Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
One Family and EBS are asking everyone to Celebrate Families on Family Day, Sunday 13 May 2012.
Join us for the Family Day picnic in The Iveagh Gardens, Dublin 2, from 11am-5pm, Sunday 13 May to enjoy our family entertainers, workshops and games – all free of charge. Bring your own picnic! Check out http://www.familyday.ie/ for more information and updates on what we have planned.
Or, hold your own fun event and register it on http://www.familyday.ie/ Draw your family portrait and be in with a chance of winning €500.* Just draw or paint your family on an A4 sheet and drop it into any EBS office or post it to One Family, 2 Lower Pembroke Street, Dublin 2. Be sure to include your name and number.
*Terms and conditions apply. See http://www.familyday.ie/
Friday, April 20, 2012
Doherty calls on GRA president to withdraw insulting remarks on Defence Forces
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty,has today (Friday) called on the President of the Garda RepresentativeAssociation to withdraw what she described as the insulting remarks hemade in relation to the Defence Forces earlier this week.
“I was shocked when I heard the commentsfrom the GRA President, Damien McCarthy, earlier this week in relationto the Defence Forces. I find it perplexing that Mr McCarthy would chooseto ostracise a group that not only provides a vital service to the Irishpublic, but which also works hand in hand with the Gardaí on a regularbasis.
“During his address to the GRA conference,Mr McCarthy launched a broadside at both the Minister for Justice, AlanShatter, and at the Defence Forces when he questioned why additional membersof the Defence Forces are being recruited. I understand that Gardaí areunder pressure due to the moratorium in the public service, but that isno reason to lash out at the hard working members of our Defence Forces.
“We do not need different sectionsof the civil and public service to be pitting themselves against each other.I note that PDforra, which represents the 8,000 soldiers, sailors and aircrewof the Defence Forces, has expressed its surprise at the comments madeby Mr McCarthy. I am sure that many of its members were offended, as wellas surprised, by the remarks.
“The Defence Forces provide an essentialservice to this country. Last year alone, the Defence Forces were calledout to deal with more than 230 suspicious devices, 46 of which were improvisedexplosive devices. These are essentially homemade bombs that are oftenplanted in residential communities around the country.
“The decision to recruit an additional500 members of the Defence Forces was taken in light of the fact that numbersare 700 below the agreed strength for the army, naval service and Air Corpscombined. I view this as a welcome initiative that will not only strengthenour Defence Forces, but will also take 500 people off the live register.I call on Mr McCarthy to take all of these issues into account, and withdrawhis comments before they cause even more offence.”
“I was shocked when I heard the commentsfrom the GRA President, Damien McCarthy, earlier this week in relationto the Defence Forces. I find it perplexing that Mr McCarthy would chooseto ostracise a group that not only provides a vital service to the Irishpublic, but which also works hand in hand with the Gardaí on a regularbasis.
“During his address to the GRA conference,Mr McCarthy launched a broadside at both the Minister for Justice, AlanShatter, and at the Defence Forces when he questioned why additional membersof the Defence Forces are being recruited. I understand that Gardaí areunder pressure due to the moratorium in the public service, but that isno reason to lash out at the hard working members of our Defence Forces.
“We do not need different sectionsof the civil and public service to be pitting themselves against each other.I note that PDforra, which represents the 8,000 soldiers, sailors and aircrewof the Defence Forces, has expressed its surprise at the comments madeby Mr McCarthy. I am sure that many of its members were offended, as wellas surprised, by the remarks.
“The Defence Forces provide an essentialservice to this country. Last year alone, the Defence Forces were calledout to deal with more than 230 suspicious devices, 46 of which were improvisedexplosive devices. These are essentially homemade bombs that are oftenplanted in residential communities around the country.
“The decision to recruit an additional500 members of the Defence Forces was taken in light of the fact that numbersare 700 below the agreed strength for the army, naval service and Air Corpscombined. I view this as a welcome initiative that will not only strengthenour Defence Forces, but will also take 500 people off the live register.I call on Mr McCarthy to take all of these issues into account, and withdrawhis comments before they cause even more offence.”
