail over hounding a judge out of office for no valid reason.”
Press coverage of the Clifden dinner now looked “objectively to be completely fake, overblown”, he said, adding that he felt sorry for the organisers who “had been pilloried” for holding an event that “some way it’s like a Ku Klux Klan”.


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Covid-19: Sharp increase in women and children fleeing domestic violence

There was a sharp increase in the number of women and children seeking support from domestic violence services during the first six months of the Covid-19 pandemic .
New figures show an average of almost 2,000 women and 411 children were in receipt of some kind of support from domestic violence services – such as a refuge , counselling , accompaniment , information or advice – each month since last March .
Of those women and children , an average of 575 women and 98 children accessed the service for the first time .
The number of women accessing services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and April as lockdown restrictions were put in place across Ireland .
Since April , however , the number of women accessing services has steadily increased each month , with August being the only month which which saw a decrease .
The findings are contained in a report by Safe Ireland – a national agency which works with domestic violence agencies – based on data collected monthly from 31 services .
The Tracking the Shadow Pandemic report also shows the number of children accessing services has risen each month with June the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of children receiving support peaked in August when 578 children accessed services , a 36 per cent increase on July figures .
The number of helpline calls answered by services also increased since March .
A total of 33,941 helpline calls were answered during the period .
The pressure facing services is evidenced in data which shows that more than 1,300 requests for refuge could not be met due to lack of space .
That is an average of 225 a month or eight requests a day .
The report also shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges over recent months .
It says initially there was a lack of guidance and support from the child and family agency Tusla with very little if any personal protective equipment ( PPE ) provided and no guidance regarding health and safety protocols .
There were also closures with outreach support services and accompaniment services suspended initially .
Child and youth services also closed , meaning that children were with their mothers all the time .
Fundraising was also badly affected , with services forced to close charity shops , cancel churchgate collections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ busier towards the end of May , the report states , putting additional pressure on staff to support residents and respond to calls .
Safe Ireland said its tracking study is continuing and indications are that the second lockdown , introduced almost three weeks ago , is resulting in further increased numbers of women seeking support and safety , often fleeing from heightened and severe levels of violence .

The number of children receiving support peaked in August when 578 children accessed services, a 36 per cent increase on July figures. Posed photograph: Getty
There was a sharp increase in the number of women and children seeking support from domestic violence services during the first six months of the Covid-19 pandemic.
New figures show an average of almost 2,000 women and 411 children were in receipt of some kind of support from domestic violence services – such as a refuge, counselling, accompaniment, information or advice – each month since last March.
Of those women and children, an average of 575 women and 98 children accessed the service for the first time.
Hospital Report
The number of women accessing services decreased by 8 per cent between March and April as lockdown restrictions were put in place across Ireland.
READ MORE
Since April, however, the number of women accessing services has steadily increased each month, with August being the only month which which saw a decrease.
The findings are contained in a report by Safe Ireland – a national agency which works with domestic violence agencies – based on data collected monthly from 31 services.
The Tracking the Shadow Pandemic report also shows the number of children accessing services has risen each month with June the only month which saw a decrease.
Since April, the number of women accessing services has steadily increased each month, with August being the only month which which saw a decrease. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
The number of children receiving support peaked in August when 578 children accessed services, a 36 per cent increase on July figures.
Helpline calls
The number of helpline calls answered by services also increased since March. A total of 33,941 helpline calls were answered during the period.
The pressure facing services is evidenced in data which shows that more than 1,300 requests for refuge could not be met due to lack of space. That is an average of 225 a month or eight requests a day.
The report also shows domestic violence services faced a range of challenges over recent months.
It says initially there was a lack of guidance and support from the child and family agency Tusla with very little if any personal protective equipment (PPE) provided and no guidance regarding health and safety protocols.
There were also closures with outreach support services and accompaniment services suspended initially. Child and youth services also closed, meaning that children were with their mothers all the time.
Charity shops
Fundraising was also badly affected, with services forced to close charity shops, cancel churchgate collections and other fundraising events.
Services got busier towards the end of May, the report states, putting additional pressure on staff to support residents and respond to calls.
Safe Ireland said its tracking study is continuing and indications are that the second lockdown, introduced almost three weeks ago, is resulting in further increased numbers of women seeking support and safety, often fleeing from heightened and severe levels of violence.


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Sex talk: Contraception use more likely in young people who are open with their parents

Young people who discuss sex and relationships with their parents are significantly more likely to go on to use contraception , a new study shows .
In contrast , those mainly reliant on their friends as a source of information on sex had lower levels of contraceptive use when they first had sex .
The findings are contained in research by the ESRI and HSE which analyses how young people receive information on sex and relationships .
It is based on data from Growing up in Ireland , a longitudinal study which interviewed teenagers at 13 and 17 years of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice on sex from their parents , the report shows .
By age 13 , 45 per cent of young people reported that they had discussed sex and relationship issues with their parents .
By age 17 , this proportion had increased to just under 60 per cent .
Young people who had better quality relationships with their parents were more likely to talk to them about sex and relationships .
There was a gender divide in reports of ease of discussions with parents about sex .
Young women found it easier to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men found it easier to talk to their fathers .
However , nearly 60 per cent of young men found it difficult or very difficult to talk to their fathers about sex .
At age 13 , parents or family members were the main source of information about sex but , at age 17 , friends were the most commonly cited source .
Nearly a quarter of young men and 20 per cent of young women at age 17 cited the internet/TV/films/books as their main source of information .
Most young people reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the quality or extent of this varied .
At age 13 , just over half – 55 per cent – reported that they had received relationships and sexuality education ( RSE ) at school .
This proportion increased to 92 per cent by age 17 .
There was significant variation in RSE across individual second-level schools , supporting previous Irish research that finds that leadership at the school level plays an important role in the delivering of sex education .
The research also provides findings on sexual behaviours .
At age 17 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had sexual intercourse .
Nearly 90 per cent of young people who have had sexual intercourse reported using contraception when first having sex .
In addition , nearly a quarter of young people expressed regret over the timing of their first experience of sexual intercourse , and this proportion was substantially higher among young women than young men .
Anne Nolan , a co-author of the report , said the findings show that the quality of the relationship between parents and their children is a key determinant of whether discussions about sex and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added the findings also show a significant group of young people are not receiving information or advice on sex from their parents , making school-based relationships and sexuality education all the more important .
“ The findings support the current move towards considering sexual wellbeing as part of broader school efforts to support young people ’ s wellbeing , ” she said .
Moira Germaine , education and training manager from the HSE ’ s sexual health and crisis pregnancy programme , said “ what parents do matters ” .
“ Not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they can also help their child to develop all the attitudes , values and behaviours necessary for forming and maintaining healthy relationships , including , in adulthood , healthy sexual relationships.
” She said the HSE is introducing a range of resources to support parents in talking with their children about relationships and growing up .
These are available to order for free from healthpromotion.ie and for download from sexualwellbeing.ie .

