theirishtimes--2020-11-14--Revisit gender pay gap legislation ‘as a priority’, Citizens’ Assembly told

Legislation mandating employers to publish the gender pay gap at their organisations must be reintroduced following its lapse with the dissolution of the last Dáil , the Citizens ’ Assembly has heard .
The 100-member assembly met remotely on Saturday for the first of two sessions on gender equality .
It dealt with areas such as the gender pay gap , low pay , minimum wage , occupational segregation and career advancement .
Among the main issues discussed was the Gender Pay Gap Information Bill of 2019 .
This required employers to publish information on their gender pay gap and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found , to explain the measures being taken to reduce it .
The Bill lapsed following dissolution of the Dáil in January .
Prof Helen Russell of the ESRI said in a presentation that the introduction of such “ pay transparency legislation ” would be an important step in combating discrimination in the workplace .
“ The Gender Pay Gap Information Bill lapsed with the dissolution of the Dáil , so there is an opportunity to introduce such legislation again , ” she said .
National Women ’ s Council head of policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urgently needs to tackle pay inequality with harder measures such as legislation that provides for pay transparency ” .
“ The current lack of access to , and transparency around , gender focused data are significant barriers to removing pay inequalities between women and men , ” she said .
“ The Gender Pay Gap Information Bill would require employers to publish gender pay gap statistics within their organisations , thus identifying pay imbalances and providing opportunity for inequality to be addressed .
“ Progressing this legislation needs to be a priority for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ending pay inequality for women.
” Prof Russell said the latest data on the mean weekly wage gap between men and women was €847 per week for men as against €635 for women .
This equates to a gender pay gap of 25 per cent .
The mean hourly gap is 14.4 per cent , and has stalled since 2014 .
Among the solutions she put forward were the need to tackle stereotypes and barriers in education .
She also suggested the introduction of policies to reduce differences in time spent out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take a variety of forms , including increased availability of flexible work , enhanced leave , improved childcare and adult supports , and greater take-up of care roles and flexible work by men , ” she said .
“ Education , training and employment supports for women returning to employment may also reduce the pay penalty for career interruptions.
” In terms of the issue of low pay in female dominated jobs , Prof Russell and others suggested strengthening the minimum wage policy , as well as reducing overall wage inequality by strengthening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Another option is to conduct formal job evaluations , or benchmarking procedures that aim to evaluate different jobs , ” she added .
Damian Grimshaw , professor of employment studies at Kings College London , said his “ big message ” was that “ we already know what needs to be done to close the gender pay gap ” .
“ We know what sets of measures are needed , ” he said .
“ We also know it involves the commitment , the energy , and real sense of purpose among governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as unions .
“ We know that women have already done a great deal towards this transformative agenda .
They ’ re investing more in education than ever before .
Their attachment to employment is very continuous now , more than ever .
“ Of course , in the workplace they are doing a great deal to bring to light many areas of perhaps invisible and undervalued skills , and countering all forms of way-outdated sex discrimination and stereotyping.
” Dr Pauline Cullen of NUI Maynooth delivered a presentation outlining the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was a broad consensus that a lack of flexibility in how work is organised makes it hard for women and men to balance the demands of work and life .
“ This has negative outcomes for women ’ s access to well-paid jobs and for men who want to spend more time with their families , ” she said .
In terms of solutions to the issue of women being over-represented in part-time and low paid work , suggestions included the setting of wage floors in a range of low-paid sectors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitality .
“ There needs to be strategic interventions to rebalance all employment sectors to ensure that women do not dominate in the lower streams of employment , ” she said .
On the issue of gender-based violence and sexual harassment at work , solutions proposed included a commitment to more urgent action from employers to communicate a zero tolerance approach for sexually harassing behaviour .
Also , there were submissions calling for the introduction of paid domestic violence leave along the lines of that recently introduced in New Zealand .
The Citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Oireachtas last year and is chaired by Dr Catherine Day , a former secretary-general of the European Commission .
Its recommendations will come before the Dáil and Seanad once it is finished in early 2021 .
It will meet again next month .

Legislation mandating employers to publish the gender pay gap at their organisations must be reintroduced following its lapse with the dissolution of the last Dáil, the Citizens’ Assembly has heard.
The 100-member assembly met remotely on Saturday for the first of two sessions on gender equality. It dealt with areas such as the gender pay gap, low pay, minimum wage, occupational segregation and career advancement.
Among the main issues discussed was the Gender Pay Gap Information Bill of 2019. This required employers to publish information on their gender pay gap and, where a gap was in fact found, to explain the measures being taken to reduce it. The Bill lapsed following dissolution of the Dáil in January.
Prof Helen Russell of the ESRI said in a presentation that the introduction of such "pay transparency legislation" would be an important step in combating discrimination in the workplace.
READ MORE
“The Gender Pay Gap Information Bill lapsed with the dissolution of the Dáil, so there is an opportunity to introduce such legislation again,” she said.
National Women’s Council head of policy Jennifer McCarthy Flynn said the State “urgently needs to tackle pay inequality with harder measures such as legislation that provides for pay transparency”.
“The current lack of access to, and transparency around, gender focused data are significant barriers to removing pay inequalities between women and men,” she said.
Inequality
“The Gender Pay Gap Information Bill would require employers to publish gender pay gap statistics within their organisations, thus identifying pay imbalances and providing opportunity for inequality to be addressed.
“Progressing this legislation needs to be a priority for the Government if we are serious about ending pay inequality for women.”
Prof Russell said the latest data on the mean weekly wage gap between men and women was €847 per week for men as against €635 for women. This equates to a gender pay gap of 25 per cent. The mean hourly gap is 14.4 per cent, and has stalled since 2014.
Among the solutions she put forward were the need to tackle stereotypes and barriers in education. She also suggested the introduction of policies to reduce differences in time spent out of the labour market.
“These could take a variety of forms, including increased availability of flexible work, enhanced leave, improved childcare and adult supports, and greater take-up of care roles and flexible work by men,” she said.
“Education, training and employment supports for women returning to employment may also reduce the pay penalty for career interruptions.”
In terms of the issue of low pay in female-dominated jobs, Prof Russell and others suggested strengthening the minimum wage policy, as well as reducing overall wage inequality by strengthening the role of organised labour.
“Another option is to conduct formal job evaluations, or benchmarking procedures that aim to evaluate different jobs,” she added.
Damian Grimshaw, professor of employment studies at Kings College London, said his "big message" was that "we already know what needs to be done to close the gender pay gap".
“We know what sets of measures are needed,” he said. “We also know it involves the commitment, the energy, and real sense of purpose among governments, employers big and large, as well as unions.
“We know that women have already done a great deal towards this transformative agenda. They’re investing more in education than ever before. Their attachment to employment is very continuous now, more than ever.
“Of course, in the workplace they are doing a great deal to bring to light many areas of perhaps invisible and undervalued skills, and countering all forms of way-outdated sex discrimination and stereotyping.”
Dr Pauline Cullen of NUI Maynooth delivered a presentation outlining the public submissions on the topic.
She said there was a broad consensus that a lack of flexibility in how work is organised makes it hard for women and men to balance the demands of work and life.
“This has negative outcomes for women’s access to well-paid jobs and for men who want to spend more time with their families,” she said.
In terms of solutions to the issue of women being over-represented in part-time and low paid work, suggestions included the setting of wage floors in a range of low-paid sectors, including those such as contract cleaning and hospitality.
Sexual harassment
“There needs to be strategic interventions to rebalance all employment sectors to ensure that women do not dominate in the lower streams of employment,” she said.
On the issue of gender-based violence and sexual harassment at work, solutions proposed included a commitment to more urgent action from employers to communicate a zero tolerance approach for sexually harassing behaviour.
Also, there were submissions calling for the introduction of paid domestic violence leave along the lines of that recently introduced in New Zealand.
The Citizens' Assembly on gender equality was established by the Oireachtas last year and is chaired by Dr Catherine Day, a former secretary-general of the European Commission.
Its recommendations will come before the Dáil and Seanad once it is finished in early 2021. It will meet again next month.


theirishtimes--2020-11-14--Publicans have no interest in level-3 festive reopening – VFI chief

Publicans have warned Government they have no interest in opening their bars for Christmas if the State moves from level 5 to to level 3 restrictions in December .
Level 3 restricts restaurants , cafes , and bars to takeaways and deliveries and outdoor service to a maximum of 15 people only .
During the last level 3 lockdown in Dublin , “ wet pubs ” which do not serve food were ordered to remain completely closed .
Taoiseach Micheál Martin told the Dáil on October 20th the target was to move to level 3 restrictions across the State in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions .
On Friday , Mr Martin repeated that level 3 was still the target .
However , publicans have warned that level 3 restrictions would not allow them to cover their costs and would not be practical for Christmas or into the new year period – particularly given the Irish weather .
Vintners Federation of Ireland ( VFI ) chief executive Padraig Cribben also warned that level 3 restrictions over Christmas would result in large numbers of people crossing the Border into Northern Ireland to socialise in conditions where rates of Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said moving to level 3 limits would therefore be counter-productive , as those who travelled across the Border to socialise would be bringing the virus back here .
Asked on the RTÉ ’ s News at One Programme about reopening at level 3 , Mr Cribben said : “ Nobody has any interest at any time of the year , it is not viable , it is not practical.
” Regarding the prevailing weather at this time of year , he said : “ If you look at a day like today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He warned : “ This is not just about Christmas .
I don ’ t think that any publican is interested in opening for two weeks at Christmas and closing down again .
We need to get to a situation where those 7,500 businesses – and equally importantly their 50,000 employees , many of whom have had no work since last March – are looked after .
It is not just about Christmas there has to be a plan into January , February and March.
” Responding to Mr Cribben , Minister for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has yet been decided on the level of reopening .
He said talk of people going to Northern Ireland to avoid a State-wide level 3 was based “ on an assumption that this is going to happen .
I would not assume that.
” He said the Taoiseach was prepared to look at “ versions ” within the target restrictions and he said the Government acknowledged the difficulties of the sector .
“ We will be communicating a plan at the end of this month , ” he said .
“ The next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep working with us , and hopefully we can open up in a meaningful way that looks at all sectors including pubs as well .
This has not been decided on , ” he said .
Mr O ’ Brien asked for people “ not to lose hope ” on pubs opening .
He said : “ Christmas is an important time ; we want people to have a meaningful Christmas with their families , and businesses to open again .
”

