Behold: the very first images of the sun taken by the new Inouye Solar Telescope at the 3050m summit of Haleakalā in Hawaii. Three times more detailed than any previous image of the sun, each of the cells you see is around the size of Texas.

It’s hot work, ogling that fiery ball:

Focusing 13 kilowatts of solar power generates enormous amounts of heat — heat that must be contained or removed. A specialized cooling system provides crucial heat protection for the telescope and its optics. More than seven miles of piping distribute coolant throughout the observatory, partially chilled by ice created on site during the night.

kottke

The now-closed Natural Bakery outlet in Ranelagh; Fine Gael Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy with volunteers in Ranelagh, Dublin 6 this morning

Today.

The latest edition of The Phoenix magazine reports that on the day the general election was announced, January 14, the Natural Bakery outlet in Ranelagh was closed.

The next day the former bakery became a campaign office for Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy.

The magazine reports:

According to Dublin City Council’s planning office, there is no record of any application for a change of use or the erection of large election signs.

Now, after various Ranelagh residents raised objections, the Planning Office’s enforcement squads are on the case.

Murphy may now have to make a belated planning application for retention of his pop-up office, although it is likely to shut its doors sometime in mid-February when the DBS ballot papers have been counted…..

Murphy’s Law runs in Ranelagh (The Phoenix Magazine)

Pic via Eoghan Murphy and The Phoenix

From top: Irish and UK passports; Adrian O’Neil, Irish Ambassador to the UK

Living in Britain?

Read on.

Bernard Purcell, London-based editor of The Irish World, writes:

This Friday at 11pm local time the UK will formally leave the EU. The next 12 months will be a transition period during which time EU law and regulations will still be in force here.

So too, will current rights enjoyed as EU citizens, such as free movement.

Ireland’s Ambassador to the UK Adrian O’Neill and the Embassy of Ireland have this week issued updated information on just what the transition period, and the days that follow, will mean for Irish citizens here in the UK and British citizens in Ireland.

In short, they say, the Common Travel Area means that Irish citizens living in the UK (and vice versa) will continue to be able to travel freely, live, work and access education and social services as before.

The Irish World asked Adrian O’Neill (Ireland’s Ambassador to the UK) to further clarify…

Will I still be able to travel freely between the UK and Ireland after Brexit?

“Yes. Irish citizens can continue to travel freely between the UK and Ireland in the same manner as before. Don’t forget your passport (or other valid I.D. depending on how you are travelling)! And if your passport is out of date, the fastest way to renew it is online.”

Can I still study in the UK?

“Yes, Irish citizens can still study in the UK on the same basis as British citizens.”

What does the CTA mean for further and higher education fees for Irish citizens studying in the UK?

“Your fees will be set at the EU level for 2019/ 2020 academic year, and will continue on that basis for the duration of the programme for which you have registered. The CTA means Ireland and the UK will take steps to ensure Irish and British citizens can continue to access further and higher education on the same fee basis into the future, including after Brexit.”

Can I still rent a place to live or access social housing supports in the UK as an Irish citizen?

“Yes, you can still rent a place to live and you continue to have a right to access social housing supports, including supported housing and homeless assistance, on the same basis as British citizens.”

Can I still vote in the UK as an Irish citizen?

“Yes, Irish citizens resident in the United Kingdom, and British citizens resident in Ireland, have the right to vote in local and national parliamentary elections. The right to vote at local and national parliamentary elections will remain subject to Irish and British citizens having reached the established voting age and having registered on the electoral roll in their respective jurisdictions.”

What social welfare entitlements will I continue to have under the CTA?

“Irish citizens and British citizens in each other’s State have the right to access social security benefits on the same basis as citizens of that State. This includes arrangements for Social Insurance schemes, Social Assistance schemes and Child Benefit.”

What about healthcare?

“The CTA also applies to healthcare so Irish citizens in Britain can continue to access healthcare as they do now, on the same basis as British citizens.”

Can I use my Irish driving license in the UK?

“Yes. The UK Government’s stated position is that, post Brexit, arrangements for EU licence holders who are visiting or living in the UK would not change. Visitors to the UK, with driving licences from EU Member States, will enjoy the same arrangements as today.”

What about if I’m travelling to Ireland on a UK driving licence?

“Visitors to Ireland with a UK driving licence will still be able to drive in Ireland on holidays.”

And can I bring my UK registered car?

“Yes, if you are travelling in 2020. It is possible there may be changes in 2021 after the end of the transition period.”

Yesterday: Ode To Joy

The Irish World

Pics: PA/ Irish Embassy London

It’s there if you look…

Rob Reeves writes:

As we are fast approaching Valentine’s Day, I went out into Dublin’s fair city determined to find love. Whether I was successful or not, you can decide for yourself.

