theirishtimes--2020-03-10--My daughter in fifth class wants a mobile phone, but I don’t think she’s ready

My daughter is in fifth class and is putting huge pressure on us to allow her to have a mobile phone .
All her friends have one , and we feel bad cutting her off from her friends .
But we ’ re worried it will be a source of anxiety and stress for her .
I discussed the issue of anxiety and stress among young people with a group of primary school principals and teachers recently .
They spoke about how the death of a grandparent can be as traumatic as that of a parent or sibling to primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me was their belief that access to phones and social media among primary school children is creating huge stress and anxiety in their young lives .
Teachers recounted incidents of children having emotional outbursts at eight and nine years of age directly related to exposure to social media , including games classified as appropriate for 16-18 year olds .
One child was reported to have said he was so annoyed about some issue that he would commit suicide .
The teacher gently explored the issue with the child , to discover that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but that it was part of a game he and his friends played online , to which they should , of course , have had no access .
As a loving and caring parent you are trying to allow your child to develop in an age-appropriate way by resisting her demand for access to a phone and to all that having one exposes her .
Sadly , once phones are owned by some of her peer group , it is inevitable that many children who don ’ t have phones will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age group .
Our children today live in the world of social media .
Tic Tok and WhatsApp groups are their channels of communication .
They all carry risks .
Tic Tok accounts are public by default , meaning anyone can see their videos , send a user direct messages , and use their location information .
Parents may believe they can monitor their children ’ s activities on WhatsApp , but children often have a fake account specifically to be shown to parents , and a hidden one for their own use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a phone can partially lock her out of a world in which many of her peers live .
But , from discussing this with primary school teachers , it also exposes her to a world which can end up elevating her stress and anxiety .
The relief parents get by allowing their children access to devices and iPhones buys them some short-term peace and quiet in the evenings after a stressful day – but at a very high long-term price in terms of their children ’ s mental health .
My advice ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are many children in her peer group without phones , and not being part of the cool gang until she is 12 may be no bad thing .

Many primary school teachers say access to phones and social media among primary school children is creating huge stress and anxiety in their young lives. Photograph: iStock
My daughter is in fifth class and is putting huge pressure on us to allow her to have a mobile phone. All her friends have one, and we feel bad cutting her off from her friends. But we’re worried it will be a source of anxiety and stress for her.
I discussed the issue of anxiety and stress among young people with a group of primary school principals and teachers recently. They spoke about how the death of a grandparent can be as traumatic as that of a parent or sibling to primary aged children.
But what really shocked me was their belief that access to phones and social media among primary school children is creating huge stress and anxiety in their young lives.
Teachers recounted incidents of children having emotional outbursts at eight and nine years of age directly related to exposure to social media, including games classified as appropriate for 16-18 year olds.
READ MORE
One child was reported to have said he was so annoyed about some issue that he would commit suicide. The teacher gently explored the issue with the child, to discover that he had no idea what the term meant, but that it was part of a game he and his friends played online, to which they should, of course, have had no access.
Age appropriate
As a loving and caring parent you are trying to allow your child to develop in an age-appropriate way by resisting her demand for access to a phone and to all that having one exposes her.
Sadly, once phones are owned by some of her peer group, it is inevitable that many children who don’t have phones will be exposed to content utterly unsuitable for their age group.
Our children today live in the world of social media. Tic Tok and WhatsApp groups are their channels of communication. They all carry risks. Tic Tok accounts are public by default, meaning anyone can see their videos, send a user direct messages, and use their location information. Parents may believe they can monitor their children's activities on WhatsApp, but children often have a fake account specifically to be shown to parents, and a hidden one for their own use.
To deny your child ownership of a phone can partially lock her out of a world in which many of her peers live. But, from discussing this with primary school teachers, it also exposes her to a world which can end up elevating her stress and anxiety.
The relief parents get by allowing their children access to devices and iPhones buys them some short-term peace and quiet in the evenings after a stressful day – but at a very high long-term price in terms of their children’s mental health.
My advice? Hold out for another year. There are many children in her peer group without phones, and not being part of the cool gang until she is 12 may be no bad thing.
Email queries to askbrian@irishtimes.com


theirishtimes--2020-03-10--Does Ireland have too many universities?

Global university rankings have been with us since Shanghai Jiao Tong University started its list of the world ’ s best universities back in 2003 .
The annual rankings have struck fear into the hearts of many a university president , and transformed perceptions of higher education around the world .
Ireland is not the only European country to have been shocked to see its its institutions sliding downwards .
But while Ireland chose to maintain a high ratio of universities to population , often against expert advice , in continental Europe , the trend has been towards the consolidation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level education .
Germany led the way , with its excellenzinitiative in 2005 .
France followed a few years later .
Spurred on by the 2008 economic crisis , then French President Nicolas Sarkozy asked Michel Rocard and Alain Juppé , former prime ministers from the centre left and centre right , to write a blueprint for the reform of higher education in France .
Their work resulted in the 2010 initiative d ’ excellence or Idex , later renamed Idex/I-Site .
The underlying assumption was that with 78 universities and about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system had pockets of excellence , but no critical mass for research and innovation .
The French government committed €10 billion to the goal of melting nearly 100 third level institutions down to between eight and ten “ target universities.
” The task has been complicated by resistance from humanities departments , and the differing cultures of the universities and grandes écoles .
Though both are public , French universities accept all first-year applicants and are perceived to be bureaucratic and under the sway of trade unions .
Entry to the grandes écoles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highly competitive .
Students are given the status of civil servants with pension rights , and know they will form the country ’ s élite .
Universities continue to resent the fact that the state typically spends up to three times as much per student in the grandes écoles .
In 2012 , the French government invited Grace Neville , professor emeritus of French at University College Cork and former vice president for teaching and learning at UCC , to join the international jury of up to 20 academics who evaluate applications for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committees on third-level education .
Two are at the ministry of education , the others at universities or research centres .
She chairs a committee called Idefi , which disposes of €184 million to transform the methodology of high level education in France .
Idefi is funding , for example , a three-country , two-language programme centred in Mulhouse , near France ’ s border with Germany .
It shares a degree programme with Basel and Freibourg .
Classes are taught in French and German .
“ Mulhouse is positioning itself as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and identities , ” Neville explains .
“ For Ireland , an analogy might be a university in Dublin linking up with Belfast and the University of Liverpool to propose a programme on borders , identities and frontiers , ” Neville continues .
“ They would teach in Irish and English .
How cool would that be ?
” Neville also sits on the board of the Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire or CRI , which works with three and four-year-olds from the disadvantaged Seine-Saint-Denis department .
The city of Paris has renovated a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district for the CRI , and the Bettencourt family , which owns L ’ Oréal cosmetics , has also contributed significantly .
Another project which Neville is involved in examines the commonality between human and animal health .
It brought together France ’ s leading veterinary college at Maisons Alfort and the University of Paris-Est .
“ Though I am not a scientist , I found it riveting , ” she says .
“ As we now see with the coronavirus , diseases can jump from species to another.
” Neville always asks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given project on social inclusion .
The Paris institute of political science , known as Sciences Po , is a training ground for future ambassadors , prime ministers and presidents , and has been a trailblazer in inclusion .
Its late director , Richard Descoings , decreed that over 20 per cent of first year students should be youths from the immigrant banlieues .
French officials see education as an “ ascenseur social ” or vector of social mobility .
“ As far back as the 19th century , there was this idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way to change the world , ” says Neville .
“ This is above party politics.
” In France , important issues such as the need for selection for university entrance , or whether institutes of higher education should charge fees , are debated on ideological rather than financial grounds , Neville says .
Grandes écoles such as the engineering school Polytechnique have been reluctant to merge with what they regard as less prestigious institutions .
After an aborted merger with the University of Paris at Saclay , Polytechnique and HEC , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are now courting each other .
“ If HEC and Polytechnique come together , it will be like a marriage of first cousins , ” Neville says .
“ The conglomerations that interest me are those which go back to the original spirit of the initiative , where grandes écoles , universities and , for example , technical colleges and lycées in disadvantaged areas all work together .
These are the really interesting projects.
” The 2017 law on the autonomy of universities gave educators unprecedented leeway in recruiting international staff .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can be flexible , offer people packages ’ .
” Neville says .
“ The French ask scientists what laboratories they need , how many post-docs they want .
They ask , ‘ what would it take to bring them ?
’ ... A university president said to me recently : ‘ All competition is international now , and we have to play by international rules.
’ ” In another example of newfound flexibility , virtually all French universities now offer programmes in English , at graduate and undergraduate levels .
Neville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waste ” that Ireland looks to the English-speaking world , to Australia , Canada and the UK for examples , rather than to continental Europe .
Ireland could learn from the involvement of French regional and local governments in the planning process , Neville says .
In a project east of Paris , for example , several universities were told that if they merged , the state would build four extra metro stops to link their campuses .
“ There is nothing remotely like that happening in Ireland , ” she says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ women in positions of authority in French higher education , and the fact that university presidents are often in the 40s .
“ It ’ s very different from the Irish system , where presidents tend to be near the end of their careers.
” Increasing numbers of Irish students are enrolled in universities on the continent .
“ They get excellent teaching in gorgeous European cities , ” Neville says .
“ Parents in Ireland are realising their kids could get a fantastic education on the continent in a highly ranked university @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the fees are near zero.
” The biggest difference between France and Ireland is not about money though , Neville says .
“ France has a very , very strong , consistent and courageous vision of what a stunning higher education system could do for a country , beyond employment rates .
There ’ s an existential element to it.
” Neville misses the visionary leadership of officials like the former Irish minister for education Donogh O ’ Malley , who in 1969 opened up universities to the entire population .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the country , ‘ from here on in , universities are going to be free .
If you want to go to university you can.
’ It was an enormous announcement , ” she says .
Education in Ireland can promote social mobility too , Neville admits .
“ But I wish the debate were wider and more generous that whether we fund private education or not … What is the ultimate goal ?
”

