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MEASURES IN PLACE to restrict the public’s movement and mitigate the spread of Covid-19 are to continue for several more weeks.
The announcement was made by the Taoiseach at Government Buildings in his latest address to the nation this evening, when it emerged that restrictions would be lifted on a phased basis between now and the end of the summer.
Two more weeks of tight restrictions will remain in place until 18 May, although there will be some changes before that date.
“We need two more weeks of tight restrictions to weaken the virus further so it doesn’t make a comeback,” Leo Varadkar said.
The country will be opened under a phased plan, with each phase coming into effect every three weeks. The final phase will commence on 10 August.
The 2km exercise distance will be expanded to 5km from Tuesday, while it will be possible for people to drive 5km from their place of residence. Over 70s will also be allowed to leave their homes to exercise and drive up to 5km away, also from Tuesday.
From 18 May, outdoor work like construction and landscaping will be allowed to resume.
Some retail outlets like garden centres, hardware stores and repair shops will be allowed to re-open and some outdoor sporting and fitness activities in small groups will be allowed.
Many regular health services will resume, and the Taoiseach indicated the possibility of allowing small groups of friends and family to meet outdoors.
“Not long from now, some summer night, we will see our friends again,” he said.
In later phases, other workplaces such as businesses, childcare facilities, preschools, restaurants, cafes, bars, cinemas and gyms will be allowed to reopen.
Schools and colleges will reopen in the new academic year, although it is understood that plans for the Leaving Certificate to be held from late July are still in place.
However, Varadkar also said that there is a risk of the virus re-surging as restrictions are lifted.
He said that the country may have to go back a phase if that happens at any time, until a vaccine or other effective treatment is developed.
He also said a long-term need for physical distancing and good hand hygiene would continue, as well as for people to stay at home and isolate if they become sick.
“It will take some time for our lives to get back to normal to a new normal,” Varadkar said. “But it will happen.”
The Taoiseach also acknowledged the difficulty faced by people across the country in the weeks that restrictions have already been in place.
“Thanks to you, we are making a real difference in the fight against Covid-19,” he said.
“The curve has been flattened, and has now plateaued. Thousands of lives have been saved. Our hospitals and healthcare staff have not been overwhelmed.
“We have not yet won this, and every day we’ve too many in new cases. We still have too many people in hospital, and in our intensive care units with Covid. And every day, regrettably, including today, we have too many deaths.”
The Cabinet is set to meet again tomorrow to agree further actions to help businesses affected by the pandemic.
A national protocol has also been developed by the government, employers and trade unions with the assistance of the Health and Safety Authority and the HSE to enable a gradual restart of economic activity as restrictions are eased.
Earlier today, the Department of Health confirmed another 34 people had died after being diagnosed with Covid-19. The death toll in Ireland related to the virus is now 1,265.
There have been over 20,000 confirmed cases. Of those cases that have been analysed, 13% of patients have been hospitalised with 367 people admitted to ICU.
No surprises but calm and reassured as ever. We’re getting there.
@roberto Mankini: yeah Tony was good alright oh sorry Leo
@roberto Mankini: Leo putting people before profit, no wonder the lefties are going mental.
@Charlie Murphy: if Leo announced €1million for everyone in the country , people like you would still be whinging.
@Justin Gillespie: Do you mean the righties?
top comment removed (it was critical of leo but didn’t break any comments rules) and now the top comment is pro leo
a common theme when varadkar gives a speech.
@John Jones: Can guarantee i wouldn’t be one of them lad.
@We Love Katamari: I recon it was removed because of the abuse he was getting.
@Justin Gillespie: he had no choice. The health infrastructure was on its knees. Few icu beds so they had to lock us down or people would be dying on the streets. Lets see what happens with testing.
@James Fenlon: so all that the FG sycophants have to do is pile on comments they don’t like and they’ll get them deleted?
@We Love Katamari: paranoid?
@Brian Madden: That’s it. It didn’t matter who it was, the same decisions would likely have been made.
@roberto Mankini: I see they’ve lifted the restriction on brown-nosing the blueshirts.
@roberto Mankini: far from it. it was the same his paddys night speech. a stack of posts critical of leo that didnt break the rules were removed just after they appeared
@We Love Katamari: Lad I don’t give a flyin f@ck to be honest….
@Brian Madden: on its knees? Are ya mad? The hospitals are empty. Out out of thousands of health staff reporting for duty, only 54 were put to work.
@Logan Shepherd: I looked earlier and there were comments that were negative about our great leader and now they have them removed and replaced by positive comments about our great leader.
@We Love Katamari: dont’ dwell on it. the journals leo love-in continues. there’s the illusion of balance and objectivity in the moderating until FGs media unit put on a set piece like this evening.
