‘Unpredicted events’ to blame for delay to Covid inquiry – Varadkar
Gráinne Ní Aodha, PATaoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the State's Covid inquiry will “certainly” be held next year after being delayed this year due to a series of “unpredictable events”. The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has publicly questioned UK prime minister Rishi Sunak, former prime minister Boris Johnson, former health secretary Matt Hancock and former adviser to Mr Johnson, Dominic Cummings. “We have the draft terms of reference for the inquiry ready now,” Mr Varadkar said on Monday. Dr Mike Ryan, the executive director of the World Health Organisation’s Health Emergencies Programme (Niall Carson/PA)“I will say two things, one is looking from the outside in. “So really, it doesn’t come down to format, it comes down to objective and purpose.
Source:The Herald
December 19, 2023 08:19 UTC
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Source:The Herald
December 19, 2023 05:22 UTC
Livestock suffering will continue in N Ireland after GB export ban, MP claims
DUP MP Sammy Wilson blamed the “tentacles of the European Union” for preventing the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill from applying in Northern Ireland. The Bill will ban the export from Great Britain of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses for slaughter and fattening. Mr Wilson cast doubt on claims that leaving out Northern Ireland from the Bill’s remit would allow it to trade with both the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The East Antrim MP told the Commons: “EU law will still apply and does still apply in Northern Ireland, and the reason why this particular Bill cannot apply in Northern Ireland is as a result of the Protocol, and the Windsor Framework and the arrangements that have been put in place. “Northern Ireland is still in the grip of the tentacles of the European Union.
Source:The Herald
December 19, 2023 04:38 UTC
Sweet trumps sour in cocktail preferences across Ireland
Sweet trumps sour in cocktail preferences across IrelandBy Rebecca Black, PASweet trumps sour in cocktail tastes across the island of Ireland – with the pornstar martini emerging as the favoured choice, according to a survey. The research also found that a third of those quizzed in the Republic and a quarter surveyed in Northern Ireland preferred a pornstar martini, a sweet combination of passion fruit and vodka. And almost half of all respondents (49 per cent) prefer a cocktail with vodka, suggesting that the classic spirit has made a comeback in recent years. Ken Allan, head of beverage at Musgrave MarketPlace, said vodka and tequila are rising highest in demand. “We’re seeing huge demand for the classic spirits that are making their way into cocktail menus across the country,” he said.
Source:Irish Independent
December 19, 2023 04:06 UTC
Central Bank expects economic growth to rebound in 2024
The Central Bank of Ireland thinks data will show Ireland is in a recession for the multinational-dominated economy but says domestic activity will continue to expand. GDP is set to recover to grow by 2.5pc next year before rising to 4.5pc in 2025 and 4.2pc in 2026, the bank said in its latest quarterly bulletin. However, the banks said higher wages could push up inflation next year if firms try to recoup costs by increasing prices. “The multi-faceted nature of the economy frequently makes it difficult to decipher how economic conditions in Ireland are changing,” said Robert Kelly, the Central Bank’s director of economics and statistics. The biggest risk will come from lower domestic spending or “sector-specific reasons” such as a renewed fall in pharmaceutical or semiconductor exports.
Source:Irish Independent
December 19, 2023 04:06 UTC
Northern Ireland business leaders urge a deal for a ‘fully funded’ Stormont
Northern Ireland business leaders urge a deal for a ‘fully funded’ StormontBy Rebecca Black, PAA host of Northern Ireland business leaders have written to political parties urging them to press forward to agree a resumption of a fully funded devolved government. The Northern Ireland Business Alliance described the coming days as “crucial” after multi-party talks around Stormont finances resumed at Hillsborough Castle. On Monday, the DUP indicated that a deal which would see them going back into Stormont was unlikely before Christmas. The business alliance – which includes the Centre for Competitiveness, CBI Northern Ireland, IoD Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce & Industry – has written to both the British Northern Ireland secretary of state and political party leaders, urging them to maintain momentum in talks over the coming days, “in order to reach agreement at pace”. “We welcome recent indications that the UK government has accepted the principle of a needs-based funding model for Northern Ireland,” they said.
Source:Irish Independent
December 19, 2023 02:07 UTC
‘In The Bleak Midwinter’ inspires Larissa Tormey’s latest musical endeavor
‘In The Bleak Midwinter’ inspires Larissa Tormey’s latest musical endeavorLarissa Tormey has tradition of performing the timeless classic ‘In The Bleak Midwinter’ at various Christmas events, but this year marked a turning point as she decided to release it as a Christmas single. “I’ve carried the sentiment of ‘In The Bleak Midwinter’ with me for years, singing it annually at Christmas events,” said the Kilbeggan based singer. The collaboration has resulted in a rendition that showcases the essence of folk music while adding a contemporary flair. Larissa thanks the DJs who have been sharing her music, in Ireland and abroad. For updates on Larissa’s musical journey and upcoming releases, follow her on social media.
