Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has called on the Minister for the Environment to make a clear and unambiguous statement on the new wind guidelines that are going to cabinet shortly, and specifically how they will impact live active applications.
"We have been looking for clarity on this now for months and it is not forthcoming. While I appreciate that this is a highly complex issue and the Minister is currently awaiting clarity from the Attorney General, we have an oral hearing on the 16th June with regard to planning application PA0038 which proposes to develop a wind farm containing 46 wind turbines in Emlagh Windfarm in Co. Meath.
"We are now in legal limbo.
"Local community groups and private citizens in Co. Meath are putting up thousands of their own money, and money which they have worked hard to fundraise, into preparing for the oral hearing into a wind farm in North Co. Meath. It is simply not good enough that we find ourselves in the position of not knowing under which guidelines this, and other planning applications will be adjudicated under.
"Added to these complications, we have a legal challenge in the High Courts to the applications SID status which could also effect the outcome of the An Bord Pleanala hearings."
"It would be prudent for the Minister to make a clear statement now on his expectations in this regard, or pause all current applications until there is legal clarity. Without such clarity we are wasting the hard raised money of objectors in a process which is far from clear."
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Monday, May 25, 2015
Doherty Commends Young Electorate on Referendum Turnout
Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty has, today (Monday) commended the young electorate on their turnout for last week’s Marriage Referendum.
Deputy Doherty stated “The turnout for this referendum was special in many ways; a turnout of more than 60 per cent is absolutely superb given that in the Seanad referendum our constituency turned out approximately 30 per cent.
“Albeit low considering the average turnout at a general election, one can only feel optimistic given the high numbers of young people voting, and many for the very first time.”
Doherty continued “almost 66,000 people registered to vote for the first time for this referendum, which is absolutely fantastic. While I see the increase in figures in our electoral register encouraging, we must ask ourselves, with the exception to those just turned 18, why these young people were not already registered to vote? The answer to this question I believe is manifold.
“Perhaps our young electorate feel somewhat isolated from our political system and therefore do not engage. In recent years the young electorate, and by young I mean 18-30 year olds, are apathetic towards our political system, but what this referendum tells us, a lethargic and uninterested young electorate could not be further from the truth.”
Doherty stated “One of the reasons which I believe the turnout and the result of this referendum ought to be accredited to is that people were asked to come out and vote on civil rights rather than political choice. And in this respect, the Yes campaign, its supporters, canvassers and public figures made an emotional and personal plea to the people of Ireland to vote in a certain way. Likewise, when I was out on the campaign trail, I was speaking to the electorate as a mother of four, not just as a TD who happened to support this campaign.
“We must not be complacent and take it as a given that these young people will turnout to vote in the next General Election which is due to take place within the next year.”
The Meath East TD continued by saying that “it is now essential that the Irish electorate, particularly the young cohort of this electorate, remain engaged and interested in the political sphere and continue with this new found level of engagement and participation in our democratic process.
“Young Irish people travelled from far and near to exercise their vote in this referendum, be it from Australia to Dublin, from Cork to Sneem, 5 thousand miles or 5 miles, I am truly hopeful that our young electorate see the impact which their vote can have on our democratic system.”
To conclude, Doherty said that “it is my responsibility, and the responsibility of all public representatives, to ensure that our young electorate remain engaged in our democratic system. This referendum has been a massive eye opener and learning experience for me both personally and as a TD. I certainly will do everything in my power to ensure that the lessons learned will not be forgotten in the next big social issue headline. As with our recently amended constitution, we must adapt the way in which we do business and communicate with all members of the public, in a way which is reflective and representative of those who we are communicating with.”
Deputy Doherty stated “The turnout for this referendum was special in many ways; a turnout of more than 60 per cent is absolutely superb given that in the Seanad referendum our constituency turned out approximately 30 per cent.
“Albeit low considering the average turnout at a general election, one can only feel optimistic given the high numbers of young people voting, and many for the very first time.”
Doherty continued “almost 66,000 people registered to vote for the first time for this referendum, which is absolutely fantastic. While I see the increase in figures in our electoral register encouraging, we must ask ourselves, with the exception to those just turned 18, why these young people were not already registered to vote? The answer to this question I believe is manifold.
