theirishtimes--2020-01-08--Hospitals’ reliance on junior doctors a threat to patient safety – report

Doctors of “ uncertain ” professional ability and “ limited ” experience are being recruited to work in Irish hospitals while more experienced staff leave in massive numbers for jobs abroad , a major new report has warned .
The report says this “ turnover effect ” , generated through an over-reliance on junior doctors who are not training to be consultants , may compromise patient safety .
Without these doctors , most of whom are from outside the EU , many hospitals could not continue to provide 24/7 cover and other essential services , the report recently presented to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ ad hoc ” way doctors are employed currently is not sustainable , and patient care is likely to be compromised if current trends continue , it warns .
Spending on agency staff is also likely to increase further , and smaller hospitals will struggle to maintain existing service levels .
Details of its findings come in a record week for overcrowding in hospital emergency departments , with 760 admitted patients waiting for beds on Tuesday , matching Monday ’ s unprecedented level .
Minister for Health Simon Harris said on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleviate the trolley crisis , as well as additional consultants and changes in work practice .
The new report was drawn up by a working group including clinical lead Prof Des Carney of the Mater Hospital and Prof Frank Murray , director of the HSE National Doctors Training and Planning ( NDTP ) service .
The report focuses on non-training scheme doctors , basically all junior doctors ( non-consultant hospital doctors , or NCHDs ) who are not on a training path to become a consultant .
This group accounts for about half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 70 per cent in smaller hospitals – higher than in comparable countries such as Australia or the UK .
Almost 60 per cent of these doctors were trained outside the EU ; 26 per cent alone studied medicine in Pakistan , and 16 per cent in Sudan .
Since 2014 , the number of non-training scheme doctors in the Irish system has soared , from 900 to 2,724 last year , after the European Working Time Directive limited long working hours for doctors .
Other factors behind the increase include the emigration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retaining medical staff and restrictions on trainee numbers .
“ The two-tier consultant salary structure in Ireland , [ and ] attractive consultant and GP posts and training opportunities abroad with better working conditions are contributing factors , ” the report adds .
Many non-training scheme doctors are frustrated with their lack of a career path and difficulties accessing training opportunities .
Often , non-EU doctors find their intern year and other prior experience is not recognised , and priority is given to candidates for training posts from EU states .
Ireland has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EU , at 39 per cent , the NDTP report notes , but one of the lowest numbers of consultants internationally .
An earlier draft of the report warned hospitals could have to discontinue services due to a reliance on “ transient ” junior doctors , but these references have been dropped from the final version presented to the HSE board in November .
It has been obtained by The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act .
A separate report by the group found 153 doctors who were not on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were nonetheless being employed as consultants , as a result of recruitment and retention issues .
Again , smaller hospitals were most affected .
The MacCraith report into medical training came out in 2014 and made 25 recommendations , including the development of career structures for NCHDs to be overseen by an implementation committee .
When Mr Justice Peter Kelly and TDs raised issues around these doctors in May 2018 , this committee wrote to the HSE asking for the position to be reviewed .
A project team was then set up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murray , then president of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and director of the NDTP .

The ad hoc way in which doctors are employed is not sustainable, and patient care is likely to be compromised if current trends continue, a major report warns
Doctors of “uncertain” professional ability and “limited” experience are being recruited to work in Irish hospitals while more experienced staff leave in massive numbers for jobs abroad, a major new report has warned.
The report says this “turnover effect”, generated through an over-reliance on junior doctors who are not training to be consultants, may compromise patient safety.
Without these doctors, most of whom are from outside the EU, many hospitals could not continue to provide 24/7 cover and other essential services, the report recently presented to the HSE board says.
However, the “ad hoc” way doctors are employed currently is not sustainable, and patient care is likely to be compromised if current trends continue, it warns. Spending on agency staff is also likely to increase further, and smaller hospitals will struggle to maintain existing service levels.
READ MORE
Details of its findings come in a record week for overcrowding in hospital emergency departments, with 760 admitted patients waiting for beds on Tuesday, matching Monday’s unprecedented level.
Minister for Health Simon Harris said on Tuesday that more bed capacity was needed to alleviate the trolley crisis, as well as additional consultants and changes in work practice.
Working group
The new report was drawn up by a working group including clinical lead Prof Des Carney of the Mater Hospital and Prof Frank Murray, director of the HSE National Doctors Training and Planning (NDTP) service.
The report focuses on non-training scheme doctors, basically all junior doctors (non-consultant hospital doctors, or NCHDs) who are not on a training path to become a consultant. This group accounts for about half of all NCHDs, and up to 70 per cent in smaller hospitals – higher than in comparable countries such as Australia or the UK.
Almost 60 per cent of these doctors were trained outside the EU; 26 per cent alone studied medicine in Pakistan, and 16 per cent in Sudan.
Since 2014, the number of non-training scheme doctors in the Irish system has soared, from 900 to 2,724 last year, after the European Working Time Directive limited long working hours for doctors. Other factors behind the increase include the emigration of Irish junior doctors, difficulties recruiting and retaining medical staff and restrictions on trainee numbers.
"The two-tier consultant salary structure in Ireland, [and] attractive consultant and GP posts and training opportunities abroad with better working conditions are contributing factors," the report adds.
Many non-training scheme doctors are frustrated with their lack of a career path and difficulties accessing training opportunities. Often, non-EU doctors find their intern year and other prior experience is not recognised, and priority is given to candidates for training posts from EU states.
Lowest numbers
Ireland has the highest reliance on foreign-trained doctors in the EU, at 39 per cent, the NDTP report notes, but one of the lowest numbers of consultants internationally.
An earlier draft of the report warned hospitals could have to discontinue services due to a reliance on “transient” junior doctors, but these references have been dropped from the final version presented to the HSE board in November. It has been obtained by The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act.
A separate report by the group found 153 doctors who were not on the specialist register of the Medical Council were nonetheless being employed as consultants, as a result of recruitment and retention issues. Again, smaller hospitals were most affected.
The MacCraith report into medical training came out in 2014 and made 25 recommendations, including the development of career structures for NCHDs to be overseen by an implementation committee. When Mr Justice Peter Kelly and TDs raised issues around these doctors in May 2018, this committee wrote to the HSE asking for the position to be reviewed.
A project team was then set up to oversee the project, chaired by Prof Murray, then president of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and director of the NDTP.
x-ref to analysis on page 2


theirishtimes--2020-01-08--Polish judges welcome Irish support of protest

Polish judges have welcomed news that Irish Supreme Court judge Mr Justice John MacMenamin and dozens of European colleagues will join a march on Saturday protesting against the country ’ s court reforms .
Saturday ’ s “ silent march ” will see Mr Justice MacMenamin carrying letters of support from Chief Justice Frank Clarke and the Association of Judges in Ireland ( AJI ) .
He will march in full robes along with colleagues from Romania , Bulgaria , Hungary , Greece , France , Denmark , Germany , the Netherlands , Norway , Sweden , Portugal , Belgium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letters from the Chief Justice and the AJI are expected to express concern at the Polish government ’ s measures and support for their judicial colleagues .
“ It ’ s important to have people say ‘ enough is enough ’ because a campaign against judges has been running for years with government politicians leading the attacks , ” said Poznan district judge Monika Frackowiak , co-organiser of a march she says is “ non-political , purely about legal issues and values ” .
“ Despite the government ’ s narrative , people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the government.
” Ms Justice Frackowiak is one of two judges identified in an Amnesty International report as suffering years of intimidation and harassment in relation to her stance on judicial independence .
She said previously she was facing several “ absurd ” charges including accusations of delays in giving written judgments , taking sick leave and speaking to foreign journalists .
“ It ’ s very supportive for us .
We really appreciate this , ” she said in response to Irish involvement in the march .
She said from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supportive of their Polish colleagues on the matter .
“ It gives us strength so from that point of view it ’ s very important.
” However , she is not confident the march will cause the government to reverse its measures .
“ I don ’ t believe they are going to step back because I have seen what they have been doing for five years or so.
” A request for comment from the Polish government was not successful .
The Polish embassy in Ireland declined to comment .
Protest has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reform programme of Poland ’ s ruling Law and Justice party ( PiS ) .
The ruling national conservatives insist the reforms are about freeing the judiciary of encrusted structures and cronyism .
Critics see a deliberate campaign to bring the judiciary under political control .
In the most recent twist , the supreme court used a ruling from the European Court in Luxembourg to declare illegal two controversial bodies set up by the Polish government : one for judicial appointments , the other a disciplinary chamber for judges .
Both bodies are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the supreme court said , meaning the judges appointed by the body and their rulings have no legal basis .
The government has not reacted to the ruling , suggesting the final word in such matters rests with the constitutional court – which critics say is now under government control .
Leading judges involved in the battle against judicial reform say the presence of European judges , all marching in their robes , will give their campaign a lift .
“ As far as I remember this is the first time in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have organised such an event , ” said lawyer Sylwia Gregorczyk-Abram .
She represented supreme court president Malgorzata Gersdorf in a recent defamation case against another judge who insinuated that Prof Gersdorf ’ s presence on the bench meant “ criminals ” were serving in the judiciary .
Prof Gersdorf , a vocal critic of the judicial reforms , was forcibly retired by the government but reported for work until the CJEU in Luxembourg ordered her and dozens of others of judges be reinstated .
Mr Justice Stanislaw Piotrowicz , who suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Polish courts and lost his defamation case in the first instance , has been promoted to the constitutional tribunal .

