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Education Minister Norma Foley. Oireachtas.ie

Education Minister: Unions 'refused to accept public health advice' over special schools return

The Fórsa union has said it wanted special education back “as soon as possible” but criticised “running commentary in the media”

LAST UPDATE | 21 Jan 2021

EDUCATION MINISTER NORMA Foley has said that unions have “refused to accept public health advice” that a return to special education teaching was safe. 

Speaking in the Dáil earlier today, Foley said there has been “intensive engagement” with unions and other stakeholders about the planned reopening and that “agreed guidance” had been reached. 

Last week, the government had announced that agreement had been reached to begin a phased return for special education beginning today.

On Tuesday of this week, the government abandoned the plans after unions said they opposed the move due to fears raised by parents and staff. 

In a statement this evening, the Fórsa union said it wanted special education back “as soon as possible” but criticised “running commentary in the media”

Speaking yesterday, Foley said that unions would not “accept the expert public health advice being offered”. She reiterated those comments today and said that guidance had been agreed that would have allowed for special schools to operate at 50% capacity.

“Ireland is now an outlier in the European Union in not having in-person provision available for students with special educational needs at this time,” the minister said. 

We addressed the concerns raised in relation to safety, including making public health officials available to education partner representatives and subsequently facilitating three of the most senior public health officials in the country to communicate directly with teachers and SNAs

“The department has consistently accepted and implemented the knowledge and advice and expertise of public health. This is the first time that unions have refused to accept that public health advice. We have provided guidance on how special schools can operate at 50% capacity, to offer these students a return to learning.”

“We have provided guidance and flexibility in relation to staff members who are at high risk of Covid-19 to ensure their safety,” the minister added. 

Foley addressed the timeline of last week’s events when the government had announced the planned return of special schools from today.  

Ahead of that announcement, the minister said she met with stakeholders including parents, teachers and management and that there was “a shared objective of a staged reopening”.

The minister said that following that announcement the department wrote to special schools and primary schools to address issues including safety, risk management and childcare. 

Foley said that further engagement occurred and that guidance was “agreed” with unions the INTPO and Fórsa.

Foley also said that over 16,000 people including teachers and SNAs attended a webinar last week in which public health doctors said that schools are safe places “because of the mitigation measures now in place”. 

In a statement this evening, Fórsa said that it had resumed engagement with department officials this afternoon and that it noted comments from the minister that the government was seeking a return to special education as soon as possible.

The union said it shared this goal:

Fórsa will continue to work with the education department towards the resumption of these vital services in the shortest possible time-frame compatible with the safety of students and staff. To this end, the union said it had resumed engagement with education department officials this afternoon.

In a communication to its members earlier today, Fórsa said: “It’s our intention to continue to explore realistic measures to improve safety provision and re-build confidence, just as we were doing prior to the government’s announcement on Tuesday.

It said the union’s assessment was that this re-engagement would most likely produce a timely and successful outcome if it was conducted on a focused and professional basis, rather than through a running commentary in the media.

Criticism

The minister was criticised by spokespersons from the opposition, with Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD saying that “any time the minister or junior minister gets an opportunity to speak about the issue she only makes things worse”. 

“You have the audacity minister to stand there and tell us that unions are not following the public health advice when your own government didn’t do that in December,” Ó Ríordáin said. 

The Labour deputy also said that the minister was attempting to have people pick sides in the debate. 

In response, the minister said: “You have made the assertion that I have attempted to encourage people to pick sides. I make no apology, I pick the side and I will continue to pick the side of children with additional needs. They are my first priority.”

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said he was “disappointed” with this response:

“I was really disappointed when you said that yes you’ve chosen to pick a side and you’re on the side of children who are most vulnerable, because in that binary you give the impression that there are those of use who are not, and in particular those who are asking to be safe upon their return to the work.”

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    Mute denis silver
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    Oct 18th 2023, 1:11 PM

    Do all the TD’s that are not running again get a severance payment as a final go on the gravy train at our expense .