“Perhaps our young electorate feel somewhat isolated from our political system and therefore do not engage. In recent years the young electorate, and by young I mean 18-30 year olds, are apathetic towards our political system, but what this referendum tells us, a lethargic and uninterested young electorate could not be further from the truth.”
Doherty stated “One of the reasons which I believe the turnout and the result of this referendum ought to be accredited to is that people were asked to come out and vote on civil rights rather than political choice. And in this respect, the Yes campaign, its supporters, canvassers and public figures made an emotional and personal plea to the people of Ireland to vote in a certain way. Likewise, when I was out on the campaign trail, I was speaking to the electorate as a mother of four, not just as a TD who happened to support this campaign.
“We must not be complacent and take it as a given that these young people will turnout to vote in the next General Election which is due to take place within the next year.”
The Meath East TD continued by saying that “it is now essential that the Irish electorate, particularly the young cohort of this electorate, remain engaged and interested in the political sphere and continue with this new found level of engagement and participation in our democratic process.
“Young Irish people travelled from far and near to exercise their vote in this referendum, be it from Australia to Dublin, from Cork to Sneem, 5 thousand miles or 5 miles, I am truly hopeful that our young electorate see the impact which their vote can have on our democratic system.”
To conclude, Doherty said that “it is my responsibility, and the responsibility of all public representatives, to ensure that our young electorate remain engaged in our democratic system. This referendum has been a massive eye opener and learning experience for me both personally and as a TD. I certainly will do everything in my power to ensure that the lessons learned will not be forgotten in the next big social issue headline. As with our recently amended constitution, we must adapt the way in which we do business and communicate with all members of the public, in a way which is reflective and representative of those who we are communicating with.”
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| REGINA DOHERTY TD WITH HER FATHER PADDY DALTON IN "THE GEORGE BAR" ON THE 23RD MAY 2015 |
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
€202,550 for Group Water and Sewage Schemes in Meath
Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty has said that €202,550 worth of funding for group water and sewage schemes in Meath will improve water quality and upgrade local water conservation works.
“These allocations are aimed at improving water quality in group water schemes, and at upgrading water conservation works in group water scheme distribution networks. The programme also provides funding for group sewerage schemes.
“The news was announced by the Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government today (Wednesday). The Rural Water Programme benefits from funding under the European Regional Development Fund.
“The Government has also accepted a recommendation from the National Rural Water Services Committee to investigate whether some elements of proposed new group schemes would merit a special contribution to help address funding shortfalls.
“We are supporting the Group Water sector as an important element of the water industry in Ireland and to continued investment in the sector to sustain and improve quality, standards and performance.”
“These allocations are aimed at improving water quality in group water schemes, and at upgrading water conservation works in group water scheme distribution networks. The programme also provides funding for group sewerage schemes.
“The news was announced by the Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government today (Wednesday). The Rural Water Programme benefits from funding under the European Regional Development Fund.
“The Government has also accepted a recommendation from the National Rural Water Services Committee to investigate whether some elements of proposed new group schemes would merit a special contribution to help address funding shortfalls.
“We are supporting the Group Water sector as an important element of the water industry in Ireland and to continued investment in the sector to sustain and improve quality, standards and performance.”
Friday, May 08, 2015
Time for an patients’ advocacy organisation
Fine Gael TD for Meath East Regina Doherty has today (Friday) called for the establishment of an independent patient advocacy organisation. Deputy Doherty was speaking about the Health Information and Quality Authority recommendations in the wake of the report into the maternity unit at Portlaoise Hospital.
“Patient advocacy services act on behalf of the patient or patient’s family when dealing with hospitals and healthcare services. They represent the views of those seeking information of making complaints when required. “After the shocking report into the maternity unit at Portlaoise Hospital, we need to establish an independent advocacy organisation as a matter of urgency to represent the patients’ voice and the patients’ views. The HSE must listen more to what patients are saying and such an organisation would provide a structure and support for this. “The health service is there to service patients and in order to do that it has to listen.”
“Patient advocacy services act on behalf of the patient or patient’s family when dealing with hospitals and healthcare services. They represent the views of those seeking information of making complaints when required. “After the shocking report into the maternity unit at Portlaoise Hospital, we need to establish an independent advocacy organisation as a matter of urgency to represent the patients’ voice and the patients’ views. The HSE must listen more to what patients are saying and such an organisation would provide a structure and support for this. “The health service is there to service patients and in order to do that it has to listen.”
