Author Archives: Bodger

This morning.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has described concerns over the ownership of the site of new National Maternity Hospital as “a red herring”.

Via RTÉ News:

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mr Martin said the co-location idea with St Vincent’s University Hospital was something that was developed nearly 20 years ago by expertise saying that maternity hospitals and neo-natal care units in the future should be co-located with major tertiary hospitals.

Asked about concerns expressed over ownership structures and full services being offered, the Taoiseach said these have been “comprehensively addressed“.

Meanwhile…

Mr Martin said two clauses in the constitution of the new hospital oblige the directors to carry out all legal services permissible within the State.

He added: “…also the Minster [for Health] can direct them to so do and they must comply, and then you look at the operating license which the Health Service Executive will be giving to this hospital, which again will be obliging the hospital to carry out all legal services permissible in the State“.

He said the ownership of the hospital is clear and the Government will be pressing ahead with it.

NMH ownership concerns ‘a red herring’ – Martin (RTE)

RollingNews

Meanwhile…

June 23, 1985.

Dermot Morgan having a can of Harp with Dennis Waterman following a charity soccer match at the Old Belvedere Rugby Club.

Waterman, best known for his role as the bodyguard Terry McCann in ITV’s Minder, has died aged 74.

Dennis Waterman: a streetwise natural in three great British TV series (The Guardian)

Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews

Meanwhile…

UUP Leader Doug Beattie

This afternoon.

Earlier: Thank You very Much, Mr Eastwood

Previously: Soon We’ll Be Shipbuilding

Getty

Who?

Dublin born, New York-based photographer Rich Gilligan.

He’s hipper than your da’s new hips.

This afternoon.

Lily Finlay, at the Hen’s Teeth gallery and studio, writes:

We’re delighted to announce our new exhibition ‘Driftwood Editions’ by Rich Gilligan, a photography exhibition of a selection of images from Rich’s new book, All Sorts of Impossible Things. The exhibition launches at 6pm on Thursday the 12th of May and runs until 15th of May.

In addition to the exhibition we will be hosting a talk with Rich in Hen’s Teeth store at 2pm on the 14th of May.

This is the first exhibition to take place in our new space, Hen’s Teeth Studio, on Mills Street, Dublin 8, our new fine art printing and exhibition space.

Name those jammers, anyone?

Hen’s Teeth

This afternoon.

Mariupol, Ukraine.

Via NBC:

Civilian evacuations from the Azovstal steel plant and surrounding areas in the Russia-occupied city of Mariupol continued Thursday night into Friday, with U.N. Secretary General António Guterres announcing the safe passage of almost 500 people.

Russia has continued to strike the massive steel plant, where civilians and a group of soldiers have been barricaded since mid-April. Ukraine said Wednesday it lost contact with the troops amid heavy fighting.

“Russia continues its offensive in eastern Ukraine, where local officials have said civilian centers are still the target of strikes. U.S. and EU support continues to enter the country, and intelligence sharing continues to be a focus after NBC News reported Thursday that information shared by the U.S. helped Ukraine to sink the Russian cruiser Moskva.

Russia-Ukraine war live updates: Azovstal evacuations continue, U.S. intel aided attack on Russian ship (NBC)

Earlier: An Irishman Walks Into A Bar

From top: Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien; Social Democrat TD Cian O’Callaghan

Pluto?

Saturn?

Coruscant?

This morning.

Via Independent.ie:

Developers will be paid up to €120,000 per apartment by the State to fund the shortfall between spiralling building costs and current market prices.

The €500m fund is aimed at unblocking stalled developments and will see 5,000 apartments built between 2024 and 2026.

The move comes amid concern builders are not developing certain sites in cities due to the cost of construction.

Developers will have to apply to have their developments included in the fund and will receive a subsidy of up to €120,000 per apartment.

Taxpayers to fund new €120,000-per-apartment subsidy benefiting developers (Independent.ie)

Meanwhile…

… Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan said:

“It is bizarre and extraordinary that Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien intends gifting developers up to €120,000 per apartment – without securing any apparent benefit for the Exchequer.

“The State is bailing out developers, but they will still be seeking full market value when the apartments are sold. On what planet does this make any sense?

“If developers are in financial trouble and unable to complete developments, why doesn’t the State take over those developments and ensure the supply of social, affordable and cost-rental homes is increased.

“Instead, the Housing Minister will pay developers huge sums to complete these projects – without any reduction in the sale price being agreed. You couldn’t make this up.

“This government’s housing policies are replete with sweetheart deals for developers and this is yet another egregious example. Why is the ambition of this government, when it comes to housing, so pathetically weak? Why are they so eager to prop up developers and so loathe to take any radical action to support ordinary workers and families desperately seeking a home?”

Anyone?

RollingNews

This morning/afternoon.

Northern Ireland.

Pause.

FIGHT!

Sinn Fein Eyes Historic Election Win {Reuters)

The Waterford Museum of Time

Stop that.

Free May 20 and 22?

Like horology?

The first Waterford International Festival of Time.

Anne Power writes:

The crème de la crème of international watchmakers have set their travel plans for Waterford for the inaugural ‘Waterford International Festival of Time’ this May 20th to 22nd.

16 of the world’s most famous horologists have now been confirmed for the festival weekend. They will be showcasing their masterpieces of time, design and engineering at the Waterford Treasures Museums in the City.

Reading like a “Who’s Who” of the contemporary watch and clock making, festival goers will have the opportunity to view, for the very first time in Ireland, masterpieces, which have defined the careers of these celebrated, award-winning and even Guinness World Record holding creators.

The visiting watchmakers include three Irish makers brothers John and Stephen McGonigle and also Bryan Leech. Vianney Halter of France, Andreas Strehler, Marc Jenni and Thomas Prescher of Swtitzerland; Sebastian Naeschke of Germany, Patrik Sjögren of Sweden, Philippe Narbel of Switzerland, Christian Lass of Denmark, Bastien Vuillomenet of Switzerland, Rune Bakkendorff of Denmark, Giles Ellis from the UK and Paul Gerber of Switzerland. Plus Bernhard Lederer who is one of the original members of the elite and most respected watchmaking bodies, the invitation only AHCI (Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants), or Academy of Independent Watchmakers.

Waterford Museum of Time

This afternoon.

Dublin Airport.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris (pic 4 left) officially opening Dublin Airport Garda Station.

Situated in Transaer House, the station, which cost ­€3.6million, is operational 24 hours with an Inspector, four Sergeants, 34 Gardaí and a Detective Unit of one Detective Sergeant and eight Detective Gardaí.

It is the first garda station in the country to contain American-style ‘detention pens’ that can each hold 15 people ­sitting.

Any excuse.

Leah Farrell/RollingNews