Time for Kelleher to get his facts straight
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) said that Fianna Fáil’s Health Spokesperson, Billy Kelleher, should get his facts straight before he falsely accuses the Government of something that he is so poorly informed about. Deputy Doherty was speaking after Deputy Kelleher wrongly claimed the Minister for Health, James Reilly, had appointed a special advisor to the Special Delivery Unit.
“Deputy Kelleher was quick to express his ‘outrage’ on this issue, but clearly what he should have done was check his facts first. I am happy to clear up any confusion for Deputy Kelliher’s sake. Lis Nixon, who is a healthcare expert, has been appointed Director for Performance Improvement for Unscheduled Care. She was appointed after an advertising tender process. She is not a special advisor; she is filling an executive position and will be reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer of the SDU, Tony O'Brien.
“Deputy Kelleher’s false claims were not only misguided, in my opinion they are grossly unfair to Ms Nixon. She has an exemplary record in tackling the very issue the Special Delivery Unit is addressing; overcrowding in Emergency Departments. For the past ten years she has worked in the UK at national level in performance improvement, mostly in relation to Emergency Departments, and has been instrumental in reducing the waiting times in these departments.
“I also find it incredible that Deputy Kelleher could suggest that the Special Delivery Unit has not made any progress. Yet again, this is completely incorrect. The SDU has been making steady work on reducing the number of people on trolleys since it was set up by Minister Reilly last year. The SDU achieved a huge amount in its first six months alone; trolley figures for January of this year were down 27% on the figures for the same month in 2010.
“Fianna Fáil left this country with an overburdened and ailing health system. After 14 years in Government, the Party failed to deliver any significant reform in health, despite many years of bumper Exchequer revenues, based on even more dubious policies. Minister Reilly has embarked on the most ambitious programme of reform ever carried out in the Irish health service that will completely overhaul the way care is delivered in this country.
“Deputy Kelleher’s misinformed comments are not only wrong, they are a disservice to those who chose to vote for Fianna Fáil in the last election. It is little wonder that Sinn Fein is stealing a march on the Soldiers of Destiny, when they are resorting to such lazy tactics in a bid to validate their position on the Opposition benches.”
“Deputy Kelleher was quick to express his ‘outrage’ on this issue, but clearly what he should have done was check his facts first. I am happy to clear up any confusion for Deputy Kelliher’s sake. Lis Nixon, who is a healthcare expert, has been appointed Director for Performance Improvement for Unscheduled Care. She was appointed after an advertising tender process. She is not a special advisor; she is filling an executive position and will be reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer of the SDU, Tony O'Brien.
“Deputy Kelleher’s false claims were not only misguided, in my opinion they are grossly unfair to Ms Nixon. She has an exemplary record in tackling the very issue the Special Delivery Unit is addressing; overcrowding in Emergency Departments. For the past ten years she has worked in the UK at national level in performance improvement, mostly in relation to Emergency Departments, and has been instrumental in reducing the waiting times in these departments.
“I also find it incredible that Deputy Kelleher could suggest that the Special Delivery Unit has not made any progress. Yet again, this is completely incorrect. The SDU has been making steady work on reducing the number of people on trolleys since it was set up by Minister Reilly last year. The SDU achieved a huge amount in its first six months alone; trolley figures for January of this year were down 27% on the figures for the same month in 2010.
“Fianna Fáil left this country with an overburdened and ailing health system. After 14 years in Government, the Party failed to deliver any significant reform in health, despite many years of bumper Exchequer revenues, based on even more dubious policies. Minister Reilly has embarked on the most ambitious programme of reform ever carried out in the Irish health service that will completely overhaul the way care is delivered in this country.
“Deputy Kelleher’s misinformed comments are not only wrong, they are a disservice to those who chose to vote for Fianna Fáil in the last election. It is little wonder that Sinn Fein is stealing a march on the Soldiers of Destiny, when they are resorting to such lazy tactics in a bid to validate their position on the Opposition benches.”
