Mary O’Rourke ‘succeeded and flourished’ in male-dominated political world
She was deputy leader of Fianna Fail from 1994 to 2002. A number of Fianna Fail TDs formed a guard of honour as the funeral procession made its way into Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Coosan. Her son, Aengus O’Rourke, said his mother had a “deep interest in politics” and Fianna Fail to the very end. President of Ireland Michael D Higgins arrives for the funeral of Mary O’Rourke (Niall Carson/PA)“She was so organised, she was thorough, she was professional and always honest. “And because of all this, this very public life, we all had a sense that we knew Mary O’Rourke.
Source:The Herald
October 07, 2024 14:31 UTC
'She was proud of where she came from'
'She was proud of where she came from'Homily by Father Patrick Murphy, Administrator of Saint Mary’s Parish, Athlone, this morning at the Funeral Mass for Mary O'Rourke at Our Lady's Queen of Peace Church, Coosan, this morning. Mary Lenihan was born in Athlone and she was proud of where she came from. She grew up in a family steeped in politics, a family that had a high regard for public service. Her political achievements have been well documented and her commitment to public service is well known throughout the country. Mary’s contribution to public life has been enormous.
Source:Irish Independent
October 07, 2024 14:26 UTC
Gary Lineker: Bigger problems in the world than my Match of the Day contract
Gary Lineker: Bigger problems in the world than my Match of the Day contractBy PA Sport StaffGary Lineker says “there are bigger problems in the world” than contract discussions over his Match of the Day future. The BBC last week denied an announcement was pending regarding its highest-paid star, who is under contract until the end of the football season. Photo by Peter ByrneThe 63-year-old joked that his situation is like the Liverpool trio of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose deals all expire in the summer. “I think there is one significant difference, Liverpool fans really care about those three,” added the former England striker. I’m not signing my contract if you’re presenter.”
Source:Irish Independent
October 07, 2024 14:21 UTC
Lions players to share Australia tour profits under new agreement
Lions players to share Australia tour profits under new agreementThomson ReutersBritish and Irish Lions players will get a share of profits during next year's tour of Australia in a new financial partnership model, the team said on Monday. Lions chief executive Ben Calveley said that the players' unions had played a key role in developing the new deal. "This landmark agreement highlights how (players) are at the centre of our thinking," he added. Simon Keogh, CEO of representative body Rugby Players Ireland, said the agreement was fair and reflective of strong collaboration between the stakeholders of rugby. The Lions are scheduled to play nine matches between June and August 2025 in their first Australia tour in 12 years.
Source:Irish Independent
October 07, 2024 14:15 UTC
Public and private maternity care ‘will never be the same’– senior obstetricians
The care of women in public maternity services “will never be the same” as that provided by private services, the heads of the four biggest maternity units informed Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly. Their correspondence, dated September 2023, also stated there was “some evidence” that complications were less likely to occur among women managed privately. The current reality is that there is a difference between private and public care and there is some evidence that complications are less likely to occur among women managed within the private care system.”“In response to your question, what do we need to ensure the same care across public and private services for pregnant women and families, the reality is that they will never be the same,” they continued. “The fact that a woman can see the same experienced consultant for all her antenatal care, care during labour and delivery and postnatal is a system that cannot, and we believe should not, be replicated in public service provision. For example, the difference may be due to the overall health status of women who opted for private care, rather than to the private model of care itself.
Source:Irish Independent
October 07, 2024 13:21 UTC
BP set to axe 2030 target for oil and gas output cuts
BP is preparing to abandon plans to cut oil and gas production by 2030, according to reports. Under previous CEO Bernard Looney, BP vowed to reduce oil and gas output by 40 per cent while increasing low-carbon investments tenfold by 2030. It is instead pivoting towards more profitable oil and gas production, with new investments planned in the Middle East and Gulf of Mexico, according to Reuters. In August, BP signed a memorandum of understanding with the Iraqi Government to develop and explore the Kirkuk oilfield, which includes new oil and gas investment and power generation activities. BP shares were 1.6 per cent up at 423.6p on Monday morning, making them one of the blue-chip index's top risers.
Source:Daily Mail
October 07, 2024 12:59 UTC
First Minister to face questions in Assembly over sex offender former employee
It comes as the Assembly authorities have been asked to clarify whether Michael McMonagle was individually employed by Ms O’Neill, rather than Sinn Fein, during his time as a party press officer. DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley asked the Speaker if it could be clarified which Sinn Fein MLAs employed McMonagle, and whether they included the First Minister. Speaker Edwin Poots said he had selected an urgent oral question for Ms O’Neill on the matter in the Assembly on Monday afternoon. When did Sinn Fein notify the Assembly about Michael McMonagle's Stormont pass?Which Sinn Fein MLAs employed Mr McMonagle and did that include the First Minister? @JBuckleyMLA pic.twitter.com/fyg5fSqyFn — DUP (@duponline) October 7, 2024Earlier, Fearghal McKinney, head of the BHF in Northern Ireland, said the charity had suffered reputational damage over the matter.
