theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Two Earth-like planets discovered by team led by Irish astrophysicist

Two nearby Earth-like planets , with many of the factors required for life , have been discovered by a team led by Irish astrophysicist Dr Sandra Jeffers .
The planets called 887b and 887c have been found orbiting a star called Gliese 887 which is 11 light years away ; making them next door neighbours in celestial terms .
“ One has a 9.8 day orbit and the other planet orbits at 22 days , ” explained Dr Jeffers .
We know that the mass [ of both ] is a few times that of the Earth which is why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explained Dr Jeffers who is based at the University of Gottingen , Germany .
An exoplanet is a planet located outside our solar system .
The first – 51 Pegasus B – was discovered in 1995 .
Since then about 4,000 more have been found .
Details of the latest discovery have been published in the journal Science .
Gliese 887 is a “ red dwarf ” , smaller than the sun .
Red dwarfs are common and associated with solar flare activity which can , over time , erode a planet ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at bay .
Gliese is exceptional because it is an inactive , benign red dwarf , Dr Jeffers said .
That ’ s good news for life on 887b and 887c , as it means they may have thick atmospheres , protecting life .
The Red Dot research team led by Dr Jeffers has had good success in recent years identifying the signals of Earth-like planets in nearby star systems .
“ Every exoplanet hunting team has their own area .
Our niche is targeting the nearest stars with intense observation , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by an instrument called the HARPS spectrograph ( High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher ) .
This telescope analyses starlight for tiny changes due to the gravitational pull of a planet on a star , known by scientists as the “ Doppler Wobble ” .
Certainly 887b and 887c will be targets of interest for NASA ’ s James Webb telescope which will be launched in coming years .
The lack of solar flares and activity around Gliese 887 , as well as its nearby location , will make the job of studying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeffers said .
The James Webb telescope will use infrared observations to get information about cloud coverage .
That can help scientists understand surface conditions .
However , there is some way to go before scientists can determine , with any scientific certainty , whether an exoplanet is home to life , or not .
“ To have a scientific grasp on life is going to be 20 or 30 years down the road , ” Dr Jeffers pointed out .
In a separate study also published by Science , geneticists at Trinity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bone of a dog found at a site in Siberian indicates humans were operating sledge dogs 9,500 years ago .
“ Today a dog is a pet , but back then a dog was a tool , and a sledge dog is a tool , ” said Dr Mikkel Sinding who led the research .
The island of Zhokov is is a well-known archaeological site , famous for its early evidence of dog breeding by humans .
In 2003 a bone from a dog called Zhokov , which gave the island its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Academy of Scientists .
Dr Sinding , who specialises in ancient DNA , got permission to study the bone .
“ We are very lucky in this regard because Siberia is a deep freezer , so the DNA was of quite good quality even though the bone was dissolved , ” he added .
The analysis shows sledge dogs emerged as a separate breed of dog at least as far back as 9,500 years ago among Siberian article people .
Separate evidence from arrow tips which were made from stones at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ancient people were highly mobile – their diet was made up of a huge abundance of polar bear and reindeer .
“ They had to transport big body parts back to camp , ” Dr Sinding noted .
“ You don ’ t just walk away with a reindeer , or walk away with a polar bear.
” The research suggests sledges pulled by specially-bred dogs was one of the first forms of human transportation .
“ It is comparable to when people in the Middle East invented the wheel , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the big things in human history .
It makes good sense that in this environment the modern sledge dogs arose , but it ’ s near mind blowing that you still have the exact same family of dogs as you had back then doing the same thing for almost 10,000 years .
”

Two nearby Earth-like planets, with many of the factors required for life, have been discovered by a team led by Irish astrophysicist Dr Sandra Jeffers.
The planets called 887b and 887c have been found orbiting a star called Gliese 887 which is 11 light years away; making them next door neighbours in celestial terms.
“One has a 9.8 day orbit and the other planet orbits at 22 days,” explained Dr Jeffers. We know that the mass [of both] is a few times that of the Earth which is why we call them super earths,” explained Dr Jeffers who is based at the University of Gottingen, Germany.
An exoplanet is a planet located outside our solar system. The first – 51 Pegasus B – was discovered in 1995. Since then about 4,000 more have been found. Details of the latest discovery have been published in the journal Science.
READ MORE
Gliese 887 is a “red dwarf”, smaller than the sun. Red dwarfs are common and associated with solar flare activity which can, over time, erode a planet’s atmosphere that keeps harmful solar rays at bay.
Gliese is exceptional because it is an inactive, benign red dwarf, Dr Jeffers said. That’s good news for life on 887b and 887c, as it means they may have thick atmospheres, protecting life.
The Red Dot research team led by Dr Jeffers has had good success in recent years identifying the signals of Earth-like planets in nearby star systems. “Every exoplanet hunting team has their own area. Our niche is targeting the nearest stars with intense observation,” she added.
The planets were identified by an instrument called the HARPS spectrograph (High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher). This telescope analyses starlight for tiny changes due to the gravitational pull of a planet on a star, known by scientists as the “Doppler Wobble”.
Certainly 887b and 887c will be targets of interest for NASA's James Webb telescope which will be launched in coming years.
The lack of solar flares and activity around Gliese 887, as well as its nearby location, will make the job of studying this system a lot easier, Dr Jeffers said.
The James Webb telescope will use infrared observations to get information about cloud coverage. That can help scientists understand surface conditions.
However, there is some way to go before scientists can determine, with any scientific certainty, whether an exoplanet is home to life, or not. “To have a scientific grasp on life is going to be 20 or 30 years down the road,” Dr Jeffers pointed out.
Sledge dogs discovery
In a separate study also published by Science, geneticists at Trinity College Dublin have confirmed DNA recovered from the bone of a dog found at a site in Siberian indicates humans were operating sledge dogs 9,500 years ago.
"Today a dog is a pet, but back then a dog was a tool, and a sledge dog is a tool," said Dr Mikkel Sinding who led the research.
The island of Zhokov is is a well-known archaeological site, famous for its early evidence of dog breeding by humans. In 2003 a bone from a dog called Zhokov, which gave the island its name, was recovered by researchers at the Russian Academy of Scientists.
Sledge dogs. Photograph: Carsten Egevang/Qimmeq
Dr Sinding, who specialises in ancient DNA, got permission to study the bone.
“We are very lucky in this regard because Siberia is a deep freezer, so the DNA was of quite good quality even though the bone was dissolved,” he added.
The analysis shows sledge dogs emerged as a separate breed of dog at least as far back as 9,500 years ago among Siberian article people.
Separate evidence from arrow tips which were made from stones at a site 1,500 km away indicates these ancient people were highly mobile – their diet was made up of a huge abundance of polar bear and reindeer.
“They had to transport big body parts back to camp,” Dr Sinding noted. “You don’t just walk away with a reindeer, or walk away with a polar bear.”
The research suggests sledges pulled by specially-bred dogs was one of the first forms of human transportation.
“It is comparable to when people in the Middle East invented the wheel,” he believed. “It’s one of the big things in human history. It makes good sense that in this environment the modern sledge dogs arose, but it’s near mind blowing that you still have the exact same family of dogs as you had back then doing the same thing for almost 10,000 years.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Four arrests after TikTok video of man with shotgun on Dublin street

Gardaí have arrested four men and seized shotgun cartridges and cocaine during searches prompted by video footage of a young man walking around a Dublin housing estate with what looked like a shotgun .
The suspect , with a mask or scarf pulled up over his face , was filmed walking around a housing estate in Mulhuddart , Co Dublin , with the suspected firearm .
Gardaí believe the incident was staged and the man with the firearm knew he was being filmed and was effectively posing for the camera .
The short video emerged on TikTok and was shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aware of it on Wednesday .
After studying the footage gardaí established the location and carried out raids targeting suspects .
While no firearm was seized during the operation , in Mulhuddart , four arrests were made after a large team of officers went into the area to conduct searches including the Public Order Unit , or riot squad , Armed Response Unit and Emergency Response Unit .
The searches were led by local gardaí assigned to Blanchardstown and Cabra Garda stations in Dublin .
“ On Wednesday , June 24th , gardaí @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on social media of an incident in the Mulhuddart area , ” Garda Headquarters said of the incident and follow-up search operation .
The statement added about 9.15pm on Wednesday a large team of gardaí carried out searches in Mulhuddart , including in the Wellview area of the Co Dublin suburb , where a search operation under warrant was conducted .
“ During the course of the search operation , six shotgun cartridges were seized along with suspected cocaine , pending analysis , with an estimated value of €2,800 , ” the Garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , all male , were arrested ; three detained in Blanchardstown Garda station and one in Ronanstown Garda station .
All four men are being detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act and the Garda investigation was continuing .

