theirishtimes--2020-12-08--Agri-food sector warn major supports needed in event of no-deal Brexit

The Government and European Union must be ready with significant economic supports for the agri-food sector if a Brexit trade deal can not be struck in the coming days , an Oireachtas committee will be told on Tuesday .
In written statements supplied to the Agriculture Committee , several representative groups for the sector warn of growing concerns about the impact of a no-deal Brexit .
Conor Mulvihill , director of Dairy Industry Ireland , has told the committee that “ very significant [ intervention ] will be required to protect jobs and the success of the Irish dairy industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Given the uncertainty that would follow , “ adequate and agile supports ” should be made available in early January as the “ practical consequences of Brexit become apparent .
The economic hit will be immediate , so too must be the response ” .
Dairy Industry Ireland and other groups will call for measures including a tariff rebate scheme , an export credit insurance scheme , investment in alternatives to the UK landbridge , and more supports to target non-EU markets .
Meat Industry Ireland director Cormac Healy said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be insufficient time for companies to get used to new trading rules .
“ Inevitably , this will bring chaos and disruption on a level never seen before ” , unless there is a “ sensible adjustment period ” agreed , he will say .
The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society will tell the committee that tariffs could add costs to the agri-food sector of €1.5 billion , which it says is “ an appalling vista ” .
The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association will warn the committee that the loss of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with new cargo routes from Rosslare , Waterford or Cork .
“ Unfortunately this seems to have been lost on a lot of our politicians and the national media who still seem to be preoccupied with Dublin Port and how it will operate after January 1st .
”

The Government and European Union must be ready with significant economic supports for the agri-food sector if a Brexit trade deal cannot be struck in the coming days, an Oireachtas committee will be told on Tuesday.
In written statements supplied to the Agriculture Committee, several representative groups for the sector warn of growing concerns about the impact of a no-deal Brexit.
Conor Mulvihill, director of Dairy Industry Ireland, has told the committee that "very significant [intervention] will be required to protect jobs and the success of the Irish dairy industry should an agreement not be reached".
Given the uncertainty that would follow, “adequate and agile supports” should be made available in early January as the “practical consequences of Brexit become apparent. The economic hit will be immediate, so too must be the response”.
READ MORE
Dairy Industry Ireland and other groups will call for measures including a tariff rebate scheme, an export credit insurance scheme, investment in alternatives to the UK landbridge, and more supports to target non-EU markets.
Meat Industry Ireland director Cormac Healy said in a statement sent to the committee that there will be insufficient time for companies to get used to new trading rules. "Inevitably, this will bring chaos and disruption on a level never seen before", unless there is a "sensible adjustment period" agreed, he will say.
The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society will tell the committee that tariffs could add costs to the agri-food sector of €1.5 billion, which it says is “an appalling vista”.
The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association will warn the committee that the loss of the UK landbridge needs to be offset with new cargo routes from Rosslare, Waterford or Cork. "Unfortunately this seems to have been lost on a lot of our politicians and the national media who still seem to be preoccupied with Dublin Port and how it will operate after January 1st."


theirishtimes--2020-12-08--Over-70s, care-home residents and frontline staff set to be vaccinated first in Republic

The over-70s will be among the first groups to be given Covid-19 vaccinations , alongside long-term care residents and frontline healthcare workers , under plans to be considered by Cabinet on Tuesday .
The Government will consider more than a dozen different population cohorts , determined by a range of criteria , including age , employment and vulnerability to underlying conditions .
It is understood that the first priority group identified to receive the vaccine is those aged 65 and above who are resident in long-term care institutions , such as nursing homes .
The second group will be frontline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed by the over-70s .
The plan is to immunise this final category in phases beginning with those aged over 85 , followed by those aged 80-84 , then 75-79 year-olds , and finally those between 70-74 .
Government sources indicated a final decision has not been made on whether the three categories will overlap , or whether one group will be immunised before the process begins with the next group .
The plan , which was drawn up by the Department of Health and the National Immunisation Advisory Council , and approved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Nphet ) , will be brought to Cabinet by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly .
Government sources said it will be a “ living document ” , subject to change depending on the efficacy of different vaccines for different cohorts , and the timing of their rollout .
It comes as representative groups for frontline workers indicated their expectation that their members should be considered for priority access to the inoculation programme .
Groups representing gardaí , members of the Defence Forces , teachers and transport workers said that while they accept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in line , their members should also be considered for priority access due to their role in the State ’ s response to the pandemic .
The Irish Prison Service has requested priority access for the State ’ s 3,800 inmates .
No new deaths of Covid-19 patients were reported on Monday for the second day in a row .
This leaves at 2,099 the total number of Covid-related deaths .
Nphet reported 242 confirmed cases of the virus , bringing to 74,468 the total number of cases in the Republic .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holohan said it is “ more likely than not ” that Ireland will experience “ challenging ” levels of Covid-19 transmission in January due to increased socialisation over Christmas .
It was less likely that the country will be able to avert significant levels of infections , he told the Nphet media briefing on Monday .
Asked what Nphet ’ s alternative was to recurrent lockdowns , Dr Holohan said officials did not want to be in a position where the only recommendation they made to Government was for tight and challenging restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , we will ” .
The Representative Association of Commissioned Officers ( Raco ) and PDForra , the organisation representing rank-and-file Defence Forces personnel , said their members who have been involved in swabbing should be considered at the same time as other frontline healthcare workers , as should personnel deploying overseas .
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors said it was not seeking preferential treatment , but its members are at the “ front face ” of policing the pandemic and it had raised the matter with Garda HQ .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would decide on priority groups but “ we would expect to be a high priority among frontline workers ” .
The Irish Prison Service has requested the country ’ s prisoners be among the priority groups to receive a vaccine ahead of its distribution to the general population .
In a letter to Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Monday , the National Bus and Rail Union also recognised that vulnerable cohorts and healthcare staff would be prioritised , but said those working in public transport “ should be high on your Government ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
The Irish National Teacher ’ s Organisation wrote to the Taoiseach last week , saying that while it “ unequivocally recognises ” that vulnerable people , the elderly and healthcare workers should be first , it is “ imperative ” that education staff are included among essential workers prioritised for a vaccine .
The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland agreed on prioritising vulnerable groups , and said it would be guided by medical advice but believed “ strong consideration ” must be given to those working in schools .

The over-70s will be among the first groups to be given Covid-19 vaccinations, alongside long-term care residents and frontline healthcare workers, under plans to be considered by Cabinet on Tuesday.
The Government will consider more than a dozen different population cohorts, determined by a range of criteria, including age, employment and vulnerability to underlying conditions.
It is understood that the first priority group identified to receive the vaccine is those aged 65 and above who are resident in long-term care institutions, such as nursing homes.
Hospital Report
The second group will be frontline healthcare workers with direct patient contact, followed by the over-70s. The plan is to immunise this final category in phases beginning with those aged over 85, followed by those aged 80-84, then 75-79 year-olds, and finally those between 70-74.
READ MORE
Government sources indicated a final decision has not been made on whether the three categories will overlap, or whether one group will be immunised before the process begins with the next group.
The plan, which was drawn up by the Department of Health and the National Immunisation Advisory Council, and approved by the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet), will be brought to Cabinet by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.
Government sources said it will be a “living document”, subject to change depending on the efficacy of different vaccines for different cohorts, and the timing of their rollout.
It comes as representative groups for frontline workers indicated their expectation that their members should be considered for priority access to the inoculation programme.
Groups representing gardaí, members of the Defence Forces, teachers and transport workers said that while they accept the elderly and vulnerable should be first in line, their members should also be considered for priority access due to their role in the State's response to the pandemic. The Irish Prison Service has requested priority access for the State's 3,800 inmates.
Daily figures
No new deaths of Covid-19 patients were reported on Monday for the second day in a row. This leaves at 2,099 the total number of Covid-related deaths. Nphet reported 242 confirmed cases of the virus, bringing to 74,468 the total number of cases in the Republic.
It comes as chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said it is "more likely than not" that Ireland will experience "challenging" levels of Covid-19 transmission in January due to increased socialisation over Christmas. It was less likely that the country will be able to avert significant levels of infections, he told the Nphet media briefing on Monday.
Asked what Nphet’s alternative was to recurrent lockdowns, Dr Holohan said officials did not want to be in a position where the only recommendation they made to Government was for tight and challenging restrictions “but if we have to do it, we will”.
Lobby groups
The Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (Raco) and PDForra, the organisation representing rank-and-file Defence Forces personnel, said their members who have been involved in swabbing should be considered at the same time as other frontline healthcare workers, as should personnel deploying overseas.
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors said it was not seeking preferential treatment, but its members are at the “front face” of policing the pandemic and it had raised the matter with Garda HQ. The Garda Representative Association said medical professionals would decide on priority groups but “we would expect to be a high priority among frontline workers”.
The Irish Prison Service has requested the country’s prisoners be among the priority groups to receive a vaccine ahead of its distribution to the general population.
In a letter to Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Monday, the National Bus and Rail Union also recognised that vulnerable cohorts and healthcare staff would be prioritised, but said those working in public transport “should be high on your Government’s prioritisation list for access to the vaccine”.
The Irish National Teacher’s Organisation wrote to the Taoiseach last week, saying that while it “unequivocally recognises” that vulnerable people, the elderly and healthcare workers should be first, it is “imperative” that education staff are included among essential workers prioritised for a vaccine. The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland agreed on prioritising vulnerable groups, and said it would be guided by medical advice but believed “strong consideration” must be given to those working in schools.


