theirishtimes--2020-09-30--How one couple’s weekend away resulted in 30 Covid-19 cases

A case of how one couple ’ s weekend away resulted in 30 cases was among the examples of recent clusters outlined by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) on Wednesday .
Dr Breda Smyth of Director of Public Health at HSE West cited a cluster of 30 cases which arose after a young couple went away for a weekend and attended a house party .
This resulted in six to eight cases , and cases in three to four households .
On the second day of their trip , they went with friends to a town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The pair attended a bar , where six people at an adjacent table , and four staff , tested positive .
They then went on to a “ drinks venue ” , where four more cases occurred .
In another cluster of 24 cases involving intergenerational social mixing , the outbreak started in a small rural place where middle-aged people had gathered .
There was socialising in a pub and workplace and further transmission occurred in the pub over the weekend .
Fourteen of the cases were directly linked to socialising and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 70 .
In the outbreak , there were three family clusters , three schools were affected and also one workplace .
A third example arose from two student parties on the same night .
There was mixing between the parties , leading to 21 cases among those in attendance .
One of these people then had dinner with a university friend , who later went to class .
Later 15 out of 26 people in the class tested positive , giving 36 cases in total .
The students were masked and observed social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmission occurred during break-time .
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday , acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn again urged people to halve their social contacts .
“ Reducing the number of people that we meet - and engaging safely with a small core group - remains the cornerstone of our collective effort to reduce the spread of this virus and its impact on our health and the health of the people that we care about , ” he said .

A case of how one couple’s weekend away resulted in 30 cases was among the examples of recent clusters outlined by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on Wednesday.
Dr Breda Smyth of Director of Public Health at HSE West cited a cluster of 30 cases which arose after a young couple went away for a weekend and attended a house party. This resulted in six to eight cases, and cases in three to four households. On the second day of their trip, they went with friends to a town centre, resulting in four more cases.
The pair attended a bar, where six people at an adjacent table, and four staff, tested positive. They then went on to a “drinks venue”, where four more cases occurred.
This evening Dr Breda Smyth @HSELive showed this slide.
It demonstrates how fast #COVID19 spread between people over the course of one weekend - and how important it is to stay home if you're unwell or a close contact of a case.
Make a plan today to limit your social contacts. pic.twitter.com/KtL3965bLP — Department of Health (@roinnslainte) September 30, 2020
In another cluster of 24 cases involving intergenerational social mixing, the outbreak started in a small rural place where middle-aged people had gathered. There was socialising in a pub and workplace and further transmission occurred in the pub over the weekend.
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Fourteen of the cases were directly linked to socialising and 11 involved people aged between 45 and 70. In the outbreak, there were three family clusters, three schools were affected and also one workplace.
A third example arose from two student parties on the same night. There was mixing between the parties, leading to 21 cases among those in attendance. One of these people then had dinner with a university friend, who later went to class. Later 15 out of 26 people in the class tested positive, giving 36 cases in total. The students were masked and observed social distancing, but public health officials believe transmission occurred during break-time.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn again urged people to halve their social contacts. “Reducing the number of people that we meet - and engaging safely with a small core group - remains the cornerstone of our collective effort to reduce the spread of this virus and its impact on our health and the health of the people that we care about,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-09-30--Christy Kinahan charged with passport fraud by Spanish prosecutors

Christy Kinahan , the one-time leader of the Kinahan organised crime group , has been charged with passport fraud by Spanish prosecutors .
However Spanish authorities have decided not to charge him with the more serious offences of money laundering and membership of a criminal gang .
They have also dropped investigations into Kinahan ’ s two sons , Daniel ( 43 ) and Christy Jnr ( 40 ) , who have been named in the Irish High Court as running the day to day operations of the international drugs gang .
The announcements come after the conclusion of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Kinahan gang and their associates which involved police from Ireland , the UK and Spain .
The judicial investigation has been ongoing since 2010 when Christy Kinahan ( 63 ) , his two sons and 28 other associates were arrested by heavily armed Spanish police on suspicion of involvement in drugs and weapons trafficking .
This followed a two year investigation known as Operation Shovel .
In 2014 , the investigation moved away from these alleged offences and focused on allegations of money laundering and gang membership .
It was confirmed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people under investigation will face charges , most of which carry short prison terms on conviction .
Christy Kinahan and two other men have been charged with passport fraud .
Another man has been charged with using fake number plates on a Mercedes .
A fifth man has been charged with unlawful possession of a weapon .
Christy Kinahan has been warned he could face a prison sentence of up to three years and a fine if convicted .
He has already spent about six months in prison following his initial arrest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Spanish courts to hand out jail sentences of more than a year for passport fraud where a plea bargain deal resulting in a fine and possibly a suspended prison sentence for offenders is not reached ahead of trial , ” a legal source said .
The court decision to charge Christy Kinahan was made at the same time his two sons were told the case against them was being dropped .
Christy Kinahan continues to live in Dubai along with Daniel and Christy Junior .
It is unclear if the Spanish will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future .
Other Kinahan associates who will not be charged include Alexandra Garcia , Daniel Kinahan ’ s one-time girlfriend , and John Cunningham who masterminded the 1986 kidnapping of Jennifer Guinness , the wife of a wealthy banker .

Christy Kinahan, the one-time leader of the Kinahan organised crime group, has been charged with passport fraud by Spanish prosecutors.
However Spanish authorities have decided not to charge him with the more serious offences of money laundering and membership of a criminal gang.
They have also dropped investigations into Kinahan's two sons, Daniel (43) and Christy Jnr (40), who have been named in the Irish High Court as running the day to day operations of the international drugs gang.
The announcements come after the conclusion of a long running investigation into the activities of the Kinahan gang and their associates which involved police from Ireland, the UK and Spain.
READ MORE
The judicial investigation has been ongoing since 2010 when Christy Kinahan (63), his two sons and 28 other associates were arrested by heavily armed Spanish police on suspicion of involvement in drugs and weapons trafficking. This followed a two year investigation known as Operation Shovel.
In 2014, the investigation moved away from these alleged offences and focused on allegations of money laundering and gang membership.
It was confirmed on Wednesday only five of the original 31 people under investigation will face charges, most of which carry short prison terms on conviction.
Prison sentence
Christy Kinahan and two other men have been charged with passport fraud. Another man has been charged with using fake number plates on a Mercedes.
A fifth man has been charged with unlawful possession of a weapon.
Christy Kinahan has been warned he could face a prison sentence of up to three years and a fine if convicted.
He has already spent about six months in prison following his initial arrest in 2010.
“It’s rare for Spanish courts to hand out jail sentences of more than a year for passport fraud where a plea bargain deal resulting in a fine and possibly a suspended prison sentence for offenders is not reached ahead of trial,” a legal source said.
The court decision to charge Christy Kinahan was made at the same time his two sons were told the case against them was being dropped.
Christy Kinahan continues to live in Dubai along with Daniel and Christy Junior. It is unclear if the Spanish will initiate an extradition process in the near future.
Other Kinahan associates who will not be charged include Alexandra Garcia, Daniel Kinahan's one-time girlfriend, and John Cunningham who masterminded the 1986 kidnapping of Jennifer Guinness, the wife of a wealthy banker.


theirishtimes--2020-09-30--More powers to police house parties not in State’s best interest, says Garda chief

The policing of house parties and large-scale street gatherings had been “ difficult ” for the Garda during the Covid-19 pandemic , but it was that doubtful giving the force more powers to deal with them would be a good idea for the Republic , Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said .
“ I have my doubts as to whether more policing powers in a health emergency is the correct route for us to go as a country , ” he said .
Speaking at a public meeting of the Policing Authority on Wednesday , Mr Harris said that breaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catered for ” by the Covid-19 regulations formulated by Government .
Separately , he described some “ far right ” groups now protesting more often in the Republic as posing a national security challenge and he was keeping Minister for Justice Helen McEntee informed .
The growth of the far right was “ a European phenomenon ” and the Republic was not “ entirely isolated ” from that wider trend .
Mr Harris added the Garda was aware media focus on the far right was also increasing in Ireland .
“ We do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an issue concerning national security and therefore we keep the Minister informed of our particular concerns we have in respect of that , ” he said .
There was , he said , no “ simple answer ” to the problem of house parties which were taking place despite the Covid-19 pandemic and partly because of a lack of “ other places of entertainment to attend ” .
When gardaí arrived at such gatherings their very arrival “ dampened ” the “ ambience ” .
“ But people do have constitutional rights in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we do have to respect that but at the same time to be in a position to respond to serious criminality should we see that , ” Mr Harris said .
At the meeting he was asked repeatedly about a recent party involving large numbers of people at Oliver Bond flats in Dublin ’ s south inner city , the hundreds of people gathered on the streets in Galway city drinking on Monday night and house parties in Cork as part of freshers ’ week at University College Cork .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said of policing house parties and street drinking during the Covid-19 pandemic , which gardaí aimed to bring to an end by arriving on the scene and using “ persuasion ” .
“ To start moving further in terms of entering a home to break up a party , that ’ s a serious escalation in terms of our enforcement powers .
It ’ s a road that we should be very careful of before we step down on , ” he said .
“ At some point we will come out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m always remembering we have civil liberties that we enjoy , that we wish to protect going forward and also , for our part in An Garda Síochána , that we have protected our relationship with the public as well.
” Deputy Commissioner John Twomey said some of the media reports about recent street gatherings were not accurate .
He explained that during early engagements by gardaí with people gathered at the event at Oliver Bond flats two weeks ago , gardaí had encouraged people to behave appropriately and initially there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a subsequent point , at a time later in the evening , when the numbers had grown and people were actually expressing vomit that some of the behaviour became unacceptable ... it became more evident , and we dealt with it at that particular time.
” The issue of the Garda ’ s record on investigating sex crimes was also discussed at the meeting , with authority member Judith Gillespie saying detection rates for rape and sexual assault reported was as low as four per cent .
However , the Garda ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sullivan said that the figure related only to sex crimes reported so far this year .
It was “ artificially low ” as it would take more time for the crimes reported in 2020 to reach an investigative conclusion .
Ms Gillespie said she accepted “ excellent ” progress was being made by the Garda in relation to how it investigated such crimes .