The suspect was filmed walking around a housing estate in Mulhuddart, Co Dublin. File photograph: The Irish Times
Gardaí have arrested four men and seized shotgun cartridges and cocaine during searches prompted by video footage of a young man walking around a Dublin housing estate with what looked like a shotgun.
The suspect, with a mask or scarf pulled up over his face, was filmed walking around a housing estate in Mulhuddart, Co Dublin, with the suspected firearm.
Gardaí believe the incident was staged and the man with the firearm knew he was being filmed and was effectively posing for the camera.
The short video emerged on TikTok and was shared around social media, with gardaí becoming aware of it on Wednesday. After studying the footage gardaí established the location and carried out raids targeting suspects.
READ MORE
While no firearm was seized during the operation, in Mulhuddart, four arrests were made after a large team of officers went into the area to conduct searches including the Public Order Unit, or riot squad, Armed Response Unit and Emergency Response Unit.
The searches were led by local gardaí assigned to Blanchardstown and Cabra Garda stations in Dublin.
“On Wednesday, June 24th, gardaí became aware of a recent video circulating on social media of an incident in the Mulhuddart area,” Garda Headquarters said of the incident and follow-up search operation.
The statement added about 9.15pm on Wednesday a large team of gardaí carried out searches in Mulhuddart, including in the Wellview area of the Co Dublin suburb, where a search operation under warrant was conducted.
“During the course of the search operation, six shotgun cartridges were seized along with suspected cocaine, pending analysis, with an estimated value of €2,800,” the Garda added.
Four suspects in their 20s, all male, were arrested; three detained in Blanchardstown Garda station and one in Ronanstown Garda station. All four men are being detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act and the Garda investigation was continuing.


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Boy (10) dies following collision between bicycle and jeep in Co Carlow

The 10-year-old cyclist who was injured in a collision with a jeep in Co Carlow on Thursday has died .
@ @ @ @ @ a bicycle and a jeep occurred at about 1.30pm on Thursday in the Ballymartin area @ @ @ @ @ .
The cyclist , a 10-year-old boy , was airlifted to Temple Street Children ’ @ @ @ @ @ he was later pronounced dead due to the injuries he sustained in the incident .
@ @ @ @ @ for any witnesses to this collision to come forward .
Particularly any road users who @ @ @ @ @ including dash-cam footage , and who were travelling in the area at the time to @ @ @ @ @ Gardaí .
Anyone with information is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station on 059 913 @ @ @ @ @ Line on 1800 666 111

Gardaí are continuing to appeal for any witnesses to this collision to come forward. File photograph: PA
The 10-year-old cyclist who was injured in a collision with a jeep in Co Carlow on Thursday has died.
A road traffic collision involving a bicycle and a jeep occurred at about 1.30pm on Thursday in the Ballymartin area of Borris, Co Carlow.
The cyclist, a 10-year-old boy, was airlifted to Temple Street Children’s hospital in Dublin where he was later pronounced dead due to the injuries he sustained in the incident.
Gardaí are continuing to appeal for any witnesses to this collision to come forward. Particularly any road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam footage, and who were travelling in the area at the time to make this footage available to Gardaí.
READ MORE
Anyone with information is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station on 059 913 6620 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Driver and cyclist die following crash in Co Limerick

Two men have died following a collision between a car and a bicycle early on Friday morning in Co Limerick .
The incident occurred at about 12.15am on Friday , on the Hyde Road in Limerick .
The male driver of the car and a male cyclist were both pronounced dead at the scene .
A spokesman for the gardaí said their ages are unconfirmed at this time .
A front seat passenger in the car , a male youth in his teens , was also injured in the collision and was taken by ambulance to University Hospital , Limerick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other injuries were reported .
Forensic Collision Investigators will examine the scene on Friday morning .
The road remains closed with local diversions in place .
Gardaí at Roxboro Road are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to come forward .
Gardaí are also appealing for any road users who may have camera footage ( including dash-cam ) who were travelling in the area at the time to make this footage available to them .
Anyone with information is asked to contact Roxboro Road Garda station on 061 214340 or the Garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @

A motorist (17) and a cyclist in his 30s were killed in a Limerick collision on Friday morning in a scene described by a priest as "total carnage"
Local priest, Fr John Walsh was called by gardai to attend the scene at Hyde Road overnight to bless the bodies after the collision at about 12.15am
The driver of the car, named locally as Paddy O’Reilly, (17), from Castletroy, was pronounced dead at the scene t.
A second male passenger was taken being treated at University Hospital Limerick for non life-threatening injuries. The male cyclist, who was also pronounced dead at the scene, is understood to be a native of Eastern Europe.
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Fr Walsh said he was called to the scene around 2am, to administer the last rites to both victims.
“I said the prayer of the holy anointing over them both, and I blessed them and prayed for their families of course.”
“To be honest there was a kind of an eery quietness about the place at the time. Total carnage, that’s what it really was.”.
A dark-coloured car resting on a grass verge off the side of the road was covered by tarpaulin and later removed from the scene for a Garda technical examination.
Garda forensic collision investigators carried out a detailed technical examination of the scene. A Garda spokesman appealed for witnesses to the incident which happened at about 12.15am on Friday and for any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam). Anyone with information is asked to contact Roxboro Road Garda station on 061-214340 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111.


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Lifting the lockdown: What can I do from this Monday?

The Government last night confirmed Ireland will move to Phase 3 of the Roadmap for Reopening Business and Society from Monday , June 29th .
Here is the revised roadmap for unlocking Ireland , and what you can do from next week : • Travel throughout the State , including the islands , will be permitted .
• Pubs operating as restaurants can open on Monday , while others must remain closed until July 20th • Indoor mass gatherings are limited to 50 people , but there is an exception for places of worship which will also open on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
• Face coverings will be mandatory on public transport , with plans to sanction those breaching the rules .
• A 14-day quarantine remains in place , but foreign travel restrictions will be eased from July 9th .
A green list will be compiled before then , detailing the countries people can travel between without having to undergo quarantine .
• Hairdressers , barbers , salons , spas , make-up application services , tanning , tattooing and piercing services can all reopen on Monday .
• Cultural outlets , including museums @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open , as can the hospitality sector , including cafes , restaurants , and hotel bars serving food .
• Hotels , caravan parks , holiday parks , hostels and swimming pools can open again .
• Team leagues for adults and children , as well as close-contact sports and organised sporting spectator events – with crowd limits in place can begin on Monday .
• The next phase is scheduled to begin on July 20th , when pubs , bars , hotel bars and casinos can reopen , with the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 500 , and 100 indoors .

Shane Curran who owns the Kings Head Barber Shop on Sandwith Street Upper in Dublin has to had to make significant changes to his premises ahead of next week’s reopening as Covid-19 restrictions ease. Video: Bryan O’Brien
The Government last night confirmed Ireland will move to Phase 3 of the Roadmap for Reopening Business and Society from Monday, June 29th. Here is the revised roadmap for unlocking Ireland, and what you can do from next week: Travel throughout the State, including the islands, will be permitted.
Pubs operating as restaurants can open on Monday, while others must remain closed until July 20th
Indoor mass gatherings are limited to 50 people, but there is an exception for places of worship which will also open on Monday. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 200 people.
Face coverings will be mandatory on public transport, with plans to sanction those breaching the rules.
A 14-day quarantine remains in place, but foreign travel restrictions will be eased from July 9th. A green list will be compiled before then, detailing the countries people can travel between without having to undergo quarantine.
Hairdressers, barbers, salons, spas, make-up application services, tanning, tattooing and piercing services can all reopen on Monday.
Cultural outlets, including museums, galleries, theatres and cinemas can open, as can the hospitality sector, including cafes, restaurants, and hotel bars serving food.
Hotels, caravan parks, holiday parks, hostels and swimming pools can open again.
Adult education centres, creches, childminders, preschools, summer and youth camps can reopen.
Team leagues for adults and children, as well as close-contact sports and organised sporting spectator events – with crowd limits in place can begin on Monday.
The next phase is scheduled to begin on July 20th, when pubs, bars, hotel bars and casinos can reopen, with the number of people permitted at an outdoor event rising to 500, and 100 indoors.


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Tributes paid to teacher after body recovered from sea in Co Kerry

Warm tributes have been paid to a Cork schoolteacher whose body was recovered from the sea off west Kerry on Thursday afternoon , some six days after he was last seen alive .
John Cunningham ( 52 ) , who was from the Lough on Cork ’ s southside but had been living in Dún Chaoin on the Dingle Peninsula for the past year , had been last seen alive on Saturday , June 20th .
He was reported missing by a neighbour on Monday , June 22nd and gardaí from Dingle began a search operation for Mr Cunningham , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his job as a secondary school teacher in Cork to move to Kerry .
The Irish Coast Guard had assisted with the search , which was co-ordinated by the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre on Valentia Island and involved searches by the Dingle Coast Guard Unit of the shoreline around Slea Head .
The Irish Coast Guard Sikorski helicopter – Rescue 115 – based at Shannon also carried out sweeps of the sea near Slea Head , while a drone operated by members of the Irish Coast Guard from Doolin in Co Clare was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cunningham may have been swept into the sea sometime on Saturday afternoon after he went to check on lobster pots near Coumeenole in advance of forecasts of storms hitting the southwest coast .
Gardaí found Mr Cunningham ’ s jeep parked at his house near Coumeenole and when they checked with mobile phone providers on his mobile phone activity , they found his phone switched off shortly after 12 noon on Saturday .
Up to 50 local volunteers from the Dingle Peninsula , as well as friends from Cork who travelled to west @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Cunningham who was a former member of the Dingle Hill Walking Club .
Members of the Mallow Search and Rescue Unit also travelled to the area to assist in the search and divers attached to the unit recovered Mr Cunningham ’ s body from deep water in an inlet near Dún Mór Head on Thursday afternoon .
The divers handed Mr Cunningham ’ s body over to gardaí and his remains were removed to Kerry University Hospital where it is expected a postmortem will take place on Friday which gardaí hope will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile in Cork , tributes have been paid to the popular school teacher who played hurling and football with the Gleann Na Laoi GAA club , based in Kerry Pike , just northwest of Cork city .
“ Very sorry to hear this tragic news about John who was a great servant to our club .
.
.
rest in peace , ” said Gleann na Laoi in a tribute posted by the club on its Facebook page after news broke that Mr Cunningham ’ s body had been found .
Another tribute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who said people would miss Mr Cunningham ’ s charm while recalling that he had painted the Grotto at Slea Head on Friday June 19th , less than 24 hours before he went missing .

