Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Tuesday) urged people across the North East to vote Yes to continued investment in the upcoming referendum on the Stability Treaty. Deputy Doherty was speaking after An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, launched Fine Gael’s campaign for a Yes vote in the Referendum.
“There has been a huge amount of progress made over the last year in attracting job creating international investors into this country. Foreign Direct Investment is hugely important to Ireland; at least 250,000 people are employed in the sector here both directly and indirectly.
“IDA supported companies account for €19 billion in total spend in the Irish economy. These same companies account for about €115 billion in exports; that’s 70% of our total exports, which are so important in driving our economic recovery.
“There have been a number of hugely positive jobs announcements in recent months, including the 1,000 new jobs created by PayPal in Dundalk. If we want to continue this positive stream of inward investment I believe it is essential that we vote Yes to the Stability Treaty.
“A Yes vote will be a key step in our recovery. It will send out a message of certainty to international investors thinking about creating jobs here. Today, we saw several IT multinationals come out in favour of a Yes vote. They want to invest in a country where there is stability.
“A No vote is a vote for uncertainty, risk and confusion. A Yes vote will create the certainty and stability that investors need. A Yes vote is needed for a working Ireland – an Ireland that manages its finances properly and builds the right environment for job creation.”
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
Anomaly in processing optical benefit must be addressed
Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty has today (Tuesday) called for the system of processing applications for optical benefit to be re-examined immediately.
“I have been contacted by many constituents frustrated at the system currently in place. At the moment, optical benefit applications from Meath, are currently taking nearly seven times longer to process than those of their neighbouring counties. This issue is causing a major headache for both customers and businesses”.
"It makes no sense that we have a system whereby applications from one county are processed faster than in another. In an age of technology, patient convenience and ease of access to these benefits should be improved.
“I believe that this matter requires urgent attention and I intend to write directly to the Minister."
“I have been contacted by many constituents frustrated at the system currently in place. At the moment, optical benefit applications from Meath, are currently taking nearly seven times longer to process than those of their neighbouring counties. This issue is causing a major headache for both customers and businesses”.
"It makes no sense that we have a system whereby applications from one county are processed faster than in another. In an age of technology, patient convenience and ease of access to these benefits should be improved.
“I believe that this matter requires urgent attention and I intend to write directly to the Minister."
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
Oireachtas Committee gains from inspiring discussion with Senator George Mitchell
Senator George Mitchel with Deputy Regina Doherty
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement today heard Senator George Mitchell discuss his role in the Northern Ireland peace process and reflect on the Good Friday Agreement, 14 years on.
In a wide ranging address, Senator Mitchell touched on his current work in the Middle East. He said that as conflict is created and sustained by human beings, it followed that all conflicts could be ended by human beings.
Supplementary Register and Postal Voting
Persons who are eligible to vote but who are not registered as electors still have time to apply for entry on the supplement to the register of electors to be published before polling day and so be able to vote on 31 May 2012. Application forms can be downloaded from http://www.checktheregister.ie/ or can be obtained from City or County Councils. To be eligible for inclusion in the supplement to the register a person must be an Irish citizen, must be 18 years of age by polling day and must be ordinarily resident in the State.
An application for inclusion in the supplement to the Register must be signed by the applicant in the presence of a member of the Garda Síochána from the applicant’s local Garda station who must first be satisfied as to the person’s identity before signing, dating and stamping the form. The Garda may request photographic or other identification. Where the applicant establishes in writing that he is unable to progress the application in this way, the form can be signed by the applicant in the presence of an official of the registration authority who is satisfied as to his or her identity. Again, photographic or other identification may be required. If neither option is viable due to physical illness or physical disability, the application form must be accompanied by a medical certificate. The final date for receipt of completed application forms by the relevant City or County Council is Monday, 14th May 2012.
If a person is eligible to vote by post, or is unable to vote in person due to a physical illness or physical disability and is resident in a hospital, nursing home or similar institution, and they are not on the Postal Voters List or Special Voters List, they can apply for inclusion in the supplement to those lists. Application forms are available from City and County Councils who will advise people of the appropriate arrangements for the completion of the relevant form. Completed forms must be received by the relevant City or Council not later than Wednesday 2nd May 2012.