Source:Irish Independent
December 18, 2023 15:40 UTC
Nicholls State plays Maryland following Ireland's 25-point game
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Source:The Herald
December 18, 2023 15:34 UTC
118 people are found sleeping rough in Dublin this winter
Number is up by almost a third on the same period last yearThis year's Winter count of rough sleepers in Dublin took place from November 6 to 12The number of people sleeping rough in Dublin this winter has increased by almost a third on the same period last year. The Official Winter Count of people sleeping rough in the Dublin Region took place from November 6 to 12. A total of 118 individuals were confirmed as rough sleeping over the week of the count, an increase of 27 (30pc) on the same period last year, with 91 individuals rough sleeping from November 7 to 13, 2022. “The number of people rough sleeping in the Dublin Region changes from night to night,” a spokesperson said. 18 individuals (16pc) were rough sleeping in both the Winter 2023 and Spring 2023 count.
Source:Irish Independent
December 18, 2023 14:44 UTC
Princess Diana dress fetches record-breaking price tag at auction
The ballerina-length dress designed by Jacques Azagury went for eleven times its estimateA dress worn by Princess Diana at a dinner in Florence in 1985 (John Stillwell/PA)A gown worn by Diana, Princess of Wales in 1985 broke a new fashion record, going under the hammer in Hollywood for 11 times its estimated price. The black, ballerina-length velvet evening dress sold at Julien’s Auctions for a grand total of 1,148,080 US dollars (€1, 040,000). The previous record holder, a 1991 velvet gown by Victor Edelstein, fetched 604,800 dollars at an auction in January. Also on sale at the Julien’s Auctions and TCM Present: Hollywood Legends event was a blouse worn by Diana for her engagement portrait in 1981. Hollywood stars’ clothes also up for auction included a Givenchy dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 1963 comedy Charade, a sleeveless gown worn by Gloria Swanson in the 1950 noir film Sunset Boulevard and Barbra Streisand’s sailor dress from a 1960s special called My Name Is Barbra.
Source:Irish Independent
December 18, 2023 12:21 UTC
HSE mobile x-ray service now available in Roscommon
Des Mulligan, Head of Older Person’s Services, HSE Community Healthcare West; Mary Warde, Head of Primary Care Services, HSE Community Healthcare West; John Fitzmaurice, Chief Officer, HSE Community Healthcare West; Paul Flynn of Mobile Medical Diagnostics; Richard Broderick, Primary Care Unit Manager, HSE Community Healthcare WestHSE mobile x-ray service now available in RoscommonA mobile x-ray service is now available in Roscommon. The service is part of a rollout by HSE Community Healthcare West across Galway, Mayo & Roscommon of an initiative to help oder people avoid having to attend Emergency Departments for an x-ray. The HSE is expanding the free, community-based service to older patients in both public and private nursing homes, community facilities and in their homes on a phased basis. If someone has a fall or requires a chest x-ray, the diagnostic team will arrive to their residence and an x-ray exam will take place in their own room. The HSE has engaged Mobile Medical Diagnostics to provide the service following a public tender process.
Source:Irish Independent
December 18, 2023 09:13 UTC
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The Irish Times view on support for Ukraine: EU and UK need to find ways to free the logjam
Congressional leaders remain hopeful, however, that a deal will yet be agreed with Republicans, who have made aid conditional on enhanced Mexico border controls. Meanwhile,the lone veto-wielding EU hold-out against aid, Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orbán, was nevertheless forced to concede an opening of EU accession talks with Ukraine. The welcome decision by the EU Council early on Friday morning to open accession discussions with both Ukraine and Moldova, a milestone on Kyiv’s path to joining the EU, is a commitment to continuing EU solidarity. It is an important morale boost to Ukraine and a political blow to President Putin who sees its EU membership as an act of aggression. Orbán, by his abuse of the system, is forcing removal or dilution of the veto on to the union’s agenda.
Source:The Irish Times
December 18, 2023 08:21 UTC
Family Christmases: my favourites are the ‘ruined’ ones
I don’t think the above is unique to us. I used to joke that no Christmas with my family growing up was ever complete without someone crying. She had accidentally put the wrong label on a gift that was for me, but it instead ended up saying “To Hannah, from Santa”. But no matter how hard she tried to bargain, Hannah was not budging; “Santa gave this to me. Because, looking back, I’d take a “ruined” Christmas over a “perfect” one any day.
Source:The Herald
December 18, 2023 06:30 UTC
Mohammed Kudus at the double as impressive West Ham brush aside Wolves
Mohammed Kudus at the double as impressive West Ham brush aside WolvesBy George Sessions, PAA first-half brace from Mohammed Kudus helped West Ham make it seven wins from nine matches with a 3-0 victory over Wolves. Matheus Cunha tested Hammers keeper Lukas Fabianski with a snapshot in the 12th minute, but it was West Ham doing most of the pressing. Wolves ventured forward to force their first corner after 22 minutes, but, in an unfortunate twist of fate, it contributed towards West Ham’s opener. O’Neil received a yellow card himself, not long after West Ham full-back Vladimir Coufal escaped punishment for catching Bellegarde with his arm, to compound a miserable first 45 minutes for the away side. It denied Wolves’ a superb team goal and, while they regrouped admirably as Cunha and Lemina fired off target soon after, West Ham hit them with a sucker-punch in the 74th minute.
Source:Irish Independent
December 18, 2023 04:56 UTC