Warm tributes have been paid to a Cork schoolteacher whose body was recovered from the sea off west Kerry on Thursday afternoon, some six days after he was last seen alive.
John Cunningham (52), who was from the Lough on Cork's southside but had been living in Dún Chaoin on the Dingle Peninsula for the past year, had been last seen alive on Saturday, June 20th.
He was reported missing by a neighbour on Monday, June 22nd and gardaí from Dingle began a search operation for Mr Cunningham, who had taken a career break from his job as a secondary school teacher in Cork to move to Kerry.
The Irish Coast Guard had assisted with the search, which was co-ordinated by the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre on Valentia Island and involved searches by the Dingle Coast Guard Unit of the shoreline around Slea Head.
READ MORE
The Irish Coast Guard Sikorski helicopter – Rescue 115 – based at Shannon also carried out sweeps of the sea near Slea Head, while a drone operated by members of the Irish Coast Guard from Doolin in Co Clare was also deployed.
It was feared Mr Cunningham may have been swept into the sea sometime on Saturday afternoon after he went to check on lobster pots near Coumeenole in advance of forecasts of storms hitting the southwest coast.
Gardaí found Mr Cunningham’s jeep parked at his house near Coumeenole and when they checked with mobile phone providers on his mobile phone activity, they found his phone switched off shortly after 12 noon on Saturday.
Up to 50 local volunteers from the Dingle Peninsula, as well as friends from Cork who travelled to west Kerry, assisted with the search for Mr Cunningham who was a former member of the Dingle Hill Walking Club.
Members of the Mallow Search and Rescue Unit also travelled to the area to assist in the search and divers attached to the unit recovered Mr Cunningham's body from deep water in an inlet near Dún Mór Head on Thursday afternoon.
The divers handed Mr Cunningham’s body over to gardaí and his remains were removed to Kerry University Hospital where it is expected a postmortem will take place on Friday which gardaí hope will establish the cause of his death.
Meanwhile in Cork, tributes have been paid to the popular school teacher who played hurling and football with the Gleann Na Laoi GAA club, based in Kerry Pike, just northwest of Cork city.
"Very sorry to hear this tragic news about John who was a great servant to our club . . . rest in peace," said Gleann na Laoi in a tribute posted by the club on its Facebook page after news broke that Mr Cunningham's body had been found.
Another tribute was paid by Noel O’Leary who said people would miss Mr Cunningham’s charm while recalling that he had painted the Grotto at Slea Head on Friday June 19th, less than 24 hours before he went missing.


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Direct provision: How the controversial system may be demolished

On a clear cold day in early May , onlookers peering through the gates of Leinster House could make out the figures of a handful of prominent Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs including Micheál Martin and Charlie Flanagan .
It was the first full day of government formation talks .
Standing well apart , the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael politicians could be seen laughing together before they made their way for the opening round of talks with the Greens .
That day saw the first of the Green Party ’ s red lines .
Its negotiators , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told the two bigger parties that they would not budge on their demand to end direct provision .
No “ ambiguity ” would be accepted .
The topic was put to one side , while solutions were sought .
Eventually , a deal was struck with input from party deputy leaders Catherine Martin , Dara Calleary and Simon Coveney .
“ You don ’ t get these things across the line without people laying their bodies on the tracks for it , ” said one source .
In the end , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for government committing to ending direct provision and replacing it with a “ new international protection accommodation policy , centred on a not-for-profit approach ” .
A White Paper will come by the end of year , along with “ annualised capital and current investment ” to fund changes .
While groups such as the Irish Refugee Council strongly endorsed the pledges , they also warned that there have been “ false dawns ” before .
Doubts exist that a 20-year-old system can be rapidly dismantled : “ That ’ s not going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t fool ourselves , it is a big job , there are 7,700 people who need to be provided with alternative accommodation , ” O ’ Gorman told party members later .
The agreement will lay out the accommodation model before the end of the year , “ but it will be centred on the not-for-profit model , so no more of this private operators creaming off profits , ” he said .
How exactly it will be done has not yet been worked out .
Already , the parties are pulling in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fáil emphasise reducing the length of time an asylum seeker stays in the system .
The Greens want the model changed , not “ improved upon ” .
Accommodation , they say , should be provided by new , or existing approved housing bodies , not private operators ; while asylum seekers could qualify for a HAP-like allowances , alongside local authority support to find a home .
Mindful of the housing crisis , with nearly 70,000 people on the waiting list , Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil say , nevertheless , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accommodation .
A solution , if it can be found , will be a mixture of what everyone wants .
Confident that major reform will come , Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan cautions against simple slogans .
“ We must have a rules-based system , ” he says , “ Amnesties and free-for-alls are easier said than done .
“ We need to observe EU laws and international conventions .
To me the key reform will be the length of time applicants wait .
I ’ d like all applications dealt with within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions made , ” he told The Irish Times .
“ There are too many applicants in the system for too long .
There are almost 1,000 people in direct provision who have status to remain here , their cases have been decided .
Most are working and they really should no longer be in direct provision .
“ There are many applicants for international protection from so-called ‘ safe countries of origin ’ , some are even EU candidate countries .
It ’ s somewhat odd that so many persons are ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries .
This too needs to be dealt with.
” The cost of ending direct provision is unknown .
The last report on the matter dates back to 2010 , which warned that own-door asylum accommodation would cost twice as much .
This year , direct provision will cost the State about €200 million .
Shifting the system from private providers to one run by not-for-profit operators will not be easy either , as evidenced by last year ’ s Oireachtas Committee on Justice report .
Just three of the existing 39 centres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest are private .
That same report expressed concern regarding the “ lack of transparency and public oversight ” of the private companies , with many Oireachtas members doubting that they should be involved in “ delivering vital services to particularly vulnerable people ” .
However , committee members said they were “ cognisant that the general shortage of accommodation in Ireland could greatly limit the feasibility of alternative options to the current direct provision accommodation type ” .
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said State-provided options “ may well be the right model @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the minute a planning application goes in ” .
The State ’ s attitude will need to change , but so , too , will the public ’ s .
The next step comes in September when former European Commission secretary-general Catherine Day delivers her report on reform of direct provision , which will heavily influence the White Paper due later in the year .
So how are asylum seekers and refugees accommodated around Europe ?
Are there lessons for Ireland ?
An examination of the asylum system existing across the European Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law stemming from the 1990s , arrivals who claim asylum are the responsibility of the first country they set foot in – leaving border states such as Italy and Greece bearing a disproportionate weight .
Efforts to share the burden have stalled for years .
Last year , the largest number of asylum seekers came from Syria , followed by Afghanistan , Venezuela , Colombia and Iraq .
Just under a third are children .
More than three-quarters are under 35 .
Nearly two-thirds are male .
Men and boys travel first , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The number applying roughly doubled in 2015 and 2016 , spurred by the Syrian war .
However , it dropped to 676,300 in 2019 .
Germany was the most popular , receiving 142,400 applications last year .
France and Spain each got roughly 20 per cent of all applications .
Greece received 74,900 applications and Italy 35,000 .
By contrast , Ireland received just 1,090 applications last year , reflecting its geographic isolation and its relative lack of popularity among asylum-seekers .
The percentage of successful asylum seekers varies widely : 66.2 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Just 8.5 per cent did so in Hungary .
Ireland is close to the EU average , approving roughly half of first-time applications .
The rules governing asylum accommodation vary widely in the EU .
Sometimes , local governments are in charge , not the national one .
Most states offer a mix of housing : emergency provision , collective centres , or flats and houses .
In Greece , tens of thousands of people live in refugee camps , sleeping in tents or , sometimes , in the open , often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exist elsewhere , while homelessness is a major problem for asylum seekers in many European cities .
Ireland ’ s direct-provision system is increasingly common across the EU .
In principle , they are not necessarily regarded as a bad thing by refugee rights advocates .
Everything depends on the execution , though experts say people should stay in them for no longer than six months .
Ireland ’ s system is closest to that of the Netherlands , where asylum seekers are housed in centres , sometimes in rural locations .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and their own kitchens .
In Ireland , some have self-catering kitchens , but others do not .
All of them are required to be self-catering by next year .
People stay too long in Irish centres , some for up to a decade .
In 2017 , the Belgian court of auditors found refugees there spent an average of 13 months in reception centres , which it found to be “ far too long ” .
In earlier years a high percentage of Irish applications were ultimately rejected , with policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision to make the system unappealing to dissuade future applications .
In Sweden , asylum seekers can live in a collective centre or in a rented flat .
Housing is dispersed around the country , but some municipalities refuse to take part .
“ The Swedish mostly opt for apartments , ” said Petra Baeyens , the senior legal counsel at the European Council on Refugees and Exiles .
“ They strongly believe it increases self-reliance and integration.
” In Spain , asylum seekers get help to find housing after six months in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other barriers , some end up homeless .
Other states have set time limits to force people out of reception accommodation .
Collective centres are thought to be cheaper than individual housing , but a Belgian study found the opposite .
Apartments or houses were up to €20 per head per day cheaper .
Individual housing is not necessarily problem-free , either .
In Britain , asylum- seekers are housed in privately-owned houses and apartments , but there are strong criticism about conditions and the separation of families .
“ What happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken on by large-scale landlords .
They ’ ve very much profit-driven , ” said Nick Henderson , chief executive of the Irish Refugee Council .