theirishtimes--2020-12-08--Irish haemophilia patients given ‘functional cure’

Three Irish people with haemophilia have been given a “ functional cure ” for the condition using ground-breaking gene therapy .
The three are among 54 patients worldwide who participated in a trial for severe haemophilia that started earlier this year .
The positive early results of the trial are being presented at the prestigious annual meeting of the American Society of Haematology on Tuesday .
Haemophilia is a group of inherited blood disorders in which there is a defect in the clotting mechanism of the blood .
Patients can be treated with a clotting factor , but this requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provides patients with a new “ working copy ” of the genes for clotting factor protein .
Once this is administered there is no need for injections for at least 10 years .
The Irish patients were dosed last spring at St James ’ s Hospital and have been monitored closely since then , despite Covid-19 restrictions .
They received the gene therapy in a single intravenous dose to the liver and it started to produce the missing clotting factor .
One of the patients , Irish Haemophilia Society head Brian O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cured ” .
“ I ’ ve had no side-effects and my factor IX level has stayed normal .
After living my entire life with severe haemophilia , at the moment I don ’ t have it.
” The pandemic posed a challenge because it was known some patients might have to be administered steroids to prevent liver inflammation and this could increase their risk of getting Covid-19 .
In the event , only nine out of the 54 patients , and none in Ireland , required steroid treatment .
Dr Niamh O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in St James ’ Hospital says the new therapy provides patients with a constant and lasting level of protection for the first time .
The potential of gene therapy for creating the condition had long been known but it has taken 20 years to realise , she says .
About 30 people with haemophilia B will benefit from the treatment ; new gene therapies are also being developed for haemophilia A .
In the 1980s , hundreds of Irish people with haemophilia were infected with HIV and hepatitis C are being given contaminated @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Haemophilia is a group of inherited blood disorders in which there is a defect in the clotting mechanism of the blood. Photograph: iStock
Three Irish people with haemophilia have been given a “functional cure” for the condition using ground-breaking gene therapy.
The three are among 54 patients worldwide who participated in a trial for severe haemophilia that started earlier this year.
The positive early results of the trial are being presented at the prestigious annual meeting of the American Society of Haematology on Tuesday.
Haemophilia is a group of inherited blood disorders in which there is a defect in the clotting mechanism of the blood. Patients can be treated with a clotting factor, but this requires weekly injections.
READ MORE
The new gene therapy provides patients with a new “working copy” of the genes for clotting factor protein. Once this is administered there is no need for injections for at least 10 years.
‘No side-effects’
The Irish patients were dosed last spring at St James’s Hospital and have been monitored closely since then, despite Covid-19 restrictions.
They received the gene therapy in a single intravenous dose to the liver and it started to produce the missing clotting factor.
One of the patients, Irish Haemophilia Society head Brian O'Mahony, describes himself as "functionally cured".
“I’ve had no side-effects and my factor IX level has stayed normal. After living my entire life with severe haemophilia, at the moment I don’t have it.”
The pandemic posed a challenge because it was known some patients might have to be administered steroids to prevent liver inflammation and this could increase their risk of getting Covid-19.
In the event, only nine out of the 54 patients, and none in Ireland, required steroid treatment.
Lasting protection
Dr Niamh O’Connell from the National Coagulation Centre in St James’ Hospital says the new therapy provides patients with a constant and lasting level of protection for the first time.
The potential of gene therapy for creating the condition had long been known but it has taken 20 years to realise, she says.
About 30 people with haemophilia B will benefit from the treatment; new gene therapies are also being developed for haemophilia A.
In the 1980s, hundreds of Irish people with haemophilia were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood products supplied by the State.


theirishtimes--2020-12-08--Insurance costs: Cabinet approves plan to cut personal injury payouts

Perjury will be made easier to prosecute and the book of quantum will be replaced with new personal injury award guidelines as part of a plan to tackle insurance costs approved by the Cabinet .
The plan contains 66 actions designed to bring down costs and reduce the pressure on businesses already affected by the Covid-19 pandemic .
As part of the reform plans , Ministers have agreed to replace the book of quantum with new guidelines on the “ appropriate ” level of personal injury awards .
They also agreed to enhance the role of the Personal Injuries Assessment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statutory footing , making the offence easier to prosecute .
The Government has decided to “ monitor ” whether personal injury awards levels need to be capped and to examine dual pricing .
Ministers also agreed to strengthen the enforcement powers of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission ( CCPC ) .
A new office will be established within Government to “ encourage greater insurance market competition.
” Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Leo Varadkar said that “ things have to change ” when it comes to insurance costs .
“ For far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of insurance has been a problem for businesses , consumers and community and voluntary groups .
Things have to change and I am determined that they should change for the better under this new Government , ” he said .
“ As we re-open our economy once more , businesses and families will face financial pressures , including that of insurance , and it our intention to alleviate that over the coming period.
” Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said the insurance industry has a “ key role ” in helping to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country emerges from the pandemic , while Minister for Justice Helen McEntee hailed the plan as ambitious .
“ The Perjury and Related Offences Bill will introduce penalties for perjury related offences and there will be enhanced cooperation between An Garda Síochána and the insurance industry to combat insurance fraud , ” she said .
Minister of State at the Department of Finance Seán Fleming will next week chair the first meeting of the new cross-departmental office on the topic .
The Government will commit to progressing the action plan over an 18 @ @ @

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said for far too long ‘the cost and availability of insurance has been a problem for businesses, consumers and community and voluntary groups’. Photograph: PA
Perjury will be made easier to prosecute and the book of quantum will be replaced with new personal injury award guidelines as part of a plan to tackle insurance costs approved by the Cabinet.
The plan contains 66 actions designed to bring down costs and reduce the pressure on businesses already affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
As part of the reform plans, Ministers have agreed to replace the book of quantum with new guidelines on the “appropriate” level of personal injury awards.
They also agreed to enhance the role of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board and to place perjury on a statutory footing, making the offence easier to prosecute.
READ MORE
The Government has decided to “monitor” whether personal injury awards levels need to be capped and to examine dual pricing.
Ministers also agreed to strengthen the enforcement powers of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC).
A new office will be established within Government to “encourage greater insurance market competition.”
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Leo Varadkar said that "things have to change" when it comes to insurance costs.
“For far too long, the cost and availability of insurance has been a problem for businesses, consumers and community and voluntary groups. Things have to change and I am determined that they should change for the better under this new Government,” he said.
“As we re-open our economy once more, businesses and families will face financial pressures, including that of insurance, and it our intention to alleviate that over the coming period.”
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said the insurance industry has a "key role" in helping to reopen the economy and wider society as the country emerges from the pandemic, while Minister for Justice Helen McEntee hailed the plan as ambitious.
"The Perjury and Related Offences Bill will introduce penalties for perjury related offences and there will be enhanced cooperation between An Garda Síochána and the insurance industry to combat insurance fraud," she said.
Minister of State at the Department of Finance Seán Fleming will next week chair the first meeting of the new cross-departmental office on the topic. The Government will commit to progressing the action plan over an 18 month period.


theirishtimes--2020-12-09--Call for reform of testing and travel regime to facilitate international flights