A march in Warsaw on Saturday protesting against the country’s court reforms will see Supreme Court judge Mr Justice John MacMenamin carrying a letter of support from Chief Justice Frank Clarke (above). Photograph: Collins
Polish judges have welcomed news that Irish Supreme Court judge Mr Justice John MacMenamin and dozens of European colleagues will join a march on Saturday protesting against the country's court reforms.
Saturday's "silent march" will see Mr Justice MacMenamin carrying letters of support from Chief Justice Frank Clarke and the Association of Judges in Ireland (AJI). He will march in full robes along with colleagues from Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Greece, France, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Belgium and the three Baltic countries.
The letters from the Chief Justice and the AJI are expected to express concern at the Polish government’s measures and support for their judicial colleagues.
“It’s important to have people say ‘enough is enough’ because a campaign against judges has been running for years with government politicians leading the attacks,” said Poznan district judge Monika Frackowiak, co-organiser of a march she says is “non-political, purely about legal issues and values”.
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"Despite the government's narrative, people in Europe believe in Polish judges and not the government."
Intimidation
Ms Justice Frackowiak is one of two judges identified in an Amnesty International report as suffering years of intimidation and harassment in relation to her stance on judicial independence.
She said previously she was facing several “absurd” charges including accusations of delays in giving written judgments, taking sick leave and speaking to foreign journalists.
“It’s very supportive for us. We really appreciate this,” she said in response to Irish involvement in the march.
I don't believe they are going to step back because I have seen what they have been doing for five years or so
She said from the start the Irish judiciary had been very supportive of their Polish colleagues on the matter. “It gives us strength so from that point of view it’s very important.”
However, she is not confident the march will cause the government to reverse its measures.
“I don’t believe they are going to step back because I have seen what they have been doing for five years or so.”
A request for comment from the Polish government was not successful. The Polish embassy in Ireland declined to comment.
Protest has been building for years against the judicial reform programme of Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party (PiS). The ruling national conservatives insist the reforms are about freeing the judiciary of encrusted structures and cronyism. Critics see a deliberate campaign to bring the judiciary under political control.
Controversial bodies
In the most recent twist, the supreme court used a ruling from the European Court in Luxembourg to declare illegal two controversial bodies set up by the Polish government: one for judicial appointments, the other a disciplinary chamber for judges.
Both bodies are political entities packed with government loyalists, the supreme court said, meaning the judges appointed by the body and their rulings have no legal basis. The government has not reacted to the ruling, suggesting the final word in such matters rests with the constitutional court – which critics say is now under government control.
Leading judges involved in the battle against judicial reform say the presence of European judges, all marching in their robes, will give their campaign a lift.
"As far as I remember this is the first time in the history of free Poland after 1989 that we have organised such an event," said lawyer Sylwia Gregorczyk-Abram.
She represented supreme court president Malgorzata Gersdorf in a recent defamation case against another judge who insinuated that Prof Gersdorf’s presence on the bench meant “criminals” were serving in the judiciary.
Prof Gersdorf, a vocal critic of the judicial reforms, was forcibly retired by the government but reported for work until the CJEU in Luxembourg ordered her and dozens of others of judges be reinstated.
Mr Justice Stanislaw Piotrowicz, who suggested there were "criminals" in the Polish courts and lost his defamation case in the first instance, has been promoted to the constitutional tribunal.


theirishtimes--2020-01-08--Man needed liver transplant after eating wild mushroom

Two people suffered life-threatening health problems as a result of eating wild mushrooms last year , according to a new report .
One of them , a man , required an emergency liver transplant after eating a particularly toxic species of fungi .
A public health expert has now warned that a growing interest in collecting wild mushrooms may not be matched by a sufficient awareness among the public of the risk of poisoning from consuming such fungi .
Dr Douglas Hamilton , a specialist registrar in public health with the HSE Midlands , said an increase in the popularity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing national population health threat ” .
He said the case highlighted the need for public awareness campaigns to be repeated every year about the dangers of wild mushrooms .
“ There is currently no established co-ordination system of surveillance , public information and advice .
Roles and responsibilities for undertaking this are unclear .
Investment in effective prevention would lead to significant human and economic cost savings.
” In a new report published by the Health Protection Surveillance Unit , Dr Hamilton said the Amanita genus of mushrooms , which is one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the world , flourishes in Ireland and is commonly found growing around broad leaved trees .
It is recognised by a characteristic bulbous cup around the base of the stem .
Dr Hamilton said it could appear quite innocuous and didn ’ t have a repugnant taste .
It could also be easily mistaken for button mushrooms , especially Amanita virosa , otherwise known as “ destroying angel ” .
“ It is important to exercise great caution if foraging for wild mushrooms , ” he said .
Dr Hamilton said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an individual had developed liver failure after consuming wild mushrooms he had picked in a local wood .
He said the patient had suffered a rapid deterioration in his liver functioning , and had to be transferred to St Vincent ’ s Hospital in Dublin , where he underwent an emergency liver transplant .
While the patient progressed well in the 24 hours after the operation , his situation subsequently deteriorated .
He suffered multi-organ failure before ultimately making a long slow recovery after several weeks in ICU and almost three months in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness , no history of viral hepatitis or use of medications .
This incident was entirely attributed to consumption of Amanita virosa , ” said Dr Hamilton .
There are hundreds of different species of wild mushrooms growing in Ireland , but experienced foragers recommend that they should never be consumed unless people are 100 per cent sure about their safety .
The National Poisons Information Centre based in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin receives many calls on ingesting poisonous mushrooms every year .
Its figures show that in addition to four life-threatening incidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of moderate poisoning and 40 incidents of minor effects from consuming wild mushrooms over the same period .
Dr Hamilton claimed ingestion was often accidental , but could also be due to recreational abuse .
He said in some cases poisonous mushrooms growing in the wild may be misidentified and used to cook meals , or children could take a small bite from one found in a garden .
He advised anyone who suspected they may be suffering poisoning from consuming a wild mushroom to retain a sample of the suspect fungi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an expert .
While most patients suffer only minor symptoms like nausea or vomiting , in the more severe cases people can experience severe vomiting , diarrhoea and liver damage .
Symptoms of vomiting are often delayed for more than six hours after ingestion .

Two people suffered life-threatening health problems as a result of eating wild mushrooms last year, according to a new report.
One of them, a man, required an emergency liver transplant after eating a particularly toxic species of fungi.
A public health expert has now warned that a growing interest in collecting wild mushrooms may not be matched by a sufficient awareness among the public of the risk of poisoning from consuming such fungi.
Dr Douglas Hamilton, a specialist registrar in public health with the HSE Midlands, said an increase in the popularity of foraging for mushrooms constituted "a growing national population health threat".
READ MORE
Amanita Verna (Fool's mushroom)
He said the case highlighted the need for public awareness campaigns to be repeated every year about the dangers of wild mushrooms.
“There is currently no established co-ordination system of surveillance, public information and advice. Roles and responsibilities for undertaking this are unclear. Investment in effective prevention would lead to significant human and economic cost savings.”
In a new report published by the Health Protection Surveillance Unit, Dr Hamilton said the Amanita genus of mushrooms, which is one of the most toxic type of fungi in the world, flourishes in Ireland and is commonly found growing around broad leaved trees. It is recognised by a characteristic bulbous cup around the base of the stem.
Dr Hamilton said it could appear quite innocuous and didn’t have a repugnant taste. It could also be easily mistaken for button mushrooms, especially Amanita virosa, otherwise known as “destroying angel”.
“It is important to exercise great caution if foraging for wild mushrooms,” he said.
Local wood
Dr Hamilton said the HSE Midlands became aware in September that an individual had developed liver failure after consuming wild mushrooms he had picked in a local wood.
He said the patient had suffered a rapid deterioration in his liver functioning, and had to be transferred to St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin, where he underwent an emergency liver transplant.
While the patient progressed well in the 24 hours after the operation, his situation subsequently deteriorated. He suffered multi-organ failure before ultimately making a long slow recovery after several weeks in ICU and almost three months in hospital.
“There was no underlying illness, no history of viral hepatitis or use of medications. This incident was entirely attributed to consumption of Amanita virosa,” said Dr Hamilton.
There are hundreds of different species of wild mushrooms growing in Ireland, but experienced foragers recommend that they should never be consumed unless people are 100 per cent sure about their safety.
The National Poisons Information Centre based in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin receives many calls on ingesting poisonous mushrooms every year. Its figures show that in addition to four life-threatening incidents since 2014, it also recorded 13 cases of moderate poisoning and 40 incidents of minor effects from consuming wild mushrooms over the same period.
Dr Hamilton claimed ingestion was often accidental, but could also be due to recreational abuse.
Misidentified
He said in some cases poisonous mushrooms growing in the wild may be misidentified and used to cook meals, or children could take a small bite from one found in a garden.
He advised anyone who suspected they may be suffering poisoning from consuming a wild mushroom to retain a sample of the suspect fungi so that it can be identified by an expert.
Amanita Phalloides (Death Cap)
While most patients suffer only minor symptoms like nausea or vomiting, in the more severe cases people can experience severe vomiting, diarrhoea and liver damage. Symptoms of vomiting are often delayed for more than six hours after ingestion.


theirishtimes--2020-01-08--One hundred patients a year die due to overcrowding, says hospital chief

One hundred patients a year who have attended University Hospital Waterford ( UHW ) die as a result of the overcrowding they experienced during their stay , the head of the hospital ’ s emergency department ( ED ) has charged .
In a series of private emails before Christmas , the Service Lead in UHW ’ s emergency department , Dr Brendan McCann roundly criticised the Health Service Executive and the Minister for Health , Simon Harris .
He highlighted new research carried out by two National Health Service doctors in the United Kingdom , which suggested that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours ” die as a direct result of delays .
In an email on December 20th last , Dr McCann wrote “ At UHW , this is about two a week or more than 100 a year .
I would also point out that our waits are longer than six hours so the figure is likely to be higher.
” Staff “ have been exploited cynically by leaders who understand that it is cheaper to herd patients like cattle ” into an ED “ bursting at the seams than admit them anywhere else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the emails , Dr McCann expressed frustration with the hospital ’ s management who he said had “ sanctioned overcrowding ” in recent meetings by “ refusing to meaningful address ” overcrowding .
The Waterford News & Star reported that a plan to alleviate overcrowding was put to hospital management before Christmas where patients would be moved out of the ED to unused parts of the hospital .
The plan , he said on December 20th , would improve flow , lessen delays and save lives , ” Dr McCann said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more constructive ” if management had offered solutions rather than damn the plan proposed .
“ The overcrowding apartheid at UHW is an obscenity , which management – via the Executive Management Board ( EMB ) , continue to sanction and the bed managers continue to organise ” , he complained .
In the email sent to the Clinical Lead for Medicine and Emergency Medicine , Donncha O Gradaigh , Dr McCann said staff have faced “ years of inaction from directorate and management level regarding our daily chaos ” .
“ How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work under the conditions that we experience every day ?
How long would management last ?
We have had no meaningful support from management regarding these issues – ever .
“ The staff in the ED have been exploited cynically by leaders who understand that it is cheaper to herd patients like cattle in an ED bursting at the seams , than admit them anywhere else that might give them some dignity.
” Some patients are being housed in offices next to the ED even though many wards elsewhere are taking care of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are plenty of places in this hospital more suitable than our office .
Why do we house 90 per cent of the excess all of the time ?
” Dr McCann was contacted for a comment about the emails and replied that they were “ internal emails between hospital staff , but he absolutely stood over the content of them ” .

