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View from a teacher 'Nobody wants to return to remote learning'

One teacher is hoping for the best but says she cannot understand why the government took so long to release the ‘return to school’ plans.

BEFORE SCHOOLS CLOSED on 12 March, Ireland’s much loved Leaving Certificate poet Eavan Boland was still with us. In her poem, Love, she perfectly captures our affinity with the past.

Reflecting on her desire to return to that precious time in her life where she lived in Iowa with her husband Kevin Casey, she realised that despite the intensity of her desire, the past can never be repeated. The past, she asserts ‘walk(s) away’ from us and we ‘cannot follow’.

It would be wonderful if the government’s roadmap for our safe return to education could miraculously direct us back to the past and that we could return to school under normal circumstances.

Everyone wants to return to the past where things felt easier and life was spontaneous. Yet, one of the stark realities of Covid-19 is that for now at least, the past feels like a blurry shadow and normality is particularly elusive these days.

Adapting

We’ve all grown accustomed to the changes this virus has forced upon us. We queue for everything. We wear masks. Government announcements about the dangers of interpersonal activities echo our safety in a world that the poet Sylvia Plath once likened to the ‘province of the stuck record’.

Life is different now. Our return to education will be different too.

The government’s comprehensive document outlining the procedures that will be implemented for our safe return to school clearly indicates the changes that await us when we return to education.

These recommendations will inevitably impact the normal parameters of school life. Our efforts to minimise the risk of infection in schools will result in changes that will undoubtedly affect social interactions.

Just like most public spaces in this post-Covid world, hand sanitisers and yellow Covid-19 signs will decorate our school buildings. Social-distancing will be encouraged. Students will be advised to maintain at least one metre distance between one another.

Typical gatherings which were once part of school life will be discouraged. Purposeful and swift movements to our places of learning will be required by all. Casual chats and catch-ups between classes will be similarly diluted.

Lessons will be delivered, where possible, to groups of students in their base classes. The plan suggests that it will be mostly teachers moving about the building with only small groups of students moving for elective lessons. Face masks will not be mandatory unless social distancing cannot be maintained.

Despite the nation’s heroic efforts to eradicate it, this deadly virus still lurks in our community and continues to threaten the freedoms we once enjoyed and possibly took for granted.

Right now principals all around the country are carefully examining the government’s guidelines and considering how best to implement these recommendations in their specific places of learning.

Implementing policy is part of a principal’s DNA. Most are experts in this field. All will ensure that the government’s recommendations are executed with precision.

Schools are, as the government’s guidelines assert, both places of learning and employment. These guidelines have finally been released with the sole purpose of returning to education in a sustainable way that will prevent the spread of Covid-19 in our schools. Nobody wants to return to remote learning.

Our principals are adept administrators and their commitment to careful and considerate policy implementation may be remarkable, but the guidelines released by the government are very challenging.

A mammoth challenge

There is a huge amount of work to get through in a very short amount of time. A quick glance at the government’s documentation outlines 55 comprehensive steps all principals must complete before students return to the second level places of learning.

Even though each school will appoint a lead worker representative who will work alongside principals to manage Covid-19 protocols, the tasks that must be completed are still mighty.

A Covid-19 Response Plan for each individual school setting will be established. Training days for all staff members will be organised. Parents and students will be informed of all safety protocols. Contact tracing logs will be implemented. Emergency and risk assessments will be updated. Programmes for learning including TY and LCA will be adapted.

Classrooms will be reconfigured to maximise space. Timetables will be amended in line with social distancing guidelines. Steps will be taken to restrict student movement around the school. Canteen breaks will be staggered. PPE, hand sanitisers and cleaning products for all classrooms will be purchased. The list continues and time is not on their side.

My own school

Like many second-level schools around Ireland, my own school is still in the process of recruiting teachers for mainstream classes. A quick search on EducationPosts.ie suggests that lots of schools are in a similar position.

Many schools are in the process of recruiting guidance counsellors, a position that is particularly hard to fill even in normal circumstances. Some schools are in the process of recruiting principals and deputy principals who will most certainly hit the ground running as soon as they are hired.

