DOHERTY congratulates Mairia Cahill on her election to the Seanad

Regina pictured above with Tánaiste Joan Burton and Senator Mairia Cahill, said that Mairia has shown immense courage, determination and integrity and I know that she will continue to strive and will give her absolute all in her role as Senator

Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has congratulated the newest member of the Oireachtas, Senator Mairia Cahill, on her successful election to the Seanad today.

The Meath East TD said “Mairia should be very proud today on her election to the Seanad after the first count in Leinster House. In the last year I have had the pleasure of getting to know Mairia and I now consider her a trusted friend

“Our newly elected Senator Cahill has travelled a significant journey in her lifetime and despite the ups and the many downs, Mairia has shown immense courage, determination and integrity. I know that Mairia will continue to strive and will give her absolute all in her role as Senator.

“When people hear Mairia’s name they automatically think of her campaign for justice following her abuse as a child, however, Maria has much more to offer our Parliament than her wealth of life experience. Mairia has many years of experience in youth employment and community work and she is sure to be a great asset to the Seanad.”

Concluding, Doherty said “I have never witnessed bravery like that which I have seen in Senator Mairia Cahill. Mairia has strength, conviction and is a highly capable individual. I am very much looking forward to working alongside Mairia in her capacity as Senator on the road ahead.”

Extension of TAMS II deadlines a relief for farmers

Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has said that the announcement of extensions for the various TAMS II Schemes by the Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney, will be a relief for many Meath farmers.

“The deadline for online applications for the first tranche of the Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme, and for the Organic Capital Investment Scheme, has been extended to the 30^th November. This is good news for those in the agricultural sector in Meath.

“The closing date for the Low Emission Slurry Spreading Scheme remains the 20^th November 2015.

“Minister Coveney also announced that applications are now open, with extended closing dates, for the Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme; the Dairy Equipment Scheme and the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme. Applications will be accepted for all of these schemes until 25^th March 2016.
“It is important that every effort is made to ensure that farmers have access to funds, and that supports are in place to promote the agricultural sector in every way possible.
“Budget 2016 confirmed an increase of €109 million for the agri-food sector and measures have been promoted to support young farmers in particular.

“A new tax credit of €5,000 per annum for five years will be introduced for farmers who transfer their land to successors over a period of time. This will make it much easier for farms to be passed from one generation to the next, securing them for the future of the family farm.
“The 100% Stock Relief on Income Tax for Certain Young Trained Farmers, and the Stamp Duty Exemption on Transfers of Land to Young Trained Farmers have been maintained for three years, as have the 25% General Stock Relief on Income Tax, and the 50% Stock Relief on Income Tax for Registered Farm Partnerships.
“Schemes supported by the Department of Agriculture, including TAMS II, are vital to supporting cash flow in farms across the country. Equally important is ensuring that farmers have access to these schemes and the extension of certain deadlines will be of great assistance to many.”

38,519: Number of people killed on roads north & south since records began

Regina, pictured above with Phil Skelton of 1.5 to Stay Alive, said I have been a long time campaigning for safer roads, and particularly I have been lobbying Minister Donohoe to implement the “1.5 To Stay Alive” rule as a statutory obligation when overtaking a cyclist in a vehicle  

Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has said that 38,519 people have been killed on our roads since records began.

The Ratoath based TD said “this week the Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe announced that 38,519 people have been killed on our roads since records began while inviting road-users throughout the island of Ireland to join the international community to mark World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday 15^th November 2015.”

“A total of 23,752 people have been killed on roads in the Republic of Ireland since records began in 1959. 14,767 people have been killed on roads in Northern Ireland since deaths were first recorded in 1931.

“Just this week our roads in the south of County Meath came to a standstill following a serious collision on the M50. It just goes to show how vulnerable we are on the roads, and this is in a car with a safety belt ; cyclists, protected by nothing but a helmet, are even more vulnerable.

“I have been a long time campaigning for safer roads, and particularly I have been lobbying Minister Donohoe to implement the “1.5 To Stay Alive” rule as a statutory obligation when a vehicle is overtaking a cyclist on the road.

“This year alone we have had 8 cyclist fatalities and this is 8 too many. I have been lobbying for “1.5 To Stay Alive” not only because I think it will save lives; but also, on a personal level. Both my husband and by 16 year old son cycle almost every day of the week and every time they head off on the bike I fear they are at risk.

“I joined Ciaran Cannon TD and representatives from the “1.5 To Stay Alive” in a meeting the Minister a number of months ago to bring to the Department’s attention the many successes that this policy has seen across the globe.

