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A MOMENT OF silence was held in the Dáil this afternoon as TDs, ministers and the Taoiseach paid tribute to Gay Byrne.
Ceann Comhairle Sean Ó Fearghaíl said there had been a national outpouring of respect and recognition for the broadcaster, and announced that a book of condolences was to be opened in the main foyer of Leinster House for Byrne, who died yesterday, aged 85.
“Gay Byrne was the most influential broadcaster in the history of the State, and a much-loved figure who changed Ireland for the better in many ways. Gay had a central place in Irish homes for many decades on both radio and television. The story of his remarkable contribution to Irish life is the story of how we changed and evolved for the better as a nation over the past 60 years. A consummate entertainer, he also provided an outlet for all of those who had been silenced or were afraid to speak up,” said the Taoiseach.
“He enabled us to confront things that needed to be challenged in our society. Many things did not exist, or were not talked about, in Ireland before The Late Late Show, but it is good that they were talked about,” added Leo Varadkar.
As chairman of the Road Safety Authority for almost a decade, Byrne’s campaigning helped to save many lives, said Varadkar.
“I found him to be a wonderful, truly public-spirited person who undertook his responsibilities at the Road Safety Authority with the utmost seriousness and concern. He also spoke up for the whistleblowers who exposed the abuse of the penalty points system, thereby helping to bring about change in that system.
“For generations of Irish people he was “Uncle Gaybo”; a welcome presence in every home and someone who led change because he listened and he cared. We have lost a change-maker and a force for good. Today a national treasure is gone,” he said.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin also paid tribute to Byrne, stating that he was Ireland’s first citizens’ assembly and an “iconic Irish institution who left an indelible imprint not only on Irish broadcasting, but on Irish society itself”.
Martin said he had a profound impact on the evolution of modern Ireland.
“He was part and parcel of every Irish home for decades. His warmth resonated with so many people. His intellect and emotional intelligence were unparalleled and his ability to sensitively approach delicate and sometime controversial issues set him apart from other presenters.What really separated him was his capacity to listen while doing interviews; he was a great listener as well as contributor to interviews and debates,” he said.
Calling Byrne “a true public servant”, Martin said he was “a rare national treasure who touched the lives not only of his own family and friends, but those of the hundreds of thousands of people who welcomed him into their homes on radio and television”.
Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald said his “voice narrated the story of the State for more than three decades”.
“It is a testament to his talent and his ability that even at times when one did not agree with him one could still recognise the importance of the work he did,” said the party leader.
Labour’s Brendan Howlin said “he was the authentic voice of all the internal discussion and complexity of a maturing Ireland, and the certainty of voices coming to different conclusions”.
“His loss is felt by all but clearly, none more than his beloved wife Kathleen, his daughters Crona and Suzy, and his many friends throughout Ireland and especially in his former workplace of RTÉ,” he added.
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There’s a petition doing the rounds on Twitter calling on “all TD’s who are qualified teaches to go teach, starting Thursday 6th January”
@John Fairclough: the same way leo became a doctor again last year
@John Fairclough: and every barstool politician gets to run the country is it?
@John Fairclough: I’m quite happy with the person I voted for being in the Dail. It’s called democracy.
@Lad: the gemmaroids are available to run the country, apparently.
@John Fairclough: Sounds like it should be on Facebook
Independent news reporting you will no longer need a negative test to enter the country. They are basically saying ‘come to Ireland if you are infected, we dont care anymore’.
@Munster1: It did a great job keeping it out, didn’t it? I think you’d be more comfortable in China where they are barricading people into their homes.
@DK: I was the one arguing back in December that it wasnt enough and look where we are now, worst in the world.
@Munster1: Worlds worst be because of peoples behaviour. The virus doesn’t spread itself. Travel has very little impact compared to what’s happening inside the country.
@Munster1: FYI, its back go pre Omicron rules. Covid digital cert needed for travel or PCR test for those who dont have one.
@Paul Hedderman: fascinating logic. I guess countries with travel restrictions and very low numbers just got lucky.
@Munster1: We have it in my house. I have a very mild head cold. No-one else has symptoms. I know that’s just one household but I think the majority would take their chances with omicron. No-one wants more restrictions. A bit of pain now for a couple of weeks and we could be sitting pretty in Feb. And before anyone starts accusing me a out being heartless….I know.
@Munster1: No negative test needed for fully vaccinated passengers. I know they could still be infected but it’s different to what you’re saying: https://twitter.com/newschambers/status/1478707641287335937?t=66v4M7dyazTmY-UxRCGRbA&s=19
@Munster1: We had travel restrictions. Didnt do much. PCR test required for travel recently. Massive covid cases….. Every country is different. Local procedures/restrictions, climate, citizens behaviour and many other factors have a bearing on their cases…… Name a few countries that are compatible to us that did well with travel restrictions.
