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THE GOVERNMENT HAS published the National Risk Assessment for 2021/2022 – setting out the most significant geopolitical, economic, social, environmental and technological risks facing the country.
Some of the new risks identified in this year’s report were “economic scarring, digital exclusion, and the rise of a multipolar world”.
Under economic risks to the country, the report noted the possibility of labour shortages, supply chain and capacity constraints, changes to international trading relationships and disruption to a secure and sustainable energy supply.
The “rise of a multipolar world,” refers to the risks associated with the future direction of the European Union, Ireland’s post-Brexit relationship with the UK, armed conflict, terrorism and hybrid threats.
Meanwhile, the combination of the pandemic, Brexit and supply chain constraints has intensified existing risks including skills shortages and the supply and affordability of housing.
The aim of the assessment is to identify significant risks facing the country — and then produce a report to form the basis of a detailed risk management plan for departments and agencies.
“By any measure, the experience of the past number of years has really brought home the importance of work in the area of risk management and preparedness,” said Taoiseach Micheál Martin, speaking on the launch of the report.
Nowhere is this more clear than the Covid-19 pandemic, Martin said, adding that “we also need to maintain focus on the range of other existing and emerging risks,” including climate change, employment, housing and capacity challenges.
More than 50 submissions were received as part of a public consultation for the report, with climate change, biodiversity loss and social and economic inequality coming out as some of the top concerns.
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I have great memories of my mother sitting down to write her Christmas cards with her address book beside her,her glasses popped on her little nose and picking appropriate cards for young and old ( we tended to give the religious cards in the box to the elderly and snowmen/santa to the very young and the less liked cards to those folk we didn’t see too often), sigh,miss you mam.
@Honeybee: thankfully least you have some great memories, and no one is truly gone if we remember them.. have a great Christmas..
@Conaire DeBhairduin: Thank you for your kind words Conaire ,it is true mam left us wonderful memories but Christmas was her favourite time of year and sadly it was when she died, we laid her out beside her Christmas tree which her grandsons had put up for her, she had pancreatic cancer but died unexpectedly. Each Christmas as we look back, not all our loved ones make it through the year so cherish those closest to you, I guess like so many families , my mam taught us everything except how to live without her. Merry Christmas to you too and comfort to all who have lost loved ones this year.
Does “Rest of World” include the North Pole or is there some kind of express service there at this time of year?
@Tweety McTweeter: Lap Pole post lol.
Some of my fondest Christmas memories are with my son writing his Santa letter we always put a stamp on it and post it through the post office so that Santa would always write back to him! Great service with AnPost! Unfortunately he is now 12 and the magic of Santa is now gone but still huge Christmas fans with our tree up since early November!
@Cathriona Daley: I am 37 and a quarter and I assure you the magic of Father Christmas is still alive and kicking and I’ll not hear any suggestion otherwise…! ;-)
@Cathriona Daley: Ho, ho, ho Cathriona! I love hearing that people are getting in the Christmas spirit already! We would love to send you a Cadbury hamper worth €100 and a €150 One4All voucher to thank you for spreading the Christmas cheer! Just send an email with your address and phone number to (competitions@thejournal.ie) to confirm. Have a very merry Christmas!
@Cadbury Secret Santa: thank you so so so much this is so much appreciated as explained privately in the email happy Christmas to you all!!
If you want to post to Canada it’s probably too late! Worst postal service on the planet.
@HuffnPuff: I think that is because they are on strike or something similar
At €1 per stamp, not a chance I’m sending any, rather give the few Bob to a local family in need
Saddened to see the decline of Christmas cards by post. Saying happy Christmas by text or through social media just isn’t the same. Just another person who hasn’t the time anymore:-(
I thought all international post was 1:50 now??? Is the UK 1:35???
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