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THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION today opened an in-depth investigation into Ryanair’s latest offer to take over the Aer Lingus Group due to competition concerns. Last month the airline proposed acquisition of its main competitor on routes in and out of Ireland.
The Commission prohibited Ryanair’s first attempt at a takeover in 2007 again because of competition concerns and a second attempt in 2009 was later withdrawn by the airline.
In a statement Aer Lingus said the number of routes into and out of Ireland on which the two airlines compete has sharply increased since 2007 and “the reasons for prohibition are therefore even stronger than before”.
Ryanair already owns 29.82 per cent of Aer Lingus. This minority shareholding is currently under review by the UK Competition Commission, in particular the effects on competition between the two airlines on routes between Ireland and the UK.
Aer Lingus said the effects of Ryanair’s minority shareholding were “harmful” and contrary to the interests of consumers and the majority of its shareholders.
In accordance with Takeover Rules, Ryanair said its offer lapses and all acceptances of the offer are void but the airline intends to re-bid for Aer Lingus if the Commission clears its offer.
The Commission now has 90 working days to take a decision on whether the proposed transaction would significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA).
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Am I the only person who actually thinks we should go into lockdown? Like, not wait for it to get worse and actually make a pre emptive strike?
@Everyone’sgonecrazy: honestly thought it would have been in last weekend. Hard going to work and you been in contact with people waiting to go for tests. But you’ve no option.
@Everyone’sgonecrazy: I think so too .leo needs to do it for Monday
@Everyone’sgonecrazy: I agree lock down now before it spirals out of control.
@Everyone’sgonecrazy: we are in lockdown. But in terms of what you think think a lockdown is no you are not the only one. There are many people like you.
@Greg Daniel: Everyone should be staying at home. That is a lockdown.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries
Sort by Total Cases/1M of population. Ireland is increasing rapidly. The health system has limited capacity. The way to manage it is to stop people getting the virus. Why wait till we are Italy? Do it now and more people live, the health system, including the workers, will be able to cope. The economy is already stuffed – the government need to take action to ensure it recovers when this is over.
@Yorkie1892: people who are going for tests should be at home in isolation. If someone is going for a test presume they are positive until proven otherwise.
@Everyone’sgonecrazy: you are not alone , guarantee in hindsight Italy would have picked lockdown at 900 cases not 10,000 or so , we still have a chance of stopping the dramatic spread in numbers but unless forcefully made to lock down we will still be out in numbers shopping for irrelevant S+!t
@Jason Pierce: that’s what they are doing. I mean people who have been in contact with that person still have to work as they’re showing no symptoms!
@Tanks a Minion: thanks. We won’t be an Italy, that’s a fact. You will need to check why that’s a fact out for yourself.
I can tell you a fact though. The direct impact & devastation of the corona virus on Ireland will be nothing compared to the indirect or secondary impact that it will have.
You can check back in with me in one year from now for verification of the above.
@Everyone’sgonecrazy: we should have went into lockdown long ago. It’s going to be apocalyptic now because we didn’t and still havent. Italy’s doctors only have one message for Europe by the looks of it after watching sky news report yesterday and that’s lock the place down.
@Mark: look at the actual facts of the demographics and resultant statistics and stop being hysterical.
@Greg Daniel: the only way italy will be worse than ireland is due to population. We will have it very bad here and unless we lock down now itll be worse than bad. There probably 10000+ cases in ireland already. About you saying check back in a year I know what you’re saying, sure, China are already bracing themselves for a second wave.
@Greg Daniel: a doctor himself told me that when this is all over we will all know someone who has died from this. Covid19 is killing nealy as many people in lombardy as of today that all other causes of death combined. Theres a fact back at ya
@Mark: killing nearly 3 times as many people than all other causes of death combined I mean and the daily death toll is still rising. So this isn’t about hysteria mate, it’s about being serious on what they’re calling a pandemic of a life time.
