8/12/2012. Unionists Flags Protests[File pic: Loyalist protesters burn a tricolour at Belfast City Hall in December 2012]

The flying of the Irish tricolour on government buildings has been ruled out by Richard Haass. The former US diplomat is heading a team attempting to resolve the issues of parades, flags and the past. It is understood his proposals include a licensing system for the flying of flags, a trauma centre and new bodies for dealing with parading and the past.

He appears to have ruled out the flying of the Irish tricolour on government buildings but backed designated days for flying the union flag. Dr Haass will meet the parties individually on Friday morning and there will be a round table session in the afternoon.

Haass proposals: Flying of Irish tricolour ruled out (Stephen Walker, BBC News NI)

Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland

dublinbikesdublin bikesSeán Molloy writes;

This afternoon, one day after the opening of the new Dublin bike ration at Fenian Street, [Dublin]. At first I thought these bikes had taking a kicking. But on second glance I’m not sure it wasn’t a hit and run by a vehicle (notice the piece of plastic resembling a piece of a bumper on the ground). Inconclusive. But a shame to see the new bikes smashed up. I’ve emailed the Dublin Bikes website…

temari-1 temari-9 temari-8 temari-7 temari-6 temari-5 temari-2

Temari balls, a traditional Chinese folk art introduced to Japan in the 7th century, are gifts given to children by grandparents on New Year’s Day. The temari are fabric-wrapped wads of silk whose surface is then embroidered from the threads of old kimonos.

The above pictures are from the Flickr feed of NanaAkua and feature tamari made by her 88 year-old grandmother, who learned the art in her 60s.

Granny has made over 500 to date and they’re all here.

colossal/DDNJapan

90324940

They were dealing.

In cancer pills.

“Documents recently come into my possession which I’m quite happy to discuss and share with the Minister for Health because they refer to money that was fraudulently taken from the Voluntary Health Insurance, of which he is the sole shareholder and of other private insurers”.

…“members of the staff of the hospital had been deliberately and fraudulently charging private health insurers in respect of cancer drugs which had been provided to that institution for free…”

“These documents which show conclusively that there was a cover-up conducted by the management and board of St Vincent’s hospital in respect of this.

“Substantial intimidation was brought to bear at the time that the whistle was blown on this 10 years ago but I believe in the light of new documents coming my way and in light of the increased scrutiny of the public affairs committee that it is now time for this matter to be further investigated.”

“I have long been troubled on many fronts by the way in which the board of my hospital in particular and other hospitals do their business.

“I would like to personally dissociate myself and any research organisations, that I have the privilege of running, from any connection with the St Vincent’s hospital group or St Vincent’s hospital foundation.”

Senator John Crown, a consultant at St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin in the Seanad today.

Cancer pills.

St Vincent’s Accused Of Cover Up Over Cancer Drug Sales (RTE)

St Vincent’s accused of fraud over cancer drug sales (Maire O’Halloran and Michael Regan, Irish Times)

 Earlier: Putting her In her Placement

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