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Doherty welcomes appointment of former North Eastern HB chief exec as head of Dept of Health
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) welcomed the appointment of the former chief executive of the North Eastern Health Board, Dr Ambrose McLoughlin, as the new secretary general at the Department of Health.
“I am delighted to see a person of such impressive experience take the helm at the Department of Health at a time of vital importance for the health service. The Government has set out an ambitious programme of reform for the health service; this body of work is already underway and I am confident that Dr Loughlin will be well disposed to continue its implementation.
“I also think it is encouraging that the Government has chosen someone who is considered an ‘outsider’ to come in and run the Department. The Government has shown, through the recent appointed of John Moran to the Department of Finance, that it is determined to take a fresh approach to these appointments by selecting people who are best suited to the job at hand.
“Dr McLoughlin has extensive experience working in the Irish health service. Before his most recent role as chief executive of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, Dr Loughlin served in a number of roles over 30 years, working his way from practitioner to chief executive.
“During his time as chief executive officer of the North Eastern Health Board, from 2000 to 2004, he played a central role in dealing with complaints made against Dr Michael Neary at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. He has also previously advised the Department of Health on a number of key public health matters, including managing the threat of Sars.
“I welcome this injection of fresh blood into the Department of Health. Dr McLoughlin’s appointment was vetted by the Top Level Appointments Committee, which considered applications from both inside and outside the civil service. The Government is utterly determined to completely overhaul the way health care is delivered in this country; Dr Ambrose will now play a key role in this challenging process.”
“I am delighted to see a person of such impressive experience take the helm at the Department of Health at a time of vital importance for the health service. The Government has set out an ambitious programme of reform for the health service; this body of work is already underway and I am confident that Dr Loughlin will be well disposed to continue its implementation.
“I also think it is encouraging that the Government has chosen someone who is considered an ‘outsider’ to come in and run the Department. The Government has shown, through the recent appointed of John Moran to the Department of Finance, that it is determined to take a fresh approach to these appointments by selecting people who are best suited to the job at hand.
“Dr McLoughlin has extensive experience working in the Irish health service. Before his most recent role as chief executive of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, Dr Loughlin served in a number of roles over 30 years, working his way from practitioner to chief executive.
“During his time as chief executive officer of the North Eastern Health Board, from 2000 to 2004, he played a central role in dealing with complaints made against Dr Michael Neary at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. He has also previously advised the Department of Health on a number of key public health matters, including managing the threat of Sars.
“I welcome this injection of fresh blood into the Department of Health. Dr McLoughlin’s appointment was vetted by the Top Level Appointments Committee, which considered applications from both inside and outside the civil service. The Government is utterly determined to completely overhaul the way health care is delivered in this country; Dr Ambrose will now play a key role in this challenging process.”
Thursday, April 05, 2012
IFA support for Stability Treaty referendum is significant
Active campaign planned for its almost 90,000 members
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty , has described the decision by the Irish Farmers Association’s (IFA) Executive Council on Tuesday to recommend a Yes vote on the Stability Treaty to its almost 90,000 members as a significant step in the campaign to ratify the Treaty.
“By making this decision, the IFA has recognised and acknowledged the huge benefits that membership of a stable currency regime, the Common Agriculture Policy and the EU brings to farming families, their businesses and the rural economy.
“Many of the terms of the Stability Treaty on budget deficits and Government debt are already agreed and in place at an EU level and our ratification of the Treaty will bring these into Irish law . Acceptance of the Stability Treaty by Ireland on May 31st will allow successful sectors such as agri-food production and exports, to continue to grow and expand for the benefit of the entire Irish economy.
“As part of their campaign for a Yes vote, the IFA will embark on a communications drive to their 90,000 members of the benefits of of the Stability Treaty and regional meetings will commence around the country. On Thursday 5th April, the IFA President, John Bryan, will address the Oireachtas Sub-Committee.”