Publicans have warned Government they have no interest in opening their bars for Christmas if the State moves from Level 5 to to Level 3 restrictions in December.
Level 3 restricts restaurants, cafes, and bars to takeaways and deliveries and outdoor service to a maximum of 15 people only.
During the last Level 3 lockdown in Dublin, “wet pubs” which do not serve food were ordered to remain completely closed.
Hospital Report
Taoiseach Micheál Martin told the Dáil on October 20th the target was to move to Level 3 restrictions across the State in early December from the current Level 5 restrictions. On Friday, Mr Martin repeated that Level 3 was still the target.
READ MORE
However, publicans have warned that Level 3 restrictions would not allow them to cover their costs and would not be practical for Christmas or into the new year period – particularly given the Irish weather.
Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) chief executive Padraig Cribben also warned that Level 3 restrictions over Christmas would result in large numbers of people crossing the Border into Northern Ireland to socialise in conditions where rates of Covid-19 were “four times higher”. He said moving to Level 3 limits would therefore be counter-productive, as those who travelled across the Border to socialise would be bringing the virus back here.
‘It is not viable’
Asked on the RTÉ’s News at One Programme about reopening at Level 3, Mr Cribben said: “Nobody has any interest at any time of the year, it is not viable, it is not practical.” Regarding the prevailing weather at this time of year, he said: “If you look at a day like today, it is just not on.”
He warned: “This is not just about Christmas. I don’t think that any publican is interested in opening for two weeks at Christmas and closing down again. We need to get to a situation where those 7,500 businesses – and equally importantly their 50,000 employees, many of whom have had no work since last March – are looked after. It is not just about Christmas there has to be a plan into January, February and March.”
Responding to Mr Cribben, Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien said nothing has yet been decided on the level of reopening. He said talk of people going to Northern Ireland to avoid a State-wide Level 3 was based “on an assumption that this is going to happen. I would not assume that.”
He said the Taoiseach was prepared to look at “versions” within the target restrictions and he said the Government acknowledged the difficulties of the sector.
“We will be communicating a plan at the end of this month,” he said.
“The next three weeks, we need people to keep working with us, and hopefully we can open up in a meaningful way that looks at all sectors including pubs as well. This has not been decided on,” he said.
Mr O’Brien asked for people “not to lose hope” on pubs opening. He said: “Christmas is an important time; we want people to have a meaningful Christmas with their families, and businesses to open again.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-14--Coronavirus claims 10 more lives in North as another 511 cases reported

A further 10 people with Covid-19 have died in Northern Ireland , the department of health there has said .
The death toll recorded by the department now stands at 846 .
There were also another 511 confirmed cases of the virus recorded in the last 24-hour reporting period .
A total of 46,359 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland since the pandemic began and the virus is spreading faster now than in the Republic .
The North ’ s minister for health warned on Friday that lifting Covid-19 restrictions is a “ gamble ” and further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Christmas or the New Year in the North .
Robin Swann told the BBC he had been “ clear from the start ” he wanted “ more time to really drive our R number down , drive down the number of infections , but especially see a decrease in the number of people that we have in hospital , that we have in ICU .
“ This is a gamble , this is a risk .
Do I think it ’ s enough ?
No .
Will we looking for more , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably before Christmas or the New Year asking for more steps ?
I firmly believe we will be , ” he said .
Ministers agreed on Thursday to a one-week extension of current lockdown restrictions followed by a phased reopening of the hospitality sector after days of bitter division within the Northern Ireland Executive .
Mr Swann had initially asked for the measures to be extended for two weeks on the advice of the North ’ s Chief Medical Officer , Dr Michael McBride , who warned that failure to do so would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but this proposal was blocked by the DUP , which used a contentious Stormont mechanism - a cross-community vote - to do so .
Mr Swann criticised the DUP ’ s step , saying it was “ not one I would have used , it ’ s not one I think was the right thing to do at this time.
” - additional reporting PA

A further 10 people with Covid-19 have died in Northern Ireland, the department of health there has said.
The death toll recorded by the department now stands at 846. There were also another 511 confirmed cases of the virus recorded in the last 24-hour reporting period.
A total of 46,359 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland since the pandemic began and the virus is spreading faster now than in the Republic.
The North’s minister for health warned on Friday that lifting Covid-19 restrictions is a “gamble” and further measures will be needed “probably” before Christmas or the New Year in the North.
READ MORE
Robin Swann told the BBC he had been "clear from the start" he wanted "more time to really drive our R number down, drive down the number of infections, but especially see a decrease in the number of people that we have in hospital, that we have in ICU.
“This is a gamble, this is a risk. Do I think it’s enough? No. Will we looking for more, we will go back to the Executive probably before Christmas or the New Year asking for more steps? I firmly believe we will be,” he said.
Ministers agreed on Thursday to a one-week extension of current lockdown restrictions followed by a phased reopening of the hospitality sector after days of bitter division within the Northern Ireland Executive.
Mr Swann had initially asked for the measures to be extended for two weeks on the advice of the North's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, who warned that failure to do so would lead to "excess deaths", but this proposal was blocked by the DUP, which used a contentious Stormont mechanism - a cross-community vote - to do so.
Mr Swann criticised the DUP’s step, saying it was “not one I would have used, it’s not one I think was the right thing to do at this time.” - additional reporting PA


theirishtimes--2020-11-14--Gardaí says missing woman (37) found safe and well

Gardaí looking for a missing 37-year-old Drogheda woman have said she has been found safe and well .
Gardaí said @ @ @ @ @ s family were very concerned for her welfare and urged her to make contact on @ @ @ @ @ a statement on Saturday afternoon , the Garda said the woman from the Moneymore estate @ @ @ @ @ , had been located .

Gardaí looking for a missing 37-year-old Drogheda woman have said she has been found safe and well.
Gardaí said they and the woman’s family were very concerned for her welfare and urged her to make contact on Saturday morning.
But in a statement on Saturday afternoon, the Garda said the woman from the Moneymore estate in the Co Louth town, had been located.


theirishtimes--2020-11-14--Holohan warns Covid-19 numbers rising again as six more deaths and 456 new cases reported

Another six people diagnosed with Covid-19 have died , the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) reported on Saturday .
This brings to 1,978 the total number of deaths related to the disease in the Republic .
Nphet also reported a further 456 new cases , bringing the total number of confirmed cases here to 67,526 .
Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health Dr Tony Holohan warned on Saturday evening that case numbers were beginning to rise again and Nphet was concerned that recent progress was now at risk .
• 69 per cent are under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Dublin , 38 in Limerick , 27 in Cork , 27 in Donegal , 27 in Galway and the remaining 186 cases are spread across 20 other counties .
As of 2pm on Saturday , 254 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised , of whom 32 are in an ICU .
Eleven additional hospitalisations have been recorded in the past 24 hours .
Dr Holohan said : “ Analysis of today ’ s data shows the five-day moving average of case numbers has increased from 354 to 392 .
“ We have seen higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on the encouraging trends of the last three weeks .
“ We are concerned that this progress is at risk .
We have to remember that the virus is still very active in the community and we can not let our guard slip .
Nphet will continue to monitor the situation closely over the coming days .
“ We all need to focus on what we can do to stop the spread of this disease ; wash our hands regularly , wear a face covering , keep our distance from others , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , know the symptoms , self-isolate and contact a GP if we have them .
Stay at home and restrict our movements if you are a close contact of a confirmed case.
” Hospital admissions have been falling during the lockdown to tackle a second wave of Covid-19 in the Republic .
The positivity rate for the virus is now at 3.9 per cent over the last seven days , according to the Government ’ s data hub .
According to the HSE ’ s daily operations report published on Saturday morning showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were four Covid patients in ICU in University Hospital Limerick and four in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda , Co Louth .
There were three patients in ICU in Wexford and three in Dublin ’ s Mater and two in each of Tallaght , St Vincent ’ s , Cork University Hospital and Connolly Hospital Dublin , while there were single cases in ICUs elsewhere in the Republic .
On Saturday , Prof Philip Nolan , Nphet ’ s main modeller , said keeping the country on Level 3 “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalisations ” and 150 deaths a month .
“ Things kept simmering tend to boil over ” , he said on Twitter in response to an article in Saturday ’ s Irish Times .
Separately , Mr Holohan has warned the Government that the number of coronavirus cases in older people and in nursing homes , despite the Level 5 lockdown , remains a concern .
In a letter sent last week , Mr Holohan said that while the key indicators of the disease were improving , it was still “ not possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the disease at this point ” .
Mr Holohan said a higher proportion of cases notified in the previous fortnight were in the over-65 age group .
“ In the last seven days , 11.9 per cent of cases notified were aged over 65 .
This compares with 7.6 per cent of cases notified in the seven days up to the 15th of October.
” He said that in the week leading up to October 31st there were 56 open clusters associated with nursing homes and 33 associated with hospitals .
Data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spreading at different rates across the Republic .
Buncrana in Co Donegal continues to have the highest 14-day incidence rate in the State , running at almost four times the national average .
The latest data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) for the two weeks from October 27th to November 9th examines the number of people infected per 100,000 of population by area , giving a better understanding of the rate of transmission than straight case numbers .
Buncrana recorded a rate of 536.5 cases per 100,000 , down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The second highest rate was also in Co Donegal , in Letterkenny , which had a rate of 409.5 cases per 100,000 .
The national rate has been decreasing gradually since the move to tighter restrictions and stood at 135 as of Thursday , down from a peak of 310 .
( Coronavirus search : Check how Covid-19 is spreading in your area ) .
On Friday , Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed the Government was planning a phased exit from lockdown from the start of December .
This would allow families to celebrate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counties , and to some extent for people to meet up and socialise with friends .
However , Mr Martin said people would not be “ going on the lash ” or to Christmas parties when Ireland emerged from lockdown next month .

Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan has warned that recent progress in supressing the spread of Covid-19 is at risk after a new rise in case numbers in recent days.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) reported six new deaths and 456 new cases on Saturday evening. This brings to 1,978 the total number of deaths related to the disease in the Republic with the total number of confirmed cases here now at 67,526.
Publishing the data on Saturday night, Dr Holohan said: “Analysis of today’s data shows the five-day moving average of case numbers has increased from 354 to 392.
“We have seen higher numbers in recent days than we expected based on the encouraging trends of the last three weeks.
READ MORE
“We are concerned that this progress is at risk. We have to remember that the virus is still very active in the community and we cannot let our guard slip. Nphet will continue to monitor the situation closely over the coming days.
“We all need to focus on what we can do to stop the spread of this disease; wash our hands regularly, wear a face covering, keep our distance from others, avoid crowds, limit our social network, know the symptoms, self-isolate and contact a GP if we have them. Stay at home and restrict our movements if you are a close contact of a confirmed case.”
Of the cases notified on Saturday:
210 are men, 246 are women
69 per cent are under 45 years of age
The median age is 33 years
151 are in Dublin, 38 in Limerick, 27 in Cork, 27 in Donegal, 27 in Galway and the remaining 186 cases are spread across 20 other counties.
A total of 254 Covid-19 patients were reported to be in hospital on Sunday, of whom 33 are in an ICU. The positivity rate for the virus is now at 3.6 per cent over the last seven days, according to the Government's data hub.
On Saturday, Prof Philip Nolan, Nphet's main modeller, said keeping the country on Level 3 "would have resulted in at least 1,200 hospitalisations" and 150 deaths a month. "Things kept simmering tend to boil over", he said on Twitter in response to an article in Saturday's Irish Times.
Separately, Mr Holohan has warned the Government that the number of coronavirus cases in older people and in nursing homes, despite the Level 5 lockdown, remains a concern.
A quiet Temple Bar, Dublin on Friday during the Level 5 lockdown. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
In a letter sent last week, Mr Holohan said that while the key indicators of the disease were improving, it was still “not possible to draw substantive conclusions about the trajectory of the disease at this point”.
Mr Holohan said a higher proportion of cases notified in the previous fortnight were in the over-65 age group. “In the last seven days, 11.9 per cent of cases notified were aged over 65. This compares with 7.6 per cent of cases notified in the seven days up to the 15th of October.”
He said that in the week leading up to October 31st there were 56 open clusters associated with nursing homes and 33 associated with hospitals.
Data released this week shows the virus is spreading at different rates across the Republic. Buncrana in Co Donegal continues to have the highest 14-day incidence rate in the State, running at almost four times the national average.
The latest data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) for the two weeks from October 27th to November 9th examines the number of people infected per 100,000 of population by area, giving a better understanding of the rate of transmission than straight case numbers.
Buncrana recorded a rate of 536.5 cases per 100,000, down from almost 595 on November 2nd. The second highest rate was also in Co Donegal, in Letterkenny, which had a rate of 409.5 cases per 100,000.
The national rate has been decreasing gradually since the move to tighter restrictions and stood at 135 as of Thursday, down from a peak of 310. (Coronavirus search: Check how Covid-19 is spreading in your area).
Gardaí operating a Covid-19 restrictions checkpoint on O’Connell Street, Dublin, this weekend. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Christmas
On Friday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed the Government was planning a phased exit from lockdown from the start of December.
This would allow families to celebrate Christmas together where people live in different counties, and to some extent for people to meet up and socialise with friends.
However, Mr Martin said people would not be "going on the lash" or to Christmas parties when Ireland emerged from lockdown next month.


theirishtimes--2020-11-14--Death of woman in Co Down not suspicious, say police

Police said on Saturday the sudden death of a woman in Newry , Co Down was not being treated as @ @ @ @ @ of Northern Ireland said the woman died in the Damolly Meadows area on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ the circumstances of the death but on Saturday afternoon said in a statement : “ @ @ @ @ @ conducted following the sudden death of a woman in the Damolly Meadows area of Newry @ @ @ @ @ not being treated as suspicious .
”

Police said on Saturday the sudden death of a woman in Newry, Co Down was not being treated as suspicious.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said the woman died in the Damolly Meadows area on Friday.
The PSNI had been investigating the circumstances of the death but on Saturday afternoon said in a statement: “A post mortem has been conducted following the sudden death of a woman in the Damolly Meadows area of Newry yesterday. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-15--Well-known Dublin publican ‘livid’ as video of Saturday street drinking emerges

Video footage of hundreds of people gathered on Dublin ’ s South William St on Saturday evening has left a well-known local business owner angry as he has been forced to stay closed for eight months .
The footage , which was circulated widely on social media , shows large crowds drinking on the city centre street and on surrounding streets in an apparent breach of Covid-19 lockdown rules .
Under the Government ’ s Level 5 restrictions in place across the State , so-called “ wet pubs ” that do not serve food can offer a take-away or delivery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wet pubs ” remain closed completely .
The regulations also state : “ It is possible to meet with one other household in an outdoor setting which is not a home or garden , such as a park , including for exercise.No other social or family gatherings should take place.
” Daniel Grogan of Grogan ’ s Pub on Castle St first aired his concerns on Twitter on Sunday morning .
“ Eight months closed yesterday .
Deemed unsafe to operate by Nphet and Gov .
Is this safer ?
, ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crowds in the area .
He said his premises had been left “ in a disgraceful state this morning with tons of rubbish and people using it as a toilet .
We are furious this morning.
” When contacted by The Irish Times , Mr Grogan said the footage and the rubbish the crowds left behind had “ put me over the edge.
” “ I am livid , ” he continued .
“ We are all just so fed up , We have been closed since March and not put a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have completely adhered to the rules .
“ But then you see pubs selling takeaway pints and people buying drink in off-licences and coming down here .
We had it in June and we have it again now , it has been going on long enough.
” He said there had “ easily been at least 400 people on the street .
Where the guards ?
Surely they knew there was such a large congregation of people in the area ?
” In response to queries from The Irish Times , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reports of crowds gathering and moved to bring it under control .
“ Gardaí attended the scene and requested all persons to disperse , ” the spokesman said .
“ Gardaí maintained a presence in the area .
No breaches of regulations were detected .
A number of patrols were conducted in the area over the course of the evening.
” The spokesman said that in supporting the Covid-19 public health guidelines and regulations the Garda “ has and will continue to adopt , a graduated policing response based on its tradition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen Garda members engage , explain , encourage and , as a last resort , enforce ” .
Mr Grogan stressed that he did not want to point the finger at any businesses but stressed that things would have to change .
“ I am not out to scald anyone or any business and it has been a hard year for all of us , we all know that .
But it is just too much , ” he said .
He told The Irish Times that that on several mornings in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up rubbish , urine and faeces from directly outside his pub and he highlighted the impact such gatherings would have on businesses desperately hoping to reopen next month .
“ I would be very concerned that Nphet and the Government would look at footage like this and use it as a reason not to allow pubs to re-open despite the fact that we are a controlled environment and behave much more responsibly than this.
” On Saturday , publicans warned Government they have no interest in opening their bars for Christmas if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Level 3 restrictions in December .
Level 3 restricts restaurants , cafes , and bars to takeaways and deliveries and outdoor service to a maximum of 15 people only .
During the last Level 3 lockdown in Dublin , “ wet pubs ” which do not serve food were ordered to remain completely closed .
Taoiseach Micheál Martin told the Dáil on October 20th the target was to move to Level 3 restrictions across the State in early December from the current Level 5 restrictions .
On Friday , Mr Martin repeated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vintners Federation of Ireland ( VFI ) chief executive Padraig Cribben warned that Level 3 restrictions over Christmas would result in large numbers of people crossing the Border into Northern Ireland to socialise in conditions where rates of Covid-19 were “ four times higher ” .
He said moving to Level 3 limits would therefore be counter-productive , as those who travelled across the Border to socialise would be bringing the virus back here .
Asked on the RTÉ ’ s News at One Programme on Saturday about reopening at Level 3 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any interest at any time of the year , it is not viable , it is not practical.
” Regarding the prevailing weather at this time of year , he said : “ If you look at a day like today , it is just not on .
”