In an email on December 20th last, Dr Brendan McCann wrote ‘At UHW, this is about two a week or more than 100 a year. I would also point out that our waits are longer than six hours so the figure is likely to be higher.’ Photograph: Google Maps
One hundred patients a year who have attended University Hospital Waterford (UHW) die as a result of the overcrowding they experienced during their stay, the head of the hospital's emergency department (ED) has charged.
In a series of private emails before Christmas, the Service Lead in UHW's emergency department, Dr Brendan McCann roundly criticised the Health Service Executive and the Minister for Health, Simon Harris.
He highlighted new research carried out by two National Health Service doctors in the United Kingdom, which suggested that “1 in 83 patients waiting over 6 hours” die as a direct result of delays .
Staff 'have been exploited cynically by leaders who understand that it is cheaper to herd patients like cattle'
In an email on December 20th last, Dr McCann wrote “At UHW, this is about two a week or more than 100 a year. I would also point out that our waits are longer than six hours so the figure is likely to be higher.”
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Staff “have been exploited cynically by leaders who understand that it is cheaper to herd patients like cattle” into an ED “bursting at the seams than admit them anywhere else that might give them some dignity”.
In the emails, Dr McCann expressed frustration with the hospital’s management who he said had “sanctioned overcrowding” in recent meetings by “refusing to meaningful address” overcrowding.
‘Overcrowding apartheid’
The Waterford News & Star reported that a plan to alleviate overcrowding was put to hospital management before Christmas where patients would be moved out of the ED to unused parts of the hospital.
The plan, he said on December 20th, would improve flow, lessen delays and save lives,” Dr McCann said, adding that it would “be more constructive” if management had offered solutions rather than damn the plan proposed.
We have had no meaningful support from management regarding these issues – ever
“The overcrowding apartheid at UHW is an obscenity, which management – via the Executive Management Board (EMB), continue to sanction and the bed managers continue to organise”, he complained.
In the email sent to the Clinical Lead for Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Donncha O Gradaigh, Dr McCann said staff have faced “years of inaction from directorate and management level regarding our daily chaos”.
“How long would you continue to come to work under the conditions that we experience every day? How long would management last? We have had no meaningful support from management regarding these issues – ever.
“The staff in the ED have been exploited cynically by leaders who understand that it is cheaper to herd patients like cattle in an ED bursting at the seams, than admit them anywhere else that might give them some dignity.”
Some patients are being housed in offices next to the ED even though many wards elsewhere are taking care of just one extra patient each: “There are plenty of places in this hospital more suitable than our office. Why do we house 90 per cent of the excess all of the time?”
Dr McCann was contacted for a comment about the emails and replied that they were “internal emails between hospital staff, but he absolutely stood over the content of them”.


theirishtimes--2020-01-08--Irish Water spent over €800,000 on high-end documentary

Irish Water spent over €800,000 on a feature-length documentary commissioned as part of a public information campaign on how Ireland uses water , records released to The Irish Times show .
The film , titled The Story of Water , was broadcast on Virgin Media Two in early December .
It was produced by blue chip “ creative agency ” Rothco Accenture , which charged €654,000 to develop , film , produce and edit the programme .
The VAT bill for the project was €150,420 .
Irish Water said the documentary “ was considered the most cost-effective way to tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the height of the political upheaval which followed the last government ’ s attempts to introduce water charges , Irish Water was criticised for its €70 million spend on experts and consultants , as well as a TV ad which cost a total of €875,000 to produce and air in 2013 .
The utility said the high-end documentary was filmed over eight weeks and took a year to produce .
It involved research , “ recce ” and pre-vetting of locations , development , production and postproduction , and interviews with 53 contributors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It would not be possible to convey the same amount of information , or create the same understanding about the size and scale of complex problems facing the public water services and the progress already being made , in an advertising campaign , ” a spokeswoman said .
It said that in addition to the broadcast , the footage would be used as part of wider public awareness campaigns and training .
“ In 500 local communities where Irish Water carries out disruptive work , the content will support the utility ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the need to carry out this infrastructural work and the resulting benefits to their communities.
” Irish Water said the documentary also “ highlights the important behavioural change required to protect our water resources into the future and ensure the public awareness of the items they put in toilets ” .
Virgin Media said it agreed to broadcast the documentary after it was pitched “ to our editorial team as a free-of-charge documentary on conservation and the importance of water ” .
Virgin paid a nominal fee of €1 to Irish Water for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ station said it was happy it had complied with its obligations under the broadcasting act , and the fact it was funded by Irish Water was “ clearly signposted with a full screen graphic ” .
The graphic was displayed before the programme and before the end credits , and there was a product placement logo at commercial breaks .
The BAI said it was “ a matter for broadcasters how programmes are funded ” , but added that commercial arrangements must comply with its commercial communications code .

Irish Water said the documentary ‘was considered the most cost-effective way to tell a very complex story’. Photograph: Irish Water
Irish Water spent over €800,000 on a feature-length documentary commissioned as part of a public information campaign on how Ireland uses water, records released to The Irish Times show.
The film, titled The Story of Water, was broadcast on Virgin Media Two in early December. It was produced by blue chip "creative agency" Rothco Accenture, which charged €654,000 to develop, film, produce and edit the programme. The VAT bill for the project was €150,420.
Irish Water said the documentary “was considered the most cost-effective way to tell a very complex story”.
At the height of the political upheaval which followed the last government’s attempts to introduce water charges, Irish Water was criticised for its €70 million spend on experts and consultants, as well as a TV ad which cost a total of €875,000 to produce and air in 2013.
READ MORE
The utility said the high-end documentary was filmed over eight weeks and took a year to produce. It involved research, “recce” and pre-vetting of locations, development, production and postproduction, and interviews with 53 contributors from 20 locations across the country.
Irish Water said the documentary also 'highlights the important behavioural change required to protect our water resources into the future'
“It would not be possible to convey the same amount of information, or create the same understanding about the size and scale of complex problems facing the public water services and the progress already being made, in an advertising campaign,” a spokeswoman said.
Awareness campaigns
It said that in addition to the broadcast, the footage would be used as part of wider public awareness campaigns and training. “In 500 local communities where Irish Water carries out disruptive work, the content will support the utility’s need to inform the public on the need to carry out this infrastructural work and the resulting benefits to their communities.”
Irish Water said the documentary also “highlights the important behavioural change required to protect our water resources into the future and ensure the public awareness of the items they put in toilets”.
Virgin Media said it agreed to broadcast the documentary after it was pitched “to our editorial team as a free-of-charge documentary on conservation and the importance of water”.
Virgin paid a nominal fee of €1 to Irish Water for permission to carry the programme.
The station said it was happy it had complied with its obligations under the broadcasting act, and the fact it was funded by Irish Water was “clearly signposted with a full screen graphic”.
The graphic was displayed before the programme and before the end credits, and there was a product placement logo at commercial breaks.
The BAI said it was “a matter for broadcasters how programmes are funded”, but added that commercial arrangements must comply with its commercial communications code.


theirishtimes--2020-01-09--Sections of hospitals ‘shut down’ due to overcrowding

Large sections of hospitals have effectively shut down , and some emergency departments can no longer accommodate trolleys as the overcrowding crisis continues , the Irish Hospital Consultants Association ( IHCA ) has said .
There were 621 patients waiting for beds in hospital emergency departments on Wednesday morning , according to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation ( INMO ) .
The figures represent a drop on the 760 patients who had been waiting on trolleys on Monday and Tuesday , the highest figure ever recorded by the INMO .
Dr Donal O ’ Hanlon , president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ increasingly being compromised ” due to the emergency department crisis .
The health system traditionally sees intense pressure on services at the start of the year during the winter flu season .
Health officials have directed that elective surgeries be cancelled , and Minister for Health Simon Harris has promised extra hospital beds in an attempt to ease the strain on emergency departments .
However , Dr O ’ Hanlon said “ huge swathes of our acute public hospital services are effectively now shut down ” as “ essential , time-critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Government ’ s proposed drip-feed approach of opening a few hundred acute hospital beds per year is clearly insufficient to ease the severe overcrowding being experienced year after year.
” University Hospital Limerick again had the highest number of patients on trolleys on Wednesday , with 63 waiting for beds , followed by 46 patients in University Hospital Galway , and 43 in Cork University Hospital .
Phil Ní Sheaghdha , INMO general secretary , said the trolley crisis was placing “ intolerable pressure ” on hospital staff and patients .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediate end to the recruitment freeze which is starving the health service of staff ” , she said .
Nursing Homes Ireland ( NHI ) , an organisation representing private and voluntary nursing homes , said there was an estimated 2,000 beds available in the sector left empty – in some cases due to hospitals delays in discharging patients .
There were 611 patients fit to be discharged or transferred from hospitals last week still in beds due to delays , according to Health Service Executive figures .
The number of “ delayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the last week of December .
Tadhg Daly , NHI chief executive , said there was a “ huge level of frustration ” within the nursing home sector over the delays in discharging patients due to difficulties “ accessing funding support or bureaucracy within the hospital ” .
He said in recent days the nursing home body received requests from local HSE officials about available beds for patients due to be discharged from two “ severely overcrowded hospitals ” .
“ Over 20 beds from 10 nursing homes surrounding the hospitals were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but only one bed has since been utilised .
These hospitals remain severely overcrowded .
“ While discharges occur every day to nursing homes , the urgency and focus required during this national emergency is not evident , ” he said .
A spokeswoman for the HSE said there was a “ practical time lag ” between a patient being approved to be discharged and the time they left the hospital .
The spokeswoman said this delay could be “ prolonged ” due to a lack of available homecare support packages – if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patient ’ s home before they returned , or while a patient considered applying for the State ’ s Fair Deal scheme , which provides financial assistance towards nursing home costs .

