Colette Browne

Ruling: US President Donald Trump blocked all foreign aid for global healthcare organisations unless they agreed not to promote abortion. Photo: Reuters

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Colette Browne Opinion Trump’s attacks on women’s rights were despicable – so they told him ‘you’re fired’

Donald Trump’s preferred method of ingratiating himself with women infamously involved grabbing them by their private parts .

Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

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Mary Lou McDonald's misstep undermines her support of abuse victims in the Dáil

What was Mary Lou McDonald thinking?

A memorial plot in the grounds of Bessborough House in Blackrock, Cork

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Colette Browne Opinion Mother and baby homes are not a distant Ireland, they are in living memory and the State’s conscience is not yet clear

Amid the pages of the harrowing Mother and Baby Homes report, two things stand out: the deaths and the complacency.

Tough job: Taoiseach Micheál Martin addressing the nation at Government Buildings last week to announce the return to Level 5 lockdown. Photo: Julian Behal

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Colette Browne Opinion As situation deteriorates we need straight answers from Government, not deflection

When an out-of-control articulated lorry is careening towards you, the only way to survive is to react swiftly and jump out of the way. Unless, of course, you are a member of Government and prefer to remain stupefied, in the middle of the road, bracing for impact.

Slippery slope: A steward helps skiers respect Covid safety measures in Verbier, Switzerland, where British tourists fled quarantine.. Photo: Robert Hradil/Getty Images

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Colette Browne Opinion Broken rules can have dire consequences – it’s time we showed some solidarity to help break the curse of Covid-19

Tripadvisor describes Verbier, a ski resort in Switzerland, as boasting “a unique panoramic outlook with views over the Combins range, Mount Blanc and even the Matterhorn”. This scenic vista was not enough to entice hundreds of British tourists, who arrived there over Christmas, to remain in situ when they were instructed to quarantine in their rooms instead of hit the slopes.

Restaurants and gastro pubs will close at 3pm on Christmas Eve due to Level 5 restrictions. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

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Colette Browne Opinion Level 5 return is worth its weight to reduce risk of indoor super-spreader sites

Dreams of a respite from Covid over Christmas were cruelly dashed yesterday, with news of a return to Level 5 restrictions, but there are reasons to be hopeful.

The decision last week by Claremorris Boys National Schol principal Mark Loftus to close the school in the face of an outbreak of Covid-19 was overruled by the Department of Education

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Colette Browne Opinion Row over Mayo school’s closure highlights lack of clarity over how outbreaks are handled

PUBLIC health teams have advised people to restrict their number of contacts in advance of Christmas – unless you happen to attend a small school in which there is an ongoing outbreak of Covid-19.

Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley apologised for and deleted a tweet. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

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Colette Browne Opinion Sinn Féin should discipline Stanley to help fulfil worthy ambitions across Ireland

At the weekend, Sinn Féin recorded its highest ever Red C opinion poll result having attained 30pc first preference support. However, instead of basking in positive headlines, the party was mired in controversy.

Domestic violence: A shortage of refuge spaces means many women have no option but to continue to live with their abusers

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Colette Browne Opinion The State is complicit in keeping abused women trapped inside with nowhere to go

For most of us, our homes, throughout lockdown, have been a safe space. A sanctuary where we shelter from the danger that lurks outside. But what do you do if the biggest threat resides inside – and your home becomes a cell in which you are trapped with your abuser?

A man wearing a protective face mask walks past a shuttered Toner’s pub on Baggot Street, Dublin. Photo: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters

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Stop scapegoating young for virus spread – Covid doesn’t care if you drink pints or tea

Remember house parties? Everyone agreed they were to blame for the upsurge in coronavirus cases for the last few months. Selfish young people were callously ignoring public health restrictions and attending debauched parties, at which the unwelcome guest of honour was always Covid-19.

