Yearly Archives: 2019

This morning.

Bebe writes:

Thousands don’t know where they’re going to sleep at night or where their next meal will come from; thousands more on zero hours contracts – what would Leo know about those living on the margins due to neglect by his government since 2011?

He tried to say they were fraudulently claiming benefits ’til that nugget backfired. HSE dealing with crisis after crisis in life and death scenarios where front line staff bear the brunt while executives make the decisions much like executive FG that continue to penalise those consumed by poverty.

I can’t stand to see the leader of the country rub our noses in it like this and speak of focusing NOW on quality of those jobs or quality of life supports housing, etc.

Eight years too late for many who have no choice but to take zero hours contract that offer no stability or security – FG propped up by FF are a joke and the kicker is we have no alternative waiting in wings to seize power.

We don’t deserve this – our newly educated medics should not be forced to emigrate to work in safe and career advancement conditions not available at home.

And no one in our wealthy nation should have to beg, steal or borrow in the hope of finding a bed, night after night week after week year after year.

To add to our owes Dáil on holidays since yesterday to 17 Sept is another bloody joke – on us as usual…

Pic via MerrionStreet

Minister for Health Simon Harris; Quest Diagnostics

Last night.

It emerged that approximately 800 women who had CervicalCheck tests carried out between October 1, 2018, and June 25, 2019, have not received their test results because of an IT issue at a Quest Diagnostics laboratory in Virginia in the US.

It followed one woman affected making inquiries about her own test results.

Most of the women affected were getting repeat tests for the human papillomavirus HPV – which can cause cervical cancer – because Quest had previously carried out HPV testing on the women’s initial smears beyond the 30-day limit.

RTÉ have reported that the HSE told the Department of Health on Wednesday that it became aware of the IT problem in June.

This morning, Fianna Fáil TD Stephen Donnelly told Seán O’Rourke on RTÉ’s Radio One:

“We need to understand why the HSE took so long to inform the department. We know last year, when CervicalCheck [scandal] broke, that actually the Department and the HSE had been going back and forth and it was in reference to preparing the minister for the fact that Vicky Phelan’s case was about to break and that that could lead on to knock-on implications as of course it did.

“We want to know why the department wasn’t informed. And, indeed, maybe they were informed but they were informed informally.”

“…Why wait until an hour after the Dáil goes into recess to let the information out publicly. Why, if it’s not a big deal, were the minister, or the HSE, a no-show on Morning Ireland this morning?

“If this is not a big problem then we need to hear from the political leadership and the administrative leadership to explain that.”

Mr O’Rourke told his listeners that his programme also asked both the minister and the HSE for a spokesperson but neither were available.

Listen back in full here

800 women did not receive CervicalCheck results after IT issue at US laboratory (RTE)

Rollingnews

Bill Callahan

One of the most eagerly awaited shows of the year is undoubtedly Bill Callahan in Dublin’s Vicar Street on September 29.

The artist formerly known as Smog and later [Smog] is considered one of the finest songwriters of his generation and fans will be itching to hear songs from his new double album Shepherd In A Sheepskin Vest up close and personal.

To be in with a chance to win two tickets to the show simply tell us your favourite song by Smog or Bill Callahan and why.

Lines close at 2.30pm.

Nick says: Good luck!

Bill Callahan

The ‘Here’s How’ podcast.

Host William Campbell writes:

Do environmentalists have a blind spot?

Is there a carbon-free source of energy that could save us from climate change that we are ignoring irrationally?

Should Ireland embark on a programme of building a nuclear power stations?

Could they really provide a reliable stream of cheap, carbon-free, safe electricity? The Here’s How podcast investigates…

Listen here

Here’s How

Thud.

Celebrity chef Marc Veyrat has asked for his restaurant to be removed from the Michelin Guide

Marc Veyrat, a fancy French cook
Has said that he was badly shook
At the loss of a star
He asks if critics are
Entitled to write their red book.

John Moynes

Pic: Getty

Meanwhile…