But I did find a pensioner with a boyfriend 40 years her junior, a mother trying to set me up with her daughter and, for a second there, I even thought I found a young lady doing a Masters in ‘erection studies’. Tis a wonderful world…

Rob Reeves Films

Minister for Children Katherine Zappone

Twenty days ago, the Early Years Alliance announced its plans to hold a protest on Wednesday, February 5.

Thousands of providers are reportedly expected to take part.

However, Minister for Children Katherine Zappone on Tuesday released a circular telling providers that those who close their service in order to attend the protest will lose payments.

They’ve also been told that they cannot change their working calendar – to allow for the creches to close next Wednesday.

This morning. Paula Donohoe, of Clever Clogs Childcare in Ballyconnell, County Cavan, spoke to Seán O’Rourke on RTÉ Radio One.

Asked about the circular from Ms Zappone’s department and if she will still attend the protest in light of it, Paula said:

“Yes, in fact, the circular, as of Tuesday, has probably made me even more resolute…this is the reason, the very reason we are going out on this protest is the behaviour of the department, and the minister and her department that led to Tuesday’s action.

“What Tuesday, the announcement on Tuesday was that they will not fund the services. Now I get that, if you’re not working, you don’t get paid.

“But we have always been entitled and able to, under our contractual arrangements with the department, to change our calendar.

“As long as we run it by [inaudible] on behalf of the department, which is the county childcare committee. I have had to do this in the past. There has never been a problem. I’ve changed my calendar and I’ve never had to to give a reason as to why I had to change my calendar.

“I’ve changed my calendar, had it approved and re-issued a new calendar.

“The circular on Tuesday, or the announcement on Tuesday by the minister, was that we are no longer allowed to actually change our calendars.

“My intention always was to close next Wednesday, the 5th of February but to provide the parents and children of my service…an alternative day so the children to not lose out.”

Mr O’Rourke asked Ms Donohoe if her 25 childcare workers will now lose a day’s pay because of the closure in order to attend the protest. She said:

“Absolutely not. I’m fighting on behalf of my staff for a very long time, for very low waged professionals. So, in my case, I can verify that they will get their wages.

“Whether I get my Government funding or not, those girls will get their wages. There is absolutely no way I will punish them.”

Good times.

Department of Children and Youth Affairs FAQs on the proposed Early Years protest 5 February 2020 (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)

Listen back in full here

Crèches closing for protest rally to be docked State funds (Independent.ie)

Previously: How Much?

Fontaines D.C. write:

We are raising money to help those in need that are affected by the horrific Australian bush fires.

We are giving away a signed test press of our debut album Dogrel, there was only 3 of these made. To enter we are asking for a £5 donation via the link below.

The competition is open to all ages and to anyone around the world. You can enter as many times as you like and 100% of the profits go to The Australian Red Cross.

Click to enter/donate here

Meanwhile…

Aileen Mythen writes:

Would any local Wexford businesses be interested in sponsoring or giving away a prize for a raffle during this event (above) this coming Friday? It is in aid of the Australian Bushfires. We expect it to be a sell out gig and would be happy to advertise your company on the night. Pm if interested [at link below]…

Aileen Mythen

Yesterday evening (5.30pm).

Senator Catherine Noone’s campaign headquarters in Sutton, Dublin 13.

Last Friday, Ms Noone described Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as “autistic” while she was being questioned by Times Ireland journalist Brian Mahon about his performance on the Virgin Media One head-to-head debate with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin.

Via Christian Morris

Meanwhile…

Last night.

Fiach Kelly, in The Irish Times, reported that Fine Gael had decided to “pause”  the constituency voting tactic between Minister for Communications Richard Bruton and Ms Noone, who is his running mate.

However, Mr Bruton, on Virgin Media One’s The Tonight Show subsequently said this was not the case.

(Mick Caul is a campaign volunteer for the Social Democrats)

Mr Kelly then reported that Fine Gael did a U-turn….

…with Mr Bruton even claiming suggestions of a pause in the divide were a “fabrication”. Sources afterwards said the publication of an Irish Times report had caused internal controversy and prompted the U-turn.

The earlier decision came after a series of meetings between Ms Noone and senior party figures, such as Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe who is Fine Gael’s director of elections, and Tom Curran, the general secretary.

Ms Noone is understood to have asked she be given the opportunity to explain herself in a broadcast media interview.

It is understood Mr Donohoe and Mr Curran decided against putting Ms Noone out on the national airwaves.

Fine Gael performs U-turn on Catherine Noone’s voting pact (Fiach Kelly, The Irish Times)

Previously: Not Literally [Updated]

Top pic: Padraig O’Reilly

Last night.