University Hospital Limerick again had the highest number of patients on trolleys on Wednesday, with 63 waiting for beds, followed by 46 patients in University Hospital Galway, and 43 in Cork University Hospital
Large sections of hospitals have effectively shut down, and some emergency departments can no longer accommodate trolleys as the overcrowding crisis continues, the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has said.
There were 621 patients waiting for beds in hospital emergency departments on Wednesday morning, according to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).
The figures represent a drop on the 760 patients who had been waiting on trolleys on Monday and Tuesday, the highest figure ever recorded by the INMO.
Dr Donal O'Hanlon, president of the IHCA, said patient safety was "increasingly being compromised" due to the emergency department crisis.
READ MORE
The health system traditionally sees intense pressure on services at the start of the year during the winter flu season.
Health officials have directed that elective surgeries be cancelled, and Minister for Health Simon Harris has promised extra hospital beds in an attempt to ease the strain on emergency departments.
However, Dr O’Hanlon said “huge swathes of our acute public hospital services are effectively now shut down” as “essential, time-critical surgery is being cancelled”.
“The Government’s proposed drip-feed approach of opening a few hundred acute hospital beds per year is clearly insufficient to ease the severe overcrowding being experienced year after year.”
Recruitment freeze
University Hospital Limerick again had the highest number of patients on trolleys on Wednesday, with 63 waiting for beds, followed by 46 patients in University Hospital Galway, and 43 in Cork University Hospital.
Phil Ní Sheaghdha, INMO general secretary, said the trolley crisis was placing “intolerable pressure” on hospital staff and patients. The nursing union was calling for an “immediate end to the recruitment freeze which is starving the health service of staff”, she said.
Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI), an organisation representing private and voluntary nursing homes, said there was an estimated 2,000 beds available in the sector left empty – in some cases due to hospitals delays in discharging patients.
There were 611 patients fit to be discharged or transferred from hospitals last week still in beds due to delays, according to Health Service Executive figures. The number of "delayed discharge" patients had increased from 537 in the last week of December.
Tadhg Daly, NHI chief executive, said there was a "huge level of frustration" within the nursing home sector over the delays in discharging patients due to difficulties "accessing funding support or bureaucracy within the hospital".
He said in recent days the nursing home body received requests from local HSE officials about available beds for patients due to be discharged from two “severely overcrowded hospitals”.
Urgency
“Over 20 beds from 10 nursing homes surrounding the hospitals were identified within a matter of hours, but only one bed has since been utilised. These hospitals remain severely overcrowded.
“While discharges occur every day to nursing homes, the urgency and focus required during this national emergency is not evident,” he said.
A spokeswoman for the HSE said there was a “practical time lag” between a patient being approved to be discharged and the time they left the hospital.
The spokeswoman said this delay could be “prolonged” due to a lack of available homecare support packages – if work had to be done on a patient’s home before they returned, or while a patient considered applying for the State’s Fair Deal scheme, which provides financial assistance towards nursing home costs.


theirishtimes--2020-01-09--Future health campaigns to target ‘social smokers’

Irish health officials plan to target social smokers and those in lower socio-economic areas in future campaigns , as new research reveals these groups have been more resistant to quitting cigarettes over the last decade .
Research from University College London found the number of English smokers who tried to quit the habit in the past year had declined from 37 per cent to 29 per cent between 2008 and 2017 .
The study examined more than 41,600 smokers in England over a 10- year period and was published in the scientific journal Addiction on Thursday .
The research found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not smoke every day had increased from 9 per cent to 13.4 per cent .
The proportion of smokers who came from disadvantaged backgrounds remained almost the same over the 10-year period at 61 per cent of those who smoked .
The study found the proportion of people smoking roll-your-own cigarettes had increased significantly from 35 per cent to over half of smokers .
Those trying to cut down on how much they smoked had declined over the period from 56 per cent of those studied to just under 48 per cent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a public health consultant and advisor to the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) Tobacco Free Ireland campaign , said many of the figures matched similar trends seen in Ireland .
The last decade and a half had seen a “ faster reduction in smoking among more affluent groups , ” a sharp increase in the relative popularity of roll-your-own cigarettes , and a continued prevalence of social smoking , he said .
Future HSE campaigns would seek to target previously harder to reach smokers such as those in lower socio-economic areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Social smokers , who might only have a number of cigarettes on a weekend night out , “ often don ’ t see themselves as a smoker , ” Dr Kavanagh said .
“ If someone doesn ’ t identify as a smoker then it ’ s hard to connect with them from a public health campaign perspective ...
They don ’ t see themselves as addicted , ” he said .
Chris Macey , Irish Heart Foundation head of advocacy , said the health service needed to get better at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas .
Often people were not aware that there was “ such a small differential between smoking a little and smoking a lot ...
It ’ s almost as damaging smoking five [ cigarettes ] as smoking 20 , ” he said .
Kevin O ’ Hagan , Irish Cancer Society ’ s head of cancer prevention , said Ireland had seen a positive “ fairly steady decline ” in the number of people who smoked .
However , certain trends were going in the opposite direction , such as a large increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cigarettes , he said .
The increase was likely linked to the fact roll-your-own cigarettes were cheaper and had become somewhat “ culturally more acceptable ” to smoke compared to ordinary cigarettes , he said .

The study found those smoking roll-your-own cigarettes had increased significantly from 35 per cent to over half of smokers. File photograph: Getty
Irish health officials plan to target social smokers and those in lower socio-economic areas in future campaigns, as new research reveals these groups have been more resistant to quitting cigarettes over the last decade.
Research from University College London found the number of English smokers who tried to quit the habit in the past year had declined from 37 per cent to 29 per cent between 2008 and 2017.
The study examined more than 41,600 smokers in England over a 10- year period and was published in the scientific journal Addiction on Thursday.
The research found the percentage of occasional smokers who did not smoke every day had increased from 9 per cent to 13.4 per cent.
READ MORE
The proportion of smokers who came from disadvantaged backgrounds remained almost the same over the 10-year period at 61 per cent of those who smoked.
The study found the proportion of people smoking roll-your-own cigarettes had increased significantly from 35 per cent to over half of smokers.
Those trying to cut down on how much they smoked had declined over the period from 56 per cent of those studied to just under 48 per cent, the research found.
Similar trends
Dr Paul Kavanagh, a public health consultant and advisor to the Health Service Executive (HSE) Tobacco Free Ireland campaign, said many of the figures matched similar trends seen in Ireland.
The last decade and a half had seen a “faster reduction in smoking among more affluent groups,” a sharp increase in the relative popularity of roll-your-own cigarettes, and a continued prevalence of social smoking, he said.
Future HSE campaigns would seek to target previously harder to reach smokers such as those in lower socio-economic areas and social or occasional smokers, he said.
Social smokers, who might only have a number of cigarettes on a weekend night out, “often don’t see themselves as a smoker,” Dr Kavanagh said.
“If someone doesn’t identify as a smoker then it’s hard to connect with them from a public health campaign perspective... They don’t see themselves as addicted,” he said.
Chris Macey, Irish Heart Foundation head of advocacy, said the health service needed to get better at targeting quit-smoking campaigns at people in disadvantaged areas.
Often people were not aware that there was “such a small differential between smoking a little and smoking a lot... It’s almost as damaging smoking five [cigarettes] as smoking 20,” he said.
Kevin O'Hagan, Irish Cancer Society's head of cancer prevention, said Ireland had seen a positive "fairly steady decline" in the number of people who smoked.
However, certain trends were going in the opposite direction, such as a large increase in the proportion of people smoking roll-your-own cigarettes, he said.
The increase was likely linked to the fact roll-your-own cigarettes were cheaper and had become somewhat “culturally more acceptable” to smoke compared to ordinary cigarettes, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-01-08--Healthy lifestyles can add up to 10 extra years of life, study says