Young people who discuss sex and relationships with their parents are significantly more likely to go on to use contraception, a new study shows.
In contrast, those mainly reliant on their friends as a source of information on sex had lower levels of contraceptive use when they first had sex.
The findings are contained in research by the ESRI and HSE which analyses how young people receive information on sex and relationships.
It is based on data from Growing up in Ireland, a longitudinal study which interviewed teenagers at 13 and 17 years of age.
READ MORE
Many teens are not getting advice on sex from their parents, the report shows.
By age 13, 45 per cent of young people reported that they had discussed sex and relationship issues with their parents. By age 17, this proportion had increased to just under 60 per cent.
Young people who had better quality relationships with their parents were more likely to talk to them about sex and relationships.
There was a gender divide in reports of ease of discussions with parents about sex.
Young women found it easier to talk to their mothers, while young men found it easier to talk to their fathers. However, nearly 60 per cent of young men found it difficult or very difficult to talk to their fathers about sex.
At age 13, parents or family members were the main source of information about sex but, at age 17, friends were the most commonly cited source .
Nearly a quarter of young men and 20 per cent of young women at age 17 cited the internet/TV/films/books as their main source of information.
Most young people reported receiving sex education in school, though the quality or extent of this varied.
At age 13, just over half – 55 per cent – reported that they had received relationships and sexuality education (RSE) at school. This proportion increased to 92 per cent by age 17.
There was significant variation in RSE across individual second-level schools, supporting previous Irish research that finds that leadership at the school level plays an important role in the delivering of sex education.
Sexual behaviours
The research also provides findings on sexual behaviours.
At age 17, one in three young people reported having had sexual intercourse.
Nearly 90 per cent of young people who have had sexual intercourse reported using contraception when first having sex.
In addition, nearly a quarter of young people expressed regret over the timing of their first experience of sexual intercourse, and this proportion was substantially higher among young women than young men.
Anne Nolan, a co-author of the report, said the findings show that the quality of the relationship between parents and their children is a key determinant of whether discussions about sex and relationships take place.
Co-author Emer Smyth added the findings also show a significant group of young people are not receiving information or advice on sex from their parents, making school-based relationships and sexuality education all the more important.
“The findings support the current move towards considering sexual wellbeing as part of broader school efforts to support young people’s wellbeing,” she said.
Moira Germaine, education and training manager from the HSE's sexual health and crisis pregnancy programme, said "what parents do matters".
“Not only can parents have this specific protective influence, they can also help their child to develop all the attitudes, values and behaviours necessary for forming and maintaining healthy relationships, including, in adulthood, healthy sexual relationships.”
She said the HSE is introducing a range of resources to support parents in talking with their children about relationships and growing up. These are available to order for free from healthpromotion.ie and for download from sexualwellbeing.ie.


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Trinity and Richard Dawkins: Better to debate ideas than to ban them

The decision some weeks ago by Trinity College Dublin ’ s Historical Society ( the Hist ) to “ disinvite ” prominent scientist Prof Richard Dawkins from a scheduled address sparked considerable controversy across social media and other platforms .
It was not Trinity ’ s decision to invite Dawkins nor to withdraw that invitation .
The board of the college had no role in either action .
Whether I , as provost , agree with it or not is immaterial .
But I resist all calls to rebuke the Hist for denying freedom of speech .
On the contrary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its autonomy .
Student societies are independent and their only obligations are to conduct their affairs without contravening college regulations and to obey the law of the land .
In fact , our desire to teach our graduates to think independently underpins our new undergraduate curriculum launched in recent weeks .
We are offering our undergraduates more flexible pathways through their learning experience , precisely to promote independence of thought .
It ’ s important to clarify what happened in the case of the Hist .
While its decision did not necessarily reflect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community , including those of some alumni , Dawkins had not been invited to the Hist for a debate .
He was invited to give a speech and take a question-and-answer session afterwards .
This is part of the issue and students have every right to say that they don ’ t want to be forced to listen to what someone has to say on an uncontested platform .
Still , the Dawkins episode provides us with an opportunity to consider in general the issue of “ deplatforming ” , to borrow that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with denying free speech .
Would a better model have been to hold a debate in a debating society ?
Wouldn ’ t it be interesting to hear the Archbishop of Dublin vs Dawkins in a debate about God , for instance ?
Debate and dialogue are central to a university as a meeting place for the exchange of ideas .
Certainly even debates may cause discomfort , albeit a discomfort that may be worth enduring if we learn something .
Would the discomfort of this debate be worth it : That this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feminism ?
Apparently not as this debate was cancelled , perhaps rightly .
A recent Trinity Hist vs UCD L & H ( Literary and Historical Society ) debate , on the other hand , went ahead with : That this house believes sustainable fashion is a lie .
However , I was told this one was too controversial : That this house believes In a 32-county Ireland .
The cancellation of uncomfortable motions for debate and the deplatforming of controversial speakers are becoming more common occurrences .
In the UK , Nigel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the former UK higher education minister and Julie Bindel , the radical feminist , have been among those forced to abandon planned university appearances .
We should not rush too fast to judge these decisions .
In a university , students are there to learn , and that process involves making mistakes at times .
It is not easy for students to run societies in times when any decision can attract a vicious social media response .
The students ’ deplatforming decisions , whether we agree with them or not , reflect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now live , one that is greatly different from the more tolerant times when people of my generation were students .
It is very easy for those outside to talk about being brave – from their anonymous accounts .
The defining legacy of this year ’ s Hist – and this goes for all the college societies – will be not so much this issue , but the manner in which its leadership copes with the challenges of adapting its events to the constraints posed by the Covid-19 pandemic .
If universities are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and learn , then students need to be empowered to take risks – and make mistakes – without drawing criticism from all sides .
Free speech , of course , is a very valued right in a democracy , but it is not an absolute right .
Otherwise there would be no restraint on voicing slander , revealing official secrets , breaching copyright , uttering obscenities or inciting violence .
It is when it comes to espousing a “ no free speech for racists/fascists ” approach that things get a bit tricky .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ confronted with QAnon and other conspiracy theorists , anti-vaxxers or anti-maskers ?
Is it not better to engage with them to try to persuade them of the wrongness of their views ?
If we do not , their beliefs may harden , leading to deeper divisions in society .
How do we create universities where this can happen ?
On the other hand , sometimes it ’ s impossible to allow planned events to proceed on campus because of the very real danger of violence .
Two years ago , Trinity had little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the then Israeli ambassador to Ireland Ze ’ ev Boker for that very reason .
Of course , we uphold the right of students to protest but it was regrettable that he was not allowed to speak .
Both the diplomat and the scientist have views with which I might not agree , but I would prefer to debate with them than ban them .
We should think twice before censoring ideas .
Oscar Wilde , one of the Hist ’ s many distinguished speakers , rightly wrote that “ an idea that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called an idea at all ” .

