Month: May 2019

Bon Secours hospitals 
set for giant merger

Ireland’s largest private healthcare group, founded by the Bon Secours, is in advanced talks regarding a merger with one of the largest health groups in the US founded by the same order. Bon Secours Health Systems in Ireland have signed a letter of intent and plan to finalise an agreement over the coming months with…

The quiet referendum

I have been surprised by how quiet the national conversation has been about the coming divorce referendum – if there has been a meaningful national conversation at all. In 1995 (and during the two previous divorce referenda), the newspapers blazed with contesting opinions and the airwaves filled with heated debate. Perhaps louder debate will be engaged…

Focus sex ed. classes on respect and consent, parents say

Parents want their children taught about “respect for themselves and each other, consent, sexual orientation, contraception, STIs and the biological aspects of sexual health”, according to a major new survey of attitudes towards school sex education. The survey of several thousand teachers, parents and pupils took place under the auspices of the National Council for…

‘Glimmer of hope’ with Gaza ceasefire called

A ceasefire was called on this week after days of rocket fire from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel, marking an end to a particularly violent weekend that saw approximately 30 people killed. Over the weekend, around 700 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip. While the majority of the rocket fire was intercepted by…

Notre Dame fire has ‘touched human spirit’

The Holy Week fire at Notre Dame Cathedral has done something to make people realise the importance of God and faith, according to a prominent Paris-based Irish priest. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Fr Aidan Troy, who became famous when shielding Catholic schoolgirls from loyalist mobs during the Holy Cross Ardoyne protests in 2001, said…

A choice that’s not respected

One minority is consistently ignored in today’s Ireland, writes David Quinn   Minorities today often receive preferential status. This is to compensate in many cases for a past in which minorities were often discriminated against or rendered invisible. The compensation takes many forms. One is protection from criticism, hence politically correct policing of the things…