Friday, April 24, 2015
Government wants to hear from parents on early years and education
“Parents and childcare practitioners are invited to make submissions to the Government’s work on Future Investment in Early Years and School-Age Care and Education Services,” according to Regina Doherty TD, Fine Gael TD for Meath East.
“The Inter-Departmental Group on Future Investment in Early Years and School-Age Care and Education Services is examining issues related to childcare and early education.
“As part of this public consultation process, the Minister for Children, James Reilly, wants to hear people’s views on what is working well and learn where we can best direct investment to improve the accessibility, affordability and quality of Ireland’s early years and school-age care and education services.
“There are two separate consultation forms available for online completion –one for all stakeholders with an interest in the field (including policy-makers, practitioners, providers, advocates and academics) and one specifically for parents and guardians. The closing dates for submissions from the early years sector is Friday 1st May and the closing dates for submissions from parents and guardians is Monday, 4th May.
“Further details and links to these consultation forms are available on the Department of Children and Youth Affairs website at: www.dcya.gov.ie”
“The Inter-Departmental Group on Future Investment in Early Years and School-Age Care and Education Services is examining issues related to childcare and early education.
“As part of this public consultation process, the Minister for Children, James Reilly, wants to hear people’s views on what is working well and learn where we can best direct investment to improve the accessibility, affordability and quality of Ireland’s early years and school-age care and education services.
“There are two separate consultation forms available for online completion –one for all stakeholders with an interest in the field (including policy-makers, practitioners, providers, advocates and academics) and one specifically for parents and guardians. The closing dates for submissions from the early years sector is Friday 1st May and the closing dates for submissions from parents and guardians is Monday, 4th May.
“Further details and links to these consultation forms are available on the Department of Children and Youth Affairs website at: www.dcya.gov.ie”
Minister encourages local authorities to engage constructively on historic commercial rates
Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has called on Meath County Council to engage with Ratoath GAA club to resolve its outstanding rates bill in the spirit of the amendment to the Valuation Act which gave partial relief or exemption from commercial rates to all sports clubs which had some commercial activity. Deputy Doherty was speaking in the Dáil on the matter today (Thursday).
“Earlier this month we enacted a very welcome amendment to the Valuation Act which gave partial relief or exemption from commercial rates to all sports clubs which had some commercial activity, be it a small bar or renting out some of their AstroTurfs.
“We did that because we recognised it was unfair to rate the entire club, which is a voluntary organisation and which is the backbone of probably all our communities, on the basis of it having a small bar or renting out its AstroTurf.
“In Ratoath my local GAA club which, historically, has had a commercial rates bill that is astronomical. The club has not been able to afford it for the past number of years because the entire complex was rated.
“The GAA club in Ratoath wants to pay what is owed but it only wants to pay what is fair and what it can afford.
“Today I met my colleague Paudie Coffey, the Fine Gael Minister of State at the Department of the Environment who told me that he expects local authorities to engage with clubs to sort out outstanding bills in the spirit of the new law.
“This is an example of a piece of legislation that will have a very real impact on local communities. The Government is committed to improving facilities and services in all regions of the country.
“I am calling on Meath County Council to engage with Rathoath GAA club in the spirit of this new law.”
“Earlier this month we enacted a very welcome amendment to the Valuation Act which gave partial relief or exemption from commercial rates to all sports clubs which had some commercial activity, be it a small bar or renting out some of their AstroTurfs.
“We did that because we recognised it was unfair to rate the entire club, which is a voluntary organisation and which is the backbone of probably all our communities, on the basis of it having a small bar or renting out its AstroTurf.
“In Ratoath my local GAA club which, historically, has had a commercial rates bill that is astronomical. The club has not been able to afford it for the past number of years because the entire complex was rated.
“The GAA club in Ratoath wants to pay what is owed but it only wants to pay what is fair and what it can afford.
“Today I met my colleague Paudie Coffey, the Fine Gael Minister of State at the Department of the Environment who told me that he expects local authorities to engage with clubs to sort out outstanding bills in the spirit of the new law.
“This is an example of a piece of legislation that will have a very real impact on local communities. The Government is committed to improving facilities and services in all regions of the country.
