Donie's news Ireland Blog Saturday

Martin McGuinness raised the possibility of a Cardinal Sean Brady prosecution

        

The deputy first minister raised the possibility of prosecuting Cardinal Sean Brady, it has emerged. Martin McGuinness did raised this at a 3rd May executive meeting amid revelations the cardinal failed to report child sex abuse to police almost 40 years ago.

He formally asked Justice Minister David Ford to consult the police to see if a prosecution was possible under the Criminal Law Act (NI) 1967.

It makes it an offence to withhold information about a crime.

The meeting took place two days after the BBC’s This World Programme revealed fresh details about Cardinal Brady’s role in the Brendan Smyth affair and his part in the failure to inform the police or parents about the abuse by the paedophile priest.

In public, Mr McGuinness has been an outspoken critic of the Roman Catholic primate of all Ireland, saying he should consider his position.

But it has now emerged he raised the subject at executive level.

According to one well-placed source: “He formally asked David Ford as justice minister… to consult with the PSNI and if necessary its RUC predecessor to see if prosecution was possible in this case.”

It is understood the justice minister agreed to pass on the executive’s concerns to the chief constable and the relevant Dublin authorities, but stressed it was an operational matter for the police.

Sources have also told the BBC that an executive press release on the matter was not issued as parties could not agree to the wording.

It is understood Sinn Fein wanted to confine the wording to child sex abuse but the SDLP, Alliance and DUP insisted on a reference to all crime.

“In the end they abandoned it,” the source said.

A spokesman for the executive had no comment as its business is private.

New study say’s ‘Dieting is safe for pregnant women’

  

Doctors usually advise women against dieting during pregnancy. But, a new review of research in the ‘British Medical Journal’ now claims that it’s absolutely safe and doesn’t carry risks for the baby.

In the review, researchers at Queen Mary, University of London, looked at the findings from 44 previous studies which involved more than 7,000 women to come to their conclusion.

The researchers compared diet, exercise or a combination of the two. Dietary advice was based on limiting the calorie intake , having a balanced diet and eating foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables and pulses. The researchers then examined how much weight women gained during their pregnancies and if there’re complications . While each approach reduced a woman’s weight gain ,diet had the greatest effect with an average reduction of 4 kg . With exercise, the average reduction in weight gain was just 0.7 kg. A combination of diet and exercise led to an average reduction of 1 kg , ‘BBC’ reported.

Women following a calorie-controlled diet were less likely to develop each of the complications considered. Dr Shakila Thangaratinam , who led the study, said: “Obesity during pregnancy puts women and their babies are at high risk of complications. Weight control is difficult but this study shows that by advising women on weight management methods, especially diet, we can reduce weight gain during pregnancy . It also has potential to reduce the risk of a number of pregnancy complications.”

German couple killed in a motorcycle and car collision in Co Mayo

  

A German couple was killed yesterday in north Mayo when their motorcycle collided with a car driven by a local family doctor.

The impact occurred about 12.20pm at a spot known locally as Massey’s Bend, Lacken Cross, on the Killala to Ballycastle road.

The male biker died at the scene. His pillion passenger died in an ambulance en route to Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar.

Both victims are believed to be in their early 50s.

The driver of the car was Killala-based GP Dr Declan Clinton.

Dr Clinton was admitted to Mayo General Hospital but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

The R3I4 road was closed following the crash as gardaí began forensic examinations of the scene.

Local man David Massey said that three ambulances, a fire brigade and gardaí attended at the scene and were helped out by locals.

Mr Massey said there had been a double fatality at the bend about 15 years ago but remedial works had been carried out on the stretch of road since then.

Lamenting the double tragedy, Jarlath Munnelly, a member of Mayo County Council, said last evening that the community was shocked by the deaths of the two tourists.

He also expressed sympathy with Dr Clinton and his family for the injuries and the trauma he had suffered.

Commenting on the spot where the collision occurred, Mr Munnelly said the bend had been regarded as a “blackspot” but had been improved recently, with the installation of signposting and rumble strips.