@DK: off you go.. I’m sure they would welcome someone of your ilk with open arms
@Munster1: if only they all listened to you…
@Paul Hedderman: Hotel quarantine for all arriving should have been used. Yes very inconvenient for them, but it is better than inconvenienceing 5 million people (to put it mildly).
@Munster1: ah yes, Ireland of the welcomes, isn’t that how you like to present yourselves to the rest of the world?
@JG: Why would I go? I’m the one saying the original commenters throughts are in line with China’s covid response. And what is someone of my ilk? Someone against proven ineffective measures like testing before entry?
@Vonvonic: praying that you don’t suffer long term affects from your Covid infection
@Drunk in Dublin: Thanks. But this is a multi facetted problem at this stage. Hopefully the revenue is feeling charitable in a couple of months
@Vonvonic: More people I know have COVID than don’t, my dad who is over 70 and myself included. For most young people it’s a walk in the park. For older people, it’s usually the same if they have their booster. We need to get on with life.
@DK: yes, people are not wearing masks in shops at best just when going through door then once In side under the chin. No hand sanitising people just walk past the stations. As for school what has changed over the break.in our kids school in their three classes the lowest number out with covid was 9 in one class the other 2 were in teens.certainly not a safe place to send them until numbers drop…this is just my view…..
@Munster1: haha, MHQ for all? It had minimal effect initially. What’s the point in that when theres an open border, society is open with covid rampant. Destroy the travel industry again for little change to covid levels in the community. MHQ wont work here full stop. We’re not NZ or Australia. What the difference between a traveller and someone thats already in the state? Why should vaxd travellers MQH when covid is rampant and many not abiding by guidelines. Makes no sense
@Munster1: the way it’s been since the start
@Paul Hedderman: they’ve also forgotten about the common travel area with the UK. No test required.
This is virtually over. Amazed and disturbed how many neurotics we have in Ireland. They can stay in their wardrobes if they want from now. Majority have moved on.
@Munster1: there’s the little problem of the 6 counties. We couldn’t shut ourselves off when the north wouldn’t adopt a whole island approach. But that little piece of fact is lost on the rabid lefty sf mob who say we should have closed the country off. Can’t believe how people got sucked in by their dangly bits.
@Munster1: you are thick.
@Munster1: hate to be the bearer of blunt fact but Ireland had already been recognised as the most impacted EU nation when it comes to reduced air travel directly as a result of the restrictions the government put in place. So it would seem that despite having the harshest impositions on travel we still have Omicron rampant.
So yeah, it would seem restricting travel won’t make a difference in a global pandemic where pretty much every nation is experiencing the same thing. Time to find a different scapegoat!
@Munster1: but apparently it is mild
Hope as a tactic at this stage. Great time to be a healthcare worker. Lets get Leo on the night shift in a swamped ED.
Nearly all over folks. A month or two left.
@Dave McCabe: No more variants? That’s great to hear Dave
@Munster1: 10 years later everyone else will be getting on with their lives with no restrictions while Munster1 the genius, will still be the keyboard warrior on the journal.ie and hiding under a rock.
@Danny O’Riordan: and you’ll still be searching the comments section looking for my posts.
@Munster1: I enjoy reading your posts because it sums up your intelligence.
@Danny O’Riordan: we would never hear from you Danny if it wasnt for me. I’ve yet to read one intelligent comment from you so far
@Munster1: the number of likes on my comments vs yours would suggest otherwise.
@Danny O’Riordan: it’s like I’m talking to a chiId. I’m going to block you now danny, nice knowing you.
@Danny O’Riordan: it’s like talking to a chiId. I’m going to bIock you now danny, nice knowing you.
@Danny O’Riordan: ah yeah, the all important like count. I mean that’s obviously the perfect gauge of how accurate or intelligent a comment is isn’t it. Id1øt
Okay, they’re back from their holidays. No rush lads
Drive her back now, let’s get back to some form of normality
Why remove a measure? What benefit is it? Just make tourists get tested before arriving. It doesn’t make sense to remove that, it’s not a burden on us.
@Rob Gale: why not introduce negative tests for train journeys, bus journeys while you’re at it? Not everyone flying to Ireland is a tourist. Covid is here. It will never be kept out. People get a mild cold and then recover if they have been vaccinated. There will be new variants, and they will be here too. Time to drive on with life.
@Rob Gale: “Burden on us” being the code words. I went to stay with my mum abroad for the holidays. I am fully vaccinated and got the booster, just in case. My ticket was cheaper than the PCR test on the way back (couldn’t get an antigen one, wouldn’t be enough time before departure). From the article it transpires there was no actual need to make travellers get a test, the idea was to discourage people from travelling. Thanks a lot!
@Rob Gale: Travel bans do not work in closely networked countries such as Ireland and any part of Europe for that matter.