Significant progress being made on Children’s First Bill
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has said that significant progress is being made on the Children’s First Bill, which will bring statutory guidelines into law by the end of the year. Deputy Doherty was speaking after the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, of which she is a member, received a request from the Children’s Minister, Frances Fitzgerald, to examine the Heads of the Bill.
“This legislation has been a long time coming. As stated by Minister Fitzgerald at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis at the weekend, the legislation was first promised by Fianna Fáil 14 years ago, but it was never delivered. Now, this Government is determined to finally place the Children First guidelines on a statutory footing.
“Last year, with the publication of the Cloyne Report, we were once again reminded of the horrendous abuse and neglect visited upon our children in the distant and recent past. But this isn’t just a legacy issue; child abuse and neglect is happening every day in this country. As a government, we need to ensure we put the protection in place to safeguard these children.
“The Children First Bill will send out the message that it is absolutely critical that if somebody has, on good faith, reasonable concerns over the abuse or neglect of a child then those concerns must be reported to the relevant authorities. Complying with Children First will also mean we take a much more comprehensive approach that will lay down the responsibilities of organisations in contact with or providing services to children.
“Minister Fitzgerald is due to submit a draft General Scheme and Heads of the Children First Bill to Government at the first meeting after Easter. She will also seek Government approval to refer the Heads of the Bill to the Committee on Health and Children.
“I look forward to examining the draft Bill, and helping to prepare this legislation that will completely overhaul our approach to child protection. This is just one piece of the jigsaw when it comes to improving our child protection structures. Work is also progressing on the Children’s Referendum, which will ensure the best decisions are made for vulnerable children, as well as addressing a number of other anomalies in our law which mean children are not being given the care they deserve.”
“This legislation has been a long time coming. As stated by Minister Fitzgerald at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis at the weekend, the legislation was first promised by Fianna Fáil 14 years ago, but it was never delivered. Now, this Government is determined to finally place the Children First guidelines on a statutory footing.
“Last year, with the publication of the Cloyne Report, we were once again reminded of the horrendous abuse and neglect visited upon our children in the distant and recent past. But this isn’t just a legacy issue; child abuse and neglect is happening every day in this country. As a government, we need to ensure we put the protection in place to safeguard these children.
“The Children First Bill will send out the message that it is absolutely critical that if somebody has, on good faith, reasonable concerns over the abuse or neglect of a child then those concerns must be reported to the relevant authorities. Complying with Children First will also mean we take a much more comprehensive approach that will lay down the responsibilities of organisations in contact with or providing services to children.
“Minister Fitzgerald is due to submit a draft General Scheme and Heads of the Children First Bill to Government at the first meeting after Easter. She will also seek Government approval to refer the Heads of the Bill to the Committee on Health and Children.
“I look forward to examining the draft Bill, and helping to prepare this legislation that will completely overhaul our approach to child protection. This is just one piece of the jigsaw when it comes to improving our child protection structures. Work is also progressing on the Children’s Referendum, which will ensure the best decisions are made for vulnerable children, as well as addressing a number of other anomalies in our law which mean children are not being given the care they deserve.”
Tuesday, April 03, 2012
Research programme will help Ireland generate business in $148 billion cloud computing sector
“This Government is intent on attracting investment and creating opportunities for Ireland in the cloud computing sector. That is why we have invested in this research consortium to help us identify ways to generate business and profit from cloud computing.
“Ireland has established a firm foothold in this extremely lucrative market which, it is estimated, will be worth $148 billion by 2014. We are keen to further exploit opportunities in this market.
“Having worked in the IT sector for over 20 years, I am greatly encouraged by pro-active measures that are being taken to help capitalise on the massive potential that exists in this sector. This initiative will assist some of our brightest people in our third level institutions to help find ways that Ireland can benefit from growth of the cloud computing sector.
“The funding will be allocated over 12 months to a consortium of higher education institutions to carry out the initial research programme. The research consortium will be made up of teams from University College Cork, Athlone Institute of Technology, the Innovation Value Institute at NUIM and Dublin City University, which will lead the consortium.
