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THE HSE SAYS it is “not planning for deaths” during the Pope’s Mass, but are prepared for all “eventualities” that may occur.
During a site visit to the Phoenix Park yesterday, Brendan Lawlor, the Executive’s chief emergency management officer, said they have plans in place for every possible situation, which also includes the setting up of a temporary morgue.
There will be an estimated 500,000 people attending the Pope’s Mass in Phoenix Park for the World Meeting of Families on 26 August.
There have already been discussions about infection control and the health of elderly citizens and those with medical conditions making the long walk to the main area.
“We have assessed our figures,” Lawlor explained. “This sort of event of 500,000 [people]… there could be [deaths]. We’re not saying there will be – there could be and we’ve just planned for that eventuality.”
Lawlor advised that people need to engage with their healthcare provider if they plan to attend, adding that there will be alternatives to making the pilgrimage.
“That’s a five-kilometre walk [there and] home and a long day for people. They need to assess their ability to take part in this event,” he says.
“For people who feel like they may not be able to do it, the television coverage of this event is going to be absolutely massive.”
Given the scale of the event – one of the largest in recent times – there will be significant security, transport and medical operations.
On the medical side, Lawlor outlined how there will be vast differences to what was seen in 1979 when Pope John Paul II visited. That day, there were only three medical hubs in the park.
On 26 August, there will 26 medical hubs from the bus zones and into the park.
There will also be first aid responders in every carrel in the park, who will have the ability to call for advanced care if needed. Stabilisation units will be established in the park which can link to emergency routes to a number of Dublin hospitals.
“We have to plan for every eventuality…just to ensure that everything is here and available,” concluded Lawlor.
Although it is the largest event to be organised in Ireland in almost 40 years, Pope Francis himself won’t be fazed. In 2015, more than 6 million people attended his final Mass during a trip to the Philippines. In the same year, the Washington Post reported that his five-day visit to the US produced the largest security operation in US history.
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So the gang of 4 have decided which Irish citizens will be disadvantaged for 2014.
The Irish have let them do what they want
What would you suggest? A giveaway budget?
Kerry. Everyone knows which citizens will be taking the pain yet again! They’re just trying to figure out the best way to force more and more of us out. It’s only a matter of time before they offer to pay us to disappear.
Kerry, only 2014?!
2015/16/17….50 Ect ect
Oreily, a giveaway budget, only in the run up to elections so they can ‘buy’ the votes.
Rodrigo, let’s not make any cuts and just borrow more…
O’Reilly lets start at the top and work down instead of the other way round for a change
How about they cut there own wages pensions exspenes like milage to drive to work dry cleaning hotels and lunch money and a hell of a lot more. I have to drive 40 miles each way to work six days a week all I get is a massive petrol bill
Ryan, if our finances are such that allow it at that time , then why not? But you’ll be rejecting any benefits in that giveaway budget then? You’ll hand it back to revenue saying you don’t want it?
@OReilly
in other words Ryan is correct….
Oreily by benefits I take it you mean the increase in USC, pension levy, property tax, broadcasting tax, and all other tax increases FG have implemented to pay unsecured private banking debt?
O’Reilly 20% of our revenue in 2014 will be going to pay interest on our “bailout” maybe we could suggest to our partners we will only be using 10% to pay off the cost of the banks and use the rest to generate work in Ireland and ensure our ill or needy in our society are not further disadvantaged?
I feel your pain citizens,i feel your pain!
Spot on Sean… True leaders lead from the front…
Thanks Tony
Its called Structural Reform problem is there is not a hope it will happen….they are too many pigs with their noses in the trough
sorry
*there
It will still be a tough budget, Mr Noonon, our finance minister, solemnly declares to the people. God damn, it must be so easy to tighten other people’s belts – especially when you don’t have to tighten your own!
I hope they will be doing a serious review of their own expenses as a cost saving measure.
Don’t suggest that, they’ll just increase them.
I think they will deserve a little break after all this work. Sack the lot of them !!!!
The main topic of debate will be whether to give us a kick in the nuts or a punch in the stomach.
C’mon pay rise!
Looks like they are going to go for the “benefits” for the disabled. The free electricity units and phone line rental are pretty crucial to the survival of anyone trying to live on disability. I had to attempt it years ago after an accident and it was brutal. If they do take these away it is going to drop a lot of peoples lives into misery and further debt. It means that disabled people will have to find €50 a month or more to fund the bankers and that can only do one thing..increase suicide rates. Many disabled people have to deal with physical pain and to inflict more financial pain on them is not the mark of a civilised society. A wipeout of TD’s expenses would be much more humane.
Booooooooo!
I will save the lads some time. Here is what you should do lads:
Increase taxes on ordinary citizens
Save money by reducing services to vulnerable people
Look after banks/wealthy/yourselves/your mates
Sorted!
Budget adjustment of €2.5bn? Same cost as mental health difficulties to the economy annually, which we pointed out two years ago! http://t.co/xbNNtS9G3J Mental Health Reform has made a number of cost-effective and proven effective recommendations to all relevant Govt departments – http://t.co/lJnSXi0wv6 …
have your say