theirishtimes--2020-06-09--HSE secures court orders preventing IT worker distributing data

The HSE has secured High Court orders preventing an Information Technology worker distributing or communicating highly confidential and sensitive information about hospital patients .
Mr Justice Tony O ’ Connor also granted orders restraining Niall Bradley , with an address at Carrigeen Hill , Conna , Co Cork , from leaving Ireland until he has complied with the order to deliver up the confidential information and requiring him to hand over his passport to the gardaí , to be retained until further order .
It is alleged Mr Bradley , when he was working for a time with a third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IT services , distributed confidential information obtained by him from the HSE ’ s computer servers .
The information includes patients personal data and medical databases allegedly sent by Mr Bradley to Wikileaks , the non-profit organisation that publishes news leaks provided by anonymous sources .
Mr Justice O ’ Connor said he was satisfied Mr Bradley had gained access to private and sensitive data through his former employment and had threatened to facilitate the dissemination of patients details and private records .
The defendant had in a social media post referred to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew should be kept secure , as being “ stolen ” , the judge said .
The HSE initiated proceedings against Mr Bradley following a probe commenced by it after becoming aware , from posts on social media of screenshots of the HSE ’ s internal servers , of a potentially serious data breach .
The HSE claims the posts appeared on three Twitter accounts which , it claims , were set up and controlled by Mr Bradley .
Through those accounts , Mr Bradley allegedly sent messages to a senior official at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar , Ministers Simon Harris and Pascal Donohoe , media figures and Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan , it is claimed .
In his communications , Mr Bradley made allegations of a “ cover-up ” and a “ scam ” by the HSE and said he would make public data from over a dozen Irish hospitals , it is claimed .
It is also claimed he used various hashtags on his posts including # covid19 # lockdown ireland # notmytaoiseach # MAGA and # mediascum .
The HSE said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems administrator , Mr Bradley was given access to its servers and patient databases to carry out tasks which his previous employer was contracted to do .
That firm ’ s role was to maintain and service a smart ’ automated system , Omnicell , used to dispense , record and manage medication given to patients at various hospitals throughout the state .
Since becoming aware of the situation , the HSE , in co-operation with Mr Bradley ’ s previous employer , who terminated his employment after learning of the HSE ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the servers and prevent the information being published .
The steps include having posts on the pastebin.com site and links to the confidential material removed .
The HSE also obtained court orders , including injunctions to prevent him attempting to post more links to confidential information .
The injunctions continue pending the outcome of any full hearing of the matter .
The injunctions application was initially heard in private last Friday but the judge later lifted the in camera ruling , allowing the media to report the case .
The HSE , represented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BL , instructed by Philip Lee solicitors , sought orders against Mr Bradley with an address at Carrigeen Hill , Conna , Co Cork .
The court was told Mr Bradley had been informed of the application .
He did not attend the court hearings and was not represented .
Mr Justice O ’ Connor , in making the orders , said Mr Bradley would have the chance to advance a defence to the HSE ’ s claims at a full hearing of the action .
The injunction restrains Mr Bradley and any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or may communicate , the confidential information from destroying , disseminating , publishing , or using any of it through specific twitter handles and email addresses attributed to him .
He must deliver up all documents , records and devices containing the information to the HSE ’ s solicitors for forensic analysis .
The court further restrained Mr Bradley from leaving Ireland until he has complied with the order to deliver up the confidential information .
He must hand over his passport to the Garda pending further order .
The HSE ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Foreign affairs , An Garda Síochána , authorities at all points of exit from the State about the court ’ s orders .
Mr Justice O ’ Connor said Mr Bradley had said in another tweet that he had sold his house and was moving about Europe in a camper van to “ ply my skills elsewhere.
” The HSE ’ s lawyers undertook to give the Data Protection Commissioner , Minister for Health and Attorney General copies of the order and the court documents if requested by those parties .

The information includes patients personal data and medical databases allegedly sent by Mr Bradley to Wikileaks, the non-profit organisation that publishes news leaks provided by anonymous sources. Photograph: iStock
The HSE has secured High Court orders preventing an Information Technology worker distributing or communicating highly confidential and sensitive information about hospital patients.
Mr Justice Tony O’Connor also granted orders restraining Niall Bradley, with an address at Carrigeen Hill, Conna, Co Cork, from leaving Ireland until he has complied with the order to deliver up the confidential information and requiring him to hand over his passport to the gardaí, to be retained until further order. It is alleged Mr Bradley, when he was working for a time with a third party contracted by the HSE to perform IT services, distributed confidential information obtained by him from the HSE’s computer servers.
The information includes patients personal data and medical databases allegedly sent by Mr Bradley to Wikileaks, the non-profit organisation that publishes news leaks provided by anonymous sources.
Mr Justice O’Connor said he was satisfied Mr Bradley had gained access to private and sensitive data through his former employment and had threatened to facilitate the dissemination of patients details and private records.
READ MORE
Twitter
The defendant had in a social media post referred to information he obtained, which Mr Bradley knew should be kept secure, as being “stolen”, the judge said.
The HSE initiated proceedings against Mr Bradley following a probe commenced by it after becoming aware, from posts on social media of screenshots of the HSE’s internal servers, of a potentially serious data breach.
The HSE claims the posts appeared on three Twitter accounts which, it claims, were set up and controlled by Mr Bradley. Through those accounts, Mr Bradley allegedly sent messages to a senior official at the HSE and also to Twitter accounts of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Ministers Simon Harris and Pascal Donohoe, media figures and Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan, it is claimed.
In his communications, Mr Bradley made allegations of a “cover-up” and a “scam” by the HSE and said he would make public data from over a dozen Irish hospitals, it is claimed. It is also claimed he used various hashtags on his posts including #covid19 #lockdown ireland #notmytaoiseach #MAGA and #mediascum.
The HSE said, during his previous employment as a systems administrator, Mr Bradley was given access to its servers and patient databases to carry out tasks which his previous employer was contracted to do. That firm’s role was to maintain and service a smart’ automated system, Omnicell, used to dispense, record and manage medication given to patients at various hospitals throughout the state.
Employment terminated
Since becoming aware of the situation, the HSE, in co-operation with Mr Bradley’s previous employer, who terminated his employment after learning of the HSE’s concerns, took steps to secure the servers and prevent the information being published.
The steps include having posts on the pastebin.com site and links to the confidential material removed. The HSE also obtained court orders, including injunctions to prevent him attempting to post more links to confidential information.
The injunctions continue pending the outcome of any full hearing of the matter. The injunctions application was initially heard in private last Friday but the judge later lifted the in camera ruling, allowing the media to report the case. The HSE, represented by Eoin McCullough SC and Joe Jeffers BL, instructed by Philip Lee solicitors, sought orders against Mr Bradley with an address at Carrigeen Hill, Conna, Co Cork.
The court was told Mr Bradley had been informed of the application. He did not attend the court hearings and was not represented. Mr Justice O’Connor, in making the orders, said Mr Bradley would have the chance to advance a defence to the HSE’s claims at a full hearing of the action.
The injunction restrains Mr Bradley and any person to whom he has communicated, or may communicate, the confidential information from destroying, disseminating, publishing, or using any of it through specific twitter handles and email addresses attributed to him.
He must deliver up all documents, records and devices containing the information to the HSE’s solicitors for forensic analysis. The court further restrained Mr Bradley from leaving Ireland until he has complied with the order to deliver up the confidential information. He must hand over his passport to the Garda pending further order.
The HSE’s solicitors got permission to notify the Department of Foreign affairs, An Garda Síochána, authorities at all points of exit from the State about the court’s orders. Mr Justice O’Connor said Mr Bradley had said in another tweet that he had sold his house and was moving about Europe in a camper van to “ply my skills elsewhere.”
The HSE’s lawyers undertook to give the Data Protection Commissioner, Minister for Health and Attorney General copies of the order and the court documents if requested by those parties.


theirishtimes--2020-06-09--False start as Tayto Park postpones June 18th reopening

The operators of Tayto Park – Ireland ’ s only combined theme park and zoo – have postponed the reopening of the park , which which had been announced for June 18th next .
The Co Meath-based attraction announced on Wednesday morning that the park would admit visitors from June 18th .
Such was the response , however , that its booking system was immediately overwhelmed and crashed .
Ray Coyle , former owner of Tayto and developer of Tayto Park , said the management team had been “ excited to reopen ” the facility , as it believed it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the regulatory authorities over the past few days .
But he said he was now “ terribly sorry , having reviewed the latest Government guidance for the roadmap to reopening Ireland , that it had become apparent the June 18th reopening could not take place ” .
Mr Coyle said that on reviewing statutory regulations “ that were published late yesterday evening , is with regret that Tayto Park will have to remain closed until regulations permit us to reopen ” .
Tayto Park has rapidly expanded over the last decade and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ premier attractions , incorporating the Cú Chulainn rollercoaster , a Viking village and circus and a zoo .
Mr Coyle said he apologised to those who did manage to book tickets for June 18th , and said they will be reimbursed in full .
A new date for when Tayto Park can reopen is being ascertained .
“ We apologise to all of guests and members for this inconvenience .
We look forward to welcoming you back to Tayto Park in the near future .
We also appreciate the immediate support we received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tayto Park will be worth the wait , ” Mr Coyle said .