Those who stick to healthy lifestyles can expect up to ten extra disease-free years of life , according to a major new study .
While the benefits of a healthy lifestyle are well documented , the research has managed to quantify how many years one can expect to reap in return after carefully documenting the health of thousands of people for over two decades .
It specifically examined life expectancy free of chronic illnesses such as cancer , cardiovascular diseases and diabetes .
Irish experts have said the findings are broadly in line with the experience here although the available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with regard to mortality .
The US study is published by the British Medical Journal on Wednesday .
It found that those who avoid smoking , being overweight , and who exercise regularly benefit from longer life expectancy from the age of 50 .
Men can expect about 7.6 extra disease-free years and women about 10 compared to those who do not adopt the same low risk lifestyle factors .
The researchers analysed data on 73,196 registered female nurses and 38,366 male health professionals in the US who were free of major disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low-risk lifestyle factors were then measured in each – never smoking , healthy weight ( BMI ) , at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity , moderate alcohol intake , and a good diet .
Participants were assessed for more than 20 years during which time any new illness diagnoses and deaths were recorded .
Professor Frank Hu of the Harvard School of Public Health , the paper ’ s senior author , told The Irish Times that what is unique about the study was its duration and the regularity of check-ups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only want to live longer , they want to live a better life , ” he said .
Based on the data , life expectancy free of disease at age 50 was calculated .
It was found to be 34 years for women who adopted four or five low risk factors compared to 24 for those who did not .
In men , the difference was 31 years compared to 24 .
According to Professor Mary McCarron , Chair of Ageing and Intellectual Disability at Trinity College Dublin , the work supports research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be not just about added years to life but added life to years - it ’ s the quality of that life , ” she said .
“ [ About ] the ability of people when they retire and age to be able to do the things that maybe they didn ’ t have the time to do when they were working .
But if they are ageing in poor health , for me , it ’ s quite an empty prize.
” Professor Rose Anne Kenny , principal investigator for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , monitoring 8,500 people over 10 years , said Ireland did not have comparable data on mortality yet although changing lifestyle behaviour is better understood .
In Ireland , smoking has been found to decrease by 16 per cent in retirement while the proportion of problematic alcohol use drops from 20 per cent among those aged 52 to 64 to 8 per cent among those aged 75 and over .
“ All of the data shows that whereas it ’ s never too late to adopt healthy life behaviours .
.
.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ early middle age , ” Prof Kenny said .
“ I do think that there is a higher awareness .
I definitely think we are going in the right direction.
” Only 12.6 per cent of Tilda participants , whose average age is 64 , are disease and disability free and not reliant on drugs .
Reacting to the research , Professor Francis Finucane , consultant endocrinologist and obesity expert at Galway University Hospital said it showed a need to “ change the environment as opposed to seeking to change individual ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example of sugar tax in particular .

Five low-risk lifestyle factors were then measured in each – never smoking, healthy weight, at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity, moderate alcohol intake, and a good diet. Photograph: iStock
Those who stick to healthy lifestyles can expect up to ten extra disease-free years of life, according to a major new study.
While the benefits of a healthy lifestyle are well documented, the research has managed to quantify how many years one can expect to reap in return after carefully documenting the health of thousands of people for over two decades.
It specifically examined life expectancy free of chronic illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
Irish experts have said the findings are broadly in line with the experience here although the available data is not as advanced, particularly with regard to mortality.
READ MORE
The US study is published by the British Medical Journal on Wednesday. It found that those who avoid smoking, being overweight, and who exercise regularly benefit from longer life expectancy from the age of 50.
Men can expect about 7.6 extra disease-free years and women about 10 compared to those who do not adopt the same low risk lifestyle factors.
The researchers analysed data on 73,196 registered female nurses and 38,366 male health professionals in the US who were free of major disease at the time of enrolment.
Low-risk factors
Five low-risk lifestyle factors were then measured in each – never smoking, healthy weight (BMI), at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity, moderate alcohol intake, and a good diet.
Participants were assessed for more than 20 years during which time any new illness diagnoses and deaths were recorded.
Professor Frank Hu of the Harvard School of Public Health, the paper's senior author, told The Irish Times that what is unique about the study was its duration and the regularity of check-ups on participants.
“Now people not only want to live longer, they want to live a better life,” he said.
Based on the data, life expectancy free of disease at age 50 was calculated. It was found to be 34 years for women who adopted four or five low risk factors compared to 24 for those who did not. In men, the difference was 31 years compared to 24.
According to Professor Mary McCarron, Chair of Ageing and Intellectual Disability at Trinity College Dublin, the work supports research underway in Ireland.
“It has to be not just about added years to life but added life to years - it’s the quality of that life,” she said.
“[About] the ability of people when they retire and age to be able to do the things that maybe they didn’t have the time to do when they were working. But if they are ageing in poor health, for me, it’s quite an empty prize.”
Professor Rose Anne Kenny, principal investigator for the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (Tilda), monitoring 8,500 people over 10 years, said Ireland did not have comparable data on mortality yet although changing lifestyle behaviour is better understood.
Smoking and drinking
In Ireland, smoking has been found to decrease by 16 per cent in retirement while the proportion of problematic alcohol use drops from 20 per cent among those aged 52 to 64 to 8 per cent among those aged 75 and over.
“All of the data shows that whereas it’s never too late to adopt healthy life behaviours . . . the time to intervene is middle to early middle age,” Prof Kenny said.
“I do think that there is a higher awareness. I definitely think we are going in the right direction.”
Only 12.6 per cent of Tilda participants, whose average age is 64, are disease and disability free and not reliant on drugs.
Reacting to the research, Professor Francis Finucane, consultant endocrinologist and obesity expert at Galway University Hospital said it showed a need to "change the environment as opposed to seeking to change individual's sense of behaviour", noting the example of sugar tax in particular.


theirishtimes--2020-01-08--RTÉ to pay former producer €100,000 over forced retirement

RTÉ has been ordered to pay a former television producer €100,000 in compensation by the Workplace Relations Commission ( WRC ) after forcing the employee to retire when she turned 65 .
Anne Roper , an executive television producer at the broadcaster , was obliged to retire in July 2018 despite requests to continue working for RTÉ for a further 18 months .
Ms Roper filed her complaint to the WRC in January 2019 claiming the broadcaster had discriminated against her on grounds of age .
The producer had gone from a salary of €100,000 to a pension of €12,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said had a “ significant ” financial impact .
RTÉ had argued it was necessary for Ms Roper to retire at 65 “ to ensure intergenerational fairness and to facilitate the promotion of younger producers ” .
The broadcaster submitted that because attrition was so low in the organisation there was “ no turnover ” at producer or director grades , and as a result “ young people are prevented from progressing ” .
This meant the broadcaster ’ s output was “ deprived of the ideas and input of young people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for RTÉ , Ms Roper produced the highly acclaimed documentary No Country for Women , which aired in 2018 .
She had been appointed to the role of senior television producer in 1997 after nine years at RTÉ .
In the year before she turned 65 she had expressed her wish to remain working for the broadcaster , but “ it became clear ” RTÉ would not allow her to stay on , she said .
Initially she pursued the matter through RTÉ ’ s internal grievance procedures with the support of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took her case to the WRC .
The ruling from WRC adjudicating officer Catherine Byrne found Ms Roper ’ s departure “ fell considerably short ” as a means of achieving intergenerational fairness in the organisation .
“ The effect of this on the organisation was so confined and limited to one department , that I can not accept it was objectively justified , ” Ms Byrne said .
The ruling said “ compared to several other employees who , when they reached age 65 , were permitted to continue working , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The producer had been innovative , keen to train younger producers , and engaged with technology , the ruling said .
The decision to insist she retire was “ disproportionate to the outcome that it achieved ” , it said .
“ It must be the case that the closure in 2017 of the young people ’ s programmes department had the effect of cutting off the supply of young programme-makers coming up through the organisation , ” it added .
The WRC officer said she was mindful of the “ precariousness ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadcaster ’ s need “ to find radical ways to reduce costs ” .
The commission awarded Ms Roper compensation of €100,000 , the equivalent to a year ’ s salary .
In a statement , a spokesman for RTÉ said the organisation was “ reviewing ” the WRC decision , which it can appeal to the Labour Court .

RTÉ had argued it was necessary for Anne Roper to retire at 65 ‘to ensure intergenerational fairness and to facilitate the promotion of younger producers’. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
RTÉ has been ordered to pay a former television producer €100,000 in compensation by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) after forcing the employee to retire when she turned 65.
Anne Roper, an executive television producer at the broadcaster, was obliged to retire in July 2018 despite requests to continue working for RTÉ for a further 18 months.
Ms Roper filed her complaint to the WRC in January 2019 claiming the broadcaster had discriminated against her on grounds of age.
The producer had gone from a salary of €100,000 to a pension of €12,000 as a result, which the commission said had a “significant” financial impact.
READ MORE
Anne Roper had been appointed to the role of senior television producer in 1997 after nine years at RTÉ. File image: Matt Kavanagh
RTÉ had argued it was necessary for Ms Roper to retire at 65 “to ensure intergenerational fairness and to facilitate the promotion of younger producers”.
The broadcaster submitted that because attrition was so low in the organisation there was “no turnover” at producer or director grades, and as a result “young people are prevented from progressing”.
This meant the broadcaster’s output was “deprived of the ideas and input of young people,” RTÉ had said.
While working for RTÉ, Ms Roper produced the highly acclaimed documentary No Country for Women, which aired in 2018. She had been appointed to the role of senior television producer in 1997 after nine years at RTÉ.
Desire to remain
In the year before she turned 65 she had expressed her wish to remain working for the broadcaster, but “it became clear” RTÉ would not allow her to stay on, she said.
Initially she pursued the matter through RTÉ’s internal grievance procedures with the support of the National Union of Journalists, but later took her case to the WRC.
The ruling from WRC adjudicating officer Catherine Byrne found Ms Roper’s departure “fell considerably short” as a means of achieving intergenerational fairness in the organisation.
“The effect of this on the organisation was so confined and limited to one department, that I cannot accept it was objectively justified,” Ms Byrne said.
The ruling said “compared to several other employees who, when they reached age 65, were permitted to continue working, the complainant was treated less favourably”.
The producer had been innovative, keen to train younger producers, and engaged with technology, the ruling said.
‘Disproportionate’
The decision to insist she retire was “disproportionate to the outcome that it achieved”, it said.
“It must be the case that the closure in 2017 of the young people’s programmes department had the effect of cutting off the supply of young programme-makers coming up through the organisation,” it added.
The WRC officer said she was mindful of the “precariousness” of RTÉ’s funding and the broadcaster’s need “to find radical ways to reduce costs”.
The commission awarded Ms Roper compensation of €100,000, the equivalent to a year’s salary.
In a statement, a spokesman for RTÉ said the organisation was "reviewing" the WRC decision, which it can appeal to the Labour Court.


