Author Archives: Bodger

From top: Robert Watt and Dr Tony Holohan

This afternoon.

Via RTÉ news:

The Watt Report into the abandoned appointment of Dr Tony Holohan to a post at TCD says the Minister for Health was not informed of details or that it was even a secondment, RTÉ News has learned.

Robert Watt, Department Secretary General, has argued that it was his area of delegated responsibility under the law, so the minister did not need to be informed.

It says there are many secondments, perhaps 50/60 between the Department, HSE, other bodies and that it not an unusual thing and not a matter for the minister, but a staffing and personnel issue.

It indicates that the CMO may have initiated the contact with Trinity and it developed from there.

The report acknowledges that more information sooner would have been better, but that the appointment leaked and the department had to put out statements.

It says the funding had not been agreed fully at that stage, but it may have been done through the Health Research Board…

More as we get it.

Minister did not need to be informed of CMO secondment – Watt Report (RTE)

Rollingnews

Ouch.

Good times.

The Enchanted Lake (Sinead de Valera, Currach Books)

Good grief.

Earlier…

Last night/this morning.

Shanghai, China.

Via Al Jazeera:

Shanghai has eased a punishing citywide lockdown that it imposed to break a surge in cases that is the biggest test of China’s two-year strategy to stamp out the disease wherever it appears.

Authorities in Shanghai introduced the three-tier disease control system, allowing residents in areas where no cases have been reported for 14 days to leave their homes so long as they follow health protocols and remain in their sub-district.

Those living in areas where no cases have been confirmed for seven days are allowed to collect food deliveries or take a walk at a designated time and location.

Shanghai tweaks lockdown rules amid COVID-19 surge (Al Jazeera)

Meanwhile…

Um.

Getty

Meanwhile…

Hardcore.

Meanwhile…

Meanwhile…

Gulp.

Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien

This morning.

Via RTÉ News:

Housing Ministersaid that during a meeting with industry stakeholders yesterday, all options available to house refugees were discussed.

There has been a trawl of vacant buildings that are available, he said, adding that about 500 of these were identified by local authorities.

“It’s most efficient to use the existing stuff that we have there,” Mr O’Brien added.

There are emergency procurement procedures that will be used to “get the work done”, he said, but with some buildings it will take months to complete.

Government examines payment for use of holiday homes to house refugees (RTE)

RollingNews

Cards and stationery from ‘All Around The Sun’

In a constantly changing world.

Isn’t it time for some beautiful stationery?

All Around The Sun writes:

This new stationary business creates high quality sustainable handmade products right in the heart of Dublin. All Around the Sun are Anna O’Byrne, a fine artist and maker and graphic designer Brian Heffernan. The business` was started in their small house in Stoneybatter during lockdown 2020.

The name All Around the Sun refers to one whole year, all its celebrations and occasions which help us to connect, celebrate and support the people in our lives. The products are designed to elevate the everyday, and celebrate the journey through life.

We have a ‘Big Hugs Gift Bundle’ to give away to a Broadsheet reader, A selection of our best selling bold and colourful products carefully packaged.

All cards are blank to promote unconventional card sending. We would love to hear your unconventional card sending ideas.  Please complete this sentence:

‘I would love to send a card/gift to _____ to celebrate __________.’

Lines must close on Tuesday at 10am.

Please keep it clean.

All Around The Sun

This afternoon.

Tom Clarke Bridge, Dublin.

Earlier…

This morning.

Truck drivers taking part in a protest in Dublin this morning are blocking both ends of the Tom Clarke Bridge, commonly known as the East Link.

Via RTE News:

Promenade Road at the Port Tunnel is also blocked, as is the roundabout at the 3Arena and the entrance to Dublin Port.

Gardaí are advising commuters to plan for potential traffic disruption due to the protest, but the main roads leading into the city seem to be moving well, with most of the disruption currently around the docklands area.

The protest is being organised by a group which calls itself ‘The People of Ireland Against Fuel Prices’.

Traffic disruption expected as truck drivers protest in Dublin (RTE)

Update:

Leah Farrel/RollingNews

‘sup?

Happy National Pet Day to one and all.

Name that strand, anyone?

Your pet on National pet Day to broadsheet@broadsheet.ie marked ‘My Pet on National Pet Day’.