British prime minister Boris Johnson leaves a cabinet meeting at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London yesterday. Photo: Reuters

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Colette Browne Opinion Trump’s demise ramps up the pressure on Johnson to make his Brexit gamble pay off

The political demise of Donald Trump has caused shockwaves around the globe which could reset international relations and spare us the trauma of a no-deal Brexit.

US Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden raises his fist as he leaves a restaurant, on Election Day in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, yesterday. Photo: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

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Colette Browne Opinion If Biden wins, he’ll need a plan to rebuild hope in the American dream – and fast

The United States is at war with itself and the American dream is dead. If the next president wishes to heal a bitterly divided nation, he must restore people’s hope in the promise of a better future.

President Trump applauds Amy Coney Barrett as they stand on the Blue Room Balcony after Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas administered her the Constitutional Oath. Photo: Patrick Semansky

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Colette Browne Opinion Election 2020: Democrats must learn to use the system to drive home their advantage

The only chink of light in 2020 could be the imminent defeat of Donald Trump in next week’s US Presidential election, but his profound influence on politics and society will be much harder to dislodge than the man himself.

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Colette Browne Opinion There is no hope if all we have to look forward to is permanent lockdowns

Last week, in an address to the Fine Gael parliamentary party, Leo Varadkar said the Irish people would demand an exit strategy if the country moved to Level 5. Well, we're here. Where is it?

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Colette Browne Opinion Support for businesses - but those on a precipice were forgotten in Budget

When the Covid-19 crisis is eventually over, what kind of society do we want to emerge from the ashes? A return to business as usual or something that is stronger, more resilient and fairer?

Tirade: Leo Varadkar didn’t just disagree with Nphet’s advice on Claire Byrne Live, he lit a bonfire under it. Pictured, with Dr Tony Holohan. Photo: Gerry Mooney

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Colette Browne Opinion Instead of attacking Nphet for trying to tackle deadly Covid, perhaps ex-Health Minister Varadkar could consider why ICU capacity seems to be running out

Leo Varadkar has said it is time for the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) and the Government to "get back on the same page". That's the last thing we need.

Exit: Michael D'Arcy has vacated his Seanad seat to take up the position of CEO with the Irish Association of Investment Managers. Photo: Damien Eagers / INM

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Colette Browne Opinion Sipo watchdog has been barking for years - but politicians refuse to give it any teeth

Micheál Martin has called for a review of lobbying legislation after Fine Gael senator Michael D'Arcy resigned his seat to join a financial services lobby group. Perhaps Leo Varadkar should break the news to him: we already had a review. It was published in February.

Criminal: Damage to the artificial sports pitch at the Oliver Bond complex in Dublin. Photo: Mark Condren

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Colette Browne Opinion If we're truly all in this together, those who flout Covid guidelines must be punished

Gardaí sprang into action on the first day of Level 3 Covid restrictions in Dublin, turning out in Dolphin's Barn in the south inner city in large numbers to man a checkpoint. At least eight gardaí were present on Saturday afternoon to stop cars, query motorists about their travel intentions and check the boot of their cars - in case Covid was trying to surreptitiously hitch a lift.

Face facts: Masks and visors for sale in Dublin city centre. Photo: Collins Dublin, Gareth Chaney

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Colette Browne Opinion Ignore the trolls - through individual action and collective power we can stop this virus

We are standing at a crossroads in our coronavirus response. On one side lies death. On the other, hardship but hope. The most important message delivered to the public yesterday did not come from members of the Government. It came from Professor Sam McConkey, the head of international health and tropical medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI).

Brussels veteran: Mairead McGuinness has been appointed European Commissioner for Financial Services. Photo: Collins

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Colette Browne Opinion Ireland needs all EU friends it can find and McGuinness's powerful voice will help

Mairead McGuinness is now one of the most powerful politicians in the country, having been chosen as Ireland's new commissioner and awarded an economic portfolio.

Empty seat: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks with former EU commissioner for Trade Phil Hogan back in December. Photo: Getty

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Colette Browne Opinion Government needs all the European allies it can get if Ireland is to survive Brexit

An insular focus on domestic politics, by a government in a perpetual cycle of damage limitation, risks undermining Ireland's influence in the EU.