The operators of Tayto Park – Ireland’s only combined theme park and zoo – have postponed the reopening of the park, which which had been announced for June 18th next.
The Co Meath-based attraction announced on Wednesday morning that the park would admit visitors from June 18th. Such was the response, however, that its booking system was immediately overwhelmed and crashed.
Ray Coyle, former owner of Tayto and developer of Tayto Park, said the management team had been “excited to reopen” the facility, as it believed it was entitled to do, having consulted the regulatory authorities over the past few days.
But he said he was now “ terribly sorry, having reviewed the latest Government guidance for the roadmap to reopening Ireland, that it had become apparent the June 18th reopening could not take place”.
READ MORE
Mr Coyle said that on reviewing statutory regulations “that were published late yesterday evening , is with regret that Tayto Park will have to remain closed until regulations permit us to reopen”.
Rapidly expanded
Tayto Park has rapidly expanded over the last decade and is now one of the State’s premier attractions, incorporating the Cú Chulainn rollercoaster, a Viking village and circus and a zoo.
Mr Coyle said he apologised to those who did manage to book tickets for June 18th, and said they will be reimbursed in full. A new date for when Tayto Park can reopen is being ascertained.
“We apologise to all of guests and members for this inconvenience. We look forward to welcoming you back to Tayto Park in the near future. We also appreciate the immediate support we received from the media. We promise that Tayto Park will be worth the wait,”Mr Coyle said.


theirishtimes--2020-06-09--Coronavirus: Further nine deaths related to Covid-19 bring toll in State to 1,691

Another nine people with Covid-19 have died in the State , bringing the total number of fatalities linked to the disease to 1,691 , according to figures released on Tuesday evening by the Department of Health .
Another nine cases have also been confirmed , meaning that a total of 25,515 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 since the pandemic arrived here .
The Department of Health said the Health Service Executive was working to identify contacts of the patients most recently diagnosed with the disease .
Currently , there are a total of 110 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals are in intensive care units around the country .
A total of 19,364 tests were carried out over the last week , the department said , bringing the total carried out in the State to 367,780 .
Of the tests carried out in the last week , 185 were positive , giving a positivity rate of 0.9 per cent .
In a statement released alongside the figures , Dr Tony Holohan , the chief medical officer at the departmet , said that while “ the situation continues to improve in both Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Organisation has noted that now is not the time to ‘ take the foot off the pedal ’ , and that countries need to continue to work hard to avoid complacency and promote solidarity ” .
Dr Ronan Glynn , the deputy chief medical officer , praised the efforts of contact tracing teams .
“ Contact tracing and public health surveillance are essential elements in our response to Covid-19 .
Public health doctors and their teams have quietly undertaken an extraordinary effort to contact trace over 25,000 Covid-19 cases to date.
” He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their work by limiting the number of people we meet and keeping a log of the people we interact with every day ” .
While the number of Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations has fallen , the average number of close contacts reported by those infected with the disease jumped to more than five for the first time since early April , according to updated figures on contact tracing from the HSE .
According to the most recent data from the HSE , the average time from being referred for a swab to having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently 2.3 days .
The median time is 1.9 days , according to data published by the HSE on Tuesday .
As of 8pm on Monday evening , there were 191 suspected cases of Covid-19 in the country ’ s hospitals , in addition to the 115 confirmed cases .
Across the hospital system at 8am on Monday , there were 751 vacant general beds and , at 6.30pm , 119 vacant critical care beds .
There were 34 confirmed Covid-19 cases in intensive care , and a further five suspected cases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment .
Some 19 Covid-19 patients were ventilated , meaning they were breathing with the assistance of a machine , alongside a single suspected case .
In Northern Ireland , there were no coronavirus-related deaths recorded for a third day in a row .
The number of coronavirus-related fatalities reported by the North ’ s department of health remains at 537 .
Earlier , the Covid-19 Oireachtas committee was told that no strategy “ utterly insulates ” Ireland from the coronavirus .
Chair of the Irish Epidemiology Modelling Advisory Group Prof Philip Nolan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus was to adhere to the public health guidance including maintaining social distancing .
He rejected the view that “ if only we had testing and tracing and a facemask we could do all the other things we used to do ” .
Prof Nolan was being questioned about a letter signed by dozens of researchers , scientists and medics calling for a different policy of “ crushing ” the virus rather than trying to live with it .
Prof Nolan said that “ different scientists have different judgments in the face of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy was not one of mitigation or living with an ongoing or significant levels of transmission but of suppression .
Prof Nolan said he fully supported the recommendations of the NPHET .
“ I support them and they accord with my judgment .
No strategy utterly insulates us from the virus.
” He told Fianna Fáil health spokesman Stephen Donnelly that there will be renewed outbreaks of Covid-19 disease across Europe which would be in “ small waves ” .
Prof Nolan also told the committee that “ the management of the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave .
There could be more targeted measures introduced to control future outbreak ” .
Asked by Mr Donnelly if Irish society will be fully functioning by the end of the year , Prof Nolan said , “ I don ’ t have a crystal ball on this and could not give a probability on the likelihood ” .
“ Our behaviour will continue to be modified by this virus for some time to come .
”

The strategy laid out by Government is the right strategy to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, the chair of the Irish Epidemiology Modelling Advisory Group has told the special Oireachtas committee on the virus.
Another nine people with Covid-19 have died in the State, bringing the total number of fatalities linked to the disease to 1,691, according to figures released on Tuesday evening by the Department of Health.
Another nine cases have also been confirmed, meaning that a total of 25,515 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 since the pandemic arrived here.
The Department of Health said the Health Service Executive was working to identify contacts of the patients most recently diagnosed with the disease. Currently, there are a total of 110 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in hospital, and of these, 35 individuals are in intensive care units around the country.
A total of 19,364 tests were carried out over the last week, the department said, bringing the total carried out in the State to 367,780. Of the tests carried out in the last week, 185 were positive, giving a positivity rate of 0.9 per cent.
READ MORE
In a statement released alongside the figures, Dr Tony Holohan, the chief medical officer at the departmet, said that while “the situation continues to improve in both Ireland and across Europe, the World Health Organisation has noted that now is not the time to ‘take the foot off the pedal’, and that countries need to continue to work hard to avoid complacency and promote solidarity”.
Dr Ronan Glynn, the deputy chief medical officer, praised the efforts of contact tracing teams.
“Contact tracing and public health surveillance are essential elements in our response to Covid-19. Public health doctors and their teams have quietly undertaken an extraordinary effort to contact trace over 25,000 Covid-19 cases to date.”
He urged people to “assist them in their work by limiting the number of people we meet and keeping a log of the people we interact with every day”.
While the number of Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations has fallen, the average number of close contacts reported by those infected with the disease jumped to more than five for the first time since early April, according to updated figures on contact tracing from the HSE.
According to the most recent data from the HSE, the average time from being referred for a swab to having a lab result for a test is currently 2.3 days. The median time is 1.9 days, according to data published by the HSE on Tuesday.
As of 8pm on Monday evening, there were 191 suspected cases of Covid-19 in the country’s hospitals, in addition to the 115 confirmed cases. Across the hospital system at 8am on Monday, there were 751 vacant general beds and, at 6.30pm, 119 vacant critical care beds.
There were 34 confirmed Covid-19 cases in intensive care, and a further five suspected cases of the disease receiving such a level of treatment. Some 19 Covid-19 patients were ventilated, meaning they were breathing with the assistance of a machine, alongside a single suspected case.
In Northern Ireland, there were no coronavirus-related deaths recorded for a third day in a row. The number of coronavirus-related fatalities reported by the North’s department of health remains at 537.
Earlier, the Covid-19 Oireachtas committee was told that no strategy “utterly insulates” Ireland from the coronavirus.
Chair of the Irish Epidemiology Modelling Advisory Group Prof Philip Nolan said the best way to suppress the virus was to adhere to the public health guidance including maintaining social distancing.
He rejected the view that “if only we had testing and tracing and a facemask we could do all the other things we used to do”.
Prof Nolan was being questioned about a letter signed by dozens of researchers, scientists and medics calling for a different policy of “crushing” the virus rather than trying to live with it.
Prof Nolan said that “different scientists have different judgments in the face of incomplete evidence”.
He said the strategy was not one of mitigation or living with an ongoing or significant levels of transmission but of suppression.
Prof Nolan said he fully supported the recommendations of the NPHET. “I support them and they accord with my judgment. No strategy utterly insulates us from the virus.”
He told Fianna Fáil health spokesman Stephen Donnelly that there will be renewed outbreaks of Covid-19 disease across Europe which would be in “small waves”.
Prof Nolan also told the committee that “the management of the second wave will be different from the first wave. There could be more targeted measures introduced to control future outbreak”.
Asked by Mr Donnelly if Irish society will be fully functioning by the end of the year, Prof Nolan said, “I don’t have a crystal ball on this and could not give a probability on the likelihood”.
“Our behaviour will continue to be modified by this virus for some time to come.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-09--Prison service does not have ‘blanket’ exemption on disability complaint, judge rules

