This morning.

Pubs and restaurants in Northern Ireland will close for four weeks, with the exception of takeaways and deliveries, while schools will shut for two weeks in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus, First Minister Arlene Foster (top)said.

In a statement at a special sitting of the Assembly this morning, Ms Foster said the situation needs to be urgently addressed as numbers continue to rise and hospitalisations are on the increase.

The closure will affect the entire hospitality sector, with the exception of takeaway and delivery services, and double the length of the mid-term break for schools.

Schools, pubs to shut as NI increases restrictions (RTÉ)

This morning.

Usher’s Quay, Dublin 8.

New petrol prices after The Minister for Finance announced carbon tax will be increased by €7.50 per tonne of carbon dioxide in Budget 2021. Paschal Donohoe said that the charge rise at Midnight from €26 to €33.50 will be applied to auto fuels and all other fuels from May 1, 2021.

RollingNews

This morning.

The Seanad.

Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration Roderic O’Gorman is speaking on his bill that will allow the Mother and Baby Homes Commission’s archive to be sealed for 30 years (except for a database on mothers and children detained in 11 institutions which it wants to give to TUSLA).

Minister O’Gorman said:

“As colleagues will know, access to information is a recurring and priority concern for those directly involved in the Mother and Baby Home institutions

“This legislation…urgent measure in terms of preserving valuable databases and records…speak to that very concern.

“I understand that there are genuine expectations that this database should enable additional information available to residents.

“In that regard it is essential to understand that Tusla is still bound by the continuing significant constitutional constraints in terms of access to information.

“This can only be addressed by future legislation which is something to which I am absolutely committed.

“I appreciate that some stakeholders have argued that the database and related records should be transferred to a body other than Tusla.

“The rationale for specifying Tusla as the recipient of the database is that it already has statutory responsibility for adoption tracing services under the Adoption Act of 2010 and already dedicates substantial resources and expertise to carrying out tracing functions.

“Crucially it currently holds the originals of many of the institutional records. Legally this enables the maximum value to be obtained from the database in the immediate term while comprehensive information and tracing legislation is being put in place.”

“A transfer to any statutory body, other than Tusla, such as the Adoption Authority of Ireland, would mean that two different statutory bodies withholds the same records with Tusla holding the originals and the AAI holding the database and associated copies. Such a duplication would inefficient and would lead to confusion.”

“Tusla will be fulfilling an important…safeguarding this database in the immediate term. The appropriate body to retain such records in the long term will be subject of further consultation and consideration in the course of bringing forward new legislative proposals for enhancing information and tracing services. I will of course seek further engagement with stakeholders as I advance these deliberations.

“Due to the urgent need to pass this legislation before the commission is dissolved, I appreciate there has been limited time to review the proposals.

“The requirement for pre-legislative scrutiny was waived by the House Business Committee at my request. However, I hope with the recent briefings I provided, as well as the information outlined today, I hope these have been helpful to you all.”

Watch here

More as we get it.

Last night: Sealing Their Fate

Chief Justice Frank Clarke has criticised Mr Justice Seamus Woulfe for his third postponement of a meeting about his role in Golfgate

This morning.

Further to yesterday’s postponement….

Via Irish Independent.

The Chief Justice and fellow Supreme Court judge Donal O’Donnell had been due to attend the meeting about Golfgate with Mr Justice Woulfe…Mr Justice Woulfe was to have been accompanied by “a judicial colleague of his choice”.

Instead this judge, who was not identified in the statement, met Mr Justice Clarke and Mr Justice O’Donnell and requested a further postponement on Mr Justice Woulfe’s behalf.

A statement from the Chief Justice’s office:

“As a result of what was said at that meeting, the Chief Justice has indicated that, very reluctantly, he is prepared to make one final postponement of the proposed meeting until Thursday,”

“The Chief Justice has indicated his very serious concern as to the damage which the continuation of this process is causing.

“The Chief Justice has made it clear that, should the meeting not go ahead as scheduled on Thursday, he will make alternative arrangements to convey his final views on the process to Mr Justice Woulfe.”

Seamus Woulfe given ultimatum after postponing ‘Golfgate’ meeting for a third time (Independent.ie)

RollingNews

Dr Vincent Carroll joins a small but growing group of Irish medical dissenters.

He must be destroyed.

Previously: It’s a Small Club

Meanwhile…

GB Declaration?

Tedros?

Meanwhile…

Good times.

Yesterday: Submissive Dom

Brendan Keneally?

’We’: a mesmerising abstract short by Rita Louro and Martina Stiftinger featuring various transformative elements that offer “a metaphorical study of interpersonal relationships and social constraints.”

Fair enough.

colossal

Broadsheet.ie