An Oireachtas committee report is set to press for significant reform of the testing and travel regime , amid growing concerns over the future of the aviation sector as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic .
The transport committee will on Wednesday publish a report on the sector and call for a range of reforms , including an enhanced role for antigen – or saliva – testing in facilitating travel .
A draft copy of the committee ’ s report , seen by The Irish Times , also calls for the introduction of relaxed rules for those coming from territories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s traffic light system , including the waiving of a requirement to self-isolate when passengers can produce a negative test from their departure country taken three days prior to leaving .
It also calls on Government to subsidise the more expensive “ gold standard ” PCR tests currently used for travel , so that no passenger will have to pay more than €50 .
The committee found that the level of follow-up checks on the passenger locator form is “ totally inadequate ” .
The draft report also calls for enhanced State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to increase levels of international travel next year , and urges Government to seek an exemption from State aid rules so it can support airports with emergency funding , as well as the extension of the employment wage subsidy scheme for the sector through 2021 .
The final version of the draft report , which was still subject to changes , will be published on Wednesday .
It calls for the acceleration of validation studies on the use of antigen testing , and recommends that Government commit to using the tests at airports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Organisation ( WHO ) criteria .
It also calls for the inclusion of the aviation industry on the HSE ’ s antigen working group , and that testing requirements should not be limited to a single type of test .
It calls for the introduction of a traffic light system for non-EU countries .
The draft also finds that liquidity supports should be given to companies which had strong balance sheets at the outset of the pandemic , and says a State airports authority for Dublin , Shannon and Cork should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Covid vaccine taskforce is set for talks with the data protection watchdog over its plans to track delivery of the immunisation programme across the population .
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has previously said the HSE is working on a project to procure a National Immunisation Information System ( NIIS ) , as the Republic does have a single integrated national immunisation database .
Mr Donnelly has said interim options will be considered for the rollout of the Covid vaccine , if needed .
A Government spokesman said the Data Protection Commissioner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which he said is “ standard procedure to ensure data is protected during the immunisation rollout ” .
Labour Party leader Alan Kelly , who raised the database issue in the Dáil on Tuesday , said he was “ very surprised ” these meetings are only taking place this week .
“ We literally have no database to store this information and continuously mine to ensure best rollout and continuous updating .
This may also need some form of emergency legislation , ” Mr Kelly said .
It comes as the death of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) .
This brings to 2,097 the total number of deaths in the pandemic .
Nphet also reported 215 confirmed cases of the virus , taking the total number of cases to 74,682 .
There were 210 Covid-19 patients in hospital , including 31 in ICU .
The 14-day national incidence of the disease now stands at 80.2 cases per 100,000 people .
Donegal and Kilkenny are again the counties with the highest incidence , while Leitrim has the lowest .
Chief medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While each of us awaits our opportunity to be vaccinated , it is important that we continue to protect each other in the meantime , particularly over Christmas and in the months ahead .
”

A draft copy of the committee’s report, seen by The Irish Times, also calls for the introduction of relaxed rules for those coming from territories deemed ‘red’ under the EU’s traffic light system. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
An Oireachtas committee report is set to press for significant reform of the testing and travel regime, amid growing concerns over the future of the aviation sector as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The transport committee will on Wednesday publish a report on the sector and call for a range of reforms, including an enhanced role for antigen – or saliva – testing in facilitating travel.
A draft copy of the committee’s report, seen by The Irish Times, also calls for the introduction of relaxed rules for those coming from territories deemed “red” under the EU’s traffic light system, including the waiving of a requirement to self-isolate when passengers can produce a negative test from their departure country taken three days prior to leaving.
It also calls on Government to subsidise the more expensive “gold standard” PCR tests currently used for travel, so that no passenger will have to pay more than €50. The committee found that the level of follow-up checks on the passenger locator form is “totally inadequate”.
READ MORE
The draft report also calls for enhanced State supports for the sector, a strategy to increase levels of international travel next year, and urges Government to seek an exemption from State aid rules so it can support airports with emergency funding, as well as the extension of the employment wage subsidy scheme for the sector through 2021.
Acceleration
The final version of the draft report, which was still subject to changes, will be published on Wednesday. It calls for the acceleration of validation studies on the use of antigen testing, and recommends that Government commit to using the tests at airports where they are validated to meet World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria.
It also calls for the inclusion of the aviation industry on the HSE’s antigen working group, and that testing requirements should not be limited to a single type of test. It calls for the introduction of a traffic light system for non-EU countries.
The draft also finds that liquidity supports should be given to companies which had strong balance sheets at the outset of the pandemic, and says a State airports authority for Dublin, Shannon and Cork should be re-established.
Separately, the State's Covid vaccine taskforce is set for talks with the data protection watchdog over its plans to track delivery of the immunisation programme across the population. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has previously said the HSE is working on a project to procure a National Immunisation Information System (NIIS), as the Republic does have a single integrated national immunisation database. Mr Donnelly has said interim options will be considered for the rollout of the Covid vaccine, if needed.
Meeting
A Government spokesman said the Data Protection Commissioner will be meeting with the taskforce, which he said is “standard procedure to ensure data is protected during the immunisation rollout”.
Labour Party leader Alan Kelly, who raised the database issue in the Dáil on Tuesday, said he was "very surprised" these meetings are only taking place this week. "We literally have no database to store this information and continuously mine to ensure best rollout and continuous updating. This may also need some form of emergency legislation," Mr Kelly said.
It comes as the death of one further Covid-19 patient was reported on Tuesday by the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet). This brings to 2,097 the total number of deaths in the pandemic. Nphet also reported 215 confirmed cases of the virus, taking the total number of cases to 74,682.
There were 210 Covid-19 patients in hospital, including 31 in ICU.
The 14-day national incidence of the disease now stands at 80.2 cases per 100,000 people. Donegal and Kilkenny are again the counties with the highest incidence, while Leitrim has the lowest.
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said: "While each of us awaits our opportunity to be vaccinated, it is important that we continue to protect each other in the meantime, particularly over Christmas and in the months ahead."


theirishtimes--2020-12-09--Groups representing key workers press for priority vaccinations

Groups representing key workers are to press for their inclusion in priority categories for vaccination once the State begins to roll out its Covid-19 immunisation programme .
On Tuesday , Cabinet approved 15 different cohorts for the sequence of vaccine roll-out , with healthcare workers , nursing home residents , older people and those at risk of severe disease to be given access first .
The Department of Health said “ key workers ” , sixth on the list of categories , must provide a service essential to the vaccine programme .
Those living or working in crowded accommodation where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ninth , while key workers who can not avoid a high risk of exposure are 10th and “ other workers in occupations important to the functioning of society ” are 13th .
Vaccinations are expected to be rolled out in January .
The death of one further Covid-19 patient was reported on Tuesday , bringing the pandemic total to 2,097 .
A further 215 confirmed cases of the virus were reported , taking the total number of cases to 74,682 .
The department said the vaccination priority list was drawn up on an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fairness , reducing harm and protecting the vulnerable .
While the groups acknowledged priority access for healthcare workers and the vulnerable was appropriate , they said their members should also be considered for inclusion in high categories .
Greg Ennis , a Siptu official who represents meat plant workers , said they should be vaccinated as “ key workers ” in the sixth tier because they face “ unprecedented workplace vectors for the transmission of Covid-19 ” .
Fórsa , the State ’ s largest public sector union , said it would press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff , community sector workers and some civil servants to be included as key workers who can not avoid a high risk of exposure .
Mandate trade union general secretary Gerry Light said retail workers should be given the highest level of access possible .
“ If we define them as essential workers , let ’ s follow that up by doing everything we can to give them access to the vaccine on a priority basis.
” PDForra ( Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association ) said ships crews can not socially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commissioned Officers ( Raco ) said all personnel should be in this category and those engaged in swabbing should be included with healthcare workers .

Margaret Keenan (90) is lauded by staff as she returns to her ward after becoming the first person in the UK to receive the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine at University Hospital Coventry. Photograph: PA
Groups representing key workers are to press for their inclusion in priority categories for vaccination once the State begins to roll out its Covid-19 immunisation programme.
On Tuesday, Cabinet approved 15 different cohorts for the sequence of vaccine roll-out, with healthcare workers, nursing home residents, older people and those at risk of severe disease to be given access first.
The Department of Health said "key workers", sixth on the list of categories, must provide a service essential to the vaccine programme. Those living or working in crowded accommodation where isolation and social distancing is difficult are ninth, while key workers who cannot avoid a high risk of exposure are 10th and "other workers in occupations important to the functioning of society" are 13th.
Vaccinations are expected to be rolled out in January. The death of one further Covid-19 patient was reported on Tuesday, bringing the pandemic total to 2,097. A further 215 confirmed cases of the virus were reported, taking the total number of cases to 74,682.
READ MORE
The department said the vaccination priority list was drawn up on an ethical basis, with the goals of fairness, reducing harm and protecting the vulnerable.
While the groups acknowledged priority access for healthcare workers and the vulnerable was appropriate, they said their members should also be considered for inclusion in high categories.
‘Workplace vectors’
Greg Ennis, a Siptu official who represents meat plant workers, said they should be vaccinated as "key workers" in the sixth tier because they face "unprecedented workplace vectors for the transmission of Covid-19".
Fórsa, the State’s largest public sector union, said it would press for State employees such as local authority staff, community sector workers and some civil servants to be included as key workers who cannot avoid a high risk of exposure.
Mandate trade union general secretary Gerry Light said retail workers should be given the highest level of access possible. "If we define them as essential workers, let's follow that up by doing everything we can to give them access to the vaccine on a priority basis."
PDForra (Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association) said ships crews cannot socially distance, while the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (Raco) said all personnel should be in this category and those engaged in swabbing should be included with healthcare workers.


