theirishtimes--2020-10-30--Pen pal initiative helping nursing home residents cope with lockdown

Nursing home resident Winnie Jeaney says she became “ depressed ” during the initial lockdown earlier this year but that having a pen pal has been a great way to “ keep my mind active ” .
Ms Jeaney , aged in her 60s , has been a resident at Craddock House Nursing Home in Naas , Co Kildare , for the last eight years .
She , along with 24 other residents , is taking part in a new PenPal Ireland initiative , launched by wedding organiser Stacey Fiat ( 29 ) last week .
Ms Fiat ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pals and Craddock House is one of the first who has agreed to take part .
Seven nursing homes have signed up to date along with 9,000 pen pals .
Ms Jeaney , who tested positive for coronavirus but was asymptomatic , had already been writing to local school children and members of the community in recent times .
“ We have sent out a good few letters now and are waiting on our returns .
I ’ ve already got one return , I got that yesterday , ” she told The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said she had just moved to Johnstown and that she had heard that I was knitting and crocheting and that I had an interest in that .
I just said what I liked to do and what it was like in here , that sort of stuff .
“ It ’ s great and you ’ re trying to think of what to say .
.
.
It was very difficult there in the beginning because we all got depressed .
I particularly got depressed and I was saying that we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeaney , who is originally from Sallins , was regularly visited by her sister prior to the virus and hasn ’ t seen her in more than four weeks due to the latest restrictions .
“ She rings me now and I ring her , ” she said .
“ Other residents have found it just as bad as I have.
” Speaking of her experience with the virus , Ms Jeaney said : “ I didn ’ t know I had it .
I didn ’ t have any symptoms , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told me I had it .
I feel grand now , it ’ s hard to kill a bad thing.
” Ms Fiat said she decided to set up the initiative after seeing an article online about a similar programme in a Co Down nursing home .
“ They put up photos of the residents receiving their letters and the big smiles on their faces , ” she said .
“ I wanted to get involved somehow and did some research and decided to start something myself , not expecting to get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I got an email from a nursing home in Athy last night saying some letters had been arriving and that there was great excitement .
That was really nice to hear .
“ We ’ ve a lot of teachers looking to get their class involved .
We have people in their 60s or 70s living alone looking to get involved , people who have lost grandparents and would like that kind of figure in their life , Irish people living in Dubai , Australia or the US.
” Mary Darker , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the nursing home had gotten some pen pals from local schools and the wider community recently .
“ The residents are delighted , absolutely thrilled .
We ’ re in lockdown now so there ’ s very little contact with family and the joy of receiving a letter for an elderly person always brings good feelings , ” she said .
“ They love it , hearing about other people ’ s lives , what they ’ re into , what they might be doing for Halloween .
“ Residents write back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-ordinators so the residents can dictate it and we ’ ll write it if they need to .
“ We ’ ve given Stacey a small blurb about each resident and she pairs them up with people from the wider community who are interested in doing it .
”

Resident Joe Gilligan, of Craddock House Nursing Home in Naas, who took part in the PenPal Ireland initiative. Photograph: Aishling Conway
Nursing home resident Winnie Jeaney says she became "depressed" during the initial lockdown earlier this year but that having a pen pal has been a great way to "keep my mind active".
Ms Jeaney, aged in her 60s, has been a resident at Craddock House Nursing Home in Naas, Co Kildare, for the last eight years. She, along with 24 other residents, is taking part in a new PenPal Ireland initiative, launched by wedding organiser Stacey Fiat (29) last week.
Ms Fiat’s programme pairs nursing home residents with pen pals and Craddock House is one of the first who has agreed to take part. Seven nursing homes have signed up to date along with 9,000 pen pals.
Stacey Fiat, who is behind the PenPal Ireland initiative and Craddock House Nursing Home resident Margaret Dawson at the nursing home in Naas, Co Kildare. Photograph: Aishling Conway
Ms Jeaney, who tested positive for coronavirus but was asymptomatic, had already been writing to local school children and members of the community in recent times.
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"We have sent out a good few letters now and are waiting on our returns. I've already got one return, I got that yesterday," she told The Irish Times. "The girl wrote and said she had just moved to Johnstown and that she had heard that I was knitting and crocheting and that I had an interest in that. I just said what I liked to do and what it was like in here, that sort of stuff.
Depressed
“It’s great and you’re trying to think of what to say . . . It was very difficult there in the beginning because we all got depressed. I particularly got depressed and I was saying that we’ll never get out again.”
Ms Jeaney, who is originally from Sallins, was regularly visited by her sister prior to the virus and hasn't seen her in more than four weeks due to the latest restrictions.
“She rings me now and I ring her,” she said. “Other residents have found it just as bad as I have.”
Speaking of her experience with the virus, Ms Jeaney said: “I didn’t know I had it. I didn’t have any symptoms, there were no problems. The nurse just told me I had it. I feel grand now, it’s hard to kill a bad thing.”
Ms Fiat said she decided to set up the initiative after seeing an article online about a similar programme in a Co Down nursing home. “They put up photos of the residents receiving their letters and the big smiles on their faces,” she said.
“I wanted to get involved somehow and did some research and decided to start something myself, not expecting to get the incredible reaction that it has gotten.
Resident Maura Travers at Craddock House Nursing Home. Photograph: Aishling Conway
"I got an email from a nursing home in Athy last night saying some letters had been arriving and that there was great excitement. That was really nice to hear.
"We've a lot of teachers looking to get their class involved. We have people in their 60s or 70s living alone looking to get involved, people who have lost grandparents and would like that kind of figure in their life, Irish people living in Dubai, Australia or the US."
Little contact
Mary Darker, activities co-ordination manager at Craddock House, said the nursing home had gotten some pen pals from local schools and the wider community recently.
“The residents are delighted, absolutely thrilled. We’re in lockdown now so there’s very little contact with family and the joy of receiving a letter for an elderly person always brings good feelings,” she said. “They love it, hearing about other people’s lives, what they’re into, what they might be doing for Halloween.
“Residents write back and we have a team of five co-ordinators so the residents can dictate it and we’ll write it if they need to.
“We’ve given Stacey a small blurb about each resident and she pairs them up with people from the wider community who are interested in doing it.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-30--New evidence emerges in shooting dead of teenager in Belfast in 1972

When 13-year-old Martha Campbell was shot dead on a Belfast street in May 1972 , there was no investigation .
Decades later , a report by the North ’ s Historical Enquiries Team ( HET ) would remark , with some incredulity , that it was “ difficult to imagine ” such a scenario , yet this was exactly what happened .
“ There are no records that there was any significant inquiry into the circumstances [ of her death ] ; if there was , details of it have not survived , ” the report found .
This initial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballistics or forensic evidence was recovered – has hampered attempts to find out who killed her , with the HET concluding that Martha “ was caught between a three-way gun battle involving loyalist paramilitaries , republican paramilitaries and the [ British ] army.
” However , new evidence uncovered by Ciarán Mac Airt , from the investigative charity Paper Trail , confirms for the first time that a British army unit was in the area – and fired shots – at the time Martha was killed .
The schoolgirl had gone out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Springhill Crescent in west Belfast when shots were fired and she was fatally wounded .
British army logs uncovered from the UK ’ s National Archives and which have been seen by The Irish Times place members of the 1st King ’ s Regiment in the Moyard area at 8.30pm on the evening of May 14th .
This is contrary to the findings of the HET , which said 1st Kings had been on duty nearby but had been relieved at 7.10pm .
Based on papers supplied to them by the British Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ no evidence to place the army in Moyard Park at the time when Martha was shot ” .
The logs also confirm that members of the regiment fired shots , with 1st Kings reporting at 8.30pm that it had been “ firing for some minutes ” .
There is no record of any other firing in the area .
Later that evening , at 9.15pm , 1st Kings reported to army headquarters that 23 rounds had been fired at “ gunmen ” between 8.30pm and 8.55pm from the Moyard area .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Martha Campbell from gunshot wounds , and a time of death of 8.30pm .
“ Circumstances not known , ” it added .
Martha ’ s brother Tony Campbell described the discovery as a “ breakthrough ” which could finally lead to the answers the family has been seeking for almost 50 years , “ to get closure on what happened to our sister , Martha , and [ find out ] who murdered her ” .
He said that , based on eyewitness accounts , the family had always believed the British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the HET inquiry I thought there was nowhere else to go , there was nothing concrete in terms of evidence ” .
“ This is evidence that can prove it was the 1st Kings Regiment who was in Moyard flats .
They fired shots at the time and into the place where Martha was .
“ They never disclosed this at the original inquest , we never knew anything about this , so as far as I ’ m concerned this has been covered up and one would have to ask the question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” Mr Campbell said it now raised the hope for the family that they might now be able to find out more information about their sister ’ s killing , and potentially secure a new inquest .
“ Even if we don ’ t get closure , at the very least I hope to get answers to our questions , ” he said .
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said his thoughts were with Martha Campbell ’ s family , and anybody with information should bring it to the police @

