Category Archives: Misc

From top: Data Protection Commission HQ; Then Fine Gael Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe launching the Public Service Card in 2016

This morning.

A Department of Social Protection appeal against an Enforcement Notice issued by the Data Protection Commission (DPC) in relation to the Department’s processing of personal data when issuing Public Services Cards (PSC) has been resolved.

Via the Data Protection Commission:

The Data Protection Commission welcomes the resolution of the proceedings.

In particular, it welcomes the fact that significantly enhanced levels of information are now being provided to citizens to explain (amongst other things) what personal data is processed when an individual applies for a PSC, how it is processed, and to what end, with further enhancements to follow on the basis of additional engagement between the parties.

The DPC also welcomes the Department’s acknowledgment that, in the absence of legislation making specific provision for this, other public sector bodies cannot compel any individual to acquire a PSC as a precondition to the provision of access to public services.

To that end, at least one other option must now be provided in any case where an individual is required to verify their identity before accessing public services.

Significant adjustments are also to be made to the Department’s approach to the retention of applicants’ personal information, it being recognised that a system founded on the blanket and indefinite retention of all of the information contained in documents submitted in support of a PSC application does not strike an appropriate balance between an applicant’s rights under data protection law, and such other interests as the Department seeks to protect. The DPC looks forward to engaging with the Department in relation to the development and implementation of its new systems.

The DPC also looks forward to the Department’s continued cooperation with its ongoing (and separate) inquiry into the Department’s use of biometric facial templates in the application of its facial matching software which is used for the purposes of the SAFE 2 registration process when a person applies for a PSC.

DPC welcomes resolution of proceedings relating to the Public Services Card (DPC)

RollingNews

Thanks Bebe

Meanwhile…

This morning.

The mysterious White Lady Christmas decorations are BACK!

Finally.

Fergus O’Neill writes:

The mysterious ‘Lady on the Rock’ is a mysterious mystery that has beguiled Dubliners for centuries. Some say she protects your windows from the bad juju. Others insist she is made from solid cocaine* and if you touch her on the way out the door and cross yourself 3 times a protective shield of invincibility will enshroud you. She may even protect you from evil spells & new variants**

Cast in fine plaster. The lady comes with a red ribbon to hang her from your tree or why don’t you just place the mini white lady on top of your computer. Ideal for Windows. Get yours now while STOCKS LAST!

White Lady Christmas Decoration (GrandGrand)

Irish-made stocking fillers to broadsheet@broadsheet.ie marked ‘Irish-Made Stocking Fillers’. No fee.

* not made from cocaine.
** protection from spells (evil & benevolent) wanes immediately after purchase.

Peter Stringer (centre) during Ireland’s Six Nations rugby campaign in 2000

On the series finale of Angela Scanlon’s Ask Me Anything…

…Rayna Connery writes:

Rugby legend Peter Stringer tells Angela how he was bullied about his height as a kid and refused to take growth hormones; how he eats lots of fibre to “stay regular” and his awkward encounter with Lady Gaga and his wife.

Food writer and cook Donal Skehan lifts the lid on dying his hair since he was 23; how he manged to offend the entire Italian population; his friendship with Brian Dowling since their Peter Pan panto days and his favourite Swedish chocolate Plopp.

Bafta-winning comedy writer Aisling Bea chats to Angela about Twitter’s reaction to her English accent in Home Sweet Home Alone; why women wonder about being held back and why men are paid more than them and if she was a superhero she’d be “Horse Woman”. Neigh!

Angela Scanlon’s Ask Me Anything on RTÉ One tomorrow at 10pm.

Pic: Six Nations Rugby

The unjabbed should not be entitled to a Pandemic Unemplyment Payment (PUP), says Professor Dermot Cox of the Royal College of Surgeons

This morning.

Via Irish Times:

While there may be short-term benefits in a compulsory vaccination for Sars-CoV-2, in the long-term it may undermine the other important vaccination programmes that we have.

People have a right to maintain the confidentiality of their health record and to refuse to receive any medication or treatment no matter how illogical the reason, but society also has a right/obligation to protect itself.

The classic example is smoking. People have a right to smoke but society has insisted that they cannot do it in work, restaurants, public transport etc. Furthermore, we require them to make a financial contribution to their future care in the form of a heavy tax on cigarettes.

Just as with smokers, society has the right to protect itself from infection with Sars-CoV-2 by isolating those who refuse to disclose their vaccine status.

Furthermore, they should not be entitled to the pandemic employment payment as they are not contributing to the fight against Covid-19.

People have a right to dine in a restaurant without being exposed to cigarette smoke or being infected with Sars-CoV-2.

Prof Dermot Cox
School of Pharmacy
and Biomolecular Sciences,
RCSI, Dublin.

Irish Times Letters

Um.

This morning.

Fred Murray writes:

TWO years ago you did a piece on my combover for cancer campaign and I’m still going strong – above is my progress. I’ve dedicated two years of my life (and love-life of course) to my Combover For Cancer Campaign.

On this 2 year milestone, if you have donated already, maybe you could share this post with someone you know who has been affected by cancer?

My pal, Fiona Cribben motivated me to take on this challenge, but sadly passed away at the start of my campaign. However, my friends and followers have kept me on track.

Thanks for keeping this baldy going!

Combover For Cancer (Go Fund Me)

Previously: Anyone Can Grow A Moustache

‘sup?

Declan O’Leary writes:

Honey settling down to watch Ice Age!

Meanwhile…

‘sup?

Lois McGrath writes:

Dexter the Irish whippet looking forward to his first Christmas.

Meanwhile…

‘sup?

Ronnie writes:

Our Kilkenny cat called Ziggy before and after his festive makeover…

My pet at Xmas to broadsheet@broadsheet.ie marked ‘My Pet At Xmas’.

This morning.

More as we get it.

This morning.

Via RTÉ News:

Passengers arriving from Britain are being advised by the Government to undertake daily antigen tests for five consecutive days, beginning on the day of arrival.

The Government issued this advice last night after it received an updated public health assessment of the Omicron variant.

The latest travel advice was announced late last night and is aimed at encouraging people to take a cautious approach to international travel in light of the transmission of the new variant

Passengers arriving from Britain advised to take daily antigen tests (RTE)

RollingNews

This morning.

Via Irish Times:

The state of the parties, when undecided voters and those unlikely to vote are excluded, is as follows: Sinn Féin 35 per cent (up three); Fine Gael 20 per cent (down two); Fianna Fáil 20 per cent (no change); Green Party 5 per cent (down two); Labour 4 per cent (no change); and Independents/others 15 per cent (up three). All of the above figures are rounded, which accounts for the total of 99 per cent.

Among the Independents and smaller parties, the results are as follows: Social Democrats 2 per cent (down one); Solidarity-People Before Profit 2 per cent (no change); Aontú 1 per cent (no change); and Independents 11 per cent (up one).

Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI opinion poll: Support for Sinn Féin reaches new record (Irish Times)