theirishtimes--2020-12-09--Scots braced for no deal: ‘We need parity with Northern Ireland’

Looking out onto the wind and rain the in Clyde port of Greenock in western Scotland , Alistair Roberts borrows a weather image to describe 2020 .
“ With Brexit and Covid , it ’ s been a perfect storm , ” he declares .
Small boats dominate local fishing , where Roberts – who is also the vice-chair of the Clyde Fishermen ’ s Association – catches langoustines and sends them either to Kilkeel , Co Down for processing , or straight to the Continent .
Closures of restaurants and hotels caused by the Covid-19 crisis has cut his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combined with Brexit , it could put him out of business .
Like many fishermen , he voted Leave , believing it would mean small boats like his would regain some of the UK ’ s fish quota .
With fish remaining one of the sticking points in the trade talks , he is now far from hopeful .
“ It ’ s just one big mess at the minute and nobody knows what way to turn .
We need parity with Northern Ireland , ” he tells The Irish Times , reflecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Worried about a no-deal Brexit , he says : “ At the end of the day we ’ ve been pally with the Irish fishermen for years and we don ’ t wish them any bad luck , but all we ’ re looking for is parity.
” While supporting the Northern Ireland protocol “ very strongly ” , the Scottish government ’ s Brexit minister Michael Russell points out , however , that Scotland “ voted more substantially to Remain , and we ’ ve had nothing at all ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet know what the impact will be , but we expect it to be difficult , because quite clearly we will not have the advantages that are built into the protocol .
We expect them to be substantial , ” he said .
In Cairnryan , lorries are still being loaded onto the ferry for the journey to Belfast without friction .
Lorries arrive , they are checked in electronically in seconds , and join numbered lanes awaiting boarding .
Come January 1st , however , Cairnryan and its fellow west coast port @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Irish Sea border between the United Kingdom and the European Union .
Though much remains to be agreed , it appears highly unlikely at this stage that delays at ports because of checks and paperwork can be avoided come January 1st .
In Scotland , as in Northern Ireland , the reality remains that “ some shipments will have to be checked because there are [ sanitary and ] phytosanitary issues , there ’ s no doubt about that , ” says Russell .
Lorries could be “ stacked ” in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cairnryan , because of custom and phytosanitary paperwork delays : “ We do not have enough environmental health officers , not enough vets , ” Russell says .
While the agreement in principle reached between the sides on Tuesday on the protocol should provide clarity as to how the Irish Sea border will operate , those who will have to work it daily have yet to see the detail .
However , Séamus Leheny from the Freight Transport Association in Northern Ireland is not alone in believing that it will come into force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new year .
Firstly , there must be a period of grace for chilled food imports ; and a trusted trader scheme as argued for by major UK supermarkets to safeguard food supply chains from Great Britain to Northern Ireland .
Tuesday ’ s deal is “ a positive step ” , says Leheny , not least because it gives industry “ a bit of breathing space ” to implement the protocol – and , he says , potentially creates the ground where a trade deal might be reached .
The news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cairnryan , too .
“ It [ Brexit ] is going to be a mess , ” says Paul McKeown , who owns Dungannon-based firm Tyrone Transport .
“ I could have 200 deliveries in the one load .
There will be terrible paperwork involved , and somebody ’ s going to have to do all that , ” he told The Irish Times .
“ This is fresh food , ” says Michael Wauchop , pointing to his refrigerated trailer .
“ That can ’ t be held up for long , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as quickly as possible .
They will have to come to some agreement.
” “ It ’ s all talk , hearsay , ” says Mark Williams .
“ Nobody knows what ’ s going to happen.
” He shrugs .
“ I ’ m not that bothered about it – whatever happens will happen .
”

Looking out onto the wind and rain the in Clyde port of Greenock in western Scotland, Alistair Roberts borrows a weather image to describe 2020.
“With Brexit and Covid, it’s been a perfect storm,” he declares.
Small boats dominate local fishing, where Roberts – who is also the vice-chair of the Clyde Fishermen’s Association – catches langoustines and sends them either to Kilkeel, Co Down for processing, or straight to the Continent.
Closures of restaurants and hotels caused by the Covid-19 crisis has cut his earnings in half this year. When combined with Brexit, it could put him out of business.
READ MORE
Like many fishermen, he voted Leave, believing it would mean small boats like his would regain some of the UK’s fish quota. With fish remaining one of the sticking points in the trade talks, he is now far from hopeful.
"It's just one big mess at the minute and nobody knows what way to turn. We need parity with Northern Ireland, " he tells The Irish Times, reflecting the views of many of his fellows.
Worried about a no-deal Brexit, he says: “At the end of the day we’ve been pally with the Irish fishermen for years and we don’t wish them any bad luck, but all we’re looking for is parity.”
While supporting the Northern Ireland protocol “very strongly”, the Scottish government’s Brexit minister Michael Russell points out, however, that Scotland “voted more substantially to Remain, and we’ve had nothing at all”.
‘Advantages’
“I don’t think we yet know what the impact will be, but we expect it to be difficult, because quite clearly we will not have the advantages that are built into the protocol . We expect them to be substantial,” he said.
In Cairnryan, lorries are still being loaded onto the ferry for the journey to Belfast without friction. Lorries arrive, they are checked in electronically in seconds, and join numbered lanes awaiting boarding.
Come January 1st, however, Cairnryan and its fellow west coast port will find itself on the front line of the Irish Sea border between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
Though much remains to be agreed, it appears highly unlikely at this stage that delays at ports because of checks and paperwork can be avoided come January 1st.
In Scotland, as in Northern Ireland, the reality remains that “some shipments will have to be checked because there are [sanitary and] phytosanitary issues, there’s no doubt about that,” says Russell.
Lorries could be “stacked” in Stranraer, which has more space than Cairnryan, because of custom and phytosanitary paperwork delays: “We do not have enough environmental health officers, not enough vets,” Russell says.
While the agreement in principle reached between the sides on Tuesday on the protocol should provide clarity as to how the Irish Sea border will operate, those who will have to work it daily have yet to see the detail.
By degrees
However, Séamus Leheny from the Freight Transport Association in Northern Ireland is not alone in believing that it will come into force by degrees in the opening months of the new year.
Firstly, there must be a period of grace for chilled food imports; and a trusted trader scheme as argued for by major UK supermarkets to safeguard food supply chains from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
Tuesday’s deal is “a positive step”, says Leheny, not least because it gives industry “a bit of breathing space” to implement the protocol – and, he says, potentially creates the ground where a trade deal might be reached.
The news will have been welcomed by truckers in Cairnryan, too.
"It [Brexit] is going to be a mess," says Paul McKeown, who owns Dungannon-based firm Tyrone Transport.
“I could have 200 deliveries in the one load. There will be terrible paperwork involved, and somebody’s going to have to do all that,” he told The Irish Times.
"This is fresh food," says Michael Wauchop, pointing to his refrigerated trailer. "That can't be held up for long, and Tesco wants it on the shelves as quickly as possible. They will have to come to some agreement."
"It's all talk, hearsay," says Mark Williams. " Nobody knows what's going to happen." He shrugs. "I'm not that bothered about it – whatever happens will happen."


theirishtimes--2020-12-08--Delayed assessment of children with disabilities a ‘breach of their rights’, committee told

The delayed assessment of needs for children with disabilities is a “ national scandal ” and a “ breach of their rights ” , an Oireachtas committee has heard .
Under the Disability Act 2005 , the provision of an assessment must be commenced within three months of its initial referral , and completed within three months of commencement .
The aim of an assessment of needs is to determine what services are required to meet the needs associated with a child ’ s disability .
However , Gareth Noble , a child rights solicitor , told the Oireachtas committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Integration on Tuesday that 91 per cent of children are not assessed within this statutory time frame .
“ It has lead to untold and ongoing damage , stress and real prejudice to children .
It can not be dressed up as anything other than a breach of their rights , ” he said .
“ I am asking the HSE to do no more than to comply with the law.
” Mr Noble cited cases in which children had received assessments which stated they “ urgently ” needed specific services .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child ’ s parents stated that the earliest date these children would be seen for these “ key interventions ” would be August 2022 .
“ That ’ s an unacceptable dereliction of duty and an unacceptable breach of duty of care .
It ’ s crazy that parents would ever have to countenance coming to me to get basic rights vindicated , ” he said .
Speaking at the same meeting , Mark Smith , from the Psychological Society of Ireland , said the new Standard Operating Procedure ( SOP ) to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nor good practice ” .
Under the SOP , which came into effect in January 2020 , children are assessed under a 90 minute evaluation .
However , Mr Smith said in most cases , the SOP resulted in a recommendation for further assessment , as opposed to intervention and support to assist these children and their families .
“ It remains our considered opinion that the changes to clinical practice described within the SOP will in many cases prove detrimental to children and their families , ” he said .
Mr Smith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s waiting lists will increase from between three and five years to between five and eight years .
“ I have yet to speak to a colleague where a waiting list is less than three years .
In one area , parents are getting standardised letters saying at the age of five , your child will be seen at the age of ten .
At the age of ten , your child will be seen at the age of 15 , ” he explained .
“ We need to get ahead of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here again in a year ’ s time seeing exactly what we have predicted will happen.
” Mr Smith added that the members are concerned that compliance with the SOP could result in them being in breach of the codes of conduct and ethics .
The Psychological Society of Ireland , the Association of Occupational Therapists in Ireland and the Irish Association of Speech & Language Therapists called for the “ immediate cessation of the SOP ” .
“ The implementation of this new approach will exacerbate an already intolerable situation for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” they added .