Since phase one of the reopening of our country was announced on 15 May our return to school has maintained a fixed position on this agenda. It’s baffling why our government took so long to release these guidelines.

So much of our success in implementing these measures will undoubtedly depend upon collaboration from parents and students. I expect that information campaigns will be released by the Department of Education.

These will undoubtedly emphasise one important aspect that the success of this sustainable agreement depends upon; those who are ill must be encouraged to stay at home.

Stephen Hawking describes intelligence as our ability to adapt to change, and our educational endeavours will depend upon intelligent solutions to continue educating students throughout this crisis.

Getting to school

Travelling to schools will similarly require some innovation. The catchment area for my own school is vast and so many of our students depend on school transport. The success of our social distancing endeavours in school will depend upon maintaining social distance while travelling to school. We’ll need more buses. Without them, this plan may fail.

The success of this academic year will similarly depend upon adapting courses to account for the loss of learning due to school closures. This issue has already been raised by the Irish Secondary Schools Union (ISSU) – powerful advocates throughout the pandemic.

The union has also requested a review of examinations for all subjects at both Junior and Senior Cycle. Examinations will need to be reimagined; many students are hoping that our examination system will finally be reformed.

Anxiety and school are a terrible but all-too-familiar combination. Steps will need to be introduced to reduce anxiety when we return to school. The government’s announcement concerning the recruitment of additional guidance counsellors is a welcome inclusion to this plan.

Their assistance in establishing whole school wellbeing initiatives will be essential this year. Primary school students transitioning to second-level will also require particular care and attention. A staggered return to school at the start of the year could help to facilitate this.

We must not forget the Leaving Class of 2020 who were abruptly evacuated from school on 12 March. These students, who left without a proper graduation, who never got to wear the all-important school hoody on the last day of school are due to receive their results during what will inevitably be a chaotic week. They must be carefully considered in this process.

There’s no doubt that life sometimes takes unexpected turns that lead us in directions we never expected. This is particularly true for all students and their families in Ireland. I do have faith that the government’s roadmap will guide us toward our safe return to school. But we cannot lose sight of what’s at stake if it is not implemented correctly. We need everyone on board.

Despite the nefarious presence of Covid-19 in our community, we have slowly emerged from the hibernation of lockdown and life has resumed, albeit on a different scale. I hope September brings some positive routines for us all.

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30 Comments
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    Mute ThatLJD
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:29 PM

    Sure nothing much important to do – Holiday for the lads! Don’t forget the travel scrabble and to turn the lights off in the Leinster house bar.

    385
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    Mute Devilsavocado
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:35 PM

    @ThatLJD: very cynical of you,, sure those trips are all about getting trade agreements,, we have been told that multiple times,, it’s non stop work for the boys who were “unlucky enough” to be picked to go abroad….

    122
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    Mute Toby Fish
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:38 PM

    @Devilsavocado: first and only time I agree with you Avocado man

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    Mute Devilsavocado
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:41 PM

    @Toby Fish: ooohhh Toby, Toby, Toby, I’ll get you around to my way of thinking,, we will be thunder buddies for life, don’t fight it….:)

    9
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    Mute Socky Varadkar
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:06 PM

    @ThatLJD: Have it packed! The bar will be opened for the others working there while we travel to other places to work hard and party even harder! Your correct again that there is nothing important to do..I’m extremely efficient!

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    Mute Martin Scaldbag
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 8:10 PM

    @ThatLJD: can,t blame them for getting out of the country and away from what is regarded as a cringe fest of paddywhackery back home…lucky sods

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    Mute Stephen Duffy
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 9:16 PM

    @ThatLJD: Is Harris not staying at home this year to fix the Health Service like he did last year? Like that really worked, didn’t it..!!!

