Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Friday) urged staff and management at Bus Éireann to reach an agreement on cost cutting proposals before the looming deadline of 12th May. Management has said that they will implement cuts without agreement if necessary, which has prompted unions to threat strike action.
“Bus Éireann needs to get its house in order. After eleven months of wrangling, management and unions have failed to reach an agreement on how to achieve a total of €20 million in savings. Now, thanks to this impasse, Bus Eireann customers are facing the very real prospect of strikes which could paralyse the public transport system.
“To be frank, I think it is time some realism entered the discussions. The company has managed to bring about €11 million in operational savings. But no progress has been made in achieving €9 million in savings from terms and conditions. This is despite the fact that under the current plan put forward by the Labour Court, there will be no reductions in basic pay or employment levels. Many workers in other sectors would grab that sort of offer with both hands.
“Bus Éireann is in an unsustainable situation. It is facing annual losses of more than €11 million. And Minister Varadkar has been frank about this; even if he wanted to, he simply doesn’t have the money to help the company close the gap. While the State subsidises school services and Public Service Obligation, it legally cannot support Bus Éireann’s commercial Expressway services. These services can only be secured if savings are achieved.
“Ultimately it will be staff, commuters and possibly even school pupils who will suffer if unilateral cuts result in strike action. More than 100,000 commuters use Bus Éireann’s city and town services every day. And a further 114,000 school children could be left stranded if services come to a standstill., thousands of whom will be due to sit their exams next month.
“Time is running out to reach an agreement. As we head into a Bank Holiday weekend, I would urge those on both sides to go to every effort to reach a resolution on delivering savings and averting what would be hugely disruptive industrial action.”
Friday, May 03, 2013
Thursday, May 02, 2013
PROTECTION OF LIFE DURING PREGNANCY (HEADS OF) BILL 2013 - REQUEST FOR SUBMISSIONS
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children (the Committee) is seeking written submissions from interested individuals and groups in respect of its consideration of the Outline Heads of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013.
Written submissions should be submitted electronically by email (PDF / MsWord or equivalent) and received by Mr Paul Kelly, Principal Clerk, Joint Committee on Health and Children, healthandchildren@oireachtas.
Submissions should be succinct and to the point and should be of a reasonable size. Submissions should be detailed on a "Head by Head" basis and should not contain any unnecessary or superfluous material that does relate directly to the Heads of Bill, which can be accessed on the Houses of the Oireachtas websitewww.oireachtas.ie/
Submissions and communications should only be sent to the email address above and not to individual members of the Committee. Please note that the Clerk to the Committee will ensure that all members of the Committee receive, in due course, copies of all submissions and communications received.
With and separate from your electronic submission, please include a covering note outlining in brief why you are making a submission. The covering note should also include your name, postal address, email address and contact telephone number.
If you are making a submission as a group/organisation, please supply the name and contact details of the group/organisation and the names and contact details of the officers, if any, of the group/organisation. Please indicate in the covering note if you or your group/organisation are prepared to appear and discuss your submission with the Committee in Public Session at a future Committee meeting. (Public Hearings to be scheduled for mid May 2013).
NB: The submission itself must contain the following, in the following order:-
1. A brief introduction outlining any experience you or your group have or any work that you or your group have engaged in that is relevant to this issue.
2. An executive summary of your submission. (1-2 pages maximum)
3. A list of recommendations you or your group would like to be considered by the Committee. These should be summarised in the executive summary, on a "Head by Head" basis.
4. The main body of your submission. This should be concise and to the point and should highlight any factual information or commentary that you or your group have to offer on a "Head by Head" basis. The Committee may draw conclusions from this information and may put it to other witnesses or parties for their comments.
Written submissions should be submitted electronically by email (PDF / MsWord or equivalent) and received by Mr Paul Kelly, Principal Clerk, Joint Committee on Health and Children, healthandchildren@oireachtas.
Submissions should be succinct and to the point and should be of a reasonable size. Submissions should be detailed on a "Head by Head" basis and should not contain any unnecessary or superfluous material that does relate directly to the Heads of Bill, which can be accessed on the Houses of the Oireachtas websitewww.oireachtas.ie/
Submissions and communications should only be sent to the email address above and not to individual members of the Committee. Please note that the Clerk to the Committee will ensure that all members of the Committee receive, in due course, copies of all submissions and communications received.
With and separate from your electronic submission, please include a covering note outlining in brief why you are making a submission. The covering note should also include your name, postal address, email address and contact telephone number.