The delayed assessment of needs for children with disabilities is a ‘national scandal’, an Oireachtas committee has heard. Photograph: Getty Images.
The delayed assessment of needs for children with disabilities is a "national scandal" and a "breach of their rights", an Oireachtas committee has heard.
Under the Disability Act 2005, the provision of an assessment must be commenced within three months of its initial referral, and completed within three months of commencement.
The aim of an assessment of needs is to determine what services are required to meet the needs associated with a child’s disability.
However, Gareth Noble, a child rights solicitor, told the Oireachtas committee of Children, Disability, Equality and Integration on Tuesday that 91 per cent of children are not assessed within this statutory time frame.
READ MORE
“It has lead to untold and ongoing damage, stress and real prejudice to children. It cannot be dressed up as anything other than a breach of their rights,” he said. “I am asking the HSE to do no more than to comply with the law.”
Mr Noble cited cases in which children had received assessments which stated they “urgently” needed specific services.
However, the service statements issued to the child’s parents stated that the earliest date these children would be seen for these “key interventions” would be August 2022.
“That’s an unacceptable dereliction of duty and an unacceptable breach of duty of care. It’s crazy that parents would ever have to countenance coming to me to get basic rights vindicated,” he said.
Speaking at the same meeting, Mark Smith, from the Psychological Society of Ireland, said the new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to assess children is "neither evidence based nor good practice".
‘Intolerable situation’
Under the SOP, which came into effect in January 2020, children are assessed under a 90 minute evaluation.
However, Mr Smith said in most cases, the SOP resulted in a recommendation for further assessment, as opposed to intervention and support to assist these children and their families.
“It remains our considered opinion that the changes to clinical practice described within the SOP will in many cases prove detrimental to children and their families,” he said.
Mr Smith said under this model, children’s waiting lists will increase from between three and five years to between five and eight years.
“I have yet to speak to a colleague where a waiting list is less than three years. In one area, parents are getting standardised letters saying at the age of five, your child will be seen at the age of ten. At the age of ten, your child will be seen at the age of 15,” he explained.
“We need to get ahead of this now so we’re not back here again in a year’s time seeing exactly what we have predicted will happen.”
Mr Smith added that the members are concerned that compliance with the SOP could result in them being in breach of the codes of conduct and ethics.
The Psychological Society of Ireland, the Association of Occupational Therapists in Ireland and the Irish Association of Speech & Language Therapists called for the "immediate cessation of the SOP".
“The implementation of this new approach will exacerbate an already intolerable situation for the children of Ireland and their families,” they added.


theirishtimes--2020-12-08--North’s businesses guardedly welcome UK-EU agreement on Irish Sea trade

There was a guardedly positive business response in Northern Ireland to the agreement between the British government and the European Union on how the withdrawal agreement will be implemented , but with demands for more clarity on that deal .
The deal also was welcomed by DUP leader and First Minister Arlene Foster who said that Northern Ireland must have “ unfettered access ” into the British market .
However , her party colleague , MP Sammy Wilson described the Withdrawal Agreement as “ poison ” , and said London should not remove powers to override international law until remaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The British government and EU said they reached agreement in principle on how the Northern Ireland protocol would apply in relation to checks of goods moving between Britain and Northern Ireland .
The British government said as a result of the Irish Sea trade deal it would withdraw controversial clauses in its Internal Market Bill .
Details of the agreement are due to published in the coming days .
Angela McGowan , Northern Ireland director of the Confederation of British Industry said the agreement was a “ positive indication both sides are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All eyes will now be on a breakthrough in the wider negotiations , ” she said .
“ Firms are determined to make the protocol work to protect businesses and consumers .
Yet with time so short , details are needed now on what has been agreed so businesses can continue with their preparations – which also rest on a deal being done , ” said Ms McGowan .
Seamus Leheny from the Freight Transport Association in Northern Ireland welcomed the agreement as a “ step forward to getting a protocol that works @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the single market and the protocol and respects the level playing field .
“ But it also takes into account the unique circumstances for Northern Ireland , that is that a lot of our food and [ the goods in ] our shops come from Great Britain , ” he said .
Mr Leheny added that while the detail had yet to be announced , he expected there would be a phased implementation period , a soft touch or period of grace for the importation of chilled foods , and a trusted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advocated by the supermarkets in order to safeguard food supply chains from Britain to Northern Ireland .
Mr Leheny also said he believed the agreement augured well for the success of a trade deal between the UK and the EU .
The British Irish Chamber of Commerce in also welcoming the agreement urged London and Brussels to redouble their efforts to reach a deal on the future trading relationship .
“ It is important that businesses are provided with details of the protocol to ensure they are fully compliant from January 1st , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s director of policy .
“ With the issues surrounding the protocol resolved , businesses now urgently need to begin preparing for changes that will come into force from the beginning of next month , ” he said .
First Minister Ms Foster said it was important that the detail of how “ businesses can trade freely into Great Britain , our largest market , ” was provided quickly and hopefully by Wednesday .
It also was vital that the large supermarket containers had unfettered access from Britain into Northern Ireland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steve Aiken said “ no amount of self-congratulatory statements will make up for the disgraceful way Northern Ireland has been treated throughout these negotiations .
“ I hope the EU and UK government will now at least have the decency to share this information with local businesses quickly to allow them to prepare for whatever has been agreed , ” he said .
Sinn Féin South Down MP Chris Hazzard said more technical detail was needed on how the new trading system would operate .
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood in welcoming the deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would work .

The Harland and Wolff cranes in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where businesses guardedly welcomed the agreement on how the withdrawal agreement will be implemented. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
There was a guardedly positive business response in Northern Ireland to the agreement between the British government and the European Union on how the withdrawal agreement will be implemented, but with demands for more clarity on that deal.
The deal also was welcomed by DUP leader and First Minister Arlene Foster who said that Northern Ireland must have "unfettered access" into the British market.
However, her party colleague, MP Sammy Wilson described the Withdrawal Agreement as “poison”, and said London should not remove powers to override international law until remaining issues are “properly dealt with”.
The British government and EU said they reached agreement in principle on how the Northern Ireland protocol would apply in relation to checks of goods moving between Britain and Northern Ireland.
READ MORE
The British government said as a result of the Irish Sea trade deal it would withdraw controversial clauses in its Internal Market Bill. Details of the agreement are due to published in the coming days.
Angela McGowan, Northern Ireland director of the Confederation of British Industry said the agreement was a “positive indication both sides are prepared to work together”.
“All eyes will now be on a breakthrough in the wider negotiations,” she said.
“Firms are determined to make the protocol work to protect businesses and consumers. Yet with time so short, details are needed now on what has been agreed so businesses can continue with their preparations – which also rest on a deal being done,” said Ms McGowan.
Unique circumstances
Seamus Leheny from the Freight Transport Association in Northern Ireland welcomed the agreement as a "step forward to getting a protocol that works for everyone, that respects the terms of the single market and the protocol and respects the level playing field.
“But it also takes into account the unique circumstances for Northern Ireland, that is that a lot of our food and [the goods in]our shops come from Great Britain,” he said.
Mr Leheny added that while the detail had yet to be announced, he expected there would be a phased implementation period, a soft touch or period of grace for the importation of chilled foods, and a trusted trader scheme along the lines of that advocated by the supermarkets in order to safeguard food supply chains from Britain to Northern Ireland.
Mr Leheny also said he believed the agreement augured well for the success of a trade deal between the UK and the EU.
The British Irish Chamber of Commerce in also welcoming the agreement urged London and Brussels to redouble their efforts to reach a deal on the future trading relationship.
"It is important that businesses are provided with details of the protocol to ensure they are fully compliant from January 1st," said Paul Lynam, the organisation's director of policy.
“With the issues surrounding the protocol resolved, businesses now urgently need to begin preparing for changes that will come into force from the beginning of next month,” he said.
Detail
First Minister Ms Foster said it was important that the detail of how “businesses can trade freely into Great Britain, our largest market,” was provided quickly and hopefully by Wednesday. It also was vital that the large supermarket containers had unfettered access from Britain into Northern Ireland, she added.
Ulster Unionist Part leader Steve Aiken said "no amount of self-congratulatory statements will make up for the disgraceful way Northern Ireland has been treated throughout these negotiations.
“I hope the EU and UK government will now at least have the decency to share this information with local businesses quickly to allow them to prepare for whatever has been agreed,” he said.
Sinn Féin South Down MP Chris Hazzard said more technical detail was needed on how the new trading system would operate.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood in welcoming the deal also called for more clarity on how it would work.