The policing of house parties and large-scale street gatherings had been "difficult" for the Garda during the Covid-19 pandemic, but it was that doubtful giving the force more powers to deal with them would be a good idea for the Republic, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said.
“I have my doubts as to whether more policing powers in a health emergency is the correct route for us to go as a country,” he said.
Speaking at a public meeting of the Policing Authority on Wednesday, Mr Harris said that breaking up parties and gatherings was not "catered for" by the Covid-19 regulations formulated by Government.
Separately, he described some “far right” groups now protesting more often in the Republic as posing a national security challenge and he was keeping Minister for Justice Helen McEntee informed.
READ MORE
The growth of the far right was "a European phenomenon" and the Republic was not "entirely isolated" from that wider trend. Mr Harris added the Garda was aware media focus on the far right was also increasing in Ireland.
“We do regard that, properly, as being an issue concerning national security and therefore we keep the Minister informed of our particular concerns we have in respect of that,” he said.
There was, he said, no “simple answer” to the problem of house parties which were taking place despite the Covid-19 pandemic and partly because of a lack of “other places of entertainment to attend”.
When gardaí arrived at such gatherings their very arrival “dampened” the “ambience”.
“But people do have constitutional rights in terms of protection of the home place and we do have to respect that but at the same time to be in a position to respond to serious criminality should we see that,” Mr Harris said.
At the meeting he was asked repeatedly about a recent party involving large numbers of people at Oliver Bond flats in Dublin's south inner city, the hundreds of people gathered on the streets in Galway city drinking on Monday night and house parties in Cork as part of freshers' week at University College Cork.
“It has been difficult,” Mr Harris said of policing house parties and street drinking during the Covid-19 pandemic, which gardaí aimed to bring to an end by arriving on the scene and using “persuasion”.
Escalation
“To start moving further in terms of entering a home to break up a party, that’s a serious escalation in terms of our enforcement powers. It’s a road that we should be very careful of before we step down on,” he said.
"At some point we will come out of this crisis as it is. And I'm always remembering we have civil liberties that we enjoy, that we wish to protect going forward and also, for our part in An Garda Síochána, that we have protected our relationship with the public as well."
Deputy Commissioner John Twomey said some of the media reports about recent street gatherings were not accurate. He explained that during early engagements by gardaí with people gathered at the event at Oliver Bond flats two weeks ago, gardaí had encouraged people to behave appropriately and initially there was compliance.
“It was only at a subsequent point, at a time later in the evening, when the numbers had grown and people were actually expressing vomit that some of the behaviour became unacceptable ... it became more evident, and we dealt with it at that particular time.”
The issue of the Garda's record on investigating sex crimes was also discussed at the meeting, with authority member Judith Gillespie saying detection rates for rape and sexual assault reported was as low as four per cent.
However, the Garda’s chief information officer Andrew O’Sullivan said that the figure related only to sex crimes reported so far this year. It was “artificially low” as it would take more time for the crimes reported in 2020 to reach an investigative conclusion. Ms Gillespie said she accepted “excellent” progress was being made by the Garda in relation to how it investigated such crimes.


theirishtimes--2020-09-30--Garda chief warns of ‘Halloween like no other’

Halloween 2020 will be a “ Halloween like no other ” , Dublin based Garda Chief Supt Patrick McMenamin has said , with an increase in antisocial behaviour and illegal fireworks , and the cancellation of traditional events .
Concerns are growing around the policing of Halloween in Dublin this year with coronavirus restrictions in place .
It emerged a month ago Dublin City Council would not hold its traditional Halloween festival events this year due to concerns over an inability to enforce Covid-19 public health guidelines .
Chief Supt McMenamin on Wednesday told the city council ’ s joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fireworks had started earlier than usual and anti-social behaviour and associated public order arrests had increased since the summer .
The Garda ’ s annual Halloween initiative , Operation Tombola , had started on September 4th , because of the early use of fireworks , and there had already been a number of fireworks seizures including one in Ballyfermot in recent days , he said .
Each Garda division had been given additional resources to combat the problem , and two public order units would be deployed in the city in the week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McMenamin said .
“ Always associated with Halloween there is a level of activity that requires policing ” , but this was particularly true this year , he said , “ because of a lack of organised events , that have been so successful across the city in previous years ” .
Sinn Féin councillor Larry O ’ Toole said fireworks had been plaguing communities for the last four weeks .
“ There are incidents of feral gangs going around on scooters taking over local areas .
They have the great reason now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be identified.
” Labour councillor Joe Costello said there seemed to be a “ greater number of bangers ” this year and their use had taken a “ sinister turn ” in that they were being thrown at people .
Sinn Féin ’ s Daithí Doolan said “ communities are being held to ransom ” by the use of fireworks .
Chief Supt McMenamin urged communities to report incidents , particularly the sale of fireworks and the stockpiling of materials for bonfires , which are also illegal .
Under the 2006 Criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to possess a firework with the intent to sell it , or to ignite or to throw it , ” he said .
There were also more serious offences to consider , he said .
“ A firework could be deemed to be an offensive weapon depending on the demeanour of the person that has it .
”

The Garda’s annual Halloween initiative, Operation Tombola, had started on September 4th, because of the early use of fireworks. Photograph: iStock
Halloween 2020 will be a "Halloween like no other", Dublin based Garda Chief Supt Patrick McMenamin has said, with an increase in antisocial behaviour and illegal fireworks, and the cancellation of traditional events.
Concerns are growing around the policing of Halloween in Dublin this year with coronavirus restrictions in place.
It emerged a month ago Dublin City Council would not hold its traditional Halloween festival events this year due to concerns over an inability to enforce Covid-19 public health guidelines.
Chief Supt McMenamin on Wednesday told the city council’s joint policing committee that the use of illegal fireworks had started earlier than usual and anti-social behaviour and associated public order arrests had increased since the summer.
READ MORE
The Garda's annual Halloween initiative, Operation Tombola, had started on September 4th, because of the early use of fireworks, and there had already been a number of fireworks seizures including one in Ballyfermot in recent days, he said.
Resources
Each Garda division had been given additional resources to combat the problem, and two public order units would be deployed in the city in the week running up to Halloween, Chief Supt McMenamin said.
“Always associated with Halloween there is a level of activity that requires policing”, but this was particularly true this year, he said, “because of a lack of organised events, that have been so successful across the city in previous years”.
Sinn Féin councillor Larry O’Toole said fireworks had been plaguing communities for the last four weeks.
“There are incidents of feral gangs going around on scooters taking over local areas. They have the great reason now for wearing masks so they can’t be identified.”
‘Bangers’
Labour councillor Joe Costello said there seemed to be a "greater number of bangers" this year and their use had taken a "sinister turn" in that they were being thrown at people .
Sinn Féin’s Daithí Doolan said “communities are being held to ransom” by the use of fireworks.
Chief Supt McMenamin urged communities to report incidents, particularly the sale of fireworks and the stockpiling of materials for bonfires, which are also illegal.
Under the 2006 Criminal Justice Act, “it is illegal to possess a firework with the intent to sell it, or to ignite or to throw it,” he said.
There were also more serious offences to consider, he said. “A firework could be deemed to be an offensive weapon depending on the demeanour of the person that has it.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-30--Leaving Cert Q&A: How did the errors happen and will students get new CAO offers?