If you are making a submission as a group/organisation, please supply the name and contact details of the group/organisation and the names and contact details of the officers, if any, of the group/organisation. Please indicate in the covering note if you or your group/organisation are prepared to appear and discuss your submission with the Committee in Public Session at a future Committee meeting. (Public Hearings to be scheduled for mid May 2013).
NB: The submission itself must contain the following, in the following order:-
1. A brief introduction outlining any experience you or your group have or any work that you or your group have engaged in that is relevant to this issue.
2. An executive summary of your submission. (1-2 pages maximum)
3. A list of recommendations you or your group would like to be considered by the Committee. These should be summarised in the executive summary, on a "Head by Head" basis.
4. The main body of your submission. This should be concise and to the point and should highlight any factual information or commentary that you or your group have to offer on a "Head by Head" basis. The Committee may draw conclusions from this information and may put it to other witnesses or parties for their comments.
Please also ensure that the submission itself is signed and dated by you or by an authorised officers of the group making the submission. In the case of a submission submitted by a group of individuals, it should be signed by allthe individuals represented by the submission.
The Committee will consider all submissions received in Private Session or in Public Session at its own discretion. The Committee will not disclose details of its considerations in Private Session.
The Committee, at its own discretion, shall invite a number of witnesses to address it in due course. The Committee reserves the right to invite the authors of certain submissions, as it so decides, but also to invite other witnesses on its own initiative. The Committee reserves the right not to discuss its reasons for inviting or not inviting any given witnesses to address it.
The Committee is not obliged to discuss your submission with you. The Committee may publish any submission it receives, but it is not obliged to do so. This is totally at the discretion of the Committee and you should be aware that the Committee may publish your submission either as part of a Committee Report or separately, at its own discretion. All submissions shall be deemed eligible for publication unless the author of the submission clearly indicates that it should be treated as confidential and not for publication.
A more detailed document (Ms Word version) outlining the guidelines for making a written submission is available at the following link:-
http://www.oireachtas.ie/
The Committee will consider all submissions received in Private Session or in Public Session at its own discretion. The Committee will not disclose details of its considerations in Private Session.
The Committee, at its own discretion, shall invite a number of witnesses to address it in due course. The Committee reserves the right to invite the authors of certain submissions, as it so decides, but also to invite other witnesses on its own initiative. The Committee reserves the right not to discuss its reasons for inviting or not inviting any given witnesses to address it.
The Committee is not obliged to discuss your submission with you. The Committee may publish any submission it receives, but it is not obliged to do so. This is totally at the discretion of the Committee and you should be aware that the Committee may publish your submission either as part of a Committee Report or separately, at its own discretion. All submissions shall be deemed eligible for publication unless the author of the submission clearly indicates that it should be treated as confidential and not for publication.
A more detailed document (Ms Word version) outlining the guidelines for making a written submission is available at the following link:-
http://www.oireachtas.ie/
For information purposes only, a link to the Joint Committee's Report on Public Hearings on the Implementation of the Government Decision following the publication of the Expert Group Report on A, B, and C vs Ireland is accessible at the following link:-
http://www.oireachtas.ie/
http://www.oireachtas.ie/
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Doherty attends opening of new state of the art pharmaceutical storage facility in Ashbourne
 |
Deputy Doherty at the opening of the facility with staff members from Expeditors. From left to right: John Sandford, Brian Byrne, Aodhgan Braiden, Regina Doherty TD, Greg Lewis and Des Whelan. |
Speaking at the opening, Deputy Doherty said: ‘I’m delighted to be here today to open this exciting new facility, which will hopefully lead to new business opportunities for Expeditors’ Irish operations. The company will be able to provide high quality storage for healthcare companies, because it has heavily invested in this new state of the art pharmaceutical storage facility’.
“I know a huge amount of work has gone into bringing this new facility to fruition, including acquiring licensing and certification from the Irish Medicines Board. The facility represents a significant investment by Expeditors in the local economy here in Ashbourne. And by providing these high quality services here in Ireland, we can copper fasten our reputation as being an ideal location for foreign direct investment.
“I wish the company the best of success with this new venture, which I hope will lead to further job creation in the coming years.”
Aodhgan Braiden from Expeditors added: ‘It’s clear to us that there is a requirement for regulated, temperature controlled warehousing, to support the pharmaceutical and medical device sector. Investing in this area allows our customers to focus on their core manufacturing activities, and I hope this new venture will allow us to grow our brand even further here in Ireland’.