Video footage of hundreds of people gathered on Dublin's South William St on Saturday evening has left a well-known local business owner angry as he has been forced to stay closed for eight months.
The footage, which was circulated widely on social media, shows large crowds drinking on the city centre street and on surrounding streets in an apparent breach of Covid-19 lockdown rules.
Under the Government’s Level 5 restrictions in place across the State, so-called “wet pubs” that do not serve food can offer a take-away or delivery service only.
Footage posted on Twitter showed crowds gathered in the South Williams Street area on Saturday night.
8 months closed yesterday. Deemed unsafe to operate by NPHET and Gov.
Is this safer?
Clearly nearby properties don't have to follow the rules. Our premises is in a disgraceful state this morning with tons of rubbish and people using it as a toilet.
We are furious this morning. https://t.co/qLti0gPTKQ — Grogans Castle Lounge (@GrogansPub) November 15, 2020
The regulations also state: "It is possible to meet with one other household in an outdoor setting which is not a home or garden, such as a park, including for exercise.No other social or family gatherings should take place."
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Daniel Smith of Grogan’s Pub on Castle St first aired his concerns on Twitter on Sunday morning. “Eight months closed yesterday. Deemed unsafe to operate by Nphet and Gov. Is this safer?,” he asked as he shared the footage of the crowds in the area.
He said his premises had been left “in a disgraceful state this morning with tons of rubbish and people using it as a toilet. We are furious this morning.”
When contacted by The Irish Times, Mr Smith said the footage and the rubbish the crowds left behind had “put me over the edge.”
“I am livid ,” he continued. “We are all just so fed up, We have been closed since March and not put a cent through our till since then as we have completely adhered to the rules.
“But then you see pubs selling takeaway pints and people buying drink in off-licences and coming down here. We had it in June and we have it again now, it has been going on long enough.”
He said there had “easily been at least 400 people on the street. Where the guards? Surely they knew there was such a large congregation of people in the area?”
In response to queries from The Irish Times, a Garda spokesman said it had responded to the reports of crowds gathering and moved to bring it under control.
“Gardaí attended the scene and requested all persons to disperse,” the spokesman said. “Gardaí maintained a presence in the area. No breaches of regulations were detected. A number of patrols were conducted in the area over the course of the evening.”
The spokesman said that in supporting the Covid-19 public health guidelines and regulations the Garda “has and will continue to adopt, a graduated policing response based on its tradition of policing by consent. This has seen Garda members engage, explain, encourage and, as a last resort, enforce”.
Mr Smith stressed that he did not want to point the finger at any businesses but stressed that things would have to change. “I am not out to scald anyone or any business and it has been a hard year for all of us, we all know that. But it is just too much,” he said.
He told The Irish Times that that on several mornings in recent weeks he has been left to clean up rubbish, urine and faeces from directly outside his pub and he highlighted the impact such gatherings would have on businesses desperately hoping to reopen next month.
“I would be very concerned that Nphet and the Government would look at footage like this and use it as a reason not to allow pubs to re-open despite the fact that we are a controlled environment and behave much more responsibly than this.”
Level 3
On Saturday, publicans warned Government they have no interest in opening their bars for Christmas if the State moves from Level 5 to to Level 3 restrictions in December.
Level 3 restricts restaurants, cafes, and bars to takeaways and deliveries and outdoor service to a maximum of 15 people only.
During the last Level 3 lockdown in Dublin, “wet pubs” which do not serve food were ordered to remain completely closed.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin told the Dáil on October 20th the target was to move to Level 3 restrictions across the State in early December from the current Level 5 restrictions. On Friday, Mr Martin repeated that Level 3 was still the target.
Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) chief executive Padraig Cribben warned that Level 3 restrictions over Christmas would result in large numbers of people crossing the Border into Northern Ireland to socialise in conditions where rates of Covid-19 were “four times higher”. He said moving to Level 3 limits would therefore be counter-productive, as those who travelled across the Border to socialise would be bringing the virus back here.
Asked on the RTÉ’s News at One Programme on Saturday about reopening at Level 3, Mr Cribben said: “Nobody has any interest at any time of the year, it is not viable, it is not practical.” Regarding the prevailing weather at this time of year, he said: “If you look at a day like today, it is just not on.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-15--Man dies after van crashes and bursts into flames in Co Meath

A man in his 40s died after a van crashed and burst into flames in Co Meath on Saturday night @ @ @ @ @ happened at about 7.25pm on the R135 at Nine Mile Stone , Baltransa , Ashbourne @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The van in involved in the incident became engulfed in flames .
Fire @ @ @ @ @ scene and the blaze was brought under control , ” a Garda Press Office statement @ @ @ @ @ , aged in his late 40s , the sole occupant of the van , was @ @ @ @ @ .
The mans remains have been removed to the Mortuary at Our Lady ’ s @ @ @ @ @ mortem will be carried out.
” The statement added that a technical examination of the @ @ @ @ @ the road was fully re-opened .
“ Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information , @ @ @ @ @ dash cam footage , to contact them at Ashbourne Garda Station on 01 801 0600 @ @ @ @ @ on 1800 666 111 .
”

A Garda technical team has examined the scene of the crash. File photograph
A man in his 40s died after a van crashed and burst into flames in Co Meath on Saturday night.
The single vehicle crash happened at about 7.25pm on the R135 at Nine Mile Stone, Baltransa, Ashbourne, gardaí said on Sunday.
“The van in involved in the incident became engulfed in flames. Fire and emergency services attended the scene and the blaze was brought under control,” a Garda Press Office statement said.
“A man, aged in his late 40s, the sole occupant of the van, was pronounced dead at the scene. The mans remains have been removed to the Mortuary at Our Lady’s Hospital Navan where a post mortem will be carried out.”
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The statement added that a technical examination of the scene had taken place and the road was fully re-opened.
“Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information, particularly an road users with dash cam footage, to contact them at Ashbourne Garda Station on 01 801 0600 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-14--Many pre-Covid worshipers will never return – Diarmuid Martin

Many of those who attended church services before Covid-19 will never return to public worship , while the Catholic Church will be a “ significantly different ” entity after the pandemic has passed , Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has said .
Speaking during his homily at St Mary ’ s Pro Cathedral in Dublin on Saturday , Archbishop Martin said the religious culture of Ireland – and especially Dublin – is “ at a crossroads ” .
“ It is not the crossroads of martyrdom or oppression , ” he said .
“ Certainly there is hostility towards the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change in religious culture is inspired more by indifference , uncertainty and at times voluntary rejection .
“ The fact that there are in Ireland today more civil weddings than religious marriage ceremonies is not by imposition .
The fact that , according to the last census , ‘ no religion ’ is the second largest population group after Roman Catholics is the fruit of choice.
” Archbishop Martin said the demographics of church attendance have already been impacted by the pandemic .
“ I believe that the challenges of church life due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way towards another challenging moment for the church , ” he said .
“ Many whose attendance at church services before the pandemic was fragile will never return to public worship .
“ When churches were reopened for public worship for the summer period , numbers were low and the demographics of those who returned were different .
Younger faces were noticeably missing .
“ The numbers who will attend public worship in the foreseeable future will be significantly lower .
It would be foolish to imagine that many of those who do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves also drifting away from wider bonds with church life .
“ The post-pandemic church will look significantly different to the church we traditionally knew.
” Archbishop Martin added that the church would need to bring its message beyond the doors of it buildings .
“ In our current situation where attendance at public worship is suspended , we have constantly to remind ourselves that the Christian life is not suspended , ” he said .
“ Our church doors may be closed for public worship , but the message of Jesus Christ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must bring that message to those who are open to it , whether they are near to or distant from church , whether young or old .
”

Many of those who attended church services before Covid-19 will never return to public worship, while the Catholic Church will be a "significantly different" entity after the pandemic has passed, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has said.
Speaking during his homily at St Mary’s Pro Cathedral in Dublin on Saturday, Archbishop Martin said the religious culture of Ireland – and especially Dublin – is “at a crossroads”.
“It is not the crossroads of martyrdom or oppression,” he said. “Certainly there is hostility towards the church from some quarters. The current change in religious culture is inspired more by indifference, uncertainty and at times voluntary rejection.
Hospital Report
“The fact that there are in Ireland today more civil weddings than religious marriage ceremonies is not by imposition. The fact that, according to the last census, ‘no religion’ is the second largest population group after Roman Catholics is the fruit of choice.”
READ MORE
Archbishop Martin said the demographics of church attendance have already been impacted by the pandemic.
‘Another challenging moment’
“I believe that the challenges of church life due to the current pandemic are pointing the way towards another challenging moment for the church,” he said. “Many whose attendance at church services before the pandemic was fragile will never return to public worship.
“When churches were reopened for public worship for the summer period, numbers were low and the demographics of those who returned were different. Younger faces were noticeably missing.
“The numbers who will attend public worship in the foreseeable future will be significantly lower. It would be foolish to imagine that many of those who do not return to worship will not find themselves also drifting away from wider bonds with church life.
“The post-pandemic church will look significantly different to the church we traditionally knew.”
Archbishop Martin added that the church would need to bring its message beyond the doors of it buildings.
“In our current situation where attendance at public worship is suspended, we have constantly to remind ourselves that the Christian life is not suspended,” he said.
“Our church doors may be closed for public worship, but the message of Jesus Christ belongs not just within buildings. We must bring that message to those who are open to it, whether they are near to or distant from church, whether young or old.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-14--Publicans have no interest in Level 3 festive reopening – VFI chief