Martha Campbell, front row, first from left, with her parents and siblings in a rare family photograph the Christmas before she was killed. Her brother Tony is behind her right shoulder. Photograph courtesy Campbell family
When 13-year-old Martha Campbell was shot dead on a Belfast street in May 1972, there was no investigation.
Decades later, a report by the North’s Historical Enquiries Team (HET) would remark, with some incredulity, that it was “difficult to imagine” such a scenario, yet this was exactly what happened.
“There are no records that there was any significant inquiry into the circumstances [of her death]; if there was, details of it have not survived,” the report found.
This initial lack of investigation – which meant no ballistics or forensic evidence was recovered – has hampered attempts to find out who killed her, with the HET concluding that Martha “was caught between a three-way gun battle involving loyalist paramilitaries, republican paramilitaries and the [British] army.”
READ MORE
However, new evidence uncovered by Ciarán Mac Airt, from the investigative charity Paper Trail, confirms for the first time that a British army unit was in the area – and fired shots – at the time Martha was killed.
Fatally wounded
The schoolgirl had gone out to visit a friend and was walking along Springhill Crescent in west Belfast when shots were fired and she was fatally wounded.
British army logs uncovered from the UK’s National Archives and which have been seen by The Irish Times place members of the 1st King’s Regiment in the Moyard area at 8.30pm on the evening of May 14th.
This is contrary to the findings of the HET, which said 1st Kings had been on duty nearby but had been relieved at 7.10pm. Based on papers supplied to them by the British Army, the HET said, there was "no evidence to place the army in Moyard Park at the time when Martha was shot".
The logs also confirm that members of the regiment fired shots, with 1st Kings reporting at 8.30pm that it had been “firing for some minutes”. There is no record of any other firing in the area.
Later that evening, at 9.15pm, 1st Kings reported to army headquarters that 23 rounds had been fired at “gunmen” between 8.30pm and 8.55pm from the Moyard area. At 9.20pm the log noted the death of Martha Campbell from gunshot wounds, and a time of death of 8.30pm. “Circumstances not known,” it added.
Martha's brother Tony Campbell described the discovery as a "breakthrough" which could finally lead to the answers the family has been seeking for almost 50 years, "to get closure on what happened to our sister, Martha, and [find out] who murdered her".
Eyewitness accounts
He said that, based on eyewitness accounts, the family had always believed the British army was responsible, but “after the HET inquiry I thought there was nowhere else to go, there was nothing concrete in terms of evidence”.
“This is evidence that can prove it was the 1st Kings Regiment who was in Moyard flats. They fired shots at the time and into the place where Martha was.
“They never disclosed this at the original inquest, we never knew anything about this, so as far as I’m concerned this has been covered up and one would have to ask the question why. Why was it never disclosed?”
Mr Campbell said it now raised the hope for the family that they might now be able to find out more information about their sister’s killing, and potentially secure a new inquest.
“Even if we don’t get closure, at the very least I hope to get answers to our questions,” he said.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said his thoughts were with Martha Campbell’s family, and anybody with information should bring it to the police.


theirishtimes--2020-10-30--Is there a way out of the legal quagmire over mother and baby homes records?

After days of shipping body blows on the rights of victims to their mother and baby homes records , the Government has managed , at least temporarily , to limit the damage from the controversy .
However , the issues discussed during an extensive exchange at Cabinet on Wednesday show that the route out of this most complex political quagmire is far from clear .
Take , for example , the most immediately pressing issue : what rules will govern residents ’ rights to access data about themselves contained in the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation archive ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government accepted that access will be primarily determined by rights granted under the powerful European GDPR law .
In doing so , the Government has made a rhetorical concession to campaigners who , it seems , always had the law on their side .
What remains unexplained is how , last week , the Department of Children was still arguing that GDPR rights were expressly prohibited by the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 .
This position was seemingly supported by advice from the Attorney General ’ s office .
This was reiterated in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
Yet Attorney General Paul Gallagher ’ s latest advice , also delivered to that meeting , is that the 2004 act does not preclude the consideration of requests made by individuals for their personal data .
However , the AG ’ s advice is that requests must pass two tests relating to others ’ privacy rights and the impact on future inquiries , so access will not be unfettered – but the apparent gulf in the legal advices given to Government just days apart is remarkable .
How these requests are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they will – is a potential pitfall .
If a request fails to pass the tests , how will the requestor react ?
How will the tests be applied ?
What will be the role of the Data Protection Commissioner , whose intervention on the side of arguments made by campaigners proved so pivotal ?
The issue of publication is also vexed .
Many Ministers believe it should be published as soon as humanly possible .
There is no political dividend , they say , in sitting on the report .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the real risks that exist if matters are rushed , and mishandled .
Firstly , there is a risk of prejudicing criminal trials , which must be managed .
Secondly , Ministers were warned that publication will lead to a range of demands – well-founded demands – from victims for redress schemes and State apologies .
These issues will demand attention from departments and agencies beyond Roderic O ’ Gorman ’ s purview , and failure to deliver on them quickly could lead to yet another public and damaging scrap with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cabinet was advised to develop a plan to keep campaigners informed and involved as these issues are addressed .
Doing so effectively , however , will be key for the Government , given the troubles it has made for itself so far .
The issue of tracing services is another weak point for the State .
An effective way of balancing adopted persons ’ rights to information on their parentage against the privacy rights of parents who do not wish to be identified has never been developed .
Ministers discussed three options here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a referendum ; that it be kicked out to the Citizens ’ Assembly ; or that a piece of legislation be drafted that would require parents to indicate their desire not to be identified , with data release issues then decided on by a third party when they emerged .
A simple , risk-free approach to this issue is not readily apparent .
There are other issues still , which go to the heart of the emotional rawness and very real pain that has powered this story .
How can the remains of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properly identified , returned to families , or left to lie , respectfully interred , where they are ?
The completion and eventual publication of the commission ’ s report will , inevitably , be characterised by much pain and recrimination as the State , its citizens and , ultimately , the victims come to terms with what was done in the mother and baby homes .
If the Government is to chart a sober path through this , it must grapple with all the above issues , and more .

The site of a mass grave for children who died in the Tuam mother and baby home, in Co Galway. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
After days of shipping body blows on the rights of victims to their mother and baby homes records, the Government has managed, at least temporarily, to limit the damage from the controversy.
However, the issues discussed during an extensive exchange at Cabinet on Wednesday show that the route out of this most complex political quagmire is far from clear.
Take, for example, the most immediately pressing issue: what rules will govern residents’ rights to access data about themselves contained in the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation archive? It has been temporarily defused after the Government accepted that access will be primarily determined by rights granted under the powerful European GDPR law. In doing so, the Government has made a rhetorical concession to campaigners who, it seems, always had the law on their side.
What remains unexplained is how, last week, the Department of Children was still arguing that GDPR rights were expressly prohibited by the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004. This position was seemingly supported by advice from the Attorney General’s office.
READ MORE
This was reiterated in the memorandum that went to Cabinet this week. Yet Attorney General Paul Gallagher’s latest advice, also delivered to that meeting, is that the 2004 act does not preclude the consideration of requests made by individuals for their personal data.
Privacy rights
However, the AG’s advice is that requests must pass two tests relating to others’ privacy rights and the impact on future inquiries, so access will not be unfettered – but the apparent gulf in the legal advices given to Government just days apart is remarkable.
How these requests are handled when they come – and come they will – is a potential pitfall. If a request fails to pass the tests, how will the requestor react? How will the tests be applied?
What will be the role of the Data Protection Commissioner, whose intervention on the side of arguments made by campaigners proved so pivotal?
The issue of publication is also vexed. Many Ministers believe it should be published as soon as humanly possible. There is no political dividend, they say, in sitting on the report. However, officials passed on warnings to the Cabinet of the real risks that exist if matters are rushed, and mishandled.
Firstly, there is a risk of prejudicing criminal trials, which must be managed. Secondly, Ministers were warned that publication will lead to a range of demands – well-founded demands – from victims for redress schemes and State apologies.
These issues will demand attention from departments and agencies beyond Roderic O’Gorman’s purview, and failure to deliver on them quickly could lead to yet another public and damaging scrap with the former residents and their advocates.
The Cabinet was advised to develop a plan to keep campaigners informed and involved as these issues are addressed. Doing so effectively, however, will be key for the Government, given the troubles it has made for itself so far.
Tracing services
The issue of tracing services is another weak point for the State. An effective way of balancing adopted persons’ rights to information on their parentage against the privacy rights of parents who do not wish to be identified has never been developed.
Ministers discussed three options here: that the issue be put to a referendum; that it be kicked out to the Citizens’ Assembly; or that a piece of legislation be drafted that would require parents to indicate their desire not to be identified, with data release issues then decided on by a third party when they emerged. A simple, risk-free approach to this issue is not readily apparent.
There are other issues still, which go to the heart of the emotional rawness and very real pain that has powered this story. How can the remains of children found at Tuam and elsewhere be properly identified, returned to families, or left to lie, respectfully interred, where they are?
The completion and eventual publication of the commission’s report will, inevitably, be characterised by much pain and recrimination as the State, its citizens and, ultimately, the victims come to terms with what was done in the mother and baby homes.
If the Government is to chart a sober path through this, it must grapple with all the above issues, and more.