    18
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    Mute Toby Fish
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 9:46 PM

    @Devilsavocado: No

    3
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    Mute Paul Linehan
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    Jan 23rd 2019, 1:12 AM

    @Devilsavocado: bollix

    3
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    Mute Sean Thornton
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    Jan 23rd 2019, 1:49 PM

    @ThatLJD: I think your comment is incredibly short sighted and negative. No one is perfect but staying at home achieves nothing. I trust that the majority of Td’s are not swindlers and will get out there trying to attract business into the country. This I hope might give you a better standard of living in the future.

    1
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    Mute Milk The Drones
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:31 PM

    Nothing gets in the way of an all expenses paid jolly. Not even Brexit.

    242
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    Mute Scorpionvenomm
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:34 PM

    @Milk The Drones: let’s see how much they claim in expenses for this trip

    164
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    Mute Milk The Drones
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:34 PM

    @Scorpionvenomm:
    Eoghan Murphys will be interesting.
    Speedos
    Sunglasses
    Factor 20
    Hipster beard conditioner
    I love Bueno Aires fridge magnet (gift for Mumsie and Dudsie)

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    Mute Adrian
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:57 PM

    @Milk The Drones: it really is a joke, brexit starting to fall apart for the gov, they’d be wise to stay at home this year. I wonder what would it take for them to cancel their junkets if brexit isn’t important enough.

    24
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    Mute Toby Fish
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:37 PM

    Only back from Christmas break and planning the next trip. It’s a good life

    197
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    Mute Dave.
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:04 PM

    @Toby Fish: They are literally work dodgers. It’s unreal. I can’t wait come voting time. Not one of this idiots around my way be getting it. I am gonna spoil the vote. At least I will sleep knowning I voted for none of this codlogy.

    97
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    Mute revdenisd@gmail.com
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    Jan 23rd 2019, 9:28 PM

    @Toby Fish: those white collar criminals are more interested in the gravy train to increase there bank accounts than looking after the homeless crisis, the health service and the people in emergency accommodation along with our elderly. People paying private landlords that were taking off the housing lists over 1,000 euros a month for rented accommodation while we give housing to migrant families and give them an open cheque book for cars and household goods

    1
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    Mute David Van-Standen
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:37 PM

    Can we send twice as many, but just buy them one way tickets?

    164
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    Mute Derek Moean
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:45 PM

    What about the Carbon footprint that thay are all talking about…

    159
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    Mute Toby Fish
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:41 PM

    @Derek Moean: thats only for poor people

    93
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    Mute Drive for show & putt for dough
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:38 PM

    The Spin doctors world tour !

    101
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    Mute dick dastardly
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:37 PM

    Only back from their holidays and they off again in a few weeks for the paddy’s day junket,sure then after that the summer holidays will be up for them to take,what a joke

    126
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    Mute Dave.
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:05 PM

    @dick dastardly: Don’t forget the Easter Break then the Summer Break.

    72
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    Mute George Vladisavljevic
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:11 PM

    If it is a celebration of being Irish, why are they all leaving the country? I don’t see the French President leaving France on Bastile Day or the US President on the 4th of July.

    Do you really think that the American’s want to see Leo or the British want to see Pascal D.?

    105
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    Mute GerryCummins
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:16 PM

    @George Vladisavljevic: You have never been abroad to see the Irish celebrate St Patrick’s day? No country can compare to what this little Island can celebrate worldwide. Greatest marketing tool ever, name a country who has a day celebrated so widely, and even by people not from it???

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    Mute George Vladisavljevic
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:24 PM

    @GerryCummins: I am actualy from Canada and agree with you about the celebration’s and the parades. I have seen them there and in the US. I am just saying that I am sure that the fun could be had without these people travelling to the far corners of the world at the tax payers expense. Would they go if they had to dip their hands into their pockets? Highly doubtful.

    We spend millions in attracting visitors here to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day but our leaders are nowhere to be found to celebrate with the people that they represent.

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    Mute GerryCummins
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:44 PM

    @George Vladisavljevic: George, do you really think the Irish people would care to see a politician on St Patrick’s day?. The fact is they don’t go abroad alone, hundreds of business deals are signed on these trips (and on all official Ministerial & Presidential trips), they reap far more than they cost…I have recieved the incoming and been on those incoming trips, make you proud how far above our weight our small island punches. But the begrudgers think they could run Ireland from their keyboards….. as for any internal issues Ireland has, they are the same if not less than most countries….and have always existed….