Publicans have warned Government they have no interest in opening their bars for Christmas if the State moves from Level 5 to to Level 3 restrictions in December .
Level 3 restricts restaurants , cafes , and bars to takeaways and deliveries and outdoor service to a maximum of 15 people only .
During the last Level 3 lockdown in Dublin , “ wet pubs ” which do not serve food were ordered to remain completely closed .
Taoiseach Micheál Martin told the Dáil on October 20th the target was to move to Level 3 restrictions across the State in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions .
On Friday , Mr Martin repeated that Level 3 was still the target .
However , publicans have warned that Level 3 restrictions would not allow them to cover their costs and would not be practical for Christmas or into the new year period – particularly given the Irish weather .
Vintners Federation of Ireland ( VFI ) chief executive Padraig Cribben also warned that Level 3 restrictions over Christmas would result in large numbers of people crossing the Border into Northern Ireland to socialise in conditions where rates of Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said moving to Level 3 limits would therefore be counter-productive , as those who travelled across the Border to socialise would be bringing the virus back here .
Asked on the RTÉ ’ s News at One Programme about reopening at Level 3 , Mr Cribben said : “ Nobody has any interest at any time of the year , it is not viable , it is not practical.
” Regarding the prevailing weather at this time of year , he said : “ If you look at a day like today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He warned : “ This is not just about Christmas .
I don ’ t think that any publican is interested in opening for two weeks at Christmas and closing down again .
We need to get to a situation where those 7,500 businesses – and equally importantly their 50,000 employees , many of whom have had no work since last March – are looked after .
It is not just about Christmas there has to be a plan into January , February and March.
” Responding to Mr Cribben , Minister for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has yet been decided on the level of reopening .
He said talk of people going to Northern Ireland to avoid a State-wide Level 3 was based “ on an assumption that this is going to happen .
I would not assume that.
” He said the Taoiseach was prepared to look at “ versions ” within the target restrictions and he said the Government acknowledged the difficulties of the sector .
“ We will be communicating a plan at the end of this month , ” he said .
“ The next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep working with us , and hopefully we can open up in a meaningful way that looks at all sectors including pubs as well .
This has not been decided on , ” he said .
Mr O ’ Brien asked for people “ not to lose hope ” on pubs opening .
He said : “ Christmas is an important time ; we want people to have a meaningful Christmas with their families , and businesses to open again .
”


theirishtimes--2020-11-14--Holohan warns recent progress ‘at risk’ as Covid-19 numbers rising again

Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan has warned that recent progress in supressing the spread of Covid-19 is at risk after a new rise in case numbers in recent days .
The National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) reported six new deaths and 456 new cases on Saturday evening .
This brings to 1,978 the total number of deaths related to the disease in the Republic with the total number of confirmed cases here now at 67,526 .
Publishing the data on Saturday night , Dr Holohan said : “ Analysis of today ’ s data shows the five-day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 354 to 392 .
“ We have seen higher numbers in recent days than we expected based on the encouraging trends of the last three weeks .
“ We are concerned that this progress is at risk .
We have to remember that the virus is still very active in the community and we can not let our guard slip .
Nphet will continue to monitor the situation closely over the coming days .
“ We all need to focus on what we can do to stop the spread of this disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a face covering , keep our distance from others , avoid crowds , limit our social network , know the symptoms , self-isolate and contact a GP if we have them .
Stay at home and restrict our movements if you are a close contact of a confirmed case.
” Of the cases notified on Saturday : • 69 per cent are under 45 years of age • 151 are in Dublin , 38 in Limerick , 27 in Cork , 27 in Donegal , 27 in Galway and the remaining 186 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A total of 254 Covid-19 patients were reported to be in hospital on Sunday , of whom 33 are in an ICU .
The positivity rate for the virus is now at 3.6 per cent over the last seven days , according to the Government ’ s data hub .
On Saturday , Prof Philip Nolan , Nphet ’ s main modeller , said keeping the country on Level 3 “ would have resulted in at least 1,200 hospitalisations ” and 150 deaths a month .
“ Things kept simmering tend to boil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in response to an article in Saturday ’ s Irish Times .
Separately , Mr Holohan has warned the Government that the number of coronavirus cases in older people and in nursing homes , despite the Level 5 lockdown , remains a concern .
In a letter sent last week , Mr Holohan said that while the key indicators of the disease were improving , it was still “ not possible to draw substantive conclusions about the trajectory of the disease at this point ” .
Mr Holohan said a higher proportion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the over-65 age group .
“ In the last seven days , 11.9 per cent of cases notified were aged over 65 .
This compares with 7.6 per cent of cases notified in the seven days up to the 15th of October.
” He said that in the week leading up to October 31st there were 56 open clusters associated with nursing homes and 33 associated with hospitals .
Data released this week shows the virus is spreading at different rates across the Republic .
Buncrana in Co Donegal continues to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State , running at almost four times the national average .
The latest data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) for the two weeks from October 27th to November 9th examines the number of people infected per 100,000 of population by area , giving a better understanding of the rate of transmission than straight case numbers .
Buncrana recorded a rate of 536.5 cases per 100,000 , down from almost 595 on November 2nd .
The second highest rate was also in Co Donegal , in Letterkenny , which had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The national rate has been decreasing gradually since the move to tighter restrictions and stood at 135 as of Thursday , down from a peak of 310 .
( Coronavirus search : Check how Covid-19 is spreading in your area ) .
On Friday , Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed the Government was planning a phased exit from lockdown from the start of December .
This would allow families to celebrate Christmas together where people live in different counties , and to some extent for people to meet up and socialise with friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not be “ going on the lash ” or to Christmas parties when Ireland emerged from lockdown next month .


theirishtimes--2020-11-17--Covid resurgence: Outdoor drinkers in groups to face €80 fines

A ban on two or more people meeting outdoors to drink takeaway alcohol will be introduced under plans to be considered by the Cabinet today amid concern over street gatherings and a rise in Covid-19 cases in recent days .
Senior Government sources confirmed Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly would bring forward proposals to control on-street drinking .
It is understood the regulations will not prevent pubs from serving takeaway drinks , but will instead prevent people from gathering outdoors to drink together in groups of two or more .
The regulations , which were being drafted on Monday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punishable by an €80 fine – for two or more people to gather outdoors where one of them is drinking alcohol .
The measure is intended to target the individuals rather than the pubs , which will still be able to sell takeaway drinks for people to consume at home .
A source said it was intended to make it easier for the Garda to break up large groups of people drinking together outside .
It comes as a senior National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) official warns that Ireland could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 cases by January if large numbers of people come home for Christmas .
Current efforts to reduce virus cases are also well off-track , assistant chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn has indicated , and may not be turned around by the end of Level-5 restrictions on December 1st .
Dr Glynn criticised “ a selfish minority ” of people breaking public health rules by drinking in large numbers on city streets .
With daily case numbers trending upwards again in recent days , Dr Glynn warned “ We need to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the first of December.
” Referring to the target of under a 100 cases a day by that date , he said : “ we ’ re nowhere near that at the moment ” .
Calling on people to avoid non-essential travel over Christmas , Dr Glynn said : “ We don ’ t want asymptomatic people , who are feeling completely well , coming home to this country to meet loved ones , to interact with their extended families across generations ; younger people , older people and people with medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want thousands of people doing that , resulting in hundreds of thousands of cases in January and deaths and morbidity and mortality following on in January and February.
” The Cabinet will on Tuesday also discuss reaffirming Ireland ’ s commitment to be part of any EU programme to procure supplies of vaccines approved for human use .
Mr Donnelly will seek agreement to participate in the EU advance purchase agreement with Pfizer for its Covid-19 drug .
If agreed , the State will be entitled to 1.11 per cent of the total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doses .
The Cabinet will also discuss the student support package , which will see a payment of €250 to students for Covid-related assistance .
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney will brief the Cabinet on the developing Brexit omnibus Bill , while Minister for Culture Catherine Martin will bring forward her plan for a guaranteed income for artists .
Mr Donnelly is also expected to meet public health officials this week as work intensifies in Government to draw up a plan to exit the lockdown in two weeks ’ time .
Ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they meet on Tuesday , four weeks in to the six-week lockdown , though there is no expectation of any easing of the regime before December 1st .
One senior Government figure said on Monday that he expected pubs to remain closed but restaurants to open , but also stressed no decisions had been taken at this stage .

Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn warns that Ireland could have a high incidence of Covid-19 cases by January if large numbers of people come home for Christmas. Video: Department of Health
A ban on two or more people meeting outdoors to drink takeaway alcohol will be introduced under plans to be considered by the Cabinet today amid concern over street gatherings and a rise in Covid-19 cases in recent days.
Senior Government sources confirmed Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly would bring forward proposals to control on-street drinking.
It is understood the regulations will not prevent pubs from serving takeaway drinks, but will instead prevent people from gathering outdoors to drink together in groups of two or more.
Hospital Report
The regulations, which were being drafted on Monday night, will make it an offence – punishable by an €80 fine – for two or more people to gather outdoors where one of them is drinking alcohol.
READ MORE
The measure is intended to target the individuals rather than the pubs, which will still be able to sell takeaway drinks for people to consume at home.
A source said it was intended to make it easier for the Garda to break up large groups of people drinking together outside.
It comes as a senior National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) official warns that Ireland could have “hundreds of thousands” of Covid-19 cases by January if large numbers of people come home for Christmas. *
Current efforts to reduce virus cases are also well off-track, assistant chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn has indicated, and may not be turned around by the end of Level-5 restrictions on December 1st.
Dr Glynn criticised “a selfish minority” of people breaking public health rules by drinking in large numbers on city streets.
With daily case numbers trending upwards again in recent days, Dr Glynn warned “We need to get to a much better place than this by the first of December.” Referring to the target of under a 100 cases a day by that date, he said: “we’re nowhere near that at the moment”.
Calling on people to avoid non-essential travel over Christmas, Dr Glynn said: “We don’t want asymptomatic people, who are feeling completely well, coming home to this country to meet loved ones, to interact with their extended families across generations; younger people, older people and people with medical conditions.
“We don’t want thousands of people doing that, resulting in hundreds of thousands of cases in January and deaths and morbidity and mortality following on in January and February.”
EU vaccine accord
The Cabinet will on Tuesday also discuss reaffirming Ireland’s commitment to be part of any EU programme to procure supplies of vaccines approved for human use.
Mr Donnelly will seek agreement to participate in the EU advance purchase agreement with Pfizer for its Covid-19 drug. If agreed, the State will be entitled to 1.11 per cent of the total EU consignment, or about 2.2 million doses.
The Cabinet will also discuss the student support package, which will see a payment of €250 to students for Covid-related assistance.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney will brief the Cabinet on the developing Brexit omnibus Bill, while Minister for Culture Catherine Martin will bring forward her plan for a guaranteed income for artists.
Mr Donnelly is also expected to meet public health officials this week as work intensifies in Government to draw up a plan to exit the lockdown in two weeks’ time. Ministers are due to review the existing restrictions when they meet on Tuesday, four weeks in to the six-week lockdown, though there is no expectation of any easing of the regime before December 1st.
One senior Government figure said on Monday that he expected pubs to remain closed but restaurants to open, but also stressed no decisions had been taken at this stage.
* The Irish Times is satisfied that this quote is correct. A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said Dr Glynn said "hundreds or thousands".