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    Mute Mary Toilet
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    Oct 18th 2023, 1:15 PM

    @denis silver: no idea, but you could put yourself forward for the next GE and if you become a TD you’ll find out

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    Mute Liam Byrne
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    Oct 18th 2023, 3:05 PM

    @denis silver:
    But it’s not a final go on the gravy train, there might be a make up job for him, maybe take up that Zaponne ones position thats still vacant. This fella lived on government payments all his life, and will continue.

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    Mute Liam Byrne
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    Oct 18th 2023, 3:11 PM

    @Mary Toilet:
    Maybe if he had a millionaire T.D. Father to back him he could.

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    Mute Alan OConnor
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    Oct 18th 2023, 3:54 PM

    @denis silver: no they don’t.

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    Mute Paddy C
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    Oct 18th 2023, 5:58 PM

    @denis silver: can’t expect them to just walk out with nothing like ordinary people and then get asked what you’re doing to find work?

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    Mute John Mulligan
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    Oct 18th 2023, 10:57 PM

    @Liam Byrne: he could always draw the dole and become a shinner ‘activist.’

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    Mute Liam Byrne
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    Oct 19th 2023, 11:04 AM

    @John Mulligan:
    You’re right there.

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    Mute Luka Roche
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    Oct 18th 2023, 1:24 PM

    We need a complete new Dail who haven’t made a political career for themselves. As the some of the old brigade is still there driving Ireland down the drain….

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    Mute Allo Allo
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    Oct 18th 2023, 1:20 PM

    For article below it’s not antisemitism it is anti-Israeli genocide and elimination of the innocence, yes both sides are guilty of appalling crimes but Israel playing the antisemitism card is propaganda, Israel is doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past

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    Mute
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    Oct 18th 2023, 1:24 PM

    @Allo Allo: Well even the word “antisemitism” is a propaganda term. Not all Jews are Semites and not all Semites are Jews.

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    Mute
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    Oct 18th 2023, 1:28 PM

    Please inform the IDF that not all Palestinians are Hama’s.

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    Mute David
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    Oct 18th 2023, 2:02 PM

    @Allo Allo: Antisemitism is a weapon used by Israeli Zionists to silence everyone.

    @ Maurice Cohen, the Irish politicians are not like your American lap dogs. they don’t support the illegal murder of the innocent like Joe Biden does!

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    Mute Joe Kelly
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    Oct 19th 2023, 5:18 PM

    @David: what has Israel to do with above article?

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    Mute Sean oSuilleabhain
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    Oct 18th 2023, 1:42 PM

    Name one particularly ex FF TD turned Independent/rural Ind yolk who is not still essentially a Fianna failer. they run on the same parochial, me feiner conservative platform

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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Oct 18th 2023, 5:31 PM

    @Sean oSuilleabhain:
    You are correct Sean but the same could be said of almost every ex member of a political party, Michael Lowry for example.
    On the other side of the political spectrum, parties on the left have had various internal falling in and out but they are still left leaning or socialist politicians.
    Happens all the time.

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    Mute Hugh Lynch
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    Oct 18th 2023, 1:22 PM

    Why can’t we have a say on anti semitism.???? Is it anti Semitic to be pro Palestine ?

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    Mute Mary Toilet
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    Oct 18th 2023, 1:24 PM

    @Hugh Lynch: yes

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    Mute Hugh Lynch
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    Oct 18th 2023, 1:33 PM

    @Mary Toilet: And what about the orthodox Jews who are anti Zionist and whose views I agree with are they anti Semitic?

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    Mute David
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    Oct 18th 2023, 2:04 PM

    @Hugh Lynch: because those complaining of antisemitism have the clout to silence all forms of social media, antisemitism is the excuse for not supporting murder it seems.

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    Mute David
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    Oct 18th 2023, 2:05 PM

    @Hugh Lynch: Exactly. Meanwhile all these news sites close comments and ban users.