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    Mute Nuala Mc Namara
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 8:24 PM

    @GerryCummins: I actually see the value of Ireland been highlighted abroad on St Patrick’s Day especially taking POTENTIAL serious effects of Brexit into account,it makes sense to utilize the unique opportunity St Patrick Day allows!
    However it should be of TOP priority to Government to EFFECTIVELY and URGENTLY deal with the National emergencies we have in Ireland NOW in homelessness,housing and health, especially taking nto account population is estimated to grow over 1.8m+ over next 33 years.!With any new businesses developed or increased in Ireland,their workers will need affordable accommodation/adequate housing stock.The negative effects of Brexit not helped by failing to stop these crisis developing into National emergencies.

    5
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    Mute Alternative for Ireland
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:23 PM

    What is effectively our national day and the entirety of the government leaves the country. Says a lot really.

    66
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    Mute Michael Lynch
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 10:04 PM

    @Alternative for Ireland: They’ve been doing it since Dev was in nappies

    7
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    Mute gerard buckley
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 10:22 PM

    Ah come on, St Patrick always ran the snakes out of Ireland !!!!!!!!!

    22
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    Mute Liam Neeson
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:20 PM

    No problems with carbon footprints or climate change when their is an all expenses paid junket on offer.

    63
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    Mute Bernard Kavanagh
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:04 PM

    It is time to reform the Oireachtas.

    Begin with the Dáil by addressing the democratic deficit of the ‘whip’ system. The role is used to bully public representatives into conforming to the diktat of their party ‘leader’ rather than to the views of the people who elected them.
    Upon election, the electorate becomes irrelevant and TDs become pawns of political parties. Muzzled and disallowed from expressing the views of the electorate, they sit (maybe) in the back seats of the Dáil awaiting the instruction of the party leader, and under threat of the party whip, as to how they should vote on any issue. If they are appointed a minister, they are under constant threat of replacement.

    Bullying in the workplace is illegal — so why is it allowed in the Dáil.

    44
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    Mute Michael J Campbell
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    Jan 23rd 2019, 1:58 PM

    @Bernard Kavanagh: But they only make the law, they don’t have to keep it

    1
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    Mute BaaB
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:41 PM

    I hope they all only bring back the allocated personal amount of duty free.
    Imagine the shame if they had to set up another meaningless tribunal to sort that out.

    38
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    Mute Clifford Brennan
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:04 PM

    I’m sure there are many countries looking to attract FDI, tourism etc that would give their back teeth for the access to so many governments & businesses that St.Patricks day affords our country. You mightn’t like the politicians going but don’t overlook the huge benefits of these trips.

    41
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    Mute GerryCummins
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:13 PM

    @Clifford Brennan: don’t be talking sense, it doesn’t go down well here. Nothing about the large delegations of Irish business people that travel and sign bilateral agreements on foot of these trips…..but facts don’t suit some….

    33
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    Mute tommytukamomo
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 9:36 PM

    @Clifford Brennan: ah the old “look at the access they get” shite…
    You do realise that Enterprise Ireland have been working very hard to get contracts and then the ffg halfwits and their eauntarage turn up looking like there is a village somewhere missing them.
    These people are workshy parasites that only have one skill, to embarrass a nation.

    20
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    Mute trebloc01
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:56 PM

    They can bring FF with them

    29
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    Mute niall
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:35 PM

    And then they shite on about climate action and them flying all around the place.

    119
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    Mute GerryCummins
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:16 PM

    @niall: should they swim, take a long boat?

    18
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    Mute Sean O' Donovan
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:26 PM

    @GerryCummins: They can Skype away from the Dáil bar

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    Mute GerryCummins
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:37 PM

    @Sean O’ Donovan: and the massive trade delegations that work annually to close deals during these visits??

    4
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    Mute Sean O' Donovan
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:46 PM

    @GerryCummins: They can “buy” them a pint too.