theirishtimes--2020-12-08--Holohan sets out ominous picture for January in letter to Government

It is hard to see how public health officials will not seek a third lockdown in January given their extremely gloomy forecasts of recent days .
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan , both in his letter to Government last week and his comments at the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) briefing on Monday , clearly foresees daily case numbers after Christmas reaching the kind of level that twice previously triggered recommendations for swingeing restrictions .
The euphoria surrounding the rollout of a Covid-19 vaccine in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK is understandable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come , restrictions are the only way Government knows to rein in surging case numbers , when other public health measures have failed .
In his letter Dr Holohan set out an ominous picture ; case numbers did not fall far enough after the last lockdown , they are already rising again , and Christmas is approaching with all the potentially risky socialising that entails .
As a result Nphet is already revising its modelling forecast upwards .
Previously it had forecast up to 1,200 cases a day by mid-January ; now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reality by the second week of the month .
That might not seem like a big difference but it is when you are dealing with exponential growth , as seems likely next month .
That our figures have already “ bottomed out ” , as the chief medical officer said , is evident in the divergent trends over 14 days and seven days .
Ireland has the lowest 14-day incidence of the virus in Europe , and this rate has dropped 25 per cent over the previous 14 days .
In contrast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past seven days is up 11 per cent compared to the previous seven days , and Ireland suddenly has the fifth fastest rising seven-day incidence in the EU .
The heavy messaging of public health officials against socialising over the coming weeks may dampen festivities somewhat and curb the spread of the virus , but only to a limited extent given the high starting point after Level 5 restrictions .
Our big problem is an amalgam of smaller problems which are not difficult to discern .
First , the Border ; the incidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times the rest of the country , and is rising again more quickly than elsewhere .
Louth also has high figures .
This is hardly surprising given that Northern Ireland has four times the number of cases as the Republic .
The virus continues to spill over from the North , seriously damaging the Republic ’ s chance of reining it in .
We also have a hospital problem .
The two counties with the highest incidence at present are Donegal and Kilkenny , where large outbreaks in local hospitals are filling wards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital outbreaks accounted for 46 deaths out of the 140 that occurred last month , more even than the 41 recorded in nursing homes .
According to Dr Holohan ’ s letter , there were 60 hospital clusters last month in 24 locations , involving 1,000 cases .
This is why serial testing of healthcare workers is being introduced in January , making Ireland the first country in the world to undertake such a measure .
Though why wait until January ?
The high incidence of cases among over-65s is also a problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may largely account for this .
Both the hospital and nursing home outbreaks are being brought under control , and another positive sign is the continuing low number of cases in schools ( a trends seen in the UK and other countries ) .
Even so , as Dr Holohan says , a surge in January is now “ more likely than not ” .

It is hard to see how public health officials will not seek a third lockdown in January given their extremely gloomy forecasts of recent days. Photograph: Getty images
It is hard to see how public health officials will not seek a third lockdown in January given their extremely gloomy forecasts of recent days.
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan, both in his letter to Government last week and his comments at the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) briefing on Monday, clearly foresees daily case numbers after Christmas reaching the kind of level that twice previously triggered recommendations for swingeing restrictions.
The euphoria surrounding the rollout of a Covid-19 vaccine in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK is understandable. But for now, and many months to come, restrictions are the only way Government knows to rein in surging case numbers, when other public health measures have failed.
In his letter Dr Holohan set out an ominous picture; case numbers did not fall far enough after the last lockdown, they are already rising again, and Christmas is approaching with all the potentially risky socialising that entails.
READ MORE
As a result Nphet is already revising its modelling forecast upwards. Previously it had forecast up to 1,200 cases a day by mid-January; now Dr Holohan is predicting this will be a reality by the second week of the month.
That might not seem like a big difference but it is when you are dealing with exponential growth, as seems likely next month.
That our figures have already “bottomed out”, as the chief medical officer said, is evident in the divergent trends over 14 days and seven days.
Ireland has the lowest 14-day incidence of the virus in Europe, and this rate has dropped 25 per cent over the previous 14 days.
In contrast, the measure of trends over the past seven days is up 11 per cent compared to the previous seven days, and Ireland suddenly has the fifth fastest rising seven-day incidence in the EU.
The heavy messaging of public health officials against socialising over the coming weeks may dampen festivities somewhat and curb the spread of the virus, but only to a limited extent given the high starting point after Level 5 restrictions.
High figures
Our big problem is an amalgam of smaller problems which are not difficult to discern.
First, the Border; the incidence of the virus in Donegal is 2.5 times the rest of the country, and is rising again more quickly than elsewhere. Louth also has high figures.
This is hardly surprising given that Northern Ireland has four times the number of cases as the Republic. The virus continues to spill over from the North, seriously damaging the Republic's chance of reining it in.
We also have a hospital problem. The two counties with the highest incidence at present are Donegal and Kilkenny, where large outbreaks in local hospitals are filling wards and causing deaths.
Across the country hospital outbreaks accounted for 46 deaths out of the 140 that occurred last month, more even than the 41 recorded in nursing homes.
According to Dr Holohan’s letter, there were 60 hospital clusters last month in 24 locations, involving 1,000 cases.
This is why serial testing of healthcare workers is being introduced in January, making Ireland the first country in the world to undertake such a measure. Though why wait until January?
The high incidence of cases among over-65s is also a problem, though continuing outbreaks in nursing homes may largely account for this.
Both the hospital and nursing home outbreaks are being brought under control, and another positive sign is the continuing low number of cases in schools (a trends seen in the UK and other countries).
Even so, as Dr Holohan says, a surge in January is now “more likely than not”.


theirishtimes--2020-12-08--Retail workers seek new deal on pay and conditions post-pandemic

Retail and distribution workers have started a campaign for a new deal to tackle low pay and insecure work to rebuild the sector following the Covid-19 pandemic .
The campaign said a Retail Stakeholder Group composed of trade unions , retail employers and key Government departments should be established and tasked with devising a new blueprint for the retail and distribution sector to help it recover after the pandemic .
The campaign document stated that workers in the sector could “ no longer afford the price of the low pay and insecure work ” .
It said a new deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key priority , including improved pay and conditions , trade union representation and collective bargaining , along with access to training and upskilling .
The campaign is backed by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions ’ retail sector group , which comprises unions representing workers in the sector across the island of Ireland , including : Mandate , Siptu , Unite , USDAW and the GMB .
The document said that rebuilding the sector post-pandemic and ensuring fair competition between online trading and the traditional “ bricks and mortar ” high street model @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Government .
It said workers would not support “ a return to business as usual and to the old , failed model.
” Mandate trade union general secretary Gerry Light said that the pandemic had exposed how essential service workers in retail and distribution were among the lowest paid and least well protected .
“ This must change and this demand for change is supported by the workers , by a range of expert bodies and commentators and by political leaders .
Indeed , it is an issue the Tánaiste Leo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The time for promises is past .
Now is the time to act and to deliver a new deal for workers in the sector.
” Michelle Quinn of Siptu said : “ The retail and distribution sector faces enormous challenges into the future .
We now have an opportunity to break with the failed model of the past and build a sector that delivers quality jobs and growth .
“ We need to address challenges like online trading , automation and the range of new skills the future workplace will require .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ voice , knowledge and commitment of workers to help shape and inform a new blueprint for this vital sector of our economy .
”

Retail and distribution workers have started a campaign for a new deal to tackle low pay and insecure work. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill/The Irish Times.
Retail and distribution workers have started a campaign for a new deal to tackle low pay and insecure work to rebuild the sector following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The campaign said a Retail Stakeholder Group composed of trade unions, retail employers and key Government departments should be established and tasked with devising a new blueprint for the retail and distribution sector to help it recover after the pandemic.
The campaign document stated that workers in the sector could “no longer afford the price of the low pay and insecure work”. It said a new deal must embrace decent work standards as a key priority, including improved pay and conditions, trade union representation and collective bargaining, along with access to training and upskilling.
The campaign is backed by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions' retail sector group, which comprises unions representing workers in the sector across the island of Ireland, including: Mandate, Siptu, Unite, USDAW and the GMB.
READ MORE
The document said that rebuilding the sector post-pandemic and ensuring fair competition between online trading and the traditional “bricks and mortar” high street model would require significant financial and policy assistance from the Government.
It said workers would not support “a return to business as usual and to the old, failed model.”
Mandate trade union general secretary Gerry Light said that the pandemic had exposed how essential service workers in retail and distribution were among the lowest paid and least well protected.
“This must change and this demand for change is supported by the workers, by a range of expert bodies and commentators and by political leaders. Indeed, it is an issue the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has also been vocal on.”
“The time for promises is past. Now is the time to act and to deliver a new deal for workers in the sector.”
Michelle Quinn of Siptu said: "The retail and distribution sector faces enormous challenges into the future. We now have an opportunity to break with the failed model of the past and build a sector that delivers quality jobs and growth.
“We need to address challenges like online trading, automation and the range of new skills the future workplace will require. To do this successfully we need the voice, knowledge and commitment of workers to help shape and inform a new blueprint for this vital sector of our economy.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-08--Irish Amazon customers warned of post-Brexit charges