How many students , exactly , are affected by errors in the Leaving Cert calculated grades system ?
The precise number of students who will receive higher grades will not be available until a series of verification checks are completed .
However , the Department of Education says its likely to be in the region of 6,500 .
The majority of students will be moved up a single grade , which at higher level is the equivalent of about 10 CAO points .
No student will receive a reduced grade in any subject as a result of this process .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher CAO preferences on foot of this ?
It ’ s hard to say for sure .
Normally , just under one in five students who get upgrades are entitled to a higher preference course .
This means , in theory , that about 1,300 students could be entitled to a higher preference college course .
In reality , the number will be smaller on the basis that not all students affected have applied to go to college ; some will already have secured their first preference course ; and some who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to accept it .
At a guess , anywhere from a few hundred to up to a 1,000 new college places may be needed for these students .
Will upgraded students be able to take up a higher preference course in the current academic year ?
The Department of Higher Education is to work with the CAO and third-level colleges to ensure these students are offered higher preference courses , where relevant .
Minister for Education Norma Foley says “ every effort ” will be made to ensure these students can start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education institutions have said they do their best to accommodate students .
It remains to be seen , however , if students who qualify for very high demand courses such as dentistry and medicine will be able to take up these courses this year , given that many have reached maximum capacity .
When will students know whether they have been upgraded ?
The Department of Education will contact students who will be receiving the improved grades as soon as all the checks are completed .
This is likely to take several days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of student results to the CAO so colleges can determine if a student is due a new offer and to do everything possible to facilitate their admission .
Any student who would have been entitled to a different offer in previous CAO rounds if they received the correct grade on September 7th last will receive this offer or a deferred offer as soon as possible after the updating of results .
How did the error occur ?
Two errors were discovered in the coding used to implement the standardisation process , which adjusted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The first error was in a line of code programmed by an external contractor , Canadian firm Polymetrika International Inc .
The error affected the way in which candidates ’ Junior Cycle results were included in the standardisation process .
It was intended that the students ’ aggregate Junior Cycle results in Irish , English and Maths would be included in the data used by the national standardisation process , together with their two best other subjects .
This was aimed at building a picture on the likely performance of an individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the error meant that students ’ results in their two weakest subjects ended up being used .
As a result , in some subjects , students received calculated grades that were lower than they should have been and some received grades that were higher .
Was that the only error ?
No .
A second error was discovered while performing checks related to rectifying the first error .
It meant Junior Cycle results for the subject Civic , Social and Political Education ( CSPE ) were included in error in the data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supported to be used in the standardisation process .
So , what happens now ?
The errors are being rectified and the process is being re-checked with a series of independent checks now underway .
A US firm ETS Educational Testing Service , which specialises in educational measurement , is reviewing aspects of the coding .
Once this is completed , the department says it will have full information on which students will benefit from the improved grades and the specific subjects involved for each student .
What can students do in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait for the revised results .
The Department of Education has put in place a helpline and email address to answer queries from students .
The helpline number is 01-8892199 and the email address is LC2020 @ education.gov.ie .
The helpline will be open on Thursday from 10am-5pm .

Minister for Education Norma Foley says “every effort” will be made to ensure these students can start in the coming year, and higher education institutions have said they do their best to accommodate students. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
How many students, exactly, are affected by errors in the Leaving Cert calculated grades system?
The precise number of students who will receive higher grades will not be available until a series of verification checks are completed. However, the Department of Education says its likely to be in the region of 6,500.
The majority of students will be moved up a single grade, which at higher level is the equivalent of about 10 CAO points.
No student will receive a reduced grade in any subject as a result of this process.
How many students will be entitled to higher CAO preferences on foot of this?
It’s hard to say for sure. Normally, just under one in five students who get upgrades are entitled to a higher preference course.
READ MORE
This means, in theory, that about 1,300 students could be entitled to a higher preference college course.
In reality, the number will be smaller on the basis that not all students affected have applied to go to college; some will already have secured their first preference course; and some who are entitled to a higher offer may opt not to accept it.
At a guess, anywhere from a few hundred to up to a 1,000 new college places may be needed for these students.
Will upgraded students be able to take up a higher preference course in the current academic year?
The Department of Higher Education is to work with the CAO and third-level colleges to ensure these students are offered higher preference courses, where relevant.
Minister for Education Norma Foley says "every effort" will be made to ensure these students can start in the coming year, and higher education institutions have said they do their best to accommodate students.
It remains to be seen, however, if students who qualify for very high demand courses such as dentistry and medicine will be able to take up these courses this year, given that many have reached maximum capacity.
When will students know whether they have been upgraded?
The Department of Education will contact students who will be receiving the improved grades as soon as all the checks are completed. This is likely to take several days.
It will send a corrected file of student results to the CAO so colleges can determine if a student is due a new offer and to do everything possible to facilitate their admission.
Any student who would have been entitled to a different offer in previous CAO rounds if they received the correct grade on September 7th last will receive this offer or a deferred offer as soon as possible after the updating of results.
How did the error occur?
Two errors were discovered in the coding used to implement the standardisation process, which adjusted teachers’ estimated grades up or down.
The first error was in a line of code programmed by an external contractor, Canadian firm Polymetrika International Inc.
The error affected the way in which candidates' Junior Cycle results were included in the standardisation process.
It was intended that the students’ aggregate Junior Cycle results in Irish, English and Maths would be included in the data used by the national standardisation process, together with their two best other subjects.
This was aimed at building a picture on the likely performance of an individual class in the Leaving Cert.
However, the error meant that students’ results in their two weakest subjects ended up being used.
As a result, in some subjects, students received calculated grades that were lower than they should have been and some received grades that were higher.
Was that the only error?
No. A second error was discovered while performing checks related to rectifying the first error.
It meant Junior Cycle results for the subject Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) were included in error in the data mentioned above. This subject was not supported to be used in the standardisation process.
So, what happens now?
The errors are being rectified and the process is being re-checked with a series of independent checks now underway.
A US firm ETS Educational Testing Service, which specialises in educational measurement, is reviewing aspects of the coding.
Once this is completed, the department says it will have full information on which students will benefit from the improved grades and the specific subjects involved for each student.
What can students do in the meantime?
Not all that much besides wait for the revised results. The Department of Education has put in place a helpline and email address to answer queries from students.
The helpline number is 01-8892199 and the email address is LC2020@education.gov.ie. The helpline will be open on Thursday from 10am-5pm.


theirishtimes--2020-10-02--Firm linked to errors in Leaving Cert results paid €163,000

Polymetrika International Inc , the Canadian firm linked to errors in Leaving Cert results , has been paid a total of €163,000 by the Department of Education without a tendering process .
The department said a full procurement process did not take place on the basis that there was “ insufficient time ” to do so .
Polymetrika International Inc is based out of a residential home in Ottawa , according to company records .
The company ’ s chief executive is Dr Fernando Cartwright , though it is not clear from the firm ’ s website or other records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the address of 150 Hinchey Avenue .
He was not available for comment on Thursday when a reporter called to the address .
Polymetrika ’ s website states that it “ enjoys an international clientele ” and that its primary focus is on “ large-scale assessment and knowledge-mobilisation projects ” .
The department confirmed that it originally awarded Polymetrika a contract worth €71,500 to cover 65 days of work earlier this year for statistical and other services as a contingency measure in the event that the Leaving Cert exams were cancelled .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional work outside the contract at a rate of more than €1,100 a day to help provide coding services for the calculated grades system .
Dr Cartwright has previously been involved in research papers which have involved the Education and Research Centre in Dublin .
A department spokeswoman said Polymetrika was appointed on the basis that it had “ recognised expertise in what is a highly technical and specialised field ” .
Last night Minister for Education Norma Foley told the Dáil a full review of the calculated grades process will be conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students for the errors in coding “ that should not have occurred ” .
Students who receive an alternative college offer can continue in their current course for the year .
“ They remain eligible for free fees and Susi funding as if they were starting college for the first time.
” She told the Dáil that registration for the Leaving Certificate will be extended from 5pm on Friday until Wednesday next .
Sinn Féin education spokesman Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked how Polymetrika got the contract .
Ms Foley said the company had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May and the department availed of a negotiated procurement procedure to appoint the firm .
Earlier the Dáil was told that the coding error was identified when the person involved in modelling the coding was working on the Applied Leaving Certificate results .
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan defended the delay in making the information public against criticism that it was the latest instalment of the Government ’ s “ fiasco factory ” .
Mr Ryan also said the exact number of students affected by the errors will only be known when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revised code which has been checked to ensure no further errors .
He understood that a further CAO offer will be made “ towards the end of next week ” .
That was “ the best advice ” they had as to how long it would take to sort out the grading error .
And he said the Leaving Certificate exam would go ahead next year .
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín described the controversy as the latest instalment of the Government ’ s “ fiasco factory ” .
He asked : “ Did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it consequently liable for the financial costs that will accrue to the State or did the department give the incorrect directions ?
Will the taxpayer be left pick up the costs again ?
”

The registered address for Polymetrika International Inc is a residential home in Ottawa, according to company records. Photograph: Aedan Helmer
Polymetrika International Inc, the Canadian firm linked to errors in Leaving Cert results, has been paid a total of €163,000 by the Department of Education without a tendering process.
The department said a full procurement process did not take place on the basis that there was “insufficient time” to do so.
The registered address for Polymetrika International Inc - 150 Hinchey Avenue - is a residential home in Ottawa, according to company records.
The company's chief executive is Dr Fernando Cartwright, though it is not clear from the firm's website or other records whether other employees or contractors are based at the address.
READ MORE
He was not available for comment on Thursday when a reporter called to the address.
Polymetrika’s website states that it “enjoys an international clientele” and that its primary focus is on “large-scale assessment and knowledge-mobilisation projects”.
The department confirmed that it originally awarded Polymetrika a contract worth €71,500 to cover 65 days of work earlier this year for statistical and other services as a contingency measure in the event that the Leaving Cert exams were cancelled.
It was paid a further €91,000 for additional work outside the contract at a rate of more than €1,100 a day to help provide coding services for the calculated grades system.
Dr Cartwright has previously been involved in research papers which have involved the Education and Research Centre in Dublin.
A department spokeswoman said Polymetrika was appointed on the basis that it had “recognised expertise in what is a highly technical and specialised field”.
Dáil hears of review
Last night Minister for Education Norma Foley told the Dáil a full review of the calculated grades process will be conducted as she again apologised to Leaving Certificate students for the errors in coding “that should not have occurred”.
Students who receive an alternative college offer can continue in their current course for the year. “They remain eligible for free fees and Susi funding as if they were starting college for the first time.”
She told the Dáil that registration for the Leaving Certificate will be extended from 5pm on Friday until Wednesday next.
Sinn Féin education spokesman Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked how Polymetrika got the contract. Ms Foley said the company had been engaged to advise on calculated grades in May and the department availed of a negotiated procurement procedure to appoint the firm.
Earlier the Dáil was told that the coding error was identified when the person involved in modelling the coding was working on the Applied Leaving Certificate results.
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan defended the delay in making the information public against criticism that it was the latest instalment of the Government’s “fiasco factory”.
Mr Ryan also said the exact number of students affected by the errors will only be known when a new model is run with a revised code which has been checked to ensure no further errors.
He understood that a further CAO offer will be made “towards the end of next week”. That was “the best advice” they had as to how long it would take to sort out the grading error.
And he said the Leaving Certificate exam would go ahead next year.
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín described the controversy as the latest instalment of the Government’s “fiasco factory”.
He asked: “Did the company make this mistake? Is it consequently liable for the financial costs that will accrue to the State or did the department give the incorrect directions? Will the taxpayer be left pick up the costs again?”