@Everyone’sgonecrazy: there’s a huge level of adherence from people which hopefully will continue to avoid a full stay-in-doors lockdown . Time will tell
@Everyone’sgonecrazy: agree 100%. I am a courier and we’re only getting busier by the day, I don’t want to be in contact with that many people or parcels as our health is more important. Really wish it would go into lockdown as a lot of drivers in my place including me are extremely worried, but word has it that even if we go into full lockdown they will still keep us going.
@Everyone’sgonecrazy: It’s slightly early. I would imagine the Department of Health and the HSE are waiting for the numbers to reach 1500-3000 and hit it just before it’s peak.
@Mark: The median age of the Italian population is almost 10 years higher than Ireland. They have an ageing population.
The ageing Italian population were in general all smokers when they were younger, Italy had and still has a much higher level of population who smoke cigarettes than Ireland does.
The Italian National Health Institute has stated that less than 1% of people who have died due to the corona virus had no other underlying illness.
@Greg Daniel: oh right, I get you now. I’m young and fit with no health problems so yeah feck it I don’t care let the virus become exposed to everyone so why would I care. Thanks for opening my eyes
@Mark: why would you care as a young fit person?
As I said in a year or so you will understand.
And it just won’t be the 20 or 30 thousand people who died in Ireland due to the virus, or the 20 or 30 thousand people’s
lives you think you saved by hiding under your bed.
Hundreds of thousands of lives for many years to come in Ireland will be impacted beyond your current imagination.
@Everyone’sgonecrazy: ya definitely, it would automatically take 3/4 of the people off the streets .. I’m a plumber, I have to go into peoples houses to do certain things, (not let sometimes which is right) what happens if I bring it home to my children and wife .. who are basically isolating since schools closed .. I think if we locked down the likes of me would just not go out side most people would obey the lockdown
@Everyone’sgonecrazy: Anyone with a sewing machine should be turning county jerseys into cloth face masks. It would help if everyone had something rewashable over their mouths in busy areas like supermarkets. Two air barriers plus hand washing and surface cleaning would eliminate need for the two meter social barrier and business could carry on a bit. Youtube has plenty of instructional videos.
@Greg Daniel: this whole ‘I have knowledge to good to explain to you all’ attitude is a bit silly mate. Yes this will effect us for a very long time, be it financially, healthcare or whatever else, we all know that. But you are one of those fools that by the looks of it are on the intellectual side of things yet you will be someone who will contract this virus (and that’s not the problem) and pass it onto someone who will die. I live with someone who has an underlying health condition and will most likely die is they contract this virus. I want the place locked down and this taking serious even if that means more serious than needs be to make sure they live. No add to this constructively what now seems to be a debate or feck off
@Everyone’sgonecrazy: Anyone who thinks that we should go into Lockdown, can go into Lockdown…..simples
@Watchful Axe: inform yourself for god’s sake, masks are unproven in stopping you catching the virus, but if you want to wear one make sure it’s an n95 or ffp2 standard, meaning it will block 95 percent of particulates. Unlike a GAA jersey which will block feck all.
@Greg Daniel: I have been looking and I can’t see why Ireland isn’t going to be the same, unless more drastic action is taken. Please enlighten me.
@Greg Daniel: Wow – All good then, only old people and smokers will die. How will you get an ICU bed for your other illnesses, when they are full of those people you don’t value? I presume you don’t have older relatives or friends, or know people with underlying illnesses.
@Everyone’sgonecrazy: no. I think so too
@Yorkie1892: I think if people are waiting for tests they are supposed to be self isolating at home and/or exercising proper social distancing …. if anyone has reported symptoms and is awaiting tests please correct me if I am wrong!
I do read of people “waiting for tests” that appear to be requesting them with no symptoms … and people with mild symptoms also awaiting tests…
@Mark: would you ever stfu! The government are taking advice from experts, people who have spent their careers dealing with issues like this. Forgive me for taking them seriously and not some randomer of the internet citing his “mate the doctor”. An overreaction could have an adverse effect too. There may come a time where we have to lock down, but that will be because of idiots not listening to the experts. Until then we are handling this better than most countries.
