Water Mains Flushing to Dunshaughlin Water Supply

Meath County Council wishes to advise that water mains flushing to Dunshaughlin Water Supply network will be carried out from Tuesday 29^th November 2011 to Friday 9^th December 2011 between 10am and 3pm daily Monday to Friday.

Mains’ flushing is carried out to improve the quality of water supply to our consumers. Consumers in areas where flushing will take place may notice temporary discolouration to their water however this discolouration should clear when allowed to run for a few minutes.  

Consumers in Dunshaughlin and surrounding areas may experience low pressure to their water supply for the duration of these works.

Meath County Council regrets any inconvenience caused.

Dunshaughlin Area Office
Drumree Road
Dunshaughlin

Road Closure R150 Kentstown

Road Closure R150 Kentstown

The R150 Road from Kentstown to Brien’s Cross (also known as Curtis Cross) and onwards to the L5608 Road at Mullaghfin will be closed to through traffic 24 hours a day from Tuesday 29th November 2011 until Friday 2nd March 2012.

Diversion signs will be in place. Residents and property holders will be facilitated with access throughout the closure period. Diversion route map shown below.

Click on the map to enlarge

Introduction of roadside drug testing will save lives – Doherty

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has said that the introduction of roadside drug testing will help to save lives. Deputy Doherty made her comments today (Monday) following confirmation of the move from the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar.

“We have come a long way in recent years in improving safety on our roads. This latest measure, as announced by Minister Varadkar, will strengthen the power of Gardai to assess drivers and determine whether they are under the influence of any drugs that would impair their driving ability.

“Driving is a complicated task at the best of times. It’s essential that there is a general understanding amongst the public that certain drugs affect your concentration and inhibit your capability behind the wheel.

“It’s already an offence to drive under the influence of drugs, but these new laws will allow Gardaí to conduct roadside tests, making it easier to detect drug driving. Members of the Gardaí have been trained in the new procedures by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety. New legislation is being drafted and Minister Varadkar hopes to introduce the measure in the New Year.

“While a range of illegal drugs such as cannabis and cocaine have a significant impairing effect on driving, some prescription drugs can also affect one’s ability. There’s an onus on GPs to ensure their patients fully understand the effects of certain medication. I would encourage anyone in any doubt about the side effects of medication they may be taking to contact their local doctor or pharmacist.

“The objective of this new measure is clear; to save lives. Any driver who fails the roadside impairment test, or who appears to be under the influence of drugs, will be arrested and brought to a Garda Station. This sends out a strong message that being under the influence of any intoxicant behind the wheel will not be tolerated.”

SOSAD Christmas Dinner Dance

Vacant NAMA Board position should be filled by representative from Northern Ireland - Doherty

Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has today urged the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, to seriously consider filling the vacant role on the Board of NAMA with a representative from Northern Ireland. 

“During yesterday’s meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, the issue of NAMA’s property portfolio in the north came under scrutiny. Northern members of the Joint Good Friday Committee who sit on the Committee raised a serious concern over a potential fire sale of these properties and the detrimental knock on effect this will have on the Northern Ireland property market. 

“Given the serious concerns expressed by the northern members of the Committee, we have decided to write to Minister Noonan asking him to give serious consideration to filling the vacant role on the Board with a representative from the north, so that their concerns can be taken into consideration in relation to any decisions made by the agency.” 