Protesters outside Leinster House in May call for the end of direct provision. This year, direct provision will cost the State about €200 million. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
On a clear cold day in early May, onlookers peering through the gates of Leinster House could make out the figures of a handful of prominent Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs including Micheál Martin and Charlie Flanagan.
It was the first full day of government formation talks. Standing well apart, the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael politicians could be seen laughing together before they made their way for the opening round of talks with the Greens.
That day saw the first of the Green Party's red lines. Its negotiators, including Dublin West TD Roderic O'Gorman, told the two bigger parties that they would not budge on their demand to end direct provision. No "ambiguity" would be accepted.
The topic was put to one side, while solutions were sought. Eventually, a deal was struck with input from party deputy leaders Catherine Martin, Dara Calleary and Simon Coveney. "You don't get these things across the line without people laying their bodies on the tracks for it," said one source.
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Not-for-profit model
In the end, the Greens scored a victory with the programme for government committing to ending direct provision and replacing it with a “new international protection accommodation policy, centred on a not-for-profit approach”.
A White Paper will come by the end of year, along with "annualised capital and current investment" to fund changes. While groups such as the Irish Refugee Council strongly endorsed the pledges, they also warned that there have been "false dawns" before.
Doubts exist that a 20-year-old system can be rapidly dismantled: “That’s not going to be easy and we shouldn’t fool ourselves, it is a big job, there are 7,700 people who need to be provided with alternative accommodation,” O’Gorman told party members later.
The agreement will lay out the accommodation model before the end of the year, “but it will be centred on the not-for-profit model, so no more of this private operators creaming off profits,” he said.
How exactly it will be done has not yet been worked out. Already, the parties are pulling in different directions. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil emphasise reducing the length of time an asylum seeker stays in the system. The Greens want the model changed, not “improved upon”.
Accommodation, they say, should be provided by new, or existing approved housing bodies, not private operators; while asylum seekers could qualify for a HAP-like allowances, alongside local authority support to find a home.
A group of asylum seekers from the Eglinton direct provision centre in Galway. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
Mindful of the housing crisis, with nearly 70,000 people on the waiting list, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil say, nevertheless, that they are open to own-door and self-catering accommodation. A solution, if it can be found, will be a mixture of what everyone wants.
Confident that major reform will come, Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan cautions against simple slogans. “We must have a rules-based system,” he says, “Amnesties and free-for-alls are easier said than done.
“We need to observe EU laws and international conventions. To me the key reform will be the length of time applicants wait. I’d like all applications dealt with within six to nine months of arrival and decisions made,” he told The Irish Times.
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
“There are too many applicants in the system for too long. There are almost 1,000 people in direct provision who have status to remain here, their cases have been decided. Most are working and they really should no longer be in direct provision.
“There are many applicants for international protection from so-called ‘safe countries of origin’, some are even EU candidate countries. It’s somewhat odd that so many persons are ‘fleeing persecution and oppression’ from these countries. This too needs to be dealt with.”
Unknown cost
The cost of ending direct provision is unknown. The last report on the matter dates back to 2010, which warned that own-door asylum accommodation would cost twice as much. This year, direct provision will cost the State about €200 million.
Shifting the system from private providers to one run by not-for-profit operators will not be easy either, as evidenced by last year's Oireachtas Committee on Justice report. Just three of the existing 39 centres were purpose-built by the State. The rest are private.
That same report expressed concern regarding the “lack of transparency and public oversight” of the private companies, with many Oireachtas members doubting that they should be involved in “delivering vital services to particularly vulnerable people”.
However, committee members said they were "cognisant that the general shortage of accommodation in Ireland could greatly limit the feasibility of alternative options to the current direct provision accommodation type".
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said State-provided options "may well be the right model", but public objections occur "the minute a planning application goes in". The State's attitude will need to change, but so, too, will the public's.
The next step comes in September when former European Commission secretary-general Catherine Day delivers her report on reform of direct provision, which will heavily influence the White Paper due later in the year.
So how are asylum seekers and refugees accommodated around Europe? Are there lessons for Ireland? An examination of the asylum system existing across the European Union offers few easy answers.
Under EU law stemming from the 1990s, arrivals who claim asylum are the responsibility of the first country they set foot in – leaving border states such as Italy and Greece bearing a disproportionate weight. Efforts to share the burden have stalled for years.
Last year, the largest number of asylum seekers came from Syria, followed by Afghanistan, Venezuela, Colombia and Iraq. Just under a third are children. More than three-quarters are under 35. Nearly two-thirds are male. Men and boys travel first, hoping to bring their families later.
The number applying roughly doubled in 2015 and 2016, spurred by the Syrian war. However, it dropped to 676,300 in 2019. Germany was the most popular, receiving 142,400 applications last year. France and Spain each got roughly 20 per cent of all applications.
A small boat filled with migrants come ashore after making the crossing from Turkey, near the village of Skala, on Lesbos island in Greece, in November 2015. Photograph: Sergey Ponomarev/New York Times
Greece received 74,900 applications and Italy 35,000. By contrast, Ireland received just 4,780 applications last year, reflecting its geographic isolation and its relative lack of popularity among asylum-seekers.*
The percentage of successful asylum seekers varies widely: 66.2 per cent are approved first time in Spain. Just 8.5 per cent did so in Hungary. Ireland is close to the EU average, approving roughly half of first-time applications.
Wide variations in rules
The rules governing asylum accommodation vary widely in the EU. Sometimes, local governments are in charge, not the national one. Most states offer a mix of housing: emergency provision, collective centres, or flats and houses.
In Greece, tens of thousands of people live in refugee camps, sleeping in tents or, sometimes, in the open, often lacking running water. Smaller such camps exist elsewhere, while homelessness is a major problem for asylum seekers in many European cities.
Ireland’s direct-provision system is increasingly common across the EU. In principle, they are not necessarily regarded as a bad thing by refugee rights advocates. Everything depends on the execution, though experts say people should stay in them for no longer than six months.
Ireland's system is closest to that of the Netherlands, where asylum seekers are housed in centres, sometimes in rural locations. However, the Dutch residents have more independence, and their own kitchens. In Ireland, some have self-catering kitchens, but others do not. All of them are required to be self-catering by next year.
People stay too long in Irish centres, some for up to a decade. In 2017, the Belgian court of auditors found refugees there spent an average of 13 months in reception centres, which it found to be “far too long”.
In earlier years a high percentage of Irish applications were ultimately rejected, with policy partially motivated by a Department of Justice decision to make the system unappealing to dissuade future applications.
In Sweden, asylum seekers can live in a collective centre or in a rented flat. Housing is dispersed around the country, but some municipalities refuse to take part.
"The Swedish mostly opt for apartments," said Petra Baeyens, the senior legal counsel at the European Council on Refugees and Exiles. "They strongly believe it increases self-reliance and integration."
In Spain, asylum seekers get help to find housing after six months in a collective centre. Due to shortages and other barriers, some end up homeless. Other states have set time limits to force people out of reception accommodation.
Collective centres are thought to be cheaper than individual housing, but a Belgian study found the opposite. Apartments or houses were up to €20 per head per day cheaper.
Individual housing is not necessarily problem-free, either. In Britain, asylum- seekers are housed in privately-owned houses and apartments, but there are strong criticism about conditions and the separation of families.
"What happens in the UK is that has been taken on by large-scale landlords. They've very much profit-driven," said Nick Henderson, chief executive of the Irish Refugee Council.
*This article was amended on June 29th 2020 to correct an error, the number of applications for asylum was 4,780 and not 1,090 as previously stated


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Irish-based fraud gang ripped off victims as far away as South Korea and Colombia

An Irish-based international crime gang lured people from as far away as Colombia and South Korea into buying non-existent vehicles and luxury items online , with the money for the bogus sales going into bank accounts in the State The Garda investigation has established the fraudsters then recruited people with no convictions to carry the money out of Ireland on flights to Romania .
In one case a male victim based in another jurisdiction was buying a piece of jewellery valued at about €50,000 after seeing it advertised on a website .
The money was paid into an Irish account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the transactions linked to the account and contacted gardaí .
Detectives then made contact with the buyer and informed him that the transaction he was engaged in was a suspected fraud and that the piece of jewellery he was buying likely did not exist .
The man insisted the transaction should go ahead , despite gardaí warning him .
However , the Garda froze the transaction so the money the man had paid was not available to the fraudsters .
The cash was later returned to him when further inquiries proved beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to receive money from unsuspecting victims buying phantom goods .
The Irish Times has also learned the same Romanian gang based in Ireland created two websites purporting to be the online presence of legitimate Irish companies selling agricultural vehicles and machinery who did not have websites .
The gang then offered phantom tractors and other vehicles for sale online , with some unsuspecting buyers each paying €20,000 to purchase machines .
The money went to bank accounts set up by the gang using false IDs and other forged documents .
The money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrived into the accounts , so it was gone by the time the buyers realised they had been defrauded .
The gang typically offered non-existent vehicles and other items for sale in one country , with the money always going into a bank account in another country .
This ensured the gang had time to withdraw the money before the victims realised they had been defrauded , reported it to the police in their home country and that police force established contact with law enforcement in other countries .
A team of investigators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , under Det Supt Michael Cryan , in 2018 established that the gang had arrived in Ireland about a year earlier and was targeting victims in the State and across Europe .
Of the 126 people involved in the scam in Ireland , split into five groups or cells , 70 people opened bank accounts using 189 fake IDs and forged documents .
Some €4.7 million was received into these bank accounts .
Some of the same gang members operating in Ireland were running the same scams in other EU countries , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European bank accounts .
A total of 14 people have been arrested in the State to date in relation to the fraud , all from Romania , and gardaí were now working with the authorities in Romania with a view to seizing assets owned by the gang members .
There are also significant investigations ongoing into the gang in other European countries .
Andrei Ciocan ( 32 ) , formerly of Glenoughty Close , Letterkenny , Co Donegal , on Tuesday pleaded guilty at Roscommon Circuit Court to money laundering charges involving some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using a false Romanian national identity card and a false Romanian driving licence to create bank accounts .
The offences occurred between March 2017 and March 2019 and were committed as part of the Romanian gang ’ s activities in Ireland .