theirishtimes--2020-01-08--From slurry-pit deaths to food waste, young scientists solve range of problems

Slurry-pit accidents take a terrible toll on Irish farms , with an average of four to five people dying every year due to inhalation of toxic fumes , but a device using infrared beams and mobile phone technology offers hope of a solution .
The system developed by two secondary-school students from Co Clare , and entered in the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition , is a marked improvement on current devices , they believe – and has the potential to be generated for as little as €120 .
Both Abbey Hehir and Rebecca Murphy , who attend St @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are from a farming background and are so convinced of the viability of their device that they are taking out a patent on it .
Once a laser beam surrounding a pit , where farm wastes are stored , is broken by someone approaching close to it , an alarm is triggered on the mobile phones of others in the vicinity connected via an app .
These can be farmers , family , friends or neighbours .
The system , which is powered by solar energy , can be used where there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardware known as a dongle , Murphy explained .
“ Our research shows that although there are gas detectors for slurry pits , our device with the use of solar panels and infrared beams is very good at detecting anybody coming near the pit , and alerting mobile phones via an app , ” Hehir added .
Luke Dalton , Rian Gray and Tadhg Kearney of St Mary ’ s Diocesan School in Co Louth , succeeded in developing a “ microbial fuel cell ” that uses fruit and vegetables to generate electricity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students were conscious of how food waste adds to climate change , and wanted to find a better way to dispose of waste generated in their school while creating a renewable energy source .
Having researched other devices they added “ a salt bridge ” in the form of an agar solution carried in a plastic pipe connection ; this helped maximise the amount of electricity by increasing the number of ions created – a process critical to power generation .
Kearney expressed regret that their device did not perform as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s scalable .
A bigger device will generate much more electricity , ” he stressed .
The food waste issue prompted Rachel Coburn , Ella Foley and Nicole Murphy of Coláiste Choilm in Ballinchollig , Co Cork to investigate how different organisms can be used to accelerate decomposition and enhance the quality of organic fertilisers .
For their research the fourth-year students sourced a large volume of woodlice , worms and slugs from the natural environment .
Woodlice generated the most compost but outdoor slugs produced the best quality in terms of phosphorous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It has been estimated that Irish households lose up €1,000 a year on food waste , so the girls hope to develop a special bin to maximise yields and savings , “ and we hope too it might generate some money for us ” , Foley added .
The BTYSTE opens to the public on Thursday and continues until Saturday , details at www.btyoungscientist.com .

Projects on climate change and mental wellbeing dominate 2020 entries at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, while almost 60 per cent of 1,125 students whose work will be exhibited are female.
Slurry-pit accidents take a terrible toll on Irish farms, with an average of four to five people dying every year due to inhalation of toxic fumes, but a device using infrared beams and mobile phone technology offers hope of a solution.
The system developed by two secondary-school students from Co Clare, and entered in the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, is a marked improvement on current devices, they believe – and has the potential to be generated for as little as €120.
Both Abbey Hehir and Rebecca Murphy, who attend St John Bosco Community College in Kildysart, are from a farming background and are so convinced of the viability of their device that they are taking out a patent on it.
Once a laser beam surrounding a pit, where farm wastes are stored, is broken by someone approaching close to it, an alarm is triggered on the mobile phones of others in the vicinity connected via an app. These can be farmers, family, friends or neighbours. The system, which is powered by solar energy, can be used where there is no internet through the use of computer hardware known as a dongle, Murphy explained.
READ MORE
“Our research shows that although there are gas detectors for slurry pits, our device with the use of solar panels and infrared beams is very good at detecting anybody coming near the pit, and alerting mobile phones via an app,” Hehir added.
Food waste
Luke Dalton, Rian Gray and Tadhg Kearney of St Mary's Diocesan School in Co Louth, succeeded in developing a "microbial fuel cell" that uses fruit and vegetables to generate electricity as the foodstuff decomposes.
The second-year students were conscious of how food waste adds to climate change, and wanted to find a better way to dispose of waste generated in their school while creating a renewable energy source.
Having researched other devices they added “a salt bridge” in the form of an agar solution carried in a plastic pipe connection; this helped maximise the amount of electricity by increasing the number of ions created – a process critical to power generation.
Kearney expressed regret that their device did not perform as well as they hoped. “But it’s scalable. A bigger device will generate much more electricity,” he stressed.
The food waste issue prompted Rachel Coburn, Ella Foley and Nicole Murphy of Coláiste Choilm in Ballinchollig, Co Cork to investigate how different organisms can be used to accelerate decomposition and enhance the quality of organic fertilisers.
For their research the fourth-year students sourced a large volume of woodlice, worms and slugs from the natural environment. Woodlice generated the most compost but outdoor slugs produced the best quality in terms of phosphorous and potassium levels, Coburn confirmed.
It has been estimated that Irish households lose up €1,000 a year on food waste, so the girls hope to develop a special bin to maximise yields and savings, “and we hope too it might generate some money for us”, Foley added.
The BTYSTE opens to the public on Thursday and continues until Saturday, details at www.btyoungscientist.com.


theirishtimes--2020-01-08--Gsoc conducting inquiry into alleged abuse of liquor laws in Killarney

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission ( Gsoc ) is conducting a criminal investigation into alleged abuse of the liquor laws in Killarney and an alleged long-standing Garda failure to tackle breaches .
The investigation follows a protected disclosure by a garda who served in Killarney for six years , but who is currently on sick leave amid claims that he was ostracised after raising concerns internally .
In documents seen by The Irish Times , the Gsoc told the Garda whistleblower in June that it had decided an investigation was “ in the public interest ” .
Large volumes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including tape recordings .
In a blog , the garda claimed that some premises openly served alcohol without licences , sometimes until 6am .
In 2012 , he claimed 30 of the town ’ s 130 premises did not have liquor licences .
“ It is important to mention that the majority of publicans did keep a good house and abided fully with their obligations under licencing laws .
There were others however , who it appeared no law applied to , ” he wrote .
He alleges that records have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ licencing breaches have been filed with deliberate flaws .
Some gardaí were offered gifts , while a Garda car often ferried women home from clubs , he claimed .
Following a study of exemption orders , he claims that the number of special exemptions then sought in Killarney was a fraction of what it should be , leading to major losses for the Revenue .
The Garda has refused to comment .
In November 2016 , more than 50 Killarney-based gardaí were interviewed about allegation that a local licenced premises had offered €50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncovered , however .
In early 2018 , Kerry was described in the Dáil as “ a basket case ” when it came to Enforcement of Liquor laws by then TD Mick Wallace , who said “ favoured publicans were allowed to run pubs with immunity ” .
“ When the whistleblower attempted to enforce the law and change things so all publicans would be treated equally , he was discouraged by his colleagues , alienated and ridiculed , ” Mr Wallace said , who met with the man in 2017 .
Garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Kerry Joint Policing Committee in Tralee on Friday .
He is expected to face questions on the issue from one councillor .

The Gsoc is conducting a criminal investigation into alleged abuse of the liquor laws in Killarney and an alleged long-standing Garda failure to tackle breaches. Photograph: Thinkstock
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) is conducting a criminal investigation into alleged abuse of the liquor laws in Killarney and an alleged long-standing Garda failure to tackle breaches.
The investigation follows a protected disclosure by a garda who served in Killarney for six years, but who is currently on sick leave amid claims that he was ostracised after raising concerns internally.
In documents seen by The Irish Times, the Gsoc told the Garda whistleblower in June that it had decided an investigation was “in the public interest”. Large volumes of documents have been sought by the Gsoc, including tape recordings.
In a blog, the garda claimed that some premises openly served alcohol without licences, sometimes until 6am. In 2012, he claimed 30 of the town’s 130 premises did not have liquor licences.
READ MORE
Deliberate flaws
“It is important to mention that the majority of publicans did keep a good house and abided fully with their obligations under licencing laws. There were others however, who it appeared no law applied to,” he wrote.
He alleges that records have been falsely kept and that prosecution files for licencing breaches have been filed with deliberate flaws. Some gardaí were offered gifts, while a Garda car often ferried women home from clubs, he claimed.
Following a study of exemption orders, he claims that the number of special exemptions then sought in Killarney was a fraction of what it should be, leading to major losses for the Revenue. The Garda has refused to comment.
In November 2016, more than 50 Killarney-based gardaí were interviewed about allegation that a local licenced premises had offered €50 vouchers to gardaí. Nothing untoward was uncovered, however.
In early 2018, Kerry was described in the Dáil as "a basket case" when it came to Enforcement of Liquor laws by then TD Mick Wallace, who said "favoured publicans were allowed to run pubs with immunity".
“When the whistleblower attempted to enforce the law and change things so all publicans would be treated equally, he was discouraged by his colleagues, alienated and ridiculed,” Mr Wallace said, who met with the man in 2017.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris will appear before the County Kerry Joint Policing Committee in Tralee on Friday. He is expected to face questions on the issue from one councillor.


theirishtimes--2020-01-08--Pursuit of airport shuttle bus suspects took Garda, PSNI through five counties

