politcal news from Cork, Ireland
Eamon Ó Cuív
THIS afternoon I accepted the resignation of my colleague Éamon Ó Cuív TD from the roles of Fianna Fáil Deputy Leader and Spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
Éamon’s refusal to support the Parliamentary Party’s position on the Fiscal Compact meant that it was no longer feasible for him to occupy these roles.
Chris O'Leary
SINN Féin councillors Chris O’Leary and Thomas Gould challenged Minister for Social Protection Éamon Ó Cuív on the Government’s handling of the economy at a public meeting in the Commons Inn Hotel last night.
Sinn Féin activists held a peaceful protest outside the venue before and during the event to highlight the government’s failure to produce a coherent jobs strategy and its targeting of the unemployed.
Eamon Ó Cuív
WELCOMING Minister Ó Cuív’s recent commitment in the Seanad to the continuation of the RAPID scheme, Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson on Community, Senator Jerry Buttimer, said the Government must clarify the extent to which the scheme will continue and to what extent funding will be made available.
“The RAPID programme is instrumental in the development of disadvantaged urban areas so the Minister’s recent statement in the Seanad that the Government is ‘in this for the long haul’ where it is concerned is to be welcomed.
“However, in light of the fact that the McCarthy Report recommended that RAPID is to be axed, there is a sense of real disquiet coming from local communities involved with the scheme.
CORK North West TD Michael Creed has described as “outrageous” the use of an Air Corps helicopter to transport Community Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív, to the opening of a playground in Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh in Co Cork.
“As the public try and come to terms with the content of the McCarthy report, the very least we would expect from Government Ministers is a level of empathy and propriety.
“For a Minister to arrive into a rural Gaeltacht parish, that will suffer on the double due to the cuts proposed in Agriculture & Roinn na Gaeltachta, in a helicopter goes beyond the realms of acceptability.
“It is often said that this Government is arrogant and out of touch. Today’s display by Ó Cuív is clear evidence of how true that is.
[Read more...]
FINE Gael Seanad Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Spokesman Senator Jerry Buttimer has welcomed the extension of the evening transport service, but said it should be set up on a permanent basis.
“This decision is very good news for rural communities which provides them with access to services and social events in the evening. The scheme was due to be wound down next week.
“It is also an important measure for promoting road safety by providing a public transport service for people who wish to socialise.
[Read more...]
Éamon Ó Cuív
THE Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív today announced that following meetings between Pobal and the seven groups operating pilot evening transport services around the country, it has been agreed that the seven groups will continue with some evening services until the end of the year, instead of finishing on July 10.
Two of the affected schemes operate in County Cork, namely West Cork Rural Transport and the Avondhu Development Group in East Cork.
Funds previously allocated by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to Pobal for the pilot scheme, and which have not yet been spent, will be used to cover the costs of the services until the end of the year.
The seven Rural Transport Programme groups have agreed to make all possible efforts to increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the transport service.
FINE Gael TD Deirdre Clune has called on the Government to use the National Famine Commemoration to set up a maintenance programme for famine graveyards, providing communities with a local place of commemoration.
Deputy Clune said, “A National Famine Commemoration has the potential to bring the people of Ireland together across the country to reflect on the famine and what it means to us today. With all this potential it is a shame that the Minister Éamon Ó Cuív seems intent on squandering this potential by refusing to provide funds to restore, maintain and develop local famine graveyards. [Read more...]
RSS feed
Recent Comments