An Irish-based international crime gang lured people from as far away as Colombia and South Korea into buying non-existent vehicles and luxury items online, with the money for the bogus sales going into bank accounts in the State
The Garda investigation has established the fraudsters then recruited people with no convictions to carry the money out of Ireland on flights to Romania.
In one case a male victim based in another jurisdiction was buying a piece of jewellery valued at about €50,000 after seeing it advertised on a website. The money was paid into an Irish account but the bank was suspicious of some of the transactions linked to the account and contacted gardaí.
Detectives then made contact with the buyer and informed him that the transaction he was engaged in was a suspected fraud and that the piece of jewellery he was buying likely did not exist. The man insisted the transaction should go ahead, despite gardaí warning him.
READ MORE
However, the Garda froze the transaction so the money the man had paid was not available to the fraudsters. The cash was later returned to him when further inquiries proved beyond doubt that the bank account was being used to receive money from unsuspecting victims buying phantom goods.
Phantom tractors
The Irish Times has also learned the same Romanian gang based in Ireland created two websites purporting to be the online presence of legitimate Irish companies selling agricultural vehicles and machinery who did not have websites.
The gang then offered phantom tractors and other vehicles for sale online, with some unsuspecting buyers each paying €20,000 to purchase machines. The money went to bank accounts set up by the gang using false IDs and other forged documents.
The money was often withdrawn as soon as it arrived into the accounts, so it was gone by the time the buyers realised they had been defrauded. The gang typically offered non-existent vehicles and other items for sale in one country, with the money always going into a bank account in another country. This ensured the gang had time to withdraw the money before the victims realised they had been defrauded, reported it to the police in their home country and that police force established contact with law enforcement in other countries.
A team of investigators in the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, under Det Supt Michael Cryan, in 2018 established that the gang had arrived in Ireland about a year earlier and was targeting victims in the State and across Europe.
Of the 126 people involved in the scam in Ireland, split into five groups or cells, 70 people opened bank accounts using 189 fake IDs and forged documents. Some €4.7 million was received into these bank accounts.
Some of the same gang members operating in Ireland were running the same scams in other EU countries, with more than €21 million lodged into other European bank accounts.
Arrest
A total of 14 people have been arrested in the State to date in relation to the fraud, all from Romania, and gardaí were now working with the authorities in Romania with a view to seizing assets owned by the gang members. There are also significant investigations ongoing into the gang in other European countries.
Andrei Ciocan (32), formerly of Glenoughty Close, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, on Tuesday pleaded guilty at Roscommon Circuit Court to money laundering charges involving some €80,000.
He also pleaded guilty to using a false Romanian national identity card and a false Romanian driving licence to create bank accounts. The offences occurred between March 2017 and March 2019 and were committed as part of the Romanian gang’s activities in Ireland.


theirishtimes--2020-06-27--Developer wants indemnity in exchange for €1m to fix faults, residents told

The developer of hundreds of Dublin apartments affected by building defects is withholding a €1 million contribution to fixing the faults , and demanding an indemnity from future litigation before paying any money over , owners of the apartments have been told .
Simonsridge in Sandyford in south Dublin , which consists of 632 apartments , was built in 2006 by developer Shannon Homes .
Issues first came to light last year after a preliminary investigation uncovered a range of potential fire safety issues in common areas , as well as other structural and fire-stopping elements .
According to correspondence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March of this year Shannon Homes had agreed , following an “ intensive negotiation process ” , to contribute €1 million towards the fire remediation process at the apartments .
The development ’ s owners management company ( OMC ) – a legal entity composed of all the apartment owners in a development , which is in charge of running apartment blocks – told owners : “ This is one million euros of hard cash that will be handed to the OMC with immediate effect , to apply to our fire remediation project.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was hoped at the time that the contribution from Shannon Homes , in addition to a €2,000 levy placed on all apartment owners would “ be sufficient to make all of our apartments fire-safe , and to make all of our apartments sellable ” .
Some works , funded by the levy , are already underway at the apartments .
However , in an email sent to all apartment owners on Monday night , Simonsridge OMC wrote that it is “ encountering significant difficulty finalising matters with Shannon Homes ” .
“ Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the OMC ] , the agreement made has not been honoured .
We have not received any contribution from Shannon Homes , never mind the €1 million agreed , ” the email reads .
It states that the developer is also demanding assurances from apartment owners and the OMC “ to reduce any further potential liability ” .
“ Specifically , Shannon Homes now require that 100 per cent of OMC members vote to accept an indemnity to Shannon Homes with respect to any future litigation from owners in consideration of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the email states .
“ As you will no doubt appreciate , this request is unrealistic as none of us knows what the future might hold in respect to our development .
It is also a major deviation from the agreement made , ” the directors of the OMC told residents .
Neither Shannon Homes nor the OMC responded to requests for comment made a number of times this week .
The March correspondence to the apartment owners also reveals the terms of a deal which it is claimed had been struck between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the agreement , a Shannon Homes subsidiary involved in the development would be “ allowed to proceed with their strike-off application ” , which apartment owners had objected to .
Common areas in the development which were still owned by the developer would be transferred to the OMC .
The apartment owners would also give an undertaking not to make a submission to An Bórd Pleanála regarding a nearby project currently being developed by Shannon Homes , the 496-unit Taylor ’ s Lane project .
Concerns about the development were initially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncovered a range of potential fire-safety issues .
These issues were passed on to Dublin Fire Brigade , which in turn asked Shannon Homes to undertake a full investigation at the scheme .
Later investigations on a sample of apartments revealed “ a significant number of fire-safety deficiencies with workmanship and building materials ” .
A report on the development found that a fire could spread and breach protected hallways within apartments in less than 30 minutes .
Pipes passing through compartment levels of apartments were not fitted with fire-rated collars and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the underside of the concrete slab above ” .
The cost of remediating the issues was estimated at up to €14,000 for each apartment , with up to another €30,000 for remedies to each of 32 common areas , meaning repairs could cost up to €10 million .
However , the report noted that significant cost savings could likely be achieved .
In November , apartment owners at the Sandyford development voted to accept a €2,000 levy per apartment , to be imposed in two tranches .
They have been told that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defects if Shannon Homes does not come forward with a contribution .

The developer of hundreds of Dublin apartments affected by building defects is withholding a €1 million contribution to fixing the faults, and demanding an indemnity from future litigation before paying any money over, owners of the apartments have been told.
Simonsridge in Sandyford in south Dublin, which consists of 632 apartments, was built in 2006 by developer Shannon Homes. Issues first came to light last year after a preliminary investigation uncovered a range of potential fire safety issues in common areas, as well as other structural and fire-stopping elements.
According to correspondence sent to apartment owners at Simonsridge in March of this year Shannon Homes had agreed, following an “intensive negotiation process”, to contribute €1 million towards the fire remediation process at the apartments.
The development’s owners management company (OMC) – a legal entity composed of all the apartment owners in a development, which is in charge of running apartment blocks – told owners: “This is one million euros of hard cash that will be handed to the OMC with immediate effect, to apply to our fire remediation project.”
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According to the letter, it was hoped at the time that the contribution from Shannon Homes, in addition to a €2,000 levy placed on all apartment owners would “be sufficient to make all of our apartments fire-safe, and to make all of our apartments sellable”. Some works, funded by the levy, are already underway at the apartments.
However, in an email sent to all apartment owners on Monday night, Simonsridge OMC wrote that it is “encountering significant difficulty finalising matters with Shannon Homes”.
“Despite the ongoing efforts of the board [of the OMC], the agreement made has not been honoured. We have not received any contribution from Shannon Homes, never mind the €1 million agreed,” the email reads. It states that the developer is also demanding assurances from apartment owners and the OMC “to reduce any further potential liability”.
“Specifically, Shannon Homes now require that 100 per cent of OMC members vote to accept an indemnity to Shannon Homes with respect to any future litigation from owners in consideration of the payment of the €1 million,” the email states.
“As you will no doubt appreciate, this request is unrealistic as none of us knows what the future might hold in respect to our development. It is also a major deviation from the agreement made,” the directors of the OMC told residents.
Neither Shannon Homes nor the OMC responded to requests for comment made a number of times this week.
The March correspondence to the apartment owners also reveals the terms of a deal which it is claimed had been struck between the developer and the OMC.
Common areas
As part of the agreement, a Shannon Homes subsidiary involved in the development would be “allowed to proceed with their strike-off application”, which apartment owners had objected to. Common areas in the development which were still owned by the developer would be transferred to the OMC. The apartment owners would also give an undertaking not to make a submission to An Bórd Pleanála regarding a nearby project currently being developed by Shannon Homes, the 496-unit Taylor’s Lane project.
Concerns about the development were initially raised last year after a preliminary investigation uncovered a range of potential fire-safety issues. These issues were passed on to Dublin Fire Brigade, which in turn asked Shannon Homes to undertake a full investigation at the scheme.
Later investigations on a sample of apartments revealed “a significant number of fire-safety deficiencies with workmanship and building materials”. A report on the development found that a fire could spread and breach protected hallways within apartments in less than 30 minutes.
Pipes passing through compartment levels of apartments were not fitted with fire-rated collars and “internal protected hallways do not extend to the underside of the concrete slab above”.
The cost of remediating the issues was estimated at up to €14,000 for each apartment, with up to another €30,000 for remedies to each of 32 common areas, meaning repairs could cost up to €10 million. However, the report noted that significant cost savings could likely be achieved.
In November, apartment owners at the Sandyford development voted to accept a €2,000 levy per apartment, to be imposed in two tranches. They have been told that they face a second levy to fix the defects if Shannon Homes does not come forward with a contribution.


theirishtimes--2020-06-27--Explainer: What can the over-70s do from Monday’s reopening phase?