Global university rankings have been with us since Shanghai Jiao Tong University started its list of the world's best universities back in 2003. The annual rankings have struck fear into the hearts of many a university president, and transformed perceptions of higher education around the world.
Ireland is not the only European country to have been shocked to see its its institutions sliding downwards.
But while Ireland chose to maintain a high ratio of universities to population, often against expert advice, in continental Europe, the trend has been towards the consolidation of a few elite places of third level education.
Germany led the way, with its excellenzinitiative in 2005. France followed a few years later.
READ MORE
Spurred on by the 2008 economic crisis, then French President Nicolas Sarkozy asked Michel Rocard and Alain Juppé, former prime ministers from the centre left and centre right, to write a blueprint for the reform of higher education in France.
Their work resulted in the 2010 initiative d’excellence or Idex, later renamed Idex/I-Site.
The underlying assumption was that with 78 universities and about a dozen prestigious grandes écoles, the French system had pockets of excellence, but no critical mass for research and innovation.
The French government committed €10 billion to the goal of melting nearly 100 third level institutions down to between eight and ten “target universities.”
The task has been complicated by resistance from humanities departments, and the differing cultures of the universities and grandes écoles.
Though both are public, French universities accept all first-year applicants and are perceived to be bureaucratic and under the sway of trade unions.
Entry
Entry to the grandes écoles, on the other hand, is highly competitive. Students are given the status of civil servants with pension rights, and know they will form the country’s élite. Universities continue to resent the fact that the state typically spends up to three times as much per student in the grandes écoles.
In 2012, the French government invited Grace Neville, professor emeritus of French at University College Cork and former vice president for teaching and learning at UCC, to join the international jury of up to 20 academics who evaluate applications for Idex/I-Site funding.
Neville participates in six committees on third-level education. Two are at the ministry of education, the others at universities or research centres. She chairs a committee called Idefi, which disposes of €184 million to transform the methodology of high level education in France.
Idefi is funding, for example, a three-country, two-language programme centred in Mulhouse, near France's border with Germany. It shares a degree programme with Basel and Freibourg. Classes are taught in French and German.
“Mulhouse is positioning itself as the place to go for studies about borders and identities,” Neville explains.
"For Ireland, an analogy might be a university in Dublin linking up with Belfast and the University of Liverpool to propose a programme on borders, identities and frontiers," Neville continues. "They would teach in Irish and English. How cool would that be?"
Grace Neville, professor emeritus of French at University College Cork, was invited by the French government to join an international jury of up to 20 academics who evaluate applications for its initiative d’excellence or Idex. Photograph: Tomas Tyner
Neville also sits on the board of the Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire or CRI, which works with three and four-year-olds from the disadvantaged Seine-Saint-Denis department. The city of Paris has renovated a 17th century townhouse in the fashionable Marais district for the CRI, and the Bettencourt family, which owns L’Oréal cosmetics, has also contributed significantly.
Another project which Neville is involved in examines the commonality between human and animal health. It brought together France’s leading veterinary college at Maisons Alfort and the University of Paris-Est. “Though I am not a scientist, I found it riveting,” she says. “As we now see with the coronavirus, diseases can jump from species to another.”
Neville always asks what will be the impact of a given project on social inclusion. The Paris institute of political science, known as Sciences Po, is a training ground for future ambassadors, prime ministers and presidents, and has been a trailblazer in inclusion. Its late director, Richard Descoings, decreed that over 20 per cent of first year students should be youths from the immigrant banlieues.
‘Ascenseur social’
French officials see education as an “ascenseur social” or vector of social mobility. “As far back as the 19th century, there was this idea that education is the way forward, the way to change the world,” says Neville. “This is above party politics.”
In France, important issues such as the need for selection for university entrance, or whether institutes of higher education should charge fees, are debated on ideological rather than financial grounds, Neville says.
Grandes écoles such as the engineering school Polytechnique have been reluctant to merge with what they regard as less prestigious institutions. After an aborted merger with the University of Paris at Saclay, Polytechnique and HEC, a grande école for business studies, are now courting each other.
“If HEC and Polytechnique come together, it will be like a marriage of first cousins,” Neville says.
“The conglomerations that interest me are those which go back to the original spirit of the initiative, where grandes écoles, universities and, for example, technical colleges and lycées in disadvantaged areas all work together. These are the really interesting projects.”
The 2017 law on the autonomy of universities gave educators unprecedented leeway in recruiting international staff.
“Establishments are being told ‘look, you can be flexible, offer people packages’.” Neville says. “The French ask scientists what laboratories they need, how many post-docs they want. They ask, ‘what would it take to bring them?’ ... A university president said to me recently: ‘All competition is international now, and we have to play by international rules.’”
In another example of newfound flexibility, virtually all French universities now offer programmes in English, at graduate and undergraduate levels.
Neville says "it's an absolute waste" that Ireland looks to the English-speaking world, to Australia, Canada and the UK for examples, rather than to continental Europe.
Ireland could learn from the involvement of French regional and local governments in the planning process, Neville says. In a project east of Paris, for example, several universities were told that if they merged, the state would build four extra metro stops to link their campuses. “There is nothing remotely like that happening in Ireland,” she says.
Neville also praises the high number of women in positions of authority in French higher education, and the fact that university presidents are often in the 40s. “It’s very different from the Irish system, where presidents tend to be near the end of their careers.”
Enrolled
Increasing numbers of Irish students are enrolled in universities on the continent. “They get excellent teaching in gorgeous European cities,” Neville says. “Parents in Ireland are realising their kids could get a fantastic education on the continent in a highly ranked university. And it’s in English, and the fees are near zero.”
The biggest difference between France and Ireland is not about money though, Neville says. “France has a very, very strong, consistent and courageous vision of what a stunning higher education system could do for a country, beyond employment rates. There’s an existential element to it.”
Neville misses the visionary leadership of officials like the former Irish minister for education Donogh O’Malley, who in 1969 opened up universities to the entire population. “He told the parents and children of the country, ‘from here on in, universities are going to be free. If you want to go to university you can.’ It was an enormous announcement,” she says.
Education in Ireland can promote social mobility too, Neville admits. “But I wish the debate were wider and more generous that whether we fund private education or not … What is the ultimate goal?”


theirishtimes--2020-03-10--Visiting bans at nursing homes should be relaxed, Holohan says

Nursing homes and some hospitals should lift blanket visiting bans introduced in response to coronavirus and there is no need to close schools due to the outbreak “ at this point in time ” , public health doctors have said .
The National Public Health Emergency Team also described measures recommended by undertakers , including the immediate cremation in bodybags of deceased people who had Covid-19 , as “ unnecessary ” .
The number of confirmed cases of the virus increased by 10 on Tuesday to 34 , the largest daily rise since the virus was first detected in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The number of cases in Northern Ireland increased by four to 16 .
The emergency team also announced plans for a massive increase in testing for coronavirus , with hospital laboratories in Cork , Galway , Limerick and Waterford set to start testing for the illness .
These will back up the National Virus Reference Laboratory at University College Dublin and mean that thousands of cases a week can be processed in future .
The number of suspected cases tested last week increased to 1,784 , up from 297 a week earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also being expanded to include some who have unexplained respiratory symptoms but no history of travel to affected areas .
Under new rules , people with Covid-19 “ who are clinically appropriate ” can remain in their homes in self-isolation rather than in hospital .
This change is subject to new criteria for their discharge , due to be announced later this week .
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said blanket restrictions on visiting at private nursing homes and some hospitals , aimed at curbing the risk of infection , should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last night , Dr Holohan said visitor restrictions had a major impact on residents , for whom social interaction was a key part of wellbeing .
While restrictions might be necessary in a particular nursing home depending on circumstances , he said there was no case for across-the-board restrictions .
“ We want to avoid introducing measures before they are really necessary , ” he said .
Trinity College Dublin on Tuesday announced that it was cancelling all lectures .
Asked whether schools would follow suit to curb the spread of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be deployed “ at some point in time ” depending on what happened “ but that time is not necessarily now ” .
Dr John Cuddihy , director of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre , said detailed guidelines on the handling of deceased people who had Covid-19 would be published on Wednesday and will make clear that the measures proposed by the Irish Association of Funeral Directors are not necessary .
Despite the increase of 10 in new cases – six males and four females – none involved community transmission , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health doctors .
Five of the new diagnoses relate to travel from an affected area , two relate to hospital transmission or possible hospital transmission , and three are associated with close contact with a confirmed case .
Five of the latest cases were in the south of the country , three in the east and two in the west .
Dr Holohan said 98 per cent of all suspected cases in Ireland have tested negative .
“ While Ireland remains in containment phase , there is no room for complacency.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases have been confirmed and more than 4,200 have died as a result .
Most airlines with routes into Italy , including Ryanair and Aer Lingus , have confirmed their intention to ground all flights in and out of the country for at least four weeks in response to the Italian government effectively locking down the country .
Ryanair said it would halt all Italy-bound flights from midnight on Friday while Aer Lingus will ground its planes from Wednesday .