@Brian Madden: Well deleting comments and manipulating comment positions are nothing new here.
@roberto Mankini: 666 likes!!
@Shane Fitzgibbon: did you read my post. The health service was on it knees before this crisis. If we wernt locked down the hospitals wouldnt be able to cope.
@Shane Fitzgibbon: great. That proves what we have done so far is working. Wasn’t that the plan
@Logan Shepherd: methinks the issue was the comment wasn’t a ‘hail leo’ and was hugely popular. It was the runaway top post, but it wasn’t singing leos praise so it had to go. @ thejournal: way to reflect the will of the people
@Dermo Adams: and that’s what happened in the election just hone. People can see all the spin. They aren’t stupid. People are here for the comments only.
@Brian Madden: yep, the lockdown was absolutely the right call. The lack of testing and contact tracing (as well as lack of checks at ports or airports) had been appalling though.
@Justin Gillespie: It never takes long for someone to use the phrase “lefties” predictable as ever
@Brian Madden: All hail our great leader.
@Justin Gillespie: not really. FG focus is big business so they don’t mind small business struggling and then they will.bail.out their mates
@We Love Katamari: have you any comment on the message or is it just the messenger?
@roberto Mankini: jaysus what a load of bollox.
@roberto Mankini: BOT
@Justin Gillespie: stupid comment of the week; ‘lefties’ are always the ones who put people before profit.
@Larkin About: 1500 likes and still counting. Go on, congratulate the number one poster. With such a level of support aigurs well for the future and we can all celebrate the rise in support for a government doing a good job in the circumstances.
Join in.
@Brian Madden: it’s like Animal Farm!
@Geraldine Glynn: * augurs
Not being able to spell the small awkward words is worse than not being able to spell the big ones.
I saw the post in question. It was by a country mile the most popular and getting a huge number of thumbs up, while the current ‘number one poster’ was coming in a distant second. Regardless, if a comment is not contravening the comments policy, it should not be removed. It’s disrespectful to the person taking the time and effort to post it.
@Logan Shepherd: now I know how the sane normal people in the states must feel.
@Shane Fitzgibbon: so you have been in every hospital in Ireland and can confirm there are no patients in acute hospitals
@Dermo Adams: hilarious that you think the journal reflects ‘the will of the people’.
@roberto Mankini: Very well said.
@The Risen: Posting on an old Nokia not to be recommended. Your guidance on spelling so appreciated.
As to removal of comments it sucks but that’s life. Nearly as bad as being removed from posting.But shucks people can arise and come back from the tomb. Not trying to take a rise out of you.
@Shane Fitzgibbon: |The hospitals are empty due to the fact that all non emergency hospital stays are cancelled and people are not going to the ER or their doctors from fear of catching the virus.
ICU and HDU are the important areas during this crisis. they cannot be overloaded and they were not.
Good to see a start on the road back to the new normal. Two more weeks won’t kill us.
@Justin Gillespie: it will kill a lot of businesses though. There is a lot of people who won’t like the ‘new normal’ btw
@Sharp Elsi Mate: A business can recover and be started up again once the people are alive to do so.
@Sharp Elsi Mate: It will save lives. If you don’t like the new normal, tough, get over it, your still here
@Sharp Elsi Mate: business isn’t much good to you if your customers are dead.
@Sharp Elsi Mate: you seem to think the new normal is a choice. It’s not. Not for those implementing it or for those adjusting to it.
@John O Brien: An economic crash will kill far more long term in all kinds of way but hey everything is ok….and by the way another wave will hit after this one no matter what we do now its nailed on.
@John O Brien: i’d say you were on the dole before all this started
@Sharp Elsi Mate: there’s probably more people who won’t like people dying
@Martina Dolan: all the replies I expected however this virus is going nowhere and deaths are inevitable unfortunately but there will be worse lasting effects on people than the virus you can be sure the longer they put these restrictions on.
@Walt Kowalski: I’d say you’re the type to use a person being on Social Welfare as a slur
@Sharp Elsi Mate: hate to say it but I agree with you. Young healthy people are being ‘quarantined’ – it’s not right
@Peter Hughes: what’s your solution so Peter?
@Peter Hughes:
Relax. It’s a learning curve. The Black Death killed 25% -30% of Europeans over 500 years ago. And no one had a glimmer about the why and how. 100 years ago the Spanish flu took a shit load of lives albeit moderated with some degree of modern science and an understanding of contagion. Fast forward to the 21st century where within a few weeks of the virus being detected it’s GENOME is sequenced and distributed to the top universities and research centres to prime the search for a vaccine and / or treatment. Now people are saying “when will we get a vaccine” while they stay at home , watch the TV, get some exercise and perhaps order the odd take away. In Ireland most of us are at the apotheosis of historical human experience. Grab a beer and watch Narcos :-)
@Walt Kowalski: I can genuinely say that in the 42years I’m alive, I have never drawn a single penny of social welfare of any description.