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--Study finds retail workers serving customers have fivefold risk of Covid-19

Retail workers serving customers are five times more likely to test positive for Covid-19 than their colleagues who do not interact with the public , according to a new study .
The research indicated overall there were higher rates of the virus among retail workers than in the general population .
The study , published by the BMJ , looked at 104 employees from one grocery store in Boston , Massachusetts .
One in five of the workers tested positive for Covid-19 in May , a prevalence of 20 per cent compared to an infection rate of just over 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time .
The study , published in the Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine on Friday , is the first to look at transmission rates of the virus among retail workers , the researchers said .
Previous research to date has often focused on studying the spread of the virus among healthcare workers , they said .
The research is likely to raise questions over measures in place to protect retail staff , who are deemed essential workers in supermarkets , newsagents and hardware stores .
The common use of visors rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff has previously been criticised by public health experts , due to their lack of effectiveness .
The new BMJ study found 91 per cent of the retail workers who tested positive for Covid-19 had customer-facing roles , such as cashiers or floor staff .
Those who worked in store backrooms , as shelf stockers , or in maintenance roles , had significantly lower Covid-19 positivity rates , the study said .
More than three-quarters of those who tested positive had no symptoms , the researchers said .
A quarter of the employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result of working in retail during the pandemic .
Less than half of those employees said they felt they were able to practice social distancing while at work , while the majority of those who did not report anxiety said they were able to consistently observe social distancing .
The researchers said while it was one of the first studies looking at retail workers during Covid-19 , it was limited to a single shop , at one point in time .
The study warned that the high levels of asymptomatic workers suggested retail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source for the community they serve ” .
The authors of the research called for governments to take further measures to ensure frontline retail staff had more protection while at work .

The new BMJ study found 91 per cent of the retail workers who tested positive for Covid-19 had customer-facing roles, such as cashiers or floor staff. Photograph: iStock
Retail workers serving customers are five times more likely to test positive for Covid-19 than their colleagues who do not interact with the public, according to a new study.
The research indicated overall there were higher rates of the virus among retail workers than in the general population. The study, published by the BMJ, looked at 104 employees from one grocery store in Boston, Massachusetts.
One in five of the workers tested positive for Covid-19 in May, a prevalence of 20 per cent compared to an infection rate of just over 1 per cent in the general community at the time.
The study, published in the Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine on Friday, is the first to look at transmission rates of the virus among retail workers, the researchers said.
READ MORE
Previous research to date has often focused on studying the spread of the virus among healthcare workers, they said.
The research is likely to raise questions over measures in place to protect retail staff, who are deemed essential workers in supermarkets, newsagents and hardware stores.
Visors
The common use of visors rather than face coverings by retail and hospitality staff has previously been criticised by public health experts, due to their lack of effectiveness.
The new BMJ study found 91 per cent of the retail workers who tested positive for Covid-19 had customer-facing roles, such as cashiers or floor staff.
Those who worked in store backrooms, as shelf stockers, or in maintenance roles, had significantly lower Covid-19 positivity rates, the study said.
More than three-quarters of those who tested positive had no symptoms, the researchers said.
A quarter of the employees reported at least mild anxiety as a result of working in retail during the pandemic. Less than half of those employees said they felt they were able to practice social distancing while at work, while the majority of those who did not report anxiety said they were able to consistently observe social distancing.
The researchers said while it was one of the first studies looking at retail workers during Covid-19, it was limited to a single shop, at one point in time.
The study warned that the high levels of asymptomatic workers suggested retail staff “may become a significant transmission source for the community they serve”.
The authors of the research called for governments to take further measures to ensure frontline retail staff had more protection while at work.


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--IMO to consider ballot for industrial action when it meets on Friday

Public health doctors seem set to ballot for strike action over pay .
The move follows what the Irish Medical Organisation ( IMO ) said was “ a deeply disappointing “ meeting with the Department of Health on Thursday .
The public health doctor committee of the IMO is expected to consider a date for a ballot for industrial action when it meets on Friday .
A meeting of the wider public health doctor membership of the IMO is likely to take place on Monday .
Public health doctors are playing a key role in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some time for public health to become a consultant-led service and for public health specialists to be awarded consultant contracts “ to reflect their expertise and specialist skills ” .
Public health specialists earn € 113,822 at present .
Hospital consultants with a type-A contract - which permits them to treat only public patients - have a pay scale that ranges from €141,026 to €195,653 .
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has identified as priority areas , a new structure for public health doctors .
Last month the Cabinet approved the introduction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to increase pay for certain groups .
However , sources said the doctors were told by the Department of Health on Thursday that it was still working on a business case for the Department of Public Expenditure .
Sources said no contract proposals for public health specialists were tabled .
Chairwoman of the IMO Public Health Committee , Dr Ina Kelly said the meeting with the Department of Health on Thursday had made a bad situation worse .
“ We went hoping to make progress but we have come away more frustrated and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department thinks it can delay this issue and tie it up with future structures and reforms .
We will certainly discuss and engage on much needed reforms but we will do so as consultants and not before we have secured that long overdue respect.
” She said while the IMO remains available for talks ” it seems that we have no option but to proceed with our ballot before the end of November which has already been agreed at a meeting of IMO members ” .
“ No doctor wants to take industrial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frustration and low morale of our members in the face of Government disrespect we expect to receive an overwhelming mandate , ” she said.. “ The Public Health Committee will be holding a series of meetings in the coming weeks to plan for the ballot and any industrial action which we hope will not be necessary but for which we must plan.
” A spokeswoman for the Minister said he was committed to the establishment of a consultant-led public health model .
“ The Department and the HSE are finalising a proposal on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Public Expenditure in mid-November .
”

Public health specialists earn € 113,822 at present. Hospital consultants with a type-A contract - which permits them to treat only public patients - have a pay scale that ranges from €141,026 to €195,653. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
Public health doctors seem set to ballot for strike action over pay. The move follows what the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) said was “a deeply disappointing “ meeting with the Department of Health on Thursday.
The public health doctor committee of the IMO is expected to consider a date for a ballot for industrial action when it meets on Friday.
A meeting of the wider public health doctor membership of the IMO is likely to take place on Monday.
Public health doctors are playing a key role in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
READ MORE
The IMO has been campaigning for some time for public health to become a consultant-led service and for public health specialists to be awarded consultant contracts “to reflect their expertise and specialist skills”.
Public health specialists earn € 113,822 at present. Hospital consultants with a type-A contract - which permits them to treat only public patients - have a pay scale that ranges from €141,026 to €195,653.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has identified as priority areas, a new structure for public health doctors.
Last month the Cabinet approved the introduction of new legislation which would allow the Government to increase pay for certain groups.
However, sources said the doctors were told by the Department of Health on Thursday that it was still working on a business case for the Department of Public Expenditure. Sources said no contract proposals for public health specialists were tabled.
Chairwoman of the IMO Public Health Committee, Dr Ina Kelly said the meeting with the Department of Health on Thursday had made a bad situation worse.
“We went hoping to make progress but we have come away more frustrated and angry,” she said.
The Department thinks it can delay this issue and tie it up with future structures and reforms. We will certainly discuss and engage on much needed reforms but we will do so as consultants and not before we have secured that long overdue respect.”
She said while the IMO remains available for talks” it seems that we have no option but to proceed with our ballot before the end of November which has already been agreed at a meeting of IMO members”.
“No doctor wants to take industrial action but such is the disappointment, frustration and low morale of our members in the face of Government disrespect we expect to receive an overwhelming mandate,” she said..
“The Public Health Committee will be holding a series of meetings in the coming weeks to plan for the ballot and any industrial action which we hope will not be necessary but for which we must plan.”
A spokeswoman for the Minister said he was committed to the establishment of a consultant-led public health model.
“The Department and the HSE are finalising a proposal on consultant posts which they will submit to Department of Public Expenditure in mid-November.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--Gardaí called in six times over money laundering involving solicitors

Gardaí and Revenue have been asked to investigate suspected money laundering or terrorist financing involving solicitors on six separate occasions over the past year .
The Law Society , which oversees solicitors in Ireland , must report any suspicions of such offences being committed by a practising solicitor , or anyone who comes to their attention through its oversight of the profession .
According to its latest annual report , it contacted the Garda and Revenue about six suspected offences under the Criminal Justice ( Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing ) Acts over the past year .
Martin Crotty , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laundering Reporting Committee , also disclosed that gardai were called in a further 10 times over the same period about other suspected offences , including fraud .
Under the Criminal Justice Act 2011 , the society is must alert the Garda about any “ information in its possession that it knows or believes might be of material assistance in preventing the commission of a relevant offence or securing the apprehension , prosecution or conviction of a person for a relevant offence.
” “ During the past year , the committee directed that ten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Crotty .
The annual report also details the finances of the Law Society Compensation Fund , set up to compensate clients of solicitors “ for losses due to dishonesty by solicitors or their employees.
” It noted an almost €3 million increase in overall expenditure by the fund , mainly down to an “ increase in the provision for claims of €2,607,518.
” In the six months to the end of June this year , 54 claims were made to the compensation fund .
They amounted to €1,464,151 .
The net assets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million .
The society ’ s Regulation of Practice committee took disciplinary action against 20 solicitors over the past year .
Some 12 of these cases related to late filing of accountant ’ s reports .
Applications were also made to the High Court pursuant to the Solicitors Acts in six cases .
A team of investigating accountants at the society carried out around 400 investigations throughout the year .
From July last year to June this year , three solicitors have been struck off and four solicitors have been suspended , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occasions where it was contacted by the Ombudsman over the same period , whereby it had not upheld complaints or where compensation to clients was refused .