@Greg Daniel: forgive me if I am misreading what you are saying as you are unclear and talking in riddles …. A sure sign of someone who doesn’t have a clue but I will continue. If you are insuating (because you haven’t the balls to state your case) that we will be worse off down the line because we are overreacting, you are a fool.
@Everyone’sgonecrazy: couldn’t agree more. I wish they would put us into lockdown. Still going to work every day!!
@Ger: our “experts” havent stopped feck all as of yet.
@Mark: Not a fact. Its’ a doctors opinion… unless he is a virologist or works for the CDC, then he shouldn’t be spreading fear. A nurse told me washing hands is not effective and I need to use gel. She is an idiot.
@Mark: 2nd highest testing per capita in the world and so far one of the lowest mortality rates, they’re not doing bad. I bet you can’t wait for a few more people to die so you can have a go at the government. Spanner.
@Ger: yeah cant wait for my mother to die. The only spanner here is you because never in your life have you told a stranger to stfu or called one a spanner to their face and if you have then there must be something wrong with you. Get a life
@Everyone’sgonecrazy: We’re in the second week of self-isolation and you can bet that if things don’t bode well going into week 3…then the ‘hammer’ will come down. The groups of irresponsible young people seems to be the case through NZ, Australia, USA and Ireland and this will force the governments to take harsher measures for the ‘greater good’. Law and order has to be the priority…..if all else fails then its curfew… and martial law after that. What’s it to be? It’s up to everyone to play their part and take ownership. It’s a National Emergency not a National Holiday!
The Defence Forces are here to help well done to them and the many front line workers big up to all of them.keep up the good fight.We all can do our bit stay safe.
@paul mc donough: don’t forget the great work and lack of it, the people of this country are doing and most that are obeying the advice and staying home .
@Eugene Walsh: From Australia I applaud the people of Ireland who are taking this a lot more seriously than our shower over here. Sincerely, thanks for helping to keep my family as safe as they can be.
The numbers we hear are a joke the testing is at least one week behind so the numbers are probably a hell of a lot more than we hear.
@Robbie Coogan: Nobody is claiming the numbers are real time. Literally everybody knows that.
@Robbie Coogan:
Did you not read the story before you posted this?? Stop posting crap you’re just making up!!
@Sean Fahey: people like Robbie seem to be expecting 4.8 million tests to sporadically appear with everyone getting tested at the exact same time and results appearing instantaneously.
@Brian Ó Dálaigh: Good point, the priority is to get people who need to be in ICU into ICU the second priority is to get people who need to be in hospital into hospital at the same time and priority people with symptoms who do not need to be in hospital need to isolate at home and everyone needs to exercise social distancing – none of these are test related, in fact the test is immaterial in the treatment or action needed.
What the test does is to trigger contact tracing to see who else might be infected so that they too can be advised to watch for symptoms, isolate and also be tested if necessary. Testing and stats are important in stopping the spread but being positive or negative does not affect the access to the medical care needed they do however determine the overall action necessary to stop or contain the spread.
@Niall Ó Cofaigh: so the test is immaterial except for the part where it’s absolutely critical is what you’re saying
Every country that has done mass testing + a lockdown has gotten a hold of the virus. China and S Korea.
Stay safe everyone
Let’s not kid ourselves,tsunami is on its way.stay safe everybody.
@barney rock:
You didn’t read the story did you?? Read before posting.
@barney rock: id you mean a tsunami of economic misery, your bang on
Is there anything to be said for some legislation, criminalising fake news? Surely the purposeful spreading of fear is not, by any stretch of the meaning, in the national interest?
Should an individual spread something in ‘error’, I would trust The Judge udge and a Jury of my Peers to determine the verity of that.
@Martin Peter Rahill: *Judge.
@Martin Peter Rahill: In fairness when you read the tweet included in the article, its asking a question (minus a ?) rather than a statement
@alphasully: I agree – but when people are in a state of panic, they might not arrive at logical conclusions, and instead jump to them. The mind boggles when under stress.
@Martin Peter Rahill: I concur, that’s where some basic punctuation comes in handy (and before I’m shot down I’m not a grammar nazi)
@Martin Peter Rahill: I hear what you’re saying and for the most part agree, but, that is a slippery slope.