theirishtimes--2020-11-17--Health policy on Covid-19 failing to resonate with sizable minority

A slight uptick in Covid-19 cases has public health officials fretting once again .
For a week now , the five-day average of cases has been trending upwards .
Over the weekend alone , it increased from 354 to 392 .
At the same time , social media images of pint-toting , non-social distancing crowds carousing on Dublin city centre streets at the weekend have unleashed another wave of criticism .
The pictures tell a story all right , but not one that differs from earlier stages in the pandemic .
Even in the deepest of lockdowns last spring , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” from an otherwise shut pub and then consume your drinks on the street outside .
We have no measure of whether more of this is happening now , or even less , other than the grainy images on social media – the 21st-century version of the “ squinting window ” – which tell us everything and nothing .
It seems remarkable that only now are there moves to clamp down on this abuse of the rules , with the Cabinet on Tuesday considering a clampdown on pubs selling takeaway drinks .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data that might help explain the recent rise in case numbers .
As well as outdoor drinking , National Public Health Emergency Team members have mentioned workplaces and funerals as problem areas , without giving many details .
It may be the disimproved figures are a hangover from Halloween , which is traditionally a time of heightened socialising .
Although this year ’ s Halloween was more subdued than usual , it wasn ’ t altogether quiet in many parts of Dublin .
The team ’ s nervousness may be prompted by trends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in case numbers has been uneven .
We ’ ve been here before .
Last month , Dublin initially responded well to a tightening of measures , but then the figures took off again .
With hospitalisations , intensive care admission and deaths all stable , it ’ s hard not to see the focus on case numbers as a form of advance sparring over what should happen once the Level 5 restrictions end on December 1st .
Though these decisions are made by Government , the team is once again making the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer Dr Tony Holohan said people abroad should forget about flying home for Christmas .
On Monday , team member Dr Mary Favier said it would have “ problems ” with any opening of pubs next month .
This is decision by soundbite , rather than due deliberation .
Pubs are problematic , but are they worse in terms of disease transmission than uncontrolled drinking on streets , in parks and in people ’ s houses ?
We don ’ t know .
Policy now has to be crafted in the knowledge that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer heeds the public health message .
It may be that they don ’ t feel they are at risk ; they may be tired of the mixed messages ; or just tired , period .
One of the reasons the current restrictions are more bearable is because more people are interpreting them as they see fit .
Most people are adhering to the rules on social distancing and masks , for instance , but are they sticking to 5km ?
Just look at the traffic on the roads .
Meanwhile , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reductive , highlighting the risk in virtually all areas of human activity , even the most deeply personal and spiritual ; and urging people to think of themselves as infected , even when they ’ re not .

A slight uptick in Covid-19 cases has public health officials fretting once again. For a week now, the five-day average of cases has been trending upwards. Over the weekend alone, it increased from 354 to 392.
At the same time, social media images of pint-toting, non-social distancing crowds carousing on Dublin city centre streets at the weekend have unleashed another wave of criticism.
The pictures tell a story all right, but not one that differs from earlier stages in the pandemic. Even in the deepest of lockdowns last spring, you still could buy alcohol “takeaway” from an otherwise shut pub and then consume your drinks on the street outside.
We have no measure of whether more of this is happening now, or even less, other than the grainy images on social media – the 21st-century version of the “squinting window” – which tell us everything and nothing.
READ MORE
It seems remarkable that only now are there moves to clamp down on this abuse of the rules, with the Cabinet on Tuesday considering a clampdown on pubs selling takeaway drinks.
As usual, there is a dearth of data that might help explain the recent rise in case numbers. As well as outdoor drinking, National Public Health Emergency Team members have mentioned workplaces and funerals as problem areas, without giving many details.
It may be the disimproved figures are a hangover from Halloween, which is traditionally a time of heightened socialising. Although this year’s Halloween was more subdued than usual, it wasn’t altogether quiet in many parts of Dublin.
The team’s nervousness may be prompted by trends in the capital, where the falloff in case numbers has been uneven. We’ve been here before. Last month, Dublin initially responded well to a tightening of measures, but then the figures took off again.
With hospitalisations, intensive care admission and deaths all stable, it’s hard not to see the focus on case numbers as a form of advance sparring over what should happen once the Level 5 restrictions end on December 1st.
Though these decisions are made by Government, the team is once again making the running. Last week, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said people abroad should forget about flying home for Christmas. On Monday, team member Dr Mary Favier said it would have "problems" with any opening of pubs next month.
Drinking on streets
This is decision by soundbite, rather than due deliberation. Pubs are problematic, but are they worse in terms of disease transmission than uncontrolled drinking on streets, in parks and in people’s houses? We don’t know.
Policy now has to be crafted in the knowledge that a sizeable minority of the population no longer heeds the public health message. It may be that they don’t feel they are at risk; they may be tired of the mixed messages; or just tired, period.
One of the reasons the current restrictions are more bearable is because more people are interpreting them as they see fit. Most people are adhering to the rules on social distancing and masks, for instance, but are they sticking to 5km? Just look at the traffic on the roads.
Meanwhile, the team’s messaging has become increasingly reductive, highlighting the risk in virtually all areas of human activity, even the most deeply personal and spiritual; and urging people to think of themselves as infected, even when they’re not.


theirishtimes--2020-11-17--HSE must deliver better service for record funding - Donnelly

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has signalled he wants to see significant improvement in services , the introduction of reforms and greater efficiency in spending arising from the major €3.5 billion increase in funding for the HSE next year .
In a 19-page letter to the chairman of the HSE board Ciarán Devane , the Minister said the “ unprecedented level of investment ” provided by the Government in the budget for 2021 should be used to increase capacity and permanent staffing levels , to progress the implementation of a number of national strategies and to advance the Sláintecare vision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in planning its services for next year the HSE should “ continue to prioritise the provision of care in the home and in the community to the greatest degree possible ” .
The Minister said he wanted to see “ a minimum of 2,600 additional open and staffed beds in acute and community settings in 2021 ” .
He said the Government had provided funding for up 16,000 additional staff to be taken on in the health service .
The Minister said that in its forthcoming national service plan ( its agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget will be spent ) the HSE should set out “ estimates of the number of employees , by grade , category and service area , consistent with the net non-capital expenditure limits together with a monthly profile of whole-time equivalent posts and costs , an overview of the full year cost of the proposed recruitment , and details of the executive ’ s recruitment strategy to deliver on this major expansion of the workforce ” .
The Minister also said he wanted to see a new “ access to care action plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service plan .
Mr Donnelly in his letter also said he wanted to see “ implementation of integrated structural reforms to modernise and future-proof our health service ” .
He said while the number of community beds should increase , the amount provided directly by the HSE should either be maintained or raised .
He said a key priority would be to “ protect vulnerable groups , service-users , patients , healthcare workers , and the wider public in the face of Covid-19 in line with national and international public health guidance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health system is prepared to meet the emerging challenges ” .
He wanted the HSE to deliver “ increased levels of healthcare to our citizens in community and primary care settings ” .
He said a total of 24.2 million home-care hours in 2021 should be provided , and that substantial progress should be made towards the full rollout of enhanced community services , community health networks and associated specialist teams across the country .
The letter said a minimum of 5 per cent of additional 2021 home-care hours should be provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the budget for the Fair Deal nursing home scheme should be set at €1.062 billion next year , while the State Claims Agency should receive €410 million .
The letter said €21.1 million is being provided to the HSE to fund readiness work for Brexit .
It says “ this Brexit planning assumes no ( or a very limited ) EU-UK free trade agreement at the end of the transition period ” .
“ The funding is inclusive of a €4.7 million allocation for the proposed direct reimbursement scheme for Northern Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the department pending the outcome of EU-UK negotiations and the ongoing review of the impact of Covid-19 travel restrictions on the proposed scheme.
” The Minister ’ s letter to the HSE chairman sets out his priorities for how the increase of€,534 million next year in net non-capital expenditure and €181 million on net capital expenditure over the original amounts provided in the 2020 budget should be spent .
The Minister ’ s formal letter on the budget , which was sent earlier this month , effectively starts the legal timeframe for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan for 2021 , which has to be sent to Mr Donnelly by late November or early December .
The letter said the HSE is being provided with €20,371.5 million in non-capital funding and that in addition a further €261.6 million was being held by the Department of Health for specific new initiatives .
“ There is significant scope for improved service delivery and reform within the totality of the net determination provided to the executive in 2021 , alongside a continued focus on securing greater value-for-money and efficiency at a system level @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly. He said he wanted to see “implementation of integrated structural reforms to modernise and future-proof our health service”. Photograph Nick Bradshaw
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has signalled he wants to see significant improvement in services, the introduction of reforms and greater efficiency in spending arising from the major €3.5 billion increase in funding for the HSE next year.
In a 19-page letter to the chairman of the HSE board Ciarán Devane, the Minister said the “unprecedented level of investment” provided by the Government in the budget for 2021 should be used to increase capacity and permanent staffing levels, to progress the implementation of a number of national strategies and to advance the Sláintecare vision of universal healthcare.
Mr Donnelly said that in planning its services for next year the HSE should “continue to prioritise the provision of care in the home and in the community to the greatest degree possible”.
The Minister said he wanted to see “a minimum of 2,600 additional open and staffed beds in acute and community settings in 2021”.
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He said the Government had provided funding for up 16,000 additional staff to be taken on in the health service.
The Minister said that in its forthcoming national service plan (its agreement with the Government on how the overall budget will be spent) the HSE should set out “estimates of the number of employees, by grade, category and service area, consistent with the net non-capital expenditure limits together with a monthly profile of whole-time equivalent posts and costs, an overview of the full year cost of the proposed recruitment, and details of the executive’s recruitment strategy to deliver on this major expansion of the workforce”.
The Minister also said he wanted to see a new “access to care action plan” published along with the HSE national service plan.
Mr Donnelly in his letter also said he wanted to see “implementation of integrated structural reforms to modernise and future-proof our health service”. He said while the number of community beds should increase, the amount provided directly by the HSE should either be maintained or raised.
Emerging challenges
He said a key priority would be to “protect vulnerable groups, service-users, patients, healthcare workers, and the wider public in the face of Covid-19 in line with national and international public health guidance, with a specific focus on ensuring that the health system is prepared to meet the emerging challenges”.
He wanted the HSE to deliver “increased levels of healthcare to our citizens in community and primary care settings”.
He said a total of 24.2 million home-care hours in 2021 should be provided, and that substantial progress should be made towards the full rollout of enhanced community services, community health networks and associated specialist teams across the country.
The letter said a minimum of 5 per cent of additional 2021 home-care hours should be provided for people living with dementia.
It said the budget for the Fair Deal nursing home scheme should be set at €1.062 billion next year, while the State Claims Agency should receive €410 million.
The letter said €21.1 million is being provided to the HSE to fund readiness work for Brexit. It says “this Brexit planning assumes no (or a very limited) EU-UK free trade agreement at the end of the transition period”.
"The funding is inclusive of a €4.7 million allocation for the proposed direct reimbursement scheme for Northern Ireland medical expenses which is being held back by the department pending the outcome of EU-UK negotiations and the ongoing review of the impact of Covid-19 travel restrictions on the proposed scheme."
Priorities
The Minister’s letter to the HSE chairman sets out his priorities for how the increase of€,534 million next year in net non-capital expenditure and €181 million on net capital expenditure over the original amounts provided in the 2020 budget should be spent.
The Minister’s formal letter on the budget, which was sent earlier this month, effectively starts the legal timeframe for the HSE to draw up its service plan for 2021, which has to be sent to Mr Donnelly by late November or early December.
The letter said the HSE is being provided with €20,371.5 million in non-capital funding and that in addition a further €261.6 million was being held by the Department of Health for specific new initiatives.
“There is significant scope for improved service delivery and reform within the totality of the net determination provided to the executive in 2021, alongside a continued focus on securing greater value-for-money and efficiency at a system level and the local procurement level.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-17--Over 90% of women who accessed early abortion service did not require hospital visit