“The consortium will focus on four principal research areas: cloud computing technology architecture, service management, business research and cloud security.
“Cloud computing enables people to gain access to a shared pool of computing resources including networks, servers, storage and applications through a web browser and only pay for the time they are using them. As well as providing cost savings, cloud computing also offers consumers levels of security, reliability and support that are often prohibitively costly to all but the larger organisations.
“Cloud computing opens up an endless range of possibilities; virtualise all servers and PCs, set-up your printer for internet printing, give everyone a tablet and they can work from anywhere. Some companies are giving away a free VDI (virtual desktop interface) with a premium broadband connection which allows you to load software onto the VDI and access your PC from a tablet or Smartphone from anywhere, running on a resilient server so it won’t fail and your data is safe. With cloud your data is online all the time and you can share it with other users increasing productivity and output. Cloud computing is the way of the future. The Minister willingness to embrace it and drive the sector forward will ensure that Ireland realises its potential in this area and contributes to the jobs and growth we so badly need.”
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Mahon highlights disturbing approach of former FF Ministers
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) said that the Mahon Tribunal Report highlights the deeply disturbing culture of Fianna Fáil in Government. Deputy Doherty specifically referred to comments made by senior Fianna Fáil Ministers criticising the Tribunal, while it was investigating the affairs of then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
“In his introduction, Judge Mahon specifically refers to how the Tribunal came under ‘sustained and virulent attack’ from a number of senior Government Ministers in 2007/2008 when it was inquiring into matters relating to Bertie Ahern.
“I agree wholeheartedly with Judge Mahon when he says that it was entirely inappropriate for members of the Government to launch partisan attacks against a Tribunal of Inquiry. I find it completely abhorrent that Fianna Fáil Cabinet Ministers would deem it appropriate to try to undermine the conduct of the Tribunal while it was inquiring into their then leader and Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern.
“We know, for instance, that the current Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin, criticised the way the Tribunal investigated what he described as ‘bizarre’ allegations made by Tom Gilmartin. Former Fianna Fáil Minister, Dermot Ahern, labelled the Tribunal’s questioning of Bertie Ahern as ‘astounding’. We also had the incredible statement from current TD and former Minister, Willie O’Dea, saying that he was waiting for the day the tribunal would start questioning what Bertie Ahern did with his First Communion money. Former Minister Dick Roche, meanwhile, saw fit to describe the Tribunal as ‘petty’ and ‘prurient’.
“These comments are even more shocking today than they were at the time. Given the Tribunal’s findings, do all of these current and former Fianna Fáil politicians stand over these statements?
“Judge Mahon draws the conclusion that the objective of these attacks was to erode the Tribunal’s independence and force its collapse. I believe the individuals involved should account for their actions. Some of those who were Cabinet Ministers at the time are members of the current Dáil; they should not remain silent on this issue.
“The Mahon Tribunal Report draws a line under the corrupt environment that polluted all levels of Government over the last couple of decades. All of the major political parties in this State must carefully study its contents. It will take some time to digest all of Judge Mahon’s findings and recommendations.
“I look forward to the report being scrutinised by the DPP and the Garda Commissioner, to establish whether any legal prosecutions can be brought.”
“In his introduction, Judge Mahon specifically refers to how the Tribunal came under ‘sustained and virulent attack’ from a number of senior Government Ministers in 2007/2008 when it was inquiring into matters relating to Bertie Ahern.
“I agree wholeheartedly with Judge Mahon when he says that it was entirely inappropriate for members of the Government to launch partisan attacks against a Tribunal of Inquiry. I find it completely abhorrent that Fianna Fáil Cabinet Ministers would deem it appropriate to try to undermine the conduct of the Tribunal while it was inquiring into their then leader and Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern.