The State – largely – reopens on Monday , leaving people over 70 and the medically vulnerable with choices to make .
Urging caution , the chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan , nevertheless , accepts that normal life “ has to resume ” .
What is this group generally being advised to do from Monday ?
Use one ’ s judgment .
Maintain physical distancing from visitors and when visiting .
Use face coverings during indoor visits and while out shopping or in busy public places .
Should the over-70s and medically vulnerable travel anywhere in Ireland ?
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Horgan , infectious diseases physician and president of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland , said travelling to remote or rural areas with low infection rates is a “ safe thing to do ” .
“ It is following simple rules : the three Cs – avoiding crowds , avoiding too many contacts and avoiding closed environments that are not well ventilated , ” she said .
Should such people travel sooner rather than later ?
Probably .
Virus levels are now very low , so now might be the time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is people ’ s opportunity .
If you want to visit those frail elderly [ friends or relatives ] , this is your time to do it because it is never going to be better , ” said Dr Mary Favier , Cork-based GP and president of the Irish College of General Practitioners .
“ We have the lowest [ Covid-19 ] incidence rate in Europe at the moment and I am guessing it will probably never be lower than this week because it will rise during the easing of the restrictions inevitably.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a loved one or permit sleepovers for grandchildren ?
The usual distancing advice applies , but the vulnerable should be more careful .
Dr Eoin Feeney , an infectious diseases specialist at St Vincent ’ s hospital in Dublin , says relatives can stay with loved ones if they stay apart while in the house , keep washing hands and if everyone is well .
“ If you are indoors and close to people , we are recommending that face coverings are worn .
If someone is upstairs and someone else is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a problem with that , ” he said .
What about hugging ?
Can people in vulnerable groups hug others ?
Again , it is down to best judgment and personal choices , health experts say .
Doctors say not every person over 70 is at the same risk .
Older people with other illnesses are at greater risk With good hand hygiene and wearing face coverings inside , Dr Feeney says “ limited hugs ” are “ reasonable ” because community transmission is currently low .
Risks must be assessed but “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relative ’ s visit .
Dr Mary Favier said different people face different risks .
One of her 75-year-old patients wants to go back out on their motorcycle .
Another is more frail , has not left the house for months and needs to start with exercising at home .
“ It is all about the balance of the risks , ” she said , adding that GPs offer older patients the opportunity and space to explore the subject .
“ Often they are over-protected by over-zealous relatives , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ older people , said older people must exercise their own judgment “ on how to live their lives ” , but they need accurate information .
There is “ a level of frustration ” at the vagueness of the guidelines , said Age Action ’ s Celine Clarke , especially about the ones due to come into force when Phase 4 kicks in on July 20th .

A select number of Ireland’s National Cultural Institutions will reopen after the weekend, including the National Gallery, the National Library and IMMA. Video: Bryan O’Brien
The State – largely – reopens on Monday, leaving people over 70 and the medically vulnerable with choices to make. Urging caution, the chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan, nevertheless, accepts that normal life "has to resume".
What is this group generally being advised to do from Monday?
Use one’s judgment. Maintain physical distancing from visitors and when visiting. Use face coverings during indoor visits and while out shopping or in busy public places.
Should the over-70s and medically vulnerable travel anywhere in Ireland?
READ MORE
There is nothing stopping them. Prof Mary Horgan, infectious diseases physician and president of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, said travelling to remote or rural areas with low infection rates is a "safe thing to do".
“It is following simple rules: the three Cs – avoiding crowds, avoiding too many contacts and avoiding closed environments that are not well ventilated,” she said.
Should such people travel sooner rather than later?
Probably. Virus levels are now very low, so now might be the time to visit much-missed loved ones.
"This is people's opportunity. If you want to visit those frail elderly [friends or relatives], this is your time to do it because it is never going to be better," said Dr Mary Favier, Cork-based GP and president of the Irish College of General Practitioners.
"We have the lowest [Covid-19] incidence rate in Europe at the moment and I am guessing it will probably never be lower than this week because it will rise during the easing of the restrictions inevitably."
Should people over 70 stay overnight with a loved one or permit sleepovers for grandchildren?
The usual distancing advice applies, but the vulnerable should be more careful.
Dr Eoin Feeney, an infectious diseases specialist at St Vincent's hospital in Dublin, says relatives can stay with loved ones if they stay apart while in the house, keep washing hands and if everyone is well.
“If you are indoors and close to people, we are recommending that face coverings are worn. If someone is upstairs and someone else is downstairs, I don’t see a problem with that,” he said.
What about hugging? Can people in vulnerable groups hug others?
Again, it is down to best judgment and personal choices, health experts say. Doctors say not every person over 70 is at the same risk. Older people with other illnesses are at greater risk
With good hand hygiene and wearing face coverings inside, Dr Feeney says “limited hugs” are “reasonable” because community transmission is currently low. Risks must be assessed but “everyone” needs the lift of a relative’s visit.
Dr Mary Favier said different people face different risks. One of her 75-year-old patients wants to go back out on their motorcycle. Another is more frail, has not left the house for months and needs to start with exercising at home.
“It is all about the balance of the risks,” she said, adding that GPs offer older patients the opportunity and space to explore the subject. “Often they are over-protected by over-zealous relatives,” she said.
Age Action, the advocacy group for older people, said older people must exercise their own judgment "on how to live their lives", but they need accurate information. There is "a level of frustration" at the vagueness of the guidelines, said Age Action's Celine Clarke, especially about the ones due to come into force when Phase 4 kicks in on July 20th.


theirishtimes--2020-06-27--New maternity hospital will be bound by Irish, not canon, law

The holding company being established to run St Vincent ’ s University Hospital and the new National Maternity Hospital will be bound by Irish law and not canon law , lawyers for St Vincent ’ s have told the Department of Health .
The company , St Vincent ’ s Holdings CLG , is being set up as the owners of St Vincent ’ s , the Sisters of Charity , cease involvement with the hospital .
The constitution and articles of the new company have been approved by the Charities Regulator and the Revenue Commissioners , according to St @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documents on its website on Friday .
McCann Fitzgerald , lawyers for St Vincent ’ s Healthcare Group , wrote to the department late last month in response to a request for confirmation that canon law would have no impact on the holding company once incorporated .
Donal O Raghallaigh , for McCann Fitzgerald , wrote that he had reviewed the constitution of the company , which will be incorporationed pursuant to the Companies Act 2014 “ shortly ” .
“ The company and its directors will be bound by Irish law and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Constitution makes no reference to Canon Law and Canon Law shall have no impact on the company , ” Mr O Raghallaigh says in the letter .
According to the constitution , the main object of the company is to advance healthcare in Ireland by “ promoting medical education , medical research and patient care in all areas of medicine through the St Vincent ’ s Healthcare Group and to reflect compliance with national and international best practice guidelines on medical ethics and the laws of Ireland ” .
A subsidiary object @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of an Irish healthcare system that achieves best outcomes for patients and their families regardless of race , ethnicity , religion , gender or personal means ” .
Another subsidiary object will be to be true to the core values of human dignity , compassion , justice , quality and advocacy .
According to the articles of association , the directors of the company should be appointed after consultation with a number of bodies , whose names have been redacted from the document “ pending confirmation ” .
A spokeswoman for St @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with representative bodies in the “ health , legal and financial sectors ” and these would be listed in the constitution when it is filed with the companies office .
The list did not include church bodies , she said .
A long-running dispute over the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital to St Vincent ’ s is set to come before the NMH ’ s annual general meeting next Tuesday .
Former NMH master Dr Peter Boylan has written to the board of the hospital seeking to have his objection to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agm .
Dr Boylan has called for the resignation of NMH deputy chairman Nicky Kearns over his handling of the project , but his call has been rejected by the board .
The relocation project is backed by both the NMH and St Vincent ’ s , but has been beset by controversy , in particular relating to concerns over ethos .
While the Sisters of Charity are withdrawing from all involvement with St Vincent ’ s , this process has yet to be completed and the project is well behind schedule @