“I am calling on Meath County Council to engage with Rathoath GAA club in the spirit of this new law.”
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Ireland Needs a Duty of Candour as a Matter of Urgency
Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty has, today (Thursday) said that we seriously need to consider the introduction of a Duty of Candour in Ireland. Should a Duty of Candour be introduced in Ireland, it would see a more transparent system whereby should an accident occur while under medical care, a legal obligation would be placed on the healthcare professional to disclose the incident at an early stage.
Doherty stated “there is already an obligation for a healthcare professional to report an accident, however, should the Duty of Candour be introduced we will see a more transparent system whereby the obligation to report a medical accident is reinforced by legislation, which does not currently exist.”
The Meath East TD stated that “few will disagree with me when I say that victims of medical negligence deserve nothing less than openness and transparency from our healthcare system. I strongly believe that a Duty of Candour should be introduced in Ireland as a matter of urgency. All too often we see families and children, who are already trying to adapt and cope with the consequences of medical negligence, having to endure further stress and worry from the process of High Court litigation.
“As we have seen in several cases which are receiving media attention, Matthew McGrath and Tadhg Costello to name a few, the already harrowing ordeal of High Court litigation is met with the additional and unsolicited torment by the State Claims Agency in its appeal of the High Court decision. It is an absolute disgrace that such worry, stress and unwarranted suffering is being brought to children and their families by the appeals process of the State Claims Agency.”
Doherty continued by saying that “children who are the victims of medical negligence deserve nothing less than to continue on with a normal life to the greatest extent possible, from the perspective of both health and quality of life; historically and currently the child’s entitlement to do so has effectively been shelved for the duration of State Claims Agency’s appeal.”
Doherty concluded “this is a no brainer. We must be compassionate with our children and families who have already experienced more trauma and stress in a short number of years than anyone should in a lifetime. Additionally, the Duty of Candour will drastically reduce the costs to the State associated with litigation for cases of medical negligence."
Doherty stated “there is already an obligation for a healthcare professional to report an accident, however, should the Duty of Candour be introduced we will see a more transparent system whereby the obligation to report a medical accident is reinforced by legislation, which does not currently exist.”
The Meath East TD stated that “few will disagree with me when I say that victims of medical negligence deserve nothing less than openness and transparency from our healthcare system. I strongly believe that a Duty of Candour should be introduced in Ireland as a matter of urgency. All too often we see families and children, who are already trying to adapt and cope with the consequences of medical negligence, having to endure further stress and worry from the process of High Court litigation.
“As we have seen in several cases which are receiving media attention, Matthew McGrath and Tadhg Costello to name a few, the already harrowing ordeal of High Court litigation is met with the additional and unsolicited torment by the State Claims Agency in its appeal of the High Court decision. It is an absolute disgrace that such worry, stress and unwarranted suffering is being brought to children and their families by the appeals process of the State Claims Agency.”
Doherty continued by saying that “children who are the victims of medical negligence deserve nothing less than to continue on with a normal life to the greatest extent possible, from the perspective of both health and quality of life; historically and currently the child’s entitlement to do so has effectively been shelved for the duration of State Claims Agency’s appeal.”
Doherty concluded “this is a no brainer. We must be compassionate with our children and families who have already experienced more trauma and stress in a short number of years than anyone should in a lifetime. Additionally, the Duty of Candour will drastically reduce the costs to the State associated with litigation for cases of medical negligence."
Monday, April 20, 2015
Phased roll-out of €4 billion Rural Development Plan to begin
Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, said today (Monday) the European Commission has issued Ireland with a letter of comfort regarding the €4 billion Rural Development Programme (RDP).
This means a number of the associated schemes can now open. “This is the result intense period of consultation between the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, and the European Commission and is news for Co. Meath.
“The schemes funded by the RDP include the Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS), the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS), the Beef Genomics Scheme and the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) and the LEADER programme “As a result of the letter the Government is now in a position to begin the phased roll out of the schemes and supports in the RDP which will help to underpin economic growth and development throughout rural Ireland.
“The RDP is co-funded by the National Exchequer and the EU Commission, and contains some €4 billion of schemes and supports. “Government co-funding this RDP is a clear signal of our continuing commitment to strategic investment in the agri-food sector and the rural economy.”
This means a number of the associated schemes can now open. “This is the result intense period of consultation between the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, and the European Commission and is news for Co. Meath.