I am self employed and yip we are in for a tough time financially, for a long time when this virus is over. It ain’t going to be pleasant and it will be tough, But I would much prefer to be alive and that all my customers are alive to witness the tough times ahead..
So go back into your box pal.
@Kevin: well said. There was some blather on the radio of the mental health of our children. A few days ago the first Israeli to die of C-19 was an 88 year old man. When he was 15 he spent a year hiding in cellars and haystacks from people who zealously wanted to kill him. Our kids have Playstation and takeaways……..
@John O Brien: most pubs and restaurants with social distancing
Won’t survive ,probably a lot will not reopen
@Sharp Elsi Mate: Tough, life is not always as you want it to be. That reality.
Good man Leo! Regardless of what the shinnerbots on here say, the leadership shown in this country has been exceptional compared to our neighbours on both sides. Proud to be Irish today
@A2 Poster: You mean Tony?
@A2 Poster: In fairness, the government message has been clear and assertive with a dash of empathy…. compare that with the mixed conflicting messages coming from UK or Murica government. We all know exactly what our job is and how to move this country forward collectively to get up and running safely.
@A2 Poster: the health service was on its knees
They had to lock us down as there were very few icu beds. They kept the borders open. They forgot about the nursing homes. Look at Denmark and Norway. Exceptional goes to them
Mediocre goes to us and abysmal goes to our neighbours.
@Brian Madden: look up how pandemics work, friend. If health services could cope with them it wouldn’t be a big deal.
@A2 Poster: I’m proud to be Irish every day. I don’t need the Taoiseach’s speech to make me proud of my country. It’s our frontline workers who fill me full of pride.
@Johnny 5: good contribution, thanks for stopping by
@A2 Poster: Denmark coped by closing borders. They are now reopening with a fraction of our deaths and a slightly larger population.
@A2 Poster: wind in your tongue pal.
@A2 Poster: Leo and FG asleep at the wheel while our care homes became breading grounds for the virus. But you keep believing they’ve done a good job!
@A2 Poster: bots calling out bots lol
@Brian Madden: What he did, she did, they did, is a great game, what we did, with what we had is what matters.
Yes they made mistakes everybody does, in comparison to other countries we have done really well. The numbers are terrible but could have been a hell of a lot worse.
We flattened the curve and kept it done, we are staying locked down to give ourselves room and to watch other countries reopen.
Germany and Japan did and had major problems.
So unusually enough we are taking our time.
@Johnny 5: It caught every country out. It is a part of the health system that can not be sold off to private companies.
There are some horror stories coming out about care home and institutions across the world.
What was wrong is the system and that needs to change and he said that.
Most comments are just for attention here…. I’m proud of our leader… he’s done a great job. Untied we stand, divided we fall
@Kevin Conway: did you do that on purpose, or is it just a typo?
@Kevin Conway: “Acting” leader ahem!
@Kevin Conway: united we stand. But we’re currently ignoring 27% of the electorate!!! Get a grip
@Kevin Conway: and all the death in the nursing homes – who’s to answer for that?
All of the main points strategically leaked to the press ahead of this. The country may be locked down but its business as usual for leos spin unit.
@Unconvertible Rebel: clown, we’re on the road to recovery now, you can stop making this about politics now. We’ve flattened the curve and saved lived. Don’t be such a troll
@Unconvertible Rebel: what exactly is there to spin?
@Unconvertible Rebel: Are these comments your instructions for today? What is it tomorrow?
@Unconvertible Rebel: have you ever watched the Thick of It?
@Unconvertible Rebel: ah the Shinners doing what they do best…which is nothing.
@Unconvertible Rebel: What could be gained by strategically leaking the main points ? I’m certain Leo would have liked to been the one to break the news. No benefit to him to have it leaked.
@Johnsinker: over 70’s were always allowed leave their homes like everyone else, and really what guard has every checked if you went over 2k? 5k makes no difference, 5 phases with no indication of what each phase is with the possibility of going backwards! It was all 100% spin, the last phase is august 10th but schools can’t open until October! Is that a 6th phase he forgot to mention?
Spin spin spin,
@Jay Munnelly: he said schools and collages will be Sept/Oct so in other words they won’t be returning before summer holidays. The Sept would be referring to schools and October to colleges. He also indicated that phase one of return to work would be constriction, gardeners, hardware shops, with the possibility of small groups netting outdoors and some sporting activities being allowed. Did you not bother to listen or read what he said?
@A2 Poster:
So just let me get this straight, anybody that disagrees with your rose tinted views of milk & honey is a clown or troll.