The Irish Prison Service is obliged under the Employment Equality Act to try to make “ reasonable accommodation ” for a disabled prison officer if that can reasonably be done while preserving the service ’ s operational capacity , the High Court has ruled .
In a significant judgment on Tuesday , Mr Justice Anthony Barr overturned a Labour Court preliminary finding that the prison service has a blanket exemption , by virtue of section 37.3 of the Act , from a complaint of discrimination on grounds of disability made by Robert Cunningham .
Aged 40 , Mr Cunningham , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , suffered serious back injuries after being assaulted by two prisoners , and underwent three operations .
In 2015 , the Chief Medical Officer for the Civil Service certified he would not be fit to carry out any restraint and control duties in the medium or long term .
He complained after the prison service told him he could not retain his job because he could not perform restraint and control duties , but he could resign and apply for a lower paid position or seek ill-health retirement .
He brought a claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleging discrimination on grounds of disability , and that the prison service had failed to make any reasonable accommodation for him as required by the Act .
The Labour Court held that , because Mr Cunningham can not perform control and restraint duties , the prison service was exempt , as a result of section 37.3 , from his complaint .
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission provided legal representation to Mr Cunningham in appealing to the High Court .
In his judgment , Mr Justice Barr noted Section 37.3 provides it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employment in the Garda , Defence Forces , prison service and emergency services that persons are capable of carrying out the full range of functions they may be called on to perform .
He said Section 37.3 does not exempt emergency services from providing reasonable accommodation for a disabled employee but merely enables them to show that capacity to carry out a particular range of functions is an occupational requirement for employment in the particular service .
Section 37.3 does not “ absolve ” the prison service of duty to provide reasonable accommodation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasonably be done while at the same time preserving the operational capacity of the service , he said .
Everything will turn on the facts of a particular case and the size and nature of the emergency service concerned , he stressed .
The correct interpretation of section 37.3 did not mean the prison service can “ self-certify ” that Mr Cunningham can not perform the range of functions of a prison officer because he can not perform control and restraint functions , and therefore the prison service was not obliged to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had said other prison officers had been given prison service posts on a long-term basis due to ill-health or other reasons while the prison service had said it could give evidence that control and restraint is a fundamental requirement of the role of a prison officer .
There was clearly an issue of fact to be determined in that regard , the judge said .
An employer is also not required to create a job for a person with a disability or provide measures that are unduly burdensome .
Justice requires the person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make a case that they could perform the function required of them if reasonable accommodation were made for them which was not “ unduly burdensome ” to the employer and did not impair the operational capacity of the emergency service , he said .
Because Mr Cunningham was not given that opportunity , the judge allowed his appeal over the Labour Court decision .
The Labour Court must now reconsider the complaint , on factual evidence and in line with the judge ’ s findings .
Earlier , Mr Justice Barr noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in the way disability has to be viewed in Irish and European law , with laws providing rights “ of real substance ” to persons with disabilities who wish to enter or remain in work .
The UN Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities is also relevant to the correct interpretation of the 1998 Act , he added .
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission , which provided legal representation to Mr Cunningham in appealing to the High Court , welcomed the outcome as “ another clear statement from Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disabilities have the right to work on equal terms ” .

Mr Justice Anthony Barr overturned a Labour Court preliminary finding that the prison service has a blanket exemption from a complaint of discrimination on grounds of disability made by Robert Cunningham. File photograph: Getty
The Irish Prison Service is obliged under the Employment Equality Act to try to make “reasonable accommodation” for a disabled prison officer if that can reasonably be done while preserving the service’s operational capacity, the High Court has ruled.
In a significant judgment on Tuesday, Mr Justice Anthony Barr overturned a Labour Court preliminary finding that the prison service has a blanket exemption, by virtue of section 37.3 of the Act, from a complaint of discrimination on grounds of disability made by Robert Cunningham.
Aged 40, Mr Cunningham, who joined the prison service in 2005, suffered serious back injuries after being assaulted by two prisoners, and underwent three operations.
In 2015, the Chief Medical Officer for the Civil Service certified he would not be fit to carry out any restraint and control duties in the medium or long term.
READ MORE
He complained after the prison service told him he could not retain his job because he could not perform restraint and control duties, but he could resign and apply for a lower paid position or seek ill-health retirement.
He brought a claim under the Employment Equality Act 1998, alleging discrimination on grounds of disability, and that the prison service had failed to make any reasonable accommodation for him as required by the Act.
The Labour Court held that, because Mr Cunningham cannot perform control and restraint duties, the prison service was exempt, as a result of section 37.3, from his complaint.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission provided legal representation to Mr Cunningham in appealing to the High Court.
In his judgment, Mr Justice Barr noted Section 37.3 provides it is an “occupational requirement” for employment in the Garda, Defence Forces, prison service and emergency services that persons are capable of carrying out the full range of functions they may be called on to perform.
He said Section 37.3 does not exempt emergency services from providing reasonable accommodation for a disabled employee but merely enables them to show that capacity to carry out a particular range of functions is an occupational requirement for employment in the particular service.
Reasonable accommodation
Section 37.3 does not “absolve” the prison service of duty to provide reasonable accommodation for the disabled person if that can reasonably be done while at the same time preserving the operational capacity of the service, he said.
Everything will turn on the facts of a particular case and the size and nature of the emergency service concerned, he stressed.
The correct interpretation of section 37.3 did not mean the prison service can “self-certify” that Mr Cunningham cannot perform the range of functions of a prison officer because he cannot perform control and restraint functions, and therefore the prison service was not obliged to make reasonable accommodation for him.
Mr Cunningham had said other prison officers had been given prison service posts on a long-term basis due to ill-health or other reasons while the prison service had said it could give evidence that control and restraint is a fundamental requirement of the role of a prison officer.
There was clearly an issue of fact to be determined in that regard, the judge said. An employer is also not required to create a job for a person with a disability or provide measures that are unduly burdensome.
Justice requires the person with a disability be given the chance to make a case that they could perform the function required of them if reasonable accommodation were made for them which was not “unduly burdensome” to the employer and did not impair the operational capacity of the emergency service, he said.
Because Mr Cunningham was not given that opportunity, the judge allowed his appeal over the Labour Court decision. The Labour Court must now reconsider the complaint, on factual evidence and in line with the judge’s findings.
Earlier, Mr Justice Barr noted there had been a “paradigm shift” in the way disability has to be viewed in Irish and European law, with laws providing rights “of real substance” to persons with disabilities who wish to enter or remain in work. The UN Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities is also relevant to the correct interpretation of the 1998 Act, he added.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, which provided legal representation to Mr Cunningham in appealing to the High Court, welcomed the outcome as “another clear statement from Ireland’s superior courts that people with disabilities have the right to work on equal terms”.


theirishtimes--2020-06-09--Covid-19: Restaurants call for clarity on new guidelines