“The schemes funded by the RDP include the Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS), the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS), the Beef Genomics Scheme and the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) and the LEADER programme “As a result of the letter the Government is now in a position to begin the phased roll out of the schemes and supports in the RDP which will help to underpin economic growth and development throughout rural Ireland.
“The RDP is co-funded by the National Exchequer and the EU Commission, and contains some €4 billion of schemes and supports. “Government co-funding this RDP is a clear signal of our continuing commitment to strategic investment in the agri-food sector and the rural economy.”
Wednesday, April 01, 2015
Issues surrounding collapse of Setanta Insurance must be resolved
Fine Gael TD for Meath East and member of the Oireachtas Finance Committee, Regina Doherty, has today (Wednesday) called on the legal squabbling surrounding the collapsed Setanta Insurance to end in the interest of policy holders who have lost out. Deputy Doherty was speaking after the issue was discussed at the Oireachtas Finance Committee.
“Setanta claimants haven’t received a cent because of a legal wrangles, and that is not acceptable.
“The Insurance Compensation Fund, funded by a levy on insurance policies, should be the appropriate source of compensation. The fund pays 65% of the value of a claim. A further 35% should come from the liquidators once the liquidation process completes.
“Another potential source of compensation is the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland fund which is also funded by a levy. Its principal role is to compensate innocent victims of accidents caused by uninsured and unidentified vehicles. However, as the former customers of Setanta had insurance, they have been advised this source is not open to them. This is disputed by The ICF and is before the courts.
“The matter is further complicated by the fact that Setanta was registered in Malta and it’s liquidation law requires that no compensation be provided to anyone until all claims are settled, leading to further delays.
“Put simply, all of this means that the former Setanta policy holders loose out. They need action. The sensible solution is that they receive 65% of the values of their policies from the Insurance Compensation Fund, with the remaining 35% following once the liquidation process is complete.”
“Setanta claimants haven’t received a cent because of a legal wrangles, and that is not acceptable.
“The Insurance Compensation Fund, funded by a levy on insurance policies, should be the appropriate source of compensation. The fund pays 65% of the value of a claim. A further 35% should come from the liquidators once the liquidation process completes.
“Another potential source of compensation is the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland fund which is also funded by a levy. Its principal role is to compensate innocent victims of accidents caused by uninsured and unidentified vehicles. However, as the former customers of Setanta had insurance, they have been advised this source is not open to them. This is disputed by The ICF and is before the courts.
“The matter is further complicated by the fact that Setanta was registered in Malta and it’s liquidation law requires that no compensation be provided to anyone until all claims are settled, leading to further delays.
“Put simply, all of this means that the former Setanta policy holders loose out. They need action. The sensible solution is that they receive 65% of the values of their policies from the Insurance Compensation Fund, with the remaining 35% following once the liquidation process is complete.”
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Meath Tús finding protected
Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has confirmed today (Wednesday) that there has been no reduction in Government funding to the Tús Programme in Meath, which is operated by Meath Partnership.
“Funding for the Tús Programme in Co. Meath has been protected by the Government and, in fact, will increase slightly this year.
“The programme is operated locally by the Meath Partnership and I understand that organisation has written to local groups suggesting that there are unsupported costs of €72,800 for 2015. This is difficult to fathom considering that Government funding has been protected.
“Of course it goes without saying that voluntary organisations should not be required to support the costs of work activation.
“Tús is a community work placement scheme providing short-term working opportunities for unemployed people. The work opportunities are to benefit the community and are provided by community and voluntary organisations in both urban and rural areas. The programme has been of great benefit in Co. Meath and long may it continue.”
“Funding for the Tús Programme in Co. Meath has been protected by the Government and, in fact, will increase slightly this year.
“The programme is operated locally by the Meath Partnership and I understand that organisation has written to local groups suggesting that there are unsupported costs of €72,800 for 2015. This is difficult to fathom considering that Government funding has been protected.
“Of course it goes without saying that voluntary organisations should not be required to support the costs of work activation.
“Tús is a community work placement scheme providing short-term working opportunities for unemployed people. The work opportunities are to benefit the community and are provided by community and voluntary organisations in both urban and rural areas. The programme has been of great benefit in Co. Meath and long may it continue.”
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