Leopard never changes it’s spots does it !!.
Some people don’t trust or believe your st Leo & co.
Get over it !!!!.
@Unconvertible Rebel: That description there suits ya, this is about keeping people alive and safe.
@Unconvertible Rebel: governments in countries all over the world for years give the press a preview but ask not to publish until everything in place. Do you know snow how this works?
@Unconvertible Rebel:
if only Mary Lou was taoiseach ..
His script writers and producers should get nominated for an Oscar.
The puppeteers are doing a brilliant job with the most wooden puppet in Ireland.
@Justice Mickey: bitter person, we’re almost coming out of this and you can’t say anything positive? After what we’ve all done to make this happen? The sacrifices people have made to turn the corner? You’re a disgrace
@Justice Mickey: An address delivered to the nation clear, concise and eloquent unlike the car crash that trump delivers.
@Michael Carolan: absolutely. His script writers and pr deserve a pay increase.
@Brian Madden: it’s just another troll with a dummy twitter account. Not worth the bother.
@A2 Poster: 2nd wave incoming. This lockdown isn’t effective. We’re about to end up like Germany.
@A2 Poster: Feck off A2 will ya
@A2 Poster:
GAGF .
Would you like me to go down on bened knee to him !!!.
I am as entitled to my opinion as the likes of you and your ilk.
Don’t like it pass it over.
@Derdaly:
Hahahahahahaha…. coming from you !!!!
@Justice Mickey: fake account!
@Keith Richardson:
No **** Sherlock, you must be a civil servant!!!
@Justice Mickey: Stupid comments, cheap auld stupid comments.
@Justice Mickey: a typical uneducated shinner….no surprises there.
@Justice Mickey: I though the dear Leo segment was very uplifting
@Eugene Comaskey:
Awwwww, thank you so much.
@IRL77: Shinner, yes and proud of it.
Uneducated….. Really!!.
I’m not the ffg embarrassment.
@Justice Mickey:
Mary Lou is the only puppet in irish politics
Cringe fest on RTE 1 right now
@Fergus O’Connor: that’s a mirror….
@Fergus O’Connor: dear Leo… I have a cat who has aids.. All he wants to do is go to the back of the shops and hang out with his mates. But he knows if he just sits by the window and coughs fur balls to himself he’s saving lives… Six million when you do the cat calculations. Thanks Leo . Your amazing.
10th of August!!! Ohh sweet divine mother of jasus
@James Fenlon: that’s hopefully for pubs
@Brian Carr: Yeah id say you’re right. The more at risk places are at that end of it. Makes sense really.
@James Fenlon: Meanwhile in Europe the countries worst hit will be back in full swing months ahead of us and we’ll be financially devastated once again.
Our ever increasing dependence on the EU will be copper fastened due to our exponential sovereign debt burden and our masters will get whatever they want.
@Brian Carr: I hope not as if pubs reopen that soon we will have a very quick return to lockdown due to the spread of the disease
@andy marsh: On the 10th of August? You can tell the future now Dr?
@Brian Carr: pubs in August!!! Not a hope.
@Paul Howlin: vaccine by August 9th you say?
Great news, but knowing over 70s they will be too scared or nervous to move very far, I can’t fault leo and the restrictions in place, the figures seem to be going up or not getting better,.. Stay safe
@David Dineen: I will have the opposite issue with my father. He’s going to want to visit every hardware store within 5km. It should have been exercise only for over 70′s
@Tommy C: can go out upto 5km but not to meet or make contact with anyone
@David Dineen: Lidl had bedding plants yesterday morning.. couldn’t get near them with the amount of over 70s. Think most of them can look after themselves and know what they need to do. ;-)
That personal touch stuff didn’t work. He came across as plastic and insincere.
@Unconvertible Rebel: you’re quite a sad little person.
Media had all already, proof of the cosyness between FFG and Media…
@Gary O CONNOR: nothing unusual about issuing a media release with an embargo on publication until a specified time, standard PR practise, not a leak.
@Gary O CONNOR: yes I agree no one in the media asking how many tests are being done everyday when they are giving us the number of new cases and deaths
@Gary O CONNOR: had a meeting with directors this morning that construction would be back Monday 2 weeks so it was leaked in some form
@John Considine: They cancelled Dr Holohans daily briefing. If that’s not telling, I dont know what is
None of this would have happened if the population took the virus seriously to begin with. They still crowded into pubs when they knew what was occurring abroad, then crowded into bookies and barbers when the pubs shut. People had the audacity to even argue it wasn’t the shops responsibility to clean and disinfect trollies and baskets after each use. With the recent videos circulating social media, its highlighted the minoritys spread of idiocracy has cost this country not only a great deal of embarrassment, but lives and money and untold hardship on those on the front lines. We as a population are as responsible as those in government.
