Yesterday.

Grand Canal, Dublin 2.

Harry Warren

The Grand Canal looks resplendent in Autumn colours, it immediately brings to mind Paddy Kavanagh’s poem ‘Lines Written on a Seat on the Grand Canal, Dublin‘…

This morning.

Earlier…

Minister for Children, Disabilty, Equality and Integration Roderic O’Gorman

Proposed amendments by the Minister to the Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records and another matter, Bill 2020

This morning.

Children’s minister Roderic O’Gorman has proposed two amendments to legislation which would seal all records of the Mother and baby Home Commission for 30 years.

Via The Irish Examiner:

The first amendment will provide for the commission to remain in existence beyond the submission of its final report to engage with the survivors, to confirm which of them want their story to be made public and those who request anonymity, in order for all those involved to be accommodated and without it delaying the submission of its final report on October 30.

The second would see a copy of the database and related records deposited with the minister as part of the archive so that the records of the commission would be held as a singular, complete archive.

This will maintain a single sealed archive, while still ensuring that the database and related records can transfer to Tusla and remain available for use in accordance with existing and future statute.

One TD, who has seen the amendments, said: “I have never gotten so many phone calls in my time as a TD as I have about this, and the public think you can open the whole thing and they won’t be able to do that. I don’t know that this will satisfy people. They do deal with some of the major issues, but I’m not sure they’ll quell discontent.”

Anger grows over sealing of mother and baby home records for 30 years (Irish Examiner)

Meanwhile….

In  fairness.

The bill will be debated in the Dáil tonight.

Previously: No Justification Has Been Given For Why This Material Needs To Be Sealed’

RollingNews

From top: Doctor Owen O Flynn discusses his experience with Covid-19 watched by Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health at a briefing last week; Senator Michael McDowell

This morning.

Independent Senator Michael McDowell in the Irish Times has called for public access to NPHET’s data, “raw or distilled” and its briefing or advice so its decisions can be “understood and evaluated”.

He writes:

If decisions are to be taken by the Government on the basis of Nphet data, modelling, projections and advice, is there any case for one comma of it to be kept secret? Is there any justification for according Nphet the function of sole State advocate or editor or interpreter of unseen data or propagator of secret proposals?

With Nphet allies being granted access to the airwaves to predict 20,000 or 30,000 deaths as has recently happened, surely we are entitled to know exactly what scenarios were painted by Nphet for the Government’s consideration – and in minute detail?

We know that some of their advice around nursing homes has been wrong in the past. Likewise, we know that they have flip-flopped dramatically on the safety and utility of mask-wearing.

Exactly what were the proportions of the projected crisis that they outlined to the Government which persuaded Ministers including the sceptical Leo Varadkar to “come on board” the Nphet agenda?

Senator McDowell added:

On September 3rd, RTÉ broadcast an item about an unfortunate young doctor who contracted Covid at the age of 23. The nation was informed in detail of the very serious effects and the dangers he encountered during his treatment.

A month later, the same young doctor was presented by Nphet at its daily press conference to repeat his sorry tale. That demonstrates that Nphet does not consider itself to be a purely advisory body to the Government, but also accords itself an advocacy role.

Michael McDowell: What exactly is the price of accepting this Nphet advice? (Irish Times)

Previously: Doogie O’Howser

RollingNews

This morning.

Direct Provision, a ‘temporary measure’ introduced in 2000 to process asylum seekers, may be replaced.

Via The Irish Times:

A “groundbreaking” accommodation scheme and asylum process forecast to cost millions less than the current direct provision system has been proposed to replace it by a Government expert group, The Irish Times has learned.

It’s understood the proposed model will cost €35.9 million less than what direct provision cost in 2019.

It proposes that first instance decisions on asylum applications be made within six months, as is required under the European Communities recast Reception Conditions Directive, which Ireland opted into in July 2018.

Under the new system, asylum seekers will spend up to three months in a State-owned reception centre where they undergo a vulnerability assessment, receive legal advice and begin their application for international protection.

Applicants will then be transferred to own-door accommodation which will be overseen by local authorities through a separate housing budget

Groundbreaking’ direct provision replacement forecast to save millions (irish Times)

Pic: Masi

This morning.

Blackrock, County Dublin.

More as we get it.

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