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On dramatic day for politics in the North, a senior DUP figure also stood down

Dr Andrew Crawford has been accused of exerting his influence to keep the “cash for ash” scheme running.

THE RESIGNATION OF Martin McGuinness may have been the major story to come from Northern politics yesterday, but a senior DUP adviser also announced his resignation.

Dr Andrew Crawford said he was stepping down shortly after a public inquiry was announced into the controversial “cash for ash” scheme by outgoing-Finance Minister Sinn Féin’s Máirtín Ó Muilleoir.

In a meeting of Stormont’s Public Account’s Committee on Wednesday, a senior civil servant said that Crawford had exerted his influence to keep the flawed Renewable Heat Initiative (RHI) running.

It is expected that flaws in the system – whereby businesses received more in subsidies than they paid for fuel – could lead to an overspend of almost half a billion pounds in the coming years.

Crawford was a special adviser to former First Minister Arlene Foster, whose department are said to have repeatedly ignored warnings over the flaws in the RHI scheme.

At the PAC meeting at Stormont, senior civil servant Dr Andrew McCormick said that he understood that Crawford had influenced the decision to keep the RHI running, although he did not have direct evidence to back that up.

In a statement to the Belfast Telegraph, Crawford said that the public inquiry would show he “acted with complete integrity”.

He said that he was resigning because he did not want to be a “distraction” and that he was “conscious that [he had] become the focus of the story”.

The Belfast Telegraph also reports that Crawford’s brother is a poultry farmer who is a recipient of payments under the RHI scheme, although there is no suggestion that the scheme has been used inappropriately.

Moving to instigate a public inquiry into the “cash for ash” scheme, Sinn Féin’s Ó Muilleoir said that “no other type of investigation is now feasible given time pressures”.

He added: “This enquiry will be impartial and objective. I will not interfere in its work. It will be tasked to get to the truth of this issue.

“Under the Enquiries Act, the enquiry report must go to the Finance Minister. I give a commitment that I or any Sinn Féin Minister will release the report in full to the public on receipt.

I am aware that the RHI issue goes beyond financial matters to questions of governance and probity. By getting to the truth of the RHI scandal, this inquiry report will, I believe, address those wider issues, and, therefore, put the public first.

Arlene Foster faced repeated calls to resign over the issue, but persistently refused to do so.

The resignation of McGuinness as Deputy First Minister, however, forced the hand of Westminster to call an election, which will take place on 2 March.

Read: Martin McGuinness is stepping away from politics and will not seek re-election

Read: Who do Sinn Féin have lined up to fill Martin McGuinness’ shoes?

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7 Comments
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    Mute Nick Allen
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:13 AM

    Typical SF, every opportunity to shut down a business and stop people working is jumped on. Lots and of local shops opened providing an essential service and were staffed by local people who walked to work. There was nice feeling of community and togetherness in the shops and many staff were very happy to be able to provide the service

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    Mute dodofrey
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:26 AM

    @Nick Allen: Except in Jobstown.

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    Mute Fergus Sheahan
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:36 AM

    @john Appleseed: what did she say? PBP sense of entitlement is unbelievable nothing is ever their fault and “personal responsibility” are bad words

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:40 AM

    @Fergus Sheahan: check out her Facebook. Basically they were forced to loot as nobody loves them…

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    Mute Nick Allen
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:49 AM

    @john Appleseed:

    The obvious solution is to increase social welfare payments, provide more free services and just increase tax on the workers to pay for it.

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    Mute League of shadows
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:50 AM

    @john Appleseed: Awww your heart would bleed

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    Mute Fergus Sheahan
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:52 AM

    @john Appleseed: just read it…she’s a delusional socialist living in a dream world

    56
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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:54 AM

    @Fergus Sheahan: she’s a disgrace and a government employee. Should be suspended without pay effective immediately.

    58
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    Mute Pj Windgap
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:58 AM

    @john Appleseed: From reading her Facebook comments , it’s her complete lack of spelling and grammar that scares me. Especially as she is chairperson of teanga beo.