theirishtimes--2020-10-02--Lone parents who lost work should continue to get PUP, report says

Lone parents who lost work due to Covid-19 but can not take a job because of lack of childcare should continue to get the Pandemic Unemployment Payment ( PUP ) , a report published on Friday says .
The submission to the Oireachtas Covid Committee , Supporting One-Parent Families During and After the Covid Crisis , says many of these families already experience high rates of poverty and many have lost access to childcare provided by relatives .
“ Lone parents were already struggling with the impact of years of cuts to public services and social security , ” say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including One Family , Spark , Barnardos , Focus Ireland and the Society of St Vincent de Paul .
Lone parents are vulnerable to enforced hunger , fuel poverty , the digital divide , homelessness , loneliness and mental health difficulties , the report says .
It calls for “ urgent attention ” to be paid to how policy decisions impact such families as the pandemic continues .
“ The burden placed on lone parents ’ mental health by home-schooling , caring full-time for children , meal preparation , managing the logistical stresses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pursuing education from home , all in isolation from key support relationships , can not be overstated , ” it says .
A condition that those receiving the PUP must “ genuinely seek work ” could “ unfairly penalise parents who are not in a position to return to work because they can not access childcare ” , say the NGOs .
This is particularly the case where lone parents relied on older relatives , who may be shielding .
Non-payment of child maintenance was reported by many parents from early in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ move with urgency on the development of statutory maintenance processes to ensure women and their children at risk of abuse and poverty can be safe and secure ” .
Food poverty emerged as a big issue .
“ Families who may ordinarily have benefitted from the school meals programme were struggling to keep food in the press.
” Educational concerns arose where children were in “ overcrowded , unsuitable or unsafe accommodation ” and about the so-called digital divide ’ s impact on poorer households .
Measures to protect against energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ended on June 29th .

Food poverty has emerged as in issue in the pandemic with families who may ordinarily have benefitted from the school meals programme struggling. File photograph: Alan Betson
Lone parents who lost work due to Covid-19 but cannot take a job because of lack of childcare should continue to get the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), a report published on Friday says.
The submission to the Oireachtas Covid Committee, Supporting One-Parent Families During and After the Covid Crisis, says many of these families already experience high rates of poverty and many have lost access to childcare provided by relatives.
"Lone parents were already struggling with the impact of years of cuts to public services and social security," say the 10 NGOs behind the report, including One Family, Spark, Barnardos, Focus Ireland and the Society of St Vincent de Paul.
Lone parents are vulnerable to enforced hunger, fuel poverty, the digital divide, homelessness, loneliness and mental health difficulties, the report says. It calls for “urgent attention” to be paid to how policy decisions impact such families as the pandemic continues.
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“The burden placed on lone parents’ mental health by home-schooling, caring full-time for children, meal preparation, managing the logistical stresses of shopping with children while working or pursuing education from home, all in isolation from key support relationships, cannot be overstated,” it says.
Child maintenance
A condition that those receiving the PUP must “genuinely seek work” could “unfairly penalise parents who are not in a position to return to work because they cannot access childcare”, say the NGOs. This is particularly the case where lone parents relied on older relatives, who may be shielding.
Non-payment of child maintenance was reported by many parents from early in the pandemic.
The reports calls on Government to “move with urgency on the development of statutory maintenance processes to ensure women and their children at risk of abuse and poverty can be safe and secure”.
Food poverty emerged as a big issue. “Families who may ordinarily have benefitted from the school meals programme were struggling to keep food in the press.”
Educational concerns arose where children were in “overcrowded, unsuitable or unsafe accommodation” and about the so-called digital divide’s impact on poorer households.
Measures to protect against energy poverty, including a moratorium on disconnections, ended on June 29th.


theirishtimes--2020-10-02--Top Irish authors contribute to new book to help adult literacy

Dozens of Ireland ’ s best-known authors have contributed to a new book that marks 40 years of the National Adult Literacy Agency ( NALA ) .
Roddy Doyle , Christine Dwyer Hickey , Graham Norton and Deirdre Purcell are among those who have written for Voices , a collection of short stories and essays .
The stories are written in plain English and are designed to encourage adults who do not read often , or find reading difficult , to discover the joy of books .
The book is being given free to adult literacy students nationwide and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland .
It is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Further and Higher Education .
Other authors involved are : Blindboy Boatclub , Carlo Gébler , Ciara Geraghty , Colm O ’ Regan , Deirdre Purcell , Dermot Bolger , Donal Ryan , Emily Hourican , Louise Kennedy , Martina Devlin , Melatu Uche Okorie , Nuala O ’ Connor , Patrick Freyne , Paul Perry , Rachael English , Roisín O ’ Donnell , Ruth Gilligan , Sheila O ’ Flanagan , Sinead Crowley , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ge and Marita Conlon-McKenna .
The collection is edited by Patricia Scanlon , a former librarian who became a novelist in the mid-1990s and co-founded the Open Door series of books .
“ The concept is very simple and effective and has far surpassed its original requirement .
Open Door is not only for emerging readers with literacy difficulties .
It has now become an educational aid to those interested in improving their English language and reading skills , ” she said .
“ Many immigrant groups here in Ireland are now using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ English .
They are also used for the same purpose in the UK.
” NALA communications manager Clare McNally said she was encouraging anybody who has not picked up a book in a long time or is nervous about reading a novel to contact them for more information .

Student Patrick Sutton at the launch of the National Adult Literacy Agency’s new collection, Voices. Photograph: Conor Healy
Dozens of Ireland's best-known authors have contributed to a new book that marks 40 years of the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA).
Roddy Doyle, Christine Dwyer Hickey, Graham Norton and Deirdre Purcell are among those who have written for Voices, a collection of short stories and essays.
The stories are written in plain English and are designed to encourage adults who do not read often, or find reading difficult, to discover the joy of books.
The book is being given free to adult literacy students nationwide and is available to borrow in every library in Ireland.
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It is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Further and Higher Education.
Other authors involved are: Blindboy Boatclub, Carlo Gébler, Ciara Geraghty, Colm O'Regan, Deirdre Purcell, Dermot Bolger, Donal Ryan, Emily Hourican, Louise Kennedy, Martina Devlin, Melatu Uche Okorie, Nuala O'Connor, Patrick Freyne, Paul Perry, Rachael English, Roisín O'Donnell, Ruth Gilligan, Sheila O'Flanagan, Sinead Crowley, Sinead Moriarty, Úna-Minh Kavanagh, Yan Ge and Marita Conlon-McKenna.
The collection is edited by Patricia Scanlon, a former librarian who became a novelist in the mid-1990s and co-founded the Open Door series of books.
“The concept is very simple and effective and has far surpassed its original requirement. Open Door is not only for emerging readers with literacy difficulties. It has now become an educational aid to those interested in improving their English language and reading skills,” she said.
“Many immigrant groups here in Ireland are now using the books to help students improve their English. They are also used for the same purpose in the UK.”
NALA communications manager Clare McNally said she was encouraging anybody who has not picked up a book in a long time or is nervous about reading a novel to contact them for more information.
,


theirishtimes--2020-10-02--HSE chief flags ‘serious concern’ about financial position of voluntary agencies

The head of the HSE has flagged “ serious concern ” about the deteriorating financial position of a number of organisations providing disability services across the country .
Paul Reid said the Government should put in place “ incentives ” to facilitate the consolidation of some voluntary agencies – known as section 38 and section 39 organisations – in the sector .
In letters to top officials in the Department of Health and the Department of Children , Mr Reid said there was “ now a systemic challenge ” in terms of both legacy deficits and “ in-year financial overruns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an urgent need to reform the disability sector when he wrote to the secretary generals of both departments at the end of July .
Details of Mr Reid ’ s warning to the Government emerged as the St John of God organisation notified the HSE that it had decided to cease running the majority of its healthcare services due to a funding crisis .
It is to transfer responsibility for services to the HSE over a 12-month period .
In a letter to staff , seen by The Irish Times , chief executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial deficit had reached €37.7 million .
Trade union Fórsa on Thursday expressed concern about the impact on staff .
Fórsa said it would insist its members ’ terms and conditions “ will be protected ” during the transfer to the HSE .
Meanwhile , the board of Stewarts Care , another large provider of disability services , has expressed concerns over that organisation ’ s financial viability .
Board minutes from a meeting last December , seen by The Irish Times , outlined the organisation would have to consider issuing a 12-month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its services .
The meeting discussed whether Stewarts Care should formally enter “ a dispute with the HSE regarding inadequate funding ” .
Board chairman Gerry Fagan told the meeting of “ the serious financial position the company is in ” , according to minutes .
The organisation has a current accumulated deficit of approximately €4.5 million , a spokesman said on Thursday .
Minister for Disability Anne Rabbitte said she was “ very aware ” of the funding issues facing providers , adding that it was “ the opportune time to address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Reid ’ s letters to the Department of Health and the Department of Children followed an earlier report provided by senior officials in the health authority to its board , which warned that the current model for the provision of services to people with disabilities was not sustainable .
Mr Reid in his letters said : “ The HSE provides and/or funds disability services in the context of increasing demand and in a way which is increasingly unsustainable and significantly challenged in terms of meeting these policy objectives.
” Overall there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieve the level of consolidation needed , ” he said .
“ The HSE is in a position to support an ambitious programme of reform subject to the foregoing and is in the process of putting in place the necessary staffing and expertise that will be required to implement change programmes at provider organisational level .
”

