How nice of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to lecture the people of Blighty once again from their multi-million dollar refuge in Hollywood where they’ve fled to escape public scrutiny and negotiate an intimate multi-million dollar Netflix documentary all about their decision to flee to Hollywood to escape media intrusion.
Harry looks so much happier than when he spent his time playing beer pong with topless strippers in Vegas.
Marvellous.
What cruel fate to misfortunes Nicolas LyndHurst and wife Lucy. To leave a man stricken with grief after bringing laughter to so many millions is a bummer.
Steph Pinker
Grief comes to us all, regardless of status.
Sam
Pretty crass to plaster it over the front page though. Editors of these rags not known for respecting personal circumstances…
Q Celt
Harry will lose British citizenship at this rate
dav
Is he considered a “citizen” of Britain in the 1st place?
Cú Chulainn
They have subjects.. we have citizens
Nigel
At this rate the two of them will be setting up a government in exile.
Trump has COVID. Who would have expected a virus denier to get get it! I don’t fancy his chances, given his condition.
I'll be Bach
Not to be cynical, but I wonder if he really does.
Or is it a way to hide from more debates/ get sympathy/ show how bigly strong he is when he “recovers”
Cú Chulainn
Must have been chatting to his friend Bozo.. if he lives it’s a swiz..
Nigel
I can’t help but believe it’s a stunt, but he does so love his rallies, and I bet he actually thinks he really won the dabate resoundingly. On the other hand the public being subjected to less unfiltered Trump might benefit him. A bit.
We may yet hear of a domestos incident.
Perhaps he’ll be imbleached after all?
BoggleMind
That boy hasn’t got COVID.
It’s just an excuse to avoid any more debates.
The lad has form…
…not COVID
He’s a coward.
goldenbrown
I’m not buying it, it’s all VERY convenient.
Alexander the Great
I don’t give a rats to be honest.
JoeyJoeJoeShabadoo
Not going to lie, the first thing that came to mind is that this is yet another lie. Considering his record and performance lately I’d say it’s just a cheap trick to try and get some sympathy in the face of dismal numbers
Rosette of Sirius
Wonder will it affect the SCOTUS senate hearings given she was with him the other day. Plot thickens. That’s testing for ya!
GiggidyGoo
Annie Oakley going to be grilled today as to her suitability to replace Septic Phil.
Alexander the Great
Name calling won’t be tolerated
Papi
Stop calling yourself great so..
Alexander the Great
My self?
GiggidyGoo
So there was more than one firm involved in the supply of the code for the leaving cert scandal. Polymetrika were on an initial contract, and when that ended they were on €1000+ per day to continue.
The questions now are
a) were Polymetrika employed to write the code, or just to check the code?
b) if to write the code, why are we paying for flawed code, and paying extra.
c) if just to check the code, which company wrote the code?
d) how much did/ are the other company (ies?) get paid / are being paid?
e) who are the other companies?
There seems to be a bit of scurrying as it’s reported ““Mr Cartwright has worked in Ireland in the past and has an established relationship both with the Educational Research Centre and the Department of Education and Skills, and has an understanding of the Irish education system,” according to a department spokesperson.
Something is not adding up here. How about Peig revealing everything?
GiggidyGoo
This from Dail Debate 4th June
“I particularly welcome the role played by Dr. Fernando Cartwright in the process surrounding the calculated grades system, and the Minister’s announcement of an independent monitoring committee for the process.”
(Thomas Byrne)
Who was Education Minister at that time? Joe McHugh. Looks like Fernando was already in the loop at that stage, creating an earner for himself.
I suspect Polymetrika will be wound up pretty quickly in lieu of ay attempt to look for damages.
Their “world HQ” is some suburban house in Ottawa
GiggidyGoo
Yep, the headquarters is in terraced house in ottawa. A number of websites (one that throws up a security warning) with old excel documents on it.
the .org one is basically nothing
the .com one not up to much either. The download section is in the dark ages.
the .ca one as informative as the other two.
Alexander the Great
have you actually nothing better to do?
dav
I find that it is a terrible pity that nobody in the department of health “bothered” to look at these websites – might have indicated there could be problems ahead.
GiggidyGoo
Have you? Thinking up new usernames must be truly brain burning.
Alexander the Great
Those are good questions but there are others
For example what was the procurement process?
GiggidyGoo
Probably none as it was meant to be a cheapie. He was probably recommended by his friends in the Dept. of Education or wherever. The usual, “it’s who you know” probably.
Alexander the Great
If it’s over 25000 I believe it should be in the public record. Can you go off and do some actual research instead of spouting off partisan speculative bs please?
GiggidyGoo
You used the words ‘I believe’
Maybe go do your own research then? You asked the original question about procurement – and now suddenly you’re an expert. G’way outta dat.