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    Mute man.over.board
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 8:09 AM

    @Pj Windgap: I cant see anything on her facebook page about the looting?

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    Mute dodofrey
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 8:22 AM

    @john Appleseed: hear John Connors? Backtracking furiously now, apparently he meant it in regard to the looting and not the JCB incident. Trying to use it as a ‘little man against the corporate machine’ type stupidity. Stupid stuff.

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    Mute Brendan Mason
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 9:48 AM

    @Nick Allen: Agreed but employers should not risk employee safety. Employees should be facilitated, ie overnight stays etc. Safety is No 1. As seen from the 6.00 news yesterday no recorded deaths were reported because of the bad weather. I dont think the government over reacted. They did a good job.

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    Mute Jane
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 10:03 AM

    @man.over.board: she has deleted it

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    Mute Barra O Brien
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 10:09 AM

    @john Appleseed: She’s a disgrace and her spelling is even worse.

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    Mute League of shadows
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 11:34 AM

    @Fergus Sheahan: Just about sums up PBP, a world of freedom without responsibility and action without consequence.

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    Mute Darren Tully
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 11:42 AM

    @john Appleseed: I went on her facebook page and didn’t see the post you won about either it was taken down of you’re talking shite

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    Mute Maria Hickey-Fagan
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 3:12 PM

    @Jane: fortunately I took a screenshot and will wave it in the face of every PBP candidate who darkens my doorstep.

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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello.
    Favourite Neal Ireland Hello.
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:22 AM

    If you business owners want to allowed to do whatever you see fit, start proving that you can be trusted. When we no longer hear of minimum wage baristas being told they can’t leave to get the last bus home, we’ll trust you.

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    Mute Nick Allen
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:27 AM

    @Neal Ireland Hello.:

    LOL

    23
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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello.
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:29 AM

    @Nick Allen:?

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    Mute Ciaran Whyte
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 8:00 AM

    @Neal Ireland Hello.: PSSST Neal… there was no declaration, nor any law passed to force businesses to close. We all closed, because was all felt it was the best and safest option

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    Mute Stephen Coveney
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 8:02 AM

    @Neal Ireland Hello.:
    He might be laughing at you lumping all business owners in together while not using the same criteria for workers. In other words you’re a a hypocrite looking for attention

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    Mute Ramón Nomar
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:59 AM

    My manager picked me up from home to go to work, and when I called him to bring me back home, turned off the phone. Didn’t get my calls, I was in a queue of more than two hours outside in the snow to get a taxi. I got all my finger frozen I felt I was going to loose them I swear. Few friends of mine happened the same. With the storm few months ago happened exactly the same. When I was coming back home a tree fell few min before and blocked the Main Street, I got stocked as well waiting. I thing all business must close because companies don’t care about people.

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    Mute Michelle Wallace
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 8:13 AM

    @Ramón Nomar: that’s a disgrace

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    Mute Cindy Crawford
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 9:35 AM

    @Ramón Nomar: After sending an e mail threatening disciplinary action if people didn’t make arrangements to ensure they got to work, the company I work for then sent another stating they would pay an extra 25% if we came in to work during the red alert. Considering that I earn €50 a day, I didn’t think it was worth risking driving for an extra €12.50. That’s what some employers think of their employees.

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    Mute Jack Jackson
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 10:27 AM

    @Ramón Nomar: While I agree about the general attitude of companies who see people as only just a number. Do what I do when your fingers are frozen……stick them inside your pance.

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:28 AM

    When employers can ensure that their employees can get to work and home safely during weather red alerts, then they can insist. Employees are mere chattels.

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:37 AM

    @Dave Doyle: yes that’s the issue. You need to be able to provide safe transport home

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    Mute Dominic Rafferty
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:41 AM

    @Dave Doyle: Common sence should prevail ! If someone had to drive a good distance they should be asked is it vital they be at work and any reasonable boss should understand if conditions are bad… otherwise there an awful boss !