The National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street. The hospital’s relocation project has been beset by controversy, in particular relating to concerns over ethos. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
The holding company being established to run St Vincent's University Hospital and the new National Maternity Hospital will be bound by Irish law and not canon law, lawyers for St Vincent's have told the Department of Health.
The company, St Vincent’s Holdings CLG, is being set up as the owners of St Vincent’s, the Sisters of Charity, cease involvement with the hospital.
The constitution and articles of the new company have been approved by the Charities Regulator and the Revenue Commissioners, according to St Vincent’s, which published the documents on its website on Friday.
McCann Fitzgerald, lawyers for St Vincent's Healthcare Group, wrote to the department late last month in response to a request for confirmation that canon law would have no impact on the holding company once incorporated.
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Donal O Raghallaigh, for McCann Fitzgerald, wrote that he had reviewed the constitution of the company, which will be incorporationed pursuant to the Companies Act 2014 "shortly".
‘No impact’
“The company and its directors will be bound by Irish law and by the provisions of the Constitution. The Constitution makes no reference to Canon Law and Canon Law shall have no impact on the company,” Mr O Raghallaigh says in the letter.
According to the constitution, the main object of the company is to advance healthcare in Ireland by "promoting medical education, medical research and patient care in all areas of medicine through the St Vincent's Healthcare Group and to reflect compliance with national and international best practice guidelines on medical ethics and the laws of Ireland".
A subsidiary object will be “to be a valuable part of an Irish healthcare system that achieves best outcomes for patients and their families regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender or personal means”.
Another subsidiary object will be to be true to the core values of human dignity, compassion, justice, quality and advocacy.
According to the articles of association, the directors of the company should be appointed after consultation with a number of bodies, whose names have been redacted from the document “pending confirmation”.
A spokeswoman for St Vincent’s said consultation was ongoing with representative bodies in the “health, legal and financial sectors” and these would be listed in the constitution when it is filed with the companies office. The list did not include church bodies, she said.
Long-running dispute
A long-running dispute over the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital to St Vincent’s is set to come before the NMH’s annual general meeting next Tuesday.
Former NMH master Dr Peter Boylan has written to the board of the hospital seeking to have his objection to the relocation plan put on the agenda of the agm.
Dr Boylan has called for the resignation of NMH deputy chairman Nicky Kearns over his handling of the project, but his call has been rejected by the board.
The relocation project is backed by both the NMH and St Vincent’s, but has been beset by controversy, in particular relating to concerns over ethos. While the Sisters of Charity are withdrawing from all involvement with St Vincent’s, this process has yet to be completed and the project is well behind schedule.


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--More than €5million raised for Irish charities through RTÉ’s Comic Relief

A total of €5,071,701 has been raised for Ireland ’ s community and voluntary sector through RTÉ ’ s Comic Relief event .
Irish actors , musicians , comedians and presenters took part , from around the globe , on Friday for RTÉ Does Comic Relief to help raise funds , which were then matched by the Government up to the value of €3 million .
Some €2,535,850 was raised through public donations to Friday ’ s show , which featured appearances from Saoirse Ronan , Hozier , Niall Horan and the cast of Derry Girls .
The highlight of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crossover between hit shows Normal People and Fleabag , which brought actors Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar Jones together with Andrew Scott for a rendition of Tracy Chapman ’ s Baby Can I Hold You Tonight in a church confession box .
An RTÉ tweet featuring a clip of the sketch , which was written by playwright Conor McPherson and directed by Lenny Abrahamson , had already attracted 212,000 views by 12:30am on Saturday .
Later in the show , members of the RTÉ Concert orchestra joined Hozier in an otherwise empty Croke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garfunkel ’ s Bridge Over Troubled Water in memory of all those who died during the Covid-19 pandemic .
The show also featured a jump back in time to the early 1990s , with Ray D ’ arcy retaking his seat as the Den presenter accompanied by Zig , Zag and Dustin , as well as the return of the 2000 Irish comedy Paths to Freedom .
Brian O ’ Driscoll and Amy Huberman took on Chris O ’ Dowd and Dawn O ’ Porter in a lip-sync battle , while the 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joined forces for an all-in-white Westlife rendition .
Anne Doyle presented news bulletins from Waterford Whispers , The Panel hosts Dara O ’ Briain , Colin Murphy and Neil Delamere were reunited , and ukulele players from around Ireland presented their new-found musical skills developed during the pandemic .
The event was hosted by Deirdre O ’ Kane , Nicky Byrne , Baz Ashmawy , Jennifer Zamparelli , and Eoghan McDermott , RTÉ and Comic Relief ’ s charity partner for the event , The Community Foundation For Ireland , will distribute the @ @ @

Paul Mescal, who plays Connell and Daisy Edgar Jones, who plays Marianne in Normal People. Photograph: Enda Bowe
A total of €5,071,701 has been raised for Ireland’s community and voluntary sector through RTÉ’s Comic Relief event.
Irish actors, musicians, comedians and presenters took part, from around the globe, on Friday for RTÉ Does Comic Relief to help raise funds, which were then matched by the Government up to the value of €3 million.
Some €2,535,850 was raised through public donations to Friday’s show, which featured appearances from Saoirse Ronan, Hozier, Niall Horan and the cast of Derry Girls.
What a performance from @hozier
We miss Croker
Whatever colour your county jersey is get involved in #RTEComicRelief and give what you can.
DONATE | https://t.co/pilQZIdhsT@RTEOnepic.twitter.com/ho4uCJeDCD — RTÉ (@rte) June 26, 2020
The highlight of Friday’s variety show was the crossover between hit shows Normal People and Fleabag, which brought actors Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar Jones together with Andrew Scott for a rendition of Tracy Chapman’s Baby Can I Hold You Tonight in a church confession box.
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An RTÉ tweet featuring a clip of the sketch, which was written by playwright Conor McPherson and directed by Lenny Abrahamson, had already attracted 212,000 views by 12:30am on Saturday.
Later in the show, members of the RTÉ Concert orchestra joined Hozier in an otherwise empty Croke Park for a rendition of Simon and Garfunkel' s Bridge Over Troubled Water in memory of all those who died during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The show also featured a jump back in time to the early 1990s, with Ray D'arcy retaking his seat as the Den presenter accompanied by Zig, Zag and Dustin, as well as the return of the 2000 Irish comedy Paths to Freedom.
Brian O’Driscoll and Amy Huberman took on Chris O’Dowd and Dawn O’Porter in a lip-sync battle, while the 2 Johnnies, Marty Morrissey and Des Cahil joined forces for an all-in-white Westlife rendition.
Anne Doyle presented news bulletins from Waterford Whispers, The Panel hosts Dara O'Briain, Colin Murphy and Neil Delamere were reunited, and ukulele players from around Ireland presented their new-found musical skills developed during the pandemic.
The event was hosted by Deirdre O’Kane, Nicky Byrne, Baz Ashmawy, Jennifer Zamparelli, and Eoghan McDermott,
RTÉ and Comic Relief’s charity partner for the event, The Community Foundation For Ireland, will distribute the funds raised.


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Thinking Anew – Christianity is to be lived more than admired

The German mystic Meister Eckhart said that man knows so many things but does not know himself .
“ Go into your own ground ” he said , “ and learn to know yourself.
” Brian Harper , a journalist and author who writes from a Christian perspective , would agree .
In his book Less is More , he invites his readers to question what defines them : “ It ’ s usually the headlines from our CV that provide the defining moments of our lives .
.
.
But when we stop to ask what matters , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have to be defined by the headline moments alone ( or not at all ) .
We are not necessarily the sum total of our qualifications , or the roles we ’ ve had , or the heights we ’ ve scaled .
Instead , it may be the smallest of details , the humblest of actions , the most disposable of throwaway lines – even things we ’ ve forgotten we ’ ve done – that help truly to define who we are.
” That reference to “ throwaway lines ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RTÉ interview recently with 17-year-old Brandon Fay .
Brandon had been on work experience in a Dublin hospital when he was diagnosed with Covid-19 and ended up in hospital , an experience he described as “ very frightening ” .
He was particularly struck by a comment by one of the nurses : “ I ’ ll never forget the words the nurse said to me on the ward one day .
I was a bit upset as I was away from everybody .
She came in and was doing a set of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And she goes : ‘ We ’ re your mammy for the next few days.
’ Her words just stuck with me and I felt if I can be anything like her , I know I ’ ll achieve my goal.
” That throwaway line “ We ’ re your mammy ” ( it sounds wonderfully Irish ) and the care that went with it strengthened that young man ’ s ambition to become a nurse .
On recent Sundays , we have been reading passages from St Matthew ’ s Gospel which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his disciples for mission .
Tomorrow is more of the same , except for this : “ And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple – truly I tell you , none of these will lose their reward.
” It could not be clearer .
Jesus is making the point that it is ordinary people doing the simple things that authenticate Christian discipleship .
Christianity is to be lived more than admired and that happens every time we take the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a card or make that phone call – simple opportunities that come our way each day to say to someone that they matter , that they are not forgotten , that someone cares .
Restricted access to church buildings in recent months has been distressing for clergy and people , especially those who are regular church goers .
The loss of the Eucharist , the Sacrament of Christ ’ s presence , has been especially painful , but in a parable Jesus spoke of his presence in a different sense which remains constant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you gave me something to eat , I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink , I was a stranger and you invited me in , I needed clothes and you clothed me , I was sick and you looked after me , I was in prison and you came to visit me .
.
.
whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine , you did for me.
” Jesus is closer than we realise and “ being ” Christian is not confined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or indeed people we know .
As a young woman exited Dublin ’ s Pearse train station on a winter ’ s day she passed by a homeless man sitting on the footpath .
She went into a nearby shop only to return with a coffee and sandwich which she gave the man .
In that moment of grace Jesus was present both in a homeless man and a woman who did what was needed before quietly disappearing into the morning rush .

