Senator Marc MacSharry
Sligo Fianna Fáil Senator Marc Mac Sharry has again called for substantive action on the mortgage crisis which is impacting thousands of families across the country.
Senator Mac Sharry said: “Two Bills dealing with mortgage arrears have been introduced by Fianna Fáil which offered tangible solutions to the problem. There has been too much focus on the so-called systemic importance of the banks. Read more
Dara Calleary TD
Fianna Fáil Justice Spokesperson and Mayo based Deputy Dara Calleary has welcomed proposed legislation published by the Government today that will see a reduction in the term of bankruptcy from 12 to 5 years.
The decision to reduce the bankruptcy terms was originally brought forward by the previous Government in the Civil Law Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2010. However the Dáil was dissolved before the Bill passed through all stages. Read more
Representatives of the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta have met the Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin and Fianna Fáil TDs Éamon Ó Cuív and Micheál Kitt at Leinster House today to discuss the Government’s decision to remove the democratic elections to the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta.
The meeting was attended by Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill, Councillor Seán Ó Tuirisc and Val Hanley, who represented the other Fianna Fáil board members of Údarás na Gaeltachta. They voiced their serious concerns about the future of Údarás following the Government’s decision last week to remove the power from the people to elect those who run the agency. Read more
What should have been another quiet January weekend has become the centre of political intrigue with Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen tendering his leadership of the Fianna Fail party within the last few minutes.
“It is the right thing to do for the party,” he said.
The cards had been stacking against him all week and although it did not come as a complete shock, it has still caught many people napping.
However, he remained steadfast at a hastily convened news conference in Dublin, that he was remaining on as Taoiseach. Flanked to his left by Donegal Tanaiste Mary Coughlan, noticeable by his absence again was Finance Minister Brian Lenihan.
Mr Cowen said he had made this decision on his own counsel and that it was only made last night after returning home. He said that he had spoken to coalition colleague and Green party leader John Gormley within the previous 40 minutes of the press conference.
He believed the Government would win the confidence vote to be tabled on Tuesday by the Labour party in Dail Eireann.
Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny TD has accused the Taoiseach and Brian Lenihan of exercising catastrophic misjudgements throughout the banking crisis, and of deliberately deceiving the public on the advice they received about Anglo Irish and Irish Nationwide.
“The fundamental duty of any government is to make decisions in the best interests of the people and the country. It is the duty of the Taoiseach, and his Government, to weigh up the advice given and to exercise sound political judgment thereafter. Read more
Senator Dan Boyle's father came from Aranmore Island and he believes that the Donegal south west bye election will be in the Autumn, but was he chatting to the Tanaiste?
Tanaiste Mary Coughlan was giving very little away last night over any potential bye election in Donegal south west when she appeared on the ‘Week in Politics’ programme hosted by RTE’s Sean O’Rourke.
But Green party Senator Dan Boyle – himself with Donegal SW connections – was also quoted at the weekend that he expected the Donegal SW contest to be held in the autumn.
Deputy Coughlan was reminded that it was now 13 months since Donegal south west had lost one of its three sitting TD’s to Europe in the guise of Pat the Cope Gallagher.
However she pointed out that the constituency had herself, the Tanaiste, an MEP Pat the Cope, Fine Gael’s Dinny McGinley and two senators and therefore the constituency was well represented. Read more
Taoiseach Brian Cowen said jobs can only be created by making the economy grow. He was speaking last night in Bundoran, County Donegal as his party celebrated the career of the longest serving public representative in the country, Cllr Sean McEniff, first elected a local councillor in Donegal in 1960.
Taoiseach Cowen was responding to the latest Live Register figures which have recorded an increase in those signing on, but he rejected suggestions by the opposition to create jobs in a vacuum are “unworkable”.
Mr Cowen said: “The Live Register isn’t the best barometer of who is unemployed, it covers also other people who are signing for credits which is why it is in line with predictions given the recession we have had. Read more
Senator Cecilia Keaveney from Donegal
Are we getting value for money and are those who most need the service getting access to and an adequate service under Free Legal Aid, questioned Senator Cecilia Keaveney this week in an adjournment debate in Seanad Eireann.
“Free Legal Aid is an important resource and it is important that those who need it most get access to an efficient and effective service.
Dr Jim McDaid TD
Former Government Minister Jim McDaid, TD, today claimed that Fine Gael don’t want to get into Government yet and that they deliberately pull backbenchers from Dail votes that could trigger an election.
In such cases, Deputy McDaid claimed Fine Gael “pull six or seven or eight of their own backbenchers out to ensure that the government actually wins the vote because they don’t want to get in yet”.
Sinn Fein Cllr Padraig MacLochlainn
As a facebook campaign, started in Donegal, against Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT), gathers huge momentum with over 4000 people now supporting it, Donegal Sinn Féin Councillor, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has challenged the county’s Fianna Fáil politicians to clarify where they stand on the matter.
Cllr Mac Lochlainn said:
“Last week I said that this facebook campaign was clear evidence of the opposition to VRT in the county. At that stage, a healthy 1200 people had signed up to support it. A week on, support has almost quadrupled to well over 4000 and undoubtedly will continue upwards in the week ahead” Read more
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