Alexander the Great
Sounds like some commenters such as Cian below actually have some knowledge of the subject under discussion, but the rest of you are just making random pig noises
GiggidyGoo
Sounds like you need a cuddle.
GiggidyGoo
From the .ca website.
“IATA is a software package for analysing psychometric and educational assessment data. It performs factor analysis, item response theory (IRT) scaling and calibration, differential item functioning (DIF) analysis, computer aided test development, equating, IRT-based standard setting, score conditioning, and plausible value generation. IATA is provided free by Fernando Cartwright and was developed with a great deal of support from many people, with special thanks to Vincent Greaney.”
Free software?
Q Celt
Looks like someone in department skipped public procurement rules and ended up with a clusterfeck
Cian
The official procurement process is a complete pain. it is very time-consuming, inefficient, and definitely isn’t about saving money. The procurement doesn’t’ guarantee quality.
There are exceptions to procurement rules – it is very possible they by-passed it completely.
Maybe he was already an approved supplier
And the full tender wasn’t required
Just saying
Alexander the Great
Yes as Cian says that process doesn’t always guarantee a good outcome in fact very often the total opposite, however it will be interesting to determine what the process was here
SOQ
I used to work for a semi state and my then boss had a saying- you go out looking for a racehorse and by the time you get through procurement, you come back with a donkey.
Alexander the Great
That’s generally because the people writing the specifications lack domain knowledge or expertise and are in the job only due to nepotism and bootlicking
SOQ
No- it is because of the scoring system which needs to be very comprehensive as once it goes to tender it is very difficult to amend- if one thing is missed it can skew the whole results.
Otis Blue
Cancelling the Leaving Cert so late in the day and opting for an unproven calculated grade system in haste was just asking for trouble.
And we’ve got it.
Charger Salmons
Given the close proximity of Trump to Biden at Tuesday night’s debate I’d suggest Joe and all his people will have to be tested too.
It’s hard to see anything happening in the presidential election for the next 10 days to two weeks at least and certainly not a second debate.
And considering the number of people at the heart of the political establishment Trump has been in close contact with – Supreme Court nominee Barrett, Senate Leader McConnell, Chief of Staff Meadows – these will be worrying times for America.
Alexander the Great
It won’t bother me in the slightest which of them has it.
I think I will be happy to see them all laid low for a good while and actual competent people take charge
Alexander the Great
PS what time is Gin O’Clock today?
I might join in a libation
Papi
OOooh, Internet tumbleweed…….From Charger, no less, burn.
Alexander the Great
Sometimes you feel like a motherless child?
Charger Salmons
I woke up today in a stout frame of mind so I shall give the Mother’s Ruin a swerve today and horse into some pintage down the local later with some of the ruddy-cheeked, horny-handed sons of the soil who I count amongst my good Irish chums.
I’d say the chat about Trump getting C-19 will last about 10 seconds and they’ll move on quickly to Melania who has quite a fan club.
I’ve no doubt the air will turn blue if there are no gals present which they’re generally aren’t for the early swill as most are at home getting vittles ready for our return.
I know Mrs Salmons has plans for a night out with her girlie chums.
Marvellous.
Charger Salmons
I called into Brother’s local the other day.
He got a bit upset when I said the woolly hat didn’t suit him.
are you going to hire in a special from Escort Ireland then old chap, or is it just too flaccid by now after the influx of merriment?
ian-oh
Rishi Sunak?
Sure he’s practically Irish…..
I’ll get me coat….
SOQ
Major Dublin restaurant group threatens State with legal action over Covid-19 restrictions
Press Up says there is ‘no empirical, objective and verifiable evidence’ to support closures
The group has said that if the restrictions are extended, it “will be left with no alternative; but to issue proceedings in respect of the laws bearing on operation of their premises as a last resort”
The group also claims Mr Donnelly has “unlawfully delegated or otherwise abdicated responsibility to third parties in particular members of the National Public Health Emergency Team”.
Now this really is interesting- Pres Up are going to force the government to justify their actions in a court of law. Of course the empirical evidence does not prove the efficacy of lock downs-, quite the opposite- and will have the added benefit of forcing MSM to cover the topic in-depth
Cian
While it will be interesting to see what happens, the government just won against Ryanair:
“The High Court has ruled that the Government’s advice against non-essential travel to most countries due to the risk of Covid-19 infection is legal.”
This is quite different- Press Up says there is ‘no empirical, objective and verifiable evidence’ to support closures so it will be up to the government to prove otherwise- AT THIS STAGE.
f_lawless
Should be interesting alright. In the era of Covid-19, empirical evidence has time and again been relegated to the sidelines whereas theoretical modelling often seems to be the driving force behind government policy despite its poor track record to date.
