Tag Archives: emergency powers

This afternoon.

Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

Protestors from ‘Campaign for TRUTH’ outside Leinster House, as they demonstrate against EU Digital Certs, and any Government attempt to ‘slip through a vote’ on the renewal of Emergency Powers this evening.

Earlier: ‘Similar To A Bad Flue Season’

Leah Farrell/RollingNews

A sun-worshipper is requested to leave Merrion Square Park, Dublin 2  on Bank Holiday May 1, 2020

Covid Emergency Powers are due to expire on Thursday.

Unless TDs vote to renew them.

Time for a petition!

Diarmaid Ó Cadhla writes:

The Emergency Powers allows a Minister to: Set aside provisions of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU and of our own Constitution – without any public discussion or vote’ Restrict our right to Work, Travel and Associate; Segregate and divide us based on Health Status; Force us carry a Digital Certificate (ID card) in order to gain access to services, including sports, restaurants and bars.; Dictate, by coercion, what medicines are put into our body, or that we wear face-coverings without any proven benefit; Delay medical treatments for things like Cancer and Heart Disease, in favour of a single illness which is far less dangerous.

We want respect for our fundamental Human and Civil Rights, they cannot be given and taken away at the whim of any Government. We demand respect for the right to Informed Consent and Bodily Integrity.

Sign here

RollingNews

Saturday.

O’Connell Street, Dublin 1.

Protestors calling for an end to all covid Emergency Powers gathered outside the GPO. The Health and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill provides for the extension of the emergency provisions until March 31 with the possibility of one further extension of a maximum period of three months.

Sam Boal/RollingNews

Um.

Last night.

Dail Eireann.

The voting on extending legislation allowing for restrictions on indoor hospitality for another three months. As a “safety net”, according to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has found that the Government has persistently blurred the boundary between legal requirements and public health guidance in its response to Covid-19,in a report authored by the Covid-19 Law and Human Rights Observatory in Trinity College Dublin

‘A more deep-seated problem is the way in which the Government has provided misleading descriptions of the law and allowed or encouraged a confused blurring of law and guidance such that it is close to impossible for conscientious citizens to identify the extent of their legal obligations.’

This morning.

Via RTÉ:

The study has been published by the commission as part of its mandate to keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of law and practice in the State relating to human rights and equality.

‘Ireland’s Emergency Powers During the Covid-19 Pandemic’ looks at the four statutes and more than 65 sets of regulations enacted between March and December 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The report finds that shifting relationships between the Government and the National Public Health Emergency Team and limited opportunities for Oireachtas oversight have made it difficult to ascertain where, if at all, human rights and equality concerns are being addressed.

Full report here

Govt blurring lines on emergency Covid powers – IHREC (RTÉ)

A Garda checkpoint on the N7 motorway at the weekend

This lunchtime.

RTÉ’s Crime Correspondent Paul Reynolds reported:

Gardaí arrested and detained people seven times over the Easter weekend for failing to abide by strict regulations introduced to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

No one has been charged with a criminal offence as gardaí will consult with the Director of Public Prosecutions in every case before criminal proceedings are commenced.

…Garda Headquarters also said that in 144 cases where potential breaches of the regulations were suspected – such as house parties and non-essential travel – public order, assault, road traffic, and drugs legislation was used instead.

7 arrested over Easter for breaching virus restrictions (Paul Reynolds, RTÉ)

Previously: New Garda Powers And Your Movement [Updated]

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