Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Doherty seeks local support for new Ashbourne CoderDojo group
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has urged local businesses to help her get a new CoderDojo group up and running in Ashbourne, by providing computer equipment. CoderDojo is a global movement aimed at teaching children computer programming technology.
“CoderDojo is an incredible worldwide movement, which has been growing at a staggering pace since it was set up just two years ago in Cork. Its ethos is based on volunteerism, and I would love to hear from local businesses who would be willing to sponsor or donate computer equipment for the new group I am setting up in Ashbourne.
“CoderDojo is a not-for-profit movement which runs free coding clubs for young people. Youngsters are taught how to code, develop websites, apps, programs, games and more. The clubs also act as a really positive social outlet for young people, allowing them to meet other kids with the same interests.
“The great strength of CoderDojo is that it makes learning code a fun experience. And, more importantly, it arms the young participants with skills that have the potential to set them on a very positive course in life.
“CoderDojo allows children to develop mentally and socially in an informal and fun background. It has resulted in children as young as seven learning to code, which is an incredible achievement, especially for those of us who remember relying on no more than a pen and paper to get through our school day. These children are the innovators of the future, and CoderDojo provides them with the perfect platform to flourish.
“It’s in everyone’s interest to ensure our children our equipped with the skills to meet the needs of the future. I hope to get a new CoderDojo group up and running in Ashbourne in the next month or so, and I would like anyone who could help by providing equipment to get in touch.”
Friday, May 10, 2013
Dooley wants to raid taxpayers’ pockets to bail out Bus Éireann – Doherty
FF’s own plans didn’t budget for any increase in Bus Éireann subvention
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has accused Fianna Fáil of wanting to use taxpayers’ money to bail out Bus Éireann instead of putting the company back on a sustainable footing, securing jobs and protecting services.“Timmy Dooley wants the Government to reach deep into taxpayers’ pockets in order to finance another bailout of Bus Éireann. He effectively told the Dáil today that the Government should finance the company’s €11 million shortfall.
“Bus Éireann is facing annual losses of €11 million and needs to sort out its finances. Even the unions’ own financial advisers agree that the company’s finances are not sustainable. That’s why Bus Éireann is planning to implement a savings plan drawn up by the Labour Court, a fully independent body.
“But Deputy Dooley thinks that taxpayers should be the ones to pay for it. Last year the Government bailed out CIE to the tune of €36 million, and made it clear that this wouldn’t happen again.
“The most incredible thing is that Deputy Dooley has done a complete U-turn for political gain. If Fianna Fáil genuinely believed in an increased subvention for CIE, it would have included it in its pre-Budget submission for 2013. No such provision was made.
“The situation facing Bus Éireann workers and management is stark. Savings must be made, and with the very real prospect of strike action this weekend, Deputy Dooley’s meaningless contributions have done absolutely nothing to help the situation.
“Clearly, Deputy Dooley is engaging in political opportunism of the most blatant kind, while doing nothing to ensure that bus services will be protected from this Sunday.”
Thursday, May 09, 2013
Doherty urges community workers to check out new Meath Partnership course
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) urged volunteer and community workers based in Meath to check out a new course being run by Meath Partnership and the National University of Ireland (NUI) Maynooth. The certificate programme is entitled ‘Community Work in a Changing Meath’.
“This new course will provide participants with a qualification specifically focussed on Meath and will allow them to develop a project or strategy involving members of the community. Upon completion of the course, graduates will be armed with a level seven certificate. And, crucially, they will be equipped with a specific insight on the needs of the local community here in Meath.
“The course, which will run on a part-time basis for a year from this July, is targeted at those who are already involved in community or voluntary work in Meath. The qualification will be Meath specific, and the course is bespoke in nature, specifically designed with the needs of the local community in mind.
“The content of the course will include a particular focus on social justice, equality and the challenges facing disadvantaged groups. This course is just the sort of educational programme we need to enhance the already excellent community work that takes place in Meath.