    9
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    Mute @mdmak33
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:07 PM

    They have this done,but not the legislation for a no deal Brexit,aren’t they great.

    24
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    Mute Cathal
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:23 PM

    @@mdmak33: shutting down the week before Brexit

    29
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    Mute Adrian
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:48 PM

    Don’t forget the “special bonus expense system” lads!

    24
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    Mute Adrian
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:52 PM

    Also, I didn’t realise we had so many ministers, tax money spongers, the lot of them.

    28
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    Mute wattsed56
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:12 PM

    First, Business or Coach – or do we only find out when they post a selfie on Twitter?

    22
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    Mute MK76
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:34 PM

    Let the annual (and pointless) of teeth and faux outrage begin.

    33
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    Mute tommytukamomo
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 9:37 PM

    @MK76: faux off muppet.

    11
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    Mute bings
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:50 PM

    Why didn’t you just write who is staying at home.

    18
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    Mute Graham Murphy
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:57 PM

    Lord Ross got a nice one. …is the toxicomoter thing a ma jig done away with?

    19
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    Mute Thomas Linehan
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 8:34 PM

    With brexit a week after they should be going nowhere

    14
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    Mute Michael Lynch
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 10:09 PM

    @Thomas Linehan: Looks like Helen McEntee has drawn the short one and will take on Brexit all on her lonesome. Is she out of a job on March 30th?

    7
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    Mute Ger Byrne
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 8:13 PM

    No mention of poor Paul Kehoe. He will be sulking in the corner.
    Oh, wait, he’s just back from his junket to Mali

    18
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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 10:57 PM

    It’s called a holiday at the expense of the tax payers and they must be laughing at us…

    12
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    Mute Declan Murtagh Sr.
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 11:57 PM

    Any idea the cost to the tax payer

    10
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    Mute Matthew Gorman
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:51 PM

    So no one is coming to see me.

    7
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    Mute Simon Carroll
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 8:25 PM

    Varadkar heading to meet the Potus fair enough, but the other senior members should be here and send representatives on their behalf instead incase anything Brexit related requires urgent attention, wouldn’t put it past the Brexit brigade to use the timing as effectively as they can

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    Mute Eddie Mc Keown
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 8:55 PM

    I’m still dealing with Christmas…..
    My tax money well spent.

    6
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    Mute Pixie McMullen
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 11:34 PM

    Fianna Fáil got, North Korea, Russia, Syria, Iran, Venezuela and Michigan, Mars was cancelled.

    5
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    Mute tommytukamomo
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 9:24 PM

    St Patrick’s day is the day that Ireland gets rid of its useless bastwards .
    Bit of luck they stay away because they are as useful as tit’s on a bull here.

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    Mute Michael Maher
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    Jan 23rd 2019, 11:46 AM

    This has to stop ,

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    Mute Seeking Truth
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 9:06 PM

    Already?????
    Is it not October? Where has the time gone????

    2
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    Mute Marianne
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:57 PM

    Our goverment should support TRANSGENDER PEOPLE and bycott the US PADDYSDAY PARADE

    2
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    Mute Michael Lynch
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 10:12 PM

    @Marianne: Half way there with Leo W@nker.

    11
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    Mute Rory Mahon
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    Jan 23rd 2019, 9:59 AM

    Send Shane Ross to North Korea and leave him there

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    Mute Brian Flavin
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 10:57 PM

    P***K All TD go Overseas/hotel for st Patrick day. Expenses by your taxpayers

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    Mute Jim Hartnett
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    Jan 26th 2019, 9:41 PM

    I wonder will they be able to take a leaf from Tom Nevilles book and claim the extra monies available to them, without any kind of receipt.

    1
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    Mute Terry Cahill
    Favourite Terry Cahill
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    Jan 23rd 2019, 8:10 AM

    Terrible nonsense… I mean the comments ! Any eejit can see why it’s a have to do thing. Betcha most of them would rather not be going .. lot of people still think work is something that produces results there and then… promoting the country doesn’t deliver instant results .. but it has to be done.

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