HSE chief Paul Reid said the Government should put in place “incentives” to facilitate the consolidation of some voluntary agencies in the sector. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
The head of the HSE has flagged “serious concern” about the deteriorating financial position of a number of organisations providing disability services across the country.
Paul Reid said the Government should put in place "incentives" to facilitate the consolidation of some voluntary agencies – known as section 38 and section 39 organisations – in the sector.
In letters to top officials in the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Mr Reid said there was “now a systemic challenge” in terms of both legacy deficits and “in-year financial overruns”.
Mr Reid said there was an urgent need to reform the disability sector when he wrote to the secretary generals of both departments at the end of July.
READ MORE
Funding crisis
Details of Mr Reid's warning to the Government emerged as the St John of God organisation notified the HSE that it had decided to cease running the majority of its healthcare services due to a funding crisis. It is to transfer responsibility for services to the HSE over a 12-month period.
In a letter to staff, seen by The Irish Times, chief executive Clare Dempsey said the organisation's financial deficit had reached €37.7 million.
Trade union Fórsa on Thursday expressed concern about the impact on staff. Fórsa said it would insist its members’ terms and conditions “will be protected” during the transfer to the HSE.
Meanwhile, the board of Stewarts Care, another large provider of disability services, has expressed concerns over that organisation's financial viability.
Board minutes from a meeting last December, seen by The Irish Times, outlined the organisation would have to consider issuing a 12-month notice for the HSE to take over its services. The meeting discussed whether Stewarts Care should formally enter “a dispute with the HSE regarding inadequate funding”.
Board chairman Gerry Fagan told the meeting of "the serious financial position the company is in", according to minutes. The organisation has a current accumulated deficit of approximately €4.5 million, a spokesman said on Thursday.
Minister for Disability Anne Rabbitte said she was "very aware" of the funding issues facing providers, adding that it was "the opportune time to address the deficits that have accumulated".
Unsustainable
Mr Reid’s letters to the Department of Health and the Department of Children followed an earlier report provided by senior officials in the health authority to its board, which warned that the current model for the provision of services to people with disabilities was not sustainable.
Mr Reid in his letters said: “The HSE provides and/or funds disability services in the context of increasing demand and in a way which is increasingly unsustainable and significantly challenged in terms of meeting these policy objectives.” Overall there was a requirement “to have incentives to achieve the level of consolidation needed,” he said.
“The HSE is in a position to support an ambitious programme of reform subject to the foregoing and is in the process of putting in place the necessary staffing and expertise that will be required to implement change programmes at provider organisational level.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-01--Woulfe to receive ‘dressing-down’ from Chief Justice following Denham report

The Chief Justice , Frank Clarke , is to meet shortly with Mr Justice Séamus Woulfe , following an inquiry into the latter ’ s attendance at an Oireachtas golf outing in August which said resignation would be a “ disproportionate ” penalty .
In a short statement following the report on the so-called “ Golfgate ” controversy by the former chief justice Susan Denham , the Supreme Court said it fully accepted her recommendations and conclusions .
“ The resolution process recommended in the review will now commence , ” the court said , which was interpreted by senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Justice Woulfe will face “ a dressing-down ” by the Chief Justice .
Mr Justice Woulfe , who previously served as attorney general and was appointed to the top court in July , is not currently listed for hearing any Supreme Court case in the Legal Diary .
The Denham report said he had not been “ sufficiently vigilant ” about his position as a newly appointed judge when he accepted the golfing invitation , but a resignation request would be “ unjust and disproportionate ” .
Under existing rules , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a penalty of any kind , but senior figures have been greatly irked to see the Supreme Court embroiled in a public controversy .
The former chief justice ’ s findings stand in contrast to the political judgments that faced former European commissioner Phil Hogan and former minister for agriculture Dara Calleary , who both had to quit over the row .
Following the eruption of the controversy in August , Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the golf outing had “ seriously undermined and damaged confidence in the Oireachtas ” , while Tánaiste Leo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said the golf dinner had not been “ in line with public health guidance ” and “ it seems clear therefore that it should not have taken place ” .
In her report , which did not have the power to make enforceable findings , the former chief justice said that it had been “ not unreasonable ” for Mr Justice Woulfe to believe the Station House Hotel dinner “ was Covid-19 compliant ” .
She said she was of the opinion that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breach of law ” , and that he had bona fide reasons to accept assurances from organisers that the dinner complied with the rules .
Furthermore , she said , there was evidence that the Station House Hotel had relied on State-drafted rules that were in force on the night the dinner took place on August 19th .
“ Mr Justice Woulfe got caught up in a media controversy over the dinner in Clifden , ” Ms Justice Denham said , adding that it had “ reflected negatively on the Supreme Court , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Justice Denham said it was her opinion that Mr Justice Woulfe had not been “ sufficiently vigilant ” .
The Judicial Council Act , passed last year , contains a provision where a complaint against a judge can , with his or her consent , be resolved by “ informal means ” , but the provision has yet to be commenced .
Mr Justice Woulfe told the review that he ate in a hotel room with about 45 diners at a time when the rules stipulated no more than 50 should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Ms Justice Denham , Mr Justice Woulfe said he had briefly mentioned the golf outing to the Chief Justice , prior to attending , but had not known then that there would be a dinner .
Though his attendance did not raise issues about the separation of powers laid down in the Constitution , the former chief justice said he should still not have attended .

Chief Justice Frank Clarke and Supreme Court judge Séamus Woulfe in Dublin last year. Mr Justice Woulfe said he had briefly mentioned the golf outing to the Chief Justice, prior to attending. File photograph: Laura Hutton
The Chief Justice, Frank Clarke, is to meet shortly with Mr Justice Séamus Woulfe, following an inquiry into the latter's attendance at an Oireachtas golf outing in August which said resignation would be a "disproportionate" penalty.
In a short statement following the report on the so-called "Golfgate" controversy by the former chief justice Susan Denham, the Supreme Court said it fully accepted her recommendations and conclusions.
“The resolution process recommended in the review will now commence,” the court said, which was interpreted by senior legal sources last night to mean that Mr Justice Woulfe will face “a dressing-down” by the Chief Justice.
Mr Justice Woulfe, who previously served as attorney general and was appointed to the top court in July, is not currently listed for hearing any Supreme Court case in the Legal Diary.
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The Denham report said he had not been “sufficiently vigilant” about his position as a newly appointed judge when he accepted the golfing invitation, but a resignation request would be “unjust and disproportionate”.
Under existing rules, the Chief Justice has no power to impose a penalty of any kind, but senior figures have been greatly irked to see the Supreme Court embroiled in a public controversy.
Contrast
The former chief justice’s findings stand in contrast to the political judgments that faced former European commissioner Phil Hogan and former minister for agriculture Dara Calleary, who both had to quit over the row.
Following the eruption of the controversy in August, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the golf outing had “seriously undermined and damaged confidence in the Oireachtas”, while Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said it should not have happened.
Meanwhile, acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said the golf dinner had not been "in line with public health guidance" and "it seems clear therefore that it should not have taken place".
In her report, which did not have the power to make enforceable findings, the former chief justice said that it had been “not unreasonable” for Mr Justice Woulfe to believe the Station House Hotel dinner “was Covid-19 compliant”.
She said she was of the opinion that Mr Justice Woulfe had committed “no breach of law”, and that he had bona fide reasons to accept assurances from organisers that the dinner complied with the rules.
Furthermore, she said, there was evidence that the Station House Hotel had relied on State-drafted rules that were in force on the night the dinner took place on August 19th.
“Mr Justice Woulfe got caught up in a media controversy over the dinner in Clifden,” Ms Justice Denham said, adding that it had “reflected negatively on the Supreme Court, which is a collegiate court”.
Opinion
Ms Justice Denham said it was her opinion that Mr Justice Woulfe had not been “sufficiently vigilant”.
The Judicial Council Act, passed last year, contains a provision where a complaint against a judge can, with his or her consent, be resolved by “informal means”, but the provision has yet to be commenced.
Mr Justice Woulfe told the review that he ate in a hotel room with about 45 diners at a time when the rules stipulated no more than 50 should be at a gathering.
In his dealings with Ms Justice Denham, Mr Justice Woulfe said he had briefly mentioned the golf outing to the Chief Justice, prior to attending, but had not known then that there would be a dinner.
Though his attendance did not raise issues about the separation of powers laid down in the Constitution, the former chief justice said he should still not have attended.


theirishtimes--2020-10-01--Golfgate review told Chief Justice aware of Seamus Woulfe invite