“Simple opportunities that come our way each day to say to someone that they matter, that they are not forgotten, that someone cares.” Photograph: Christian Ender/Getty Images
The German mystic Meister Eckhart said that man knows so many things but does not know himself. “Go into your own ground” he said, “and learn to know yourself.”
Brian Harper, a journalist and author who writes from a Christian perspective, would agree. In his book Less is More, he invites his readers to question what defines them: “It’s usually the headlines from our CV that provide the defining moments of our lives . . . But when we stop to ask what matters, the good news is that we don’t have to be defined by the headline moments alone (or not at all). We are not necessarily the sum total of our qualifications, or the roles we’ve had, or the heights we’ve scaled. Instead, it may be the smallest of details, the humblest of actions, the most disposable of throwaway lines – even things we’ve forgotten we’ve done – that help truly to define who we are.”
That reference to “throwaway lines” came to mind when listening to an RTÉ interview recently with 17-year-old Brandon Fay.
Brandon had been on work experience in a Dublin hospital when he was diagnosed with Covid-19 and ended up in hospital, an experience he described as “very frightening”. He was particularly struck by a comment by one of the nurses: “I’ll never forget the words the nurse said to me on the ward one day. I was a bit upset as I was away from everybody. She came in and was doing a set of observations and giving me my medication. And she goes: ‘We’re your mammy for the next few days.’ Her words just stuck with me and I felt if I can be anything like her, I know I’ll achieve my goal.”
READ MORE
That throwaway line “We’re your mammy” (it sounds wonderfully Irish) and the care that went with it strengthened that young man’s ambition to become a nurse.
On recent Sundays, we have been reading passages from St Matthew’s Gospel which are mostly about Jesus preparing and equipping his disciples for mission.
Tomorrow is more of the same, except for this: “And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple – truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”
It could not be clearer. Jesus is making the point that it is ordinary people doing the simple things that authenticate Christian discipleship. Christianity is to be lived more than admired and that happens every time we take the trouble to write a letter, send a card or make that phone call – simple opportunities that come our way each day to say to someone that they matter, that they are not forgotten, that someone cares.
Restricted access to church buildings in recent months has been distressing for clergy and people, especially those who are regular church goers. The loss of the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Christ’s presence, has been especially painful, but in a parable Jesus spoke of his presence in a different sense which remains constant: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me . . . whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Jesus is closer than we realise and “being” Christian is not confined to a church building, a liturgy or indeed people we know. As a young woman exited Dublin’s Pearse train station on a winter’s day she passed by a homeless man sitting on the footpath. She went into a nearby shop only to return with a coffee and sandwich which she gave the man. In that moment of grace Jesus was present both in a homeless man and a woman who did what was needed before quietly disappearing into the morning rush.


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Air bridges, budgets, climate: challenges face new cabinet

The new Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael-Green Party government will take office with a series of challenging issues to address from the @ @ @ @ @ commitments in the programme for government itself , the new cabinet – expected to be @ @ @ @ @ also have to contend with the ongoing efforts to deal with the coronavirus pandemic .

The new Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael-Green Party government will take office with a series of challenging issues to address from the off.
As well as commitments in the programme for government itself, the new cabinet – expected to be appointed on Saturday – will also have to contend with the ongoing efforts to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
Ministers will have to decide on a number of issues on that front in the coming weeks: which countries to include in the “air bridges” that will allow travellers entering Ireland avoid the need to quarantine for 14 days; when to launch a new contact tracing app; how to open schools in September; and whether and how to proceed to the fourth and final phase of the plan to lift coronavirus restrictions on July 20th.
Covid-19 will be the overriding concern of the first year of the new government’s term: how to keep the virus suppressed, manage any potential second wave later in the year and rebuild an economy emerging from deep freeze.
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Measures expected as part of the July Jobs Initiative include the establishment of taskforces for sectors of the economy to plan for a new national economic plan
One of the expected centrepieces of the new government’s first weeks in office will be the “July Jobs Initiative” which will outline how to support the economy and “restore employment”.
The programme for government says this initiative, which is to be underpinned by a recovery fund – will aim to “help some of the worst-hit sectors such as tourism and hospitality, retail, entertainment and the arts, construction (retrofit), public companies and the third-level sector”.
The new coalition will, at the same time, lay out the future of the wage subsidy scheme that is helping support the hundreds of thousands of workers. It will also have to decide the future of the weekly pandemic unemployment payment, “based on the principles of fairness and equity”.
Other measures expected as part of the July Jobs Initiative include the establishment of taskforces for sectors of the economy to plan for a new national economic plan, which will be unveiled at the time of the October budget.
Enterprise sector
The Minister for Business and the Minister for Finance will also convene a group to help the small and medium enterprise sector cope with economic fallout from Covid-19.
The Department of the Taoiseach will also review the economy to "identify the sectors that have the greatest opportunity to grow and sustain quality employment in light of the continuing public-health crisis, the resulting geopolitical trends, and the long-term challenges of the climate crisis, technological disruption and future public health challenges".
Legislation will also be passed to introduce the €2 billion credit guarantee scheme as well as the warehousing of tax liabilities announced in recent weeks by the outgoing government to help businesses through the current crisis.
With no extension to the post-Brexit transition period – which sees the UK remaining in the EU single market and Customs Union until the end of the year – pressure will also mount in the months ahead for a new trade deal to be struck.
Clarity is also needed on how the Northern Ireland protocol will operate at the end of the transition period, meaning that the issue of Brexit, which dominated the term of the last government, will weigh heavily at the outset of the new administration's term too.
Bitter debate
The Green Party, after an at times bitter debate on whether to enter government at all, will also want to ensure that its priorities are emphasised at the outset.
Among the series of actions the programme for government says will be taken withing the first 100 days is the passage of a new Climate Action Bill through the Oireachtas. The deal commits the State to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and this will be "set in law by the Climate Action Bill".
The Bill will lay out how five-year carbon budgets will be set with every sector of economy expected to contribute. Carbon budgeting will become a legal requirement.
The Bill will also establish a climate action council “on an independent statutory footing” and ban the sale of new diesel cars and the importing of second-hand diesel cars, by 2030. A new climate action fund will also be established within 100 days.


theirishtimes--2020-06-26--Trump says he is staying in Washington to protect law and order

US president Donald Trump on Friday canceled a planned weekend visit to his golf resort in Bedminster , New Jersey , and said he was staying in Washington DC “ to make sure LAW & ORDER is enforced ” .
“ The arsonists , anarchists , looters , and agitators have been largely stopped , ” Mr Trump wrote on Twitter .
“ I am doing what is necessary to keep our communities safe - and these people will be brought to Justice !
” Mr Trump has pledged to take a hard line on anyone destroying or vandalising historical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force on some protesters , as activism against racial injustice sweeps the country .
Mr Trump said on Twitter that he had signed a “ very strong ” executive order protecting monuments .
The text of the order has not been released .
The 2003 Veterans Memorial Preservation Act provides for prison terms of up to 10 years for destroying or attempting to destroy monuments commemorating those who served in the US armed forces .
Hundreds of unarmed Washington DC National Guard troops are on standby to assist law enforcement personnel with protecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down a statue of former president Andrew Jackson in a park near the White House on Monday .
Calls for the removal of these monuments come in conjunction with Black Lives Matter protests , which were sparked by the death of George Floyd , a Black man killed in police custody in Minneapolis last month .
Mr Trump ’ s decision to cancel his trip to New Jersey comes amid a spike in coronavirus cases in many states .
White House spokesman Judd Deere said the cancellation was not related to New Jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with high coronavirus infection rates self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival .
Mr Trump visited one of the states with high rates , Arizona , earlier this week .
– ( Reuters )

US president Donald Trump displays a signed executive order during an American Workforce Policy Advisory Board meeting in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Photograph: Al Drago/Bloomberg
US president Donald Trump on Friday canceled a planned weekend visit to his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, and said he was staying in Washington DC “to make sure LAW & ORDER is enforced”.
“The arsonists, anarchists, looters, and agitators have been largely stopped,” Mr Trump wrote on Twitter. “I am doing what is necessary to keep our communities safe - and these people will be brought to Justice!”
Mr Trump has pledged to take a hard line on anyone destroying or vandalising historical US monuments and has threatened to use force on some protesters, as activism against racial injustice sweeps the country.
...I am doing what is necessary to keep our communities safe — and these people will be brought to Justice! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 26, 2020
Mr Trump said on Twitter that he had signed a “very strong” executive order protecting monuments. The text of the order has not been released.
READ MORE
The 2003 Veterans Memorial Preservation Act provides for prison terms of up to 10 years for destroying or attempting to destroy monuments commemorating those who served in the US armed forces.
Hundreds of unarmed Washington DC National Guard troops are on standby to assist law enforcement personnel with protecting monuments, after protesters tried to tear down a statue of former president Andrew Jackson in a park near the White House on Monday.
Calls for the removal of these monuments come in conjunction with Black Lives Matter protests, which were sparked by the death of George Floyd, a Black man killed in police custody in Minneapolis last month.
Mr Trump’s decision to cancel his trip to New Jersey comes amid a spike in coronavirus cases in many states.
White House spokesman Judd Deere said the cancellation was not related to New Jersey’s requirement that visitors from states with high coronavirus infection rates self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
Mr Trump visited one of the states with high rates, Arizona, earlier this week. – (Reuters)