Gardaí and Revenue have been asked to investigate suspected money laundering or terrorist financing involving solicitors on six separate occasions over the past year.
The Law Society, which oversees solicitors in Ireland, must report any suspicions of such offences being committed by a practising solicitor, or anyone who comes to their attention through its oversight of the profession.
According to its latest annual report, it contacted the Garda and Revenue about six suspected offences under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Acts over the past year.
Martin Crotty, chair of the society’s Money Laundering Reporting Committee, also disclosed that gardai were called in a further 10 times over the same period about other suspected offences, including fraud.
READ MORE
Under the Criminal Justice Act 2011, the society is must alert the Garda about any “information in its possession that it knows or believes might be of material assistance in preventing the commission of a relevant offence or securing the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of a person for a relevant offence.”
“During the past year, the committee directed that ten such reports be made,” reported Mr Crotty.
The annual report also details the finances of the Law Society Compensation Fund, set up to compensate clients of solicitors “for losses due to dishonesty by solicitors or their employees.”
It noted an almost €3 million increase in overall expenditure by the fund, mainly down to an “increase in the provision for claims of €2,607,518.”
In the six months to the end of June this year, 54 claims were made to the compensation fund. They amounted to €1,464,151.
The net assets of the fund are valued at €23 million.
The society’s Regulation of Practice committee took disciplinary action against 20 solicitors over the past year. Some 12 of these cases related to late filing of accountant’s reports.
Applications were also made to the High Court pursuant to the Solicitors Acts in six cases.
A team of investigating accountants at the society carried out around 400 investigations throughout the year.
From July last year to June this year, three solicitors have been struck off and four solicitors have been suspended, the report notes.
It also discloses 14 occasions where it was contacted by the Ombudsman over the same period, whereby it had not upheld complaints or where compensation to clients was refused.


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--Care home residents asked to pay up to €400 for beds and headboards

A number of residents in Camphill residential care centres were asked to pay for their beds and headboards , while money belonging to others was misappropriated , according to a series of reports from the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) , The Camphill centres , called Camphill Communities , deliver residential services for adults with disabilities , in 13 centres across counties Monaghan , Dublin , Kildare , Wexford , Tipperary and Kerry .
The latest reports on Camphill Communities , focussed on 10 residential centres , were published by Hiqa on Thursday .
They followed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safeguarding of residents and the safety and quality of care delivered .
The inspections , carried out between June and August , and subsequent reports have now led to a formal warning from Hiqa regarding seven of its centres .
Hiqa said it was concerned over “ governance and management , protection , financial safeguarding , staffing and protection against infection ” .
It concluded non-compliance with regulations was “ having a significant impact on the safety and quality of care being delivered to the residents living in these centres ” .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedures and policies were already being put in place to ensure compliance with national regulations .
The Hiqa reports found : * In Ballybay , Co Monaghan nine residents were found to be making additional contributions above and beyond the fees agreed in their the contracts of care .
* In The Bridge , at Kilcullen , Co Kildare an “ urgent action ” notice was issued to the care provider relating to infection control concerns after two previous outbreaks of infectious disease were recorded .
* In Callan , Co Kilkenny inspectors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in particular , the protection of residents from the risk of financial abuse .
On reviewing residents ’ contracts of care , it was noted that not all residents had valid contracts in place .
* In Carrick on Suir , Co Tipperary residents ’ rooms were found to be in very poor condition on the day of inspection .
Inspectors noted some residents being charged for services or amenities that were included in the service provided for other residents .
* In Duffcarrig , Co Wexford inspectors noted some residents paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new bed and new headboards , when these items are outlined as already included .
* In Grangemockler , Co Tipperary a Camphill serious incident review had determined “ large sums of resident monies ” had been “ misappropriated ” over a period of years .
This matter was not concluded at the time of inspection and all residents had not yet been reimbursed .
* At Kyle , Co Kilkenny some residents “ reportedly did not have full access to their own money at all times and some had no bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
* At Ballymoney , Co Wexford inspectors reviewed financial records for a number of residents and observed incidents where staff had recorded residents spending on pieces of paper and post-it notes .
A spot check was completed on the day of inspection between total amounts recorded that should be present and amounts actually present “ and none of those reviewed correlated ” .
Defending the criticisms , Camphill Communities of Ireland said a number of new procedures in relation to finances and policies to bring centres into compliance were already being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracts of care were in place in a number of centres since September and a revised residents ’ finance policy has been drafted .
This new finance system would provide a more robust money management assessment , daily and monthly reconciliation and sign off .
Records will be maintained on an electronic system , the Camphill Community has told Hiqa .
Camphill Communities of Ireland has said it will now submit a comprehensive six-month national governance plan to address the issues identified in services and to improve the quality of service being provided @ @ @

The latest reports on Camphill Communities, focussed on 10 residential centres, were published by Hiqa on Thursday.
A number of residents in Camphill residential care centres were asked to pay for their beds and headboards, while money belonging to others was misappropriated, according to a series of reports from the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa),
The Camphill centres, called Camphill Communities, deliver residential services for adults with disabilities, in 13 centres across counties Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Wexford, Tipperary and Kerry.
The latest reports on Camphill Communities, focussed on 10 residential centres, were published by Hiqa on Thursday. They followed a previous instruction to Camphill to improve the safeguarding of residents and the safety and quality of care delivered.
The inspections, carried out between June and August, and subsequent reports have now led to a formal warning from Hiqa regarding seven of its centres.
READ MORE
Hiqa said it was concerned over “governance and management, protection, financial safeguarding, staffing and protection against infection”.
It concluded non-compliance with regulations was “having a significant impact on the safety and quality of care being delivered to the residents living in these centres”.
The Camphill Communities said a number of new procedures and policies were already being put in place to ensure compliance with national regulations. The Hiqa reports found:
* In Ballybay, Co Monaghan nine residents were found to be making additional contributions above and beyond the fees agreed in their the contracts of care.
* In The Bridge, at Kilcullen, Co Kildare an "urgent action" notice was issued to the care provider relating to infection control concerns after two previous outbreaks of infectious disease were recorded.
* In Callan, Co Kilkenny inspectors had concerns about safeguarding for residents, and in particular, the protection of residents from the risk of financial abuse. On reviewing residents' contracts of care, it was noted that not all residents had valid contracts in place.
* In Carrick on Suir, Co Tipperary residents’ rooms were found to be in very poor condition on the day of inspection. Inspectors noted some residents being charged for services or amenities that were included in the service provided for other residents.
* In Duffcarrig, Co Wexford inspectors noted some residents paid up to €400 for items such as a new bed and new headboards, when these items are outlined as already included.
* In Grangemockler, Co Tipperary a Camphill serious incident review had determined "large sums of resident monies" had been "misappropriated" over a period of years. This matter was not concluded at the time of inspection and all residents had not yet been reimbursed.
* At Kyle, Co Kilkenny some residents "reportedly did not have full access to their own money at all times and some had no bank card or any sight of their accounts".
* At Ballymoney, Co Wexford inspectors reviewed financial records for a number of residents and observed incidents where staff had recorded residents spending on pieces of paper and post-it notes. A spot check was completed on the day of inspection between total amounts recorded that should be present and amounts actually present "and none of those reviewed correlated".
Defending the criticisms, Camphill Communities of Ireland said a number of new procedures in relation to finances and policies to bring centres into compliance were already being put in place. It said revised contracts of care were in place in a number of centres since September and a revised residents' finance policy has been drafted. This new finance system would provide a more robust money management assessment, daily and monthly reconciliation and sign off. Records will be maintained on an electronic system, the Camphill Community has told Hiqa.
Camphill Communities of Ireland has said it will now submit a comprehensive six-month national governance plan to address the issues identified in services and to improve the quality of service being provided to residents.


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--Restrictions on religious services to stay after archbishops meet Taoiseach

There is to be no change to Level 5 restrictions on public worship , including the Mass , following a meeting between Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Catholic archbishops .
Level 5 restrictions however allow for continuing private prayer in churches and other places of worship .
At the meeting , all agreed on the importance of ongoing constructive engagement and solidarity in facing and overcoming the challenges presented by Covid-19 .
The Taoiseach thanked the archbishops for their support and acknowledged the major role religious leaders have played in supporting people and giving hope at this time of stress and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who may feel isolated or marginalised .
It was acknowledged that pastoral work continues at parish level even as the celebration of Mass is moved online .
The challenges of those suffering bereavement at this time were also acknowledged , particularly entering the month of November , the traditional time for remembering the dead .
On October 8th , the four Catholic archbishops wrote to the Taoiseach requesting a meeting to discuss an easing of restrictions on celebrating public Masses .
Mr Martin met Catholic Primate Archbishop Eamon Martin , Archbishop of Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neary , Archbishop of Cashel and Emly Kieran O ’ Reilly , and Bishop of Ossory Dermot Farrell on Wednesday evening .
According to their statement after the meeting , the Archbishops spoke of “ the effect which the current Covid-19 restrictions are having on the health and wellbeing of the faith community and the great desire to return to worship as soon as possible ” .
They emphasised they were “ fully supportive of the public health messages but highlighted that the coming together in prayer and worship , especially for Mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christian tradition and a source of nourishment for the life and wellbeing of whole communities ” .
They also stressed “ the importance of gathering for worship as a source of consolation and hope at Christmas time ” and emphasised efforts by priests and volunteers at parish level “ to ensure that gatherings in church are as safe as possible and the consistent messaging from the church about the protection of health and life for all in the community , particularly the vulnerable ” .
The archbishops also emphasised the need to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time and acknowledged “ the positive value of keeping our schools open , especially for those who may otherwise be educationally disadvantaged by not having access to technology or the daily support of their teachers ” .
For his part the Taoiseach outlined the reasoning behind the Government ’ s plan for living with Covid-19 and the need to strike the right balance between all forms of social and economic activity and public health .