Saturated fat taken over years decreases our memory

    

Over time, saturated fat can decrease memory and overall cognitive function in women, according to a new US study.

On the other hand, mono-saturated fat consumption improves memory and cognitive brain function.

Data of 6,000 women over 65 years old from the Woman’s Health Study was analysed.

The team found that the total amount of fat intake had no significant effects on cognitive brain function. Whereas the type of fat consumed did according to researchers form the Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

After four years of testing, women who consumed high levels of saturated fats rather than low levels had worse cognitive scores and memory recall.

Saturated fats can be found in animal fat products, such as butter and red meat.

Avocados and olive oil are good sources of mono-unsaturated fats. Women who ate these ‘good’ fats had higher overall memory and cognition.

Replacing saturated fats with mono-unsaturated fats is a simple way to prevent memory decline and can reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer disease, the researchers said.

This study was published in an online issue of Annals of Neurology, the journal of the American Neurological Association and Child Neurology Society.

Wednesday's all Ireland nes Blog by Donie

Irish Government accused of 'scare-mongering tactics' 
to get the referendum passed

 No  

Clare Daly TD, MEP Paul Murphy, Cllr Ruth Coppinger and Joe Higgins TD at the Poster Launch of Socialist Party ‘No’ campaign against the Austerity Treaty in Dublin.

The Government has today been accused of using scare tactics in order to ensure the fiscal treaty referendum is passed.

Launching what it described as its biggest ever referendum campaign in Dublin earlier today, the Socialist Party criticised Minister for Finance Michael Noonan over his warning that he would have to introduce a tougher budget if a No vote is returned by the electorate.

Socialist Party MEP Paul Murphy described Mr Noonan’s comments(above picture left) as an “attempt to put a gun to the heads of the public and force them to vote Yes”.

He said the referendum was “the people’s opportunity to say no to austerity and to writing austerity into law”.

Citing the low number of householders who have signed up for the household charge, Mr Murphy said the Socialist Party would unashamedly make the link between the struggle against unfair taxes and the introduction of further austerity measures if the referendum is passed.

Mr Murphy’s colleague Joe Higgins TD accused the Government of using the “argument of fear” to scare voters. He said that instead of offering more stability, the fiscal treaty would bring about more instability both here and across the euro zone.

Mr Higgins said that many of the “lavish phrases” being used by the Government in the campaign echoed similar comments made during the second Lisbon Treaty referendum.

“Bitter experience has shown that those promises were absolutely worthless and false. Lisbon 2 did not provide the jobs that were promised and private investment has utterly collapsed. The new promises of stability are equally worthless,” he said.

“The Irish Government cannot promise stability. The financial markets, which operate virtually economic dictatorship over the economy will respond to events right across Europe to suit their agenda,” he added.

Cllr Ruth Coppinger rejected claims that Ireland would be isolated if it voted No in the referendum. She said that voting against the treaty would be an act of solidarity with citizens of other countries who don’t have the opportunity to vote.

“A No vote in Ireland would give a huge boost to all those around Europe who are fighting the effects of austerity and it would be the first continent-wide response to the bondholders’ agenda.”

The Socialist Party is to spend up to €55,000 on the campaign which will include sending out 1 million leaflets to householders. A total of €47,000 in funding is being provided by the European United Left while the rest will come from local fundraising events.

Mr Murphy said that while the Yes side will “massively overspend” compared to the No campaign during the referendum, the No side was optimistic that it would do well because of the increasing confidence of people “to fight back against austerity”.

Mr Higgins said the Yes side would be bolstered by the print media, which he claimed were “stridently promoting a Yes vote”.

He added that the bulk of the printed press had put similar pressure on members of the public to register for the household charge and would likely do so again now.

Ibec Group says that a Yes vote will secure Ireland’s future

      

 Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, yesterday launched a nationwide poster campaign in support of a Yes vote in the upcoming referendum.

Ibec insists Yes vote will secure future: THE BUSINESS lobby group Ibec insisted a Yes vote for the fiscal treaty will “secure Ireland’s future” when unveiling the organisation’s referendum poster in Dublin city centre yesterday.