The hospitality industry has welcomed the publication of new guidelines on how it can reopen safely as coronavirus restrictions begin to lift , but some in the restaurant sector are seeking additional clarity on how to implement the required changes .
The Government ’ s roadmap for reopening society following the coronavirus lockdown currently allows for restaurants , cafes , hotels , hostels , caravan parks and other hospitality businesses to reopen on June 29th , albeit with measures in place to help stop the spread of Covid-19 .
On Tuesday , Fáilte Ireland published a “ living ” document @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adventure tourism operators and caravan parks will have to implement in order to prevent this spread as the country reopens .
Some of the guidelines include restaurateurs being asked to tell customers verbally what is on the menu , avoiding share plates , group tour sizes being reduced , and buffet-style services being avoided .
Elaina Fitzgerald Kane , president of the Irish Hotels Federation ( IHF ) , said the guidelines should provide important reassurance for people who want to holiday in Ireland this summer .
“ The health and safety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the main priority .
While they have been closed for business since March , hotels and guesthouses across the country have already started to adapt their services and facilities in anticipation of reopening under Covid-19 guidelines , ” Ms Fitzgerald Kane said .
“ Ireland ’ s hotels have always had a well-earned reputation globally for their high service standards and hoteliers will be applying that same commitment to the implementation of these new standards.
” Brendan Kenny , chief executive of Ireland ’ s Association for Adventure Tourism , said he and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the guidelines have been published .
“ From speaking with my members , every response has been really positive , ” Mr Kenny said .
“ The guidelines are really comprehensive , but they ’ re also business-friendly .
We think this is a really positive step towards reopening businesses.
” Con Quill , chief executive of the Irish Camping and Caravan Council , said the sector welcomed the guidelines , because being able to reopen for July and August is a “ lifesaver ” for the industry .
“ Overall , people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but there will be some challenges , ” Mr Quill said .
“ Like everyone in the hospitality sector , we would like to see the [ social distancing requirement to maintain a ] 2m distance change , and communal areas will be pinchpoints for our members .
Outdoor elements is much safer than indoors so it ’ s not a big issue for us.
” Meanwhile , Adrian Cummins , chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland , has called for clarity on the measures , particularly on the distance customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other .
The new recommendations are predicated on the current physical distancing guidance of 2m , but public health officials are examining potentially reducing this to 1m for the hospitality industry .
Businesses are going to have to adapt , and there will be reduced menus because there will be fewer staff in the kitchen as a result of physical distancing guidelines , Mr Cummins told Today with Sarah McInerney on RTÉ Radio 1 .
“ The authorities will have to work with us .
We want to get businesses open , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work in the [ restaurant ] sector back at work , ” he added .
Mr Cummins pointed out that there were still 19 days to go before reopening would commence .
“ We want to make sure that we bring customers back to a safe environment .
At the end of the day consumers will vote with their feet.
” Neil McDonnell , chief executive of the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association ( Isme ) , said that unless the economy is opened up in a planned fashion “ there will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ” .

A waiter holds a sanitiser at a restaurant in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday. Irish restaurants are set to reopen on June 29th. Photograph: Prakash Singh/AFP via Getty Images
The hospitality industry has welcomed the publication of new guidelines on how it can reopen safely as coronavirus restrictions begin to lift, but some in the restaurant sector are seeking additional clarity on how to implement the required changes.
The Government’s roadmap for reopening society following the coronavirus lockdown currently allows for restaurants, cafes, hotels, hostels, caravan parks and other hospitality businesses to reopen on June 29th, albeit with measures in place to help stop the spread of Covid-19.
On Tuesday, Fáilte Ireland published a "living" document which outlines measures restaurants, hotels, adventure tourism operators and caravan parks will have to implement in order to prevent this spread as the country reopens.
Some of the guidelines include restaurateurs being asked to tell customers verbally what is on the menu, avoiding share plates, group tour sizes being reduced, and buffet-style services being avoided.
READ MORE
Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, president of the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF), said the guidelines should provide important reassurance for people who want to holiday in Ireland this summer.
“The health and safety of our teams and guests will always be the main priority. While they have been closed for business since March, hotels and guesthouses across the country have already started to adapt their services and facilities in anticipation of reopening under Covid-19 guidelines,” Ms Fitzgerald Kane said.
“Ireland’s hotels have always had a well-earned reputation globally for their high service standards and hoteliers will be applying that same commitment to the implementation of these new standards.”
Brendan Kenny, chief executive of Ireland's Association for Adventure Tourism, said he and his members are "absolutely delighted" the guidelines have been published.
“From speaking with my members, every response has been really positive,” Mr Kenny said. “The guidelines are really comprehensive, but they’re also business-friendly. We think this is a really positive step towards reopening businesses.”
‘Lifesaver’
Con Quill, chief executive of the Irish Camping and Caravan Council, said the sector welcomed the guidelines, because being able to reopen for July and August is a “lifesaver” for the industry.
“Overall, people are glad we have clear guidelines, but there will be some challenges,” Mr Quill said. “Like everyone in the hospitality sector, we would like to see the [social distancing requirement to maintain a] 2m distance change, and communal areas will be pinchpoints for our members. Outdoor elements is much safer than indoors so it’s not a big issue for us.”
Meanwhile, Adrian Cummins, chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, has called for clarity on the measures, particularly on the distance customers will be required to maintain from each other.
The new recommendations are predicated on the current physical distancing guidance of 2m, but public health officials are examining potentially reducing this to 1m for the hospitality industry.
Businesses are going to have to adapt, and there will be reduced menus because there will be fewer staff in the kitchen as a result of physical distancing guidelines, Mr Cummins told Today with Sarah McInerney on RTÉ Radio 1.
“The authorities will have to work with us. We want to get businesses open, we want to see the 120,000 people who work in the [restaurant] sector back at work,” he added.
Mr Cummins pointed out that there were still 19 days to go before reopening would commence. “We want to make sure that we bring customers back to a safe environment. At the end of the day consumers will vote with their feet.”
Neil McDonnell, chief executive of the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Isme), said that unless the economy is opened up in a planned fashion “there will not be an economy to go back to”.


theirishtimes--2020-06-09--Water shortages: As hosepipe ban starts what is happening with leaks?

The ongoing drought across much of Ireland and the introduction of a hosepipe ban on June 9th – the second in less than two years – has brought renewed focus on the massive level of ongoing leakage in the Irish water supply system .
Up to recently , close to half the treated water in the State was being lost through leaky pipes ; a problem that was most pronounced in the greater Dublin region – the most populated part of the country .
The level of leakage continues to be unacceptable , according to Dr Tom Collins of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It makes no sense to be providing all this water , to be cleaning all this water , and to be losing all this water , ” he adds .
The problem , however , is there is no short-term solution , though there is some evidence of progress .
Digging up streets to repair or replace pipes can be hugely disruptive to a city , though new approaches mean quicker repairs and less inconvenience .
Irish Water operates 63,000 km of water network , treating 1,700 million litres of water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The national water utility can sustainably supply the greater Dublin area with 582 million litres of water a day .
Working in partnership with local authorities and contracting partners , Irish Water is carrying out targeted leakage detection and repairs across the country with a special focus on those areas where water services are under “ water stress ” .
Prior to the Covid-19 restrictions , 1,500 leaks were fixed every month .
The current leakage rate nationally is 42.3 per cent .
In the Greater Dublin Area it has been reduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is on track to reduce overall leakage to 38 per cent and save 166 million litres of drinking water daily nationally by 2021 , including 44 million litres in the Greater Dublin Area through an investment of €500 million .
The 2021-2024 investment plan , will also see the utility invest approximately €100 million per year in leakage reduction .
Gross leakage savings for 2019 were 143.7 million litres per day .
When Irish Water was established , leakage nationally was 49 per cent .
“ Irish Water ’ s leakage reduction programme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground , but we also need the public ’ s support to reduce their water usage .
We continue to ask the public to notify us of leaks on which we always follow up , ” a spokeswoman for the utility has pointed out .
The long-term solution , Dr Collins believes , is a national strategy on conservation , including accelerated leakage reduction .
This should incorporate new building regulations , he suggests , requiring innovative water management to be deployed , such as raw water harvesting in new houses and institutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we only have these conversations when we have a drought , ” he observes .
He remains concerned about the vulnerability of Dublin , which is so important to the Irish economy and has such a large , growing population .
The river Liffey supplies over 80 per cent of the city ’ s water supply , extracting 40 per cent of all its waters , close to the upper threshold of environmental and sustainable limits .
In that context , the levels of water leakage have to be confronted , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a massive undertaking ” in both complexity and financial cost .