Scientist Richard Dawkins, photographed in Dublin in 2015. “... the Dawkins episode provides us with an opportunity to consider in general the issue of ‘deplatforming’, to borrow that ugly word from the growing lexicon associated with denying free speech”. File photograph: Alan Betson
The decision some weeks ago by Trinity College Dublin's Historical Society (the Hist) to "disinvite" prominent scientist Prof Richard Dawkins from a scheduled address sparked considerable controversy across social media and other platforms.
It was not Trinity’s decision to invite Dawkins nor to withdraw that invitation. The board of the college had no role in either action. Whether I, as provost, agree with it or not is immaterial.
But I resist all calls to rebuke the Hist for denying freedom of speech. On the contrary, I support the society in exercising its autonomy. Student societies are independent and their only obligations are to conduct their affairs without contravening college regulations and to obey the law of the land.
Wouldn't it be interesting to hear the Archbishop of Dublin vs Dawkins in a debate about God?
In fact, our desire to teach our graduates to think independently underpins our new undergraduate curriculum launched in recent weeks. We are offering our undergraduates more flexible pathways through their learning experience, precisely to promote independence of thought.
READ MORE
It’s important to clarify what happened in the case of the Hist.
While its decision did not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of many in the Trinity community, including those of some alumni, Dawkins had not been invited to the Hist for a debate. He was invited to give a speech and take a question-and-answer session afterwards. This is part of the issue and students have every right to say that they don’t want to be forced to listen to what someone has to say on an uncontested platform.
Still, the Dawkins episode provides us with an opportunity to consider in general the issue of “deplatforming”, to borrow that ugly word from the growing lexicon associated with denying free speech.
Would a better model have been to hold a debate in a debating society? Wouldn’t it be interesting to hear the Archbishop of Dublin vs Dawkins in a debate about God, for instance? Debate and dialogue are central to a university as a meeting place for the exchange of ideas.
It is not easy for students to run societies in times when any decision can attract a vicious social media response
Certainly even debates may cause discomfort, albeit a discomfort that may be worth enduring if we learn something. Would the discomfort of this debate be worth it: That this house believes Middle Eastern women need western feminism?
Rushing to judge
Apparently not as this debate was cancelled, perhaps rightly.
A recent Trinity Hist vs UCD L&H (Literary and Historical Society) debate, on the other hand, went ahead with: That this house believes sustainable fashion is a lie. However, I was told this one was too controversial: That this house believes In a 32-county Ireland.
A debate at the Historical Society (“Hist”) at Trinity College Dublin. Its decision to “disinvite” Prof Richard Dawkins from a scheduled address sparked controversy. File photograph: The Irish Times
The cancellation of uncomfortable motions for debate and the deplatforming of controversial speakers are becoming more common occurrences. In the UK, Nigel Farage, the Brexiteer, David Willetts, the former UK higher education minister and Julie Bindel, the radical feminist, have been among those forced to abandon planned university appearances.
We should not rush too fast to judge these decisions. In a university, students are there to learn, and that process involves making mistakes at times. It is not easy for students to run societies in times when any decision can attract a vicious social media response. The students’ deplatforming decisions, whether we agree with them or not, reflect the harsh public environment in which we now live, one that is greatly different from the more tolerant times when people of my generation were students. It is very easy for those outside to talk about being brave – from their anonymous accounts.
Where do you draw the line when confronted with QAnon and other conspiracy theorists, anti-vaxxers or anti-maskers?
The defining legacy of this year’s Hist – and this goes for all the college societies – will be not so much this issue, but the manner in which its leadership copes with the challenges of adapting its events to the constraints posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
If universities are to continue to be places to grow and learn, then students need to be empowered to take risks – and make mistakes – without drawing criticism from all sides.
Uttering obscenities
Free speech, of course, is a very valued right in a democracy, but it is not an absolute right. Otherwise there would be no restraint on voicing slander, revealing official secrets, breaching copyright, uttering obscenities or inciting violence.
It is when it comes to espousing a “no free speech for racists/fascists” approach that things get a bit tricky. Where do you draw the line when confronted with QAnon and other conspiracy theorists, anti-vaxxers or anti-maskers? Is it not better to engage with them to try to persuade them of the wrongness of their views? If we do not, their beliefs may harden, leading to deeper divisions in society. How do we create universities where this can happen?
On the other hand, sometimes it’s impossible to allow planned events to proceed on campus because of the very real danger of violence. Two years ago, Trinity had little option but to cancel a talk by the then Israeli ambassador to Ireland Ze’ev Boker for that very reason. Of course, we uphold the right of students to protest but it was regrettable that he was not allowed to speak.
Both the diplomat and the scientist have views with which I might not agree, but I would prefer to debate with them than ban them. We should think twice before censoring ideas.
Oscar Wilde, one of the Hist's many distinguished speakers, rightly wrote that "an idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all".


