Friday, March 02, 2012
Thursday, March 01, 2012
Make your views known on septic tank standards
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, is encouraging Co. Meath householders and interested members of the public to make their views known on the draft standards for septic tanks, which have been published today (Thursday) by the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan. Public submissions will be accepted for the next four weeks before the standards are finalised.
“The Government wants to listen to the views and concerns of the public, when drawing up a finalised list of standards for septic tanks. The standards will be used as the basis of a new inspection regime, which will ensure our groundwater supplies are protected.
“The Opposition has been engaging in a huge amount of rabble rousing and scaremongering in recent months in relation to the new septic tank inspection regime. Rather than unnecessarily scaring people, it’s much more constructive to look at the fact; there will be no inspection fee, registration charges are being kept at an absolute minimum of just €5 for those who register in the first three months, and the Minister has said he will consider providing financial support to those who need major work carried out on their system.
“The draft standards set out the responsibilities of septic tanks owners. For example, you need to know where your tank is located and you should visually examine it once a year. You also need to ensure only domestic waste water is treated in your tank and that it only discharges from appropriate points.
“We need these standards, not only to comply with our European obligations and avoid huge fines, but more importantly to safeguard our groundwater supplies. Ensuring high water quality will also help to attract inward investment from sectors such as pharmaceuticals and ICT.
“This Government is taking a practical and pragmatic approach to this issue; unlike Fianna Fáil who consistently ignored it for political reasons and increased our risk of being imposed with large fines.
“So if you are interested in this issue, now is the time to make your views known. Submissions can be made by post or online over the next four weeks. The Minister will consider these submissions, before a final set of standards are drawn up. The Environmental Protection Agency is developing a National Inspection Plan for local authorities, with inspections expected to begin next year.”
“The Government wants to listen to the views and concerns of the public, when drawing up a finalised list of standards for septic tanks. The standards will be used as the basis of a new inspection regime, which will ensure our groundwater supplies are protected.
“The Opposition has been engaging in a huge amount of rabble rousing and scaremongering in recent months in relation to the new septic tank inspection regime. Rather than unnecessarily scaring people, it’s much more constructive to look at the fact; there will be no inspection fee, registration charges are being kept at an absolute minimum of just €5 for those who register in the first three months, and the Minister has said he will consider providing financial support to those who need major work carried out on their system.
“The draft standards set out the responsibilities of septic tanks owners. For example, you need to know where your tank is located and you should visually examine it once a year. You also need to ensure only domestic waste water is treated in your tank and that it only discharges from appropriate points.
“We need these standards, not only to comply with our European obligations and avoid huge fines, but more importantly to safeguard our groundwater supplies. Ensuring high water quality will also help to attract inward investment from sectors such as pharmaceuticals and ICT.
“This Government is taking a practical and pragmatic approach to this issue; unlike Fianna Fáil who consistently ignored it for political reasons and increased our risk of being imposed with large fines.
“So if you are interested in this issue, now is the time to make your views known. Submissions can be made by post or online over the next four weeks. The Minister will consider these submissions, before a final set of standards are drawn up. The Environmental Protection Agency is developing a National Inspection Plan for local authorities, with inspections expected to begin next year.”
Local Heroes Making an Impact
Sean Nolan, Associate Director, of Amárach Research, which carried out part of the research on Local Heroes, commented that the campaign is "hitting the nail on the head in terms of matching the public's mood."
More importantly, that goodwill is having a positive impact on behaviour. In an online survey conducted by RTÉ Audience Research, seven people in ten, who had come in contact with the campaign, said they intend to shop locally more often as a result. Local Heroes provides communities with the inspiration and start-up material needed to support local jobs. For more information about how to get your community involved log on to www.rte.ie/localheroes
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Almost €1 million approved to improve homes of elderly and disabled in Meath
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has welcomed the news that almost €1 million has been approved for Meath County Council to improve or adapt the homes of older people and people with a disability. Deputy Doherty said that the improvements will make a huge difference to those who benefit from the grant aid.
“This funding is being made available as part of an overall national allocation of €67.75 million by the Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O’Sullivan. It is specifically aimed at making improvements to the homes of elderly people or those with a disability.
“This will be very welcome for many residents in Meath, who have been badly in need of some small remedial or improvement works that will make a big difference to their daily lives. I think the most positive aspect of this funding is that it allows people to remain in their own homes, rather than being forced to move into long term residential care.