“Enforcement here is key, however, I believe that this is also about changing our mind set; twenty years ago wearing a seatbelt in the car was rare and today we wouldn’t dream of even driving to the local shop without buckling up. I look forward to the day where leaving 1.5 meters space when overtaking cyclists will become second nature and part of our mind set as motorists.

Concluding, Doherty said “’1.5 To Stay Alive’ will save lives on our roads. Today I have written to the Minister and Liz O’Donnell, Chairperson of the Road Safety Authority, and called for a pilot project to be established sooner rather than later with a view to rolling out the 1.5 rule nationwide.

“The RSA is asking people to change their social media profile picture to add the ‘World Day of Remembrance’ candle. People are also being invited to write the name of a loved one on the RSA’s ‘Wall of Remembrance’ on its Facebook page www.facebook.com/RSAireland. The Wall of Remembrance is a place for people to come and share their memories, to light a candle and leave a memorial message for a loved one who has been killed or seriously injured on our roads.” 

New Patient Advocacy Service to provide much-need support and advice

Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has said that the new Patient Advocacy Service, announced today by the Minister for Health Leo Varadkar, will provide much needed support and advice for those using our health service.

“The need for this has become very clear in recent years and such a service was recommended by the HIQA Portlaoise Report back in May. For some time now I have called for the establishment of an independent patient advocacy organisation which reports to the Minister and the Minister alone. We need to break the influence of the many silos within the HSE, that have directly impacted on patient safety and outcomes.

“I want to particularly welcome the announcement of an annual patient experience survey. It is years since the HSE undertook any patient experience survey; it is therefore no wonder that we are where we are today. It is an absolute must that this exercise is independent and that the data collated is not malleable. The only way to ensure this is that the Department of Health, the HSE, and the new agencies announced today are removed from the independent collation of patient experiences. It is essential that this annual survey is adequately funded and done to international best research standards.

“For many years, and throughout many Governments, we have seen confidence in patient safety within the HSE plummet. All too often we have seen the evidence of failings in terms of clinical services, but also with regard to the support provided to patients. Many of these failings were, in my view, avoidable.

“Patients and their families have had to jump through hoops and endure excruciating legal processes in order to seek answers to questions about their loved ones while in the care of the HSE. Today’s announcement, which will see the establishment of a Patient Advocacy Service, will eliminate the torment endured by many families, and more importantly will act as a preventative measure for future clinical failings.

“Open disclosure, which is already HSE policy, will now be underwritten by legislation therefore reinforcing the policy and driving forward the overall patient safety agenda. I am confident, given the Minister’s commitment to delivering a top quality health service, and his announcement today, that we will begin to see restoration in people’s trust in our health service.

“Last May I called for what I described then as a fragmented advocacy service, to be adequately funded and reorganised in the name of patient safety; today we have certainly taken a step in the right direction.

“The purpose of the health service is to service patients and therefore it is vital that their voices are heard and their views taken on board.

“This new Patient Advocacy Service will provide advice, as well as detecting worrying patient safety trends in healthcare. The service will be external to the Department of Health and the HSE and will be in line with international best practice.

“I would also like to welcome the other patient safety measures approved by Cabinet and announced this morning by Minister for Health Leo Varadkar. The reforms include plans to simplify the complaints procedure, enhance the powers of the Ombudsman and HIQA, and a tranche of patient safety legislation.

“The Minister is also setting up a National Patient Safety Office in the Department of Health, which will report directly to the Minister and oversee the programme of patient safety measures.

“It is so important that when it comes to health service we put the patient first and it is my hope that these new measures, and particularly the new Patient Advocacy Service, will greatly improve people’s experience of dealing with our health service. We have a lot done and there is a lot more to do.”  

DOHERTY calls on Noonan to act on new Credit Union regulations

Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has called on the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, to act on the new Credit Union regulations which are set to be enforced on the 1^st January 2015.

The Meath East TD said “last month the Central Bank issued a consultation paper (CP88) which entails a number of changes which can only be described as unfair to Credit Union members and uncompetitive in the market.

“In recent weeks I have been calling on Minister Noonan to meet with members of the Credit Union and the Irish League of Credit Unions to hear their concerns with regards these draft regulations. January 1^st is only around 

the corner so it is essential that we act quickly.”

Doherty, who is a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform has said “I am looking forward to meeting with the Credit Union Development Association (CUDA), members of the Credit Union, the Registrar and insurance specialists on the 25^th November where they will brief the Finance Committee on exactly what CP88 draft regulations will mean in practical terms.

“I have been contacted by a large number of members and officials from Credit Unions here in Meath who have voiced their opposition and shared their serious concerns as to what these governing regulations will mean to them. This is both a local and national issue which requires immediate and careful attention.”