Bohernabreena reservoir in Dublin where water levels are low following the driest spring on record. Photograph: PA
The ongoing drought across much of Ireland and the introduction of a hosepipe ban on June 9th – the second in less than two years – has brought renewed focus on the massive level of ongoing leakage in the Irish water supply system.
Up to recently, close to half the treated water in the State was being lost through leaky pipes; a problem that was most pronounced in the greater Dublin region – the most populated part of the country.
The level of leakage continues to be unacceptable, according to Dr Tom Collins of the Water Forum, a statutory advisory body. "It makes no sense to be providing all this water, to be cleaning all this water, and to be losing all this water," he adds.
The problem, however, is there is no short-term solution, though there is some evidence of progress. Digging up streets to repair or replace pipes can be hugely disruptive to a city, though new approaches mean quicker repairs and less inconvenience.
READ MORE
Assistant inspector Ger Goodwin checks water levels in the upper lake of Bohernabreena reservoir in Dublin. Photograph: PA
Irish Water operates 63,000 km of water network, treating 1,700 million litres of water daily via almost 800 water treatment plants. The national water utility can sustainably supply the greater Dublin area with 582 million litres of water a day.
Working in partnership with local authorities and contracting partners, Irish Water is carrying out targeted leakage detection and repairs across the country with a special focus on those areas where water services are under “water stress”.
Prior to the Covid-19 restrictions, 1,500 leaks were fixed every month.
The current leakage rate nationally is 42.3 per cent. In the Greater Dublin Area it has been reduced to 37.5 per cent.
Irish Water is on track to reduce overall leakage to 38 per cent and save 166 million litres of drinking water daily nationally by 2021, including 44 million litres in the Greater Dublin Area through an investment of €500 million.
The 2021-2024 investment plan, will also see the utility invest approximately €100 million per year in leakage reduction.
Gross leakage savings for 2019 were 143.7 million litres per day. When Irish Water was established, leakage nationally was 49 per cent.
“Irish Water’s leakage reduction programme teams are now fully re-mobilised on the ground, but we also need the public’s support to reduce their water usage. We continue to ask the public to notify us of leaks on which we always follow up,” a spokeswoman for the utility has pointed out.
The long-term solution, Dr Collins believes, is a national strategy on conservation, including accelerated leakage reduction. This should incorporate new building regulations, he suggests, requiring innovative water management to be deployed, such as raw water harvesting in new houses and institutional buildings including schools.
“Of course, we only have these conversations when we have a drought,” he observes.
He remains concerned about the vulnerability of Dublin, which is so important to the Irish economy and has such a large, growing population.
The river Liffey supplies over 80 per cent of the city’s water supply, extracting 40 per cent of all its waters, close to the upper threshold of environmental and sustainable limits.
In that context, the levels of water leakage have to be confronted, though he accepts solving the problem “is a massive undertaking” in both complexity and financial cost.


theirishtimes--2020-06-09--Tributes paid to farmer killed in accident on cross-Border farm

Tributes have been paid to David Crockett , who died in an accident on his farm straddling the border between Derry and Donegal on Monday evening .
The Health and Safety Executive in Northern Ireland confirmed it was aware of the incident and was making enquiries .
“ Our thoughts are with the deceased ’ s family at this tragic time , ” a spokesman said .
It is understood Mr Crockett died in a fall from a farm shed .
His son was also injured .
Mr Crockett became a well-known figure in the national and international media following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border between Derry city and Bridgend , Co Donegal , runs right through the family farm at Coshquin .
His greatest concern was a hard border , and Mr Crockett - who was a distant descendant of the famous American frontiersman Davy Crockett - vividly described what it would mean for the family farm - which had been split by Partition - and how they had farmed there despite customs posts and the Troubles for more than 100 years .
In his most recent interview with The Irish Times , just before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he spoke of his relief that a hard border had been averted and there was now some degree of certainty about the future .
“ Europe will look after Northern Ireland ’ s interests , ” he said .
His friend Gordon Elder , who sat with him on the Board of Governors at Groarty Primary School , where they were once pupils , said he had accurately described the “ practicalities of being on the border ” and he would miss hearing his “ big laugh ” as he arrived at church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been one of the biggest funerals in the area , ” he said .
“ It ’ s so frustrating for the community , because of the Covid-19 restrictions .
I would have been at the Crockett family ’ s door today , with my condolences , and at the wake , but the family know our condolences are with them at this time .
“ Any tributes he gets are richly deserved , ” he said .
The clerk of session at Burt Presbyterian Church , James Buchanan , told BBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the choir every week .
“ We as a church family are grieving terribly , ” he said .
“ Every time you met David he had a smile on his face and he had a wee story to tell you .
He never had a bad word to say about anybody , and I never met anybody who had a bad word to say about David Crockett.
” BBC Northern Ireland political correspondent Enda McClafferty said that not only had Mr Crockett “ the most unusual story , he the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the frontier , and then he was able to tell it as well as he could .
“ As soon as you landed in the farmyard you were made to feel so welcome , ” he said .
“ We could not have been in a better place speaking to a better person about the [ BREXIT ] story because he brought it to life for people .
“ Up until then people heard about the problems of the border and farming communities but they never heard it first hand from somebody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David loved to illustrate everything in terms of walking across one field and saying we ’ re in the Republic , and then saying all of a sudden we ’ ve crossed the border into Northern Ireland.
” The Sinn Féin MLA and former MEP Martina Anderson said the local community was “ shocked and saddened ” by Mr Crockett ’ s death , and her thoughts were with his family , friends and loved ones .
The Foyle MP , the SDLP ’ s Colum Eastwood , said he was sorry to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and his thoughts and condolences were with his family and friends .
He is survived by his wife , Margaret , and three children .

David Crockett and his daughter Rebecca on their farm at Coshquin, which straddles the Border between Derry and Donegal.
Tributes have been paid to David Crockett, who died in an accident on his farm straddling the border between Derry and Donegal on Monday evening.
The Health and Safety Executive in Northern Ireland confirmed it was aware of the incident and was making enquiries. "Our thoughts are with the deceased's family at this tragic time," a spokesman said.
It is understood Mr Crockett died in a fall from a farm shed. His son was also injured.
Mr Crockett became a well-known figure in the national and international media following the Brexit referendum in 2016. The border between Derry city and Bridgend, Co Donegal, runs right through the family farm at Coshquin.
READ MORE
His greatest concern was a hard border, and Mr Crockett - who was a distant descendant of the famous American frontiersman Davy Crockett - vividly described what it would mean for the family farm - which had been split by Partition - and how they had farmed there despite customs posts and the Troubles for more than 100 years.
In his most recent interview with The Irish Times, just before the UK left the EU in January, he spoke of his relief that a hard border had been averted and there was now some degree of certainty about the future. "Europe will look after Northern Ireland's interests," he said.
His friend Gordon Elder, who sat with him on the Board of Governors at Groarty Primary School, where they were once pupils, said he had accurately described the "practicalities of being on the border" and he would miss hearing his "big laugh" as he arrived at church on Sunday morning.
“This would have been one of the biggest funerals in the area,” he said. “It’s so frustrating for the community, because of the Covid-19 restrictions. I would have been at the Crockett family’s door today, with my condolences, and at the wake, but the family know our condolences are with them at this time.
“Any tributes he gets are richly deserved,” he said.
The clerk of session at Burt Presbyterian Church, James Buchanan, told BBC Radio Foyle he sat beside Mr Crockett in the choir every week.
“We as a church family are grieving terribly,” he said. “Every time you met David he had a smile on his face and he had a wee story to tell you. He never had a bad word to say about anybody, and I never met anybody who had a bad word to say about David Crockett.”
BBC Northern Ireland political correspondent Enda McClafferty said that not only had Mr Crockett “the most unusual story, he the most unusual name, given where he lived on the frontier, and then he was able to tell it as well as he could.
“As soon as you landed in the farmyard you were made to feel so welcome,” he said. “We could not have been in a better place speaking to a better person about the [BREXIT]story because he brought it to life for people.
“Up until then people heard about the problems of the border and farming communities but they never heard it first hand from somebody who was living it every day. David loved to illustrate everything in terms of walking across one field and saying we’re in the Republic, and then saying all of a sudden we’ve crossed the border into Northern Ireland.”
The Sinn Féin MLA and former MEP Martina Anderson said the local community was “shocked and saddened” by Mr Crockett’s death, and her thoughts were with his family, friends and loved ones.
The Foyle MP, the SDLP's Colum Eastwood, said he was sorry to hear of Mr Crockett's death, and his thoughts and condolences were with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret, and three children.


theirishtimes--2020-06-09--Safety concerns raised over Dublin city outdoor restaurants