Source:The Herald
October 07, 2024 12:08 UTC
Name for Ireland’s new auto-enrolment pension scheme revealed
The new auto-enrolment pension scheme is to be called My Future Fund. The Australian auto-enrolment system is called the Super, while the New Zealand version is called Kiwi Saver. The scheme will mean that 800,000 workers will be automatically added into a private pension scheme, in addition to their state pension. This new state agency will manage the auto-enrolment pension system and will be in place by the end of next March, she said. Without a change, hundreds of thousands of workers would be reliant solely on their state pension when they retire.
Source:Irish Independent
October 07, 2024 12:07 UTC
‘This is my job now’: Erwin river educator works to restore community
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Source:The Herald
October 07, 2024 12:05 UTC
Staffa closes to visitors until next year for major repairs project
To ease congestion, the jetty is to be widened and the staircase replaced and improved to help the flow of visitors. How incredible is Fingal's Cave! 🤯 This is one of the best examples of volcanic basalt columns in the WORLD & dates back around 60 million years! Back in early 2018, access to Fingal’s Cave was restricted for a lengthy period of time after extreme weather destroyed part of the walkway. The sea around Staffa is also a Marine Protected Area and a Special Area of Conservation.
Source:The Herald
October 07, 2024 11:38 UTC
Charity has suffered ‘huge reputational damage’ over McMonagle – McKinney
Sinn Fein vice-president Michelle O’Neill said both the press officers lost their jobs and are no longer members of the party, adding that she apologised for the hurt and distress caused by their actions. Last month, McMonagle, 42, from Limewood Street, Londonderry, admitted a series of offences, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. Fearghal McKinney, head of the BHF in Northern Ireland, said the charity was dismayed when their due diligence appeared to have been questioned. Stormont First Minister Michelle O’Neill apologised for the hurt and distress caused by the press officers’ actions (NI Assembly Broadcasting/PA)“This caused enormous distress and anxiety among our staff and unwavering supporters,” he told the BBC. “When this happened and there was damage caused, as we saw it, to our reputation, added damage we thought around the public comments that were made, we had to do something to make sure that the record was put straight,” he said.
Source:The Herald
October 07, 2024 11:16 UTC
Children evacuated from Dublin primary school after ‘major gas leak’
No injuries have been reported and parents are being told that coats and school bags are to be collected tomorrowA primary school in Dublin was forced to evacuate this morning following a “major gas leak”. “I think a gas main was hit and there was an evacuation of the two schools, there was just a big bang,” she said. “It was a bit frightening for the kids, but the school staff and parents kept calm and handled the situation as best as they could. They kept the kids feeling comfortable and not scared.”A spokesperson for Gas Networks Ireland said: “At 9:14am today, 7th Oct, Gas Networks Ireland responded immediately to a report of third-party damage to a gas pipeline in Lucan, Co Dublin. A statement from Dublin City Council added: “Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) is currently working with Gas Networks Ireland and An Garda Síochána near Esker Drive in Lucan after a gas main was struck.
Source:Irish Independent
October 07, 2024 11:13 UTC
‘I was once offered a meeting with Vladimir Putin and invited to stay at luxury hotel in Moscow’ – TD Peadar Tóibín
‘I was once offered a meeting with Vladimir Putin and invited to stay at luxury hotel in Moscow’ – TD Peadar TóibínHe rejected ‘strange’ proposal and calls on all Irish politicians to declare if they took up similar offersPeadar Tóibín says he was approached by someone on behalf of Vladimir Putin in 2017Gabija Gataveckaite Today at 03:30A TD has revealed he was offered a trip to Moscow, accommodation in a five-star hotel and a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Source:Irish Independent
October 07, 2024 08:24 UTC
Russian activity in Ireland ‘should come as no surprise to anyone’ – Simon Harris
Taoiseach Simon Harris was commenting after a report that Russian intelligence allegedly recruited an Irish politician as an agent. The Sunday Times reported that Russian intelligence used a “honeytrap” to recruit the politician as an agent during the Brexit talks, with one of the aims being to undermine relations between Britain, Ireland and the EU.
Source:Irish Independent
October 07, 2024 08:18 UTC