Two men who stole a hotel shuttle bus from Dublin Airport with three passengers on board rammed a Garda car before driving as far as Armagh where they rammed two PSNI vehicles and then crashed the mini bus .
Within minutes of the dramatic incident beginning just before 1am outside Terminal 2 at the airport , gardaí had been alerted and patrol cars and the Garda helicopter began a major operation , which lasted more than an hour and was spread across five counties .
The suspects were eventually arrested in Co Monaghan and were still being questioned late last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Co Meath , are in their 30s and are related to each other .
The three airline passengers who happened be on the minibus when it was stolen at the airport were let out of the vehicle at junction seven of the M1 near Julianstown , Co Meath .
Gardaí got a fix on the location of the Ford Transit minibus as it was being driven close to Drogheda , Co Louth .
It was pursued from that point to Dundalk and further north towards the Border .
Gardaí used a vehicle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the townland of Newtownbalregan as it was being driven from Dundalk towards Hackballscross .
However , the Garda vehicle was rammed by the suspects who managed to evade gardaí and continued their journey towards the Border and into south Armagh .
Gardaí contacted the PSNI and an emergency response was put in place in south Armagh , with the suspects driving to Crossmaglen .
The minibus was spotted by PSNI officers in the middle of the town , where it rammed two police cars before the suspects fled again and sped back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The two suspects crashed and abandoned the minibus close to Castleblayney , where they stole a parked car and once against sped off .
However , at that point Garda sources said a decision had been taken to stop the suspects by any means necessary and shortly after they stole the car they were taken off the road with force by members of the Regional Support Unit , a heavily armed team of officers in specialist vehicles .
“ The occupants of the car , two men in their 30s , were arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Criminal Justice Act at Carrickmacross Garda station , ” Garda Headquarters said in a statement .
The men were being questioned in relation to the false imprisonment of the three tourists , who were from Colombia and the UK , and the unauthorised taking of the minibus .
The three people caught up in the early stages of the dramatic chain of events were believed to be stranded at Dublin Airport after midnight yesterday due to a cancelled transatlantic flight .
However , after making their way back to the airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country later in the day .
In the early hours of Wednesday morning they were about to be taken to a hotel close to the airport when the minibus was stolen .
The Irish Times understands they were left shaken by the experience but not physically injured .
It is understood the driver of the bus had gone to look for other passengers he was collecting when the suspects saw the minibus and decided to steal it .
Garda sources believe the men did not realise passengers were on the minibus when they @ @ @

Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport. The three airline passengers who were on the minibus when it was stolen were let out at junction seven of the M1. File photograph: Matt Kavanagh
Two men who stole a hotel shuttle bus from Dublin Airport with three passengers on board rammed a Garda car before driving as far as Armagh where they rammed two PSNI vehicles and then crashed the mini bus.
Within minutes of the dramatic incident beginning just before 1am outside Terminal 2 at the airport, gardaí had been alerted and patrol cars and the Garda helicopter began a major operation, which lasted more than an hour and was spread across five counties.
The suspects were eventually arrested in Co Monaghan and were still being questioned late last night. Both men are from Navan, Co Meath, are in their 30s and are related to each other.
The three airline passengers who happened be on the minibus when it was stolen at the airport were let out of the vehicle at junction seven of the M1 near Julianstown, Co Meath.
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Gardaí got a fix on the location of the Ford Transit minibus as it was being driven close to Drogheda, Co Louth.
It was pursued from that point to Dundalk and further north towards the Border. Gardaí used a vehicle to try and stop the minibus forcibly at the townland of Newtownbalregan as it was being driven from Dundalk towards Hackballscross.
Rammed
However, the Garda vehicle was rammed by the suspects who managed to evade gardaí and continued their journey towards the Border and into south Armagh.
Gardaí contacted the PSNI and an emergency response was put in place in south Armagh, with the suspects driving to Crossmaglen.
The minibus was spotted by PSNI officers in the middle of the town, where it rammed two police cars before the suspects fled again and sped back in the direction of the Republic. The two suspects crashed and abandoned the minibus close to Castleblayney, where they stole a parked car and once against sped off.
However, at that point Garda sources said a decision had been taken to stop the suspects by any means necessary and shortly after they stole the car they were taken off the road with force by members of the Regional Support Unit, a heavily armed team of officers in specialist vehicles.
"The occupants of the car, two men in their 30s, were arrested and are currently detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act at Carrickmacross Garda station," Garda Headquarters said in a statement.
The men were being questioned in relation to the false imprisonment of the three tourists, who were from Colombia and the UK, and the unauthorised taking of the minibus.
Stranded
The three people caught up in the early stages of the dramatic chain of events were believed to be stranded at Dublin Airport after midnight yesterday due to a cancelled transatlantic flight. However, after making their way back to the airport themselves, they flew out of the country later in the day.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning they were about to be taken to a hotel close to the airport when the minibus was stolen. The Irish Times understands they were left shaken by the experience but not physically injured.
It is understood the driver of the bus had gone to look for other passengers he was collecting when the suspects saw the minibus and decided to steal it.
Garda sources believe the men did not realise passengers were on the minibus when they took it.


theirishtimes--2020-01-08--Man (20) due to appear in court charged with abduction in Dublin

A man is due to appear in court on Thursday charged in relation to the assault and attempted abduction of @ @ @ @ @ earlier this week .
The 20-year-old man was rearrested on Wednesday evening after being questioned @ @ @ @ @ day .
The woman , who is aged in her 60s , was approached on @ @ @ @ @ a man who attempted to force her into the boot of a car .
She @ @ @ @ @ and the car drove away via Blackhorse Avenue towards Dublin city centre .
Gardaí said @ @ @ @ @ who had previously been questioned and released on foot of an arrest warrant issued by @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday evening .
The man is due to appear before Blanchardstown District Court on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ the incident .

The man is due to appear in court on Thursday morning charged in relation to the incident. File image: Cyril Byrne / The Irish Times
A man is due to appear in court on Thursday charged in relation to the assault and attempted abduction of a woman in north Dublin earlier this week.
The 20-year-old man was rearrested on Wednesday evening after being questioned and released earlier in the day.
The woman, who is aged in her 60s, was approached on Monday at approximately 7.30am by a man who attempted to force her into the boot of a car. She managed to flee the scene and the car drove away via Blackhorse Avenue towards Dublin city centre.
Gardaí said they rearrested the 20-year-old man who had previously been questioned and released on foot of an arrest warrant issued by a District Court judge on Wednesday evening.
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The man is due to appear before Blanchardstown District Court on Thursday morning charged in relation to the incident.


theirishtimes--2020-01-08--Droimeann cow recognised as native rare irish breed

An endangered breed of cow has been recognised as a native rare Irish breed in a move that is expected to bolster its numbers .
The Droimeann cow , recognisable by a white streak along its backbone , has been recorded in historical documents for many years , according to Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed .
With just 243 breeding females and 23 breeding males , the breed is considered to be at risk .
Its designation as a native breed follows extensive DNA profiling that showed its bovine type was distinct from that of other breeds .
Mr Creed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday .
“ There are many factors such as cultural , historic , and genetic diversity that make the Droimeann a breed with a rich history unique to Ireland .
They have an adaptability that has allowed them to thrive in Irish production conditions .
There are historical references to the breed for many years , and thanks to a lot of work by many people and the advent of modern genotyping techniques , we have finally been able to prove their uniqueness as a breed , ” Mr Creed said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rare Irish breed was the Kerry Bog Pony , 15 years ago .
The list of breeds recognised as being native and rare now includes Kerry , Dexter , Irish Maol and Droimeann cattle ; Connemara ponies ; and Irish draught and Galway sheep .

An endangered breed of cow has been recognised as a native rare Irish breed in a move that is expected to bolster its numbers.
The Droimeann cow, recognisable by a white streak along its backbone, has been recorded in historical documents for many years, according to Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed.
With just 243 breeding females and 23 breeding males, the breed is considered to be at risk. Its designation as a native breed follows extensive DNA profiling that showed its bovine type was distinct from that of other breeds.
Mr Creed approved the new recognition of the breed on Wednesday. “There are many factors such as cultural, historic, and genetic diversity that make the Droimeann a breed with a rich history unique to Ireland. They have an adaptability that has allowed them to thrive in Irish production conditions. There are historical references to the breed for many years, and thanks to a lot of work by many people and the advent of modern genotyping techniques, we have finally been able to prove their uniqueness as a breed,” Mr Creed said.
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The last animal to be designated a rare Irish breed was the Kerry Bog Pony, 15 years ago. The list of breeds recognised as being native and rare now includes Kerry, Dexter, Irish Maol and Droimeann cattle; Connemara ponies; and Irish draught and Galway sheep.


theirishtimes--2020-01-08--Ireland getting wetter as average rainfall increases, says CSO