Concluding, Doherty said “I am looking forward to attending the Finance Committee later this month and I will continue to do everything in my power to ensure that any proposed changes to the regulation of our Credit Unions will be as fair and as considerate as possible. I will continue to lobby the Minister to ensure that the required amendments are made to this the proposed regulations before enforcement.”

Meath to benefit from National Sports Policy

Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has today welcomed this week’s announcement by Minister’s Paschal Donohoe and Michael Ring that a National Sports Policy Framework is soon to be developed, the first of its kind for 20 years.

The Ratoath TD said “this week’s announcement from the Department of Tourism will see the development of a National Sports Policy Framework, the first of its kind in 20 years. Earlier this week Minister Donohoe and Minister Ring held a consultation conference to seek the views of sports stakeholders on the issues and challenges facing Irish sport in the years to come with a view to developing Policy Framework. I am confident that this will help promote maximum participation in sport in Meath.
 
“Players and club organisations work year-in year-out to ensure that our sports clubs in Meath continue to progress and grow in our communities. Not an easy task but we are going from strength to strength in the county. 

“Just last month Meath received over €1.8 million in funding from the Department of Sports which I know first-hand will be of considerable benefit to so many. Funding can be an uphill battle when trying to progress as a club, and the Government has been a great help to applicants of the Sports Capital Grants in recent years. However, we also need direction as to where Meath sports clubs can be placed on the map at a national level.

“The new National Sports Policy will provide the framework for sport in Ireland over the next ten years and will set the agenda for the newly established Sport Ireland.  Some of the topics discussed at this week’s consultation were: increasing participation in sport, volunteers in sport, high performance sports, the future development of the National Sports Campus and regional and local facilities, among others. In developing the framework, consideration will also be given to where the focus of Government spending in sport should be and the wider cross-sectoral role of sport in the economy, education, health, tourism and other areas.”  

Doherty continued “this year, Budget 2016, saw an increase of 40% in our overall sports programme allocation, to €126 million. This will allow our elite athletes to be better supported, a new National Physical Activity Plan to be implemented, sports programmes to be targeted where they are most needed and our Sports Capital and Local Authority Swimming Pools programmes to allocate resources that will better serve our communities’. 
 
Concluding, the Meath East TD said “all of us who are involved in Irish sport must continue to work together and engage productively on matters that are important to sport in Meath.  We have a mutual interest in seeing sport develop to its full potential and this process will guide us in that direction.”

Doherty welcomes new Special Criminal Court

Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has welcomed the Government’s appointment of seven serving judges to what will be the second Special Criminal Court.

The Ratoath based TD has said “just this last week a number of residents contacted me with regard to two men who were spotted checking cars in Ratoath in the early hours of the morning. We also had an armed robbery in a house in Stamullen; it is now a daily occurrence that burglaries take place or are attempted right across the county. We have a serious problem with crime on our hands in Meath and we need to tackle it head on. I am thrilled with this week’s announcement which sees the establishment of a new Special Criminal Court, the second of its kind.

“The appointment of seven sitting judges (3 High Court, 2 Circuit Court and 2 District Court judges) to the new Special Criminal Court will see the serious backlog of cases in the Special Criminal Court processed sooner rather than later. There is currently a backlog of up to two years in cases coming to trial and criminals involved in house and car robberies will continue to offend unless we address this backlog.”

The Meath East TD continued “the next available hearing before the existing Special Criminal Court is June 2017; we have a responsibility to protect the security of our communities, businesses and families and this task becomes problematic, to say the least, with a back log of 20 months for criminal cases to be heard.

Concluding, Doherty said “The establishment of a second Special Criminal Court demonstrates this Government’s commitment to see justice brought to those who commit crime in our towns and villages. I will shortly be launching a Text Alert system in the south of the county in a bid to tackle local crime; we must all pull together to ensure the safety and security of our homes and businesses.”

Consistent reductions in Meath unemployment will help to keep the economic recovery going

Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has said that the consistent reductions in the Meath unemployment figures will help to keep the economic recovery going.

“CSO figures for October show that the Live Register has dropped by 35% in Meath since the launch of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs in February 2012.

“When this Government took office, we promised to fix the public finances, restore growth in the economy and get people back to work. The task now is to finish the job and keep that recovery going. Crucial to this is continued job creation and the consistent decreases in unemployment since 2012 are certainly helping to keep the economic recovery going in Meath.

“Replicating this all over the country via our Regional Action Plans for Jobs is how this Government will achieve its plan to see all the jobs lost during the economic crisis replaced by 2018.