Dublin businesses have been invited by Dublin City Council to apply for permission to put tables and chairs outside their premises , despite safety concerns on the part of disability groups .
A Covid-19 “ mobility intervention programme ” for the city published by the council and the National Transport Authority ( NTA ) in recent weeks proposed allowing businesses , particularly cafes and restaurants , to use outdoor space for customers , to enable them to reopen as coronavirus-related restrictions eased .
The council is now seeking applications from businesses “ interested in expanding into the public realm ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of public space by cafes , restaurants , pubs and other businesses has been highly regulated by the council , with annual licence fees and charges per table or per square metre of space used .
However , the council said , where the new applications are successful there will be no charge for using the outdoor space for six months , and businesses which had already paid for 2020 will be given a six-month credit in 2021 .
The council said it wanted to “ reimagine the streetscape in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or to accommodate retailers where queuing occurs outside their shops so that everyone can safely enjoy the city as restrictions are gradually reduced ” .
However , the Public Participation Network , an umbrella group of disability and community organisations , said the use of public space by businesses , particularly footpaths , would cause mobility problems for people with disabilities .
“ Covering the footpath with chairs and tables is against the stated policy of the council .
It is supposed to be decluttering the city .
Disability groups , particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this issue , ” said Gary Kearney , social inclusion representative with the network .
“ I understand completely the business owners need to reopen in a way that is safe and support this , [ but ] safe and easy access to the public realm must remain in all plans from concept , ” he said .
The council said all applications will be assessed from a “ public health , fire safety and public circulation point of view ” .
It conceded that “ many requests will have an impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ street .
Dublin City Council is committed to serving the common good for all and this context will be used when assessing individual requests.
” Businesses should not have “ furniture in the public realm ” before June 29th , the council said , as cafes and restaurants should only be providing a takeaway service under current restrictions .

The Oliver St John Gogarty in Temple Bar, Dublin. Until now the use of public space by cafes, restaurants, pubs and other businesses has been highly regulated by Dublin City Council. File photograph: Getty
Dublin businesses have been invited by Dublin City Council to apply for permission to put tables and chairs outside their premises, despite safety concerns on the part of disability groups.
A Covid-19 "mobility intervention programme" for the city published by the council and the National Transport Authority (NTA) in recent weeks proposed allowing businesses, particularly cafes and restaurants, to use outdoor space for customers, to enable them to reopen as coronavirus-related restrictions eased.
The council is now seeking applications from businesses “interested in expanding into the public realm” from June 29th.
Until now the use of public space by cafes, restaurants, pubs and other businesses has been highly regulated by the council, with annual licence fees and charges per table or per square metre of space used.
READ MORE
A programme for the city published in recent weeks proposed allowing businesses, particularly cafes and restaurants, to use outdoor space for customers, to enable them to reopen as coronavirus restrictions eased.
However, the council said, where the new applications are successful there will be no charge for using the outdoor space for six months, and businesses which had already paid for 2020 will be given a six-month credit in 2021.
The council said it wanted to “reimagine the streetscape in order to facilitate businesses such as cafes to reopen, or to accommodate retailers where queuing occurs outside their shops so that everyone can safely enjoy the city as restrictions are gradually reduced”.
Mobility problems
However, the Public Participation Network, an umbrella group of disability and community organisations, said the use of public space by businesses, particularly footpaths, would cause mobility problems for people with disabilities.
"Covering the footpath with chairs and tables is against the stated policy of the council. It is supposed to be decluttering the city. Disability groups, particularly the visually impaired, are seriously worried about this issue," said Gary Kearney, social inclusion representative with the network.
“I understand completely the business owners need to reopen in a way that is safe and support this, [but] safe and easy access to the public realm must remain in all plans from concept,” he said.
The council said all applications will be assessed from a “public health, fire safety and public circulation point of view”.
It conceded that “many requests will have an impact on other residents or stakeholders on a street. Dublin City Council is committed to serving the common good for all and this context will be used when assessing individual requests.”
Businesses should not have “furniture in the public realm” before June 29th, the council said, as cafes and restaurants should only be providing a takeaway service under current restrictions.


theirishtimes--2020-06-09--NI Minister criticises lack of detail from Republic on lockdown easing

Northern Ireland ’ s Health Minister has criticised what he called a lack of information from the Irish Government over its easing of lockdown restrictions , which he said puts the Northern Executive “ where it seems that we should be playing catch-up ” .
Robin Swann said the Republic had “ moved without giving us a lot of consultation as to their movements ” , and that he had raised this with the Irish Government at a North-South meeting on Tuesday .
He said while the “ strategic decision that the Irish Government made in regards to last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of their restrictions was one for them to make , we have asked that approaching the next date , there is more of an engagement to make sure we ’ re on similar pages , similar understanding ” .
He said he believed the Executive was taking a “ measured , cautious approach ” in its relaxation of the coronavirus restrictions .
A spokesman for Taoiseach Leo Varadkar , said he and Tánaiste Simon Coveney , did inform their Northern counterparts ahead of their announcement on Friday that the relaxation of some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been criticism from industry bodies in the North that the pace of reopening has lagged behind that of the Republic .
In particular , there have been calls to reopen hotels , pubs and restaurants in the North sooner than the indicative date of July 20th , which the hospitality industry has said will put it at a competitive disadvantage to similar businesses in the Republic , which can reopen at the end of June .
Speaking at the Northern Executive ’ s daily coronavirus briefing on Tuesday , Mr Swann said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be a matter for the Executive when it meets on Thursday and he would not “ pre-empt ” this , though he also said one alternative could be a “ cafe-style approach where people are outdoors ” .
The North ’ s Department of Health had earlier warned that sustained additional funding and investment is needed to rebuild Northern Ireland ’ s health service in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic .
The department published a strategic framework document for rebuilding health and social care services in the North on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to be hugely challenging , with the department facing a funding shortfall in respect of forecast inescapable pressures necessary to maintain existing services , ” it said .
The department recorded no coronavirus-related deaths in Northern Ireland for a third day in a row on Tuesday .
A total of 702 tests were carried out in the last 24 hours , and three people had tested positive for the virus .
The number of coronavirus-related fatalities reported by the department in the North remains at 537 .
The document also outlined the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the region , which had already been facing significant challenges , not least from long and growing waiting lists , before the coronavirus crisis began .
Speaking in the Northern Assembly , Mr Swann said the percentage of patients receiving non-coronavirus-related hospital care has fallen by up to two-thirds in Northern Ireland .
Waiting lists that had been “ unacceptable ” before Covid-19 were “ even more horrendous now ” , he said .
“ For instance , outpatient activity is down between 40 per cent and 55 per cent and inpatient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 67 per cent – both compared to the similar period last year , ” he said .
The North ’ s six hospital trusts also published plans on Tuesday setting out their proposals for resuming services in the immediate period to June 30th , while work has begun on resuming the full range of cancer services .
The document warned that the impact of coronavirus on health and social care services will be “ profound and long-lasting ” , and services will not be able to resume as normal for some time due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing and for increased volumes of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) .
It also noted that coronavirus restrictions , while necessary , have “ impacted on the wider economic and social environment , with both long- and short-term effects on population health ” .
“ Emerging research indicates that population health is , on balance , likely to be negatively affected by the wider impacts of Covid-19 , ” and that the greatest effects were likely to be felt by the most disadvantaged .
It also noted that the suspension of screening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have resulted in some diseases going undetected or untreated longer than is desirable , with potential impact on long-term health outcomes ” .
The estimated backlog created by the suspension of breast and cervical cancer screening programmes is estimated at 12,800 mammograms and 45,000 cervical tests as of May 31st .
Uncertainty and concern over the pandemic and the impact of lockdown is also likely to have had an adverse impact on mental health , and there is likely to be a “ significant need ” in this area as Northern Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some innovations introduced during the lockdown would be retained .
“ Decisions were taken at pace , services were reconfigured , mountains were moved .
Staff have worked across traditional boundaries time and time again , ” he said .
“ I can not thank them enough .
We must build on that spirit in the months and years ahead .
Innovations like telephone triage and video consultations will be embedded in primary and secondary care.
” He did not want to “ simply restore the health and social system to the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
“ That would do a disservice to our great staff and the people of Northern Ireland .
I honestly believe we can make it better .
“ That will require patience , careful planning , sustained investment and collective support – not just around the Executive table but across society as a whole .
”