Ibec director general Danny McCoy said he believed a No vote would increase the amount of time Ireland would spend in austerity and would hamper recovery, while a Yes vote would give confidence and certainty.

“What Ireland needs now is growth,” he said. Mr McCoy said people making decisions about investment in Ireland were “a little bit bemused, I suppose, that we would be risking our access to markets by even contemplating a No vote”.

He said there was no need for scaremongering, but he believed a Yes vote would send a very positive signal to potential investors.

The Ibec posters carry the slogan: “Secure Ireland’s Future”. The organisation intends erecting 5,000 posters across the country.

Ibec president Julie O’Neill said a Yes vote would drive growth and recovery in the economy, while a No vote would increase uncertainty and increase the cost of servicing the State’s debt.

“Driving Ireland’s recovery is very important, and Europe is a very important part of that,” Ms O’Neill said.

She said sensible and robust rules to avoid a future debt crisis were in the interest of both Ireland and Europe. “If Ireland and Irish business is to prosper and create jobs and generate growth we need to draw a line under the European debt crisis.”

Mr McCoy and Ms O’Neill were joined at the launch by Anne Hegarty, chief executive of recruitment firm CPL; Mary McKenna, managing director of Tour America; Regina Moran, chief executive of Fujitsu Ireland; and Sally Storey, general manager of GlaxoSmithKline Ireland.

Commission uses Facebook 

THE REFERENDUM Commission is using Facebook to encourage people to check the voting register and make sure they are eligible to participate in the fiscal treaty referendum on May 31st.

An advertising campaign on Facebook over the next fortnight will direct people to an app which aims to help them check the register. Referendum Commission chairman Mr Justice Kevin Feeney said he hoped younger people who did not always get information from “traditional media” would find it useful.

The Referendum Commission’s booklet will start arriving in homes from May 8th and is expected to be distributed around the State within 10 days. The 24-page booklet – with 12 pages in English and 12 in Irish – will contain a fairly short summary of what the treaty is about.

The Government is in the process of distributing a 40-page booklet containing the text of the fiscal treaty referendum and an explanatory section. Distribution started in Munster last Thursday and Friday. An additional pamphlet will be distributed closer to polling day, May 31st.

Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fail, who are advocating a Yes vote, will distribute separate leaflets and canvass cards.

Sinn Féin, which is calling for a No vote, will distribute around one million bilingual leaflets.

Civil marriages in Ireland to be conducted by non-religious groups  ‘In new legislation passed’ 

    

The Irish Government yesterday approved legislation allowing members of non-religious groups, such as the Humanist Association of Ireland, to perform civil marriages, writes Deaglán de Bréadún, Political Correspondent.

Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton said: “I am delighted to have obtained the support of my colleagues in Cabinet for the proposal.”

Originally brought in as a Private Members’ Bill by Labour Senator Ivana Bacik, the Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill is due to complete its progress in the Seanad today and Ms Burton will sponsor its progress through the Dáil. It proposes to give the right to conduct civil marriages to non-religious groups, which must be a “philosophical and non-confessional body”.

Huge China trade hub planned for the Midland’s of Ireland in 1.4 billion Euro development

  

The 1.4 billion euro development receives planning permission in phase one of he Government’s plan

Ireland gave phase one of a huge Chinese trading hub planning permission on Tuesday, paving the way for what would be one of the biggest developments in the struggling euro zone country.

China has expressed growing interest in Ireland’s economy in recent months, with leader-in-waiting Xi Jinping choosing Ireland as the only European stop in an international tour in February.

Beijing’s sovereign wealth fund has also signed a memorandum to explore investment opportunities in Ireland and Tuesday’s decision will allow building to start on a complex that could eventually see Chinese manufacturers and traders display goods to international buyers in 3,000 demonstration halls.

The 1.4 billion euro’s Europe China Trading Hub’, set on 140 hectares of mostly agricultural land in the midlands county of Westmeath, aims to become Europe’s largest source of Chinese branded goods, according to the site’s Irish developers.