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a coronavirus pandemic as the first death of a person from coronavirus was confirmed in Ireland.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a coronavirus pandemic, warning that countries are not doing enough to stop the spread of the virus around the globe.
It comes as the first death of a person from coronavirus was confirmed in the Republic and the number of new cases has increased by 9 to 43, up from 34.
The death of of the patient, an elderly woman with an underlying health condition, occurred in Naas General Hospital, Co Kildare earlier on Wednesday, The Irish Times understands. The patient was a case of community-transmitted Covid-19 .
We are entering a new phase in #Covid19. I fully support our hospitals who have to make decisions on restricting visitors based on clinical risk, patient and public safety. Please do as we urge and our ask will increase as we progress. @HSELive — Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) March 11, 2020
Community transmission means the person had no travel history for at-risk areas internationally and therefore must have acquired the disease locally.
READ MORE
It is understood the patient initally presented with respiratory symptoms and was later diagnosed with the disease when staff decided to perform a test as part of disease surveillance.
The criteria for testing patients has been broadened this week to include those patients who have clinical respiratory symptoms but no history of travel to affected areas internationally. This is in recognition that the disease may be ciculating in the community.
The new cases include four males from the south of the country associated with travel, one female and one male from the south who had contact with confirmed cases. It also includes three males from the east , two associated with travel and one with contact of a confirmed case. Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said Ireland was now moving to enhancing its containment measures.
Pandemic
Meanwhile the WHO’s director general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said “pandemic” was not a word to use carelessly or lightly, but 4,291 people had died and thousands more were fighting for for their lives in hospital.
“In the days and weeks ahead we expect to see the many cases, the many deaths and the number of affected countries climb even higher,” he said.
By reversing course and using the charged word “pandemic”, which it had previously shied away from, the UN health agency appeared to want to shock lethargic countries into pulling out all the stops.
“We have called every day for countries to take urgent and aggressive action. We have rung the alarm bell loud and clear,” Mr Ghebreyesus said. “We are deeply concerned by both alarming levels of spread and severity and by alarming levels of inaction.” He called on countries to stake urgent and aggressive action against the pandemic, insisting that the impact could still be controlled.
“All countries can still change the course of this pandemic. If countries detect, test, treat, isolate, trace and mobilise their people in the response,” he said.
The WHO added that Iran and Italy are the new front lines of the battle against the virus that started in China. "They're suffering but I guarantee you other countries will be in that situation soon," said Dr Mike Ryan, the WHO's emergencies chief.
New Italian restrictions
In Italy, prime minister Giuseppe Conte added new restrictions on Wednesday to the lockdown imposed to fight the coronavirus after figures showed Italy posting the highest daily increase in deaths of any country since the outbreak began. In a televised address to the nation, Mr Conte said all shops would be shuttered except supermarkets, food stores and chemists, and companies must close all their departments that are not essential to production.
Services such as hairdressers and beauty parlours will also be closed, along with all bars and restaurants.
Denmark
Elsewhere Denmark announced it will close all schools and universities and will start sending home all employees in the public sector with non-critical jobs in the coming days to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the prime minister has said.
Denmark had 514 people diagnosed with the coronavirus as of Wednesday, rising 10-fold since Monday in what Health Minister Magnus Heunicke described as the “most dramatic increase seen in Europe”.
Criteria broadened
In Ireland, the criteria for testing patients has been broadened this week to include those patients who have clinical respiratory symptoms but no history of travel to affected areas internationally. This is in recognition that the disease may be ciculating in the community.
More than 2,300 people have been tested for the disease in Ireland so far, with the vast majority receiving negative results. Tests are being carried out at a rate of 330 a day, according to Dr Cillian de Gascun, head of the National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL). The average turnaround time for processing tests is 10 hours, he said.
The NVRL was the first facility in the state to carry out testing, but Cork University Hospital began doing this earlier this week and St James’s Hospital will do so in the coming days.
Labs in Waterford, Galway and Limerick will also start processing tests as part of the rollout of a national service, official said.
Asked about the World Health Organisation’s decision to declare the Covit-19 outbreak a pandemic, Dr Holohan said: “I don’t think Ireland is a country they have in mind when they make a statement like that.”
In a statement regarding the first death in Ireland, the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre said it had been informed that a patient diagnosed with Covid-19 in Ireland has “passed”.
It said it was the first recorded death relating to Covid-19 reported in Ireland.
Dr Holohan said: “I would like to extend my condolences to the family and friends of this patient.
“I urge the media and the public to respect their privacy at this difficult time.
“We continue our efforts to interrupt the transmission of this virus. It will take all of us, collectively to succeed. Please continue to follow public health advice.”
Elsewhere Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said the travel advise in relation to Spain had changed and travellers were being advised to “exercise a high degree of caution”. He said the Department was “advising against non-essential travel to the following areas: Madrid, Vitoria & Labastida in the Basque Country and La Rioja.”
Northern Ireland
Meanwhile the Department of Health in Northern Ireland has confirmed two new positive tests for coronavirus bringing the total number of cases in the North to 18.
The department in a statement on Wednesday afternoon said that both cases were adults and both were secondary transmissions that can be traced to a previously reported case that involved recent travel to Northern Italy. The North’s Public Health Agency is currently undertaking contact tracing for both cases. In Northern Ireland there have been 246 concluded tests, of which 228 were negative, and 18 were positive.
Italy restrictions
On Wednesday Italy weighed imposing even tighter restrictions on daily life and announced billions of euros in financial relief to cushion economic shocks from the coronavirus. In Iran, by far the hardest-hit country in the Middle East, the senior vice-president and two other cabinet ministers were reported to have been diagnosed with Covid-19, the illness caused by the virus.
Iran reported another jump in deaths, by 62 to 354, behind only China and Italy. For most, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. But for a few, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illnesses, including pneumonia. More than 121,000 people have been infected worldwide. But the vast majority of people recover.
According to the WHO, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. – Additional reporting Guardian News and Media


theirishtimes--2020-03-10--Irish Times journalist named Videographer of the Year

The chief video journalist at The Irish Times has won an award at the prestigious UK Picture Editors ’ Guild ( UKPEG ) awards .
Bryan O ’ Brien was named UKPEG Videographer of the Year at a ceremony in London on Monday .
The Kerry-born photographer won the prize for When Orangemen Cross the Border , a three-minute video he shot last July about the largest Orange Order march in the Republic .
It takes place every year in the seaside village of Rossnowlagh , Co Donegal .
Over 4,000 pictures and videos were submitted by more than 400 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team of 10 picture editors .
Each of 11 category winners received a trophy and cheque for £500 ( €570 ) .
Commenting on his award , Mr O ’ Brien said : “ I ’ m very honoured to receive this very prestigious award as it is a competition among the best photographers from Ireland , England , Scotland and Wales.
” He added : “ There was a huge entry and the awards are distinctive as the panel of judges consists of working picture editors from national and regional newspapers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to win an award that has been judged by your peers .
”

The annual 12th July parade has taken place in Rossnowlagh, Co.Donegal where Orangemen from lodges in the Republic were joined by visiting members of Northern Ireland lodges. Video: Bryan O’Brien
The chief video journalist at The Irish Times has won an award at the prestigious UK Picture Editors’ Guild (UKPEG) awards.
Bryan O’Brien was named UKPEG Videographer of the Year at a ceremony in London on Monday.
The Kerry-born photographer won the prize for When Orangemen Cross the Border, a three-minute video he shot last July about the largest Orange Order march in the Republic. It takes place every year in the seaside village of Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal.
Over 4,000 pictures and videos were submitted by more than 400 participants, with entries judged by a team of 10 picture editors.
READ MORE
Each of 11 category winners received a trophy and cheque for £500 (€570).
Commenting on his award, Mr O’Brien said: “I’m very honoured to receive this very prestigious award as it is a competition among the best photographers from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.”
He added: “There was a huge entry and the awards are distinctive as the panel of judges consists of working picture editors from national and regional newspapers and international photoagencies. It makes it special to win an award that has been judged by your peers.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-10--Coronavirus: Courts to operate as normal but contingency plans in place