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:54 AM

    @john Appleseed: When it’s unsafe to drive your car. Public transport is running at a limited service that could be withdrawn at any time and leave people stranded, what do you or employers expect people to do?

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    Mute Jane
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 10:06 AM

    The thing here is that the vast vast majority of businesses did close voluntarily. The few that opened were mostly local shops run by families or in our area the local pub, also family run. Would these be forces to close under this bill?

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    Mute Jack Jackson
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 10:24 AM

    @Dominic Rafferty: And what exactly is a “good distance”? A person could crash their car or get hit by a falling tree within five minutes of leaving their workplace.

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    Mute marg fitzgerald
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 10:29 AM

    @Dominic Rafferty: reasonable boss…… The problem is finding one of them

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    Mute Alison Sheppard
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:17 AM

    The problem is having to travel, working in the city centre buses will get you in for the early morning then once the weather is bad and the public transport is stopped you are fold OK its bad you can go!! Great now try make my way home

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    Mute Sandra Fogarty Tormey
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 8:10 AM

    It’s only a couple of days people will still buy what they need a couple of days later. Business will not look after it’s employees and seriously as a customer do you think I am going out in that weather. As for bosses driving staff who made them expert drivers in snow and ice.

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    Mute John Considine
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:36 AM

    The social welfare office in my town closed all day on Thursday even though we hadn’t a flake of snow until well after 7 pm. There’s dedication.

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    Mute Nick Allen
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:42 AM

    @John Considine:

    No doubt SF will want an exception to their proposed law to mandate social welfare staff must work.

    38
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    Mute Brendan Mason
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 9:40 AM

    @Nick Allen: I dont think so. Give Mary Lou a ring and ask the question. She will tell you.

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    Mute Daddy Long Legs
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 1:21 PM

    @Nick Allen: No doubt Nick Allen likes to roll around meadows during lambing season. See how you can say any nonsense after the words no doubt.

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    Mute DM
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:06 AM

    A nothing bill which won’t get passed.

    39
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    Mute Ciaran Fairley
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:27 AM

    What blizzard was this? Didn’t notice any “blizzard” in Dublin. Yet the whole city closed and came to a standstill. Met Eireann should read the story of the boy who cried wolf. No shred of credibility in their forecasts anymore.

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:36 AM

    @Ciaran Fairley: seriously? It was unreal yesterday evening.

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    Mute Robbie
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:43 AM

    @Ciaran Fairley: I drove home from bray to Blanchardstown at 10:30pm on wed and it was blizzard conditions. Couldn’t see 2 feet in front. At times didn’t know if I was still in lane and was a nightmare trying to see where the m50 exits and subsequent turns where. So I can confirm there was blizzards

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    Mute Nick Allen
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 7:51 AM

    @Ciaran Fairley:

    Not shred of credibility. LOL. What do u think all the white stuff on the ground is?

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    Mute The Debater
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 9:28 AM

    @Ciaran Fairley: good man Ciaran, you sound like a real hero

    25
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    Mute Pilib O Muiregan
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 9:40 AM

    @Ciaran Fairley: Met Eireann got it by and large bang on. Just because it wasn’t blizzard like in your back garden does not mean it didn’t happen else where. Of course some places missed out in red warning areas due to the isle of man shadow and other variables that by and large could not be predicted. 7 and 8 foot of snow drifts on roads tell another tale however

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    Mute Ciaran Fairley
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 9:43 AM

    @Robbie: It was more a flurry than a blizzard. Go to Canada and Russia, they have blizzards. They’d laugh at what that was.

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    Mute Darren Tully
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 11:23 AM

    @Ciaran Fairley: Guess what Ciaran, they get this type of weather on a regular basis so of course they’re used to it. We don’t so we’re not. When was the last time we had weather like this? Almost a decade ago, hardly justifies investing the amount of money they spend annually to maintain the fleets of plows and heavy machinery they use to keep themselves going.