They said Ireland was chosen as the preferred location due to its European Union membership, English speaking workforce, attractive corporate tax rate and stable industrial relations environment.

Ireland’s ultra low corporate tax rate, which it guards vigorously against pockets of opposition in Europe, has helped it attract large multinationals to the country from eight of the ten world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies to tech giants like Google and Facebook.

Acting as a gateway between China and buyers from Europe and the US, the development will provide space for Chinese traders to display their products with a view to generating bulk orders which will then be delivered from China.

The developers say the goods traded will range from electric cars to fabrics and machinery, with a particular focus on the high-end market and that the hub could ultimately provide direct and indirect employment for 9,000 people, as well as bringing 1.5 million visitors to Ireland every year.

The site would also include shops, restaurants, pubs, a theatre, cinemas and a library.

The first phase, which will see just under a quarter of the overall development initially built, could be open for business by 2015, according to the head of the nearby Athlone Business Park which proposed the development.

Asked if it would be able to finance the project, John Tiernan said the response from the private backers and promoters behind the project all pointed to a positive outcome.

The Troika review Blog by Donie

Ireland v The Troika: 

latest EU-IMF review & what the Government's two ministers reported today

      v   

THE full text statement issued today Thursday by Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin after the sixth Troika inspection completed successfully.

Ireland has successfully concluded the sixth review of the Programme with the EU Commission, the ECB and the IMF. In line with each of the previous five quarterly reviews Ireland has continued to achieve all of the targets set under our programme of assistance.As part of the review mission, which begun on 16th April, there has been a detailed assessment of fiscal developments, 

The macroeconomic outlook, progress on commitments in the restructuring of the financial sector and in structural reform. The review also provides for discussions between the Government and the external partners on adapting the Programme of Assistance, which improves its effectiveness by supporting the economy’s potential to grow and create jobs.

On welcoming the successful conclusion of the review, Minister Noonan and Minister Howlin stated:

“We are pleased that we have met our targets, all measures have been implemented and the programme is on track. This successful outcome illustrates, once more, the ability and the commitment of the Irish State to implement a challenging programme effectively.

Economic data released since the last Troika review in January has shown that the Irish Economy has returned to growth in 2011, the first time since 2007, our underlying deficit for 2011 is 9.4% – significantly ahead of the target of 10.6%, our tax take is growing and we are on track to meet our 8.6% deficit target in 2012.

Over 100 actions have been completed under the programme and over 70% of the available funds have been drawn down. Stability has been restored to the public finances, a range of structural reforms have been introduced and the financial sector is refocused on meeting the needs of the Irish economy.

As well as examining programme implementation over the past quarter over the course of this mission we have begun to examine measures to strengthen the focus on growth. The revised MoU contains a commitment to strengthen the growth pillar of the programme.”

Minister Noonan stated:

“Agreement has been reached, in line with the programme commitments, on the strategic direction for Permanent TSB, with a formal Restructuring Plan to be submitted to the European Commission by the end of June. The objective of this plan is to create a viable retail bank focused on lending into the Irish economy. This will be achieved by carving out a viable bank from the current Permanent TSB business.

On the wider banking sector we remain committed to preparing our banks for the future and ensuring their capital strength. The Government’s overall objective is to return the banks to private ownership and to maximize the return on the taxpayer’s investment in the banks.

Stability is being restored to the banking sector, relationship frameworks have been introduced, deposits have stabilized and the deleveraging programme is on target. The normalization of our banking system is an ongoing process. Reflecting this more normal situation the Central Bank will align the next PCAR exercise with the EBA stress tests that will be held in 2013.

The banks’ focus will be on more normal operations such as mortgage and SME lending, tackling the problem of mortgage arrears and debt recovery. Ireland continues to have the most prudent capital requirements of any European country. The steps outlined above reinforce our key objective of getting credit to the domestic economy and helping to create jobs and growth.”