Mr Justice Seamus Woulfe told the review of his attendance at the Golfgate dinner in Clifden in August that he had told Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Frank Clarke beforehand about the invitation During her inquiry , former chief justice Susan Denham was told by Mr Justice Seamus Woulfe that he was informally invited to the Oireachtas Golf Society outing in Co Galway by Senator Paul Coghlan .
This had happened while he was still attorney general , said the judge .
He was appointed a judge in July and later decided to raise the golf invitation with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ On Wednesday 29th July , 2020 Mr Justice Woulfe was crossing the yard at the Four Courts and met the Chief Justice .
Mr Justice Woulfe called out to the Chief Justice , saying that because he was new he just wanted to check something with him .
“ He said that he had been invited to the Oireachtas Golf Society outing .
Mr Justice Woulfe emphasised that it was a non-political event .
Mr Justice Woulfe recollects the Chief Justice said something like , ‘ I don ’ t see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Justice Woulfe pointed out to the Reviewer [ Ms Justice Denham ] , in fairness to the Chief Justice , that he did not raise the issue as to whether there would be a dinner or not.
” He had never received a written invitation to the event , which did mention a dinner .
“ He could not have raised the issue of the dinner with the Chief Justice at the time , because he , Mr Justice Woulfe , did not know of the arrangements.
” On August 18th , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was on holiday with his family , arriving at the Station House Hotel , Clifden , at about 6pm .
He was invited to dinner by Senator Coghlan in another hotel in Clifden and was unaware of the public announcement that night about new Covid-19 public dining rules .
It was when paying a fee for the golf outing at Ballyconneely the next day , after midday , that the judge was told there was a dinner at 9pm in the Station House Hotel , and given a voucher for it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the organisers had consulted extensively with the authorities and ensured that everything was in compliance with the Covid-19 rules .
That evening he met someone in the hotel lobby and then went to dinner in a room with six tables and 45 diners .
He did not notice that the diners were spread between two rooms , with a retractable partition between them .
“ It appears that late in the evening a gap was opened by the hotel staff in the retractable wall behind Mr Justice Woulfe , slightly behind his left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Mr Justice Woulfe stated that he did not know a gap had been opened , at the end of the dinner for the speeches and prize giving.
” When asked about why he had not phoned the Chief Justice for guidance , the report stated , Mr Justice Woulfe had said he assumed that the Chief Justice would have known there would be some social element to the outing .
“ He stated that while the Chief Justice would not have known precisely the details , because he [ Mr Justice Woulfe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but that there was no need to go checking the details with him.
” Mr Justice Woulfe , and his legal adviser , explained that when he contacted the Chief Justice his concern was about judges going to an Oireachtas event because of the separation of powers issue .
Covid-19 did not come into it .
Mr Justice Woulfe said that after the dinner he had two drinks in the hotel lobby and then went to bed .
The next day he drove back to Co Donegal .

Mr Justice Seamus Woulfe (right)told the review he met someone in the hotel lobby and then went to dinner in a room with six tables and 45 diners. File photograph: Sam Boal/Rollingnews
Mr Justice Seamus Woulfe told the review of his attendance at the Golfgate dinner in Clifden in August that he had told Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Frank Clarke beforehand about the invitation
During her inquiry, former chief justice Susan Denham was told by Mr Justice Seamus Woulfe that he was informally invited to the Oireachtas Golf Society outing in Co Galway by Senator Paul Coghlan.
This had happened while he was still attorney general, said the judge. He was appointed a judge in July and later decided to raise the golf invitation with the Chief Justice, according to the report.
“On Wednesday 29th July, 2020 Mr Justice Woulfe was crossing the yard at the Four Courts and met the Chief Justice. Mr Justice Woulfe called out to the Chief Justice, saying that because he was new he just wanted to check something with him.
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“He said that he had been invited to the Oireachtas Golf Society outing. Mr Justice Woulfe emphasised that it was a non-political event. Mr Justice Woulfe recollects the Chief Justice said something like, ‘I don’t see any problem with that’.
“Mr Justice Woulfe pointed out to the Reviewer [Ms Justice Denham], in fairness to the Chief Justice, that he did not raise the issue as to whether there would be a dinner or not.”
He had never received a written invitation to the event, which did mention a dinner. “He could not have raised the issue of the dinner with the Chief Justice at the time, because he, Mr Justice Woulfe, did not know of the arrangements.”
On August 18th, he drove from Co Donegal, where he was on holiday with his family, arriving at the Station House Hotel, Clifden, at about 6pm.
He was invited to dinner by Senator Coghlan in another hotel in Clifden and was unaware of the public announcement that night about new Covid-19 public dining rules.
It was when paying a fee for the golf outing at Ballyconneely the next day, after midday, that the judge was told there was a dinner at 9pm in the Station House Hotel, and given a voucher for it.
He was assured by Senator Coghlan that the organisers had consulted extensively with the authorities and ensured that everything was in compliance with the Covid-19 rules.
Spread between two rooms
That evening he met someone in the hotel lobby and then went to dinner in a room with six tables and 45 diners. He did not notice that the diners were spread between two rooms, with a retractable partition between them.
“It appears that late in the evening a gap was opened by the hotel staff in the retractable wall behind Mr Justice Woulfe, slightly behind his left shoulder,” the report noted.
“Mr Justice Woulfe stated that he did not know a gap had been opened, at the end of the dinner for the speeches and prize giving.”
When asked about why he had not phoned the Chief Justice for guidance, the report stated, Mr Justice Woulfe had said he assumed that the Chief Justice would have known there would be some social element to the outing.
“He stated that while the Chief Justice would not have known precisely the details, because he [Mr Justice Woulfe] did not know them then himself, but that there was no need to go checking the details with him.”
Mr Justice Woulfe, and his legal adviser, explained that when he contacted the Chief Justice his concern was about judges going to an Oireachtas event because of the separation of powers issue. Covid-19 did not come into it.
Mr Justice Woulfe said that after the dinner he had two drinks in the hotel lobby and then went to bed. The next day he drove back to Co Donegal.


theirishtimes--2020-10-01--Major Dublin restaurant group threatens State with legal action over Covid-19 restrictions

One of Dublin ’ s biggest restaurant groups has threatened the Government with legal action if it extends coronavirus restrictions on pubs and restaurants in the capital beyond October 10th .
Lawyers for Press Up group , which employs 1,800 people across five hotels , 12 bars , 27 restaurants and two cinemas , have written to Government , saying Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has published “ no empirical , objective and verifiable evidence ” to support the closures .
The group has said that if the restrictions are extended , it “ will be left with no alternative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the laws bearing on operation of their premises as a last resort ” .
The predominantly Dublin-based hospitality business , controlled by businessman Paddy McKillen jnr , has given the Government until next Tuesday to give notification if it intends to extend the restrictions or it will make a legal claim that the restrictions are unconstitutional .
Solicitors for the business have sent the warning in a letter to the Ministers for Health , Justice and Finance , the Attorney General and the Chief State Solicitor ’ s Office .
The group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delegated or otherwise abdicated responsibility to third parties in particular members of the National Public Health Emergency Team ” .
In response to rising virus infections , the Government moved Dublin to Level 3 restrictions last month , limiting restaurants and food-serving bars to outdoor dining only , delaying the opening of drink-only pubs , closing cinemas and restricting hotels to residents only .
Press Up ’ s bar , restaurants and hotels include Angelina ’ s Bison Bar , Elephant & Castle , The Stella Theatre , Peruke & Periwig , The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and The Devlin hotels .
The group ’ s solicitors state that it has not been notified by the HSE of any outbreak of the virus at any of its premises and has called on Mr Donnelly to publish evidence to justify the restrictions .
It has questioned the lack of debate in the Oireachtas about the measures and criticised the Government for not proposing “ alternative safeguards ” that minimise the spread of the disease and permit businesses to operate or allowing those alternative measures to be debated in parliament .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been subject to any reasoned debate or scrutiny by the elected members of the Oireachtas .
The absence of real debate on the content of what on any view are radical laws is a point of particular concern , ” said the solicitors .
The group argues that the “ lack of debate undermines social solidarity with the proposed measures undermining their efficacy ” .
Since the initial lockdown in March , the group said it has incurred very significant losses due to the closure of premises and that the group has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landlords , employees and the Revenue and is no longer benefitting from a loan moratorium .
“ The laws passed by Mr Donnelly are not coupled with any provision to compensate our clients for having to deny access to their premises to the public , ” Press Up ’ s lawyers state .
“ That is a fundamental property right of our clients connected to the operation of bars and restaurants .
The new laws , were they to be extended for a prolonged period , could ultimately threaten the financial viability of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The group has already taken legal proceedings over the financial impact of the coronavirus restrictions .
It has sued insurer RSA over non-payment of business interruption insurance .
Mr McKillen ’ s father , also Paddy , a shareholder in the group , won a high-profile legal action against the State after the financial crisis to stop his loans being moved to the National Asset Management Agency , which was set up to purge the banks of mostly delinquent property loans .