Monday, April 29, 2013
New Consultative Forum on special education to be appointed
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has highlighted the fact that appointments are being made to the Consultative Forum for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). Deputy Doherty is encouraging interested stakeholders to make nominations and express their views to the NCSE.
“The NCSE plays a very important role in the delivery of special education services. It is beginning the process of appointing a new Consultative Forum, which feeds into decisions made by the Council.
“The Forum facilitates consultation with interest groups in the special education sector, and in effect allows for discussion and differing views to be expressed. This all feeds into the formation of national policy on special education.
“The provision of special education can be a fraught and complicated issue at times because many parents feel they have to fight to get the care and attention their child may need. It is very important that we have both the NCSE and the Consultative Forum, so parents and educators can contribute to special education policy development.
“Nominations for the Forum are open until May 13th and I would encourage anyone with a specific interest in special education to make their views known. The Forum meets up to four times a year in Trim, Co. Meath.
“The NSCE strives to ensure the Consultative Forum includes a diverse spread of members, to ensure all of the various disabilities are represented. It also aims to include young people with special educational needs, or their representatives, to ensure their voices are heard.”
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE OF MEASURES IN PLACE TO DEAL WITH FODDER SITUATION
Following a meeting today with the CEO’s of the Dairy Co-ops, Minister Simon Coveney TD announced that co-ops have agreed to his request to substantially increase the volume of fodder being imported into the country over the short to medium term. The co-ops have also agreed to consider the introduction of interest free credit, within limits, to farmers for the purchase of fertiliser, limited to the month of May.
This will ensure farmers have access to fodder for the foreseeable future and will reassure farmers that fodder supply will not be an issue until grass growth improves. While access to fodder is a priority, grass growth in the months ahead will be the key to ensuring that this problem is overcome. The latest initiatives agreed by the dairy co-ops today build on the measures already introduced by the Minister which were designed to deal with immediate challenges;
· A €1m fund to contribute to the transport costs of importing fodder to the country, which will reduce the cost of purchasing fodder for farmers by approximately a third, in the days ahead.
· The availability of emergency assistance under the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council’s early warning system to ensure that there is no reason for any farmer to see their animals starve
· Processing of outstanding scheme payments as promptly as possible
“The meeting today copper-fastens a comprehensive package of measures to address the fodder shortage both immediate and longer term. The initiatives agreed with the co-ops today, combined with the €1 million Euro transport scheme that I announced yesterday and the emergency assistance available under the farm animals council early warning system will substantially address the challenging fodder situation. There is no reason why any animal on any farm should starve. Support is there for anyone who is facing an emergency situation and I would urge farmers who need support to contact the Department for assistance,” said Minister Coveney.
The Minister pointed out that he has already asked the advisory service to prioritise advice to farmers in the period ahead and to focus on the optimum use of fertiliser in generating feed for the national herd. With regard to ongoing difficulties in accessing credit, Minister Coveney will again meet with senior representatives from banks later today to discuss the ongoing challenges facing farmers and to ask for flexibility over the coming period in accessing credit. In addition, outstanding scheme payments are being processed with urgency. Seven hundred payments issued last week and outstanding payments are being processed as quickly as possible. “I believe this comprehensive set of measures will assist farmers. Strong commodity prices at present for dairy, beef and lamb should allow farmers to plan with greater confidence for the year ahead. I’ll continue to work with all stakeholders in the sector to get through this difficult period caused by very unusual weather patterns”.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Record €16.2 billion exports from Enterprise Ireland client companies in 2012
Manufacturing companies and North American Market lead the way for export growth in 2012
Enterprise Ireland client companies achieved record exports in 2012 breaking the €16bn for the first time, up from €15.2bn in 2011. Greatest wins came from sectors such as Engineering, Software, Internationally Traded Services and Medical Devices, while the outstanding geographical performance came from USA, Asia Pacific and South America.
The announcement was made today (Friday) by Enterprise Ireland’s CEO, Frank Ryan, at an event hosted by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton T.D. in his Department in the presence of Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, T.D. and John Perry T.D., Minister for Small Business.
Throughout the year Irish companies continued to broaden their export footprint and increase their sales, in the face of increasing challenges across all global markets. The world economy is predicted to grow moderately (3.3%) in 2013 (Source: IMF April 2013) and the strong performance by Irish companies over the past year puts them in a very healthy position to capitalise on this growth. Enterprise Ireland is increasing its activities to support clients win new export business and build international networks and partnerships. 2013 will see a record number of ministerial-led trade missions with an increased focus on high growth economies in Asia, South America and the Middle East. This will be backed up a wide range of inward buyer visits, study visits, trade fairs, Embassy events and knowledge seminars, all aimed at linking Irish companies to international buyers, leading to increased exports and jobs for Ireland.