There are no current plans to cancel court sittings around the country as part of efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak , although the situation is subject to constant review .
The Courts Service said on Tuesday that it planned to continue to hold courts as normal but that contingency plans were in place in the event of the need to curtail public sittings .
However , the Courts Service has been criticised for failing to set out details of how it proposes to operate if court hearings need to be cancelled as a result of the coronavirus outbreak .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) said it was content to follow the advice of public health experts on the issue but that it would be “ preferable ” if the Courts Service could inform stakeholders about what it planned .
Some legal professionals have also expressed frustration at the lack of information being provided about what was being proposed if there was a need to shut down some courts .
One barrister said legal practitioners would be anxious to ensure that there was a statutory basis for all contingency measures that are being considered by the Courts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there were already video-conferencing facilities in many courtrooms that would obviate the need for prisoners to be physically present in court for certain types of hearing .
“ Public health obviously trumps everything but we see no reason why the details of contingency plans can ’ t be made public , ” the spokesman said .
The Courts Service said an extensive information technology and communication contingency plan was in progress in the event of the closure of its buildings including courtrooms .
“ Our plans include arrangements to support court sittings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” it added .
It is understood a number of measures including the use of video conferencing for custody hearings and the taking of evidence of expert witnesses by video-link are part of contingency arrangements .
Other possible measures are restricting the presence in courtrooms to parties directly involved in individual cases and asking casual visitors not to attend court hearings .
The Courts Service said communication plans were in also place to notify judges , staff and other court users of any changes to sittings or cancellations .
It said official HSE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was being followed .
Additional sanitisation of public offices and courtrooms has been arranged , with hygiene supplies including hand sanitisers being made available in all public areas .
Extra cleaning of courtrooms has also been organised .
One leading counsel said there was “ a fair amount of scepticism ” among barristers about the Courts Service ’ s ability to manage an emergency situation .
“ They have performed badly in previous weather-related emergencies when , for example , closures of courts were only announced at 8am when some people were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s hard to have faith when you have no information on the actual plan , ” he observed .
The barrister added : “ Like lots of other people we often operate in packed and overcrowded courtrooms because of long lists of cases and some people are concerned about working in that type of environment in the current circumstances .
I see no case in making a distinction for courts , if schools and colleges are closing.
” However , the Law Society of Ireland said its members were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Courts Service based on advice of health experts .

There are no current plans to cancel court sittings around the country as part of efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak, although the situation is subject to constant review.
The Courts Service said on Tuesday that it planned to continue to hold courts as normal but that contingency plans were in place in the event of the need to curtail public sittings.
However, the Courts Service has been criticised for failing to set out details of how it proposes to operate if court hearings need to be cancelled as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) said it was content to follow the advice of public health experts on the issue but that it would be “preferable” if the Courts Service could inform stakeholders about what it planned.
READ MORE
Some legal professionals have also expressed frustration at the lack of information being provided about what was being proposed if there was a need to shut down some courts.
One barrister said legal practitioners would be anxious to ensure that there was a statutory basis for all contingency measures that are being considered by the Courts Service.
A POA spokesman pointed out that there were already video-conferencing facilities in many courtrooms that would obviate the need for prisoners to be physically present in court for certain types of hearing.
“Public health obviously trumps everything but we see no reason why the details of contingency plans can’t be made public,” the spokesman said.
The Courts Service said an extensive information technology and communication contingency plan was in progress in the event of the closure of its buildings including courtrooms.
“Our plans include arrangements to support court sittings in ways which include modern technologies,” it added.
It is understood a number of measures including the use of video conferencing for custody hearings and the taking of evidence of expert witnesses by video-link are part of contingency arrangements.
Other possible measures are restricting the presence in courtrooms to parties directly involved in individual cases and asking casual visitors not to attend court hearings.
The Courts Service said communication plans were in also place to notify judges, staff and other court users of any changes to sittings or cancellations.
It said official HSE guidance had been issued to all staff and was being followed.
Additional sanitisation of public offices and courtrooms has been arranged, with hygiene supplies including hand sanitisers being made available in all public areas. Extra cleaning of courtrooms has also been organised.
One leading counsel said there was “a fair amount of scepticism” among barristers about the Courts Service’s ability to manage an emergency situation.
“They have performed badly in previous weather-related emergencies when, for example, closures of courts were only announced at 8am when some people were already travelling for hearings starting at 10am.
“It’s hard to have faith when you have no information on the actual plan,” he observed.
The barrister added: “Like lots of other people we often operate in packed and overcrowded courtrooms because of long lists of cases and some people are concerned about working in that type of environment in the current circumstances. I see no case in making a distinction for courts, if schools and colleges are closing.”
However, the Law Society of Ireland said its members were content to following the guidance of the Courts Service based on advice of health experts.


theirishtimes--2020-03-10--Rush to book earlier flights out of Italy likely as airlines announce halts

There is set to be a scramble to get out of Italy in the coming days after many airlines , including Ryanair and Aer Lingus , announced their intention to ground flights in to and out of the country for weeks because of the coronavirus .
As moves aimed at containing the spread of the virus were ramped up across the EU , Ryanair said it would halt all Italian-bound flights from midnight on Friday .
Aer Lingus will ground its planes starting today .
British Airways has also cancelled all flights to and from Italy until April 4th , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The cancellations , for a four-week period , came in response to the Italian government announcing that the country was being locked down , with travel and movement of people severely restricted as it attempted to contain the spread of Covid-19 .
The move by the Irish airlines was all but inevitable after Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney updated his department ’ s travel advice on Tuesday , warning Irish citizens against travel to any part of Italy unless absolutely necessary .
It was also facilitated by the European Commission president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the EU was temporarily dropping strict rules stating that airlines must operate 80 per cent of scheduled services to keep their landing slots at airports .
Ryanair , which is halting flights to and from Italy until April 8th , said passengers looking to be repatriated by it could obtain a move to an earlier Ryanair flight for free .
Passengers due to travel to Italy will be able to choose between a full refund or a travel credit that can be redeemed on Ryanair flights in the next 12 months .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are expected to be suspended from today .
Irish people with plans to travel to Italy as part of a package holiday will have to talk with tour operators to see what options they have while those who have booked trip ’ s independently will need to talk to your their travel insurer .
People who have booked independently and do not have travel insurance already in place will most likely not have anything to fall back on and will have to bear the cost themselves .
Italy ’ s nationwide lockdown limits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requirements or situations of necessity ” .
All sporting events have been suspended , and schools and universities have been shut until April 3rd .
Employees have been urged either to work from home or take annual leave .

There is set to be a scramble to get out of Italy in the coming days after many airlines, including Ryanair and Aer Lingus, announced their intention to ground flights in to and out of the country for weeks because of the coronavirus.
As moves aimed at containing the spread of the virus were ramped up across the EU, Ryanair said it would halt all Italian-bound flights from midnight on Friday. Aer Lingus will ground its planes starting today.
British Airways has also cancelled all flights to and from Italy until April 4th, and other airlines have taken similar steps.
The cancellations, for a four-week period, came in response to the Italian government announcing that the country was being locked down, with travel and movement of people severely restricted as it attempted to contain the spread of Covid-19.
READ MORE
The move by the Irish airlines was all but inevitable after Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney updated his department’s travel advice on Tuesday, warning Irish citizens against travel to any part of Italy unless absolutely necessary.
It was also facilitated by the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, who confirmed that the EU was temporarily dropping strict rules stating that airlines must operate 80 per cent of scheduled services to keep their landing slots at airports.
Earlier flights
Ryanair, which is halting flights to and from Italy until April 8th, said passengers looking to be repatriated by it could obtain a move to an earlier Ryanair flight for free.
Passengers due to travel to Italy will be able to choose between a full refund or a travel credit that can be redeemed on Ryanair flights in the next 12 months.
Aer Lingus flights to and from Italy are expected to be suspended from today.
Irish people with plans to travel to Italy as part of a package holiday will have to talk with tour operators to see what options they have while those who have booked trip’s independently will need to talk to your their travel insurer.
People who have booked independently and do not have travel insurance already in place will most likely not have anything to fall back on and will have to bear the cost themselves.
Italy’s nationwide lockdown limits travel to those with “verifiable work requirements or situations of necessity”.
All sporting events have been suspended, and schools and universities have been shut until April 3rd. Employees have been urged either to work from home or take annual leave.


theirishtimes--2020-03-10--Coronavirus: Outbreaks in direct provision centres could be ‘devastating’

Refugee support groups have warned of the “ potentially devastating impact ” of an outbreak of the coronavirus in direct provision , claiming accommodation centres for asylum seekers would be unable to cope with the virus .
Some 5,686 people are currently living in 39 direct provision centres around Ireland including 1,739 children .
An additional 1,585 people , including 285 children , are residing in emergency accommodation B & Bs and hotels .
Fiona Finn , chief executive of Nasc , the Migrant and Refugee Rights Centre , said many of these people use communal bathrooms or share rooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one room .
She said that in certain centres , up to six strangers must share a room .
“ There are people who are immune-compromised or in other high-risk categories who are sharing rooms with strangers .
Being able to take even the minimum precautions of regularly washing your hands with warm water and soap in these conditions can be challenging , ” Ms Finn said .
Bulelani Mfaco , spokesman for the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland ( MASI ) , said overcrowding in some centres would make self-isolation impossible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government would manage a virus outbreak and shared photos with this journalist of bedrooms where asylum seekers live in crammed with bunk beds and suitcases .
John Lannon , director of Doras Luimní , noted that people in most accommodation centres would be unable to self-isolate as they also share kitchens , living areas and bathrooms .
He accused the International Protection Accommodation Services ( formerly the Reception and Integration Agency ) and Department of Justice of failing to take the appropriate measures to curb the spread of the virus in centres and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly as possible .
“ Direct provision , and the use of emergency accommodation , leaves some of the most vulnerable people in Irish society at an increased risk of contraction and transmission if Covid-19 continues to spread in Ireland , ” he said .
Nick Henderson , head of the Irish Refugee Council , said that much of what had been said about homeless accommodation and Covid-19 also applied to direct provision and emergency accommodation .
“ Self-isolation and limited social interaction will be near impossible .
People living in Direct Provision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people and those living in congregated settings , ” he said .
People who arrive into Ireland from Iran , China or any other country affected by the virus , and are seeking protection , should be given an appropriate place to self-isolate and their application should be paused while in isolation , he added .
A Department of Justice spokesman said HSE information notices were being translated and distributed to all accommodation centres and that department officials were contacting residents in emergency accommodation to ensure they fully understand the guidelines .
Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with all centres and information is updated on a daily basis with any changing circumstances are “ responded to effectively ” , he said , adding that risk assessments had been issued to centres .
“ In accordance with best practice , contingency planning is also in hand to address any issues arising in the centres , should circumstances change .
”