@Jake Fontaine: none of this would have happened if the government took this seriously at the beginning.. there the ones getting paid to make the big decisions not wait til is so bad we have to go into Lockdown..
We were screaming at the government to shut down the pubs when there were 40 new cases per day. There are currently over 200 new cases per day, and look at the number of people giving out about 2 more weeks.
Jessica, who is in a wheelchair, who my spin team fabricated, is keeping her spirits up by reading Seamus Heaney poems and making PPE for the frontline heros
@SkepticalHippoEyes: it did seemed a bit stage managed & could of stuck to facts rather than false importance
@SkepticalHippoEyes: no need to fabricate anyone, he’s got a massive backlog of mail on this matter I recon
@SkepticalHippoEye: poor Jessica.. Where’s my glow in the dark rosery beads
Did I hear right? Did he say schools will be back in September? So primary school is not reopening?
@sally reid: I think so
@sally reid: Sounds like it.
@sally reid: yip. Holiday time for kids
@sally reid: You heard right
@sally reid: Don’t think there was ever much chance of primary schools reopening before summer hols
Supermarkets are packed with shoppers but yet he wont allow hardware stores or garden centres to open.
@Gerry Murphy: errmmm, people need food, not new screwdrivers
@Gerry Murphy: they will be open on the 18th
@Gerry Murphy: you can ring in your order for two screwdrivers and a pint of turpentine.
@Gerry Murphy: I’d love Homebase to open!
@Gerry Murphy: packed? I’ve had to queue to get in for the past few weeks. For a while I was the only person in the meat isle when I finally got in.
Varadakar is no statesman that is for sure! Enough said.
@Paul Mc: he is EXACTLY what we need at the moment
@Paul Mc: Are you a statesman? Are you ready to lead this country or hide behind your keyword?
@Val Doyle: he is finished commenting. Hardly will be missed.
@Hector Son: what is that. Someone who can take advice from Tony o Holohan and spin in in a way that it looks like his decisions. He has no moral authority after the election results yet he clings to it it like the viper he is.
@Val Doyle:
his avatar is so tough .. pure conor mcgregor
A lot of people on here complaining just for the sake of complaining.
The address was straight forward and to the point. Now maybe those that are complaining want the hysterical ranting that they get from Trump or the long winded waffle they Boris spews.
We got a time line, we got the facts unadorned. Now we know where we stand.
@Mick.: go away FG bot
top comment removed (it was critical of leo but didn’t break any comments rules) and now the top comment is pro leo
a common theme when varadkar gives a speech.
@We Love Katamari: what else would you expect from the journal
@We Love Katamari: The saying ” taste of your own medicine comes to mind “.
With 1500 ,likes and counting the support for this caretaker government aigurs well for our future.
@We Love Katamari: oh give it a rest, we’re in this together like it or not
@We Love Katamari:
witness intimidated and now the verdict is “manslaughter”
all too common when IRA cowards are up in court
I fail to understand why they have to wait til Tuesday
@Darragh O Meara: it’s a bank holiday…they want to avoid crowds at beaches etc
@Darragh O Meara: Bank holiday weekend.
@Darragh O Meara: perhaps to continue to restrict too much movement over a bank holiday weekend. More a psychological barrier than a physical one. If they did it sooner we’d all be rushing out on the 15th of May…..
@Darragh O Meara: over 70s could always go out. This is rubbish. They were advised to cocoon. Now they are advised that they may go out when it’s quiet. Why not treat them as mature adults. Are they supposed to go out in the middle of the night?
@Darragh O Meara: the current restrictions were always in place until 5th May. Today’s announcement is about what happens after that date.
Doing a spectacular job Leo when compared to UK & US. Keep it up – history in the making!
@Celtic Kid: HAHAHAH
@Celtic Kid: Us done more tests than the rest of the world combined. Trump is putting millions into the acceleration of the development of a vaccine and the major hotspot in America is New York where people virtually live on top of eachother
@Celtic Kid: we really arent
Shinners in meltdown here.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: Leobots on overtime tonight!
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: What makes you think that ? I’m a Sinn Fein voter. Happy enough that Leo is following the scientific advice and informing us of that advice in a timely manner.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: Leo reminds me of a new Winston Churchill or a Theadore Roosevelt.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL:
it was exposed that Gerry Adams covered up rape pedophilia because his niece Áine refused to sign the court injunction , i wonder how many other things Gerry and his comrades have covered up down through the years?
A scripted, insincere, patronising speech. But I expect nothing else
@Macker: can you explain the phraseology you object to and consider “scripted”? Please explain the phrases you substitute in also. I’m curious as to what specific words have you so aggrieved
@A2 Poster: Is that you Leo?