“The first two classes will take place in NUI Maynooth, and all remaining sessions will be delivered in the Dr. Curran Centre of Learning at Meath Partnership offices in Kells. Anyone who is interested in applying can contact training@meathpartnership.ie.”
Friday, May 03, 2013
EU SMEs have potential to create 23 million jobs - Minister Bruton
Enterprise Ministers focus on enabling SMEs to drive growth and job creation
Productive discussions on copyright and Digital Single Market
Europe’s SMEs have a key role in solving the EU’s economic challenges and have the potential to create 23 million jobs, according to Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD.Minister Bruton was speaking after he chaired a meeting of EU Enterprise and Industry Ministers in Dublin Castle. Ministers discussed how to enable SMEs to drive European growth and job creation. The meeting was the second day of a two-day informal meeting of the EU’s Competitiveness Council, being held as part of the Irish Presidency of the European Union.
Ministers heard from a number of leading authorities on SMEs. Speakers included Professor Josh Lerner, Professor of Investment Banking at Harvard Business School who will speak on SME access to finance. Former winner of Irish Entrepreneur of the Year, Liam Shanahan, identified the key measures required for SMEs to internationalise and Professor Thomas Cooney from DIT who spoke on how cities and regions driver growth and jobs. European Commission Vice President with responsibility for Industry and Entrepreneurship Antonio Tajani was among the keynote speakers.
Minister Richard Bruton commented: “As the Irish Presidency of the EU is focused on Stability, Growth and Jobs, initiatives to help SMEs are a key priority. SMEs are the engines of economic growth and job creation. If each EU SME could create just one new job, we would generate 23 million jobs throughout the EU. That is why I brought leading international experts on SMEs to Dublin Castle today to engage with EU Enterprise Ministers.”
“Following today’s Council, I will be drawing up the best of these new ideas for SME support and job creation and working with my fellow EU Enterprise Ministers on their implementation.”
“Already the Irish Presidency has achieved some valuable wins for SMEs: auditing requirements for SMEs are set to be reduced and the target participation rate for SMEs in the EU’s new innovation programme Horizon 2020 has been increased from 15 to 20 per cent.“
“Work is also continuing to obtain agreement on the Programme for Competitiveness and SMEs (COSME). I will be looking for every opportunity to further the interests of Europe’s SME’s and to ensure that they can extract the greatest possible benefit from the funding available under these Programmes, particularly in relation to expanding the scope for participation in research and innovation activity.”
“Along with Minister Sherlock, I also chaired a productive discussion on issues around copyright. This follows successive calls by EU leaders to expedite the introduction of a Digital Single Market by 2015. In this context, the European Council has called for the need to modernise Europe’s copyright regime to make it fit-for-purpose for the digital age.”
“Today’s discussion was very productive and will, I expect, in addition to the European Commission’s broader stakeholder dialogue, help us achieve progress on this important issue.”
“For the remaining time in our Presidency our focus will continue on delivering results that contribute to our core objectives of delivering stability, employment and economic growth across the EU.”
Doherty welcomes announcement of new school building for Eureka
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Friday) described the announcement that a new school is to be constructed for Eureka post-primary in Kells as fantastic news.
The school is due to be completed by 2016 and is being delivered as part of the latest phase of the Government’s school building programme, which was announced as part of the stimulus package last summer.
“This is fantastic news. I have no doubt that all of those who have campaigned for a new school building for Eureka for so long will be delighted to learn that the project has finally been given the go-ahead.
“The current school building is struggling to cope with the demands of the vibrant school community at Eureka. I am delighted that an entirely new building will provided, which I am sure will be of the highest standard.
“This will make a huge difference to Eureka’s staff and student body, and of course it will benefit the entire Kells area for years to come as our young population grows and more and more children reach secondary school age.
“I am extremely glad that after all of the work that has gone into this project at a local level, it is finally coming to fruition.”
Doherty urges Bus Éireann to find resolution before looming deadline
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.”
“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.”
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
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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’.
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