There is to be no change to Level 5 restrictions on public worship, including the Mass, following a meeting between Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Catholic archbishops. Level 5 restrictions however allow for continuing private prayer in churches and other places of worship.
At the meeting, all agreed on the importance of ongoing constructive engagement and solidarity in facing and overcoming the challenges presented by Covid-19.
The Taoiseach thanked the archbishops for their support and acknowledged the major role religious leaders have played in supporting people and giving hope at this time of stress and worry and in reaching out to those who may feel isolated or marginalised.
It was acknowledged that pastoral work continues at parish level even as the celebration of Mass is moved online. The challenges of those suffering bereavement at this time were also acknowledged, particularly entering the month of November, the traditional time for remembering the dead.
READ MORE
On October 8th, the four Catholic archbishops wrote to the Taoiseach requesting a meeting to discuss an easing of restrictions on celebrating public Masses.
Mr Martin met Catholic Primate Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Tuam Michael Neary, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly Kieran O'Reilly, and Bishop of Ossory Dermot Farrell on Wednesday evening.
According to their statement after the meeting, the Archbishops spoke of “the effect which the current Covid-19 restrictions are having on the health and wellbeing of the faith community and the great desire to return to worship as soon as possible”.
They emphasised they were “fully supportive of the public health messages but highlighted that the coming together in prayer and worship, especially for Mass and the sacraments, is fundamental to Christian tradition and a source of nourishment for the life and wellbeing of whole communities”.
They also stressed “the importance of gathering for worship as a source of consolation and hope at Christmas time” and emphasised efforts by priests and volunteers at parish level “to ensure that gatherings in church are as safe as possible and the consistent messaging from the church about the protection of health and life for all in the community, particularly the vulnerable”.
The archbishops also emphasised the need to protect the most vulnerable in society at this time and acknowledged “the positive value of keeping our schools open, especially for those who may otherwise be educationally disadvantaged by not having access to technology or the daily support of their teachers”.
For his part the Taoiseach outlined the reasoning behind the Government’s plan for living with Covid-19 and the need to strike the right balance between all forms of social and economic activity and public health.


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--First full moon on Halloween night since 1955 will be rare ‘blue moon’

The full meaning of “ once in a blue moon ” is to be demonstrated to star gazers on Saturday , Halloween night , according to Astronomy Ireland .
Not since 1955 has a full moon been visible from Ireland on the date of Halloween , nor will it happen again for two decades , Astronomy Ireland said .
In another rarity popularly known as a “ blue moon ” , Saturday ’ s full moon will be the second full moon in a calendar month .
According to Astronomy Ireland ’ s David Moore this is “ an extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone to get out and look on the spookiest of nights ” .
Those who observe the moon are invited to record their comments and photos in Astronomy Ireland magazine .
“ Even camera phones can take great photos of the moon these days , either close up , or against a backdrop of buildings , statues or landscapes , ” said Mr Moore , who edits Astronomy Ireland magazine .
In a further twist , Saturday is also the date that the distant planet Uranus is at opposition to the Sun .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the moon is at opposition with the Sun , “ so Uranus is close to the Moon that night also ” , said Mr Moore .
“ Uranus is 3.8 degrees above the moon that evening but at magnitude +5.7 and with a full moon so close you probably won ’ t even be able to see it with binoculars , and certainly not the naked eye - but still , it is nice to know Uranus is there to celebrate such a triple whammy !
” he said .

In another rarity popularly known as a ‘blue moon’, Saturday’s full moon will be the second full moon in a calendar month. File photograph: Getty Images
The full meaning of “once in a blue moon” is to be demonstrated to star gazers on Saturday, Halloween night, according to Astronomy Ireland.
Not since 1974* has a full moon been visible from Ireland on the date of Halloween, nor will it happen again for two decades, Astronomy Ireland said.
In another rarity popularly known as a “blue moon”, Saturday’s full moon will be the second full moon in a calendar month.
According to Astronomy Ireland’s David Moore this is “an extremely rare event” and he urged “everyone to get out and look on the spookiest of nights”.
READ MORE
Those who observe the moon are invited to record their comments and photos in Astronomy Ireland magazine .
“Even camera phones can take great photos of the moon these days, either close up, or against a backdrop of buildings, statues or landscapes,” said Mr Moore, who edits Astronomy Ireland magazine.
In a further twist, Saturday is also the date that the distant planet Uranus is at opposition to the Sun. As a full moon is also when the moon is at opposition with the Sun, “so Uranus is close to the Moon that night also”, said Mr Moore.
“Uranus is 3.8 degrees above the moon that evening but at magnitude +5.7 and with a full moon so close you probably won’t even be able to see it with binoculars, and certainly not the naked eye - but still , it is nice to know Uranus is there to celebrate such a triple whammy!” he said.
*Correction: A previous version of the article stated that the last full moon visible from Ireland on Halloween was in 1955, not 1974


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--Covid-19: Number of people needing kidney dialysis has ‘increased dramatically’

The number of people needing kidney dialysis has “ increased dramatically ” this year due to a reduction in transplants and increased numbers in intensive care , the HSE national lead for kidney medicine has said .
Prof George Mellotte , who is also a consultant nephrologist , was speaking following the opening of Tallaght University Hospital ’ s ( TUH ) new Vartry renal unit , which will more than double its dialysis capacity .
Dialysis is a medical treatment that filters and purifies blood , when kidneys are no longer functioning properly .
Prof Mellotte said for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requiring dialysis has steadily increased by about 3 per cent per year , due to an ageing population with complex health needs .
However , he said the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a further rise in demand for the treatment , with about a 6 per cent increase .
“ Normally we do about 200 transplants per year , but I ’ d say we would be lucky to get to 100 , so those extra people will have to be treated by dialysis .
So we will have extra people on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times .
“ Secondly , a lot of people were sick enough to require ICU care .
Of those people , about a third ended up requiring dialysis in the intensive care unit .
Most , but not all , recovered kidney function , some of them will end up requiring permanent dialysis.
” As a result , Tallaght hospital had to facilitate late night dialysis in order to meet the growing demand .
This is why Prof Mellotte believes the new unit at TUH is so important .
Built over two floors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , six single haemodialysis rooms for immunocompromised or acutely ill patients , four home-dialysis training rooms and , for the first time in Ireland , four self-care haemodialysis bays , where patients can administer the treatment themselves .
“ It enhances the capacity of Tallaght hospital to provide isolation to all these patients , it protects our outpatients better , all patients are receiving their dialysis at least two metres away from everyone else , they can social distance , ” he said .
“ We didn ’ t predict Covid-19 but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have this extra isolation space for these patients.
” Lucy Nugent , chief executive of TUH , said the hospital is grateful the unit could be opened on time , despite the impact of Covid-19 on the health service .
“ I have to acknowledge particular thanks to the incredible teamwork by our nursing , medical and facilities staff in getting the unit open at a time when the hospital is particularly busy and continuing to provide dialysis treatment in the old renal unit , ” she said .
“ It has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the calibre of the team we have here at TUH , despite the challenges we have faced this year staff have remained focused and work together to prove the best possible care to the patients under our care .
”

Annamma Samuel, CNM2 home therapies, and consultant nephrologist Prof George Mellotte in the reception area of the new Vartry renal unit at TUH
The number of people needing kidney dialysis has “increased dramatically” this year due to a reduction in transplants and increased numbers in intensive care, the HSE national lead for kidney medicine has said.
Prof George Mellotte, who is also a consultant nephrologist, was speaking following the opening of Tallaght University Hospital's (TUH) new Vartry renal unit, which will more than double its dialysis capacity.
Dialysis is a medical treatment that filters and purifies blood, when kidneys are no longer functioning properly.
Prof Mellotte said for the past decade, the number of patients requiring dialysis has steadily increased by about 3 per cent per year, due to an ageing population with complex health needs.
READ MORE
Further rise
However, he said the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a further rise in demand for the treatment, with about a 6 per cent increase.
“Normally we do about 200 transplants per year, but I’d say we would be lucky to get to 100, so those extra people will have to be treated by dialysis. So we will have extra people on it,” he told The Irish Times.
“Secondly, a lot of people were sick enough to require ICU care. Of those people, about a third ended up requiring dialysis in the intensive care unit. Most, but not all, recovered kidney function, some of them will end up requiring permanent dialysis.”
As a result, Tallaght hospital had to facilitate late night dialysis in order to meet the growing demand.
This is why Prof Mellotte believes the new unit at TUH is so important. Built over two floors, it has 28 haemodialysis treatment bays, six single haemodialysis rooms for immunocompromised or acutely ill patients, four home-dialysis training rooms and, for the first time in Ireland, four self-care haemodialysis bays, where patients can administer the treatment themselves.
“It enhances the capacity of Tallaght hospital to provide isolation to all these patients, it protects our outpatients better, all patients are receiving their dialysis at least two metres away from everyone else, they can social distance,” he said.
“We didn’t predict Covid-19 but it’s actually very fortunate that we have this extra isolation space for these patients.”
‘Incredible teamwork’
Lucy Nugent, chief executive of TUH, said the hospital is grateful the unit could be opened on time, despite the impact of Covid-19 on the health service.
“I have to acknowledge particular thanks to the incredible teamwork by our nursing, medical and facilities staff in getting the unit open at a time when the hospital is particularly busy and continuing to provide dialysis treatment in the old renal unit,” she said.
“It has been a herculean task and is testament to the calibre of the team we have here at TUH, despite the challenges we have faced this year staff have remained focused and work together to prove the best possible care to the patients under our care.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--Mother and baby homes report will increase calls for State redress, Cabinet told