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    Mute Corey Dalton
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    Oct 18th 2023, 2:09 PM

    @Hugh Lynch: Good point Hugh, there is a small but important group of highly religious Jews who are anti Zionist and don’t agree with Israel.

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    Mute Hugh Lynch
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    Oct 18th 2023, 2:13 PM

    @David: True. Mary Robot didn’t respond coz it wants us to lump Jews all in together so that any criticism can be accused of anti semitism. When clearly that’s not the intent. Lost faith now in The Journal as having any credibility as a news organisation because of its censorship (don’t rail on me asking why I ever thought they were). It’s so patently obvious what’s happening.Never more so than now.

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    Mute Mary Toilet
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    Oct 18th 2023, 2:18 PM

    @Hugh Lynch: news organisation?! Pmsl

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    Mute Hugh Lynch
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    Oct 18th 2023, 2:19 PM

    @Mary Toilet: Toilet humour?

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    Mute Donal Desmond
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    Oct 18th 2023, 4:00 PM

    @Mary Toilet: The State of Israel has become the Nazi regime that once sought to exterminate the Jewish race. Not all Germans were Nazis, Same as not all Israeli,s agree with their country’s War Crimes against Palestine…Long Live Palestine.

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    Mute M Bowe
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    Oct 18th 2023, 4:31 PM

    @Mary Toilet: anti Zionism is NOT antisemitism. Anyone claiming so are using that accusation as a cover for an apartheid regime

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    Mute Mary Toilet
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    Oct 18th 2023, 4:36 PM

    @M Bowe: Thicks will defend Hamas

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    Mute Hugh Lynch
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    Oct 18th 2023, 6:33 PM

    @Mary Toilet: who here is defending Hamas. The attack on Israel was abhorrent. But not unprovoked as the war mongers have claimed. People are dying at the hands of IDF everyday and at the hands of armed illegal settlers. Your ignorance of that is not funny. You just want airtime. I won’t be giving you anymore. And get a real name.

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    Mute Mary Toilet
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    Oct 18th 2023, 7:20 PM

    @Hugh Lynch: only war mongers are Hamas, now get a life

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    Mute Hugh Lynch
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    Oct 18th 2023, 8:55 PM

    @Mary Toilet: Mary I really get the sense that you need to educate yourself about this subject. No point in getting antsy at the slightest of prodding. It gives the game away. I’d suggest The Great War for Civilisation by Robert Fisk. Details all the history of the middle East. Unless of course you’re into burning books ?

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    Mute James Breslin
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    Oct 18th 2023, 10:22 PM

    @Hugh Lynch: No.

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    Mute John finn
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    Oct 18th 2023, 1:47 PM

    Sleepy Joe backs Israel account what happened at the Gaza hospital, nothing surprising there judging the billions America send Israel every year for military equipment to Sur press the Palestinian people. America killed enough innocent women and children in Iraq. War criminals stick together likes flies on a you know what.

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    Mute David
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    Oct 18th 2023, 2:14 PM

    @John finn: America are directly to blame for most of the problems in that region, their blind support of Israel and it’s continued expansion is 100% supported by Joe Biden.

    Civilians don’t matter to the white house, look at the rail crash in Ohio and the devastation in Hawai, almost went completely ignored by these “one sided democrats”.

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    Mute Mary Toilet
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    Oct 18th 2023, 1:21 PM

    Ireland stands with Israel

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    Mute Hugh Lynch
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    Oct 18th 2023, 1:23 PM

    @Mary Toilet: don’t be making silly statements like that. I don’t. I’m Irish

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    Mute
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    Oct 18th 2023, 1:29 PM

    @Mary Toilet: No it doesn’t.

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    Mute David
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    Oct 18th 2023, 2:08 PM

    @Mary Toilet: How dare you speak for everyone. There is a story on this site where The head of JRC criticized Irish T.D’s for NOT supporting Israel.

    “You” support them!

