Supporters of the Darkness Into Light fundraising walk to Bondi Beach. The event raised approximately $2000 for suicide prevention centre, Pieta House.

THE darkness was transformed into light over Bondi Beach last weekend as a group of fundraisers walked together to raise funds for Pieta House.

The Irish centre for prevention of suicide and self-harm organises an annual themed dawn walk and this year was the first time an event was held in Australia.

The sun rose over the Pacific Ocean after 6am as the walkers made their way from Oxford Street to the sea. And organiser Louise Hogan was thrilled with the 70-strong turnout as she helped to organise the walk in just two and a half weeks.

“We were up at around 3.30 and we set up on Oxford Street with a registration table. People started arriving from 5am onwards,” she said.

“At about 5.45 we set off. We walked from the Junction on the road and to Bondi as the sun was rising.

“When people got down they signed the banner of hope. Some people signed for people they lost and others signed it for themselves.”

The group then took photographs on the beach after the walk and enjoyed a sausage sizzle and Irish treats donated by Taste Ireland.

“We had three people down at the grassy knoll setting up food, water and juice… Everyone chatted and I talked to as many people as possible.

Everyone signed the banner, some had to go to work and then we went down to the beach to take photos with the banner,” she said. “It was lovely to be out that early and I have never been there for the sunrise. Beaches are symbolic of new beginnings.

“This was the first one outside Ireland. They have been doing it since 2009 and they had 20 locations this year. It’s their main fundraising event every year.”

One participant ran the 4km route to the beach but the rest of the group walked the road to Bondi Beach together.

Hogan took part in the ‘Darkness Into Light’ walk in Ennis last year with her friend as his father committed suicide. When she was studying for her Leaving Cert in the Co Clare town in 2002 she recalls that a number of students in a nearby school suicided.

And mental health issues within her own family also spurred Hogan on to organise the Sydney walk as she has found it is very difficult for people to talk about it.

“He has bi-polar. Fortunately he’s well. He was sick all his life and he’s had very bad episodes,” she said.

“My dad had cancer a few years ago and people could approach him much better about that. People can’t relate to it as well. Cancer is a physical illness as it’s do x, y and z to make it better.”

All the participants were asked to wear yellow on the morning and the vast majority of people arrived in brightly coloured t-shirts. Hogan had her t-shirt from last year’s walk and was thrilled that people joined in.

Ryan Dolan on stage at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo. Sadly, he finished last.

Ireland’s Ryan Dolan attracted a total of just five points in the Eurovision Song Contest, finishing last of the 26 finalists.

But it was a jibe by presenter Petra Mede during a tongue-in-cheek retrospective that got Ireland talking.

During the segment, Petra explained Johnny Logan had won the Eurovision three times.

Footage was then shown of Linda Martin’s winning song Why Me, which was written by Logan. Host Petra then suggested it was Johnny Logan in drag.

The comment sparked a huge response on twitter, with many finding it funny, but others leaping to Martin’s defence.

Many felt it was in bad taste as Martin’s Eurovison victory was in Malmo in 1992.

It is understood that RTE raised concerns with Swedish organisers SVT that the joke was too harsh, and although not requesting they scrap the segment, they asked it be toned down.

Specific objection was raised as Linda Martin was in the arena for the final last night.

However the Swedish broadcaster decided to go ahead with the controversial part of the show.

The final was won by Denmark, with an expected TV audience of 125m people.

Ireland finished in last place, despite a strong performance from Ryan Dolan and his team with Only Love Survives.

Despite the disappointment,  it was still not Ireland’s worst Eurovision performance in last decade.

Ireland failed to qualify for the final three times – Donna and Joe in 2005, Dustin in 2008 and Sinéad Mulvey and Black Daisy in 2009.

Dervish also finished last in 2007 however they did not have to qualify from a semi final.

Dr Rhona Mahony, Master of the National Maternity Hospital, addressed the Health Select Committee hearings on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill. (Pic: PA)

One of Ireland’s most experienced maternity doctors has said proposed new abortion laws may lead to increased demand for terminations.

Consultant Sam Coulter Smith, master of the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin, warned that more women seeking a termination under the proposed legislation could heighten pressure on already stretched hospitals.

If enacted, the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013 which is being debated at a parliamentary committee, will legalise abortion if there is a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother, including the threat of suicide.

Dr Coulter Smith said legislation giving doctors legal framework is welcome.

“It is my view and the view of many of my colleagues that the inclusion of suicidality within the legislation may, and I stress may, in the long term lead to an increase in demand for termination in this country,” he said.

The consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology said there was no way of knowing how many Irishwomen currently travel to the United Kingdom for a termination because of a crisis pregnancy, rape or incest.