Amazon has warned its Irish based customers of potential post-Brexit charges on purchases from next month .
The online retailer emailed customers on Tuesday to flag changes for those who use its Amazon.co.uk site but who have addresses in EU countries .
It is an early indicator of the uncertainty that faces post-Brexit commerce between Britain and the EU as negotiations to reach some kind of deal stumble on in London .
“ We wanted to let you know that from 1 January 2021 , when the Brexit transition period ends , you ’ ll see some changes when you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivery address , ” it told those with an Amazon account .
Although uncertain , the changes it mentions are related to value added tax ( VAT ) , or a regional equivalent , due in the country of delivery .
Packages may also be subject to customs duties , taxes and import fees , it said , adding that such changes “ may result in a price change at checkout ” .
Dermott Jewell , policy advisor at the Consumer Association of Ireland ( CAI ) said the move comes as little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that for a while - [ EU delivery addresses will ] become what ’ s known as third countries ; it ’ s like buying from America or China , ” he said .
According to Mr Jewell , if a package is worth in excess of €22 , including packaging , it will attract Vat charges and if it is more than €150 , duty would apply at a rate of 12 per cent .
Amazon did not comment regarding how charges might apply specifically to its Irish customers .
While the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Ireland and the UK remains a point of some confusion , the potential issue has been flagged in the aftermath of the UK referendum .
“ It has to apply because it ’ s a Revenue rule , it was always going to apply , ” Mr Jewell said .
However , he said the email appears to show an effort on the part of the company to “ soften the blow ” by honouring existing EU-based consumer rights that will also be thrown into doubt by the UK ’ s departure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accept eligible returns and where they are as result of an error such as defective , damaged or incorrect items , it would shoulder the cost .
Otherwise , costs incurred for returns including transport and any import or customs fees would fall to the customer , it said .
One possible alternative is to use the retail giant ’ s German website instead ( .de ) .
Last year , with exactly this Brexit scenario in mind , the website MoneyGuideIreland.com pointed out that it is possible to view that site in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the German site did not offer free delivery to Ireland .
Last year , then European affairs minister Helen McEntee , warned of a potential shakeup to existing online shopping norms .
She said goods bought online could attract Vat and import duty , depending on their value , if the UK leaves the EU without a deal .

The online retailer emailed customers on Tuesday to flag changes for those who use its Amazon.co.uk site but who have addresses in EU countries. Photograph: iStock
Amazon has warned its Irish based customers of potential post-Brexit charges on purchases from next month.
The online retailer emailed customers on Tuesday to flag changes for those who use its Amazon.co.uk site but who have addresses in EU countries.
It is an early indicator of the uncertainty that faces post-Brexit commerce between Britain and the EU as negotiations to reach some kind of deal stumble on in London.
“We wanted to let you know that from 1 January 2021, when the Brexit transition period ends, you’ll see some changes when you shop on Amazon.co.uk and select an EU delivery address,” it told those with an Amazon account.
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Although uncertain, the changes it mentions are related to value added tax (VAT), or a regional equivalent, due in the country of delivery. Packages may also be subject to customs duties, taxes and import fees, it said, adding that such changes “may result in a price change at checkout”.
Dermott Jewell, policy advisor at the Consumer Association of Ireland (CAI) said the move comes as little surprise.
"We have been flagging that for a while - [EU delivery addresses will] become what's known as third countries; it's like buying from America or China, " he said.
According to Mr Jewell, if a package is worth in excess of €22, including packaging, it will attract Vat charges and if it is more than €150, duty would apply at a rate of 12 per cent. Amazon did not comment regarding how charges might apply specifically to its Irish customers.
While the exact nature of charges for online shopping between Ireland and the UK remains a point of some confusion, the potential issue has been flagged in the aftermath of the UK referendum.
“It has to apply because it’s a Revenue rule, it was always going to apply,” Mr Jewell said.
However, he said the email appears to show an effort on the part of the company to “soften the blow” by honouring existing EU-based consumer rights that will also be thrown into doubt by the UK’s departure.
Amazon said it would continue to accept eligible returns and where they are as result of an error such as defective, damaged or incorrect items, it would shoulder the cost.
Otherwise, costs incurred for returns including transport and any import or customs fees would fall to the customer, it said.
One possible alternative is to use the retail giant’s German website instead (.de). Last year, with exactly this Brexit scenario in mind, the website MoneyGuideIreland.com pointed out that it is possible to view that site in English. However, then at least, the German site did not offer free delivery to Ireland.
Last year, then European affairs minister Helen McEntee, warned of a potential shakeup to existing online shopping norms.
She said goods bought online could attract Vat and import duty, depending on their value, if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.


theirishtimes--2020-12-08--Irish Water sets course for development of 25-year plan for drinking water

Substantial population increases in major Irish cities and surrounding suburbs over the coming decades will create huge demand for drinking water , according to Irish Water .
Likely demand is spelt out in a draft framework document , part of its plan to develop the first National Water Resources Plan ( NWRP ) , which when completed will set out how Ireland will move towards “ a sustainable , secure and reliable drinking water supply over the next 25 years ” .
It is open to publication consultation until February 16th , 2021 .
When combined with increased demand arising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ options beyond additional abstraction will have to be considered including desalination of sea and estuarine waters and recycling of water – expensive methods of generating drinking water .
Sourcing water in Northern Ireland may also be required .
The plan will cater for a population increase of one million people and creation of 660,000 net new jobs in the economy by 2040 .
“ It is estimated that 34,000 houses will have to be built each year for the next decade just to meet demand of our growing population , ” said head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laffey .
More than 380,000 jobs would be supported directly by foreign and direct investment , “ many of which are in water-intensive industries such as manufacturing and pharmaceuticals ” .
The NWRP will provide a countrywide analysis to identify “ the water we have , the water we use , the water we need and any potential risk to water quality ” , he said .
“ Our infrastructure is under increasing pressure to meet the current demand for water as a result of population growth , climate change , and our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To prevent unplanned water outages , water conservation orders , reductions in pressure or restrictions to water supplies , it had to plan ahead .
The investment required could be up to €20 billion , he confirmed .
“ Ireland is not a water-stressed country .
One week ’ s worth of rainfall will serve all of our needs for a full year .
We have to make sure we take best advantage of that abundance of water that we have and that we tap into the right supplies , ” Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly highlighted the utility for “ unacceptable ” delays in providing national water supplies including wastewater infrastructure , “ between January 2014 and December 2019 Irish Water invested €3.9 billion in public water and wastewater infrastructure , with a further projected spend of circa €5 billion by 2024 ” .
This resulted in lifting of boil water notices for approximately 80,000 customers ; upgrading over 250 water treatment plants , replacing over 30,000 lead service pipes and reducing leakage within distribution networks from 49 per cent to 42 per cent , he pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent of our supplies are still not as secure or as reliable as we would like them to be .
We will need to transform the public water supply over time to meet the challenges of historic underinvestment , ageing of our infrastructure and underperformance , ” Mr Laffey said .
Following the consultation period , Irish Water will finalise and adopt the framework plan of the NWRP , and complete four regional water resources plans for the north west ; south west , south east , and eastern and midlands region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water from the River Shannon and pipe it to the greater Dublin area , to alleviate the region ’ s water supply issues and over-reliance on the Liffey , will be incorporated in the second phase of the process .
Irish Water is continuing to prepare a planning application to An Bord Pleanála for the Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project ( WSP ) , including an environmental impact assessment report and natural impact statement , subject to enactment of new abstraction legislation .
“ In parallel , Irish Water will take account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its further development of the WSP .
There will be a further round of public consultation on WSP next year , ” it said .
Details of the consultation process are available at www.water.ie/nwrp

