Author Archives: Bodger

This morning.

There was nothing to inhale.

In Cork.

In the 1970s.

Not a nodge.

President of Greece Prokopios Pavlopoulos and Vlassia Pavlopoulou with President Michael D Higgins and Sabina Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin

Yesterday

Minister of State Finian McGrath represented the Government during the State visit of the President of Greece to Áras an Uachtaráin as all senior Ministers were unavailable.

Jack Power, in The Irish Times, reports:

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was due to meet Mr Pavlopoulos at Government Buildings on Thursday afternoon, but the meeting was cancelled earlier that morning, with Mr Varadkar attending events on the Fine Gael campaign trail instead.

…Mr McGrath is the only TD who sits at Cabinet who is not standing in the upcoming general election.

One senior Áras source said there was a sense of disappointment that the Government had not sent a senior Minister to attend the welcome ceremony.

‘Sense of disappointment’: Varadkar cancels meeting with Greek president (Jack Power, The Irish Times)

Pics: Irish Foreign Ministry

This morning.

Ferg writes:

Punching height…

Meanwhile...

‘sup?

Last night.

Con Kennedy tweetz:

Hey Emer Currie, this visual eyesore poses a danger to pedestrians & motorists. It’s too low & blocks the view of traffic. Remove it now. This is 200m from a school & crossing. RSA Ireland
specifically warned about creating this danger. Shih Tzu placed for scale.

Meanwhile…

UPDATE

In fairness.






4km per hour.

No one’s getting fed tonight.

EARLIER:


This evening.

Farmers leave Dublin city to begin a slow tractor protest down the M50.

It’s their country.

We’re just kipping in the barn.

Earlier: Be Grand

Farmers plan slow tractor protest on M50 (RTÉ)

Rollingnews

On BBC2’s Trust Me I’m A Doctor.

The Institute of Cannabis and Cannabinoids at the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague, Czech Republic conducted tests on popular CBDs, including Celtic Wind Crops, the largest selling CBD product in Ireland.

(@2.38):

‘A third product, Celtic Wind CBD Multi-Complex Hemp Oil Concentrate, claimed on the bottle to contain 500 milligrams of CBD.

The results for the particular sample we tested showed barely detectable amounts – 0.00075%.’

Celtic Wind Crops responded:

“CBD oil testing is extremely complex and there is currently no laboratory in the world that has the relevant accreditation.

We are currently going through this process with the independent laboratory that we use in Ireland, which will be the first in the world to receive this license.

So, at present we do not feel that the University of Prague is licensed to carry out a comprehensive test of CBD oil products.”

What’s really in cannabis-based health products? (BBC)

Thanks Louis

UPDATE:

‘In response to the BBC 2’s ‘Trust Me I’m a Doctor’ programme which included an investigation into CBD products by Dr Javid Abdelmoneim on Wednesday 15 January 2020. We note that the reference regarding the CBD content of our product in this programme is based on research conducted by Professor Jana Hajslova and her team at the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague in the Czech Republic.

As stated in the BBC programme ‘a key issue is the lack of internationally recognised, standardised laboratory tests’. Interestingly,

in the research study Celtic Wind’s CBD Multi-Complex Hemp Oil was the only one of 12 products tested that was a totally natural, cold-pressed product.

It is precisely for this reason it cannot be tested in the same way as other products that are made using Co2 extraction or isolate. It’s like comparing ‘apples and oranges’, the composition and profile of the respective product types are completely different.

Simply put, the methodology required is quite different. According to John Gough, Head Chemist at JHG Analytical Services, says “The method of analysis needs to be correct for the sample being tested. In the case of a whole-plant oil it needs a very specific analysis, much the same as olive oil.It cannot simply be tested in the same way as an extract or isolate product.”

We don’t just test once. We test twice. First with JHG Analytical Services in Ireland and then we corroborate our results with another leading laboratory in the field, DB Labs in the US.