Making the announcement, Frank Ryan, CEO, Enterprise Ireland said:”In Enterprise Ireland we are proud of the companies we work with and their tremendous achievement in continuing to increase export sales. These companies are responsible for 300,000 jobs and spend over €18bn in the Irish economy each year by winning business all over the world. It is especially encouraging to see significant gains in established markets like North America, the High Growth Economies of Asia Pacific and record performances from advanced engineering, software and medical device sectors”.
Commenting on the results Minister Bruton said: “Dynamic and innovative Irish companies are central to the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs and these results today confirm that they are continuing to deliver for the Irish economy. Exports create jobs and the record figures announced here today are very promising for employment growth over the coming years. I congratulate all Irish exporters on this performance and credit also to Frank and his team at Enterprise Ireland”
The Tánaiste added: “Developing new business in High Growth Economies while also remaining strong in our core markets is vital for the recovery of the Irish economy. Enterprise Ireland clients have demonstrated tremendous resilience in winning record sales in these markets. I witnessed this myself when leading the Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission to Turkey within the past fortnight and I look forward to continue working with them on trade missions and key international activities in 2013 and beyond”.
Enterprise Ireland client companies achieved record exports in 2012 breaking the €16bn for the first time, up from €15.2bn in 2011. Greatest wins came from sectors such as Engineering, Software, Internationally Traded Services and Medical Devices, while the outstanding geographical performance came from USA, Asia Pacific and South America.
The announcement was made today (Friday) by Enterprise Ireland’s CEO, Frank Ryan, at an event hosted by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton T.D. in his Department in the presence of Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, T.D. and John Perry T.D., Minister for Small Business.
Throughout the year Irish companies continued to broaden their export footprint and increase their sales, in the face of increasing challenges across all global markets. The world economy is predicted to grow moderately (3.3%) in 2013 (Source: IMF April 2013) and the strong performance by Irish companies over the past year puts them in a very healthy position to capitalise on this growth. Enterprise Ireland is increasing its activities to support clients win new export business and build international networks and partnerships. 2013 will see a record number of ministerial-led trade missions with an increased focus on high growth economies in Asia, South America and the Middle East. This will be backed up a wide range of inward buyer visits, study visits, trade fairs, Embassy events and knowledge seminars, all aimed at linking Irish companies to international buyers, leading to increased exports and jobs for Ireland.
Making the announcement, Frank Ryan, CEO, Enterprise Ireland said:”In Enterprise Ireland we are proud of the companies we work with and their tremendous achievement in continuing to increase export sales. These companies are responsible for 300,000 jobs and spend over €18bn in the Irish economy each year by winning business all over the world. It is especially encouraging to see significant gains in established markets like North America, the High Growth Economies of Asia Pacific and record performances from advanced engineering, software and medical device sectors”.
Commenting on the results Minister Bruton said: “Dynamic and innovative Irish companies are central to the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs and these results today confirm that they are continuing to deliver for the Irish economy. Exports create jobs and the record figures announced here today are very promising for employment growth over the coming years. I congratulate all Irish exporters on this performance and credit also to Frank and his team at Enterprise Ireland”
The Tánaiste added: “Developing new business in High Growth Economies while also remaining strong in our core markets is vital for the recovery of the Irish economy. Enterprise Ireland clients have demonstrated tremendous resilience in winning record sales in these markets. I witnessed this myself when leading the Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission to Turkey within the past fortnight and I look forward to continue working with them on trade missions and key international activities in 2013 and beyond”.
FF left borrowers with no hope, now the Party criticises debt resolution service
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) said Fianna Fáil should not be so quick to criticise the new Insolvency Service Ireland (ISI), when it is the Party that left borrowers drowning in debt, with absolutely no hope for the future. Deputy Doherty was speaking after the ISI launched guidelines and a public information campaign on debt resolution measures.
“When Fianna Fáil left Government, there were already roughly 45,000 people in mortgage arrears. This was due to a culture of lax regulation, property speculation and cheap debt that was so keenly fostered and encouraged by Fianna Fáil. The Party failed to regulate, failed to mitigate the impending property crash and failed to leave behind any sort of plan to deal with the spiralling mortgage arrears problem. When Fianna Fáil was kicked out of Government, it left people in arrears with absolutely no hope.