“Because we don’t know who these women are, what their issues are, we don’t know how many of them may try to use this legislation in order to get a termination in this country,” Dr Coulter Smith said.

“If they do, then the point I was making is we do not have the infrastructure, the resources, the members of staff available to deal with that issue if it arises.”

Dr Coulter Smith was joined at the Oireachtas Committee on Health to discuss the legislation by Rhona Mahony, master of the National Maternity Hospital at Holles Street, Dublin and Peter Boylan, a Holles Street consultant and a former master.

Hearings continue on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Dr Mahony said there should be no distinction between the risk of death to a pregnant woman posed by a physical illness or the threat of suicide.

“Suicide is death just the same as death from infection chorioamnionitis,” she said.

“Women are dead.”

Chorioamnionitis was in the blood infection which led to the death of Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar after she was denied an abortion as she miscarried in a Galway hospital.

Her death, in part, drove pressure on the government to legislate for abortion.

Dr Boylan, who gave expert evidence at the inquest into her death, urged the politicians to focus on devising strong legislation.

“We are left on an adhoc basis when it comes to termination of pregnancy in order to save the life of the mother. This is a wholly unsafe and I believe unreasonable situation to expect doctors to operate in,” he said.

Dr Mahony said she was not prepared to risk any woman taking her own life due to an unwanted pregnancy.

“Are we all absolutely certain that when a woman who does not want to be pregnant, who is so distressed by her pregnancy, that she tells us that she wants to kill herself, can we all sit here and say I’m absolutely certain she will not kill herself? I’m not,” she said.

Dr Mahony also insisted doctors do their utmost through medical intervention to save both lives.

“We do not kill babies, we do not destroy babies. We induce babies medically,” she said.

“We’re not trying to kill them, we’re trying to save their lives.”

Dr Coulter Smith cautioned over a lack of evidence on whether abortion could treat suicide because he said doctors must base their work on medical evidence.

Elsewhere, the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) warned that a requirement for three doctors to determine whether a pregnant woman was suicidal might cause unnecessary delay.

If enacted, the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill will legislate for the 1992 X case judgment from Ireland’s Supreme Court , which found abortion is legal if there is a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother, including the threat of suicide.

The case was taken by a 14-year-old rape victim who became pregnant and was refused permission to travel for an abortion.

The loosening of the rules is also intended to meet requirements from a European court decision that found a woman in remission from cancer should not have been forced to travel oversees for a termination.

Others questioned at the committee were Ambrose McLoughlin, secretary general at the Department of Health, and chief medical officer Tony Holohan who dismissed suggestions there could be a lack of certainty in the diagnosis of suicide.

He said a diagnosis was based on a clinical science and not some sort of “hocus pocus”.

Health Minister James Reilly insisted changes to Ireland’s strict abortion regime are aimed at clarifying existing laws. He was later criticised for not attending the opening hearing in full.

Experts in psychiatry will give evidence to the hearing on Monday, when the issue suicidality and abortion will be fully explored.

Ireland’s Eurovision hopeful Ryan Dolan has made it through to Saturday’s final which can be seen on SBS Television on Sunday evening, Australian-time.

Ireland’s Ryan Dolan has made it through to the Eurovision final in Malmo, Sweden.

His song Only Love Survives secured enough points to earn him a spot in Saturday’s final, which will be screened around Australia on SBS Television on Sunday night from 7.30pm.

The 27-year-old Tyrone native is rated a 25/1 chance to follow in the footsteps of Johnny Logan, Dana and Linda Martin and win the Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland.

In all, Ireland has won the contest seven times making it the most successful Eurovision country.

Dana was the first Irish winner back in 1970 with All Kinds Of Everything while Australian-born Johnny Logan remains the only person to win the contest twice, in 1980 with What’s Another Year and in 1987 with Hold Me Now.

Linda Martin (Why Me?), Niamh Kavanagh (In Your Eyes), Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan (Rock’n'Roll Kids) completed a unique treble for Ireland between 1992 and 1994 before Eimear Quinn (The Voice) won it again for Ireland in 1996.

That was the last time Ireland has won the title but there have been some top ten finishes with Marc Roberts (2nd) in 1987 and Jedward (8th) in 2011.

The raging hot favourite this year is the Danish entry, Only Teardrops by Emmelie de Forest.

As usual, the contest has thrown up some bizarre stage moments. This year, the appearance of a seven foot eight inch giant as part of the Ukrainian entry has been the focus of social media chat.

There are also rumours of a special appearance by one or more members of Swedish superstars Abba, whose journey to stardom began in Brighton in 1974 when they won the contest with Waterloo.

