Monday, June 17, 2013

Fianna Fail Party Bulletin

FF Rubbishes Claim that Hogan has 'No Role' in Country's Largest Ever
Sewage Treatment Plant
Fianna Fáil has rubbished claims from Taoiseach that the Environment
Minister Phil Hogan has 'no role' in the development of the country's
largest ever sewage treatment plant in north Dublin.
Dublin Senator Darragh O'Brien has hit out at the outrageous attempt
by the Taoiseach to shirk responsibility for a major project that his
government is funding.
"In reply to questions from our Party Leader Micheál Martin in the
Dáil today [Tuesday], the Taoiseach said there is no point in Minister
Hogan meeting with north Dublin residents as the Minister has 'no
role' in this development. In the same breath, he confirmed that it is
Minister Hogan's department that is funding the massive development.
"The government cannot have it both ways. Minister Hogan holds the
purse strings and it is within his gift to stop funding and put this
development on hold. At the very least, he should do this until a full
analysis of the project has been carried out and he has taken the time
to listen to the very real concerns of local residents and campaign
groups."
Read more at http://www.fiannafail.ie/news/entry/9970/


Fitzgerald Must Explain Withdrawal of Support for Childminders - Troy
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Children Robert Troy has called on the
Minister for Children to reinstate funding and support for
childminders through the HSE as part of efforts to ensure standards
for the care of children in the early years are progressively raised.
Deputy Troy said: "Thousands of childminders were being supported
through the Childminding Advisory Service who are now being left
without a support structure at a time when standards are being
scrutinised more closely by parents and those working in the sector.
The childcare sector is already under the spotlight and attention is
turning to childminding with much of this sector unregulated.
"Fianna Fáil has previously sought to have professional childminders
included in garda vetting legislation seven months ago but this was
rejected out of hand by the Government.  This Government must take
responsibility for its own actions.  The fact is, this Government
stopped funding support for childminders and refused to extend garda
vetting to childminders.  Minister Fitzgerald needs to understand that
we are trying to be constructive in the debate on these issues,
bringing forward proposals to assist the Government, those working in
childcare and parents."
Read more at http://www.fiannafail.ie/news/entry/9974/

Minister Withholds €100 Million Fund from Community Sector - Ó Cuív
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Community Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív TD, says
the Minister for the Environment is sitting on a €100 million fund
that is used to combat economic disadvantage and called on the
Minister to release this funding for very worthy causes.
The fund, which now stands at €100 million, comes in from financial
institutions every year to help alleviate the problems of
socio-economic deprivation, education disadvantage and disabilities.
Deputy Ó Cuív commented: "Minster Hogan is sitting on a fund of €100
million, which for some reason he won't spend. The dormant account
funds were specifically taken off financial institutions for the
purpose of funding programmes to combat social and economic
disadvantage as well as educational disadvantage and disability.
"Two important programmes funded under the Dormant Account Scheme were
the provision of €100,000 grants to each RAPID Area in the most
disadvantaged communities, which funded community activities. The
other initiative was the flagship project programme, whereby community
and philanthropic funds were matched by Dormant Account funds for the
provision of social infrastructure and facilities for those with a
disability.
"The Minister needs to reopen the Dormant Account Scheme without delay."
Read more at http://www.fiannafail.ie/news/entry/9982/

Stark Reality of Respite Care Grant Cut Hitting Home for Thousands of
Families - O'Dea
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Social Protection and Social Equality,
Willie O'Dea TD says the stark reality of the cut to the Respite Care
Grant is hitting home for thousands of carers this week.
The annual payment to those in receipt of the Carer's Allowance,
Carer's Benefit and the Domiciliary Care Allowance was cut by 20% at
last December's budget.
Deputy O'Dea commented:  "There are 5,000 people in the country that
rely solely on the Respite Care Grant, their weekly payment will
reduced by €6.50 a week to €26 per week.
"This cut hits at the heart of disability services and highlights just
how removed this Government is from reality. Carers depend on this
payment, it is not used for luxury but to pay for food costs or light
and heat expenses.
"For the other 72,000 carers who are also in receipt of the Carer's
Allowance, their weekly income will be reduced to €229 per week.  This
is a very modest sum to live on considering the added care costs for
an elderly friend or relative.
Read more at http://www.fiannafail.ie/news/entry/9968/


Campaigning in Action
We're hoping to profile our councillors and local area representatives
in our regular 'Campaigning in Action' segment.
If you would like to be profiled, please email a brief summary of your
campaign activity, along with a photograph, to russell@fiannafail.ie


Cuisle Edition 3
The third edition of the Cuisle members' magazine is now available to
read online. Members can view it at
http://www.fiannafail.ie/content/pages/9946/ or download their own
copy from http://www.fiannafail.ie/page/-/newsletters/Cuisle%20Edition%2003.pdf

Local Area Boundary Committee Report Published
The Local Area Boundary Committee Report has been published. This
report outlines a number of changes to Local Electoral Areas right
around the country.
Members interested in reading the report and seeing what impact it
might have on their area can download the report online at:
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/LocalGovernment/Administration/FileDownLoad,33299,en.pdf

Dún Laoghaire CDC Seán Lemass Commemoration
Dún Laoghaire Comhairle Dáil Cheantair is pleased to invite members
and supporters to the first annual Seán Lemass Commemoration which
will take place on Saturday 13th July at 1pm in Deansgrange Cemetery.
The commemoration will be attended by members of the Lemass family and
the oration will be given by barrister, author, political analyst and
columnist with The Irish Times, Noel Whelan. Noel is the author of
'Fianna Fáil: A Biography of the Party' and is an expert on the
political life of Seán Lemass.
Please join members of the Lemass family and Fianna Fáil members from
throughout the country on this special day. A reception will be held
following the event at The Grange, Deansgrange Road. For further
information, please contact James Dunne (C.D.C. Secretary) on 087 814
1484 or email dunlaoghaireff@gmail.com

Dublin Bay North Ógra BBQ
Dublin Bay North Ógra will be holding a Summer BBQ on Friday 21st June
at 8pm in The Station Café, Drumcondra.
Tickets cost €10 and further details can be obtained from either
aoibheanndbn@gmail.com or carlahartedbn@gmail.com

Dublin Pride Dinner
Ahead of Dublin Pride parade on Saturday 29 June, a number of LGTB
Fianna Fáil members will be meeting for dinner on Friday night 28
June.
Please email donnachamaguire@gmail.com for more information.

Launch of ALDE LeaDeR Awards
The Alliance of Liberal Democrats in Europe Group, of which Fianna
Fáil is a member, is currently launching the third edition of their
LeaDeR awards.
The LeaDeR awards aim to recognize the achievements of Regional and
Local Politicians from right around Europe, with a number of Fianna
Fáil representatives having enjoyed success in the last couple of
years.
There are award categories for both local and regional Leaders of the
Year, with awards including Achievement in Opposition in policy areas
relevant to the Committee of the Regions, most effective party
engagement with citizens, and most effective EU ambassador.
The awards ceremony will be held in December, with nominations open
until 30th September 2013, and you are encouraged to nominate any
local politician within Fianna Fáil that you feel is deserving of an
award, along with a brief motivation.
Nominations should be emailed to aldeleaders@cor.europa.eu.

Fianna Fáil Facebook
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www.facebook.com/fiannafail
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@MichealMartin TD

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