Refugee support groups have warned of the ‘potentially devastating impact’ of an outbreak of the coronavirus in the direct provision system. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA Wire.
Refugee support groups have warned of the “potentially devastating impact” of an outbreak of the coronavirus in direct provision, claiming accommodation centres for asylum seekers would be unable to cope with the virus.
Some 5,686 people are currently living in 39 direct provision centres around Ireland including 1,739 children. An additional 1,585 people, including 285 children, are residing in emergency accommodation B&Bs and hotels.
Fiona Finn, chief executive of Nasc, the Migrant and Refugee Rights Centre, said many of these people use communal bathrooms or share rooms and in some centres entire families share one room. She said that in certain centres, up to six strangers must share a room.
“There are people who are immune-compromised or in other high-risk categories who are sharing rooms with strangers. Being able to take even the minimum precautions of regularly washing your hands with warm water and soap in these conditions can be challenging,” Ms Finn said.
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Bulelani Mfaco, spokesman for the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (MASI), said overcrowding in some centres would make self-isolation impossible. He expressed concern at how the Government would manage a virus outbreak and shared photos with this journalist of bedrooms where asylum seekers live in crammed with bunk beds and suitcases.
John Lannon, director of Doras Luimní, noted that people in most accommodation centres would be unable to self-isolate as they also share kitchens, living areas and bathrooms.
Appropriate measures
He accused the International Protection Accommodation Services (formerly the Reception and Integration Agency) and Department of Justice of failing to take the appropriate measures to curb the spread of the virus in centres and called on them to make preparations as quickly as possible.
“Direct provision, and the use of emergency accommodation, leaves some of the most vulnerable people in Irish society at an increased risk of contraction and transmission if Covid-19 continues to spread in Ireland,” he said.
Nick Henderson, head of the Irish Refugee Council, said that much of what had been said about homeless accommodation and Covid-19 also applied to direct provision and emergency accommodation.
“Self-isolation and limited social interaction will be near impossible. People living in Direct Provision should be included in policy assisting vulnerable people and those living in congregated settings,” he said.
People who arrive into Ireland from Iran, China or any other country affected by the virus, and are seeking protection, should be given an appropriate place to self-isolate and their application should be paused while in isolation, he added.
A Department of Justice spokesman said HSE information notices were being translated and distributed to all accommodation centres and that department officials were contacting residents in emergency accommodation to ensure they fully understand the guidelines.
Department staff are in “regular communication” with all centres and information is updated on a daily basis with any changing circumstances are “responded to effectively”, he said, adding that risk assessments had been issued to centres.
“In accordance with best practice, contingency planning is also in hand to address any issues arising in the centres, should circumstances change.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-10--Unions condemn freeze on increments for staff at RTÉ

Unions representing staff at RTÉ have strongly condemned moves by management to unilaterally freeze the payment of incremental pay rises to nearly 500 staff at the broadcaster .
The RTÉ Trade Union Group ( TUG ) said it was unacceptable that staff who had not yet reached the top of their pay scale would be affected “ at a time when management continues to refuse to address the culture of excessive pay at certain levels within the organisation ” .
The ending of the payment of increments for 491 staff at RTÉ was confirmed as overall talks on cost reductions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment to facilitate management dealing with the consequences of the Covid-19 outbreak .
The TUG said it was “ shocked to be told that despite the suspension of talks , one measure involving lower-paid workers is to be imposed unilaterally despite objections from trade union representatives ” .
The chairwoman of the TUG Shirley Bradshaw said on Tuesday : “ We are deeply disappointed at management ’ s intransigence at a time when the Trade Union Group has been engaged in constructive negotiations aimed at achieving fair and equitable cost saving measures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ section of workers , undoing weeks of positive negotiations and throwing into doubt the entire process .
“ Increments form part of contracts of employment .
[ A total of ] 491 people would be affected by the proposed suspension .
It is unacceptable to the TUG that the lower-paid workers who have not reached the top of their scale would have a pay cut enforced , at a time when management continues to refuse to address the culture of excessive pay at certain levels within the organisation.
” RTÉ has been approached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RTÉ said in November that it wanted to reduce its workforce by 200 as one of a series of measures to tackle a financial crisis and reduce projected costs by €60million over the next three years .

Unions representing staff at RTÉ have strongly condemned moves by management to unilaterally freeze the payment of incremental pay rises to nearly 500 staff at the broadcaster.
The RTÉ Trade Union Group (TUG) said it was unacceptable that staff who had not yet reached the top of their pay scale would be affected “at a time when management continues to refuse to address the culture of excessive pay at certain levels within the organisation”.
The ending of the payment of increments for 491 staff at RTÉ was confirmed as overall talks on cost reductions at the broadcaster were suspended for the moment to facilitate management dealing with the consequences of the Covid-19 outbreak.
The TUG said it was “shocked to be told that despite the suspension of talks, one measure involving lower-paid workers is to be imposed unilaterally despite objections from trade union representatives”.
READ MORE
The chairwoman of the TUG Shirley Bradshaw said on Tuesday: "We are deeply disappointed at management's intransigence at a time when the Trade Union Group has been engaged in constructive negotiations aimed at achieving fair and equitable cost saving measures. The move announced today will hit one section of workers, undoing weeks of positive negotiations and throwing into doubt the entire process.
“Increments form part of contracts of employment. [A total of] 491 people would be affected by the proposed suspension. It is unacceptable to the TUG that the lower-paid workers who have not reached the top of their scale would have a pay cut enforced, at a time when management continues to refuse to address the culture of excessive pay at certain levels within the organisation.”
RTÉ has been approached for comment on the TUG statement.
RTÉ said in November that it wanted to reduce its workforce by 200 as one of a series of measures to tackle a financial crisis and reduce projected costs by €60million over the next three years.


theirishtimes--2020-03-10--Coronavirus: Four new cases but Northern Ireland remains in ‘containment phase’

Northern Ireland remains in the “ containment ” phase of the coronavirus outbreak , Chief Medical Officer Michael McBride said on Tuesday , after four new cases were diagnosed , bringing the total to 16 .
The four latest cases involved adults , with one linked to recent travel from northern Italy and the three others linked to a previous case that also involved travel to northern Italy .
Efforts are underway to trace those who have been in contact with the newly-diagnosed people .
None of the individuals who have been diagnosed with coronavirus – also known as Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underlying health conditions .
A total of 237 tests for coronavirus have been carried out to date , and approximately 100 individuals regarded as being at high risk of contracting the virus have been asked to self-isolate .
Speaking to reporters at a briefing in Belfast on Tuesday , the North ’ s Chief Medical Officer Michael McBride said the increase in the number of cases was anticipated and was “ very likely ” continue .
He said the health authorities had not yet seen any evidence of community transmission .
While this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not if ” , he said , “ at this stage we remain in the containment phase ” .
There would not be a sharp step from transmission from containment to delay , he said , and efforts were focused on “ flattening the peak ” of cases .
Delaying transmission would lessen the impact on the health service and allow time to further prepare and to work on a vaccine .
He said there was “ no doubt we will see significant pressures on our health service ” , but this was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and planning for.
” Councillors in Belfast have voted to cancel the city ’ s St Patrick ’ s Day parade because of coronavirus .
Other towns and cities in the North , including Derry , Newry and Downpatrick , have also announced that their festivities will not go ahead .
Asked by The Irish Times if the health authorities in the North had any current plans to recommend the cancellation of other mass gatherings , Dr McBride said they did not .
“ That would not be my advice , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Deputy First Ministers , Arlene Foster and Michelle O ’ Neill , have cancelled their St Patrick ’ s Day trip to the United States .
They said they would stay in Northern Ireland to focus on efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19 .