Again, using the correct testing methodology of analysis for a cold-pressed CBD oil. It is worth noting that both labs work to an internationally recognised IS0 17025, the gold standard for testing CBD in the US and increasingly in Europe.

We are currently in conversation with the BBC regarding the inappropriate testing methodologies used and will continue to champion the cause for more robust testing. Our commitment to producing a quality product with significant CBD levels is unrivalled.

With over 10 years’ experience of growing and cultivating hemp CBD here in Ireland, we have developed a unique quality-assurance management system that allows us to control the integrity of our raw material.

To this end, we believe much more research and development needs to be done in this emerging and fledgling industry. As one of the market leaders in this category, we will continue to champion for more appropriate testing.’

Press statement from Celtic Wind, January 18, 2020

This morning.

Middle pic from left: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister for Business and Enterprise Heather Humphreys, Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe speaking to the media in Dublin on day two of campaigning for the general election 2020.

Fine Gael in 200,000 jobs pledge at economic plan launch (RTÉ)

Sam Boal/Rollingnews

Meanwhile…


This morning.

Fianna Fáil’s Finance Spokesperson Michael McGrath and Brexit Spokesperson Lisa Chambers at the party’s election headquarters for a press briefing on the economy and Brexit on day two of the general election 2020.

Fianna Fail pledges to ‘do a better job’ with public finances (Belfast Telegraph)

Leah Farrell/RollingNews

O’Connell Street, Dublin 1 (1920s)

Rob Cross writes:

My colourised and restored 1920s photo of the General Post Office featuring Dublin United Tramways Co. trams which had 137 trams running routes which totalled over 32 miles….

The Luas currently has 73 trams in service.

Fight!

Original photo : National Library of ireland

.

 

This afternoon.

Independent TD Maureen O’Sullivan announced that she will not be seeking to retain her Dáil seat in the election.

She said:

“After much thinking and talking, I have decided not to stand in this election. It was a difficult decision to make especially after what’s been a very considerable and unprecedented legacy of almost 40 years of an Independent seat in Dublin Central – held by the late Tony Gregory for 27 years and by me for over 10 and a half years.

I’ve worked hard in those years and in a respectful way to raise constituency issues, especially for the north inner city, and also raise national and international issues.

Those issues ranged over addiction, mental health, disability, community empowerment, housing, youth – services and education – great to see History restored for Junior Cert. I worked with New Communities, with prisoners, with group Justice for the Forgotten those affected by the Dublin/Monaghan bombings.

I worked in relation to Moore Street, the Magdalen Laundries, Ireland’s neutrality.

While progress is being made on animal welfare, it’s disappointing that cruelty continues but I do believe we will soon see an end to live hare coursing.

I’m sorry not to be here to complete my Sex Offenders’ Bill which would have made it difficult for those convicted of child sexual abuse in Ireland from being able to abuse children in countries where there is a sex trade involving children.

And I’m also sorry not being able to progress my planned legislation on Business and Human Rights due diligence.

I’ve been persistent on tax justice, especially corporate tax, persistent on Human Rights for those in the Developing World – communities, indigenous peoples who risk their lives campaigning for justice, accountability and in exposing corruption.

I’ve supported our Development Aid, poverty focused and untied.

Being part of Independents 4 Change group has been very positive – we co-operated, collaborated also disagreed and voted differently from each other sometimes – real independence. I wish them well.

Everything I’ve said and done has been through a commitment to Social Justice, Equality and Fairness.

Finally, I want to thank you to those who voted for me, followed me on Facebook and Twitter.

I want to thank all the Oireachtas staff and very especially my own staff.

Then a massive thank you to the canvassers and friends for their support, commitment, energy, enthusiasm, good humour and not only at election times – I think we can be proud of our contribution.

It has been an honour to serve Dublin Central and to have extended the Independent seat after Tony’s death.”

Maureen O’Sullivan