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--My son studied law but doesn’t want to be a solicitor. Does he have other options?

I have a dilemma .
My son has graduated in law at university ( UCD ) , but has now decided he doesn ’ t want to work in that area .
Have the past four years of college education been a waste - or does he have any other options ?
Your son has successfully completed his law degree and acquired a basket of skills which can be applied throughout his career journey of life in a multiplicity of occupations .
Rest assured , he still has lots of options .
To take just one , there are really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role of Chartered Company Secretaries ( CCS ) .
These are high-ranking professionals who are trained in areas such as law , finance , accounting and governance .
Every company has to have a CCS to ensure the board and its directors comply with their statutory obligations , provide technical and practical advice on company law , corporate governance and compliance .
These obligations become even more important within larger companies , quoted companies , large professional firms ( law and accountancy firms ) etc .
They are at the core of any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every aspect of the law .
A person could end up working at boardroom level at a very young age , sometimes in their late 20s .
Few , if any , other careers offer this level of responsibility and exposure so early on .
The Chartered Governance Institute ( ICSA ) , the body that qualifies chartered secretaries worldwide , find that the majority of their members come from primarily a law , finance or business graduate background .
Law , business or finance graduates are given exemptions for their degree qualifications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current students who want to finish their courses in these disciplines but may not want to continue on their field of study .
Typically in Ireland , large publicly listed companies and large accountancy , law and funds firms take trainees into their company secretarial departments each year .
Once employed , graduates are supported in their studies while they work .
There are two routes to qualifying : either to take the Institute exams as part of the ICSA qualifying programme or to complete the two-year part time MSc in Management and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ulster in Marino , Dublin .
Strictly speaking you don ’ t need to have a degree to become a company secretary .
If you don ’ t , but have a background in what may be deemed to be a relevant business , you can study for a foundation course that can eventually lead to qualifying as a company secretary .
There ’ s a positive gender balance within the profession , though there are currently more female students .
Forty to 50 new trainees are recruited across all levels , annually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earn from circa euro26,000 at commencement , rising to above euro140,000 for a senior company secretary in a larger organisation .
It ’ s also a mobile qualification , The Chartered Governance Institute is a worldwide organisation , so once qualified , the chartered secretary qualification is recognised in over 60 countries worldwide .
For more information , check the ICSA ’ s website ( icsa.org.uk/Ireland ) .
Do you have a career guidance query ?
Email : askbrian @ irishtimes.com

Law graduates have a basket of skills which can be applied across a multiplicity of occupations. Photograph: iStock
I have a dilemma. My son has graduated in law at university (UCD) , but has now decided he doesn’t want to work in that area. Have the past four years of college education been a waste - or does he have any other options?
Your son has successfully completed his law degree and acquired a basket of skills which can be applied throughout his career journey of life in a multiplicity of occupations. Rest assured, he still has lots of options.
To take just one, there are really good career opportunities on offer through the role of Chartered Company Secretaries (CCS). These are high-ranking professionals who are trained in areas such as law, finance, accounting and governance.
Every company has to have a CCS to ensure the board and its directors comply with their statutory obligations, provide technical and practical advice on company law, corporate governance and compliance. These obligations become even more important within larger companies, quoted companies, large professional firms (law and accountancy firms) etc.
READ MORE
They are at the core of any large business making sure it complies with every aspect of the law. A person could end up working at boardroom level at a very young age, sometimes in their late 20s. Few, if any, other careers offer this level of responsibility and exposure so early on.
The Chartered Governance Institute (ICSA), the body that qualifies chartered secretaries worldwide, find that the majority of their members come from primarily a law, finance or business graduate background.
Law, business or finance graduates are given exemptions for their degree qualifications.
This is an ideal alternative for current students who want to finish their courses in these disciplines but may not want to continue on their field of study. Typically in Ireland, large publicly listed companies and large accountancy, law and funds firms take trainees into their company secretarial departments each year.
Once employed, graduates are supported in their studies while they work. There are two routes to qualifying: either to take the Institute exams as part of the ICSA qualifying programme or to complete the two-year part time MSc in Management and Corporate Governance run by the University of Ulster in Marino, Dublin.
Strictly speaking you don’t need to have a degree to become a company secretary. If you don’t, but have a background in what may be deemed to be a relevant business, you can study for a foundation course that can eventually lead to qualifying as a company secretary.
There’s a positive gender balance within the profession, though there are currently more female students. Forty to 50 new trainees are recruited across all levels, annually in Ireland and trainees can expect to earn from circa euro26,000 at commencement, rising to above euro140,000 for a senior company secretary in a larger organisation.
It's also a mobile qualification, The Chartered Governance Institute is a worldwide organisation, so once qualified, the chartered secretary qualification is recognised in over 60 countries worldwide. For more information, check the ICSA's website (icsa.org.uk/Ireland).
Do you have a career guidance query? Email: askbrian@irishtimes.com


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Meet the teenage social innovators changing the narrative