Almost half of the women who presented at an early abortion service at a family planning clinic were mothers , an audit of the programme has found .
In its 2019 annual report , the Irish Family Planning Association ( IFPA ) analysed data from 177 women over a six-month period .
It found more than half of the women who connected with the service were in their 20s , while 34 per cent were in their 30s , 8 per cent were younger than 20 and 7 per cent were aged 40 or over .
Most ( 68.4 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of contraception when they became pregnant .
By far the most common contraceptive methods used were condoms ( 20 per cent ) and short-acting methods ( 8 per cent ) , such as the contraceptive pill .
The remainder had used a long-acting method ( 2.2 per cent ) or a contraceptive strategy such as withdrawal or emergency contraception ( 1.7 per cent ) .
“ This data serves as a reminder that even the most effective methods of contraception carry a risk of failure , and therefore it is not possible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the report stated .
According to the report , 22 women did not proceed with a termination after initially contacting the service .
Of the remaining 155 , 94 per cent were fewer than 10 weeks pregnant at the time of their abortion , suggesting women seek early access to care .
The vast majority ( 92 per cent ) were able to self-manage their abortion at home and did not require a hospital visit , the report states .
Of the 8 per cent of women who were referred for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attended to receive an anti-D injection .
Meanwhile , about 4.5 per cent of women in the sample experienced complications and required additional care in hospitals .
In most of these cases they presented with an incomplete abortion and were referred to hospital for treatment , the report states .
Since the enactment of the 2018 legislation , medical abortion is legal up to 12 weeks .
Thereafter an abortion must only be performed in exceptional circumstances where continuing the pregnancy would put the woman ’ s life or health at serious risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die within 28 days of birth due to a foetal abnormality .
The report highlights the IFPA ’ s concerns about the impact of the 12-week gestational limit on access to abortion care .
Five per cent of women were close to or just over the 12-week limit and two women travelled to Britain to undergo a termination after exceeding this timeframe .
Association medical director Dr Caitriona Henchion said women whose pregnancies are close to the legal cut-off limit of 12 weeks experience “ additional stress due to the intense pressure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Unfortunately , a small number of our clients in 2019 were unable to access abortion care in Ireland because of this rigid legal cut-off , ” she said .
Dr Henchion said the Covid-19 crisis and restrictions on overseas travel is exacerbating this issue .
“ Because of the Covid-19 pandemic , some women are now in an impossible situation : excluded by law from accessing care in Ireland and prevented by public health restrictions from availing of this essential service outside the State , ” she added .
In his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Behansaid “ inequalities in access to care exist , within the law and arising from the uneven distribution of services .
Only 50 per cent of relevant hospitals provide abortion care and there is little or no community-level provision of early abortion care in some counties .
”

Only 50% of relevant hospitals provide abortion care, according to the Irish Family Planning Association. File photograph: Getty
Almost half of the women who presented at an early abortion service at a family planning clinic were mothers, an audit of the programme has found.
In its 2019 annual report, the Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) analysed data from 177 women over a six-month period.
It found more than half of the women who connected with the service were in their 20s, while 34 per cent were in their 30s, 8 per cent were younger than 20 and 7 per cent were aged 40 or over.
Most (68.4 per cent) were not using a method of contraception when they became pregnant. By far the most common contraceptive methods used were condoms (20 per cent) and short-acting methods (8 per cent), such as the contraceptive pill.
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The remainder had used a long-acting method (2.2 per cent) or a contraceptive strategy such as withdrawal or emergency contraception (1.7 per cent).
“This data serves as a reminder that even the most effective methods of contraception carry a risk of failure, and therefore it is not possible to completely eliminate the risk of unintended pregnancy,” the report stated.
According to the report, 22 women did not proceed with a termination after initially contacting the service. Of the remaining 155, 94 per cent were fewer than 10 weeks pregnant at the time of their abortion, suggesting women seek early access to care.
The vast majority (92 per cent) were able to self-manage their abortion at home and did not require a hospital visit, the report states.
Some 8 per cent of women were referred to hospital for abortion care, while 5 per cent attended hospital for an anti-D injection.
Meanwhile, about 4.5 per cent of women in the sample experienced complications and required additional care in hospitals. In most of these cases they presented with an incomplete abortion and were referred to hospital for treatment, the report states.
Since the enactment of the 2018 legislation, medical abortion is legal up to 12 weeks. Thereafter an abortion must only be performed in exceptional circumstances where continuing the pregnancy would put the woman’s life or health at serious risk or where the baby is likely to die within 28 days of birth due to a foetal abnormality.
The report highlights the IFPA’s concerns about the impact of the 12-week gestational limit on access to abortion care. Five per cent of women were close to or just over the 12-week limit and two women travelled to Britain to undergo a termination after exceeding this timeframe.
Accessing care
Association medical director Dr Caitriona Henchion said women whose pregnancies are close to the legal cut-off limit of 12 weeks experience "additional stress due to the intense pressure of trying to access care in time".
"Unfortunately, a small number of our clients in 2019 were unable to access abortion care in Ireland because of this rigid legal cut-off," she said.
Dr Henchion said the Covid-19 crisis and restrictions on overseas travel is exacerbating this issue.
“Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, some women are now in an impossible situation: excluded by law from accessing care in Ireland and prevented by public health restrictions from availing of this essential service outside the State,” she added.
In his annual overview , association chief executive Niall Behansaid “inequalities in access to care exist, within the law and arising from the uneven distribution of services. Only 50 per cent of relevant hospitals provide abortion care and there is little or no community-level provision of early abortion care in some counties.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-17--Work to begin on Arklow waste-water plant ‘early next year’

Retired Arklow councillor Nancy Quinn has a good head for dates .
She remembers the waste-water treatment plant proposed for her Wicklow town when it was included in a plan drawn up in 1988 .
More than 30 years on , she remembers one of the longest planning battles in the State ’ s history , which saw townspeople bitterly divided about where the necessary plant should go .
Today raw sewage continues to flow into the Avoca river through the town centre .
“ Everybody wanted it [ the plant ] , there was no issue , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plant was to have been located on the town ’ s north docks , though in 1993 everything changed and it was decided that it should be built in Seabank .
Then locals divided , and sharply .
A 30-year campaign followed that divided the town between those who favoured the original location and those who wanted Seabank because it was further out of town .
Some locals formed the Arklow Action Group to appeal Wicklow County Council ’ s decision to shift to Seabank , including the environmental group Coastwatch .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ not ] for a vulnerable site like Seabank , ” says Coastwatch ’ s Karin Dubsky , because Seabank was threatened by erosion and was home to the very rare Moore ’ s horsehair .
In 2004 a Bord Pleanála hearing heard that a petition in favour of Seabank – said to contain the signatures of 4,500 people or 99 per cent of the town ’ s adults – actually contained 3,035 signatures .
Some names were signed up 16 times .
Even Hollywood character “ Forest Gump ” found a place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bitter , it was very divisive .
Those of us who opposed were portrayed as a lunatic fringe , ” says Ms Quinn .
Despite the erosion fears and the threat to the Moore ’ s horsehair , the Arklow Action Group lost its appeal , and the plant was given the green light in January 2005 .
That December , however , a caravan park company based near Seabank went to the High Court claiming the beach and sand dunes would be damaged by a Seabank treatment plant .
In 2010 Arklow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the scheme , then valued at €35 million , after winning the legal battle which went all the way to the Supreme Court .
“ But Seabank is gone now .
It was washed away .
We told them the coast was eroding .
Nobody was against the sewage treatment plant ; it was in the wrong place .
If they had built it it would be gone by now , ” says Quinn .
Irish Water is finally preparing to build a treatment plant early next year near the original site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the old Wallboard site at Ferrycarrig .
Approval has been secured , a contractor appointed and construction will begin “ early next year ” and take care of the needs of 36,000 people when it is completed .