Publication of the mother and baby homes report will increase pressure on the Government to issue a State apology and move forward with a financial compensation scheme for victims , the Cabinet has been told .
During the course of a lengthy Cabinet briefing on Wednesday , Ministers were told the publication will lead to calls from former residents and campaigners for a State apology , financial redress and considerable supports for victims .
The 4,000-page report from the Commission of Mother and Babies Homes , headed by former Circuit Court judge Yvonne Murphy , will be sent to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be months away .
However , the fallout from the publication will have widespread repercussions for departments historically found to have been at fault for failing to regulate the homes properly , Ministers were told People who were held in industrial schools and reformatories have received compensation from the State through redress boards , while those held in Magdalene laundries were separately compensated .
However , women who were held in mother and baby homes , most of who are now dead , and their children have neither been compensated or received an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is minded to swiftly publish the commission ’ s report , though it wishes to publish simultaneously a number of “ milestones ” that will address campaigners ’ concerns and demands .
Following 10 days of recrimination over legislation to govern the handling of records created by the commission , it is clearly understood now that a mishandling of the report could have serious implications .
Ministers were also told that a referendum or new legislation will be needed to deal with confidentiality and privacy issues where birth parents do not want their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Cabinet briefing , Ministers were also told that concerns over prejudicing potential criminal trials must be factored into the decision as to when to publish the report .
The 2004 Act , under which the commission was constituted , requires the Minister to apply to the courts for direction on publishing the report if it might prejudice proceedings .
Several people have already made Garda complaints.There will also be a need to engage with the Attorney General , the gardaí and the Director of Public Prosecutions on this point .
The Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week was also discussed , with Minister for Children Roderic O ’ Gorman reiterating his belief that it was necessary in order to preserve the records of the commission , and to give people who had made submissions the chance to remain anonymous if they wish .
There was further discussion of the issue of accessing records of the commission , which Mr O ’ Gorman has committed to facilitating in line with people ’ s rights under GDPR .
The Minister told The Irish Times on Wednesday that these rights under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balanced with how they impact on the rights and freedoms of others , and whether the restriction on access to information is necessary or proportionate to safeguard the operation of commissions of investigation and future co-operation of witnesses .
At the meeting Ministers also discussed different options for information and tracing legislation .
Data protection laws have made it more difficult to release personal information about birth parentage , especially if the parents have died , or have not given consent for their data to be shared with the adopted person .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to balance the rights of the parents to privacy and the rights of the adopted children to information about their identity .
The previous minister for children , Katherine Zappone , sought to address these issues with the Adoption ( Information and Tracing ) Bill , which proposed that the adopted person would sign an undertaking not to contact their birth parents .
However , this Bill stalled and lapsed when the last Dáil was dissolved .
Among the options being considered by the Government would be the creation of “ opt in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who don ’ t want their information released in the future to indicate this , and if a request was later made for the information , a decision would be made by the relevant authority concerned .
Alternatively , the issue could be put to a constitutional referendum , or referred to the citizens assembly , Ministers were told .

Publication of the mother and baby homes report will increase pressure on the Government to issue a State apology and move forward with a financial compensation scheme for victims, the Cabinet has been told.
During the course of a lengthy Cabinet briefing on Wednesday, Ministers were told the publication will lead to calls from former residents and campaigners for a State apology, financial redress and considerable supports for victims.
The 4,000-page report from the Commission of Mother and Babies Homes, headed by former Circuit Court judge Yvonne Murphy, will be sent to the Government on Friday, though publication could be months away.
However, the fallout from the publication will have widespread repercussions for departments historically found to have been at fault for failing to regulate the homes properly, Ministers were told
READ MORE
People who were held in industrial schools and reformatories have received compensation from the State through redress boards, while those held in Magdalene laundries were separately compensated.
However, women who were held in mother and baby homes, most of who are now dead, and their children have neither been compensated or received an apology from the State.
The Government is minded to swiftly publish the commission’s report, though it wishes to publish simultaneously a number of “milestones” that will address campaigners’ concerns and demands.
Following 10 days of recrimination over legislation to govern the handling of records created by the commission, it is clearly understood now that a mishandling of the report could have serious implications.
Ministers were also told that a referendum or new legislation will be needed to deal with confidentiality and privacy issues where birth parents do not want their data released.
Publication
During the course of the Cabinet briefing, Ministers were also told that concerns over prejudicing potential criminal trials must be factored into the decision as to when to publish the report.
The 2004 Act, under which the commission was constituted, requires the Minister to apply to the courts for direction on publishing the report if it might prejudice proceedings.
Several people have already made Garda complaints.There will also be a need to engage with the Attorney General, the gardaí and the Director of Public Prosecutions on this point.
The Government’s position on controversial legislation passed last week was also discussed, with Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman reiterating his belief that it was necessary in order to preserve the records of the commission, and to give people who had made submissions the chance to remain anonymous if they wish. There was further discussion of the issue of accessing records of the commission, which Mr O’Gorman has committed to facilitating in line with people’s rights under GDPR.
The Minister told The Irish Times on Wednesday that these rights under data protection regulations will have to be balanced with how they impact on the rights and freedoms of others, and whether the restriction on access to information is necessary or proportionate to safeguard the operation of commissions of investigation and future co-operation of witnesses.
Tracing
At the meeting Ministers also discussed different options for information and tracing legislation. Data protection laws have made it more difficult to release personal information about birth parentage, especially if the parents have died, or have not given consent for their data to be shared with the adopted person.
In these circumstances, successive governments have struggled to balance the rights of the parents to privacy and the rights of the adopted children to information about their identity. The previous minister for children, Katherine Zappone, sought to address these issues with the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill, which proposed that the adopted person would sign an undertaking not to contact their birth parents. However, this Bill stalled and lapsed when the last Dáil was dissolved.
Among the options being considered by the Government would be the creation of “opt in” legislation. This would require parents who don’t want their information released in the future to indicate this, and if a request was later made for the information, a decision would be made by the relevant authority concerned.
Alternatively, the issue could be put to a constitutional referendum, or referred to the citizens assembly, Ministers were told.


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--‘Too early’ to know significance of new Covid-19 variant, say HSE officials

Health officials have said it is “ too early ” to know the significance of a new coronavirus variant identified by researchers , which accounts for the majority of new Covid-19 cases in Ireland .
The new variant was initially identified among Spanish farm workers , and has spread rapidly through much of Europe since the summer , according to new research published by an international team of scientists on Thursday .
Because each variant has its own genetic signature , it can be traced back to the place it originated .
The research said the new variant of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of new cases in Ireland , and 80 per cent of those in Spain and the UK .
Commenting on the research , Dr Colm Henry , HSE chief clinical officer , said it was “ too early ” to know if the new variation of Covid-19 spread more easily , or was more deadly .
It was common for new viruses to mutate , and the “ great majority of mutations ” would have no impact on the nature of the disease , he said .
“ Whether or not this particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started ] in Spain and spread onwards has its own individual characteristics that makes it even more transmissible .
.
.
it ’ s just too early to say , ” he said .
The spread of the variant out of Spain in recent months coincided with a period of lower numbers of fatalities , Dr Henry said .
“ However , that is largely attributed to the fact the virus was largely among younger age groups , so it is too early to say whether this mutation is any more virulent than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
A spokeswoman for the National Virus Reference Laboratory in UCD said the research had “ no known implications ” for current work to identify a vaccine .
The emergence of the new variant , called 20A.EU1 , was not expected to impact on the methods of treatment for Covid-19 patients , she said .
The study did highlight “ the importance of minimising travel to prevent viral transmission , ” the spokeswoman said .
Trinity College Dublin professor of experimental immunology , Kingston Mills , said research published last month from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmissible coronavirus variant emerging there .
Prof Mills said he could not comment on the variant which emerged from Spain as he had not yet seen the data behind the research .
“ I think the most important thing from my perspective is that it tells us we brought in a lot of this virus from travel , ” he said .