Young people nowadays often get criticised for being narcissistic , entitled and self-involved .
But take a look at the range of projects developed by Transition Year students throughout Ireland in the Young Social Innovators competition and you ’ ll quickly realise that empathy and social consciousness are prominent traits in this generation of teenagers .
This year ’ s award ceremony celebrated the achievements of 6,400 teenagers who submitted more than 400 projects to create positive change within their communities .
Climate action , safety at sea , sexual consent and inclusive sports were just some of the themes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and worked on throughout the year-long programme exemplify how Ireland ’ s young people are contributing to the improvement of society at large and the shaping of a fairer , more equal and sustainable world , ” says Young Social Innovators co-founder and CEO Rachel Collier .
The 2020 winners , from Cashel Community School in Co Tipperary , created awareness of the misuse of parking spaces designated for disabled people .
The students carried out surveys to understand why and who misuses these parking spaces and even developed a prototype for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were parking in a space reserved for disabled drivers .
“ We realised that parking in disabled drivers ’ spaces was something that happened a lot but that wasn ’ t talked about , which made us angry .
“ People said they were ‘ only going into the bank ’ or that they ‘ thought it was only used by day ’ which was a prejudice that disabled drivers wouldn ’ t be using the spaces at night-time , ” says Heather Barnett , one of the TY students on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student on the winning team , explains that with the help of the school ’ s engineering department , the students developed a prototype for a sensor which would emit a sound or light to alert drivers to being in a designated disabled drivers ’ parking space .
This device – which the team is hoping to use their prize money to develop further with the University of Limerick – is deactivated by scanning the barcode on the Blue Badge [ the EU parking permit issued by the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] .
The students from Cashel Community College also discovered that counterfeit blue badges were being used by some drivers and that even those who had authentic blue badges had to pay for the badges , which they thought was unfair .
As well as developing their prototype , the students are keen to assist in a national awareness campaign on the misuse of parking spaces for disabled drivers .
Students from Newtown School in Waterford City won the second prize in the 2020 Young Social Innovators awards for their Newtown Games , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improve the physical and mental health of local people of all ages .
The wide-ranging project includes fundraising for a trishaw bike ( a push bicycle which has a seat at the front for two people ) to bring residents from local nursing homes out in the fresh air , a cross-country “ splash and dash ” running and swimming day for primary school children and a pop-up “ Connect Cafe ” in their school .
“ We were passionate about physical and mental health and worked with the Healthy Waterford initiative , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Eight Transition Year students did a barista course so they could serve coffees and teas in the pop-up school café .
“ We wanted to promote good mental health by giving students a chance to connect and talk to other students they didn ’ t know .
We hope the new TY students will keep this up , ” says Rachel McGuinness .
The students believe these informal opportunities to chat could enhance the student listener programme , in which certain 4th , 5th and 6th year students are designated peer listeners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quick chat throughout the school day .
Unfortunately , due to Covid-19 , the team ’ s plans to put on their Dance for Life show at the Theatre Royal in aid of the Solas Cancer Support Centre had to be cancelled .
The Loud Silence Behind Closed Doors is the provocative title of the project from St Leo ’ s College , Convent of Mercy in Carlow which won third prize at the Young Social Innovators awards for 2020 .
When searching for a theme , the students at St Leo ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aid , which was right next door to the college , was under threat of closure .
“ So we organised a petition with 1,000 signatures highlighting the importance of having local supports for women and children experiencing domestic violence , ” explains Edel Colgan .
Aware of the sensitive nature of these issues , the teachers organised workshops for the students run by Barnardos and the Carlow Women ’ s Aid manager and counsellor .
The students also took part in the 16 days of action campaign opposing violence against women .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians , Carlow Women ’ s Aid managed to secure commitment for two emergency accommodation units for victims of domestic abuse in Carlow town .
Sheila Cody , a Young Social Innovators guide at St Leo ’ s College , says this is an example of how real , significant change can happen as a result of these projects .
“ The Young Social Innovators programme empowers young people to create meaningful change on a whole range of issues through student-led engagement , ” she says .
All the students I speak to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partaking in the programme made them feel more confident and able to speak up in public about issues that are important to them .
The programme includes “ speak up ” events where the students present their projects to others as well as a Dragon ’ s Den-style project presentation .
Minister for Education Norma Foley is also a fan of this type of learning outside the formal curriculum .
“ I think it ’ s a phenomenal testament to the determination , the expertise and enthusiasm of teachers , that they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curriculum to involve themselves in extra-curricular activities that will benefit their students , ” she said .
Needless to say , enthusiastic teachers are crucial to the whole endeavour , and the Young Social Innovators programme celebrates “ schools of excellence ” and committed and inspirational teachers annually with their “ Let Them Shine ” awards .
Previous winners , including a team from Portmarnock Community School which made the first detailed online map of the Kingdom of Lesotho , also spoke about how partaking in the Young Social Innovators programme was one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of – and often spoke about at job interviews .
As President Michael D Higgins , who is the patron of the non-profit organisation , puts it : “ The future is not something provided for you , but something you create.
” And Joe O ’ Brien , the Minister of State for Community Development and Charities , who spoke at the award ceremony , also had words of encouragement for future entrants .
“ Every challenge we face can be conquered by the ability to look at it differently and bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2020/2021 still being impacted by the global pandemic , it will be interesting to see what social innovations Covid-19 will prompt in this year ’ s TY students .