It’s official! I’ve fallen in love with
Leo!
Shame I’ve got no chance really
He’s poor tonight.
@damien o brien: It’s hard to listen to him. He’s not coming across as someone who feels any confidence.
@damien o brien: I’d take home over trump or Boris any day
@Mark O’Donohoe: That’s a low bar!
@damien o brien: would u rather a Johnson or Trump style address?
Calmness personified, good man Leo
@Logan Shepherd: to be fair he has done an amazing job. Could you imagine what would have happened if SF were in power. Just think about that.
@Seamus Balfe: I have no political affiliation, and we don’t know the answer to that. Regardless of who gave that speech tonight, I would have preferred a stronger, more confident delivery.
@Seamus Balfe: SF would have taken the exact medical advice on board like leo did. Tony holohan is running the show. FG ran the health service into the ground. One of the lowest rates of icu beds in europe. We had to be locked down or people would be dying on the streets
@Seamus Balfe: Always with the attacks on the opposition
@Seamus Balfe: Why don’t you tell us Seamus? Tell us why also. You think Mary Lou isn’t capable of of listening to the experts? Do you think she would have ignored all that and not had a lockdown at all and left the health system collapse? Is that what you think or are you just using this is an excuse to bash them. We are not doing that great if a job when you compare to other countries. Comparing to boris and trump is pointless by the way. That’s a very very low bar.
Well done Leo, HSE , frontliners
Well done Leo, putting people before profit.
Yet the ragers rage.
Quite the paradox. Heheh
@L̴a̴yta R̵̝̹̣̦̞̺͈͖͂̋̊̐͌͘̕͠͠ǒ̴͍̱̝̰͔̋͆̓͛͗n̶̊͌: another one that know duck all about how the country works
@Gerard Jennings: lol
@L̴a̴yta R̵̝̹̣̦̞̺͈͖͂̋̊̐͌͘̕͠͠ǒ̴͍̱̝̰͔̋͆̓͛͗n̶̊͌: More to do with profit I’d say.
One medium term lock down and carefully easing out of it is going to cost less than a short lockdown followed by another longer one after a vicious second wave??
@Mill Lane: That’s a good perspective, behind the curtain they may have balanced the scales of projection where the long game saves lives & money.
Revealing this plan in advance would probably lead to outrage. Good point.
The Late Late show… more important
If you get a link saying free porn don’t opin it. Its a virus wich deactivates your spelcheck and fcuks up your riteing. I also receibed it but luickily I don’t uatch porn so I dint opin it. Please warm yur friends. Wanks
@Andy mc Laughlin: posted that earlier made a few people laugh.. thought I’d put it up again to lighten the mood of the doom and gloom commentators on here.. hope it gives people a chuckle
@Andy mc Laughlin: fair play
@Andy mc Laughlin: The absolute hillarity!.
@Anto Whelan: I’d say your some craic to be around
Hi everyone, can we please be kind in our comments going forward… mental health is a bigger issue now and will be into the future. Negativity is not good at the moment. Leo is doing his job and it’s a hard one for him…. as it would be for anyone in government at the moment… #staysafe #bekind
@Gigi Power: very well said ..
@Gigi Power: Well said I posted an honest opinion on another article earlier and was called every name under the sun because of a lack of intelligence to respond with integrity and respect by certain quarters of the Journals finest hatchet men.
Doing a great job, carry on Leo & Company.
We will all get there together. Buíochas Mór le Dhía.
@James Keogh: how can anyone class this as together when 27% of electorate are being ignored???
@M Bowe: There is always a Whinger, All is an Inclusive word, check it out.
well done leo. good to see the spin continuing. make sure you don’t list any specifics like number of cases, numbers in ICU, reproduction number etc at which restrictions are relaxed, just keep peddling operation fear, e.g. ‘back to square one’ nonsense. hopefully you can cope with those probing questions from ryan tonight.
The Journal once again censoring legitimate comments that don’t paint Leo as the second coming. Beyond pathetic to see.
@Dermo Adams: I saw one comment deleted and it certainly was not legimate. Nor was it civil
@Dermo Adams: talk about the CCP, only in the ha’penny place with this crowd, I may, may not agree with what you have to say but I will defend your right to say it…
@Dermo Adams:
there is a documentary about excrement tonight on RTE ONE @ 9.30pm
Hopefully the pubs are opened on August 10th. I need to find myself a wife to go halves on a mortgage on!
I think Leo needed to acknowledge the overwhelmed nursing homes sector and the number of deaths there as well as the huge lack of staff there and the exhausted remaining staff who are trying to cope as so many colleagues are off in self isolation or not able to come to work for health or family reasons . The health service is not just the acute sector healthcare workers . The nursing homes is where the huge extra help is needed now to combat the outbreaks , the deaths and the spread .
