FASD in Ireland – ‘We were in the silly scenario where some GPs were telling women it's safe to drink through pregnancy'
Ireland remains the only developed country in the world to not recognised Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) as a disability, and not without lack of trying.
Clare-based Tristan Casson-Rennie is the CEO and founder of FASD Ireland, a not-for-profit social enterprise founded in September of 2021.
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Irish Independent
19 hours ago
- Irish Independent
‘Harvey was our rock star' – Parents of boy (9) who waited years for scoliosis surgery vow to continue campaigning after his death
'We are devastated, Harvey was our rock star, and we will continue to campaign for other children in similar situations as Harvey,' his father, Stephen Morrison, said. 'We have to continue to campaign for other kids, because if we didn't we would be doing Harvey a disservice.' 'After a while we will go strong again in our campaign. There are so many other children like Harvey and families like ours who need help and support,' Mr Morrison said. 'Harvey was our Little Rock star, he would burst into a room, he wanted to let everyone know he was in the room. 'Anyone who met him said he had these big wide beautiful eyes that would draw you into him, a lot of people said to us that they felt like Harvey was here before, that he was an old soul.' 'Harvey was battling for so long, we are absolutely devastated,' Stephen said. Little Harvey's remains will repose at Massey Bros Funeral Home, Clondalkin, Dublin, from 3pm-5pm, Friday, August 1. Harvey will be remembered at a public cremation service, at Newland's Crematorium Chapel, Newlands Cross, Dublin, (D22 EOCO), at 1pm, Saturday. Harvey, from Clondalkin, was waiting three years for scoliosis surgery as the curvature on his spine continued to extend to a life-threatening 130 degrees. The spinal curve grew so serious that it was crushing Harvey's ribcage and lungs and putting severe pressure on his heart. ADVERTISEMENT His severe condition was highlighted in February 2024 when his parents, Gillian Sherratt and Mr Morrison, shared a heartbreaking video of their vulnerable son struggling to breathe due to the curve on his spine. The boy's story of perseverance in the face of his worsening condition and delays in his surgery, as well as growing spinal waiting lists for children's surgery nationally, were all later highlighted in the Dáil. Despite long demanding action over their son's surgery, Ms Sherratt discovered during a routine enquiry last August that, in fact, Harvey had been removed from Children's Health Ireland's active scoliosis surgical waiting list without their knowledge. While not directly involved in their son's care, orthopaedic surgeon David Moore, emailed Ms Sherratt in response and told her: "I apologise for any misunderstanding that appears to have occurred in respect of Harvey's case." Mr Moore also explained in the email that Harvey was not a candidate for surgery abroad, but that he was "happy to facilitate' Harvey being reviewed by two Irish-based surgeons. Harvey eventually had his surgery last December, however as his curve had grown to such a significant size, it was impossible to completely correct it. Professor Damian McCormack, lead consultant surgeon in paediatric orthopaedic surgery at Temple Street Children's Hospital, performed the surgery reducing some of the pressure on the boy's lungs and heart. Ms Sherratt said at the time that she and Mr Morrison had 'huge respect' for Prof McCormack, and that they were 'so thankful to Professor Damian McCormack for being the only person that was actually willing to operate on Harvey'. In a statement on Tuesday, Ms Sherratt said: 'It is with the heaviest of hearts that myself and Stephen (Morrison) have to announce that our little rockstar Harvey passed away this morning with us by his side, arrangements to follow and it will be open to any and all of you who have supported him throughout his short life.' In a poignant joint tribute to their son, in his obituary notice, they wrote: 'Words cannot convey the heartbreak we feel in announcing that on 29th July after a very short illness, our little rockstar Harvey passed away in the arms of mum and dad.' 'He will be dearly missed by anyone who was lucky enough to know him…In his short life Harvey faced more challenges than most, and was the bravest, strongest and most courageous boy.' 'To know him was to love him, and he definitely left his mark on this world. 'If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever'.' Harvey's parents invited friends and the wider public 'to join us to celebrate Harvey's life, and dress in colour' at his cremation service, and they asked that mourners make a donation, if desired, to Child Vision In Memory of Harvey, in lieu of flowers. Harvey Morrison Sherratt is survived by his parents Gillian and Stephen, his sister Lyla and brother Remy, grandparents Ann, Gordon, Christina and Thomas, and his aunts, uncles and cousins.