Young people nowadays often get criticised for being narcissistic, entitled and self-involved.
But take a look at the range of projects developed by Transition Year students throughout Ireland in the Young Social Innovators competition and you’ll quickly realise that empathy and social consciousness are prominent traits in this generation of teenagers.
This year’s award ceremony celebrated the achievements of 6,400 teenagers who submitted more than 400 projects to create positive change within their communities.
Climate action, safety at sea, sexual consent and inclusive sports were just some of the themes explored.
READ MORE
We realised that parking in disabled drivers' spaces was something that happened a lot but that wasn't talked about, which made us angry
"The inspirational projects developed and worked on throughout the year-long programme exemplify how Ireland's young people are contributing to the improvement of society at large and the shaping of a fairer, more equal and sustainable world," says Young Social Innovators co-founder and CEO Rachel Collier.
Tackling misuse of disabled parking
The 2020 winners, from Cashel Community School in Co Tipperary, created awareness of the misuse of parking spaces designated for disabled people.
The students carried out surveys to understand why and who misuses these parking spaces and even developed a prototype for a sensor which would alert ineligible drivers that they were parking in a space reserved for disabled drivers.
“We realised that parking in disabled drivers’ spaces was something that happened a lot but that wasn’t talked about, which made us angry.
“People said they were ‘only going into the bank’ or that they ‘thought it was only used by day’ which was a prejudice that disabled drivers wouldn’t be using the spaces at night-time,” says Heather Barnett, one of the TY students on the winning project.
Colin Harding, another student on the winning team, explains that with the help of the school’s engineering department, the students developed a prototype for a sensor which would emit a sound or light to alert drivers to being in a designated disabled drivers’ parking space.
We wanted to promote good mental health by giving students a chance to connect and talk to other students they didn't know
This device – which the team is hoping to use their prize money to develop further with the University of Limerick – is deactivated by scanning the barcode on the Blue Badge [the EU parking permit issued by the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland on behalf of the Department of Transport].
The students from Cashel Community College also discovered that counterfeit blue badges were being used by some drivers and that even those who had authentic blue badges had to pay for the badges, which they thought was unfair.
As well as developing their prototype, the students are keen to assist in a national awareness campaign on the misuse of parking spaces for disabled drivers.
Students of Cashel Community School, Jasmine McCabe, Heather Barnett, Conor Hassett, Colin Harding, and David Spearman along with TY co-ordinator Maria Neavyn and teacher Caitriona Ryan receiving their Young Social Innovators Gold award for their project entitled ‘Step Up For Accessibility’, aimed at tackling the misuse of parking spaces for disabled people. Photograph: Diarmuid Greene
Boosting physical and mental health
Students from Newtown School in Waterford City won the second prize in the 2020 Young Social Innovators awards for their Newtown Games, Community Gains project, which sought to improve the physical and mental health of local people of all ages.
The wide-ranging project includes fundraising for a trishaw bike (a push bicycle which has a seat at the front for two people) to bring residents from local nursing homes out in the fresh air, a cross-country “splash and dash” running and swimming day for primary school children and a pop-up “Connect Cafe” in their school.
“We were passionate about physical and mental health and worked with the Healthy Waterford initiative,” explains Emer McMahon from Newtown School.
Eight Transition Year students did a barista course so they could serve coffees and teas in the pop-up school café.
“We wanted to promote good mental health by giving students a chance to connect and talk to other students they didn’t know. We hope the new TY students will keep this up,” says Rachel McGuinness.
The students believe these informal opportunities to chat could enhance the student listener programme, in which certain 4th, 5th and 6th year students are designated peer listeners that any student can approach for a quick chat throughout the school day.
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, the team’s plans to put on their Dance for Life show at the Theatre Royal in aid of the Solas Cancer Support Centre had to be cancelled.
Students from Newtown School in Waterford won second prize in the 2020 Young Social Innovators awards for their project which sought to improve the physical and mental health of local people of all ages.
Tackling domestic violence
The Loud Silence Behind Closed Doors is the provocative title of the project from St Leo’s College, Convent of Mercy in Carlow which won third prize at the Young Social Innovators awards for 2020.
When searching for a theme, the students at St Leo’s realised that Carlow Women’s Aid, which was right next door to the college, was under threat of closure.
The Young Social Innovators programme empowers young people to create meaningful change on a whole range of issues through student-led engagement
“So we organised a petition with 1,000 signatures highlighting the importance of having local supports for women and children experiencing domestic violence,” explains Edel Colgan.
Aware of the sensitive nature of these issues, the teachers organised workshops for the students run by Barnardos and the Carlow Women’s Aid manager and counsellor.
The students also took part in the 16 days of action campaign opposing violence against women. And through their lobbying work with local politicians, Carlow Women’s Aid managed to secure commitment for two emergency accommodation units for victims of domestic abuse in Carlow town.
Sheila Cody, a Young Social Innovators guide at St Leo’s College, says this is an example of how real, significant change can happen as a result of these projects.
“The Young Social Innovators programme empowers young people to create meaningful change on a whole range of issues through student-led engagement,” she says.
Boosting confidence
All the students I speak to after the awards ceremony talk about how partaking in the programme made them feel more confident and able to speak up in public about issues that are important to them.
The programme includes “speak up” events where the students present their projects to others as well as a Dragon’s Den-style project presentation.
Minister for Education Norma Foley is also a fan of this type of learning outside the formal curriculum.
The future is not something provided for you, but something you create
“I think it’s a phenomenal testament to the determination, the expertise and enthusiasm of teachers, that they’re prepared to go outside the general curriculum to involve themselves in extra-curricular activities that will benefit their students,” she said.
Needless to say, enthusiastic teachers are crucial to the whole endeavour, and the Young Social Innovators programme celebrates “schools of excellence” and committed and inspirational teachers annually with their “Let Them Shine” awards.
Previous winners, including a team from Portmarnock Community School which made the first detailed online map of the Kingdom of Lesotho, also spoke about how partaking in the Young Social Innovators programme was one of the things they were most proud of – and often spoke about at job interviews.
As President Michael D Higgins, who is the patron of the non-profit organisation, puts it: "The future is not something provided for you, but something you create."
And Joe O’Brien, the Minister of State for Community Development and Charities, who spoke at the award ceremony, also had words of encouragement for future entrants.
“Every challenge we face can be conquered by the ability to look at it differently and bring energy to it.”
With Transition Year of 2020/2021 still being impacted by the global pandemic, it will be interesting to see what social innovations Covid-19 will prompt in this year’s TY students.
See also youngsocialinnovators.ie


theirishtimes--2020-11-09--Next year’s Junior and Leaving Cert exams will take place ‘as normally as possible’