@mary o dwyer: I thought he showed poor leadership in not recognising where mistakes were made. But the Fine Gael bots will tell you they’re doing a wonderful job while our elderly are abandoned in care homes that require extra staff and PPE.
@mary o dwyer: I think not telling school kids to isolate for 2 weeks after skiing in italy might be a big mistake as well as not allowing visits to nursing homes. my mums home in england stopped allowing visits well before lockdown here. touch wood no cases yet.
Eh, where’s Diarmuids comment gone?
@The Risen: Was wondering that myself.
@The Risen: omg, I just flashed through the comment section, I never realized how pro Leo the journal was to now. So much for freedom of speech if your anti government comments are either going to be deleted or assaulted by pro FFG brigade. But hey this will probably never make it up on the comment section.
Big Picture here. Nobody wants a stop start economy or a virus to spiral out of control. We all want normality to resume but ensuring a safer environment for us all is more important. Least we have a plan and programme to getting us up and running.
A clear, concise and confident speech. We’re very lucky to have him as leader
While I’m in no big hurry to relax restrictions, I can’t help thinking that if the greens had agreed to enter government, there would have been more. I imagine major easing won’t happen until after a government has been formed.
@Anne Marie Devlin: I’ve felt the same, why do you think so?
The journal my god. You’ve closed the comments section on the TV preview below.
This is a mad plan and only so because of lack of testing and contact tracing . Only outdoors workers allowed out in May 18th & last stages in August !!!! We will all be unemployed by the end of this for Christ’s sake !
@Isabel Oliveira: but hopefully you and your family will be alive
Take a pay cut Leo you most certainly don’t need such a high salary even as leader of the country.
@Christopher Mulrooney #WeAreStarfleet:
the majority of politicians salaries are spent on travel
Have that Sunday night feeling all ready about going back to work on the 18th :(
Fair play to ya Leo
Well done Ireland, you’re through the worst of it. Don’t let your guard down. You’ll be out of it very soon.
The time has come for me
To break out of the shell
I have to shout
That I’m coming out
I’m coming out
I want the world to know
Got to let it show
The restrictions were always going to be at least a few weeks added on. I understand people will not be pleased by this but we have to get on with it and not do what that crackpot in America has done.
So no checks on borders? Not even temperature checks just let the virus back in at will. I think there only one answer to this madness.
Let’s all have a party, let’s all have a party. Na na na na oh na na na na oh.
While practicing social distancing and washing our hands of course. I’d like to see the virus that can survive in Irish whiskey. That Scotish ditch water would be a different matter.
@leartius: sounds like the party already started
Fully Reopened on August 10th, somebody’s definitely already organising a Facebook event page for a sesh on the 11th
@Jake Kelly: It won’t be fully reopened or at least won’t be back to normal.
It’s all about control….. wake up people
@John John: They’re should be an IQ threshold for internet access.
@John John: Yes, controlling the spread of Covid-19. Well done.
What are the 3 phases?? It was a long speech but not very clear… What about the leaving cert students? How will that go ahead if phase 3 (whatever that entails) is not until 10th August!!! Very vague…
@DeeM: the leaving cert logistics are still to be worked out. Schools will need to know ratios allowed re social distancing planning. There are many factors involved such the number of supervisors being required
@Caddyshack: Crazy that it’s even going ahead… It should be cancelled. If it goes ahead we could end up with more clusters except this time amongst 17 and 18 year olds who then bring it back to their families and so on and so forth. It’s not a level playing field. Some kids have access to PCs others don’t. Some schools are providing great support others aren’t or are unable to!! Some students like my son have a severely compromised immune system and can’t go anywhere near anybody now and certainly couldn’t go into a school.. Even if he was put in a room on his own to take his exams.. He would be at risk. So clarity is needed now if they are to put the mental health of leaving cert students foremost.
@DeeM: yes huge difficulties & the lack of clarity is a serious concern for students but it’s best to stay positive with leaving cert students & deal with the present facts that the LC going ahead as stated on 29th July. Other accommodations can be arranged with students with health conditions if necessary & schools will be able to plan when update on exams given. Unfortunately with this disease there are no easy answers or solutions for students like everyone else. Self certification from schools may be a solution but it’s not a perfect solution either for many reasons
@Diarmuid: he’s taking questions on the Late Late show other than that I suggest you do like those that contacted him did write a letter. You might even get your name read out live on air.
Schools not open till September, does that mean creches too? How are people gonna go back to work if that’s the case?
@Sam Greene: Read the plan that has been issued
It’s never ending!
@aisling ferris: it ended for the 34 people who died with covid 19.