The plan to extract water from the River Shannon and pipe it to the greater Dublin area will be incorporated in the second phase of Irish Water’s process. Photograph: Alan Betson
Substantial population increases in major Irish cities and surrounding suburbs over the coming decades will create huge demand for drinking water, according to Irish Water.
Likely demand is spelt out in a draft framework document, part of its plan to develop the first National Water Resources Plan (NWRP), which when completed will set out how Ireland will move towards "a sustainable, secure and reliable drinking water supply over the next 25 years". It is open to publication consultation until February 16th, 2021.
When combined with increased demand arising from jobs growth, it says all options beyond additional abstraction will have to be considered including desalination of sea and estuarine waters and recycling of water – expensive methods of generating drinking water. Sourcing water in Northern Ireland may also be required.
The plan will cater for a population increase of one million people and creation of 660,000 net new jobs in the economy by 2040.
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"It is estimated that 34,000 houses will have to be built each year for the next decade just to meet demand of our growing population," said head of asset management with Irish Water Sean Laffey. More than 380,000 jobs would be supported directly by foreign and direct investment, "many of which are in water-intensive industries such as manufacturing and pharmaceuticals".
Infrastructure
The NWRP will provide a countrywide analysis to identify “the water we have, the water we use, the water we need and any potential risk to water quality” , he said.
“Our infrastructure is under increasing pressure to meet the current demand for water as a result of population growth, climate change, and our changing environment,” Mr Laffey said.
To prevent unplanned water outages, water conservation orders, reductions in pressure or restrictions to water supplies, it had to plan ahead. The investment required could be up to €20 billion, he confirmed.
“Ireland is not a water-stressed country. One week’s worth of rainfall will serve all of our needs for a full year. We have to make sure we take best advantage of that abundance of water that we have and that we tap into the right supplies,” Mr Laffey insisted.
While the EPA has repeatedly highlighted the utility for “unacceptable” delays in providing national water supplies including wastewater infrastructure, “between January 2014 and December 2019 Irish Water invested €3.9 billion in public water and wastewater infrastructure, with a further projected spend of circa €5 billion by 2024”.
This resulted in lifting of boil water notices for approximately 80,000 customers; upgrading over 250 water treatment plants, replacing over 30,000 lead service pipes and reducing leakage within distribution networks from 49 per cent to 42 per cent, he pointed out.
“However, over 50 per cent of our supplies are still not as secure or as reliable as we would like them to be. We will need to transform the public water supply over time to meet the challenges of historic underinvestment, ageing of our infrastructure and underperformance,” Mr Laffey said.
Four regional plans
Following the consultation period, Irish Water will finalise and adopt the framework plan of the NWRP, and complete four regional water resources plans for the north west; south west, south east, and eastern and midlands region including Dublin.
The plan to extract water from the River Shannon and pipe it to the greater Dublin area, to alleviate the region’s water supply issues and over-reliance on the Liffey, will be incorporated in the second phase of the process.
Irish Water is continuing to prepare a planning application to An Bord Pleanála for the Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project (WSP), including an environmental impact assessment report and natural impact statement, subject to enactment of new abstraction legislation.
“In parallel, Irish Water will take account of the findings of the NWRP in its further development of the WSP. There will be a further round of public consultation on WSP next year,” it said.
Details of the consultation process are available at www.water.ie/nwrp


theirishtimes--2020-12-08--December 8th ‘certainly different’ in Dublin with less rural shoppers on streets

On the traditional day when rural dwellers flocked to the capital for their Christmas shopping , this year Dublin city centre was “ certainly different ” , Kay Mealy from Drogheda observes as she take a photo of the Arnott ’ s Christmas window .
Ms Mealy and her husband are in town for an essential appointment and have just a couple of hours to browse the stores and soak up the festive atmosphere .
“ This is our first time down to Dublin during the Christmas period , ” she says .
Asked if she has done much online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her head , smiling : “ This is more or less the time to get it done , ” she adds .
Historically , December 8th was the date that marked the beginning of the Irish Christmas shopping rush and is a holy day that used to see most schools close .
In recent years the day has been overtaken by online shopping trends such as Black Friday .
And this year despite non-essential retail reopening after six weeks on December 1st , the restrictions on inter-county travel until December 18th have lessened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Among those shoppers to make the journey is Margaret from Mullingar .
She has most of her Christmas shopping finished by now but enjoyed spending December 8th “ pottering around ” Dublin ’ s bustling streets .
She has travelled over for the day with two of her friends , as is their festive tradition , but it is pure coincidence that they have arrived on this holy day , the Feast of the Immaculate Conception .
“ We come up to Dublin every year for a bit of shopping .
Normally we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but not this year , obviously , ” she says , adding that there is a “ nice atmosphere ” around Grafton Street .
Margaret says she did most of her Christmas shopping online this year due to the pandemic .
Today she is in search of a nice ring for herself to belatedly celebrate turning 60 last March .
“ I am treating myself… I don ’ t really have any shopping left to do so we are just up for the day to enjoy ourselves .
We are just pottering around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noon , Celine from Co Wicklow is bracing herself for the shops following morning mass in St Teresa ’ s Church just off Grafton Street .
She admits that she and her friend “ shouldn ’ t really be ” in the capital , as public health restrictions stipulate inter-county travel is allowed only if a person has a “ reasonable excuse ” .
“ We are breaking the rules , but it ’ s quite quiet and we are wearing the masks and being careful , ” she says , adding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
She missed Mass during the lockdowns and was grateful for the “ little oasis of calm ” on this holy day .
“ It ’ s nice at my age to get to it , ” she says , adding that they travelled specially for the Mass .
December 8th is not a day the pair particularly set aside for shopping , she adds .
On Anne Street South , Deirdre O ’ Donnell contemporary jewellery store has benefitted from a rush of shoppers over the last week .
December 8th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today than normal , but we have had people from all over Ireland come in recently ” , she says .
Owner Deirdre O ’ Donnell ’ s third Christmas season at her current location , she says she has never noticed an increase in footfall on December 8th .
However , since reopening for business one week ago her store has been “ very busy , ” she says .
“ We weren ’ t nervous about reopening because it was the second ( lifting of ) lockdown so we knew what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a par with last year , ” she adds .

On the traditional day when rural dwellers flocked to the capital for their Christmas shopping, this year Dublin city centre was “certainly different”, Kay Mealy from Drogheda observes as she take a photo of the Arnott’s Christmas window.
Ms Mealy and her husband are in town for an essential appointment and have just a couple of hours to browse the stores and soak up the festive atmosphere.
“This is our first time down to Dublin during the Christmas period,” she says.
Asked if she has done much online shopping this year, Ms Mealey shakes her head, smiling: “This is more or less the time to get it done,” she adds.
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Historically, December 8th was the date that marked the beginning of the Irish Christmas shopping rush and is a holy day that used to see most schools close.
In recent years the day has been overtaken by online shopping trends such as Black Friday. And this year despite non-essential retail reopening after six weeks on December 1st, the restrictions on inter-county travel until December 18th have lessened the rural shopping rush to Dublin.
Among those shoppers to make the journey is Margaret from Mullingar. She has most of her Christmas shopping finished by now but enjoyed spending December 8th “pottering around” Dublin’s bustling streets.
She has travelled over for the day with two of her friends, as is their festive tradition, but it is pure coincidence that they have arrived on this holy day, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
“We come up to Dublin every year for a bit of shopping. Normally we would stay in a hotel with friends but not this year, obviously,” she says, adding that there is a “nice atmosphere” around Grafton Street.
Margaret says she did most of her Christmas shopping online this year due to the pandemic. Today she is in search of a nice ring for herself to belatedly celebrate turning 60 last March.
“I am treating myself… I don’t really have any shopping left to do so we are just up for the day to enjoy ourselves. We are just pottering around,” she says.
Shortly before noon, Celine from Co Wicklow is bracing herself for the shops following morning mass in St Teresa’s Church just off Grafton Street.
She admits that she and her friend “shouldn’t really be” in the capital, as public health restrictions stipulate inter-county travel is allowed only if a person has a “reasonable excuse”.
“We are breaking the rules, but it’s quite quiet and we are wearing the masks and being careful,” she says, adding that they live “just over the border”. She missed Mass during the lockdowns and was grateful for the “little oasis of calm” on this holy day.
“It’s nice at my age to get to it,” she says, adding that they travelled specially for the Mass. December 8th is not a day the pair particularly set aside for shopping, she adds.
Deirdre O’Donnell outside her contemporary jewellery store on Anne Street South.
On Anne Street South, Deirdre O’Donnell contemporary jewellery store has benefitted from a rush of shoppers over the last week. December 8th has “not really been any busier today than normal, but we have had people from all over Ireland come in recently”, she says.
Owner Deirdre O’Donnell’s third Christmas season at her current location, she says she has never noticed an increase in footfall on December 8th.
However, since reopening for business one week ago her store has been “very busy,” she says.
“We weren’t nervous about reopening because it was the second (lifting of) lockdown so we knew what to expect… The footfall has been on a par with last year,” she adds.