The new coronavirus variant was initially identified among Spanish farm workers, and has spread rapidly through much of Europe since the summer, according to new research published by an international team of scientists on Thursday. Illustration: Paul Scott
Health officials have said it is “too early” to know the significance of a new coronavirus variant identified by researchers, which accounts for the majority of new Covid-19 cases in Ireland.
The new variant was initially identified among Spanish farm workers, and has spread rapidly through much of Europe since the summer, according to new research published by an international team of scientists on Thursday.
Because each variant has its own genetic signature, it can be traced back to the place it originated. The research said the new variant of the virus now accounted for 60 per cent of new cases in Ireland, and 80 per cent of those in Spain and the UK.
Hospital Report
Commenting on the research, Dr Colm Henry, HSE chief clinical officer, said it was "too early" to know if the new variation of Covid-19 spread more easily , or was more deadly.
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It was common for new viruses to mutate, and the “great majority of mutations” would have no impact on the nature of the disease, he said.
“Whether or not this particular mutation, which appears to have [started] in Spain and spread onwards has its own individual characteristics that makes it even more transmissible . . . it’s just too early to say,” he said.
The spread of the variant out of Spain in recent months coincided with a period of lower numbers of fatalities, Dr Henry said.
“However, that is largely attributed to the fact the virus was largely among younger age groups, so it is too early to say whether this mutation is any more virulent than previous mutations that existed,” he said.
A spokeswoman for the National Virus Reference Laboratory in UCD said the research had “no known implications” for current work to identify a vaccine. The emergence of the new variant, called 20A.EU1, was not expected to impact on the methods of treatment for Covid-19 patients, she said.
The study did highlight “the importance of minimising travel to prevent viral transmission,” the spokeswoman said.
Trinity College Dublin professor of experimental immunology, Kingston Mills, said research published last month from Hong Kong indicated there was a more transmissible coronavirus variant emerging there.
Prof Mills said he could not comment on the variant which emerged from Spain as he had not yet seen the data behind the research. “I think the most important thing from my perspective is that it tells us we brought in a lot of this virus from travel,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--Taoiseach says ‘unfettered access’ to adoption records would be difficult

The Government wants to introduce legislation to offer children held in Mother and Babies homes greater rights to adoption records , but “ unfettered access ” will be difficult , Taoiseach Michael Martin has said .
Mr Martin has faced criticism from campaigners and victims in the wake of last week ’ s passage of legislation to transfer records created by the Commission of Investigation into Mothers and Babies ’ homes to the child and family agency , Tusla .
Asked about the tracing of birth parents by adopted people , Mr Martin said that he intended to bring back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed by the last government to clear the way for greater access .
However , he acknowledged difficulties that exist providing “ unfettered access ” to the records for people whose birth parents may not have wished to be traced .
Instead , he favoured offering “ as much access as possible ” .
“ Our position is towards favouring access but one can not ignore the privacy argument either , ” said Mr Martin , who said this is “ exactly the area ” that the Minister for Children , Roderic O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tease out .
Asked if he favoured changing the current legal balance between access and privacy – where the right not to be traced trumps the right to access the records – Mr Martin said : “ That was the core point in the last Dáil and the Minister is looking at that afresh , in terms of what mechanisms can be deployed to rebalance that .
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Our position is towards favouring access but one can not ignore the privacy argument either .
But that is exactly the area that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on.
” New legislation would come to the Dáil in the new year , he said .
Mr Martin again denied there was any intention by the government to limit access to information or hide away the secrets of the past .
Rejecting charges that the Government is trying to seal records , he went on : “ From my perspective as Taoiseach of this Government , in relation to any dark chapter from our past , I want openness , I want transparency and I want honesty – and I want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ From my perspective as Taoiseach of this Government , in relation to any dark chapter from our past , I want openness , I want transparency and I want honesty – and I want to shed a light on that , ” Mr Martin said .
He said that was the intention of the records legislation passed last week .
The records , he said , would have been destroyed if the legislation was not passed .
“ My objective is to get that out there and have that published as quickly as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said he could not put an exact timeline on it , but he wanted the information published as quickly as possible .

Taoiseach Micheál Martin: “In relation to any dark chapter from our past, I want openness, I want transparency, and I want honesty – and I want to shed a light on that.” Photograph: Getty Images
The Government wants to introduce legislation to offer children held in Mother and Babies homes greater rights to adoption records, but “unfettered access” will be difficult, Taoiseach Michael Martin has said.
Mr Martin has faced criticism from campaigners and victims in the wake of last week's passage of legislation to transfer records created by the Commission of Investigation into Mothers and Babies' homes to the child and family agency, Tusla.
Asked about the tracing of birth parents by adopted people, Mr Martin said that he intended to bring back to the Dáil legislation introduced but not passed by the last government to clear the way for greater access.
However, he acknowledged difficulties that exist providing “unfettered access” to the records for people whose birth parents may not have wished to be traced. Instead, he favoured offering “as much access as possible”.
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“Our position is towards favouring access but one cannot ignore the privacy argument either,” said Mr Martin, who said this is “exactly the area” that the Minister for Children, Roderic O’Gorman and officials are currently attempting to tease out.
Asked if he favoured changing the current legal balance between access and privacy – where the right not to be traced trumps the right to access the records – Mr Martin said: “That was the core point in the last Dáil and the Minister is looking at that afresh, in terms of what mechanisms can be deployed to rebalance that . . . Our position is towards favouring access but one cannot ignore the privacy argument either. But that is exactly the area that the Minister and his officials are working on.”
New legislation would come to the Dáil in the new year, he said.
Mr Martin again denied there was any intention by the government to limit access to information or hide away the secrets of the past.
Rejecting charges that the Government is trying to seal records, he went on: “From my perspective as Taoiseach of this Government, in relation to any dark chapter from our past, I want openness, I want transparency and I want honesty – and I want to shed a light on that.”
“From my perspective as Taoiseach of this Government, in relation to any dark chapter from our past, I want openness, I want transparency and I want honesty – and I want to shed a light on that,” Mr Martin said.
He said that was the intention of the records legislation passed last week. The records, he said, would have been destroyed if the legislation was not passed.
“My objective is to get that out there and have that published as quickly as we can,” he said.
He said he could not put an exact timeline on it, but he wanted the information published as quickly as possible.


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--Catherine Corless sceptical about delay in publishing Mother and Baby Home report

Catherine Corless , whose work in Tuam Co Galway led to the setting up of the Mother and Baby Home Commission , has expressed surprise that its report may not be published for sometime yet .
The Commission ’ s 4,000 page report is due to be presented to Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Roderic O ’ Gorman on Friday .
“ They say it could be weeks before it is published , January , February , a lot of people didn ’ t expect that , ” she said .
They were “ very sceptical as to why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General , the guards , whoever , before we see it , ” she said .
“ The Commission ’ s job is to find the truth .
I don ’ t understand why it has to be vetted , and take so long to do so anyway .
Why can ’ t they get a team together , two or three , to speed things up .
It ’ s all very disillusioning really , ” she said .
Ms Corless , a local historian , had established that 796 children died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have been buried in septic tanks on the site .
This sparked a national and international furore which let to the establishment of the Mother and Baby Home Commission in February 2015 .
She herself met Commission chair Justice Yvonne Murphy in Tuam , at the outset of the Commission ’ s work in 2015 .
“ I brought her around the site ( of the Tuam Home and where some remains of children had been found ) .
I told her about my suspicions as well .
I also gave her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ It was a closed door after that , ” she said , “ with no more input after that .
There was no further communication from the Commission and none about the interim reports either .
People have been waiting five years.
” She recalled how when she went to various local authorities with what she had found out about the Tuam Home there was no interest .
“ I got no response from the Archbishop , none from the Bon Secours ( Sisters , who ran the Home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was tough at the time , ” she said .
In 2014 she went to the media .
“ The media took a hand and that got to the Government .
I was getting nowhere and it took off from there .
That ’ s why I ’ ve gone to the media since , to keep up the pressure , ” she said .
The Mother and Baby Home Commission of Investigation was set up to investigate 14 Mother and Baby Homes and four county homes covering the period 1922 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other Commissioner are former Professor in Irish History at UCD and President of the Royal Irish Academy , Prof Mary Daly , as well as former Professor of Law at TCD and member of the Law Reform Commission , Dr William Duncan .
The Commission has already published five interim reports .
The fifth such report , published in April 2019 , found that many of the children who died in the Tuam Home were buried in underground structures with 20 chambers built within a large decommissioned sewage tank .

Catherine Corless has expressed surprise that its report may not be published for sometime yet. File Photograph: Joe O’Shaughnessy
Catherine Corless, whose work in Tuam Co Galway led to the setting up of the Mother and Baby Home Commission, has expressed surprise that its report may not be published for sometime yet. The Commission's 4,000 page report is due to be presented to Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Roderic O'Gorman on Friday.
“They say it could be weeks before it is published, January, February, a lot of people didn’t expect that,” she said. They were “very sceptical as to why it has to go to the Attorney General, the guards, whoever, before we see it,” she said.
“The Commission’s job is to find the truth. I don’t understand why it has to be vetted, and take so long to do so anyway. Why can’t they get a team together, two or three, to speed things up. It’s all very disillusioning really,” she said.
Ms Corless, a local historian, had established that 796 children died in the Tuam Home with indications some may have been buried in septic tanks on the site. This sparked a national and international furore which let to the establishment of the Mother and Baby Home Commission in February 2015.
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She herself met Commission chair Justice Yvonne Murphy in Tuam, at the outset of the Commission's work in 2015. "I brought her around the site (of the Tuam Home and where some remains of children had been found). I told her about my suspicions as well. I also gave her a copy of my work," she said.
“It was a closed door after that,” she said, “ with no more input after that. There was no further communication from the Commission and none about the interim reports either. People have been waiting five years.”
Local authorities
She recalled how when she went to various local authorities with what she had found out about the Tuam Home there was no interest. "I got no response from the Archbishop, none from the Bon Secours (Sisters, who ran the Home) or from Galway Co Council. It was tough at the time," she said.
In 2014 she went to the media. “The media took a hand and that got to the Government. I was getting nowhere and it took off from there. That’s why I’ve gone to the media since, to keep up the pressure,” she said.
The Mother and Baby Home Commission of Investigation was set up to investigate 14 Mother and Baby Homes and four county homes covering the period 1922 to 1998.
Chaired by Justice Murphy, the other Commissioner are former Professor in Irish History at UCD and President of the Royal Irish Academy, Prof Mary Daly, as well as former Professor of Law at TCD and member of the Law Reform Commission, Dr William Duncan.
The Commission has already published five interim reports. The fifth such report, published in April 2019, found that many of the children who died in the Tuam Home were buried in underground structures with 20 chambers built within a large decommissioned sewage tank.