“I also find it very encouraging that, despite our economic difficulties, the Government has chosen to prioritise these grants. The works carried out under the grants will also provide a welcome boost to the local economy in Meath, by boosting activity among suppliers and tradespeople.
“Allowing people to live independently in the community is one of the central planks of the Government’s new Housing Strategy for People with a Disability. It sets out a framework for the delivery of housing to people with disabilities through mainstream housing policy, to help them stay in their own homes.
“The grants under this scheme will allow for a range of works to be carried out. Mobility Aid Grants, of up to €6,000, can be used to install facilities such as stairlifts. Up to €10,500 can be granted for older people who need to have repairs or improvements carried out in their homes, while up to €30,000 can be secured for improvement works and extensions to facilitate a person with a disability.”
“This funding is being made available as part of an overall national allocation of €67.75 million by the Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O’Sullivan. It is specifically aimed at making improvements to the homes of elderly people or those with a disability.
“This will be very welcome for many residents in Meath, who have been badly in need of some small remedial or improvement works that will make a big difference to their daily lives. I think the most positive aspect of this funding is that it allows people to remain in their own homes, rather than being forced to move into long term residential care.
“I also find it very encouraging that, despite our economic difficulties, the Government has chosen to prioritise these grants. The works carried out under the grants will also provide a welcome boost to the local economy in Meath, by boosting activity among suppliers and tradespeople.
“Allowing people to live independently in the community is one of the central planks of the Government’s new Housing Strategy for People with a Disability. It sets out a framework for the delivery of housing to people with disabilities through mainstream housing policy, to help them stay in their own homes.
“The grants under this scheme will allow for a range of works to be carried out. Mobility Aid Grants, of up to €6,000, can be used to install facilities such as stairlifts. Up to €10,500 can be granted for older people who need to have repairs or improvements carried out in their homes, while up to €30,000 can be secured for improvement works and extensions to facilitate a person with a disability.”
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
EU Treaty will help ensure economic recovery continues
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Tuesday) said that ratifying the European Stability Treaty through a referendum will help to ensure Ireland continues on the road to economic recovery. Deputy Doherty was speaking after the Government confirmed that a referendum will be held, following advice from the Attorney General.
“The Irish people will be asked to ratify the European Stability Treaty through a referendum later this year. By doing so, we will be sending out a clear message that Ireland is determined to continue on the road to economic recovery.
“We have made considerable progress over the last year, with a major improvement in international confidence in the Irish economy. We now need to build on this progress by implementing a set of rules that will help to stabilise the Eurozone and ensure the mistakes of the past will never be allowed to happen again.
“Ratifying the Treaty is a key step to full economic recovery. We have restructured the banking sector and re-negotiated the EU/IMF deal. The Government has developed a comprehensive jobs strategy which tackles the issues facing both the domestic and export sectors. This approach, and the improvement in sentiment to Ireland since the Government took office, is already bearing fruit, with thousands of jobs announced in recent weeks.
“Ireland has benefitted hugely by being a small, open economy, at the heart of the Eurozone. The Treaty gives the Irish people the opportunity to reinforce their commitment to remaining an integral part of the single currency.
“This is about economic recovery and stability. Before any discussions had begun on the Treaty, the Government was committed to enacting stronger fiscal rules to ensure our domestic deficit is never allowed to spiral out of control again.
“The Government is taking the right steps to return our economy to a sustainable level of growth. Ratifying the European Stability Treaty will ensure this progress is not put in jeopardy.”
“The Irish people will be asked to ratify the European Stability Treaty through a referendum later this year. By doing so, we will be sending out a clear message that Ireland is determined to continue on the road to economic recovery.
“We have made considerable progress over the last year, with a major improvement in international confidence in the Irish economy. We now need to build on this progress by implementing a set of rules that will help to stabilise the Eurozone and ensure the mistakes of the past will never be allowed to happen again.
“Ratifying the Treaty is a key step to full economic recovery. We have restructured the banking sector and re-negotiated the EU/IMF deal. The Government has developed a comprehensive jobs strategy which tackles the issues facing both the domestic and export sectors. This approach, and the improvement in sentiment to Ireland since the Government took office, is already bearing fruit, with thousands of jobs announced in recent weeks.
“Ireland has benefitted hugely by being a small, open economy, at the heart of the Eurozone. The Treaty gives the Irish people the opportunity to reinforce their commitment to remaining an integral part of the single currency.
“This is about economic recovery and stability. Before any discussions had begun on the Treaty, the Government was committed to enacting stronger fiscal rules to ensure our domestic deficit is never allowed to spiral out of control again.