A 30-year campaign divided Arklow between those who favoured the original location for the waste-water treatment plant and those who wanted Seabank because it was further out of town
Retired Arklow councillor Nancy Quinn has a good head for dates. She remembers the waste-water treatment plant proposed for her Wicklow town when it was included in a plan drawn up in 1988.
More than 30 years on, she remembers one of the longest planning battles in the State’s history, which saw townspeople bitterly divided about where the necessary plant should go.
Today raw sewage continues to flow into the Avoca river through the town centre. “Everybody wanted it [the plant], there was no issue,” the former Green Party councillor remembers.
The plant was to have been located on the town’s north docks, though in 1993 everything changed and it was decided that it should be built in Seabank. Then locals divided, and sharply.
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A 30-year campaign followed that divided the town between those who favoured the original location and those who wanted Seabank because it was further out of town.
Some locals formed the Arklow Action Group to appeal Wicklow County Council’s decision to shift to Seabank, including the environmental group Coastwatch.
“The plant was very much needed but [not] for a vulnerable site like Seabank,” says Coastwatch’s Karin Dubsky, because Seabank was threatened by erosion and was home to the very rare Moore’s horsehair.
In 2004 a Bord Pleanála hearing heard that a petition in favour of Seabank – said to contain the signatures of 4,500 people or 99 per cent of the town’s adults – actually contained 3,035 signatures.
Some names were signed up 16 times. Even Hollywood character “Forest Gump” found a place on the list. “It was bitter, it was very divisive. Those of us who opposed were portrayed as a lunatic fringe,” says Ms Quinn.
Despite the erosion fears and the threat to the Moore’s horsehair, the Arklow Action Group lost its appeal, and the plant was given the green light in January 2005.
That December, however, a caravan park company based near Seabank went to the High Court claiming the beach and sand dunes would be damaged by a Seabank treatment plant.
Legal battle
In 2010 Arklow Town Council said it would press ahead with the scheme, then valued at €35 million, after winning the legal battle which went all the way to the Supreme Court.
“But Seabank is gone now. It was washed away. We told them the coast was eroding. Nobody was against the sewage treatment plant; it was in the wrong place. If they had built it it would be gone by now,” says Quinn.
Irish Water is finally preparing to build a treatment plant early next year near the original site proposed in 1988 on the north docks at the old Wallboard site at Ferrycarrig.
Approval has been secured, a contractor appointed and construction will begin “early next year” and take care of the needs of 36,000 people when it is completed.


theirishtimes--2020-11-17--Firefighters work over several hours to control warehouse blaze in Tallaght

Several units of Dublin Fire Brigade responded to a fire that broke out in an industrial warehouse in southwest Dublin @ @ @ @ @ after 7pm , emergency services received a call over a significant fire in an industrial @ @ @ @ @ Fire Brigade units attended the scene , with firefighters working over several hours to bring @ @ @ @ @ A number of gas cylinders located near the warehouse were moved to a safe distance @ @ @ @ @ near the industrial unit were evacuated as a precaution .
Strong winds blew large amounts @ @ @ @ @ region , with Dublin Fire Brigade advising those in nearby residential areas to keep their @ @ @ @ @ smell smoke from the fire .
A Garda spokesman said there were no injuries from @ @ @ @ @ update at about 11pm , Dublin Fire Brigade said firefighters had made “ good progress @ @ @ @ @ under control , and a number of firefighters would remain on site after it was @ @

Several units of Dublin Fire Brigade responded to a fire that broke out in an industrial warehouse in southwest Dublin on Monday night.
Shortly after 7pm, emergency services received a call over a significant fire in an industrial unit in Tallaght.
Eight Fire Brigade units attended the scene, with firefighters working over several hours to bring the blaze under control.
8 units including 2 aerial appliances are now on scene at the industrial unit fire.
Strong breeze driving smoke across a wide area. Visibility is affected on @M50Dublin.
Close all windows if you can smell smoke as a precaution#Dublin #fire #Tallaght @sdublincoco pic.twitter.com/FrIL0qj7Lp — Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) November 16, 2020
A number of gas cylinders located near the warehouse were moved to a safe distance by firefighters, and buildings near the industrial unit were evacuated as a precaution.
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Strong winds blew large amounts of smoke over the surrounding region, with Dublin Fire Brigade advising those in nearby residential areas to keep their windows closed if they could smell smoke from the fire.
A Garda spokesman said there were no injuries from the blaze.
In an update at about 11pm, Dublin Fire Brigade said firefighters had made “good progress” in bringing the fire under control, and a number of firefighters would remain on site after it was extinguished.


theirishtimes--2020-11-17--One in five suffering psychological distress due to pandemic – psychiatrist

People need to devote time to looking after their mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic due to its significant impact on their wellbeing , a leading psychiatrist has advised .
One in five people are suffering psychological distress as a result of the pandemic , rising to two out of every five healthcare workers , according to Prof Brendan Kelly .
Those most at risk include women , younger people and those with pre-existing poor health .
The proportion of the population that says they feel depressed at least some of the time has risen from 13 per cent in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
This figure is 50 per cent higher among women than men , according to the Central Statistics Office research cited by Prof Kelly at the Saint John of God Research Foundation Study Day on Tuesday .
Although hospital presentations for self-harm fell during the pandemic , so did all hospital presentations due to the lockdown , he points out .
It is “ too early ” to know what impact the pandemic has had on the suicide rate .
Meanwhile , US research has indicated that people with mental illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting Covid-19 than the general population – seven times more in the case of people with depression or schizophrenia .
The professor of psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin says there is “ no point ” in people getting “ caught up ” in thinking about the disease as “ an existential crisis for humanity ” when they need to be focusing on wearing masks , washing hands and supporting others to follow healthcare advice .
Talking about the “ new normal ” of the pandemic is unhelpful , he suggests .
“ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be anything , normal about this .
This is a tough time and a strange time and we need to give ourselves and each others more permission to be upset and be distressed by it.
” “ We can not carry the weight of the global pandemic on our shoulders every minute of every day , as many people are trying to do.
” Prof Kelly suggests people should limit their media intake about the pandemic to once or twice a day , or 15 minutes maximum .
“ Routine is very important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staying in touch as best as possible.
” “ We tend to neglect behaviour at times like this .
We spend all our time thinking and analysing statistics , scrolling through social media looking for the most unlikely possible theories .
Then we dismiss them , but they still have an emotional impact.
” Stressing the need for us to get “ out of our heads ” as much as possible , he advises people instead “ get into a state of flow or absorption ” through activities such as running , gardening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meditation .

The proportion of the population that says they feel depressed at least some of the time has risen from 13 per cent in 2018 to 33 per cent earlier in the pandemic. Photograph: iStock
People need to devote time to looking after their mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic due to its significant impact on their wellbeing, a leading psychiatrist has advised.
One in five people are suffering psychological distress as a result of the pandemic, rising to two out of every five healthcare workers, according to Prof Brendan Kelly.
Those most at risk include women, younger people and those with pre-existing poor health.
Hospital Report
The proportion of the population that says they feel depressed at least some of the time has risen from 13 per cent in 2018 to 33 per cent earlier in the pandemic. This figure is 50 per cent higher among women than men, according to the Central Statistics Office research cited by Prof Kelly at the Saint John of God Research Foundation Study Day on Tuesday.
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Although hospital presentations for self-harm fell during the pandemic, so did all hospital presentations due to the lockdown, he points out. It is “too early” to know what impact the pandemic has had on the suicide rate.
Media intake
Meanwhile, US research has indicated that people with mental illness are themselves at much higher risk of getting Covid-19 than the general population – seven times more in the case of people with depression or schizophrenia.
The professor of psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin says there is "no point" in people getting "caught up" in thinking about the disease as "an existential crisis for humanity" when they need to be focusing on wearing masks, washing hands and supporting others to follow healthcare advice.
Talking about the “new normal” of the pandemic is unhelpful, he suggests. “There is nothing, and there never will be anything, normal about this. This is a tough time and a strange time and we need to give ourselves and each others more permission to be upset and be distressed by it.”
“We cannot carry the weight of the global pandemic on our shoulders every minute of every day, as many people are trying to do.” Prof Kelly suggests people should limit their media intake about the pandemic to once or twice a day, or 15 minutes maximum.
“Routine is very important, things like diet and exercise and staying in touch as best as possible.”
“We tend to neglect behaviour at times like this. We spend all our time thinking and analysing statistics, scrolling through social media looking for the most unlikely possible theories. Then we dismiss them, but they still have an emotional impact.”
Stressing the need for us to get “out of our heads” as much as possible, he advises people instead “get into a state of flow or absorption” through activities such as running, gardening, knitting or, if it suits, meditation.