The Irish Sun
21 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Top 20 foods Brits say they hate despite never having tried are revealed in new study
S IX in 10 Brits claim to dislike foods they've never even tried, according to research. A poll, of 2,000 adults, found they have an average of eight foods they refuse to eat, with five of those being ones they've never tasted. 2 Boursin Plant-based has partnered with TV foodie Frenchman Fred Sirieix Credit: Ben Stevens/PinPep Sushi, black pudding, and kimchi are among the foods people most commonly to dislike without trying first, along with plant-based alternatives to cheese and anchovies. Tofu, liver, and plant-based equivalents to milk also featured in the top 10. Despite this, 65 per cent proudly claim to have adventurous palates, while 74 per cent said they are willing to try new foods. The study was commissioned by Boursin Plant-based, which has partnered with TV foodie Frenchman Fred Sirieix, to investigate food biases by hosting blind tastings at food festivals throughout the summer. Read more news Fred Sirieix said: 'Brits claim to eagerly embrace culinary trends and global flavours, but they can be particularly prejudiced when it comes to certain foods, and this is one of the biggest barriers to discovery. 'Many ingredients including plant-based alternatives to cheese have huge negative preconceptions. 'But despite many claiming they'd be able to differentiate plant-based from dairy, even the most discerning foodies were fooled by this plant-based alternative to cheese when we let taste do the talking.' The study found that 65 per cent of adults admit to judging food negatively before tasting, yet 53 per cent change their minds after trying - a reminder to stay open-minded. Most read in UK News The biggest motivators for trying new flavours were blind taste tests or learning about a food's health benefits, each cited by 21 per cent of respondents. Six in 10 said they would be honest if served something they didn't want to eat, with 32 per cent then refusing it outright, while 28 per cent would at least try a small bite. Despite all of the above, only 17 per cent actually admitted to being a fussy eater, according to It also emerged 67 per cent were adamant they'd be able to tell the difference between dairy and plant-based alternatives to cheese - with nearly a half (46 per cent) willing to give it a go if it tasted as good as the 'real thing'. Fred Sirieix, on behalf of Boursin, added: 'People are very clearly confident in their ability to tell dairy from plant-based alternatives but as we saw from experience, this was not actually the case. 'In reality, less than 10 per cent of people at the Foodies festival were able to differentiate between Boursin plant-based and dairy. 'It just goes to show - there's a whole world of flavours out there waiting to be explored if you're brave enough. 'Even ingredients you might dismiss because of previous experiences, judgements, or assumptions can still surprise you if prepared in the right way. 'So, embrace the challenge and let the taste do the talking.' Top 20 foods Brits refuse to eat without trying Sushi Black pudding Kimchi Plant-based alternatives to cheese Anchovies Tofu Blue cheese Duck Liver Plant-based alternatives to milk Prawns Olives Asparagus Spicy curry Kale Pickles Beetroot Coriander Brussel sprouts Mushrooms 2 Sushi tops the list Credit: Ben Stevens/PinPep
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Government's decision to delay alcohol health labelling is bowing to lobbyist influence
How are decisions made in government? One would hope that decision-makers would have access to facts and that this would form the basis of decision making. However, while officials are certainly in possession of the facts when it comes to alcohol harm, the basis of decision-making seems to rest with who has access to government. Never was this clearer than in relation to the recent decision to delay the introduction of alcohol health information labelling. These labels provide basic information to consumers including that alcohol causes liver disease and fatal cancers as well as a warning about drinking in pregnancy; they also include details of calories, alcohol content and a link to a public health website. The regulations are part of a package of legislative measures, Public Health (Alcohol) Act, introduced in 2015 and passed overwhelmingly in 2018 by the Oireachtas. The aim was to reduce Ireland's alcohol consumption by 20% by 2020 - a modest target still not fully achieved. The labelling had been through extensive assessment and notification processes with the EU Commission and the World Trade Organisation and had been signed into law in 2023 to become operational in 2026. Polling indicated strong public support of over 70% for the measures. Labels had even started to appear on dozens of wines, beers and ciders from at least 10 countries in shops right across Ireland as businesses adapted to the regulations expecting the government to deliver on its own law. However, following extensive lobbying of government by the alcohol industry, a memo was brought to Cabinet last week by the Tánaiste and minister for foreign affairs and trade, Simon Harris, to delay labelling until 2028. Does a postponement matter? Some seemed to regard the labels as merely an administrative issue as opposed to a serious public health matter designed to help address issues such, as, for example, the birth of 15 babies every day in Ireland with the life-long neurodevelopmental condition of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, (FASD), or