@Martin Peter Rahill: Facebook or WhatsApp isn’t news .
@Lapsy Pa: unfortunately some think it is.
@Liam McDonald: quite! A coherent sunset clause could remedy that.
@alphasully: being a grammar Nazi works out well sometimes, most of these fake news posters wouldn’t know an apostrophe if it kicked them in the a*”e
@Martin Peter Rahill: I reported a story circulating on Facebook a few days ago that was full of fake news regarding c19. It had been shared thousands of times. Facebook responded that it didnt go against their community guidelines.
@Martin Peter Rahill: very slippery slope when you start to censor news
@Martin Peter Rahill:
Hi Martin, there is an element in ppl to want to believe fake news as it creates an excitement which can release seratonin and give an emotional high.
It’s like a lock down drug
Also the need to get lots of likes.
When the world is busy ppl get are hooked on this sort of thing. Now there in lock and bored there searching it more.
It’s like being the queen of gossip
There’s a certain buzz like feeling in being the one with the information and having others look for it off you.
@Vin: if its blatant and potentially dangerous lies then its not a “slippery slope to anywhere.
Pain in my hole hearing this word lockdown.
@Davy Evans: You may have more than a pain in our hole if their isn’t a lockdown shortly.
@Leonard Barry: Exactly.
Calm down everyone FFS, we haven’t the resources to properly enforce a “lockdown” so there is no point declaring one. It would create further fear and isolation and merely create an environment to be taken advantage of by burglars, looters, rustlers, con artists et al.
Its not as if a lockdown would be a bad think. Wishful thinking it seems. Are they watching the reports from Italian hospitals or not? Its nightmarish! Lockdown now please!
Can anyone in the health sector answer a question? Some sources are saying get out for a walk but keep the social distancing and others are saying don’t go out under any circumstances unless completely necessary,is it ok to go for a walk if you keep your distance
@Pete mc pete: if you need help with this you should probably stay inside until christmas eve
@Pablo 123: thanks for the feedback,very informational
@Pablo 123: thanks for the feedback,very informative
@Pete mc pete: is this where you get your news…comments sections? Facebook maybe?
@Paul Furey: sorry Paul you’re right,my own fault
@Pete mc pete: Hi. It’s ok to walk as long as you maintain a distance from others https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/mental-health/minding-your-mental-health-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak.html
Nutgrove shopping centre packed today. Starbucks jammed. As long as there’s this amount of selfish morons amongst us, we will need a lockdown to sort this out.
@Aido Yollom:
Starbucks says it all
Debunked – 7 hours after the rest of the country debunked it.
Bite the bullet and announce the lockdown now!!! Much better to look back in hindsight and say we acted too early compared to too late and the death rates after sky rocketing like in Italy. It’s not rocket science
Impossible to know accuracy of cases as it is. If 12 days is worst case incubation period and 4 days is worst test-result period we need to shut as much of the country as possible for 16-20 days now. The longer it’s left the longer the workforce that is disabled already will be out of work. Their efforts at the moment will be partially in vein. We need as many people back working ASAP. If it means shut down for more people now so be it. The longer it’s left the worse it’s going to be in the long run. Be pro-active not re-active it’s peoples lives ffs
People are sitting indoors scared shitless , the way things are going at the moment you can go get tested , and because of a few it feels like every sacrifice people are prepared to make and from people in the health profession this includes risking their lives look at Italy how is this even being accepted , if we don’t deal with it this nightmare is going to be never ending
@Oliver Mahon: some people are as you describe, but most that stay indoors are being sensible. Cut the drama.
@Oliver Mahon: drama queen
FFG are forever behind the curb with wait and see approach.
Lives are being lost. Lock down now ..
@Willy Mc Entire: how’s that job/hobby/girlfriend search coming along?
@Willy Mc Entire: SF schooled them again. This time on the Covid payment. But at least they’re listening.
@Willy Mc Entire: I understand that Covid 19 pays SF protection money.