They are a policial tool to appease to people who think there are simple solutions to very complex issues.
If the Govt. announcing a travel-ban makes you feel better about Covid, you don’t understand viruses at all.
Makin it up as they go along, Gowl of a man
What constitutes as “fully vaccinated” these days? Is someone who got the one shot J&J still considered fully vaccinated?
@Ciarán O’ Donoghue: haha the oul j&j I wouldn’t even say your considered partially vaccinated with that
@Ciarán O’ Donoghue: fully vaccinated is the 2 dose plus booster or j&j plus booster. Basically anyone without a booster isn’t fully vaccinated.
@TomTraubert: RTE has just said differently.
Let’s see what happens when the new variant ‘IHU’ lands over here from France. Reports from sky news.
More of the same Do as we say and blame the unvaccinated .
@Derek Anderson: its some shiiit show -) delta, omicron and new french one on way.. No testing on vax at airports.. What could possibly go wrong
@aidanshaw: nothing could go wrong because government knows it’s the fault of the UN vaccinated.
Wait until they start with what the French are trying to do. Stopping un vaccinated from going anywhere.
Kicking the can down the road
We are way past believing that being vaccinated stops one either getting the virus or indeed spreading it, so why on earth would they change the close contact rules for vaccinated people ?! That make absolute no sense.
Driving with foot on the brake!
so expect more restrictions then ?
A genuine question. When this all started we were told to wear gloves and masks were useless. Covid was supposed to be transferred both on sarfaces and close contact. Obviously the masks and social distancing have not worked. Is there a case to start wearing gloves ?. We have missed some means of transfer of the virus.
@Michael Dowling: id imagine unless you change gloves every time you touch something it’d be pointless?
@Michael Dowling: just completely avoid other peoole and don’t touch anything, ever, then you will be covid free, you will die of starvation and multiple other things but at least not covid
@Michael Dowling: no one said masks were useless. In the beginning they told us to save the N95s for front line workers, and so we made our own cloth masks instead. Masks help to avoid the spread of disease, without a doubt.
@Michael Dowling: Masks seem to work well if you wear them probably and no need for gloves if you wash your hands regularly.
@Michael Dowling: Covid is spread by droplets. Tiny drops of infected liquid expel with sneezes and coughs. We wear masks to stop these droplets from entering our mouth and nose. Therefore masks work. Covid droplets remain infectious for a period of time on surfaces like tabletops and hands. That’s why we wash our hands frequently and avoid shaking hands and close personal contact. If a person was to wear gloves, the gloves would need to be changed frequently, and the hands washed every time they’re changed, as is done in healthcare. I’ve been working on a frontline ambulance since the start of the pandemic and I’ve managed to remain Covid free by following the guidelines and remembering these simple facts. I hope this helps. Stay safe.
@Stephen Deegan: thanks for the clarification was just wondering about gloves. Can the virus enter the eyes also ?. That was also a theory early on. Personal thanks to you and your colleagues for you sacrifices.
@Michael Dowling: Yes, the virus can enter through the eyes, but we use social distancing to mitigate this. Healthcare people wear goggles and visors if they can’t keep their distance.
Drive her back now, let’s get back to some form of normality
“Martin said that the country was dealing with “a very rapid-spreading, highly transmissible variant” that needed to be managed.”
Nothing that is being done is managing anything.
Covid19 is spreading without impediment from any measure put in place, or vaccinations themselves, people can claim “lesser symptoms”, but that meaningless to the vast majority that have zero symptoms either way.
This is all just part of the same dog and pony show, to pressure people into their next shot from Pfizer, the last big marketing push before covid19 is declared endemic and something we will just have to live with, then covid shots without legislative support for continuing requirements to prove your vaccination status to go about your daily life, will have about the same uptake as flu shots do.
You failed to mention journal that non unvaccinated passengers must produce a negative pcr test 72 hrs before arrival into Ireland
@Mick Dunne: the article wasn’t about unvaccinated passengers.
@Mick Dunne: ‘non unvaccinated’ means vaccinated. Think you mean non vaccinated or unvaccinated
@Mick Dunne: non unvaccinated?
@Munster1: Only a matter of time now before Omicron gets here as well.
@mar: ??? Gets where?
Where’s Delta gone??
How long will a HCW have to wait on a PCR test ??? Million dollar question
Exponential is me hole’s new word at least he is leaving the word unprecedented alone.
It doesn’t state clearly what a person is to do if your living with a person who is awaiting a PCR test . confusion confusion and links for everything
I’m a close contact since last few days, my 5 days will be over on Saturday. The person I was in canst
They need to just make people who are not vaccinated sign a no ICU care if they get sick with Covid it’s the unvaccinated who are holding us all hostage to the virus restrictions
No its up to the government
Do we know when?
@Claude Saulnier: the next couple of days according to the article
have your say