Minister Howlin on the conclusion of the visit stated;

“For the sixth consecutive review Ireland has met the challenging targets under the programme. We are committed to achieving economic recovery and creating more jobs. We have agreed with the Troika that a higher proportion of the proceeds from the sale of state assets will be used to support jobs and economic growth. The exact quantum (above the 1/3 of proceeds already agreed) is yet to be determined but I am confident that we will be successful in this regard. We need to implement the plan but also we need economic stimulus and growth; I welcome the acknowledgement of our troika partners of the importance of the growth agenda to the overall success of the programme.

Over the course of the quarter there has been a considerable reduction in the numbers in the public service which will deliver long term sustainable paybill savings. Furthermore, we will continue to actively manage expenditure and I am confident that we will adhere to our spending targets in 2012 as we did in 2011.

The programme is a process and we have made significant progress in our first year; including a reduction in the interest rate that will save us €10 billion, restoring the minimum wage and we are putting in place legislation to underpin Joint Labour Committees.

I welcome the endorsement by the troika that Ireland has met all targets to date and the programme remains on track. The Government is committed to meeting our targets under the programme as continuing to do so is the best way of ensuring Ireland succeeds and for us to return to the market and fund ourselves independently.”

Both Ministers concluded:

“We welcome the fact that our programme remains on track and we continue to meet all our targets. In the first quarter 2012 we have seen robust tax returns and we continue to control our public expenditure. There remains a challenging road ahead but we remain fully committed to reducing our deficit to 3% of GDP by 2015 and we are confident that the 8.6% target for 2012 will be met. This Government is focused on creating jobs and restoring Ireland’s economic sovereignty; the successful implementation of the programme as well as endorsing the upcoming stability referendum will put us on this path.”

Donie's news Ireland for Wednesday

The Irish Government is paying €10m a year on parking for the States public servants

   

Correspondence from the the OPW to the Public Accounts Committee last week showed that the government owns 9,479 parking spaces, of which 3,291 are in Dublin and the remaining 6,188 are “regional owned”.

The document also shows that state rented 2,967 spaces in Dublin in February 2012, at an average cost per space of €2,428 a year.

The OPW says these spaces carry an annual cost of €7.2 million. A further 1,608 spaces are being leased by the government outside of Dublin at an average cost per space of €710 and an annual cost of €1.14 million, bringing the total annual bill for parking space leasing to €8.34 million.

However, the OPW also notes that it estimates that a further €2 million a year is spent on car parking costs:

On certain leases, we have no specified information on car parking costs (as it is included in the rent per annum). However, based on our average estimates, this could amount to an estimated additional value of €2m.

Parking levy

Commuters who park in Dublin, Galway, Cork, Limerick and Waterford cities have to pay €200 a year for the use of their workplace parking space under the  parking levy announced by the government in 2008.

The measure was introduced by then-Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan in Budget 2009, but the commencement order which brings it into effect has never been signed.

Under the parking levy, employers are obliged to deduct the €200-per-space charge from their workers’ pay. Self-employed persons are exempt from the charge, but their employees are liable.

It was expected to be piloted in Dublin in January 2011 before being rolled out in full, but the commencement order was not signed by the Minister for Finance and the scheme did not get underway. They also said that the preparatory work has been done on the move and that it would not be difficult for the government to proceed with it.

Yesterday, Minister Brian Hayes told RTÉ News that he had called for a review of the plan and that he supports its introduction.

A spokesperson from the Department of Finance said today that the measure was introduced by the previous government and that the current government taking office did not consider it a priority at the time of taking office.

Families eating dinners together 

‘make for healthier kids’

        

Families eating together as a family leads to healthier children who are less likely to be overweight, according to a major review.

Nutritional scientists have found that children from homes where the family regularly gathers around the dinner table tend to eat more fruit and vegetables than those from homes where mealtimes are not a central focus of the day.

They are also less likely to be overweight or obese, as measured by body mass index (BMI).

Researchers at Rutgers the State University of New Jersey in the US, made their conclusions after analysing results from 68 separate academic studies.

They found those in families that regularly ate together reaped “numerous benefits … including increased intake of fruits, vegetables, fibre, calcium-rich foods, and vitamins”.

In addition, those who ate as a family unit tended to consume less junk food, such as soft drinks and takeaways.