Don’t hear much from Ivan (the twa t) Yates these days spouting about the Defence Forces doing nothing and not being needed and being a waste of money.. …
What’s the word on chloronquin?
@Tadhg Kelleher: Trump was being Trump. False information.
@Tadhg Kelleher: according to trump is going to sort out this problem because he has a good feeling about it
@Optimus Prime: Elon musk suggested it too
@Tadhg Kelleher: so? Doesn’t make it any more accurate.
@Tadhg Kelleher: there appears to have been some success with hydroxychloroquine and other derivatives used in Korea and China. I think this drug and Zinc can help combat the virus in cells. See Crammed channel on Youtube.
@GrumpyAulFella: thanks
@Optimus Prime: so does that make it less accurate?
@Tadhg Kelleher: Dr Musk and Dr Trump will sort it.
@Tadhg Kelleher: Elon musk is in the automotive and aerospace industries, let’s ask the boss of Penney’s in Mary st what he thinks too.!!
I’ve seen a lot more people adhering to the advice than not but there are still loads who aren’t grasping the concept. Even still I wouldn’t like to see a lock down. If people copped on when they want to go for a walk and practice the distancing, if there’s tons of cars, drive/ walk on and find some where else. Time will tell and people need to remember that just because the numbers were lower doesn’t mean we are beating it.
Good advice at the bottom there. Limit your exposure to social media and the journal comments for your sanity
Call JOHN RAMBO
Speaking of fake news, I hate to say it but there’s very few trustworthy mainstream sources of news anymore, if any at all. Sad really. Orwell was a prophet. Who’d have thought when reading 1984 that they’d actually get to live it.
@Philip Mulhern: Orwell was a fictional author. The idea of a dystopian future isn’t a hard thing to imagine or write about. In his time could understand why he wrote what he did. We live in a much better world now.
Why on the quays…why not in some open space.
@Pat Duggan: Interesting question. Maybe because they’re near everything and can move faster on the Liffey?
@Pat Duggan:
Where else would be the best place for a ship??
@Pat Duggan: handy for luas & bus access. Croker is a bit off the public/pedestrian commute routes, & is a car based operation.
@Pat Duggan: its a very strange place to have it one its a bottle neck , two there is absolutely no parking three its a densely populated area in fact you could not pick a worse place. They are saying the Navy vessel is supplying electricity surely this could be done anywhere . This should be in the Phoenix Park loads of parking and space.
@William Kelly: what bus route ? Its a bottle neck down there with no parking and is a densely populated area , regards the ship that’s a joke there to supply electricity this can be done any where. It should be in a large open space with ample parking.
@Doug: so a bottle neck with No parking in a densely populated area is best. Regarding the ship what’s it doing again ? Supplying electricity ? This can be done anywhere you don’t need a ship. Croke park is 10 min walk away why have another one this close makes no sence at all. It should be in a location with ample space and not a large residential area.
@Doug: so a bottleneck with no parking in a densely populated area is the best ? As for the ship its not needed, power can be taken from anywhere , 10 min walk from croke park seems a bit close for a 2nd testing site dont you think
No comment!
Lockdown needed
They’ll be used as makeshift mortuary’s if the stupid people dont abide by social distance
@Noel Donohue: that’s probably the real reason why they are there. Not enough storage in Irish morgues and not enough crematoriums. So they’ll be gathered at that place on the quays then buried at sea..
Sure isnt it giving the army good field exercise in setting up emergency ops in the city.
And the gov some credits for action on the virus problem.
Whats the worry, sure everyone will be looked after, no problem.
Strange though, that the same formula wasnt used in 2008/14, when the financial outfits were given the billions, & the people list jobs,followed by austerity,then and since.
Very strange, hmmm.
Can someone please explain why?
@William Kelly: because it was a completely different situation, in a completely different time, with completely different people…
Y
Any chance the journal would print a retraction and an apology, coz the country was locked down 3 times no less. Clowns!!!
The point everyone is missing is they are accusing the government of being dishonest and getting ready for a lockdown without telling us that’s their plan. So obviously (if that’s the case) it’s not going to be in the “official” news.
have your say