Next year ’ s Junior and Leaving Cert exams will take place “ as normally as possible ” in line with public health advice , according to the Department of Education .
In a statement , a department spokesman said all necessary measures will be put in place to ensure compliance with public health guidance in place at the time .
The department ’ s comments come ahead of a meeting of the Oireachtas education committee on Tuesday , which will discuss preparations for next year ’ s exams .
Minister for Education Norma Foley has stated on a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s intention to hold the Leaving Cert exams next summer , subject to public health advice .
However , the Teachers ’ Union of Ireland said on Monday that it wants confirmation that the traditional Leaving Certificate will take place rather than the system of calculated grades which was introduced this year .
A spokesman for the department said the State Examinations Commission “ intends to operate the 2021 State examinations as normally as possible , with appropriate contingency built in , in line with prevailing public health advice .
All arrangements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leaving Cert will be the subject of intense discussions and engagement with all stakeholders and detailed guidance will be issued to students in advance of the exams .
The spokesman added that detailed guidance on revised arrangements for next year ’ s exams had been issued , which took account of the disrupted learning experienced by students .
These included greater choice in exams and earlier provision of brief for project work .
However , the TUI has insisted that students and teachers need confirmation that the exams will go ahead as intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , TUI general secretary Michael Gillespie said some schools were “ hedging their bets ” by scheduling an expanded range of formal assessments with the purpose of using the results as an evidential base for the award of calculated grades .
“ This is leading to a distortion of teaching and learning patterns and is placing an insupportable burden of additional work and unrelenting pressure on students and teachers , ” he said .
“ The Minister must alleviate the burden on students and teachers and state clearly that the State certified examinations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Minister for Education Norma Foley has stated on a number of occasions that it is the Government’s intention to hold the Leaving Cert exams next summer, subject to public health advice. Photograph: David Jones/PA Wire
Next year’s Junior and Leaving Cert exams will take place “as normally as possible” in line with public health advice, according to the Department of Education.
In a statement, a department spokesman said all necessary measures will be put in place to ensure compliance with public health guidance in place at the time.
The department's comments come ahead of a meeting of the Oireachtas education committee on Tuesday, which will discuss preparations for next year's exams.
Minister for Education Norma Foley has stated on a number of occasions that it is the Government's intention to hold the Leaving Cert exams next summer, subject to public health advice.
READ MORE
However, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland said on Monday that it wants confirmation that the traditional Leaving Certificate will take place rather than the system of calculated grades which was introduced this year.
A spokesman for the department said the State Examinations Commission "intends to operate the 2021 State examinations as normally as possible, with appropriate contingency built in, in line with prevailing public health advice.
All arrangements in relation to next year’s Leaving Cert will be the subject of intense discussions and engagement with all stakeholders and detailed guidance will be issued to students in advance of the exams.
The spokesman added that detailed guidance on revised arrangements for next year’s exams had been issued, which took account of the disrupted learning experienced by students .
These included greater choice in exams and earlier provision of brief for project work.
However, the TUI has insisted that students and teachers need confirmation that the exams will go ahead as intended.
In the absence of these assurances, TUI general secretary Michael Gillespie said some schools were "hedging their bets" by scheduling an expanded range of formal assessments with the purpose of using the results as an evidential base for the award of calculated grades.
“This is leading to a distortion of teaching and learning patterns and is placing an insupportable burden of additional work and unrelenting pressure on students and teachers,” he said.
“The Minister must alleviate the burden on students and teachers and state clearly that the State certified examinations will be held in the long-established manner.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-09--Number on Pandemic Unemployment Payment jumps by 12,500 in one week

The amount the Government is paying through the Pandemic Unemployment Payment ( PUP ) has climbed to almost €100 million a week following another increase in the number of recipients .
A further 12,500 people began to receive the payment in the past week , bringing the overall number to just over 342,500 .
The Department of Social Protection said the total amount paid out under the income support scheme since it was introduced earlier this year has reached €4 billion .
The sector with the highest number of people receiving the payment this week is in accommodation and food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed by the wholesale and retail trade ( 55,000 ) and other sectors such as hairdressing and beauty ( 30,000 ) .
This week ’ s figures are in addition to the 200,000 people who were reported on the live register as of the end of October .
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said the increase in the number of recipients was anticipated and reflects the impact of moving to Level 5 of restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19 .
“ I know so many people have made huge sacrifices as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Public Health Emergency Team , ” Ms Humphreys said .
“ But the fall in the number of Covid-19 cases in recent days is encouraging and gives cause for optimism ahead of the upcoming Christmas period .
“ Let ’ s all keep going together .
We brought this virus under control before .
It is within our gift to do so again.
” All Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payments issued will be in recipients ’ bank accounts or at their local post office on Tuesday , 10th November .
Applications for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have lost their jobs due to the pandemic , have been extended until the end of the year .
A newly remodelled PUP system pays out on four rates ranging from €203 to €350 per week depending on what the individual was earning before losing their job .
New regulations mean that those who were employed before last February , but whose earnings were reduced since then , can still have their PUP payment rate based on earlier , higher earnings , the department said .
Self-employed people can also continue to earn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in receipt of PUP , take up the Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme or avail of standard jobseeker payments .