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has confirmed that a “few more” tickets have been released.

The Irish Echo has checked the Ticketek website and found tickets on sale for the first test at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on June 22 and the third test at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on July 6.

The tickets are Platinum grade and priced at $295 each plus booking fees.

These matches were previously reported as sold out.

The Melbourne test, on June 29, appears to be completely sold out.

The Lions matches against the NSW Waratahs and the Melbourne Rebels have also sold out but there are tickets available for all other tour matches, according to the ARU.

The British and Irish Lions play their first tour match in Australia against the Western Force on Wednesday, June 5.

For two actors who have never spoken a word of Irish before they haven’t done a bad job on their first try.

As Star Trek Into Darkness wows Australian audiences this week, the actors who play Spock and Kirk have been doing their bit to promote the film in Ireland – courtesy of a cúpla focal.

Chris Pine (Captain Kirk) and Zachary Quinto (Spock) were asked by TG4′s Ponc to deliver some of the film’s signature lines as gaeilge. Maith an buachaillí.

See how Pine and Quinto did here …

Irishman Allan Dixon is among the finalists for Tourism Australia’s ‘Best jobs in the World’.

Irishman Allan Dixon has made it into the final of Tourism Australia’s ‘Best Jobs in the World’ competition.

Dixon, 26, a technology film producer from Arklow, Co Wicklow, is down to the final three for the role of outback adventurer.

Dixon and the other 17 finalists will travel to Australia for a final assessment in mid-June and the outright winners will be announced on June 21.

The lucky candidates from twelve countries will face challenges set by the states and territories and engage in promotional activities for Tourism Australia.

Speaking to the Irish Echo earlier this month, Dixon said he entered the competition at the eleventh hour.

“It sounded like such a great competition and I knew I could make a great video and story using the footage I had filmed over the past year. Exploring and filming are a hobby of mine, so being paid to travel to tell stories that inspire would be a dream. I only started making the video on the second last day of entries and got it in that evening,” he said.

“I’ve been filming since I was 12, me and my friends skateboarding around Arklow. Since then it’s been a hobby and I’ve always been trying to film my adventures and show people there’s a big world out there.

Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy said the 18 hopeful contenders would now have to demonstrate, in person, their job credentials to their prospective employers within the state or territory where their dream job would be based.

“After six weeks, 620,000 applications by 330,000 individuals from 196 countries, 46,000 video entries and thousands of supporting references from some of the most famous celebrities in the world we are down to the final 18.

“It’s show time. The candidates now face their very own Australian working holiday – a week of tests and challenges which will ultimately decide who ends up winning these six dream jobs,” Mr McEvoy said.

Ireland exported €276.3 million in medical and pharmaceutical products to Australia in 2012.

Irish based companies exported €724 million in goods to Australia last year – with pharmaceuticals topping the list.

In Australian dollars, Irish exports Down Under totalled almost $1bn.

Ireland dispatched €276.3 million worth of medical and pharmaceutical products weighing 38,404 tonnes to Australia last year, figures from Ireland’s Central Statistics Office (CSO) show.

Professional scientific and controlling apparatus were second on the export list to Australia with a massive €89m recorded in sales.

Miscellaneous manufactured articles made up €78.3 million of the total followed by office machines at €54.9m. And the trade in live animals remains strong with €43.1 million worth of business from Ireland to Australia.

Tobacco and beverages also make up a large slice of the export trade with €16.8m and €15.5m each.

Crude animal and vegetable materials were the heaviest products exported with a total of 8055 tonnes worth €2.4 million shipped to Australia. Coal and briquettes were close behind with 7,639 tonnes worth €641,000.

No meat or meat preparations were recorded in the export tally from Ireland but €69,000 worth of meat and €287,000 worth of fish were imported from Australia.

Ireland did not export any animal fats or oils to Australia – however, Australia exported €36,000 worth of these goods to Ireland.

Overall, Irish based companies exported €92 billion worth of goods around the world to 210 countries – with the US remaining the largest market at €18 billion.

Australian firms shipped €105 million in goods to Ireland, according to the CSO.

Ireland’s biggest Australian import are beverages which account for almost half of the total figure at €42.3 million. Australian wines are hugely popular in Ireland and drinks brands such as Bundaberg and James Boag’s are also becoming increasingly available.

The drinks industry was followed by pharmaceuticals at €24.2 million and scientific apparatus at €6 million. Other popular imports from Australia include organic chemicals at €4.8 million, electrical machinery at €2.9 million and sugar and honey at €2.2 million.

There is also a strong trade worth €140,000 in footwear as sheepskin Ugg boots remain hugely popular in Ireland.