Northern Ireland remains in the “containment” phase of the coronavirus outbreak, Chief Medical Officer Michael McBride said on Tuesday, after four new cases were diagnosed, bringing the total to 16.
The four latest cases involved adults, with one linked to recent travel from northern Italy and the three others linked to a previous case that also involved travel to northern Italy.
Efforts are underway to trace those who have been in contact with the newly-diagnosed people. None of the individuals who have been diagnosed with coronavirus – also known as Covid-19 — in the North have had serious underlying health conditions.
A total of 237 tests for coronavirus have been carried out to date, and approximately 100 individuals regarded as being at high risk of contracting the virus have been asked to self-isolate.
READ MORE
Speaking to reporters at a briefing in Belfast on Tuesday, the North’s Chief Medical Officer Michael McBride said the increase in the number of cases was anticipated and was “very likely” continue.
He said the health authorities had not yet seen any evidence of community transmission. While this was a “question of when, not if”, he said, “at this stage we remain in the containment phase”.
There would not be a sharp step from transmission from containment to delay, he said, and efforts were focused on “flattening the peak” of cases.
Delaying transmission would lessen the impact on the health service and allow time to further prepare and to work on a vaccine.
He said there was “no doubt we will see significant pressures on our health service”, but this was “absolutely something we are preparing for and planning for.”
Councillors in Belfast have voted to cancel the city’s St Patrick’s Day parade because of coronavirus. Other towns and cities in the North, including Derry, Newry and Downpatrick, have also announced that their festivities will not go ahead.
Asked by The Irish Times if the health authorities in the North had any current plans to recommend the cancellation of other mass gatherings, Dr McBride said they did not.
“That would not be my advice,” he said.
The North’s First and Deputy First Ministers, Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill, have cancelled their St Patrick’s Day trip to the United States.
They said they would stay in Northern Ireland to focus on efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19.


theirishtimes--2020-03-10--Healthcare staff warned over taking of face masks from Dublin hospital

Staff at St James ’ s Hospital in Dublin were warned by management that the taking of protective masks by staff , patients or the public would pose risks to healthcare workers and patients .
The notice was sent to the hospital ’ s staff in recent days in order to protect supplies of personal protective equipment , including face masks , to deal with the coronavirus outbreak .
The hospital said staff were “ reminded that it is vital that PPE ( personal protective equipment ) including face masks are available for staff and patients ” .
Staff were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PPE from the hospital by staff , patients or the public , places our colleagues and our patients at risk ” .
There are about 4,000 staff based at the hospital .
A spokeswoman for the Dublin Midlands Hospital group , which includes St James ’ s , did not address the reason why staff received the communication .
It emerged on Monday that thousands of protective masks were stolen from St Luke ’ s , the cancer hospital in Rathgar , south Dublin – part of the same hospital group – at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the “ most vulnerable ” patients in the health system at risk .
Gardaí are investigating the theft , which took place between February 27th and 28th .
The HSE told The Irish Times that it had an “ adequate stock of critical supplies all across the country ” despite “ the challenges of a volatile market ” .
The health service has said it has made a significant investment , more than €27 million to date , on a range of products , including protective equipment .
More than four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have been secured by the health service and more than €20 million has been invested in protective equipment , the HSE said .
More than 3,500 “ PPE packs ” have been distributed to GPs , public health departments and primary care centres , according to the health service .

A healthcare professional wears a protective suit and a face mask while inspecting a vial containing a swab sample for the novel coronavirus. Photograph: Matteo Corner/EPA
Staff at St James’s Hospital in Dublin were warned by management that the taking of protective masks by staff, patients or the public would pose risks to healthcare workers and patients.
The notice was sent to the hospital’s staff in recent days in order to protect supplies of personal protective equipment, including face masks, to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
The hospital said staff were “reminded that it is vital that PPE (personal protective equipment) including face masks are available for staff and patients”.
Staff were told that “any unauthorised removal of PPE from the hospital by staff, patients or the public, places our colleagues and our patients at risk”.
READ MORE
There are about 4,000 staff based at the hospital.
A spokeswoman for the Dublin Midlands Hospital group, which includes St James’s, did not address the reason why staff received the communication.
It emerged on Monday that thousands of protective masks were stolen from St Luke's, the cancer hospital in Rathgar, south Dublin – part of the same hospital group – at the end of last month, putting some of the "most vulnerable" patients in the health system at risk.
Gardaí are investigating the theft, which took place between February 27th and 28th.
St Luke’s operates a radiation oncology centre at St James’s Hospital.
‘Volatile market’
The HSE told The Irish Times that it had an “adequate stock of critical supplies all across the country” despite “the challenges of a volatile market”.
The health service has said it has made a significant investment, more than €27 million to date, on a range of products, including protective equipment.
More than four million masks, both surgical and respiratory, have been secured by the health service and more than €20 million has been invested in protective equipment, the HSE said.
More than 3,500 “PPE packs” have been distributed to GPs, public health departments and primary care centres, according to the health service.


theirishtimes--2020-03-10--Minister orders review of safeguarding structures in Scouting Ireland

A review of new governance and safeguarding structures within Scouting Ireland has been ordered by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs , Katherine Zappone .
The former secretary-general of the Department of Education and Skills , Brigid McManus , has been appointed to carry out another independent assessment of governance in the country ’ s largest scouting organisation following controversy over how scout leaders dealt with allegations of child sex abuse which were first revealed by The Irish Times in February 2018 .
Ms Zappone said the latest review would examine whether the recommendations of an earlier report carried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 had been fully and satisfactorily implemented .
The Minister had previously described Ms van Turnhout ’ s report as setting out a pathway for Scouting Ireland to address “ shocking deficits in the organisation ” .
It had highlighted a major historic child sex abuse scandal linked to the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland and the Scout Association of Ireland , the two scouting organisations which merged in 2003 to form Scouting Ireland .
Ms Zappone had cancelled funding for the organisation when the controversy emerged up to October 2018 due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blinkered ” governance arrangements as well as the failure of board members to respond to allegations of abuse by senior volunteers .
The Minister also criticised scout leaders for responding inappropriately to media reports of serious allegations of abuse .
Ms Zappone has asked for Ms McManus to have her reviewed completed by April .
Welcoming the appointment of Ms McManus , Scouting Ireland said it was looking forward to assisting her and was available to engage with her immediately .
Scouting Ireland chief executive , Anne Griffin , said the organisation had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on its governance last October in which it outlined changes to its structures following the recommendations in Ms van Turnhout ’ s review .
“ We have invested heavily in putting strong governance structures in place and we look forward to assisting Ms McManus and we will co-operate fully with her as she undertakes her review , ” Ms Griffin said .

Katherine Zappone said the latest review would examine whether the recommendations of an earlier report carried out by Jillian van Turnhout in June 2018 had been fully and satisfactorily implemented. Photograph: Damien Eagers / The Irish Times
A review of new governance and safeguarding structures within Scouting Ireland has been ordered by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone.
The former secretary-general of the Department of Education and Skills, Brigid McManus, has been appointed to carry out another independent assessment of governance in the country’s largest scouting organisation following controversy over how scout leaders dealt with allegations of child sex abuse which were first revealed by The Irish Times in February 2018.
Ms Zappone said the latest review would examine whether the recommendations of an earlier report carried out by Jillian van Turnhout in June 2018 had been fully and satisfactorily implemented.
The Minister had previously described Ms van Turnhout’s report as setting out a pathway for Scouting Ireland to address “shocking deficits in the organisation”.
READ MORE
It had highlighted a major historic child sex abuse scandal linked to the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland and the Scout Association of Ireland, the two scouting organisations which merged in 2003 to form Scouting Ireland.
Ms Zappone had cancelled funding for the organisation when the controversy emerged up to October 2018 due to what she termed were “dysfunctional and blinkered” governance arrangements as well as the failure of board members to respond to allegations of abuse by senior volunteers.
The Minister also criticised scout leaders for responding inappropriately to media reports of serious allegations of abuse.
Ms Zappone has asked for Ms McManus to have her reviewed completed by April.
Welcoming the appointment of Ms McManus, Scouting Ireland said it was looking forward to assisting her and was available to engage with her immediately.
Scouting Ireland chief executive, Anne Griffin, said the organisation had provided Ms Zappone with a comprehensive report on its governance last October in which it outlined changes to its structures following the recommendations in Ms van Turnhout’s review.
“We have invested heavily in putting strong governance structures in place and we look forward to assisting Ms McManus and we will co-operate fully with her as she undertakes her review,” Ms Griffin said.


theirishtimes--2020-03-10--Coronavirus: Nursing homes warn of danger if HSE ‘poach’ their staff

Private nursing home operators have warned the Government that older people will be placed in danger if the HSE is allowed to “ poach ” their staff after public service recruitment restrictions were lifted in response to the coronavirus outbreak .
In a letter to Minister for Health Simon Harris , Nursing Homes Ireland urged the Government to lift curbs on the recruitment of healthcare assistants from outside the EU .
“ The severe shortage of healthcare assistants already presenting within our sector will be exacerbated in the weeks and possible months ahead because of the workforce issues that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the organisation , which represents the private and voluntary nursing home sector .
“ An immediate lifting of the restrictions is an imperative necessity.
” The organisation also proposed that the HSE should initially appoint candidates coming from outside Ireland from the recruitment panels currently in force , “ as otherwise it will just denude another part of the health service at this challenging time ” .
It said “ such international candidates should ideally be from countries with a strong ability to manage the virus or less impacted by it ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in the letter to the Minster : “ The potential recruitment of staff from our sector will be to the severe detriment of people in nursing home care who present with severe underlying health conditions .
“ It will threaten the capacity of nursing homes to meet their care needs during a period of a health emergency and will present as a move that will endanger older people.
” The letter from Nursing Homes Ireland was also sent to the chief executive of the HSE , Paul Reid , and the Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last week Nursing Homes Ireland said visiting restrictions had been introduced in more than 400 private and voluntary nursing homes across the country as a result of the coronavirus outbreak .