“We know, for instance, that the current Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin, criticised the way the Tribunal investigated what he described as ‘bizarre’ allegations made by Tom Gilmartin. Former Fianna Fáil Minister, Dermot Ahern, labelled the Tribunal’s questioning of Bertie Ahern as ‘astounding’. We also had the incredible statement from current TD and former Minister, Willie O’Dea, saying that he was waiting for the day the tribunal would start questioning what Bertie Ahern did with his First Communion money. Former Minister Dick Roche, meanwhile, saw fit to describe the Tribunal as ‘petty’ and ‘prurient’.
“These comments are even more shocking today than they were at the time. Given the Tribunal’s findings, do all of these current and former Fianna Fáil politicians stand over these statements?
“Judge Mahon draws the conclusion that the objective of these attacks was to erode the Tribunal’s independence and force its collapse. I believe the individuals involved should account for their actions. Some of those who were Cabinet Ministers at the time are members of the current Dáil; they should not remain silent on this issue.
“The Mahon Tribunal Report draws a line under the corrupt environment that polluted all levels of Government over the last couple of decades. All of the major political parties in this State must carefully study its contents. It will take some time to digest all of Judge Mahon’s findings and recommendations.
“I look forward to the report being scrutinised by the DPP and the Garda Commissioner, to establish whether any legal prosecutions can be brought.”
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
North east hospitals will benefit from Acute Medical Programme
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Friday) said that hospitals in the north east are set to be among the first to benefit from the new Acute Medical Programme, which will overhaul how patients are admitted, and make hospitals operate in a more efficient manner.
“The Minister for Health, James Reilly, is implementing a series of reforms on how our hospitals are run by overhauling clinical programmes. This will deliver greater efficiencies and, crucially, it will lead to better outcomes for patients.
“The Acute Medical Programme (AMP) will radically change the way hospitals deal with patients who come into Emergency Departments. It will improve the experience of sick people by ensuring that they are dealt with through a number of different ‘streams’ into the hospital.
“Four hospitals in the Dublin North East Region will be among the first to benefit from this new programme. The AMP will be rolled out this year in Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan, Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda, Beaumont and Cavan General.
“This will change the way the Emergency Departments are run in these hospitals by improving safety and ease of access, especially for very ill patients. The AMP will stream these patients away from crowded Emergency Departments to purpose-designed areas for rapid investigation and treatment, called Acute Medical Units.
“As well as changing the pattern of admissions, the AMP also includes a National Early Warning Score (NEWS) which will help to monitor the patient’s condition, and trigger a medical response if there is a deterioration. This may lead to the patient being moved to a more appropriate care setting.
“The AMP is aiming to save 500,000 bed days used, which means it will free up much needed bed space. This, together with the Special Delivery Unit, will help to make a serious dent in the problem of overcrowding in our hospitals. The AMP will be introduced in at least 18 hospitals in 2012 and in all other hospitals in 2013.”
“The Minister for Health, James Reilly, is implementing a series of reforms on how our hospitals are run by overhauling clinical programmes. This will deliver greater efficiencies and, crucially, it will lead to better outcomes for patients.
“The Acute Medical Programme (AMP) will radically change the way hospitals deal with patients who come into Emergency Departments. It will improve the experience of sick people by ensuring that they are dealt with through a number of different ‘streams’ into the hospital.
“Four hospitals in the Dublin North East Region will be among the first to benefit from this new programme. The AMP will be rolled out this year in Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan, Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda, Beaumont and Cavan General.
“This will change the way the Emergency Departments are run in these hospitals by improving safety and ease of access, especially for very ill patients. The AMP will stream these patients away from crowded Emergency Departments to purpose-designed areas for rapid investigation and treatment, called Acute Medical Units.
“As well as changing the pattern of admissions, the AMP also includes a National Early Warning Score (NEWS) which will help to monitor the patient’s condition, and trigger a medical response if there is a deterioration. This may lead to the patient being moved to a more appropriate care setting.
“The AMP is aiming to save 500,000 bed days used, which means it will free up much needed bed space. This, together with the Special Delivery Unit, will help to make a serious dent in the problem of overcrowding in our hospitals. The AMP will be introduced in at least 18 hospitals in 2012 and in all other hospitals in 2013.”
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