Labour leader Brendan Howlin told RTÉ’s Bryan Dobson that Labour would not go into Government with Sinn Féin.

It followed reports that he said he would be “happy to sit down” with Sinn Féin and discuss working in government as part of an alliance of left-wing parties on Monday night.

Mr Howlin and Mr Dobson had this exchange:

Brendan Howlin: “From the Labour Party’s perspective, I’ve made it clear, we’ve real difficulties with Sinn Féin. Fundamental issues of trust and governments can’t be formed unless you have trust.

“So I was asked would we sit down with ehh…”

Bryan Dobson: “So what’s the answer to the question. Will you go into Government with Sinn Féin or not?”

Howlin: “I, I…I would not see the Labour Party being involved in any arrangement with Sinn Féin but if people want to, if they want to talk to us after the election, I said that we’d sit down, as a sort of a trade union official, and talk to everyone.”

Dobson: “But to no purpose, because you wouldn’t go into Government with them?”

Howlin: “Well it depends, I think…”

Dobson: “I mean, are you trying to have it both ways?”

Howlin: “No, no, no…absolutely not.”

Dobson: “Sounds like you are.”

Howlin: “Well there you are. I think that it’s very clear. I’ve made it crystal clear right now.”

Dobson: “I’m still not clear: would you go into Government with them or not?”

Howlin: “I said, from the Labour Party’s perspective, I would not. I don’t see any situation where that would arise.”

Right so.

Previously: How Was It For You?

Meanwhile…

Um.

From top: Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin (left) and Fine Gael leader, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, at the seven way RTÉ leaders’ debate at the National University of Ireland Galway campus last Monday; Dan Boyle

One of the more curious aspects of the number of candidates contesting the general election is the relatively few who are contesting on behalf of Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael.

Fianna Fáil are running an additional thirteen candidates but that is from the historically low figure of 71 in 2016. Fine Gael is running seven fewer candidates this time, although that is still much higher than its historic low of 51 candidates way back in 1944.

If either succeeded in having all their candidates selected, a bare majority Dáil would be achieved. Between them FF and FG are running 164 candidates nearly 100 down the historic collective high of 264 in 1981.

Traditionally the overwhelming majority of candidates in any general election would have been either FF or FG. This hasn’t been the case during the last number of elections, as the electorate has been offered a more varied choice.

Only at two general elections has a third Irish political party offered enough candidates to seek to to be able to govern in their own right.

In 1948 Clann na Poblachta ran 94 candidates winning ten seats. In 1969 the Labour Party, wanting the Seventies to be socialist, stood 99 candidates winning eighteen seats.

It may be the case that by the time of the next General Election, no Irish political party will be presenting enough candidates to be a single majority government.

Perhaps this has been inevitable. A single party majority government hasn’t been elected in Ireland since 1977. A stand alone single party government, without a majority, hasn’t been  brought into being since 1987.

Despite this our traditional political parties have not changed their culture all that much, still intent on practicing a winner takes all approach.

For this we can be thankful we have a voting system that is far fairer than those found in the UK or the US. The more political choice that exists the more fair our voting system becomes.

The likelihood is that future Irish governments will be made up of three, four or more parties – making government formation more and more difficult.

Of course this might be all be stymied if a grand coalition were to be agreed between FF and FG, or even if the long awaited merger between the two were ever to come about.

This remains unlikely.

While in terms of principles, such as they are, and certainly in terms of policies there is nothing that distinguishes one party from another. They also know that the only reason they are not one party is that neither could not exist without the separate existence of the other.

They also know that if they ever were to join together that the sum of them together will be less than the value of them apart. The union would also be subject to diminishing returns, at a far quicker pace than their duopoly has been.

So, somewhat pathetically, both parties will avoid any coming together on the grounds that neither wants to become just another ‘ordinary’ party.

Our future political maturity depends on this coyness being overcome.

In the meantime it is also unlikely to be matched by a coming together of the centre left any time soon. The insistence of not being able to match the moral purity of each other, means that the over contested progressive vanguard will remain weak.

There stands the moribund dynamic of Irish politics. A receding uncertain centre right there to be overtaken by a non assertive progressive left that continues to argue about whether or not it wants to be government.

We deserve better.

Dan Boyle is a former Green Party TD and Senator and serves as a Green Party councillor on Cork City Council. His column appears here every Thursday. Follow Dan on Twitter: @sendboyle

Top pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Behold: the Alpine A110 SportX Coupe – the newest quasi-iteration of the car the won the World Rally Championship in 1973.

This supposed La Plagne-bothering special edition is essentially a wider, higher version of the A110 Pure with raised suspension and a ski rack. But Alpine is just showing off here. There are no plans as yet to put it into production.

uncrate

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