Careful what you wish for: Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin at Government Buildings during government formation talks in June. Photo: Mark Condren

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Colette Browne Opinion It’s hard not to feel empathy for Micheál Martin as chaos rages – but the buck stops with him

When Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael entered coalition for the first time it was hailed as a truly historic alliance. It has been – the most chaotic government in the history of the State.

Struggle: There has been little sympathy for young people, despite the huge impact of the pandemic on their lives. (stock photo)

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Colette Browne Opinion Young people are not pandemic villains - they are the victims and deserve support

Footage of a bartender dancing on a Dublin bar, pouring drinks from a bottle into the mouths of dancing revellers, which went viral over the weekend, was shocking - and reinforced the stereotype of young people as crazed hedonists partying through the pandemic.

Rushed return: Minister Norma Foley’s plan to reopen schools placed unrealistic expectations on principals and teachers. Photo: Frank McGrath

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Colette Browne

Colette Browne Opinion Trump’s attacks on women’s rights were despicable – so they told him ‘you’re fired’

Mary Lou McDonald's misstep undermines her support of abuse victims in the Dáil

Colette Browne Opinion Mother and baby homes are not a distant Ireland, they are in living memory and the State’s conscience is not yet clear

Colette Browne Opinion As situation deteriorates we need straight answers from Government, not deflection

Colette Browne Opinion Broken rules can have dire consequences – it’s time we showed some solidarity to help break the curse of Covid-19

Colette Browne Opinion Level 5 return is worth its weight to reduce risk of indoor super-spreader sites

Colette Browne Opinion Row over Mayo school’s closure highlights lack of clarity over how outbreaks are handled

Colette Browne Opinion Sinn Féin should discipline Stanley to help fulfil worthy ambitions across Ireland

Colette Browne Opinion The State is complicit in keeping abused women trapped inside with nowhere to go

Stop scapegoating young for virus spread – Covid doesn’t care if you drink pints or tea

Colette Browne Opinion Trump’s demise ramps up the pressure on Johnson to make his Brexit gamble pay off

Colette Browne Opinion If Biden wins, he’ll need a plan to rebuild hope in the American dream – and fast

Colette Browne Opinion Election 2020: Democrats must learn to use the system to drive home their advantage

Colette Browne Opinion There is no hope if all we have to look forward to is permanent lockdowns

Colette Browne Opinion Support for businesses - but those on a precipice were forgotten in Budget

Colette Browne Opinion Instead of attacking Nphet for trying to tackle deadly Covid, perhaps ex-Health Minister Varadkar could consider why ICU capacity seems to be running out

Colette Browne Opinion Sipo watchdog has been barking for years - but politicians refuse to give it any teeth

Colette Browne Opinion If we're truly all in this together, those who flout Covid guidelines must be punished

Colette Browne Opinion Ignore the trolls - through individual action and collective power we can stop this virus

Colette Browne Opinion Ireland needs all EU friends it can find and McGuinness's powerful voice will help

Colette Browne Opinion Government needs all the European allies it can get if Ireland is to survive Brexit

Colette Browne Opinion It’s hard not to feel empathy for Micheál Martin as chaos rages – but the buck stops with him

Colette Browne Opinion Young people are not pandemic villains - they are the victims and deserve support

Colette Browne Opinion Making schools safe to reopen should fall on the Government - not the teachers

Colette Browne Opinion If 'we're all in this together', then all of us need to take that responsibility seriously

Colette Browne Opinion When it comes to travel, why is there one law for the rich and another for the poor?

Colette Browne Opinion New Housing Minister's great vision for the future - simply more of the same

Colette Browne Opinion Since staggering back into office, Martin and Fianna Fáil seem hell-bent on self-immolation

Colette Browne Opinion Childhood poverty casts an irreversible shadow - the Government has been warned

Colette Browne Opinion Just four women in Cabinet shows parties still paying lip service to gender equality