In an era captivated by global warming and shifting weather patterns , Ireland is getting wetter .
According to the annual Central Statistics Office ( CSO ) Facts & Figures report , which gives a tantalising portrait of the country in numbers , average rainfall in 2018 was 1,224 millimetres compared to 912 millimetres in 1971 .
The CSO compilation – data published during 2019 but which covers topics over a number of recent years – gives other insights into the Irish environment .
For example , the amount of land under settlement in 2017 was just 1.7 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The area covered by forest , meanwhile , increased from an average of 7.3 per cent in the early 1990s to 10.8 per cent .
Since 1848 , the number of cattle has “ increased consistently ” , the data shows , peaking at 7.6 million in June , 1998 , and dropping slightly to 7.3 million by June , 2018 .
In 2017 renewable energy accounted for just over 30 per cent of electricity generation .
In 2018 number of public bus and coach passenger journeys was at an average of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2005 and 2009 .
However , while there was a welcome reduction in bus use , cycling rates have also declined .
Between 1986 and 2016 the number of people aged 15 and over who cycled to work fell from 5 to 4 per cent among men and from 6 to 2 per cent among women .
In the area of housing , residential property prices rose by 6.3 per cent in the year to December , 2018 , a slowdown from the 12.1 per cent rate during the year to December , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October last year , 45,486 household purchases were filed with Revenue of which 31.5 per cent were first time buyers .
The report also shows that Ireland ’ s population is fast approaching the five million mark , estimated last year to have reached 4,921,500 .
Those figures relate to annual estimates as opposed to five-yearly census data , the former calculated according to data on migration , births and deaths .
Of the total population last year , 87.3 per cent were Irish nationals .
By the third quarter of the year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployed , down by 11 per cent over the previous year .
In terms of how Ireland has evolved socially , the report found that 33.2 per cent of LGBTI+ people experienced discrimination , the highest single grouping .
Age was cited as a factor among 34.1 per cent of people who felt discriminated against , while 21.9 per cent referred to race , skin colour , ethnic group or nationality .
Gender was mentioned by 33 per cent of people when it came to workplace discrimination – just over 13 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it had a very serious effect on their lives .
In 2019 , just one-in-nine chief executives of large enterprises were women and 72 per cent of senior executive roles were occupied by men .
Despite the ongoing contention surrounding broadband supply , the CSO data showed 91 per cent all households had internet access , while almost all of those with two adults and dependent children ( 99 per cent ) had .
Fraudulent emails , or phishing , was experienced by 15 per cent internet users .
The report notes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were registered which is 23.2 per cent fewer than in 2008 .
And in one of the most popular annual statistics , the office reports Jack and Emily as holding on to the position of most popular baby name in 2018 , although they are joined for the first time in the top 100 list by Frankie , Freddie , Bella and Ada among others .
In the same year , there were 664 same sex marriages , or just over 3 per cent of all unions ( 20,389 ) .
Slightly more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the leading causes recorded as heart disease .
Other figures in the report went even further back .
In health , it looked at 2017 data showing overall expenditure of €21.1 billion , an increase of 13 per cent since 2012 .
The number of GPs working under the General Medical Scheme increased from 2,413 in 2013 to 3,005 .
In 2016 , four out of five higher education graduates were in “ substantial employment ” in the first year after completing their course .
However , median male earnings per week slightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ €485 to €470 .
At the same time , females were more likely to be “ substantially employed ” .

According to the annual CSO Facts & Figures report average rainfall in 2018 was 1,224 millimetres compared to 912 millimetres in 1971. Photograph: Haydn West/PA
In an era captivated by global warming and shifting weather patterns, Ireland is getting wetter.
According to the annual Central Statistics Office (CSO) Facts & Figures report, which gives a tantalising portrait of the country in numbers, average rainfall in 2018 was 1,224 millimetres compared to 912 millimetres in 1971.
The CSO compilation – data published during 2019 but which covers topics over a number of recent years – gives other insights into the Irish environment.
For example, the amount of land under settlement in 2017 was just 1.7 per cent while grassland accounted for 58.5 per cent. The area covered by forest, meanwhile, increased from an average of 7.3 per cent in the early 1990s to 10.8 per cent.
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Since 1848, the number of cattle has “increased consistently”, the data shows, peaking at 7.6 million in June, 1998, and dropping slightly to 7.3 million by June, 2018.
In 2017 renewable energy accounted for just over 30 per cent of electricity generation. In 2018 number of public bus and coach passenger journeys was at an average of 226.7 million compared to 234.1 million between 2005 and 2009.
However, while there was a welcome reduction in bus use, cycling rates have also declined. Between 1986 and 2016 the number of people aged 15 and over who cycled to work fell from 5 to 4 per cent among men and from 6 to 2 per cent among women.
In the area of housing, residential property prices rose by 6.3 per cent in the year to December, 2018, a slowdown from the 12.1 per cent rate during the year to December, 2017.
In the 12 months to October last year, 45,486 household purchases were filed with Revenue of which 31.5 per cent were first time buyers.
The report also shows that Ireland’s population is fast approaching the five million mark, estimated last year to have reached 4,921,500.
Those figures relate to annual estimates as opposed to five-yearly census data, the former calculated according to data on migration, births and deaths. Of the total population last year, 87.3 per cent were Irish nationals.
By the third quarter of the year just 128,000 people were found to be unemployed, down by 11 per cent over the previous year.
Social evolution
In terms of how Ireland has evolved socially, the report found that 33.2 per cent of LGBTI+ people experienced discrimination, the highest single grouping.
Age was cited as a factor among 34.1 per cent of people who felt discriminated against, while 21.9 per cent referred to race, skin colour, ethnic group or nationality. Gender was mentioned by 33 per cent of people when it came to workplace discrimination – just over 13 per cent of those on the receiving end said it had a very serious effect on their lives.
In 2019, just one-in-nine chief executives of large enterprises were women and 72 per cent of senior executive roles were occupied by men.
Despite the ongoing contention surrounding broadband supply, the CSO data showed 91 per cent all households had internet access, while almost all of those with two adults and dependent children (99 per cent) had. Fraudulent emails, or phishing, was experienced by 15 per cent internet users.
The report notes that in 2018, just over 61,000 births were registered which is 23.2 per cent fewer than in 2008.
And in one of the most popular annual statistics, the office reports Jack and Emily as holding on to the position of most popular baby name in 2018, although they are joined for the first time in the top 100 list by Frankie, Freddie, Bella and Ada among others.
In the same year, there were 664 same sex marriages, or just over 3 per cent of all unions (20,389).
Slightly more than 31,000 people died in 2018 with the leading causes recorded as heart disease.
Other figures in the report went even further back. In health, it looked at 2017 data showing overall expenditure of €21.1 billion, an increase of 13 per cent since 2012. The number of GPs working under the General Medical Scheme increased from 2,413 in 2013 to 3,005.
In 2016, four out of five higher education graduates were in “substantial employment” in the first year after completing their course. However, median male earnings per week slightly outstripped those of their female counterparts at €485 to €470. At the same time, females were more likely to be “substantially employed”.


theirishtimes--2020-01-08--Irish Water fined €2,000 for failing to address drinking water problems in Cork

Irish Water has been fined €2,000 and ordered to pay €5,500 in legal costs for failing to address drinking water problems in Co Cork .
The national water utility , which is responsible for providing and developing water and wastewater services throughout Ireland , faced charges following a direction given on June 5th , 2015 by the Environmental Protection Agency .
The prosecution brought by the EPA was in respect of the supply of drinking water at Drimoleague and Kealkill .
The court heard Irish Water failed to submit final reports to the EPA before the end of 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not excessive .
THMs , which can have carcinogenic effects if consumed over long periods , are a byproduct of chlorination to disinfect ground water .
The case was listed again before judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court on Wednesday for finalisation .
A guilty plea had been marked in October .
The court heard it was expected Irish Water will be compliant in the near future .
The judge convicted it and imposed two fines each in the sum of €1,000 and he ordered a contribution to prosecution costs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were adjourned until March .
They were in connection with alleged sewage problems in Co Kildare and Co Cork .

Irish Water was also ordered to pay €5,500 in legal costs for failing to address drinking water problems in Co Cork. Photograph: Thomas Trutschel/Photothek/Getty Images
Irish Water has been fined €2,000 and ordered to pay €5,500 in legal costs for failing to address drinking water problems in Co Cork.
The national water utility, which is responsible for providing and developing water and wastewater services throughout Ireland, faced charges following a direction given on June 5th, 2015 by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The prosecution brought by the EPA was in respect of the supply of drinking water at Drimoleague and Kealkill.
The court heard Irish Water failed to submit final reports to the EPA before the end of 2018, verifying that trihalomethane (THM) levels were not excessive.
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THMs, which can have carcinogenic effects if consumed over long periods, are a byproduct of chlorination to disinfect ground water.
Compliant
The case was listed again before judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court on Wednesday for finalisation. A guilty plea had been marked in October.
The court heard it was expected Irish Water will be compliant in the near future.
The judge convicted it and imposed two fines each in the sum of €1,000 and he ordered a contribution to prosecution costs.
Two other EPA prosecutions against Irish Water were adjourned until March. They were in connection with alleged sewage problems in Co Kildare and Co Cork.


theirishtimes--2020-01-08--Woman arrested at Belfast airport on suspicion of money laundering

A woman has been arrested at Belfast City Airport on suspicion of money laundering .
The 26-year-old was detained by @ @ @ @ @ of Northern Ireland ’ s ( PSNI ) Organised Crime Unit .
A large amount @ @ @ @ @ .
Det Insp Pete Mullan said the arrest represented the latest in a series of @ @ @ @ @ unit .
“ Tackling organised crime remains a priority for the PSNI .
This operation @ @ @ @ @ in a series of operations carried out by PSNI Organised Crime Unit , ” he @ @ @ @ @ continue to make Northern Ireland a hostile environment to those involved in organised crime within @ @ @ @ @ will seek to identify them , arrest them and bring them before the courts .
@ @ @ @ @ robustly and proactively pursue those who are intent on damaging our communities.
” “ If @ @ @ @ @ criminality call police on 101.
” – PA

Det Insp Pete Mullan said the arrest represented the latest in a series of operations carried out by the PSNI’s Organised Crime Unit. Photograph: iStock
A woman has been arrested at Belfast City Airport on suspicion of money laundering.
The 26-year-old was detained by detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) Organised Crime Unit.
A large amount of cash was also seized.
Det Insp Pete Mullan said the arrest represented the latest in a series of operations carried out by the unit.
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“Tackling organised crime remains a priority for the PSNI. This operation and arrest is the latest in a series of operations carried out by PSNI Organised Crime Unit,” he said.
“We will continue to make Northern Ireland a hostile environment to those involved in organised crime within our communities.
“We will seek to identify them, arrest them and bring them before the courts.
“We will continue to robustly and proactively pursue those who are intent on damaging our communities.”
“If you have any information about criminality call police on 101.” – PA