Press Up, owner of Elephant & Castle, has given the Government until next Tuesday to give notification if it intends to extend the restrictions or it will take legal action. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
One of Dublin’s biggest restaurant groups has threatened the Government with legal action if it extends coronavirus restrictions on pubs and restaurants in the capital beyond October 10th.
Lawyers for Press Up group, which employs 1,800 people across five hotels, 12 bars, 27 restaurants and two cinemas, have written to Government, saying Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has published "no empirical, objective and verifiable evidence" to support the closures.
The group has said that if the restrictions are extended, it “will be left with no alternative; but to issue proceedings in respect of the laws bearing on operation of their premises as a last resort”.
The predominantly Dublin-based hospitality business, controlled by businessman Paddy McKillen jnr, has given the Government until next Tuesday to give notification if it intends to extend the restrictions or it will make a legal claim that the restrictions are unconstitutional.
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Solicitors for the business have sent the warning in a letter to the Ministers for Health, Justice and Finance, the Attorney General and the Chief State Solicitor's Office.
The group also claims Mr Donnelly has “unlawfully delegated or otherwise abdicated responsibility to third parties in particular members of the National Public Health Emergency Team”.
Rising infections
In response to rising virus infections, the Government moved Dublin to Level 3 restrictions last month, limiting restaurants and food-serving bars to outdoor dining only, delaying the opening of drink-only pubs, closing cinemas and restricting hotels to residents only.
Press Up’s bar, restaurants and hotels include Angelina’s Bison Bar, Elephant & Castle, The Stella Theatre, Peruke & Periwig, The Workman’s Club and The Dean and The Devlin hotels.
The group’s solicitors state that it has not been notified by the HSE of any outbreak of the virus at any of its premises and has called on Mr Donnelly to publish evidence to justify the restrictions.
It has questioned the lack of debate in the Oireachtas about the measures and criticised the Government for not proposing "alternative safeguards" that minimise the spread of the disease and permit businesses to operate or allowing those alternative measures to be debated in parliament.
“The laws bypassed the Oireachtas and have not been subject to any reasoned debate or scrutiny by the elected members of the Oireachtas. The absence of real debate on the content of what on any view are radical laws is a point of particular concern,” said the solicitors.
The group argues that the “lack of debate undermines social solidarity with the proposed measures undermining their efficacy”.
Sued
Since the initial lockdown in March, the group said it has incurred very significant losses due to the closure of premises and that the group has financial obligations to suppliers, lenders, landlords, employees and the Revenue and is no longer benefitting from a loan moratorium.
“The laws passed by Mr Donnelly are not coupled with any provision to compensate our clients for having to deny access to their premises to the public,” Press Up’s lawyers state.
“That is a fundamental property right of our clients connected to the operation of bars and restaurants. The new laws, were they to be extended for a prolonged period, could ultimately threaten the financial viability of our clients and their respective businesses.”
The group has already taken legal proceedings over the financial impact of the coronavirus restrictions. It has sued insurer RSA over non-payment of business interruption insurance.
Mr McKillen’s father, also Paddy, a shareholder in the group, won a high-profile legal action against the State after the financial crisis to stop his loans being moved to the National Asset Management Agency, which was set up to purge the banks of mostly delinquent property loans.


theirishtimes--2020-10-01--Still no clear structure for addressing judges’ conduct

The controversy surrounding the attendance of Supreme Court judge Séamus Woulfe at the Oireachtas golf dinner has brought into sharp focus the serious consequences of the delays in fully implementing the 2019 Judicial Council Act .
A clear structure for addressing issues concerning the conduct of judges has not been in place for more than a century despite a number of controversies engulfing the judiciary .
The delay in commencing the conduct provisions of the 2019 Act led to a situation this August where the Supreme Court asked a former Chief Justice to carry out a review which had no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court itself could not publish or implement .
Under the Act , the Judicial Conduct Committee , created last July , has up to 12 months to compile guidelines to address complaints about judicial conduct .
The Council then has up to a year to consider whether to approve the guidelines , which can not be applied to situations that predate their adoption .
Once the Judicial Conduct Committee is operable , complaints about judicial conduct will be a matter for it to address .
If a complaint is deemed admissible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can issue a reprimand or other sanction .
If a situation is sufficiently serious , the JCC can make recommendations to government on sanctions up to impeachment .
An irony of the inquiry into Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s conduct is that Susan Denham , who persistently called for enactment of the Act during her years as Chief Justice , found herself carrying out the review into the Woulfe matter due to absence of the necessary guidelines .
Her report , published by the Judicial Council , may have averted an immediate crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the judge ’ s attendance at the golf dinner has inflicted some damage on the public perception of the court , and of the judiciary in general .
The Judicial Council has said it will give effect to the review ’ s recommendations for the urgent introduction of a Code of Judicial Conduct and Judicial Ethical Guidelines .
The public outcry over the golf dinner had led to the resignation of agriculture minister Dara Calleary and European commissioner Phil Hogan .
Others , including Mr Justice Woulfe , a former attorney general appointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were criticised over their attendance .
Mr Justice Woulfe issued a statement on August 21st saying he apologised “ unreservedly ” for his attendance and was of the impression the event organisers had made sure it would be in compliance with the Covid-19 guidelines .
Three days later , the Supreme Court issued an unprecedented statement saying it had asked Ms Denham to carry out a review concerning Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s attendance .
Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s retention of lawyers following announcement of the review underlined his strong belief there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also engaged an engineer who provided a report to Ms Denham concerning the hotel ’ s compliance with the Covid-19 guidelines .
His retention of lawyers also intensified concerns within the Supreme Court about the status of the Denham report .
Because it had no statutory basis , there was concern , should it prove unfavourable to the judge , of the possibility of legal action if it was published .
The concerns included who would be the respondents to any legal action and whether Ms Denham would require to be indemnified and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what entity .
Equally , it was understood that a failure to publish would cause public disquiet .
The Supreme Court ’ s decision to forward the report to the Judicial Council was an effort to get around that difficulty and Ms Denham was also provided with an indemnity .
In the report , Ms Denham expressed the opinion Mr Justice Woulfe should not have attended the golf dinner and that he had not considered the propriety of a judge of the Supreme Court attending a celebratory dinner in a public place while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She was also of opinion that “ significant mitigating factors ” , including the judge being newly appointed , not having had the benefit of an introductory programme and the absence of judicial guidelines or a judicial code of conduct to assist him , meant he did nothing involving impropriety such as would justify calls for his resignation from office .
Such a step would be unjust and disproportionate and she considered it would be open to the Chief Justice to deal with the matter by way of informal resolution .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report ’ s conclusions and recommendations and the resolution process will commence .

Chief Justice Frank Clarke after members of the Supreme Court and the board of the Judicial Council met ahead of the publication of the Denham report into the attendance of Supreme Court judge Séamus Woulfe at an Oireachtas Golf Society event in Galway in August. Photograph Nick Bradshaw
The controversy surrounding the attendance of Supreme Court judge Séamus Woulfe at the Oireachtas golf dinner has brought into sharp focus the serious consequences of the delays in fully implementing the 2019 Judicial Council Act.
A clear structure for addressing issues concerning the conduct of judges has not been in place for more than a century despite a number of controversies engulfing the judiciary. The delay in commencing the conduct provisions of the 2019 Act led to a situation this August where the Supreme Court asked a former Chief Justice to carry out a review which had no statutory basis, resulting in a report the court itself could not publish or implement.
Under the Act, the Judicial Conduct Committee, created last July, has up to 12 months to compile guidelines to address complaints about judicial conduct.
The Council then has up to a year to consider whether to approve the guidelines, which cannot be applied to situations that predate their adoption.
READ MORE
Once the Judicial Conduct Committee is operable, complaints about judicial conduct will be a matter for it to address. If a complaint is deemed admissible, the JCC may hold an inquiry and can issue a reprimand or other sanction. If a situation is sufficiently serious, the JCC can make recommendations to government on sanctions up to impeachment.
An irony of the inquiry into Mr Justice Woulfe's conduct is that Susan Denham, who persistently called for enactment of the Act during her years as Chief Justice, found herself carrying out the review into the Woulfe matter due to absence of the necessary guidelines.
Averted crisis
Her report, published by the Judicial Council, may have averted an immediate crisis for the Supreme Court but some believe the judge’s attendance at the golf dinner has inflicted some damage on the public perception of the court, and of the judiciary in general.
The Judicial Council has said it will give effect to the review’s recommendations for the urgent introduction of a Code of Judicial Conduct and Judicial Ethical Guidelines
The public outcry over the golf dinner had lead to the resignation of agriculture minister Dara Calleary and European commissioner Phil Hogan. Others, including Mr Justice Woulfe, a former attorney general appointed to the Supreme Court last July, were criticised over their attendance.
Mr Justice Woulfe issued a statement on August 21st saying he apologised “unreservedly” for his attendance and was of the impression the event organisers had made sure it would be in compliance with the Covid-19 guidelines.
Three days later, the Supreme Court issued an unprecedented statement saying it had asked Ms Denham to carry out a review concerning Mr Justice Woulfe’s attendance.
Mr Justice Woulfe’s retention of lawyers following the announcement of the review underlined his strong belief there was no basis for resignation and he also engaged an engineer who provided a report to Ms Denham concerning the hotel’s compliance with the Covid-19 guidelines.
His retention of lawyers also intensified concerns within the Supreme Court about the status of the Denham report. Because it had no statutory basis, there was concern, should it prove unfavourable to the judge, of the possibility of legal action if it was published. The concerns included who would be the respondents to any legal action and whether Ms Denham would require to be indemnified and, if so, by whom or what entity. Equally, it was understood that a failure to publish would cause public disquiet.
The Supreme Court’s decision to forward the report to the Judicial Council was an effort to get around that difficulty and Ms Denham was also provided with an indemnity.
Propriety
In the report, Ms Denham expressed the opinion Mr Justice Woulfe should not have attended the golf dinner and that he had not considered the propriety of a judge of the Supreme Court attending a celebratory dinner in a public place while there is a pandemic in the State.
She was also of opinion that “significant mitigating factors”, including the judge being newly appointed, not having had the benefit of an introductory programme and the absence of judicial guidelines or a judicial code of conduct to assist him, meant he did nothing involving impropriety such as would justify calls for his resignation from office. Such a step would be unjust and disproportionate and she considered it would be open to the Chief Justice to deal with the matter by way of informal resolution.
The Supreme Court has said it accepts the report’s conclusions and recommendations and the resolution process will commence.