Jennifer Martin-Biggers, a nutritional sciences doctoral student at Rutgers, said: “People who have more frequent family meals tend to have better diets.”

Children in such families also tended to do better at school, she said.

The study was based on research into the eating habits of families in the US, where 40 per cent of domestic food budgets are spent on eating out.

In Britain the proportion is less – about 30 per cent – according to the Department for Environment  Food & Rural Affairs.

However, Kath Dalmeny, policy director of the Sustain, which campaigns for better school food, believed the conclusions of the research were equally valid in Britain.

She warned that while the sofa was an indispensable piece of furniture in British homes, that was now not always the case for the dining table.

“We are seeing children who are growing up in households that don’t even have a table,” she said.

Eating together did not in itself make for a healthier family diet, she noted.

But she said parents who went to the effort of having a communal meal were more likely to give their offspring better food, “rather than just shoving something in the microwave and giving it to a child in front of the television”.

She continued: “Children who grow up in a culture of enjoying good food and not being treated as if they should have their own, with smiley faces and all that, learn to enjoy food that’s good for them.”

At home and at school, parents and teachers should aim to make mealtimes sociable and fun, she said.

Although she admitted that getting children to stick to the dinner table was not always easy, especially when they were young, when all the family did eat together it was “a wonderful moment”, she said.

Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said eating together was “hugely important”.

“If you talk you don’t tend to scoff your food, so you eat less,” he said.

Good cost savings for over half of Irish businesses who use cloud computing

        

OVER half of Irish organisations that have begun using cloud computing systems claim that they’ve already generated cost savings as a result, according to a new survey.

This week marks the first Microsoft sponsored National Cloud Week, which aims to educate businesses about the potential impact of cloud computing.

A survey undertaken on behalf of Microsoft by Amarach Consulting found that nearly one-third of Irish respondents have been able to expand their activities without the need for additional capital investment because they opted for cloud-based solutions.

The survey is part of the inaugural Microsoft/Amarach Cloud Index. It has been developed to track adoption of cloud computing in Irish organisations. It currently stands at 3.2 out of a maximum rating of 10.

Solutions

It found that 40pc of Irish organisations rate themselves as one, which indicates they have not deployed any cloud computing solutions. It stands at three for public service bodies and four for larger organisations.

Microsoft Ireland managing director Paul Rellis said that while there’s increased awareness of cloud computing here, the company wants to help Ireland become a so-called Cloud Centre of Excellence.

“The inaugural index measure of 3.2 shows that there is some way to go in terms of adoption levels, but what is very encouraging is that those who have moved can testify to the tangible benefits,” he said.

Launching the index yesterday, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton said that while progress had been made in the sector, there’s still “a long way to go”.

Mr Rellis will today attend an Oireachtas briefing. The event will focus on cloud computing in public sector reform.

Irish Schools get go ahead from Minister to replace rented prefabs with permanent classrooms

  Gone   

The Government have announced that 77 schools across the country have been given the green light to replace their rented prefabs with permanent classrooms. 

Education Minister Ruairí Quinn has announced the first round of approvals which will see €14m spent on the building of 94 mainstream and 57 learning support classrooms.

It is part of a €35m Government initiative to replace one third of all rented prefab classrooms this year.

Irish People more worried about their health than their job

        

Irish adults worry more about their health than their job security, according to a new survey.

Over 1,000 adults participated in the attitude survey, which showed that the primary worry for 37% of adults was that they or their partner would become ill or die suddenly.

That was more than double the number of those concerned about losing their job (16%).

Half of those surveyed said they knew of a family where the main breadwinner died prematurely before the age of 50.

Losing the family home (11%) and being unable to pay bills (10%) were other concerns listed by respondents.

As part of the survey, participants were asked how they would spend an extra €15 a month if it were given to them. Thirty per cent said they would save the additional money, while 24% said they would use it for some recreational activity.

In contrast, 5% said they would put it towards the mortgage and a further 5% said they would use it to start a life insurance policy for their family, according to the survey by the Irish Life company.