“Budget 2016 introduced a whole range of pro jobs measures, as it incentivises innovative start-ups, rewards successful entrepreneurs and makes sure that the jobs that are created will really pay. It reduces the general tax burden which helps businesses create employment. It begins the process of tax equalisation for the self-employed in order to support job creators. The Budget also maintains the 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector which will continue to assist small business owners working in the tourism sector, which has been such an integral part of our economic recovery. A modest but significant increase in the minimum wage ensures that work pays more than welfare, while Employers’ PRSI has been adjusted to cater for these wage increases to ensure that neither employees nor employers are worse off.

“This Government will work to keep the economic recovery going which helps us to provide better services for all of society. Crucial to this is the ongoing job creation successes we are seeing in Meath and right across the country.”

Doherty calls on Meath to have input on Disability Inclusion Strategy

Fine Gael TD Regina Doherty has welcomed the announcement of Phase 2 of the comprehensive consultation process which is taking place during 2015 with a view to putting in place a new National Disability Inclusion Strategy.  The consultation process allows interested parties to make recommendations in key areas such as service provision, accommodation, health, employment, and education.

Doherty said “we have an opportunity for the first time in many years now to address the issues of concern to people with disabilities in a sustainable way. We are now in the middle of the public consultation process on the development of the new Disability Inclusion Strategy and it is important that that we receive input from as many people as possible. I am calling on all parents, residents, friends and carers to have their input on this strategy – it is so important that all of our voices are heard.”

“Phase 1 of the consultation process to develop a new Disability Inclusion Strategy in Ireland was launched in June 2015.  As indicated at that time, the consultations are taking the form of a 3-stage process as follows:

1. An initial round of consultations, to facilitate identification of the priority themes to be addressed in a National Disability Inclusion Strategy.

2. A second phase (now being commenced) to identify and agree specific objectives under each of the themes identified in Phase1. 

3. Phase 3 - to commence at the end of this year - which will focus on identifying precise and measurable actions and timescales for achievement of each of the objectives that emerged from Phase 2.   Following this phase, a draft proposal for a new Disability Inclusion Strategy will be prepared by the National Disability Strategy Steering Group for consideration by Government.” 
Doherty continued, “A total of 24 submissions were received in Phase 1, 7 from individuals and 17 from organisations. The individuals who responded included people with a disability, family members, and a person working in the disability field.    
“For Phase 2, there are a number of avenues by which people can participate, including making of formal written submissions (as in Phase 1), but also - new for this Phase -  responding to an online survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NDISOnlineConsultation) and participating at 3 regional meetings:

Cork  -  Tuesday, 24 November (Imperial Hotel Cork City)
Dublin - Thursday, 26 November (Croke Park)
Tullamore  - Wednesday, 2 December (Tullamore Court Hotel)

which are being arranged on behalf of the Department by the NDA.” 

New anti-burglary plan will crack down on crime in Meath

Fine Gael TD for Meath East said that the new Anti-Crime and Burglary response by An Garda Síochána will crack down on crime in Meath.

“This new Anti-Crime and Burglary response by An Garda Síochána, named Operation Thor, will help tackle crime in Meath. This new plan will be backed up by increased Government investment of €5 million, a tougher law on sentences and stricter bail for repeat offenders. 

“While operational planning is a matter solely for the Garda Commissioner, this new operation delivers on increased investment in policing by this Government to tackle burglaries and related crime.” 

“Operation Thor is aimed at tackling burglars, organised crime gangs and prolific offenders as well as working with communities to prevent crime.

The key elements include:

· The use of new high powered vehicles by the armed Regional Response Units; 
· Extra high-visibility patrols in identified burglary hot-spots;
· Increased used of checkpoints to tackle the criminal gangs using the national road network; 
· Efforts to disrupt the stolen goods market; 
· Programmes to help reduce re-offending by prolific offenders; 
· A high-profile national crime prevention awareness campaign to be launched later this month; 
· Targeted crime prevention advice for local communities; 
· Enhanced supports for victims.

"Burglaries have a terrible and unacceptable impact on families and communities nationwide, both urban and rural.

“Fine Gael’s response to crime is focussed: investing in more Gardaí and vehicles and strengthening the law to crack down on serious and repeat offenders.

“Fine Gael in Government has reopened Templemore, with 1,150 Gardaí being recruited. We have invested over €34 million in new Garda vehicles since 2012 with over 640 new vehicles in 2015, ranging from more Garda patrol cars to high-powered vehicles for armed units. This will ensure Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive, on the roads and in the community. We are also investing in airborne surveillance and enhanced technology and ICT systems.

“Over €5 million is being committed to support Operation Thor. This includes funding for Garda overtime to support a combination of additional patrols, checkpoints, rapid armed response and public awareness measures.”