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    Mute Joe Lennon
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 8:01 AM

    Schools should definitely be. Telling schools it’s up to them to decide whether or not to close during a red weather alert as what happened on Wednesday was ridiculous,

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 8:30 AM

    @Joe Lennon: as if they’d ever opt for anything other than closed (with full pay)

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    Mute Noel Ryan
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 10:33 AM

    @john Appleseed: We had to close, and I won’t get paid for it, because for the first three years at least after qualification you’re only contracted. Stick to what you know

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 9:03 PM

    @Noel Ryan: but it wasn’t your decision to close was it?

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    Mute Noel Ryan
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    Mar 4th 2018, 12:11 AM

    @john Appleseed: No, it was a decision of my employer just like every other sector. My employer will have to deal with the consequences; lost time etc. Funnily my employer was v slow to close, while I, even though I was personally losing out was really hoping we would close, so I’d get a break with my family.

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    Mute Seeking Truth
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 9:19 AM

    I agree that the schools used the opportunity to close early. Wednesday was a half day and my daughter’s school closed. There was plenty of time and opportunity to get in and out of school on Wednesday. Unfortunate to be missing so much school unnecessarily, I do hope there is some sort of makeup plan for missed days.

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    Mute Citygal
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 9:55 AM

    @Seeking Truth: hilarious that your name is seeking truth when you are just spouting lies. Schools don’t close for no reason. I’m very glad your school took the initiative to close so that your child could get home safe, my child’s school didn’t and we had a very scary drive home.

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    Mute David Duffy
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 9:56 AM

    @Seeking Truth: Yeah. Flip the kids safety. Accommodate the parents instead.

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    Mute GClare
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 9:58 AM

    @Seeking Truth: snow days are already factored in to the annual holiday plan.

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    Mute Pilib O Muiregan
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 9:07 AM

    The warning g system needs to be fine tuned before anything happens. Where I am we where not under warning until Wednesday night but where under a fair bit if snow from Tuesday. I think the temptation to go National was correct this time, as they are drifts and roads impassable all over the country. It should be a decision made by the employer and employees should not be penalised if in a red area

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    Mute Tom Harpur
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 10:42 AM

    The nature of business in the case of retailers is supply and demand if we demand it they supply it. If they close they quickly lose money and for some small grocery stores yesterday they most likely made more money than they will for weeks

    5
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    Mute Maria Hickey-Fagan
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 3:13 PM

    Instead of forcing businesses to close, make it illegal to penalise staff who can’t make it to work.

    6
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    Mute thesaltyurchin
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 8:37 AM

    Usual no plan.

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    Mute Darren Tully
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 11:26 AM

    @thesaltyurchin: Yeah no plan for hard to predict changeable and exceptional weather that comes around once a decade if at all

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    Mute Dan Cahill
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 10:07 AM

    Anyone who has self employed people like tradesmen booked to work on their homes should also pay that person even though there was a red alert.

    Tax relief would sort this for employers….

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    Mute Pj Windgap
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 10:50 AM

    @Dan Cahill: Would you pay a brickie for 2 days labour even though no work had been done?? Would you pay a tiler to tile your bathroom though no tiles were laid?? Would you pay a mechanic to service your car even though it’s snowed under in your driveway?? Dream on.

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    Mute Dan Cahill
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 11:09 AM

    @Pj Windgap: so are you saying employers don’t pay staff ? I’m merely balancing the argument … tax relief would help everyone fairly

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    Mute Darren Tully
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 11:30 AM

    @Dan Cahill: I’m working for an employer and I’m not being paid for the day and a half we closed, and to be honest I don’t care I’d rather lose that pay and be safe

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    Mute Larry Kavanagh
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    Mar 4th 2018, 12:48 AM

    @Dan Cahill: Tax relief does balance things out, you only pay tax on what you earn.

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    Mute Dan Cahill
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    Mar 4th 2018, 12:37 PM

    @Larry Kavanagh: emmmm… no… wages , prsi on those, rent and rates all still must be paid

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    Mute Maria Farrell
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    Mar 3rd 2018, 5:28 PM

    Surely the point of warnings and forecasts is to allow people plan so there is as little danger and disruption as possible. That doesn’t mean everyone should stay home.

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