Declan Lynch on radio: The Kerryman who massacred a tribe
Much of human progress is achieved by people being better than they need to be. There's Jerry O'Sullivan of Radio Kerry, presenter of the station's main current affairs show Kerry Today, a demanding job that he does very well – all the more demanding given the number and frequency of the Healy-Raes encountered by him, as a matter of routine.
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Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
Minister Healy-Rae claims he ‘personally championed' new planning exemptions
The review forms part of the Implementation Plan for the Planning and Development Act 2024 with Minister Browne saying the changes create an ability to expand and improve existing planning exemptions to allow for the appropriate adaptation of dwellings to changing needs is a key consideration. The minister explained the new changes would take many applications out of the system that don't need to be there, freeing up local authority planners' time and allowing more resources to be focused on larger projects. Minister Browne explained that public submissions will be 'extremely important' as it is recognised, especially in urban areas, that some exempted developments may have unintended impacts on neighbouring properties. A public consultation process will run for four weeks over the summer period. Following a review of all submissions, updated Exempted Development Regulations will be finalised as quickly as possible. 'Therefore, any proposed exemptions in relation to housing can only be improved by having full public consultation and I would encourage anyone with something to say to engage with the process when it opens up for contributions,' Minister Browne said. Welcoming the announcement, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Healy-Rae said the proposal is practical and long-overdue and one he 'personally championed' during pre-government policy talks. 'This is something I've been pushing for over many years, in policy discussions before entering government and throughout my time in politics,' Minister Healy-Rae said. "I've consistently called for more flexibility and clarity around planning exemptions, because these are the real-life issues that come up in every county and every parish. It's great to now see these proposals taking shape,' he added. Minister Healy-Rae stated that too often people are caught up in red tape trying to do something as simple as converting a roof space or putting in a modular home for a family member. He feels the review will cut through this and help people to move faster, adding that local authorities, especially in rural areas, will see direct benefits from the move. 'This change will ease a massive administrative burden on councils, particularly in rural counties like Kerry. It's about using common sense to improve housing delivery whether it's for an older parent, an adult child, or a family trying to make their home work better for their needs,' he said. Minister Healy-Rae urged Minister Browne to 'move quickly' and complete the process. Once the regulations are finalised, he said it would bring clarity that is important for families, for planners, and for the overall efficiency of the housing system.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
‘Roughly what I expected' – Leaving Cert students react after first day of exams
Over 140,000 students sat down this morning to face English, the first of their Leaving Certificate exams. The Irish Independent caught up with two of these students for their reactions as they exited their exam hall. Ms Healy said: 'It was roughly what I expected. I really liked seeing Margaret Atwood on the paper. She's one of my favourite authors. And I also liked the personal essay." The Higher Level paper was topical and current from a reading comprehension on a speech given by Margaret Atwood and extracts from the Man Booker Prize Winner Orbital to a composition assignment tasking students with a podcast script. For the personal essay, Helena chose question 6 - 'In Text 2 Margaret Atwood refers to cherishing, 'democratic elections'. Write a personal essay in which you reflect on some of the factors that would influence your voting intentions in future elections'. 'I thought it was general enough where you could talk about anything that you were interested in, but it wasn't so broad that you wouldn't have enough ideas. Overall I thought the paper was really nice and hope I did well,' she said. Fred Movete (18), who sat Ordinary Level English Paper 1, was also happy with his paper. With love a theme across Ordinary Level paper 1, with Beatles' song 'All You Need is Love' in the mix, writing about universal experiences was key. He said: 'I definitely felt the pressure but once I started everything was ok. There was maybe one question [that caught me] but I think I will do great.' Mr Movete is looking forward to his history exam next Wednesday and hopes for an essay on the Nuremberg trials to come up on the paper next Wednesday. ADVERTISEMENT "It's my favourite subject, for the research study report I covered the CIA's secret programme MK-Ultra,' he said. Ms Healy and Mr Movete's year group were in first year when Covid-19 upended the nation. Nuala Brady, Deputy Principal, said: 'This would be the year group we would have worried for the most because they didn't get the proper foundation initially.' 'It's been a challenging couple of years for all post-Covid.' Leaving Certificate results this year will once again be artificially inflated through a post-marking adjustment which will be applied after all marking of individual papers has been completed. This was first introduced to compensate for students who missed out on classes due to school closures during the Covid-19 pandemic. Tomorrow students will take on English Paper 2 before Geography and Maths Paper 1 on Friday.
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Cian Healy to bring curtain down on rugby career in Baa Baas clash with Springboks
Cian Healy will bring his long and illustrious career to a close in Cape Town at the end of May when he lines out for the famous Barbarians against the world-champion Springboks. The Leinster and Ireland veteran has been added to a roster that already includes Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray as head coach Robbie Dean goes about confirming his squad for the one-off contest in South Africa. All Black Shannon Frizell has also been pencilled in. 'When putting a squad together, we always look for players who have a number of attributes: versatility, experience, skill set, flair, combinations and know each other's games at club or international level, but most importantly respect and value the privilege of playing for the Barbarians,' said Deans. 'Cian is hugely experienced both at club and country level, can play tighthead and loosehead, and will know well the two other Irish players announced last week. And Shannon is an explosive and dynamic backrow and has played alongside Sam Cane for the All Blacks.' This will be the first time the Barbarians face South Africa and for Healy and O'Mahony, it will be their last ever game of professional rugby before they retire. Murray also leaves Munster this summer but it is believed he will play elsewhere next season. The 37-year-old Healy is not only Ireland's most capped player but Leinster's too. He made his Test debut in 2009 and retired from international rugby after the Six Nations earlier this year, having earned 137 caps. The versatile prop has been central to Leinster's success and is currently concentrating on Leinster's bid to claim a URC title. He was also a member of the British & Irish Lions squad on their victorious tour of Australia in 2013, but had to withdraw through injury.