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--Using nature to capture carbon must be recognised fully in Climate Bill - committee told

Protecting biodiversity and deploying nature-based solutions could help achieve global and national carbon emissions reduction targets , and “ keep our planet liveable and maintain our wellbeing ” , according to TCD professor of zoology Yvonne Buckley .
For this reason these options should be fully acknowledged in the Climate Action Bill , she told the Oireachtas Climate Committee , which is reviewing proposed legislation to introduce carbon budgets to ensure Ireland becomes carbon neutral by 2050 .
“ Biodiversity , a component of our natural capital , provides climate regulating services for the planet and provides us with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , our economies and society to withstand the climate change shocks that we are already locked into , ” she added .
Biodiversity was threatened by some of the same drivers causing climate change , and “ if we do not protect and restore biodiversity we will fail to meet our climate goals ” , Prof Buckley warned .
With some 1 million species threatened with extinction in coming decades , “ we can not tackle climate change without a consideration of the contributions of biodiversity to both climate change mitigation and adaptation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reducing emissions as the Bill aimed to do , “ we will be putting in place important future protection for biodiversity .
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However , there is a risk that deployment of actions to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change may worsen existing drivers of biodiversity loss and introduce new drivers , ” she said .
“ Active protection and restoration of biodiversity is a nature-based solution that , if done well , reduces emissions of greenhouse gases , enables carbon capture and storage and ensures the resilience to the disruptive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and seascapes , and the critical ecosystem services they provide.
” Provision should be made in the Bill for support of research into adequate measurement and monitoring of the effectiveness of nature-based solutions which are implemented .
“ These data are critical for setting carbon budgets and projecting future carbon emissions , storage and capture , ” she said .
“ Side-lining biodiversity in efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change will undermine the systems that give us the long term resilience we need to get through this crisis.
” In response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FF ) , who suggested some renewable energy technologies and adaptation infrastructure might not be consistent with protecting biodiversity , Prof Buckley agreed they must be at appropriate locations , whether on land or offshore .
If agricultural land was being used for a wind farm , that amounted to a change in land use , so biodiversity had to be assessed including the impact of turbines on birdlife .
For this reason , the legislation “ should comply with , and actively support , implementation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of MaREI research institute in UCC said from a scientific and engineering perspective , ambiguity in some of the Bill ’ s language “ means that one can not measure or define whether or not commitments within the bill are being met ” .
Particular attention needed to applied to definitions of carbon budgets , and greenhouse gases to be included in those budgets , he believed .
As the national objective of carbon neutrality is unlikely to be met by technological means alone , the Bill should “ acknowledge the role of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Behaviour change and demand reduction will be required ” .
He confirmed the potential from using carbon capture and storage ( CCS ) technology in zero-carbon energy systems in meeting Paris Agreement obligations .
Achieving climate neutrality globally in 2050 meant that is the year temperatures stop increasing , he said .
“ Further , and more importantly , the cumulative greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions before reaching climate neutrality in 2050 dictates the temperature we stop at.
” In the context of carbon budgets Irish emissions needed to decrease by between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 2020 to 2030 “ to play our equitable part of keeping global temperature increase below 2 degrees , and to reduce between 11 to 21 per cent per year to keep global temperatures below 1.5 degrees without overshooting that temperature ceiling ” .
Applying a 7 per cent reduction rate in the programme for government , Dr Glynn said MaREI analyses “ assume that the global temperature increase overshoots 1.5 degrees during this century and returns below 1.5 degrees by 2100 ” .
The scenarios without CO2 removal technologies require immediate decarbonisation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to where they deployed , he added .
Globally , however , development of CCS , and direct air carbon capture and storage technologies was “ already far behind the technology readiness levels needed to meet the Paris Agreement ” , Dr Glynn said .
Ireland has exercised its right under EU law not to allow for any storage of CO2 in the State ; so currently there was no area of Irish territory free to be used for its storage – though “ this will be kept under active review ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing preventing the capturing of CO2 from industrial plants and exporting it to somewhere like Norway for storage , as was possible under its Northern Lights project .

‘If we do not protect and restore biodiversity we will fail to meet our climate goals,’ Prof Buckley has said. File photograph: Bryan O’Brien/The Irish Times
Protecting biodiversity and deploying nature-based solutions could help achieve global and national carbon emissions reduction targets, and "keep our planet liveable and maintain our wellbeing", according to TCD professor of zoology Yvonne Buckley.
For this reason these options should be fully acknowledged in the Climate Action Bill, she told the Oireachtas Climate Committee, which is reviewing proposed legislation to introduce carbon budgets to ensure Ireland becomes carbon neutral by 2050.
“Biodiversity, a component of our natural capital, provides climate regulating services for the planet and provides us with the resilience we need in order for people, our economies and society to withstand the climate change shocks that we are already locked into,” she added.
Biodiversity was threatened by some of the same drivers causing climate change, and “if we do not protect and restore biodiversity we will fail to meet our climate goals”, Prof Buckley warned.
READ MORE
With some 1 million species threatened with extinction in coming decades, “we cannot tackle climate change without a consideration of the contributions of biodiversity to both climate change mitigation and adaptation”, Prof Buckley said.
Reducing emissions
By reducing emissions as the Bill aimed to do, “we will be putting in place important future protection for biodiversity . . . However, there is a risk that deployment of actions to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change may worsen existing drivers of biodiversity loss and introduce new drivers,” she said.
“Active protection and restoration of biodiversity is a nature-based solution that, if done well, reduces emissions of greenhouse gases, enables carbon capture and storage and ensures the resilience to the disruptive effects of climate change of our landscapes and seascapes, and the critical ecosystem services they provide.”
Provision should be made in the Bill for support of research into adequate measurement and monitoring of the effectiveness of nature-based solutions which are implemented.
“These data are critical for setting carbon budgets and projecting future carbon emissions, storage and capture,” she said.
“Side-lining biodiversity in efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change will undermine the systems that give us the long term resilience we need to get through this crisis.”
In response to Deputy Christopher O’Sullivan (FF), who suggested some renewable energy technologies and adaptation infrastructure might not be consistent with protecting biodiversity, Prof Buckley agreed they must be at appropriate locations, whether on land or offshore.
Impact of windfarms
If agricultural land was being used for a wind farm, that amounted to a change in land use, so biodiversity had to be assessed including the impact of turbines on birdlife. For this reason, the legislation “should comply with, and actively support, implementation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan”, she said.
Dr James Glynn of MaREI research institute in UCC said from a scientific and engineering perspective, ambiguity in some of the Bill's language "means that one cannot measure or define whether or not commitments within the bill are being met".
Particular attention needed to applied to definitions of carbon budgets, and greenhouse gases to be included in those budgets, he believed.
As the national objective of carbon neutrality is unlikely to be met by technological means alone, the Bill should “acknowledge the role of early dialogue and societal buy in. Behaviour change and demand reduction will be required”.
He confirmed the potential from using carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology in zero-carbon energy systems in meeting Paris Agreement obligations.
Achieving climate neutrality globally in 2050 meant that is the year temperatures stop increasing, he said. “Further, and more importantly, the cumulative greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions before reaching climate neutrality in 2050 dictates the temperature we stop at.”
Global temperature
In the context of carbon budgets Irish emissions needed to decrease by between 4 and 9 per cent per year from 2020 to 2030 “to play our equitable part of keeping global temperature increase below 2 degrees, and to reduce between 11 to 21 per cent per year to keep global temperatures below 1.5 degrees without overshooting that temperature ceiling”.
Applying a 7 per cent reduction rate in the programme for government, Dr Glynn said MaREI analyses “assume that the global temperature increase overshoots 1.5 degrees during this century and returns below 1.5 degrees by 2100”.
The scenarios without CO2 removal technologies require immediate decarbonisation at rates approximately double the rate compared to where they deployed, he added. Globally, however, development of CCS, and direct air carbon capture and storage technologies was “already far behind the technology readiness levels needed to meet the Paris Agreement”, Dr Glynn said.
Ireland has exercised its right under EU law not to allow for any storage of CO2 in the State; so currently there was no area of Irish territory free to be used for its storage – though “this will be kept under active review”.
He believed, however, there was nothing preventing the capturing of CO2 from industrial plants and exporting it to somewhere like Norway for storage, as was possible under its Northern Lights project.