Tag Archive for Tánaiste

Tanaiste says she is still running in election

January 31, 2011 Donegal News & Sport No comments

Tanaiste Mary Coughlan

In a statement that was issued just after midnight last night, Tanaiste Mary Coughlan said that she had every intention of contesting the Donegal south west constituency for one of the three seats.

In a short, terse and brief announcement, the statement reads:
“The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan TD, has tonight rubbished speculation that she will not be contesting the forthcoming General Election.

“The Tánaiste was ratified as a candidate in Donegal South West at convention held in Glenties on January 9th last and is fully focused on the campaign ahead.” Read more

Donegal Coughlan’s promises to 400 schools stretches credibility

January 25, 2011 Donegal News & Sport, Irish News & Sport No comments

Labour Education spokesperson Ruari Quinn has slated the Tanaiste Mary Coughlan's announcement as a cynical electoral stunt

Donegal based Tanaiste Mary Coughlan’s announcement that 400 projects are to be given the green light under the school building project, represents the first cynical campaign promise in an election that hasn’t even been called yet, Labour party’s Education spokesperson Ruairi Quinn has said.

“The days of making such grandiose promises to hundreds of communities around the country, in the run-up to an election, is the politics of yesteryear, and should, like the political culture of a morally bankrupt Fianna Fail, be consigned to the dustbin of history,” he said. Read more

Coughlan will not contest leadership of FF

January 22, 2011 Irish News & Sport No comments
 

Tanaiste Mary Coughlan

Tanaiste Mary Coughlan this evening declared that she was not interested in seeking the leadership of Fianna Fail at this time.

She said that she expected other potential leaders to emerge in the coming hours, other than those who have already declared. These include former Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Martin, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan and Minister for Social Protection, Eamon O’Cuiv.

Once the darling girl of Fianna Fail, her star began to wane when, as Minister for Employment, the Celtic Tiger came crashing down and she took a big hit in the popularity stakes. When appointed Tanaiste, many signalled that she could become the first female leader of Fianna Fail.

Having sided so publicly with Brian Cowen, it now appears she will pay the price politically and if she continues in political life, will have to hide in the long grass, until at least the end of the country’s current economic fiasco.   

Speaking on RTE this evening, she refused to answer the question of who she would be supporting in the Fianna Fail leadership battle. A wise decision, Mary!

Mary Coughlan running the country as Election set for March 11th

January 20, 2011 Donegal News & Sport, Irish News & Sport No comments

Taoiseach Brian Cowen addressing the Dail this afternoon as an anxious Tanaiste Mary Coughlan looks on.

Up here in the north west, it looks like Tanaiste and Minsiter for Education Mary Coughlan is running the country, after she was also given the title of Minister for Health and Children this afternoon by Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

It comes on the day that Taoiseach Brian Cowen finally announced the day of the next General election – March 11th 2011.

Ms Coughlan, as well as being the Irish Deputy Prime Minister will now have two senior ministerial roles. She replaces the ‘other Mary’, former Progressive Democrat leader, Mary Harney, who yesterday announced her resignation as Health Minister.

Ms Coughlan will also retain her current portfolio as Minister for Education. Read more

Tánaiste approves funding for Letterkenny IT expansion plans for LYIT

January 10, 2011 Donegal News & Sport, Irish News & Sport No comments

Tanaiste Mary Coughlan

The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan, TD has approved funding to Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT) in Donegal to purchase two separate parcels of land to allow for the future growth and expansion of the Institute.
 
Announcing the move on a visit to the Institute today, the Tánaiste said: ‘These acquisitions will transform the campus in LYIT.
 
“With a current student population of almost 3,000 and with a projected growth in enrolments of 25% by 2014/15, the need for additional lands has been a priority for the Institute for a number of years. Read more

Donegal South west bye election writ no show – Govt to defend challenge

July 29, 2010 Donegal News & Sport, Irish News & Sport No comments

Is it any wonder why Pat the Cope wanted to go to Europe?

The High Court in Dublin is expected to be notified by the Irish government today that it will defend a challenge over its refusal to move a writ for a bye election in Donegal South West.

Donegal Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty brought the challenge earlier this month and the case is listed for mention this morning.

A Fianna Fáil source was quoted: “The Government will be defending it. It should be a matter for Dáil Éireann and not for the courts.” Read more

Reform of process for recognition for new 2nd level schools – Tanaiste

July 28, 2010 Donegal News & Sport, Irish News & Sport No comments

Tanaiste Mary Coughlan

The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan TD, has announced a significant reform of the process for recognition of new second-level schools.

 

The new framework to be established by the Tánaiste will involve the setting out of clear criteria against which new second-level school applications are to be assessed and will increase the transparency of decision making, with the establishment of a small expert group to advise on second-level school patronage applications.

Read more

Holy Family National School, Ballyshannon gets go ahead to apply for planning

July 23, 2010 Donegal News & Sport No comments

Some good news for Ballyshannon today

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan TD, has authorised Holy Family National School in Ballyshannon County Donegal to apply for planning permission during a visit to the school today.

The extension project will include four new classrooms, a general purpose room and ancillary accommodation, in addition to some refurbishment of the existing accommodation. Read more

New libraries for Donegal Town and Gaoth Dobhair

July 2, 2010 Donegal News & Sport No comments

New library for Donegal Town and Gweedore

Substantial funding is to be made available for the provision of new libraries in both Donegal Town and Gaoth Dobhair. Under the Library Capital Programme 2010-2011, new libraries will be provided in both towns.
 
“Minister of State Michael Finneran has worked with Donegal County Council to ensure that both towns will benefit from wonderful new state-of-the-art libraries. I’m particularly pleased that these projects have now been approved for funding and can advance, Tanaiste Mary Coughlan said. Read more

Tánaiste Submits EGF Application for redundant construction workers to European Commission

June 22, 2010 Irish News & Sport No comments

Tanaiste Mary Coughlan

The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan TD, today announced that she has submitted an application to the European Commission seeking support from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) for almost 8,800 workers made redundant during the period between 1 July 2009 and 31 March 2010.
The Tánaiste said ” We are making this application to support training, upskilling, enterprise supports and educational opportunities for the many workers affected nationally by the downturn in the construction sector during much of last year and well into this year. Read more

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