Gold is also traded between the two countries – but most of the business is from Australia. Ireland exported €6,000 worth of gold but in return imported €392,000 worth of gold and €291,000 worth of gold coins and montetary gold. €105,000 worth of non-legal tender coins of different metals were also imported by Ireland.

:: Irish exports to Australia
1. Medical and pharmaceutical products €276.3 million
2. Professional scientific and controlling apparatus €89 million
3. Miscellaneous manufactured articles €78.3 million
4. Office machines and automatic data processing machines €54.9 million
5. Live animals €43.1 million
6. Telecommunications and sound equipment €35.3 million
7. Tobacco and tobacco manufactures €16.8 million
8. Chemical materials and products €15.6 million
9. General industrial machinery and equipment €15.55 million
10. Beverages €15.51 million

:: Imports from Australia
1. Beverages €42.3 million
2. Medical and pharmaceutical products €24.2 million
3. Professional scientific and controlling apparatus €6 million
4. Organic chemicals €4.8 million
5. Chemical materials and products €2.9 million
6. Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances €2.9 million
7. Miscellaneous manufactured articles €2.7 million
8. General industrial machinery and equipment €2.4 million
9. Sugar, sugar preparation and honey €2.2 million
10. Plastics in non-primary forms €2 million

The Australian government will double the price of applying for a 457 visa, it has emerged.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has handed down a budget with a deficit of $19.4 billion and the price rise is among the revenue-raising measures included within the papers.

The cost of a 457 visa application will rise to to $900 from July 1. The current charge is $455.

The four-year 457s are temporary residence visas offered to skilled workers and their dependants who are sponsored by an Australian company. In per capita terms, Irish nationals lead the take-up of the scheme.

The price hike is expected to raise $198 million in revenue over four years.

The government will provide $3.4 million over four years to enable the Fair Work Ombudsman to monitor and enforce employer compliance with 457 visa conditions, as part of measures to tighten the scheme.

Australia will maintain the 2013‑14 Migration Programme at 190,000 places with a revised composition of 128,550 skilled stream places, 60,885 family stream places and 565 special eligibility places.

“The Gillard government’s top priority will always be jobs for Australians.  The permanent migration programme is about getting the balance right between our economic and social objectives,” Immigration Minister Brendan O’Connor said.

“Our migration programme ensures skilled migrants will continue to fill critical gaps in regions and sectors with genuine skills shortages.”

In budget papers, the government says the small increase in the family migration programme will assist in meeting increased demand for family places which is attributed to the increase of skilled migrants who wish to sponsor their partners and other family members.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will be given $14.9 million over two years from 2012‑13 to fund a package of initiatives to support social inclusion in communities with large migrant populations.

Budget papers say the measure will provide funding to community organisations to engage local coordinators in up to 100 communities across Australia.

Elsewhere, the government will provide $15 million to the existing International Health Professionals Progamme to support the recruitment of international health professionals. Budget papers say this involves streamlining pathways for registration and practice, and maintaining efforts to improve the distribution of health professionals to rural and remote areas.

The government also plans to tackle profit shifting by large multinationals, sometimes known as the “Double Dutch Irish Sandwich”.

The government has said it will use its leading role as chair of the G20 in 2014, “to advance the case for multilateral action to counter tax base erosion and profit shifting”.

Martin Kavanagh will begin his duties soon.

The Irish government has appointed a new honorary consul in Western Australia.

Martin Kavanagh, from Fairhill, Co Cork, will succeed Michael Nolan, who retired in 2011. He is set to take up duties in coming weeks.

Mr Kavanagh, 49, recently helped to set up the Ireland-Western Australia Forum to promote business, professional and cultural links between Ireland and Western Australia. He is a barrister and solicitor with his own practice, Kavanagh Lawyers, based in East Perth.

His predecessor, Kilkenny man Michael Nolan, held the position of honorary consul from 1978 until his retirement in 2011.

The role’s duties include arranging passports for Irish citizens, providing emergency consular assistance and attending community events. It is an unpaid role.

The Irish community in Perth has grown substantially in recent years, placing a strain on the resources of local Irish welfare group, The Claddagh Association. Claddagh recently released an information guide to help new migrants moving to Western Australia.

Ireland’s Ambassador to Australia Noel White announced Mr Kavanagh’s appointment, in a statement released this afternoon.

“Martin’s appointment will enhance our capacity to deliver the best possible consular services to the Irish community in Perth and WA,” he said.

“It will also provide a platform to move our relations with WA – a region of increasing economic importance to Ireland – to a new level and to strengthen our business, tourism and cultural links,” he added.

Mr White also thanked Mr Nolan for his work and wished him well in his retirement.