“The Government is taking the right steps to return our economy to a sustainable level of growth. Ratifying the European Stability Treaty will ensure this progress is not put in jeopardy.”
Monday, February 27, 2012
Work continues on Navan rail link – Doherty & English
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, and Meath West Deputy, Damien English, have welcomed confirmation from the National Transport Authority (NTA) that work is progressing on the design and planning of the rail line extension from Pace to Navan. The NTA says the project has been postponed, not cancelled, and remains part of the overall draft Transport Strategy for the region.
Deputy Doherty said: ‘It was very disappointing for many residents of Co. Meath that the planned rail extension to Navan had to be delayed under the Government’s Capital Spending Plan, due to the severely reduced budgets each department must function under. However it is very encouraging to receive confirmation from the NTA that Irish Rail has been instructed to complete the design and planning work up to the preparation of a draft railway order’.
“This project has been suspended, it hasn’t been scrapped. This is a very important distinction. I am hopeful that as the economy recovers, and Exchequer funding improves, the Navan rail link can become a reality.”
Deputy English said: ‘I have been pursuing this project for a number of years now, and I am glad to receive reassurance from the NTA that it remains on the agenda. The Government had no choice but to scale back infrastructure projects over the next couple of years, due to the huge gap in spending that needs to be narrowed. But the Navan rail link remains a longer term objective’.
“The rail link will make a massive difference to the lives of thousands of people in Navan and its environs. The NTA is currently preparing guidance documents for Meath County Council to make sure the identified rail corridor remains free from development. This will ensure that the project will be able to progress without delay when funding becomes available.”
Deputy Doherty said: ‘It was very disappointing for many residents of Co. Meath that the planned rail extension to Navan had to be delayed under the Government’s Capital Spending Plan, due to the severely reduced budgets each department must function under. However it is very encouraging to receive confirmation from the NTA that Irish Rail has been instructed to complete the design and planning work up to the preparation of a draft railway order’.
“This project has been suspended, it hasn’t been scrapped. This is a very important distinction. I am hopeful that as the economy recovers, and Exchequer funding improves, the Navan rail link can become a reality.”
Deputy English said: ‘I have been pursuing this project for a number of years now, and I am glad to receive reassurance from the NTA that it remains on the agenda. The Government had no choice but to scale back infrastructure projects over the next couple of years, due to the huge gap in spending that needs to be narrowed. But the Navan rail link remains a longer term objective’.
“The rail link will make a massive difference to the lives of thousands of people in Navan and its environs. The NTA is currently preparing guidance documents for Meath County Council to make sure the identified rail corridor remains free from development. This will ensure that the project will be able to progress without delay when funding becomes available.”
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Mains Flushing to Dunshaughlin Water Supply - Wednesday 22nd February to Wednesday 29th February 2012 (incl.)
Public Notice
Mains Flushing to Dunshaughlin Water Supply
Meath County Council will carry out watermains flushing Dunshaughlin Water Supply network from Wednesday 22nd February to Wednesday 29th February 2012 (incl.).Mains flushing is being undertaken to improve the quality of water supplied to our consumers. Consumers in areas where flushing will take place may notice temporary discolouration to their water but this discolouration should clear when allowed to run for a few minutes.
Water users in Dunshaughlin and Environs may experience a reduced level of service for the duration of these works.
Meath County Council regrets any inconvenience caused.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Lawnmower/Strimmer and Amenity Grant Scheme 2012
Meath County Council is making available grants under the above headings to Community Groups and Residents Associations.
Applications forms for the above Grants are available on the Council’s website at http://www.meath.ie/ or from the Environment & Water Services Section, Meath County Council, County Hall, Railway Street, Navan, Co Meath.
Separate Application Forms will be required for each grant applied for and each form should be e-mailed to amenitygrants@meathcoco.ie or lawnmowergrants@meathcoco.ie or returned to the Environment & Water Services Section, Meath County Council, County Hall, Railway Street, Navan, Co. Meath on or before 4pm on Friday 30th March 2012.
Applications forms for the above Grants are available on the Council’s website at http://www.meath.ie/ or from the Environment & Water Services Section, Meath County Council, County Hall, Railway Street, Navan, Co Meath.
Separate Application Forms will be required for each grant applied for and each form should be e-mailed to amenitygrants@meathcoco.ie or lawnmowergrants@meathcoco.ie or returned to the Environment & Water Services Section, Meath County Council, County Hall, Railway Street, Navan, Co. Meath on or before 4pm on Friday 30th March 2012.
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