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said an increase in the number of Pandemic Unemployment Payment recipients was anticipated and reflects the impact of moving to Level 5 of restrictions. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
The amount the Government is paying through the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) has climbed to almost €100 million a week following another increase in the number of recipients.
A further 12,500 people began to receive the payment in the past week, bringing the overall number to just over 342,500.
The Department of Social Protection said the total amount paid out under the income support scheme since it was introduced earlier this year has reached €4 billion.
The sector with the highest number of people receiving the payment this week is in accommodation and food services (just over 100,000), followed by the wholesale and retail trade (55,000) and other sectors such as hairdressing and beauty (30,000).
READ MORE
This week’s figures are in addition to the 200,000 people who were reported on the live register as of the end of October.
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said the increase in the number of recipients was anticipated and reflects the impact of moving to Level 5 of restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19.
“I know so many people have made huge sacrifices as they continue to heed the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team,” Ms Humphreys said.
“But the fall in the number of Covid-19 cases in recent days is encouraging and gives cause for optimism ahead of the upcoming Christmas period.
“Let’s all keep going together. We brought this virus under control before. It is within our gift to do so again.”
All Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payments issued will be in recipients’ bank accounts or at their local post office on Tuesday, 10th November.
Applications for the scheme, which supports those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, have been extended until the end of the year.
A newly remodelled PUP system pays out on four rates ranging from €203 to €350 per week depending on what the individual was earning before losing their job.
New regulations mean that those who were employed before last February, but whose earnings were reduced since then, can still have their PUP payment rate based on earlier, higher earnings, the department said.
Self-employed people can also continue to earn up to €480 per month while also in receipt of PUP, take up the Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme or avail of standard jobseeker payments.


theirishtimes--2020-11-09--Trio of once popular Galway properties to be bulldozed

A legendary Salthill nightclub and one of Galway ’ s finest hotels in the 1970s and 1980s are to be bulldozed in the weeks ahead after falling on hard times .
Galway City Council has confirmed that the building which housed the Oasis nightclub – and subsequently one of the city ’ s first lap dancing clubs – before falling into dereliction is to go the way of its next door neighbour , the Warwick , which was demolished last year to make way for a nursing home .
The property in Lower Salthill was recently acquired by a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has now been agreed that the Oasis of the future will be nothing more than a mirage .
While an agreement on the demolition has been reached , there are no plans for what will take its place .
The former Corrib Great Southern Hotel on the Dublin Road on the eastern fringe of the city has also been earmarked for the wrecking ball by the council .
For decades it stood as the first significant structure seen by almost all visitors to Galway on their arrival in the city and its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , the Connacht Laundry site on St Helen ’ s Street in the city ’ s west is already well on the way to the end of the road .
The council said the three separate projects would mark “ the culmination of significant effort by the Environment Department of Galway City Council to reduce dereliction across the city ” .
It said the steps being taken would be welcomed by “ local area residents , elected representatives and the wider community ” .
Over the last 12 months the council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owners of the three sites using their powers under the Derelict Sites Act , 1990 .
The orders require demolition of the buildings to ground level and stipulate that works must be completed within a specified period of time .
The council recently agreed a demolition plan with the owners of the former Corrib Great Southern Hotel and it is anticipated the walls will start to come tumbling down in early December .
The council said it would continue to monitor the site while the works are ongoing .
It is anticipated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As it stands there are no further agreed plans for the site beyond the demolition and clearance and any future development will be subject to the planning process .
A section 11 demolition notice was issued to the owners of Connacht Laundries in June and the demolition is already nearing completion .
It will be substantially finished by the year end .
While the owners had plans to build a boutique hotel on the site , which is a short walk from Shop Street , a planning proposal for that project lapsed last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site be turned into a people ’ s park or amenity that could be enjoyed by the broader community .
There are 16 properties on the city ’ s Derelict Sites Register with another 50 sites being monitored by the environment department .
Valuations on properties have been conducted by the authorities and owners may face levies of in excess of €100,000 unless the buildings are restored or demolished .

A legendary Salthill nightclub and one of Galway's finest hotels in the 1970s and 1980s are to be bulldozed in the weeks ahead after falling on hard times.
Galway City Council has confirmed that the building which housed the Oasis nightclub – and subsequently one of the city’s first lap dancing clubs – before falling into dereliction is to go the way of its next door neighbour, the Warwick, which was demolished last year to make way for a nursing home.
The property in Lower Salthill was recently acquired by a new owner and following discussions with the council it has now been agreed that the Oasis of the future will be nothing more than a mirage. While an agreement on the demolition has been reached, there are no plans for what will take its place.
Corrib Great Southern
The former Corrib Great Southern Hotel on the Dublin Road on the eastern fringe of the city has also been earmarked for the wrecking ball by the council. For decades it stood as the first significant structure seen by almost all visitors to Galway on their arrival in the city and its dereliction has been evident for some time.
READ MORE
The Corrib Great Southern Hotel has been earmarked for the wrecking ball by the council.
Connacht Laundry
Meanwhile, the Connacht Laundry site on St Helen's Street in the city's west is already well on the way to the end of the road.
The council said the three separate projects would mark "the culmination of significant effort by the Environment Department of Galway City Council to reduce dereliction across the city".
The Connacht Laundry site on St Helen’s Street in the city’s west is already well on the way to the end of the road.
It said the steps being taken would be welcomed by “local area residents, elected representatives and the wider community”.
Over the last 12 months the council has issued statutory orders to the registered owners of the three sites using their powers under the Derelict Sites Act, 1990. The orders require demolition of the buildings to ground level and stipulate that works must be completed within a specified period of time.
The council recently agreed a demolition plan with the owners of the former Corrib Great Southern Hotel and it is anticipated the walls will start to come tumbling down in early December.
The council said it would continue to monitor the site while the works are ongoing. It is anticipated that works will take approximately four months.
As it stands there are no further agreed plans for the site beyond the demolition and clearance and any future development will be subject to the planning process.
A section 11 demolition notice was issued to the owners of Connacht Laundries in June and the demolition is already nearing completion. It will be substantially finished by the year end. While the owners had plans to build a boutique hotel on the site, which is a short walk from Shop Street, a planning proposal for that project lapsed last year.
Locals have suggested the two-acre site be turned into a people’s park or amenity that could be enjoyed by the broader community.
There are 16 properties on the city’s Derelict Sites Register with another 50 sites being monitored by the environment department.
Valuations on properties have been conducted by the authorities and owners may face levies of in excess of €100,000 unless the buildings are restored or demolished.