An application for inclusion in the supplement to the Register must be signed by the applicant in the presence of a member of the Garda Síochána from the applicant’s local Garda station who must first be satisfied as to the person’s identity before signing, dating and stamping the form. The Garda may request photographic or other identification. Where the applicant establishes in writing that he is unable to progress the application in this way, the form can be signed by the applicant in the presence of an official of the registration authority who is satisfied as to his or her identity. Again, photographic or other identification may be required. If neither option is viable due to physical illness or physical disability, the application form must be accompanied by a medical certificate. The final date for receipt of completed application forms by the relevant City or County Council is Monday, 14th May 2012.
If a person is eligible to vote by post, or is unable to vote in person due to a physical illness or physical disability and is resident in a hospital, nursing home or similar institution, and they are not on the Postal Voters List or Special Voters List, they can apply for inclusion in the supplement to those lists. Application forms are available from City and County Councils who will advise people of the appropriate arrangements for the completion of the relevant form. Completed forms must be received by the relevant City or Council not later than Wednesday 2nd May 2012.
Monday, April 30, 2012
European Stability Treaty
You are cordially invited to the Official Launch of the
Joint Meath East/Meath West Constituency Campaign on European Stability Treaty
in
Ardboyne Hotel, Navan
Friday May 4th 2012 @ 8 p.m.
Keynote Speakers include:
John Bruton Chairman I.F.S.C. Ireland
Brendan Butler – I.B.E.C.
Eddie Downey – I.F.A. Deputy President
Tom O Connor – Director Version One Technologies
Regina Doherty – TD, North Leinster Organiser of the Fine Gael Fiscal Pact Campaign
Deirdre Sexton Meath East Constituency Chairperson
Desmond Clancy, Meath West Constituency Chairperson
Public representatives: Mairead McGuinness, MEP Deputies Ray Butler TD, Regina Doherty TD, Damien English TD & Minister Shane McEntee TD, Cllr. John Farrelly, Cllr. Catherine Yore, Cllr. Eugene Cassidy, Cllr. Maria Murphy, Cllr. Gerry O’Connor, Cllr. Ann Dillon-Gallagher, Cllr. Sirena Campbell, Cllr. Jim Holloway, Cllr. Suzanne Jamal, Cllr. Frank McDermott, Cllr William Carey & Cllr. Joe Fox Town Cllrs. Sarah Reilly, Oliver Sweeney, William Bligh, Gerard Reilly & William Fay
Friday, April 27, 2012
Special Olympics Ireland’s annual collection day
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Minister for Justice ,Equality and Defence, Mr Alan Shatter TD, secures Cabinet approval for participation by the Defence Forces in the UN Mission in Syria
The Minister for Defence, Mr Alan Shatter, T.D., has secured Cabinet approval to deploy members of the Permanent Defence Force as unarmed military observers to the new UN mission in Syria. Up to six members of the Permanent Defence Force will be made available to the UN for service with the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS). The new Supervision Mission will monitor a cessation of armed violence “in all its forms by all parties” in Syria. The mission will also monitor the full implementation of the six-point plan recently proposed by Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the League of Arab States, Mr Kofi Annan to bring an end to the crisis in Syria. A UN advance team is already in Syria, and the Government also agreed that Defence Forces personnel could be made available to the UN team should that be required.
Speaking after the Government Meeting, Mr Shatter said “The UN supervision mission will contribute to improving the situation on the ground not only in saving lives but in bringing about reform and political transition in Syria. “ Minister Shatter added that “Participation by the Defence Forces in the UN supervision mission will, once again, reaffirm Ireland’s continued support for the United Nations.”
The UN Security Council has called for the mission to be deployed expeditiously subject to assessment by the UN Secretary- Genereal of relevant developments on the ground, including the consolidation of the cessation of violence. Today’s Government decision clears the way for deployment of Irish personnel subject to the security situation in Syria.
Speaking after the Government Meeting, Mr Shatter said “The UN supervision mission will contribute to improving the situation on the ground not only in saving lives but in bringing about reform and political transition in Syria. “ Minister Shatter added that “Participation by the Defence Forces in the UN supervision mission will, once again, reaffirm Ireland’s continued support for the United Nations.”
The UN Security Council has called for the mission to be deployed expeditiously subject to assessment by the UN Secretary- Genereal of relevant developments on the ground, including the consolidation of the cessation of violence. Today’s Government decision clears the way for deployment of Irish personnel subject to the security situation in Syria.
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.”
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