@barry moore: underrated comment;)
@aisling ferris:
the GAA need their money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The queues for woodies will be a mile long on the 18th that’s me sorted for the foreseeable future gonna paint every room in the house lol
Europe might not bail you out this time
I think Leo needed to acknowledge the nursing homes sector as they are working so hard there now due to the virus affect on their residents which his speech failed to acknowledge even if unintended .
I think Leo needed to acknowledge the overwhelmed nursing homes sector as well as the lack of staff there now due to the virus and the exhausted remaining staff who are trying to cope as so many colleagues are off in self isolation or not able to come to work for health or family reasons . The health service is not just the acute sector which his speech made it sound like
@mary o dwyer: He did
Could we not have visited an outdoor garden this weekend? Mind you there would have been queues for miles
@Virgil: most gardens are outdoor.
@John Considine: ya I just checked, mine and both houses either side have gardens outdoor.
eh , where did the previous top comment disappear too
No travel beyond 20km from your main place of residence is allowed until after 20th July. That seems very extreme!
@Tony O’Brien: it is a ridiculous requirement and one the majority won’t be following. No basis in science whatsoever!!!!
1st : We need affordable face mask for everyone, and price control.
2nd We need to test massively people : EVERYONE!, like South Korea ( for free!!!!)
3th Obligation to wear face mask outside!
That’s all!
@Crypto_Dav: What about small people? They deserve the same rights as massive people
@Aaron O’Leary: South Korea definitely don’t have many massively people
@Crypto_Dav:
my local pharmacy sells two kinds of face masks
- disposable for 2 euro
- washable for 15 euro
When the surge of economic devastation hits, remember, you asked for this. You demanded house arrest.
@Mark McAuley:
“The world economy is heading into something even worse than the Great Depression. We need to ask questions , i would ask what was worse for humanity, the spanish flu 100 years ago or the great depression 10 years later. Let’s just recall what happened after the great depression.. political collapse in many countries ultimately lead to the second world war. We’re going into the mother of all depressions. What’s happening right now is the scariest thing i have ever seen. The economy is simply collapsing. Economic collapse will make what happened in 2008 look like a blip. That is happening right now ”
- Dan O’Brien ,
April 30, 2020
I swear that evwn if leo came out earlier and said he had a cure some people would still moan.
We could have escaped a lot of this nightmare if the wealthy like skiing holidays and horse racing had stayed at home.
@trebloc01:
blame the wealthy?
Brain dead sheeple… you deserve all you get
@james r: Gemma O’Doherty lacky, that describes you perfectly.
@james r: I’ve come to the conclusion that anyone who uses the word ‘sheeple’ is to be avoided at all cost.
@james r: Sadly reading the comments on this article or indeed any article on the current situation this is the only conclusion one can come to.
No school until September? Aaaaaaaaaaaagh!!!
@Thomas O’ Donnell: whats the matter pet.
@Thomas O’ Donnell: yeahs there’s a pandemic
Goodbye Ireland, you nearly made it to 100
This article is a mess written in haste
i think it’s only 2k for over seventies
@☘: Did you watch the speech or read the article? Or did you just get an idea in your head and run with it???
@☘: RIP Van Winkle was sleeping?
There was no law stopping the over 70s, it was advisory
Are Leaving Cert students expected to sit their exams so while there is still restrictions in place?
I think Leo is showing great leadership but these restrictions are heart breaking. It’s been 54 days since my teenage son has been home with me because he had been permanently living with his father since the schools shut, his father is cocooning himself on account of his diabetes.
@Gwennie Ryan:
sorry for your circumstances
Didn’t say anything about communion and confirmation going ahead
Does anyone think that pep will continue to stick to the measures, or has lockdown fatigue set in with lots of people? Thoughts?
Anyone know what sport in small groups from 18th May might mean apart from the obvious sports like golf, tennis etc..? Are football teams allowed back & what will be the definition of small be?
@Caddyshack: wouldn’t think any contact sports for a while yet
@jackamy: yes but some training elements in contact sports like football/ GAA could take place – I’m driven demented by three teenagers here at home!
@Caddyshack: Who ye telling??? Can’t wait to get them back, even for a bit of socially distancing training!
Busissens wont stay alive if to meny people die
@Tony Martin: after reading that, I’d say your local off-licence will be grand anyway.
@Diarmuid: my your some ass hole good god you would give a good ass hole a bad name
@Shane Fitzgibbon: |The hospitals are empty due to the fact that all non emergency hospital stays are cancelled and people are not going to the ER or their doctors from fear of catching the virus.
ICU and HDU are the important areas during this crisis. they cannot be overloaded and they were not.
Can’t wait that long. We’re having a small outdoors Mass with social distancing etc on Sunday. God is good.
have your say