“The fact that Fianna Fáil is now trying to paint itself as the Party who would get tough on the banks is laughable. This is coming from the same Party which sanctioned huge pay packets for senior bankers and presided over a regulatory regime that allowed extremely irresponsible lending and speculation, with no controls in place or protection for ordinary homeowners.
“Today many of the fears and rumours about the Insolvency Service have been dispelled. This entire system is aimed at keeping people in their homes and giving them a long-term, sustainable solution to their debt problems. Thousands of families across the country are stuck in limbo, with a huge financial burden affecting every area of their lives. Through the ISI, families will be able to bring their debt nightmare to an end.
“Flexibility will be key to this process. The details published today are guidelines; no more and no less, and they will be kept under review. There is no requirement on anyone to give up their job or to drop their living standards to an unsustainable level. The banks are not being given all the power, as Fianna Fáil claims. The reality is that it will be in the bank’s interests to reach an agreement with debtors, as the alternative would be bankruptcy. In effect everyone has a veto; if the person in debt doesn’t like what is being proposed, they can back out.
“The ISI puts forward a number of sustainable solutions for people to manage their debt. We want every family in this country to be able to participate in the economy, and be a part of the recovery. It is essential that the ISI is up and running as soon as possible so that families can chart a way forward and start getting on with their lives without the burden of unsustainable debt.”
“When Fianna Fáil left Government, there were already roughly 45,000 people in mortgage arrears. This was due to a culture of lax regulation, property speculation and cheap debt that was so keenly fostered and encouraged by Fianna Fáil. The Party failed to regulate, failed to mitigate the impending property crash and failed to leave behind any sort of plan to deal with the spiralling mortgage arrears problem. When Fianna Fáil was kicked out of Government, it left people in arrears with absolutely no hope.
“The fact that Fianna Fáil is now trying to paint itself as the Party who would get tough on the banks is laughable. This is coming from the same Party which sanctioned huge pay packets for senior bankers and presided over a regulatory regime that allowed extremely irresponsible lending and speculation, with no controls in place or protection for ordinary homeowners.
“Today many of the fears and rumours about the Insolvency Service have been dispelled. This entire system is aimed at keeping people in their homes and giving them a long-term, sustainable solution to their debt problems. Thousands of families across the country are stuck in limbo, with a huge financial burden affecting every area of their lives. Through the ISI, families will be able to bring their debt nightmare to an end.
“Flexibility will be key to this process. The details published today are guidelines; no more and no less, and they will be kept under review. There is no requirement on anyone to give up their job or to drop their living standards to an unsustainable level. The banks are not being given all the power, as Fianna Fáil claims. The reality is that it will be in the bank’s interests to reach an agreement with debtors, as the alternative would be bankruptcy. In effect everyone has a veto; if the person in debt doesn’t like what is being proposed, they can back out.
“The ISI puts forward a number of sustainable solutions for people to manage their debt. We want every family in this country to be able to participate in the economy, and be a part of the recovery. It is essential that the ISI is up and running as soon as possible so that families can chart a way forward and start getting on with their lives without the burden of unsustainable debt.”
Friday, April 12, 2013
Help your Heart Information Evening
The Cardiac and Health Promotion Departments at Our Lady’s Hospital Navan which is part of the Louth Meath Hospital Group, in association with the Irish Heart Foundation, are holding a Help your Heart information evening on Thursday 2nd May 2013 at 4pm in the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan.
This is a free event and is open to the public as well as healthcare workers and voluntary agencies working with victims of stroke/heart disease.
Heart disease and stroke affect almost one in three people and there are steps that can be followed to reduce the risks.
A wide range of topics will be covered during the evening including: being aware of your risks, what you can do to prevent a heart attack or stroke, update of treatments and recovery programmes, smoking cessation information/advice and healthy eating. Also how to recognise the warning signs of a stroke in your own home or workplace.
Meath Red Cross will be available to check people’s blood pressures and Meath Local Sports Partnership will have information on exercise facilities in your area.
Speakers on the evening are from the hospital staff and include,
Dr K Mc Garry, Consultant Physician. (Chair for the evening)
Dr B Bourke, Consultant Physician. Dr R Schofield, Medical Registrar.
Ms D Gamis, Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist Nurse. Ms J Meredith Lynch, Smoking Cessation Specialist Nurse. Ms M Flanagan, Stroke Care Specialist Nurse and Ms J Morrissey, Dietitian, Irish Heart Foundation.
For more information please contact the Cardiac Department at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan on 046 9078598 or the Health Promotion Coordinator on 046 9078524.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)