the fact that three people daily get a cancer diagnosis caused by alcohol, or that rates of liver disease have nearly doubled over the past two decades. According to lobbying records, alcohol industry representatives met with senior members of government, including the Taoiseach, at least seven times between January and April 2025. Freedom of Information requests also revealed that immediately upon the formation of the new government, multiple letters were sent to ministers all making the same points – such as worries about possible tariffs, costs to small businesses and a call to wait for an EU label. Alarmist claims were made about jobs and trade, even though labels have nothing to do with exports and the EU Commission adjudicated that labelling does not constitute a barrier to trade. To be clear, this industry has opposed these labels from the outset and employed variations of all the above arguments for years - in addition to false claims that alcohol has health benefits and doesn't really cause cancer. Whatever industry says to government about supporting public health measures (though not just at this time) what they say to their shareholders is that labelling might lead to reduced alcohol consumption. Perhaps the most ridiculous claim from industry is that as population-level alcohol consumption has decreased in recent years, there is apparently no need for further regulation - an argument akin to saying if road deaths decrease, why not increase drink-driving limits. The various entreaties worked and in early April comments were made by the minister for finance about the regulations needing to be 'examined again'. This opened space for industry and bad-faith actors to rehash all the debates which had already taken place over the past decade – debates which had been settled by evidence and fact. Once again health experts were dragged into discussing whether alcohol really causes cancer; the answer is the same now as it was in 2018 – yes. Moreover, we have since learned even more about alcohol and cancer and that it can cause the disease at even relatively low levels of consumption. The usual, unoriginal, worn-out tropes of nanny statism reappeared as if only the alcohol industry has the right to decide what information consumers are entitled to. Government ministers trumpeted that other measures of the Alcohol Act had been introduced (albeit painfully slowly) as if somehow that reduced the necessity to commence all of the legislation which is designed to work as a package. At the same time, multiple health and social organisations, those who are at the coal face dealing with the impact of alcohol harm, were writing to the government warning of the consequences of delaying the regulations. Academics highlighted that alcohol costs Ireland at least 2.5% of GDP - €12 billion annually – in health, justice and lost productivity. That's 10 times what is raised through excise duties. There are other voices which were raised but were ignored. Some of those most hurt by alcohol including those who have grown up with the trauma of alcohol harm in the home, those who are now in recovery and some who have lost precious family members to this drug wrote to government and the media highlighting the importance of these measures. Dr Sheila Gilheany: 'Perhaps the most ridiculous claim from industry is that as population-level alcohol consumption has decreased in recent years, there is apparently no need for further regulation - an argument akin to saying if road deaths decrease, why not increase drink-driving limits.' Requests were made for meetings to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, minister for finance and the minister for enterprise. These were refused. Meetings were granted with Department of Health officials including the minister, but it is clear that the running on this issue was being made by other departments and in any case, surely the minister for health didn't need to be convinced of the importance of her own department's regulations? All of this, though, distracted focus from the fundamental question which is not, do we need labels, but rather, why is the alcohol industry getting an opportunity to overturn democratically mandated regulations which are there to protect public health? This assault on democratic processes is being presented as a mere delay due to unfortunate trading uncertainties. There are assurances that the regulations will go ahead in 2028. Yet the alcohol industry is already crowing - 'This pause shall be more than just a delay, it is a much-needed chance to rethink how we ensure consumers are well-informed, while also safeguarding the legal and economic coherence of the European market,' said European wine trade body, CEEV. The twist is that industry wants a weak-worded label buried in a meaningless QR code. So, the government decided to pander to the alcohol industry, choosing to believe their claims over the evidence that was presented to them by unbiased sources. Perhaps they didn't really believe the industry arguments but somehow it was expedient to go along with it, maybe in the hope of obtaining a supposedly better trade deal regardless of the health and economic impacts of ignoring the harm from alcohol. Or maybe it is the default position of elements of government to place shareholder profit ahead of public interest since private whispers are louder than the voices of civil society. If so, the dangers are not just to public health but also to public trust in government. Dr Sheila Gilheany is the CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland
