politcal news from Cork, Ireland
Colm Burke
SPEAKING during a debate on the Fair Deal Nursing Home Scheme in the Seanad, Fine Gael Cork Senator, Colm Burke said the restoration of the scheme is to be welcomed but that a longer term approach to the care needs of the elderly must be addressed in the form of 20-year national strategy.
CORK senators Denis O’Donovan (FF) and Paul Bradford (FG) have both been re-elected to the Seanad.
Senator O’Donovan who narrowly missed taking a Dáil seat for the party in Cork South West was critical of party leader Micheál Martin’s announcement of a ‘preferred list’ of candidates for the Seanad, one that Senator O’Donovan did not appear on.
FIANNA Fáil’s new interest in political reform is just a cynical attempt to divert attention away from their failed economic policies and delay a general election for as long as possible, according to Fine Gael Innovation & Research Spokesperson Deirdre Clune TD.
“Fianna Fáil has been in Government for more than 13 years. The party has had little or no interest in political reform during that entire period. Now, only weeks from a general election, Fianna Fáil is running for cover in the guise of a newfound interest in political reform.
FINE Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer today (Friday) said the decision to schedule Seanad sittings for two days, instead of three, next week is hugely insulting to the people at a time when the country is on its knees.
“We have only just returned from a lengthy ten week break and after just one week back, a decision has been taken for the Seanad not to sit until next Wednesday. It’s an absolute joke.
THE decision taken this morning (Thursday) on the Order of Business in the Seanad to suspend the House for the duration of next week has been slammed as a disgrace by Fine Gael Cork South Central Senator Jerry Buttimer.
“It is absolutely farcical that a few weeks prior to the summer break the Seanad will not be sitting at all next week.
“Unemployment has spiked again with 439,100 people now on the dole, the country is on its knees as a result of Fianna Fáil and the Greens pouring every cent we have, and more, into the banks and now a decision has been taken to plough ahead with a week off for Senators next week.
Mary Harney
FINE Gael Seanad spokesperson on drugs, Senator Jerry Buttimer, said Minister Harney’s promise to bring in legislation to deal with head shops by June, if believed, is to be welcomed.
Senator Buttimer went on to say that the Government’s record for delivering on promises leaves him less than confident that the Minister will move quickly to resolve the matter.
“Minister Harney’s pledge this afternoon in the Seanad to bring forward legislation to deal with head shops by June, if delivered, is to be welcomed as the proliferation of head shops in towns and villages across Ireland is causing untold damage to our young people, in particular, and their mental health.
SPEAKING in the Seanad in support of an all-party motion to tackle the proliferation of head shops in Ireland, Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson on Drugs, Senator Jerry Buttimer said, “The explosion in the number of head shops that have sprung up in our towns and villages has to be dealt with as theses establishments, which are nothing more than a ‘front door’ for selling drugs, pose an inordinate risk, most notably to our young people.
“It is estimated that the number of head shops in Ireland is now nearing 100. In an attempt to address this burning issue, Fine Gael in the Seanad has tabled a motion (see below) and is in support of an all-party committee and legislation to tackle the issue head-on. In the Dáil Fine Gael has called for cross-party support for legislation to regulate the growing number of head shops.
Jerry Buttimer
IN the interest of Seanad reform, Fine Gael senator Jerry Buttimer has called for the three outstanding Seanad bye-elections to be held on the same day and for one of the three seats to be allocated to a non-government party.
“If the Government is intent on reforming the Seanad the best place to start is to hold all of the outstanding bye-elections on the same day. The moving of the writs for two of the three bye-elections last month was seen, in some circles, as a cynical ploy to ensure the maximum outcome for Fianna Fáil.
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