‘The potential recruitment of staff from our sector will be to the severe detriment of people in nursing home care who present with severe underlying health conditions,’ Nursing Homes Ireland chief executive Tadhg Daly said. Photograph: John Stillwell/PA Wire
Private nursing home operators have warned the Government that older people will be placed in danger if the HSE is allowed to "poach" their staff after public service recruitment restrictions were lifted in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
In a letter to Minister for Health Simon Harris, Nursing Homes Ireland urged the Government to lift curbs on the recruitment of healthcare assistants from outside the EU.
“The severe shortage of healthcare assistants already presenting within our sector will be exacerbated in the weeks and possible months ahead because of the workforce issues that will arise because of Covid-19,” said the organisation, which represents the private and voluntary nursing home sector.
“An immediate lifting of the restrictions is an imperative necessity.”
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The organisation also proposed that the HSE should initially appoint candidates coming from outside Ireland from the recruitment panels currently in force, "as otherwise it will just denude another part of the health service at this challenging time".
‘Strong ability’
It said “such international candidates should ideally be from countries with a strong ability to manage the virus or less impacted by it”.
Nursing Homes Ireland chief executive Tadhg Daly said in the letter to the Minster: "The potential recruitment of staff from our sector will be to the severe detriment of people in nursing home care who present with severe underlying health conditions.
“It will threaten the capacity of nursing homes to meet their care needs during a period of a health emergency and will present as a move that will endanger older people.”
The letter from Nursing Homes Ireland was also sent to the chief executive of the HSE, Paul Reid, and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
Last week Nursing Homes Ireland said visiting restrictions had been introduced in more than 400 private and voluntary nursing homes across the country as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.


theirishtimes--2020-03-10--Defence Forces to get 120 new 4x4 vehicles at a cost of €25m

The Defence Forces are to receive 120 new 4x4 vehicles at a cost of almost €25 million to the State .
The vehicles are used for transporting troops , as well as artillery gun-towing and for the carriage of stores .
They can be deployed for activities during flooding , extreme weather events , or other emergencies .
Minister with Responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe awarded the contract for the provision of vehicles to Westward Scania , which is a company based in Strokestown , Co Roscommon .
The cost of the contract will be €24.6 million including VAT .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ entered service between 1998 and 2003 .
A spokesman for PDforra , the organisation representing rank-and-file Defence Forces members , said : “ They are badly needed and we welcome the upgrade and equipment.
” Mr Kehoe , who has been criticised in recent years over staffing levels in the Defence Forces , said the Government was committed to ensuring the Defence Forces are properly equipped .
The award of the contract follows an open tender competition initiated in 2019 and concluded earlier this year .
The first vehicles are scheduled for delivery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicles concluding by 2023 .

The new vehicle type to be supplied is the P370 B4x4 manufactured by Scania, and they will replace the current fleet.
The Defence Forces are to receive 120 new 4x4 vehicles at a cost of almost €25 million to the State.
The vehicles are used for transporting troops, as well as artillery gun-towing and for the carriage of stores. They can be deployed for activities during flooding, extreme weather events, or other emergencies.
Minister with Responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe awarded the contract for the provision of vehicles to Westward Scania, which is a company based in Strokestown, Co Roscommon. The cost of the contract will be €24.6 million including VAT.
They will replace the current fleet which entered service between 1998 and 2003.
READ MORE
A spokesman for PDforra, the organisation representing rank-and-file Defence Forces members, said: “They are badly needed and we welcome the upgrade and equipment.”
Mr Kehoe, who has been criticised in recent years over staffing levels in the Defence Forces, said the Government was committed to ensuring the Defence Forces are properly equipped.
The award of the contract follows an open tender competition initiated in 2019 and concluded earlier this year. The first vehicles are scheduled for delivery this year with delivery of all 120 vehicles concluding by 2023.


theirishtimes--2020-03-10--Global society ‘off-track’ on climate targets, UN warns

The world is “ way off-track ” for meeting targets to curb rising temperatures as the signs of climate disruption increase , the United Nations has warned in its evaluation of global heating trends in 2019 .
A report compiled by the UN ’ s World Meteorological Organisation ( WMO ) confirms increasing heat across the planet ; accelerating sea level rises , more frequent extreme weather and a growing negative impact on people and wildlife .
A projected 22 million people were displaced ; up from 17.2 million on 2018 with rising hunger and loss of life caused by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Last year was the second-hottest year on record , with a global average temperature of 1.1 degrees above pre-industrial levels , the WMO ’ s statement on the state of the climate on Earth confirms .
The five years from 2015-2019 were the five warmest years on record and 2010-2019 was the hottest decade since records began in the 19th century .
The world is “ way off-track ” in dealing with the climate emergency and time is fast running out , UN secretary general António Guterres warned on Tuesday in response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greater than that from the coronavirus , and world leaders must not be diverted away from decisive climate action .
UN agencies for environment , food , health , disasters , migration and refugees , as well as scientific centres , contributed to the research .
In 2019 oceans were at the hottest on record , with at least 84 per cent of seas experiencing one or more marine heatwaves .
Surface air temperatures around the world were the hottest ever recorded .
The 2018-2019 period was the 32nd year in a row @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gained .
The melting of land ice combined with thermal expansion of water pushed sea levels up to the highest mark since records began .
The long-term decline of Arctic sea ice also continued .
“ Climate change is the defining challenge of our time .
We are currently way off-track to meeting either the 1.5-degree or 2-degree targets that the Paris Agreement calls for , ” Mr Guterres said .
“ Time is fast running out for us to avert the worst impacts of climate disruption and protect our societies.
” More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the world more climate resilient and finance were needed in time for the key climate conference , COP26 , in Glasgow next November .
“ That is the only way to ensure a safer , more prosperous and sustainable future for all people on a healthy planet.
” Meanwhile a UK study has concluded “ climate neutrality ” is unlikely to be achieved in Britain by 2050 without drastic technological and societal changes including “ banning aviation and meat production ” .
The study by government-funded research group Energy Systems Catapult modelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pathways to reaching the UK ’ s net-zero emissions target .
Such a target would require innovation in low carbon technology and adoption of “ significant ” land use and lifestyle changes .
It urges the government to invest significantly in “ carbon capture ” , hydrogen and advanced nuclear technologies , as electricity generation will need to double in order to meet the proposed target .
– Additional reporting Guardian

Damaged coconut tree in Mozambique: 2019 was the second-hottest year on record, with a global average temperature of 1.1 degrees above pre-industrial levels. Photograph: Yasuyoshi Chiba
The world is "way off-track" for meeting targets to curb rising temperatures as the signs of climate disruption increase, the United Nations has warned in its evaluation of global heating trends in 2019.
A report compiled by the UN's World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) confirms increasing heat across the planet; accelerating sea level rises, more frequent extreme weather and a growing negative impact on people and wildlife.
A projected 22 million people were displaced; up from 17.2 million on 2018 with rising hunger and loss of life caused by extreme temperatures and floods around the world.
Last year was the second-hottest year on record, with a global average temperature of 1.1 degrees above pre-industrial levels, the WMO’s statement on the state of the climate on Earth confirms.
READ MORE
The five years from 2015-2019 were the five warmest years on record and 2010-2019 was the hottest decade since records began in the 19th century.
The world is “way off-track” in dealing with the climate emergency and time is fast running out, UN secretary general António Guterres warned on Tuesday in response.
Decisive action
WMO scientists said the threat was greater than that from the coronavirus, and world leaders must not be diverted away from decisive climate action. UN agencies for environment, food, health, disasters, migration and refugees, as well as scientific centres, contributed to the research.
In 2019 oceans were at the hottest on record, with at least 84 per cent of seas experiencing one or more marine heatwaves. Surface air temperatures around the world were the hottest ever recorded.
The 2018-2019 period was the 32nd year in a row in which more ice was lost than gained. The melting of land ice combined with thermal expansion of water pushed sea levels up to the highest mark since records began. The long-term decline of Arctic sea ice also continued.
"Climate change is the defining challenge of our time. We are currently way off-track to meeting either the 1.5-degree or 2-degree targets that the Paris Agreement calls for," Mr Guterres said. "Time is fast running out for us to avert the worst impacts of climate disruption and protect our societies."
‘Healthy planet’
More ambition on emission cuts, adaptation to make the world more climate resilient and finance were needed in time for the key climate conference, COP26, in Glasgow next November. "That is the only way to ensure a safer, more prosperous and sustainable future for all people on a healthy planet."
Meanwhile a UK study has concluded “climate neutrality” is unlikely to be achieved in Britain by 2050 without drastic technological and societal changes including “banning aviation and meat production”.
The study by government-funded research group Energy Systems Catapult modelled hundreds of potential technological and behavioural decarbonisation pathways to reaching the UK's net-zero emissions target.
Such a target would require innovation in low carbon technology and adoption of “significant” land use and lifestyle changes.
It urges the government to invest significantly in “carbon capture”, hydrogen and advanced nuclear technologies, as electricity generation will need to double in order to meet the proposed target. – Additional reporting Guardian


theirishtimes--2020-03-10--Rezoning of Dublin city lands for up to 1,900 homes dropped