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    Mute Corey Dalton
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    Oct 18th 2023, 2:11 PM

    @Mary Toilet: The Israeli government certainly doesn’t believe that Ireland stands behind Israel.

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    Mute Donal Desmond
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    Oct 18th 2023, 4:02 PM

    @Mary Toilet: Long Live Palestine

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    Mute Mary Toilet
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    Oct 18th 2023, 4:05 PM

    @Donal Desmond: they can keep their barbaric medieval sharia law to themselves, there is no place for it in western civilisation

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    Mute Tom Newell
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    Oct 18th 2023, 6:44 PM

    @Mary Toilet: u dont stand with anyone all u are good for is bad trolling

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    Mute Geoff Bateman
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    Oct 18th 2023, 2:58 PM

    All leaving the sinking ship that is FG/FF or Independents that know their doomed at the next general election…still they won’t mind as no doubt they will enjoy their massively inflated pensions

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    Mute Paddy C
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    Oct 18th 2023, 6:00 PM

    @Geoff Bateman: the gravy train must be unreal be great to experience it and just waffle get paid either way don’t have to live up to one promise.

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    Mute John McDonagh
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    Oct 18th 2023, 2:42 PM

    I wonder if I understand this properly? If it was the Israelis that bombed the hospital, it was a war -crime. If it was a Hamas rocket it was a misfire and a mistake.

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    Mute
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    Oct 18th 2023, 3:19 PM

    Wow you can only comment on these non stories. The weather. Wetherspoons boring pubs or this guy

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    Mute
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    Oct 18th 2023, 2:48 PM

    And another one bites the dust

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    Mute The boot
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    Oct 18th 2023, 3:19 PM

    Vote for the boot in the next GE.

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    Mute Stanley darsh
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    Oct 18th 2023, 1:24 PM

    I stand with Israel’s right to blow up hospitals in self defence.

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    Mute Mary Toilet
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    Oct 18th 2023, 1:26 PM

    @Stanley darsh: ah, you mean the one that Islamic Jihad blew up

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    Mute David
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    Oct 18th 2023, 2:15 PM

    @Mary Toilet: Evidence, or are you just going to parrot the words of Benny and Joe!

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    Mute Mary Toilet
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    Oct 18th 2023, 2:22 PM

    @David: any evidence to contradict me? Nah, didn’t think so

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    Mute David
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    Oct 18th 2023, 2:42 PM

    @Mary Toilet: I don’t need any evidence as I didn’t claim it was one side or the other, the person you responded to, along with the likes attached, coupled with yourself and the likes attached to your comment are the ones that need to seek evidence. Are you a child or an adult?

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    Mute Mary Toilet
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    Oct 18th 2023, 2:52 PM

    @David: You need to calm yourself down, you’re getting very agitated

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    Mute David
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    Oct 18th 2023, 2:58 PM

    @Mary Toilet: I just can’t stand people making ridiculous comments

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    Mute Mary Toilet
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    Oct 18th 2023, 3:04 PM

    @David: stop making ridiculous comments then, use a bit of will power, you can do it, I have faith in you

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    Mute David
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    Oct 18th 2023, 3:46 PM

    @Mary Toilet: christ almighty, I have to get an app in order to mute you.

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    Mute Pato
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    Oct 18th 2023, 3:08 PM

    Is Marc MacSharry
    a) a rocket
    b) a Hammas
    c) a Sligo?

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    Mute
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    Oct 18th 2023, 3:43 PM

    @Pato: a ham ass parish pumper

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    Mute Ian McDonald
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    Oct 18th 2023, 5:26 PM

    I can’t wait to see how many of the political experts from this group put themselves forward in the next election

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    Mute N D K
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    Oct 18th 2023, 7:14 PM

    Journalism controlled by the journal

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    Mute Wayne Shoes
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    Oct 18th 2023, 6:05 PM

    Vote for the shoe in the next election

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    Mute Peter Reilly
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    Oct 19th 2023, 1:26 PM

    Bye now

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