How nice of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to lecture the people of Blighty once again from their multi-million dollar refuge in Hollywood where they’ve fled to escape public scrutiny and negotiate an intimate multi-million dollar Netflix documentary all about their decision to flee to Hollywood to escape media intrusion.
Harry looks so much happier than when he spent his time playing beer pong with topless strippers in Vegas.
Marvellous.
Only idiots believe in royalty in 2020. Oh, hello Charage!
You must be so upset then that Her Majesty is still your head of state rather than Dame Edna Everage.
God Save Your Gracious Queen.
Heh x look at your flag.
They’re the Rolls Royce of the Royals.
I would have gone with Cadillac of royals but no matter….
Just thinking of the money that it cost the british public.
Duke, former Prince, lectures middle and lower classes on the evils of inequality, something seems a bit off.
What cruel fate to misfortunes Nicolas LyndHurst and wife Lucy. To leave a man stricken with grief after bringing laughter to so many millions is a bummer.
Grief comes to us all, regardless of status.
Pretty crass to plaster it over the front page though. Editors of these rags not known for respecting personal circumstances…
Harry will lose British citizenship at this rate
Is he considered a “citizen” of Britain in the 1st place?
They have subjects.. we have citizens
At this rate the two of them will be setting up a government in exile.
Was the SNP MP testing her eyes?
Trump has COVID. Who would have expected a virus denier to get get it! I don’t fancy his chances, given his condition.
Not to be cynical, but I wonder if he really does.
Or is it a way to hide from more debates/ get sympathy/ show how bigly strong he is when he “recovers”
Must have been chatting to his friend Bozo.. if he lives it’s a swiz..
I can’t help but believe it’s a stunt, but he does so love his rallies, and I bet he actually thinks he really won the dabate resoundingly. On the other hand the public being subjected to less unfiltered Trump might benefit him. A bit.
…what…has the hocuspocusquinine not worked?
We may yet hear of a domestos incident.
Perhaps he’ll be imbleached after all?
That boy hasn’t got COVID.
It’s just an excuse to avoid any more debates.
The lad has form…
…not COVID
He’s a coward.
I’m not buying it, it’s all VERY convenient.
I don’t give a rats to be honest.
Not going to lie, the first thing that came to mind is that this is yet another lie. Considering his record and performance lately I’d say it’s just a cheap trick to try and get some sympathy in the face of dismal numbers
Wonder will it affect the SCOTUS senate hearings given she was with him the other day. Plot thickens. That’s testing for ya!
Annie Oakley going to be grilled today as to her suitability to replace Septic Phil.
Name calling won’t be tolerated
Stop calling yourself great so..
My self?
So there was more than one firm involved in the supply of the code for the leaving cert scandal. Polymetrika were on an initial contract, and when that ended they were on €1000+ per day to continue.
The questions now are
a) were Polymetrika employed to write the code, or just to check the code?
b) if to write the code, why are we paying for flawed code, and paying extra.
c) if just to check the code, which company wrote the code?
d) how much did/ are the other company (ies?) get paid / are being paid?
e) who are the other companies?
There seems to be a bit of scurrying as it’s reported ““Mr Cartwright has worked in Ireland in the past and has an established relationship both with the Educational Research Centre and the Department of Education and Skills, and has an understanding of the Irish education system,” according to a department spokesperson.
Something is not adding up here. How about Peig revealing everything?
This from Dail Debate 4th June
“I particularly welcome the role played by Dr. Fernando Cartwright in the process surrounding the calculated grades system, and the Minister’s announcement of an independent monitoring committee for the process.”
(Thomas Byrne)
Who was Education Minister at that time? Joe McHugh. Looks like Fernando was already in the loop at that stage, creating an earner for himself.
https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2020-06-04/4/
I suspect Polymetrika will be wound up pretty quickly in lieu of ay attempt to look for damages.
Their “world HQ” is some suburban house in Ottawa
Yep, the headquarters is in terraced house in ottawa. A number of websites (one that throws up a security warning) with old excel documents on it.
the .org one is basically nothing
the .com one not up to much either. The download section is in the dark ages.
the .ca one as informative as the other two.
have you actually nothing better to do?
I find that it is a terrible pity that nobody in the department of health “bothered” to look at these websites – might have indicated there could be problems ahead.
Have you? Thinking up new usernames must be truly brain burning.
Those are good questions but there are others
For example what was the procurement process?
Probably none as it was meant to be a cheapie. He was probably recommended by his friends in the Dept. of Education or wherever. The usual, “it’s who you know” probably.
If it’s over 25000 I believe it should be in the public record. Can you go off and do some actual research instead of spouting off partisan speculative bs please?