RTÉ ‘HEROES’ USES RESOURCES TO HELP SUPPORT IRISH JOBS

VIDEO: Words of encouragement from Drogheda actor Colin O'Donoghue & professional Golfer Des Smyth RTÉ ‘HEROES’ USES RESOURCES TO HELP SUPPORT IRISH JOBS With unemployment and emigration a reality for many people, RTÉ is currently running an innovative campaign using many of its resources to help support Irish jobs.  Entitled Local Heroes, this is a multi-platform campaign on television, radio, print and online which highlights the actions we can all take to make a difference in our communities and to our wider economy. The campaign centres around a six-part television series, Local Heroes – A Town Fights Back, which runs until Wednesday 14 December on RTÉ One.  In it the people of Drogheda work alongside campaign leader Senator Feargal Quinn and an assembled team of experts  to try to kick-start their local economy. RTÉ Radio 1 has also joined in the initiative, with Pat Kenny's daily show visiting towns around Ireland to see how they are adopting the Local Heroes initiatives along the Drogheda lines. A Local Heroes website is now live and features a full catalogue of the ideas and resources for individuals, groups, jobseekers and businesses who want to revitalise their towns and contribute to the local economy. For more information please click here.

KEEP IT KELLS! Drogheda’s actions have also inspired Kells, Co Meath, which will hold its Local Heroes public meeting on 1 December at 7pm in the Headfort Arms Hotel. Hosted by the Kells & District Chamber - with the support of Kells Town Council – the meeting will start with an introduction on how the Local Heroes Toolkit works and a brief discussion on the current issues facing Kells, followed by an Ideas Summit to come up with possible solutions to the issues raised. Geraldine Gaughran, president of Kells & District Chamber, attended the open day in Local Heroes Drogheda. “I was inspired to try and think of other things we could do in Kells. We’ve decided to not just focus on the heritage in Kells - the Book of Kells and monastic legacy - but to try and grow food tourism too. There is a huge amount of food producers in the area, including Sheridans Cheesemongers.” The Keep it Kells campaign encourages people to shop locally, with the slogan stating: Spend money in Kells = Keep jobs in Kells = Create jobs in Kells. “There’s lots happening. A number of good ideas came out when we put our submission together for Local Heroes. There was a lot of good stuff happening here already but it’s given us that focus.”

The case of Father Kevin Reynolds

"The Minister for Communications, Pat Rabbitte T.D. has announced that the case of Father Kevin Reynolds was considered at today’s Government meeting. It was decided by Cabinet that there should be an independent inquiry to determine the true facts and circumstances which led to the Prime Time programme on Fr Reynolds being broadcast on RTE in May of this year. The Minister noted that The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) is the independent regulator responsible for the oversight of compliance in relation to broadcast content. It has a Compliance Committee which monitors and enforces compliance by broadcasters with various aspects of the relevant legislation relating to fairness, impartiality and enforcement of standards. Minister Rabbitte today requested that the BAI Compliance Committee use its powers under section 53 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 and to determine whether RTE has met its statutory responsibilities around objectivity, impartiality and fairness. He has asked that the Committee then report and make any recommendations in respect of this to the Authority. The decision of Government requests that the Report be concluded within two months."

Government appoints new Secretary General of Department of Jobs

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, today (Tuesday) announced that the Government has appointed John Murphy as Secretary General of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. The appointment will be effective from tomorrow (23^rd November). 

Mr Murphy holds a BA in History and Politics from UCD, a Certificate in Public Administration from the IPA and a M.Sc. (Econ) in Public Policy Studies from TCD/IPA. He is currently Assistant Secretary for Transport Investment, Public Transport and Finance in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, and has previously held roles in the Departments of Labour, Finance, Environment as well as Revenue. 

Making the announcement, Minister Bruton said: 

“This Department faces many challenges over the coming months and years. Most importantly, we will be at the centre of the government’s effort to address the jobs crisis, get growth in the real economy again and plan for our long-term economic well-being. It is also my firm ambition to place this Department at the leading edge of reform and best practice across government. 

“Since I have come into this Department I have been struck by the ability, commitment and workrate of the team both in the Department and within the agencies under my remit. Driving my agenda has placed many extra burdens and challenges on them and their response has been excellent. 

“I am delighted that the Government has appointed John Murphy to lead this team at this very important time. I am happy to have a candidate with the skills and experience to lead this Department in developing and implementing policies to address the jobs crisis. I am also satisfied that he will be able to play a key role in realising my ambition of placing this Department at the cutting edge of reform across Government, and in addressing the significant organisational and resource challenges that we like all public bodies face. 