theirishtimes--2020-10-01--Former Debenhams workers protest outside Fianna Fáil head office

Former Debenhams workers protested outside Fianna Fáil ’ s party headquarters to mark 175 days of industrial action in the redundancy dispute .
Jane Crowe , shop steward in the Henry Street store , said the Government ’ s approach to the controversy had been “ totally hands off ” .
A number of workers and Opposition politicians picketed Fianna Fáil offices on Mount Street Lower in Dublin city centre on Thursday afternoon .
Ms Crowe , who was employed by Debenhams for 24 years , said the workers were “ not asking for phenomenal amounts ” in redundancy payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with tea and sympathy , ” she said .
“ There are so many employers going to the wall and others will be treated the same as us , ” she said .
In April the department store chain announced it was placing its 11 shops into liquidation , with 1,000 staff and a further 1,000 concession outlet workers losing their jobs .
The Debenhams workers are seeking redundancy terms of two weeks ’ pay per year of service plus statutory entitlements of two weeks per year of service – to match those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retailer and unions when it exited examinership in 2016 .
Marie Murphy , who worked in the Henry St store for 20 years , said there had been “ no action ” from the Government on the dispute .
“ I ’ m sick of listening to their words , workers need to be protected , and it ’ s not just the Debenhams workers , it ’ s gone beyond that now , ” she said .
“ A company we worked for for decades and gave loyal service to .
.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I can ’ t get over how they ’ ve treated us .
.
.
It ’ s just insulting , ” she said .
On Thursday , the workers were informed that liquidators KPMG had declined an offer to re-enter talks with Mandate trade union , which is representing the workers .
Previously the liquidator had offered to provide a fund of €1 million to around 1,000 workers on top of statutory redundancy payments .
This offer had been withdrawn following protests by workers occupying Debenhams stores in Dublin and Cork @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told the former department store employees in an email that KPMG insisted its previous offer had been the best it could provide .
“ Based now on the fact that KPMG have no intentions of entering into further talks/negotiations it is important that all members intensify the pressure on Government and the various TDs through our political and lobbying campaign , ” he wrote .
In recent days former employees have occupied a Debenhams store in Waterford in protest over the redundancy packages offered .
Previously Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoddily and unacceptably ” by the company .

Jane Crowe, shop steward in the Henry Street store, said the Government’s approach to the controversy had been ‘totally hands off’. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Former Debenhams workers protested outside Fianna Fáil's party headquarters to mark 175 days of industrial action in the redundancy dispute.
Jane Crowe, shop steward in the Henry Street store, said the Government’s approach to the controversy had been “totally hands off”.
A number of workers and Opposition politicians picketed Fianna Fáil offices on Mount Street Lower in Dublin city centre on Thursday afternoon.
Outside @fiannafailparty HQ with the “women’s army” of @DebenhamsWorkers #paytheworkers - Which side are you on FF? pic.twitter.com/fakx5iqOhz — Brid Smith TD (@bridsmithTD) October 1, 2020
Ms Crowe, who was employed by Debenhams for 24 years, said the workers were “not asking for phenomenal amounts” in redundancy payments. “We’re fed up with tea and sympathy,” she said.
READ MORE
“There are so many employers going to the wall and others will be treated the same as us,” she said.
In April the department store chain announced it was placing its 11 shops into liquidation, with 1,000 staff and a further 1,000 concession outlet workers losing their jobs.
Terms
The Debenhams workers are seeking redundancy terms of two weeks’ pay per year of service plus statutory entitlements of two weeks per year of service – to match those set out in an agreement between the retailer and unions when it exited examinership in 2016.
Marie Murphy, who worked in the Henry St store for 20 years, said there had been “no action” from the Government on the dispute.
“I’m sick of listening to their words, workers need to be protected, and it’s not just the Debenhams workers, it’s gone beyond that now,” she said.
“A company we worked for for decades and gave loyal service to . . . I was devastated when this happened, I can’t get over how they’ve treated us . . . It’s just insulting,” she said.
On Thursday, the workers were informed that liquidators KPMG had declined an offer to re-enter talks with Mandate trade union, which is representing the workers.
Previously the liquidator had offered to provide a fund of €1 million to around 1,000 workers on top of statutory redundancy payments. This offer had been withdrawn following protests by workers occupying Debenhams stores in Dublin and Cork.
Treated ‘unacceptably’
Gerry Light, Mandate general secretary, told the former department store employees in an email that KPMG insisted its previous offer had been the best it could provide.
“Based now on the fact that KPMG have no intentions of entering into further talks/negotiations it is important that all members intensify the pressure on Government and the various TDs through our political and lobbying campaign,” he wrote.
In recent days former employees have occupied a Debenhams store in Waterford in protest over the redundancy packages offered.
Previously Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the workers had been treated "shabbily and shoddily and unacceptably" by the company.


theirishtimes--2020-10-01--Small children should be restricted to one square of chocolate a week

Children under the age of four should be restricted to just one square of chocolate a week as a treat , new health guidelines suggest .
The first ever national health eating guidelines for children from birth to the age of four recommends that treats should only be given in “ TINY amounts ” and the leaflet with the new guidelines emphasises the words “ tiny ” in capped letters .
As an alternative to a square of chocolate , a child can have three crisps or half a plain biscuit or three jelly sweets once a week , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in nutrition Dr Marian O ’ Reilly , who was one of those who drew up the guidelines , said parents havebecome used to giving children larger treats than they need .
Population surveys have shown that very young children are getting more nutritionally empty food than is good for them .
“ It does appear very small , but it demonstrates how normal it has become for these foods to be part of our diet over the last few generations , ” she explained .
“ I think back to when I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one packet of sweets between four .
That ’ s unheard of now .
We need to get that message out that treats have to be in small amounts .
“ Strictly speaking , these shouldn ’ t be part of a childs ’ s diet at all .
Kids have very small tummies .
They need to eat a certain amount of food for growth .
If they do eat too many treat foods , they are not going to get the nutritious food they need.
” Dr O ’ Reilly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children “ push the boundaries ” when it comes to demanding treats and it is up to parents to resist .
Instead , the Government guidelines recommend as a snack , cheese with crackers , breadsticks with houmous or a bagel with peanut butter .
The guidelines recommend that new-born children be breastfed up to the age of two and even beyond .
Full fat milk should be offered to children between the ages of one and two while low fat milk can be offered to children aged three to four years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ children should be given between Halloween and St Patrick ’ s Day to compensate for the lack of sunlight .
Vitamin D aids the development of healthy bones and teeth .
Children should be offered a breakfast cereal with added iron most days a week to help them grow .
Orange juice , which is rich in vitamin C , can be added to the diet .
Fried food is not recommended for young people and neither are mayonnaise , coleslaw and salad dressings as they also contain oil .
The advice is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release will be supported by a digital and social campaign and use of the hashtag # kidspyramid

Children under the age of four should be restricted to just one square of chocolate a week as a treat, new health guidelines suggest. Photograph: iStock
Children under the age of four should be restricted to just one square of chocolate a week as a treat, new health guidelines suggest.
The first ever national health eating guidelines for children from birth to the age of four recommends that treats should only be given in “TINY amounts” and the leaflet with the new guidelines emphasises the words “tiny” in capped letters.
As an alternative to a square of chocolate, a child can have three crisps or half a plain biscuit or three jelly sweets once a week, but not all together.
Safefood chief specialist in nutrition Dr Marian O’Reilly, who was one of those who drew up the guidelines, said parents havebecome used to giving children larger treats than they need.
READ MORE
Population surveys have shown that very young children are getting more nutritionally empty food than is good for them.
“It does appear very small, but it demonstrates how normal it has become for these foods to be part of our diet over the last few generations,” she explained.
“I think back to when I was a child, we would share one packet of sweets between four. That’s unheard of now. We need to get that message out that treats have to be in small amounts.
“Strictly speaking, these shouldn’t be part of a childs’s diet at all. Kids have very small tummies. They need to eat a certain amount of food for growth. If they do eat too many treat foods, they are not going to get the nutritious food they need.”
Dr O’Reilly, who has a four-year-old son, said children “push the boundaries” when it comes to demanding treats and it is up to parents to resist.
Instead, the Government guidelines recommend as a snack, cheese with crackers, breadsticks with houmous or a bagel with peanut butter.
The guidelines recommend that new-born children be breastfed up to the age of two and even beyond.
Full fat milk should be offered to children between the ages of one and two while low fat milk can be offered to children aged three to four years.
A Vitamin D supplement for very young children should be given between Halloween and St Patrick’s Day to compensate for the lack of sunlight. Vitamin D aids the development of healthy bones and teeth.
Children should be offered a breakfast cereal with added iron most days a week to help them grow. Orange juice, which is rich in vitamin C, can be added to the diet.
Fried food is not recommended for young people and neither are mayonnaise, coleslaw and salad dressings as they also contain oil.
The advice is contained in a24 page booklet. The release will be supported by a digital and social campaign and use of the hashtag #kidspyramid