You used the words ‘I believe’
Maybe go do your own research then? You asked the original question about procurement – and now suddenly you’re an expert. G’way outta dat.
Sounds like some commenters such as Cian below actually have some knowledge of the subject under discussion, but the rest of you are just making random pig noises
Sounds like you need a cuddle.
From the .ca website.
“IATA is a software package for analysing psychometric and educational assessment data. It performs factor analysis, item response theory (IRT) scaling and calibration, differential item functioning (DIF) analysis, computer aided test development, equating, IRT-based standard setting, score conditioning, and plausible value generation. IATA is provided free by Fernando Cartwright and was developed with a great deal of support from many people, with special thanks to Vincent Greaney.”
Free software?
Looks like someone in department skipped public procurement rules and ended up with a clusterfeck
The official procurement process is a complete pain. it is very time-consuming, inefficient, and definitely isn’t about saving money. The procurement doesn’t’ guarantee quality.
There are exceptions to procurement rules – it is very possible they by-passed it completely.
Maybe he was already an approved supplier
And the full tender wasn’t required
Just saying
Yes as Cian says that process doesn’t always guarantee a good outcome in fact very often the total opposite, however it will be interesting to determine what the process was here
I used to work for a semi state and my then boss had a saying- you go out looking for a racehorse and by the time you get through procurement, you come back with a donkey.
That’s generally because the people writing the specifications lack domain knowledge or expertise and are in the job only due to nepotism and bootlicking
No- it is because of the scoring system which needs to be very comprehensive as once it goes to tender it is very difficult to amend- if one thing is missed it can skew the whole results.
Cancelling the Leaving Cert so late in the day and opting for an unproven calculated grade system in haste was just asking for trouble.
And we’ve got it.
Given the close proximity of Trump to Biden at Tuesday night’s debate I’d suggest Joe and all his people will have to be tested too.
It’s hard to see anything happening in the presidential election for the next 10 days to two weeks at least and certainly not a second debate.
And considering the number of people at the heart of the political establishment Trump has been in close contact with – Supreme Court nominee Barrett, Senate Leader McConnell, Chief of Staff Meadows – these will be worrying times for America.
It won’t bother me in the slightest which of them has it.
I think I will be happy to see them all laid low for a good while and actual competent people take charge
PS what time is Gin O’Clock today?
I might join in a libation
OOooh, Internet tumbleweed…….From Charger, no less, burn.
Sometimes you feel like a motherless child?
I woke up today in a stout frame of mind so I shall give the Mother’s Ruin a swerve today and horse into some pintage down the local later with some of the ruddy-cheeked, horny-handed sons of the soil who I count amongst my good Irish chums.
I’d say the chat about Trump getting C-19 will last about 10 seconds and they’ll move on quickly to Melania who has quite a fan club.
I’ve no doubt the air will turn blue if there are no gals present which they’re generally aren’t for the early swill as most are at home getting vittles ready for our return.
I know Mrs Salmons has plans for a night out with her girlie chums.
Marvellous.
I called into Brother’s local the other day.
He got a bit upset when I said the woolly hat didn’t suit him.
https://twitter.com/BurnsideNotTosh/status/1311768434099785732
are you going to hire in a special from Escort Ireland then old chap, or is it just too flaccid by now after the influx of merriment?
Rishi Sunak?
Sure he’s practically Irish…..
I’ll get me coat….
Major Dublin restaurant group threatens State with legal action over Covid-19 restrictions
Press Up says there is ‘no empirical, objective and verifiable evidence’ to support closures
The group has said that if the restrictions are extended, it “will be left with no alternative; but to issue proceedings in respect of the laws bearing on operation of their premises as a last resort”
The group also claims Mr Donnelly has “unlawfully delegated or otherwise abdicated responsibility to third parties in particular members of the National Public Health Emergency Team”.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/major-dublin-restaurant-group-threatens-state-with-legal-action-over-covid-19-restrictions-1.4369700
Now this really is interesting- Pres Up are going to force the government to justify their actions in a court of law. Of course the empirical evidence does not prove the efficacy of lock downs-, quite the opposite- and will have the added benefit of forcing MSM to cover the topic in-depth
While it will be interesting to see what happens, the government just won against Ryanair:
“The High Court has ruled that the Government’s advice against non-essential travel to most countries due to the risk of Covid-19 infection is legal.”
https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2020/1002/1168920-travel/
This is quite different- Press Up says there is ‘no empirical, objective and verifiable evidence’ to support closures so it will be up to the government to prove otherwise- AT THIS STAGE.
Should be interesting alright. In the era of Covid-19, empirical evidence has time and again been relegated to the sidelines whereas theoretical modelling often seems to be the driving force behind government policy despite its poor track record to date.