HSE chief: No health system could cope with one third of beds taken by Covid
The HSE’s chief executive, Paul Reid, has said that no health system in the world could cope with one third of its bed capacity being taken up with Covid-19 patients.
Speaking on RTÉ radio’s News at One, Mr Reid said that better resourced health systems elsewhere in Europe were also under pressure.
It was now up to the public to control the situation through collective individual actions, he said.
Ireland in discussions with Biden administration over UK Article 16 plans
The Government held high level discussions this week with the Biden administration over UK plans to trigger Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol, Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said.
UK Brexit Minister Lord David Frost appeared to row back on a threat to trigger the clause in the Brexit deal on Wednesday, which would effectively suspend elements of the arrangements that prevent a hard border in Ireland.
He said it was “not inevitable” that the British government would invoke the clause, but warned it would be the UK’s only option if the dispute was not resolved.
No homeworking return
The Minister for Health has ruled out a return to working from home.
Stephen Donnelly said he has not received any advice on the issue and it is not something the Government is “actively considering”.
His comments come after chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan hinted that a recommendation for people to work from home may be on the table.
Dr Holohan said health officials are “considering” the recommendation.
Inflation hits 14-year high as energy costs rise by 5.1%
Irish inflation shot to a 14-year high in October as rising energy costs, supply shortages and increased consumer demand drove up prices.
As The Irish Times reports, over the past 12 months, prices have risen by 5.1 per cent, according to the latest consumer price index from Central Statistics Office (CSO). The rise was the largest recorded since April 2007.
According to the CSO, the sectors with the largest increases were transport (+15.4 per cent), housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (+10.8 per cent), communications (+5 per cent) and restaurants and hotels (+4.1 per cent).
The main driver of energy costs was the price of electricity, which was up by an average of 15.5 per cent on this time last year, while gas prices were up 22.6 per cent. Home heating oil was up 70 per cent.
Within the transport category, the cost of petrol and diesel rose 21.6 per cent and 25.3 per cent respectively.
Night flight ban at Dublin Airport’s new runway suggested
A ban on night flights at Dublin Airport's new runway has been suggested by regulators in order to cut down on noise.
The Aircraft Noise Competent Authority (ANCA) suggested that the restrictions on the north runway, which is due to open next year, would cover midnight to 6am.
The ANCA also suggested a noise quota or budget in its draft recommendations regarding daa’s application to amend aircraft operating restrictions at Dublin Airport when the new runway opens.
The recommendations will now go out to public consultation for a 14-week period.