Plans to rezone several old industrial sites in Dublin for hundreds of new homes have been dropped following objections from existing residents and city councillors .
The council ’ s planning department had proposed the rezoning of 20 underused and vacant industrial sites in the city for up to 3,500 homes .
However , councillors would not approve the rezoning of some the largest sites , citing concerns over the type of homes that would be put on the land , the potential height of apartment blocks and the lack of control the councillors would have over the lands .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wall were also shelved following warnings from Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Office of the Planning Regulator that new homes could scupper the development of the Eastern Bypass under Sandymount Strand .
This site could have accommodated more than 500 homes .
The decision not to rezone four of the 20 sites has reduced the number of homes that could be built to less than 1,600 .
In addition to the East Wall site , rezoning of the two of the largest sites was dropped after more than 200 objections were received from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Santry , at Santry Avenue and Shanowen Road , which could have accommodated 800 and 400 apartments respectively .
Councillors also voted against the rezoning of a site at Greenmount industrial estate in Harold ’ s Cross which could have seen the development of 100 homes .
Social Democrats councillor Patricia Roe said residents feared a situation where a “ nine-storey monstrosity ” could be built “ in the middle of two-storey housing estate ” .
Independent councillor John Lyons said the planning system favoured developers “ in the extreme ” .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us to rezone any of these sites ” and it would “ do irreparable damage ” not just to existing residents but to future residents .
Fine Gael councillor Paddy McCartan said it was “ vital ” the rezonings went ahead .
“ There will always be people who have particular issues , we have to take a stand and say we are in favour of delivering homes.
” Green councillor Michael Pidgeon said while the councillors did lose some control by zoning land for housing , they had to consider the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s better to cede some control rather than jealously hold our control and govern over a desert.
” A Sinn Féin motion sought to add conditions to the rezoning , including that each site should be subject to a plan which would require at least 30 per cent of the housing to be social or affordable .
However the council ’ s law agent Yvonne Kelly said she did not believe such conditions could be carried into effect .
City manager Owen Keegan said there was a “ risk of reputational damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ function in relation to the appropriate zoning of land.
” He said he understood the councillors ’ “ serious concerns ” in relation to the Strategic Housing Development system , where applications for more than 100 homes go directly to An Bord Pleanála , bypassing the council .
He also understood their dissatisfaction with the ministerial guidelines on height and the lack of a windfall tax , but he said : “ I don ’ t believe they constitute an argument for not exercising our function to rezoning land more appropriately so it @ @ @ @ @ @

Plans to rezone several old industrial sites in Dublin for hundreds of new homes have been dropped following objections from existing residents and city councillors.
The council’s planning department had proposed the rezoning of 20 underused and vacant industrial sites in the city for up to 3,500 homes.
However, councillors would not approve the rezoning of some the largest sites, citing concerns over the type of homes that would be put on the land, the potential height of apartment blocks and the lack of control the councillors would have over the lands.
Plans to rezone a site in East Wall were also shelved following warnings from Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Office of the Planning Regulator that new homes could scupper the development of the Eastern Bypass under Sandymount Strand. This site could have accommodated more than 500 homes.
READ MORE
The decision not to rezone four of the 20 sites has reduced the number of homes that could be built to less than 1,600.
In addition to the East Wall site, rezoning of the two of the largest sites was dropped after more than 200 objections were received from local residents. Both sites were in Santry, at Santry Avenue and Shanowen Road, which could have accommodated 800 and 400 apartments respectively.
Councillors also voted against the rezoning of a site at Greenmount industrial estate in Harold’s Cross which could have seen the development of 100 homes.
Social Democrats councillor Patricia Roe said residents feared a situation where a "nine-storey monstrosity" could be built "in the middle of two-storey housing estate".
Independent councillor John Lyons said the planning system favoured developers "in the extreme". He said: "It would be reckless of us to rezone any of these sites" and it would "do irreparable damage" not just to existing residents but to future residents.
Fine Gael councillor Paddy McCartan said it was “vital” the rezonings went ahead. “There will always be people who have particular issues, we have to take a stand and say we are in favour of delivering homes.”
Green councillor Michael Pidgeon said while the councillors did lose some control by zoning land for housing, they had to consider the housing crisis. “I think it’s better to cede some control rather than jealously hold our control and govern over a desert.”
A Sinn Féin motion sought to add conditions to the rezoning, including that each site should be subject to a plan which would require at least 30 per cent of the housing to be social or affordable. However the council's law agent Yvonne Kelly said she did not believe such conditions could be carried into effect.
City manager Owen Keegan said there was a "risk of reputational damage if we just fail to exercise our function in relation to the appropriate zoning of land."
He said he understood the councillors' "serious concerns" in relation to the Strategic Housing Development system, where applications for more than 100 homes go directly to An Bord Pleanála, bypassing the council. He also understood their dissatisfaction with the ministerial guidelines on height and the lack of a windfall tax, but he said: "I don't believe they constitute an argument for not exercising our function to rezoning land more appropriately so it can make a contribution."


theirishtimes--2020-03-10--Building firm takes case against protesters at social housing scheme

High Court proceedings have been brought against protesters who are preventing builders from completing a social housing scheme in west Dublin .
Posters displayed by some protesters stated : “ More social housing for the Irish ” .
K & J Townmore Construction Ltd has been contracted by Cluid Housing Association to build 65 houses and apartments at Ladyswell Road , Mullhuddart , Dublin 15 .
The firm claims its workers and subcontractors have been unable to access or exit the site since mid-January after a group of protesters began to physically obstruct and stand in front of vehicles trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The prolonged protest has significantly impacted on the firm ’ s ability to comply with its contractual obligations to complete the works on time , and damaged its reputation , it is claimed .
Townmore , represented by Gary McCarthy SC , claims the protest has been organised by local residents who have maintained a constant , 24-hour presence on the site .
Since first arriving on the site , the protesters , who the court heard have set up a tent just outside the main entrance , have used placards stating “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ More social housing for the Irish ” and “ Make the social housing list fair.
” Counsel said the dispute was between Cluid and the residents and that his client was “ caught in the middle.
” The company claims the disruption caused by the protests have resulted in costs of more than €1.5 million .
Some subcontractors have moved on , and aspects of the buildings have degraded due to exposure caused by the bad weather over the past seven weeks , it was stated .
The company says it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to protest but claims the actions have “ gone beyond a legitimate peaceful demonstration.
” Mr McCarthy SC , with Julie Maher Bl instructed by solicitor Tom Casey , said meetings between the protesters and Cluid have not resolved the dispute .
As a result the company was left with no option but to seek orders including an injunction restraining the protesters from trespassing or interfering with access to the site .
The application is brought against Alice Woods , whom the company says is the leader of and the spokesperson for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came before Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds , who granted the firm permission to serve short notice of the injunction proceedings on the protesters .
The judge said the protests may end up delaying or preventing the housing scheme from being completed .
The judge , in adjourning the matter to later this week , also expressed her concern over the number of school-age children that appear to be involved in the protest .
From the evidence before the court , these children , who “ appear to be under 18 years of age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in the protest , the judge said .
If that proved to be the case , “ other agencies ” may have to be added to the proceedings , she said .

High Court proceedings have been brought against protesters who are preventing builders from completing a social housing scheme in west Dublin. Posters displayed by some protesters stated: “More social housing for the Irish”.
K&J Townmore Construction Ltd has been contracted by Cluid Housing Association to build 65 houses and apartments at Ladyswell Road, Mullhuddart, Dublin 15.
The firm claims its workers and subcontractors have been unable to access or exit the site since mid-January after a group of protesters began to physically obstruct and stand in front of vehicles trying to enter or leave the site.
The prolonged protest has significantly impacted on the firm’s ability to comply with its contractual obligations to complete the works on time, and damaged its reputation, it is claimed.
READ MORE
Townmore, represented by Gary McCarthy SC, claims the protest has been organised by local residents who have maintained a constant, 24-hour presence on the site.
Since first arriving on the site, the protesters, who the court heard have set up a tent just outside the main entrance, have used placards stating “Local houses for local people”, “More social housing for the Irish” and “Make the social housing list fair.” Counsel said the dispute was between Cluid and the residents and that his client was “caught in the middle.”
The company claims the disruption caused by the protests have resulted in costs of more than €1.5 million. Some subcontractors have moved on, and aspects of the buildings have degraded due to exposure caused by the bad weather over the past seven weeks, it was stated.
The company says it is not trying to prevent anyone’s right to protest but claims the actions have “gone beyond a legitimate peaceful demonstration.”
Mr McCarthy SC, with Julie Maher Bl instructed by solicitor Tom Casey, said meetings between the protesters and Cluid have not resolved the dispute.
As a result the company was left with no option but to seek orders including an injunction restraining the protesters from trespassing or interfering with access to the site.
The application is brought against Alice Woods, whom the company says is the leader of and the spokesperson for the protesters.
On Tuesday the application came before Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds, who granted the firm permission to serve short notice of the injunction proceedings on the protesters.
The judge said the protests may end up delaying or preventing the housing scheme from being completed. The judge, in adjourning the matter to later this week, also expressed her concern over the number of school-age children that appear to be involved in the protest.
From the evidence before the court, these children, who “appear to be under 18 years of age” were being “used as pawns” in the protest, the judge said. If that proved to be the case, “other agencies” may have to be added to the proceedings, she said.