Robin Swann said the Republic had “moved without giving us a lot of consultation as to their movements” on the easing of lockdown restrictions. Photograph: Kelvin Boyes/PA Wire
Northern Ireland's Health Minister has criticised what he called a lack of information from the Irish Government over its easing of lockdown restrictions, which he said puts the Northern Executive "where it seems that we should be playing catch-up".
Robin Swann said the Republic had "moved without giving us a lot of consultation as to their movements", and that he had raised this with the Irish Government at a North-South meeting on Tuesday.
He said while the “strategic decision that the Irish Government made in regards to last week and in regards to how they come out of their restrictions was one for them to make, we have asked that approaching the next date, there is more of an engagement to make sure we’re on similar pages, similar understanding”.
He said he believed the Executive was taking a “measured, cautious approach” in its relaxation of the coronavirus restrictions.
READ MORE
A spokesman for Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, said he and Tánaiste Simon Coveney, did inform their Northern counterparts ahead of their announcement on Friday that the relaxation of some coronavirus-related restrictions would be accelerated.
There has been criticism from industry bodies in the North that the pace of reopening has lagged behind that of the Republic.
In particular, there have been calls to reopen hotels, pubs and restaurants in the North sooner than the indicative date of July 20th, which the hospitality industry has said will put it at a competitive disadvantage to similar businesses in the Republic, which can reopen at the end of June.
Speaking at the Northern Executive’s daily coronavirus briefing on Tuesday, Mr Swann said the decision to bring forward the date would be a matter for the Executive when it meets on Thursday and he would not “pre-empt” this, though he also said one alternative could be a “cafe-style approach where people are outdoors”.
The North's Department of Health had earlier warned that sustained additional funding and investment is needed to rebuild Northern Ireland's health service in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Framework document
The department published a strategic framework document for rebuilding health and social care services in the North on Tuesday.
“The department’s budgetary position continues to be hugely challenging, with the department facing a funding shortfall in respect of forecast inescapable pressures necessary to maintain existing services,” it said.
The department recorded no coronavirus-related deaths in Northern Ireland for a third day in a row on Tuesday. A total of 702 tests were carried out in the last 24 hours, and three people had tested positive for the virus.
The number of coronavirus-related fatalities reported by the department in the North remains at 537.
Information signs at a reopened McDonald’s drive-thru at Bloomfield Shopping Mall in Bangor, Northern Ireland. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
The document also outlined the impact of coronavirus on the health service in the region, which had already been facing significant challenges, not least from long and growing waiting lists, before the coronavirus crisis began.
Speaking in the Northern Assembly, Mr Swann said the percentage of patients receiving non-coronavirus-related hospital care has fallen by up to two-thirds in Northern Ireland.
Waiting lists that had been “unacceptable” before Covid-19 were “even more horrendous now”, he said.
“For instance, outpatient activity is down between 40 per cent and 55 per cent and inpatient activity by between 34 per cent and 67 per cent – both compared to the similar period last year,” he said.
Cancer services
The North’s six hospital trusts also published plans on Tuesday setting out their proposals for resuming services in the immediate period to June 30th, while work has begun on resuming the full range of cancer services.
The document warned that the impact of coronavirus on health and social care services will be “profound and long-lasting”, and services will not be able to resume as normal for some time due to the need to adhere to social distancing and for increased volumes of personal protective equipment (PPE).
It also noted that coronavirus restrictions, while necessary, have “impacted on the wider economic and social environment, with both long- and short-term effects on population health”.
“Emerging research indicates that population health is, on balance, likely to be negatively affected by the wider impacts of Covid-19,” and that the greatest effects were likely to be felt by the most disadvantaged.
It also noted that the suspension of screening and testing programmes during the pandemic “will have resulted in some diseases going undetected or untreated longer than is desirable, with potential impact on long-term health outcomes”.
The estimated backlog created by the suspension of breast and cervical cancer screening programmes is estimated at 12,800 mammograms and 45,000 cervical tests as of May 31st.
Adverse impact
Uncertainty and concern over the pandemic and the impact of lockdown is also likely to have had an adverse impact on mental health, and there is likely to be a “significant need” in this area as Northern Ireland emerges from lockdown.
Mr Swann said some innovations introduced during the lockdown would be retained. “Decisions were taken at pace, services were reconfigured, mountains were moved. Staff have worked across traditional boundaries time and time again,” he said.
“I cannot thank them enough. We must build on that spirit in the months and years ahead. Innovations like telephone triage and video consultations will be embedded in primary and secondary care.”
He did not want to “simply restore the health and social system to the way it was at the beginning of 2020”.
“That would do a disservice to our great staff and the people of Northern Ireland. I honestly believe we can make it better.
“That will require patience, careful planning, sustained investment and collective support – not just around the Executive table but across society as a whole.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Teens who turned waste material into prize-winning display win national award

Teenagers who turned material destined for landfill into a prize-winning display to highlight the dangers of climate change have won a national apprenticeship competition .
Students at Wicklow Youthreach were named winners of the second level Generation Apprenticeship competition with a prize of euro1,500 .
Kevin Reid , of Kildare Wicklow ETB and Wicklow Youthreach , said the team used used many different recyclable items to create its display , title “ a world in crisis ” .
“ We hope this motivates people to think of how they can do the same , ” he said .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe it can lead to longer term and positive changes as we emerge from Covid-19 and into a new phase of recovery and growth for our economy and society.
” Organised by Solas , the competition asked entrants to build an “ A ” letter - based on the Generation Apprenticeship brand - from materials supplied that were previously destined for landfill .
A total of 156 teams across the State entered the competition , which was supported by the Teachers ’ Union of Ireland and sponsored by Suir Engineering .
Andrew Brownlee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the competition has provided students with the opportunity of engaging with top Irish construction companies has generated a unique set of insights around what they want from their future employers .
“ It provided a unique platform for students to show employers that their understanding of a good job is measured by how good or bad it is for the planet , ” he said .
“ It is a powerful message which , if embraced , can help industry to develop more sustainably in the future.
” The Dublin-based Discovery Centre ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place , followed by Bridgetown College , Wexford and St. Nathy ’ s College , Roscommon which finished joint third .
Stephen Dempsey , speaking on behalf of the Discovery Centre , said the team wanted to capture the skill areas of woodwork , tiling , painting and decorating , and to emphasise how much material generated through these trades could be recycled and used again .
Bridgetown College ’ s team of Caitlin Lambert Dunne and Therese Keating asked people to “ be a part of the solution not part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waste going into oceans and the impact on animals ’ natural habitats .
In support of their “ jobs need to be environmentally friendly ” message they recommended that construction companies use renewable sources of electricity , plant trees near building sites and develop an energy efficiency in buildings workforce .
“ We are over the moon with third place in such a prestigious competition , ’ they said .
St Nathy ’ s team members Ella Gallagher , Shauna Luby , Bethany Murphy , Rachael Davey , Ericka Ní Mhathuna , Anna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Padraig Taheny said the competition gave them a chance to improve our problem solving and team building skills .
They added that they were able to draw on a mix of technical , creative , ICT , art and design skills .
Paul Cremmins , director of Suir Engineering , said the talent on show in the competition was “ amazing ” and was a positive sign of the pipeline of apprentices coming through .
When assessing the work , judges from a range of construction and engineering firms considered the design @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they elevated the idea of apprenticeship and their potential to positively influence business and society on tackling climate change and sustainability .

Teenagers who turned material destined for landfill into a prize-winning display to highlight the dangers of climate change have won a national apprenticeship competition.
Students at Wicklow Youthreach were named winner of the second level Generation Apprenticeship competition with a prize of €1,500.
Kevin Reid, of Kildare Wicklow ETB and Wicklow Youthreach, said the team used used many different recyclable items to create its display, titled “a world in crisis”.
“We hope this motivates people to think of how they can do the same,” he said.
READ MORE
“We are delighted to take first prize and believe it can lead to longer term and positive changes as we emerge from Covid-19 and into a new phase of recovery and growth for our economy and society.”
Recycled
The Dublin-based Discovery Centre’s woodwork and trades team took second place, followed by Bridgetown College, Co Wexford and St Nathy’s College, Co Roscommon which finished joint third.
Stephen Dempsey, speaking on behalf of the Discovery Centre, said the team wanted to capture the skill areas of woodwork, tiling, painting and decorating, and to emphasise how much material generated through these trades could be recycled and used again.
Bridgetown College’s team of Caitlin Lambert Dunne and Therese Keating asked people to “be a part of the solution not part of the pollution” and examined the link between waste going into oceans and the impact on animals’ natural habitats.
In support of their “jobs need to be environmentally friendly” message they recommended that construction companies use renewable sources of electricity, plant trees near building sites and develop an energy efficiency in buildings workforce.
“We are over the moon with third place in such a prestigious competition,” they said.
St Nathy’s team members Ella Gallagher, Shauna Luby, Bethany Murphy, Rachael Davey, Ericka Ní Mhathuna, Anna Murray, David McGreal, Marcus Flynn and Padraig Taheny said the competition gave them a chance to improve their problem solving and team building skills.
They added that they were able to draw on a mix of technical, creative, ICT, art and design skills.
Landfill
Organised by Solas, the competition asked entrants to build an “A” letter – based on the Generation Apprenticeship brand – from materials supplied that were previously destined for landfill.
A total of 156 teams across the State entered the competition, which was supported by the Teachers’ Union of Ireland and sponsored by Suir Engineering.
Andrew Brownlee, chief executive of Solas, said the competition has provided students with the opportunity of engaging with top Irish construction companies has generated a unique set of insights around what they want from their future employers.
“It provided a unique platform for students to show employers that their understanding of a good job is measured by how good or bad it is for the planet,” he said.
“It is a powerful message which, if embraced, can help industry to develop more sustainably in the future.”
Paul Cremmins, director of Suir Engineering, said the talent on show in the competition was “amazing” and was a positive sign of the pipeline of apprentices coming through.
When assessing the work, judges from a range of construction and engineering firms considered the design of each entry together with how well they elevated the idea of apprenticeship and their potential to positively influence business and society on tackling climate change and sustainability.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Four to stand trial over alleged abduction and assault of Kevin Lunney