“I would like to wish John well in filling this role”.

Ratoath BMX Club First Race Nov 27th

Hope everyone is getting ready for our big day, the first race on our new BMX track is lining up to be a spectacular event.

In an effort to try and make this event run as smooth as possible and help us, help you on the day, since it is all very new to the Club and its members, I have a few pointers to help those participating on the day.

1. Registration is between 9am and 10:30am, it is early but we have limited light and the numbers of riders is going to top the 150 mark judging by the interest level. No registrations are allowed after this time. You can also register online here before the race on Sunday.
2. After the rider receives his/her frame number plate and Practice pass you need to take your bike to scrutiny area where bike and helmet check is performed, if you have gloves or knee/elbow pads please bring them. When you pass you will receive a Pass sticker.
3. Practice will be in two groups A&B Over 13s first practice and Under 13s second practice. Practice will run for approximately 30 mins to 1 hour in total.
4. Announcer will call ‘Name Check Printed’. This means you must go to the Moto Boards area beside the Pens to check a) Your Name is correct b)Number is correct c) Age group/Class is correct. If they are not correct go back to registration.
5. After this, Announcer will call ‘Moto Sheets Printed’. You must go to Moto Boards again and find your Age Group/Class, find your name and write down on your hand or on the frame sticker the three sets of numbers beside your name e.g. from below Matthew Campbell would write down 4:7, 13:4 and 22:2 which means he is in race 4 lane 7, race 13 lane 4 and race 22 lane 2. This is very important.

6. When racing begins go to pens and search for your correct Pen with your race number on it for your first race and line up. You will be guided in and guided out of these pens to ensure you are in the correct one.
7. You will then watch the Race number flip chart so you know when your race is getting close.
8. The same process applies for Semi final and Finals races.

Please ensure you have your membership card or Sticker and your Cycling Ireland License if you have one.

Note:  Parking is very limited at the track and there could be many spectators, Can I ask all local Ratoath members to leave their cars at home and cycle down or drop the kids off and walk down to the track. I don’t want to cause any congestion in the village on our first event.

Please enjoy yourself , take your litter home and watch some spectacular Racing from our local kids and from our UK visitors including current UK number 1 and many time world Champion Kelvin Batey.

Doherty supports call to rename River Boyne bridge in honour of President McAleese

Taoiseach’s support will be sought this week

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has lent her support to the campaign to have the River Boyne Bridge renamed in honour of Mary McAleese, to mark the major achievements of her Pesidency. The proposal has been put forward by Fine Gael Louth Senator Jim D’Acy.

“I think this is a wonderful idea, which would serve as a fitting tribute to the incredible work carried out by Mary McAleese during her fourteen years as Pesident. The theme of her presidency was ‘Building Bridges’, and while at the time of her inauguration this may have seem a little lofty, she surpassed all expectations of what could be achieved within the limitations of the Pesidential office. 

“Mary McAleese immediately set about improving relations throughout this island when, at the end of her first month in office, she took communion at a Church of Ireland service in Christchurch. As a committed Catholic, this was a significant indication of how she intended to conduct her Presidency. 

“This small act was followed by countless others which help to gradually build on fragile foundations and greatly enhance the normalisation of relations between the Republic and the North. Mary McAleese visited the North on 138 occasions, constantly and diligently constructing the bridges she vowed to build. 

“Her efforts culminated with the visit of Queen Elizabeth earlier this year, when a country looked on in awe and wonder at how far we have all come. I agree with Senator D’Arcy that Mary McAleese’s achievements should be recognised and I think the renaming of the Boyne Bridge – a state-of-the-art monument of our modernity – would be a fitting commemoration. 

“As a female politician I would also welcome the prospect of having a major monumental civic structure named after a woman. I will be raising this issue in the Dáil this week in a bid to gain the Taoiseach’s support for the idea. In the meantime I would urge other members of the Oireachtas to lend their voice to this worthwhile and positive initiative.”