This morning.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has responded to to the publication last night of a report by the Secretary General at the Department of Foreign Affairs which found a “serious breach” of social distancing rules had occurred at a gathering to mark Ireland’s election to the UN Security Council (top).

The event inflicted reputational damage on the department and undermined internal morale, it stated.

….via RTE News:

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Mr Coveney told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that it was a moment of carelessness and celebration and lasted for about a minute.

But, he said that he can totally understand why people looking at the photograph would be annoyed.

He said he did not order an investigation or take action because he trusted his secretary general to deal with the matter…

Meanwhile…

Sinn Féin has demanded that Taoiseach Micheál Martin establish an independent investigation into the celebration at the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2020, because an internal review published last night had “no accountability”.

Breach of restrictions at DFA ‘should not have happened’ – Coveney (RTE)

Last night.

Dawson Street, Dublin 2.

Update:

Easy mistake.

Last night: This Is Disputed

Previously: Making Brigid Cross

In a heavily-edited report on ‘partygate’, senior civil servant Sue Gray (right) concluded there was a ‘failure of leadership’ by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson (left)

Some people are praising the way
The top civil servant Sue Gray
Gave an elegant chop
To those at the top
Though there wasn’t much she could say

John Moynes

CityAM

Broadsheet fact check: Mostly True.

Fight!

Happy St Brigid’s Day Eve, Christians.

Happy Brigit’s Day Eve, Pagans.

Happy February Eve, others.

Not you, Satanists.

Meanwhile…

Ah here.

This Justin.

But they came all this way to see you.

Earlier: Step In The Veh-icle

Getty

Meanwhile…

Cult?

*cough*

The Science Gallery at Trinity College Dublin is to close this week

“This weekend the doors will close on the final exhibition at Science Gallery Dublin as we currently know it.

‘However, that will not be the end of the gallery story.

‘Looking back, the gallery has been wonderful, but it has had problems in recent years. Unfortunately, in its present form, with its substantial and growing debt, it cannot overcome those problems. The current operational model has run its course.

‘The gallery needs to be totally reimagined and work very differently from the way it does now. Closing the gallery affords us the time to address the problems and build a new, exciting and sustainable way forward.

‘Colleagues and students across Trinity are eager to be involved, as are many of the long-time friends and supporters of the gallery. We can also count on widespread public support, as well as the wisdom and support of Science Gallery International.

‘Over the past months we have also had excellent engagement with multiple Government departments who have come together in a very collaborative manner and pledged support for our future ambitions.

“None of what I have said above takes from the fact that the gallery has been a source of delight and inspiration since it opened in 2008. We are proud to have inspired other cities around the world to adopt our vision to showcase research and ideas from science and technology in exciting new ways.

‘I would like to thank everyone who has worked in, contributed to and supported Science Gallery Dublin over the years.

‘Over the coming months, working with the Trinity Board and others, we will keep you updated on progress as we move into a new phase of planning.’

Trinity Provost Linda Doyle.

Meanwhile…

Anyone?

Science Gallery Dublin: Message from Provost (TCD)

RollingNews

Mask her!

Friday night.

The Late Late Show on RTÉ One.

KN writes:

She’ll never be invited back, but good on her!!

Fight!

Friday night: ‘Over, It’s Over, We Answered Ireland’s Call’

Top pic: Hamburg, 1936

Staying in this week?

Via RTE

All this week RTÉ’s Prime Time put the problem of a generation, unaffordable housing, in the spotlight. Housing is an urgent issue that affects everyone, every day. To reflect this, a digitally led project on rte.ie/prime time will host a week of in-depth analysis, data and video content from Monday morning, publishing every day at 7am, as well two dedicated live television programmes.

Meanwhile…

On Thursday, RTÉ Prime Time will also employ the use of augmented reality in studio as they look at home ownership presenting the facts and statistics and the changing demographics.

Can this end well?

Prime Time on Tuesday and Thursday on RTE One at 9.35pm.

RollingNews

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