Four men will stand trial at the Special Criminal Court next year charged with attacking and falsely imprisoning Quinn Industrial Holdings ( QIH ) director Kevin Lunney .
The non-jury court heard on Wednesday morning that the case of the four men involves 50,000 documents and that the trial will commence on Monday January 21st , 2021 .
Luke O ’ Reilly ( 66 ) , from Mullahoran Lower , Kilcogy , Co Cavan ; Darren Redmond ( 25 ) , from Caledon Road , East Wall , Dublin 3 and Alan O ’ Brien ( 38 ) of Shelmalier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are all charged with false imprisonment and assault causing serious harm to Mr Lunney ( 50 ) at Drumbrade , Ballinagh , Co Cavan on September 17th , 2019 .
Another male , who can not be named for legal reasons , is also charged with the same offences .
Prosecuting barrister , Mr Garret Baker BL , told presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt that the case involved 50,000 documents that needed to be digitally rendered and that it could be four-to-six weeks before they could be disclosed .
Mr O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bail extended to January , while Mr O ’ Brien and the fourth male were remanded in custody .
Mr Justice Hunt read an alibi warning to the four men and ordered then not to have contact with anyone involved in the case , before adjourning the cases to January .
The unnamed male will have his case reappear at the court on July 6th , 2020 , for an update on a vehicle on whether or not it had been damaged while in Garda possession .

A vehicle recovered in the investigation into the alleged abduction of Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH) director Kevin Lunney was “burned, apparently accidentally” while in garda custody, the Special Criminal Court has heard.
Lawyers for one of the accused men told the non-jury court on Wednesday they did not know what happened to the vehicle but would be “grateful” if the gardaí and Director of Public Prosecutions could “tell us all they know”.
On Wednesday, the Special Criminal Court fixed January 11th, 2021 as the date for the trial of the four accused.
They are Luke O’Reilly (66), from Mullahoran Lower, Kilcogy, Co Cavan; Darren Redmond (25), from Caledon Road, East Wall, Dublin; Alan O’Brien (39), of Shelmalier Road, East Wall and a fourth accused who cannot be named for legal reasons.
READ MORE
They are all charged with false imprisonment and assault causing serious harm to Mr Lunney at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, Co Cavan on September 17th, 2019.
Mr Lunney was found incapacitated on a roadway in Co Cavan by a passing tractor on the date in question, having suffered a broken leg and been doused in bleach.
In a subsequent interview with the BBC, Mr Lunney alleged the letters ‘QIH’ had been carved into his chest with a Stanley knife during a two-and-a-half hour ordeal.
Counsel for the fourth accused, Michael O’Higgins SC, told the court on Wednesday that a vehicle in respect of which evidence was gathered was apparently “burned” while in garda custody, “apparently accidentally”.
Mr O’Higgins said he did not have full details on what happened to the vehicle and “the easiest thing to do would be for the State to tell us all they know”.
Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding at the three-judge court, put it to prosecuting lawyers that the matter seemed to be “of concern”.
Counsel for the DPP, Gareth Baker BL, replied that the State were “looking into it”.
The judge replied: “You’ll have to do more than look into it.”
Separately, Mr Baker said disclosure was ongoing at the moment, with up to 50,000 documents being scanned electronically.
Mr Justice Hunt urged the prosecution to conclude the disclosure process before the end of July.
Mr O’Brien was remanded in custody to appear before the court again on July 6th, when his lawyers will try to have the charges thrown out. The fourth accused was also remanded in custody.
Mr O’Reilly and Mr Redmond were granted High Court bail in April, despite garda objections. Granting both men bail at the time, Mr Justice Paul Burns said the alleged abduction and assault on Kevin Lunney was “vicious, cruel and abhorrent” criminal behaviour which “rightly attracted” great public “revulsion and anger”.
He said any charges arising out of the incident must be viewed as serious and any person convicted of the alleged offences could expect to receive a “significant custodial sentence”.
However, he said the accused were presumed innocent and there was an entitlement to bail.
Mr Justice Burns said the alleged abduction and assault on Kevin Lunney was preceded by a “series of attacks on QIH” but it was “fully accepted” that neither Mr O’Reilly nor Mr Redmond were suspected of being involved of those earlier incidents.
The judge said the alleged abduction and assault on Kevin Lunney was the “culmination of a campaign of harassment and intimidation” of the QIH directors. The court was entitled to “contextualise” the alleged abduction and assault on Kevin Lunney, while bearing in mind the presumption of innocence, he added.
He said the alleged abduction and assault of Kevin Lunney itself was “intimidatory”. Mr Lunney was allegedly told to resign his directorship and drop “all court cases” involving QIH, the judge said. His alleged captors told him, the judge said, not to make any statements to gardaí “or they will be back”.
Mr Justice Burns said the prosecution had fallen short of meeting the standard required to refuse bail. However, it was a “borderline” case, the judge said, and any bail had to be subject to “stringent conditions”.
Asked about the vehicle “burned, apparently accidentally” while in garda custody Garda Headquarters said on Wednesday night: “As this investigation is before the courts An Garda Síochána won’t be commenting.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Childcare funding plan: The main points

Childcare funding plan: The main points

A €75m funding package will ensure childcare providers will not have to charge higher fees than before Covid-19 , the Government has revealed .
The new funding model will run from June 29th to August 23rd .
Here are the main points : • The overall value of the plan for the childcare sector is €75m and it is hoped this will allow 1,800 creches to open their doors .
• This includes a once-off reopening grant of €18m which can be used for extra staffing costs or to provide training and resources , such as books and toys for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of grant for each provider will be based on number of children on department schemes pre-Covid 19 .
• Services which open on June 29th or within a week of that date and who stay open until late August will receive higher grants than those reopening in August or September .
• Providers with fewer than 11 children will receive €2,000 if they reopen later this month or €1,000 if they reopen in late August or September .
• Services with between 12 to 40 children will receive €4,000 if they reopen later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in late August or September .
• Providers with between 41 to 100 children will receive €7,000 if they reopen later this month or €3,500 if they reopen in late August or September .
• Services with more than 100 children will receive €10,000 if they reopen later this month or €5,000 if they reopen in late August or September .
• There will also be a once-off capital grant of €14.2m for all registered centre based services re-opening between June 29th and the beginning of September .
• This can be used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for outdoor shade and shelter to make playing outside easier ; additional toilet facilities ; room dividers for play pods ; screens in reception areas .
• Under this element of the plan , providers with fewer than eleven children will receive €1,000 ; providers with between 12 to 40 children will receive €2,500 ; providers with between 41 to 100 children will receive €4,000 and those with more than 100 children will receive €6,000 .
• There will also be reopening grants worth €375,000 for childminders which work out at €500 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheme will continue until the end of August and will provide 85 per cent ( or 70 per cent for higher incomes ) towards the cost of wages .
• Department schemes such as universal and targeted subsidies will be available .

The amount of grant for each provider will be based on number of children on department schemes pre-Covid 19. Photograph: iStock
A €75m funding package will ensure childcare providers will not have to charge higher fees than before Covid-19, the Government has revealed.
The new funding model will run from June 29th to August 23rd.
Here are the main points: