Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Friday) supported the call for the establishment of a cemeteries regulator, saying it is necessary to ensure the bereaved are not paying over the odds to bury their deceased loved ones. Deputy Doherty was speaking during the Dáil debate on the Cemetery Management Bill 2013.
“Planning a funeral for a loved one can be one of the most challenging, emotionally draining and stressful occasions any of us will face. Bereaved individuals are in a vulnerable state, and I believe the law needs to be strengthened to protect their interests and make sure they are not ripped off due to a lack of competition in the management of cemeteries.
“Currently there are huge variations in the cost of a burial plots in different parts of the country. The increasing commercialisation of the funeral and burial industry has served the industry, rather than the bereaved. In some parts of Dublin, for example, the cost of opening a new grave costs in the region of €4,000, but it can be up to four times higher in other parts of the city. Why the discrepancy?
“The establishment of a cemeteries regulator will make the process fairer and more transparent.
Cemeteries will be awarded licences from the regulator with strict management obligations attached – for example, they must not engage in commercial activities other than interments at their own cemetery.
“The need for a regulator becomes all the more apparent if you consider the situation regarding the Glasnevin Trust, which controls a number of large cemeteries in Dublin. The group has charitable status but engages in commercial activities which ensure it has a monopoly over cemeteries in many parts of the city, and complete control over how much the bereaved are charged.
“Those seeking to bury their loved ones are suffering as a result of the lack of competition in the market. Under the proposed new legislation, cemetery authorities which engage in commercial activities will not be allowed to claim charitable status and the legal structure under which cemeteries operate will be modernised.
“It is my hope that this proposed legislation will make one of the most difficult times in our lives a little easier.”
Friday, June 06, 2014
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Funding Announced For Pyrite Remediation Scheme
Fine Gael TD for Meath East Regina Doherty, has welcomed the announcement of further funding for the pyrite remediation scheme by Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD.
She said: "Today's announcement brings to €20m the amount of funding to be allocated by the Pyrite Resolution Board. People in Ashbourne, Dunshaughlin and Dunboyne have been severely affected by pyrite problems in their homes. The Government is working hard to help these people who have been in limbo for some time.
"For the past year the Government has been working to put in place a funding model for the pyrite remediation scheme, I am delighted that the initial €10 million fund has now been doubled ensuring that the scheme will be well funded into 2015.
"Pyrite is problem that has arisen through no fault of home owners and people have been waiting for a resolution for a very long time.
"The PRB estimates that there are approximately 1,000 dwellings affected by significant pyritic heave across the country. So far 418 homeowners have completed applications with 146 others in the process. Significant progress has been made in tackling this issue but there is more to do."
She said: "Today's announcement brings to €20m the amount of funding to be allocated by the Pyrite Resolution Board. People in Ashbourne, Dunshaughlin and Dunboyne have been severely affected by pyrite problems in their homes. The Government is working hard to help these people who have been in limbo for some time.
"For the past year the Government has been working to put in place a funding model for the pyrite remediation scheme, I am delighted that the initial €10 million fund has now been doubled ensuring that the scheme will be well funded into 2015.
"Pyrite is problem that has arisen through no fault of home owners and people have been waiting for a resolution for a very long time.
"The PRB estimates that there are approximately 1,000 dwellings affected by significant pyritic heave across the country. So far 418 homeowners have completed applications with 146 others in the process. Significant progress has been made in tackling this issue but there is more to do."
Tuesday, May 06, 2014
‘Welcome to Ashbourne’ for the first time in a long time
Fine Gael TD for Meath East Regina Doherty, today (Tuesday) welcomed news from the National Roads Authority that maintenance works are set to take place on the Rath Cross Roundabout and the Nine Mile Stone Roundabout, on either side of Ashbourne.
“Ashbourne is the second largest town in Co. Meath; thousands of people enter and exit every day. It is unfortunate that for many years they have been greeted with run down, unkempt roundabouts that indicate a similarly neglected town, and not the vibrant community that we actually have.
“The roundabouts on the M2 have been in a dilapidated state for some time. Even as far back as 2010, I was part of a team on Meath County Council who introduced the Roundabout Sponsorship Scheme. It was hoped that through this scheme local businesses could sponsor the roundabouts and ensure that they are always kept in supreme condition.
“However, as the roundabouts are part of the NRA road network, it was not within the remit of the Council to allocate funds or to appoint businesses to sponsor under this Scheme. For too long the roundabouts were neglected. After many letters, emails and phone calls to the NRA, I am delighted to announce that our roundabouts are to receive the attention that they need.
“Ashbourne is a great town with a lot to offer. When people arrive the first thing they see should be clean, tidy and attractive. The works on the roundabouts should finally achieve this.”
“Ashbourne is the second largest town in Co. Meath; thousands of people enter and exit every day. It is unfortunate that for many years they have been greeted with run down, unkempt roundabouts that indicate a similarly neglected town, and not the vibrant community that we actually have.
“The roundabouts on the M2 have been in a dilapidated state for some time. Even as far back as 2010, I was part of a team on Meath County Council who introduced the Roundabout Sponsorship Scheme. It was hoped that through this scheme local businesses could sponsor the roundabouts and ensure that they are always kept in supreme condition.
“However, as the roundabouts are part of the NRA road network, it was not within the remit of the Council to allocate funds or to appoint businesses to sponsor under this Scheme. For too long the roundabouts were neglected. After many letters, emails and phone calls to the NRA, I am delighted to announce that our roundabouts are to receive the attention that they need.
“Ashbourne is a great town with a lot to offer. When people arrive the first thing they see should be clean, tidy and attractive. The works on the roundabouts should finally achieve this.”
Thursday, May 01, 2014
Capital Gains Tax Exemptions to provide relief for Meath farmers on foot of changes to Common Agriculture Policy
Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, today (Thursday) welcomed the announcement by Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD that he intends to provide a capital gains tax (CGT) exemption in this year’s Finance Bill.
“The news of CGT exemptions is really positive news for farmers who dispose of their single farm payment entitlements as a result of changes introduced under the new EU Common Agriculture Policy (CAP).
“A technical change made at EU level to the new CAP arrangements for replacing the Single Payment Scheme for farmers with the Basic Payment Scheme, impacts on farmers who let all of their land and has a knock on effect on farm payment entitlements. Due to the changes, farmers in this position will lose their farm payment entitlements and they have been advised by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to sell those entitlements to active farmers. Farmers who take this advice would be subject to CGT.
“The changes to the new CAP would have meant that farmers who lease their land would either lose their farm payment entitlements or they would be forced to sell and be subject to CGT. The Minister for Finance recognised that farmers were unable to prepare for this change and so is making an exemption from CGT available to any chargeable gains arising from the disposal by the owners of payment entitlements under the scheme, where all of those entitlements were leased out in 2013 and where the owners were advised by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to transfer their entitlements.
“Agriculture is a major industry in Co. Meath and farmers in the area should be pleased with this change. The Government is dedicated to supporting and encouraging farmers and in ensuring that economic recovery is felt in all regions and in all sectors. The Minister today has put an end to uncertainty for farmers who are affected.”
“The news of CGT exemptions is really positive news for farmers who dispose of their single farm payment entitlements as a result of changes introduced under the new EU Common Agriculture Policy (CAP).
“A technical change made at EU level to the new CAP arrangements for replacing the Single Payment Scheme for farmers with the Basic Payment Scheme, impacts on farmers who let all of their land and has a knock on effect on farm payment entitlements. Due to the changes, farmers in this position will lose their farm payment entitlements and they have been advised by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to sell those entitlements to active farmers. Farmers who take this advice would be subject to CGT.
“The changes to the new CAP would have meant that farmers who lease their land would either lose their farm payment entitlements or they would be forced to sell and be subject to CGT. The Minister for Finance recognised that farmers were unable to prepare for this change and so is making an exemption from CGT available to any chargeable gains arising from the disposal by the owners of payment entitlements under the scheme, where all of those entitlements were leased out in 2013 and where the owners were advised by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to transfer their entitlements.
“Agriculture is a major industry in Co. Meath and farmers in the area should be pleased with this change. The Government is dedicated to supporting and encouraging farmers and in ensuring that economic recovery is felt in all regions and in all sectors. The Minister today has put an end to uncertainty for farmers who are affected.”
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
FF is wrong on the Children First Bill – Doherty
Sanctions included in suite of legislation aimed at strengthening child protection
Fine Gael Meath East TD and member of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, Regina Doherty, has today (Tuesday) criticised Fianna Fáil’s response to the publication of the Children First Bill, adding that the Party is wrong when it claims that no sanctions are in place for those who fail to report children at risk.
“It has become entirely predicable for Fianna Fáil to give a negative kneejerk reaction to any legislation published by the Government, regardless of its merit. The Children First Bill will, for the first time, place the Children First Guidelines on a statutory footing.
“This was recommended in the Ryan Report in 2009, while Fianna Fáil were in government, but the Party did nothing to implement it. Fianna Fáil has a poor record on child protection; an area which was neglected during its 14 consecutive years in power, despite a litany of reports detailing shocking instances of abuse.
“Fianna Fáil is wrong when it claims that there are no sanctions for those who fail to report child abuse concerns. The Children First Bill is just one element of a suite of legislation which includes serious sanctions for those who withhold information about a child at risk.
“The Children First Bill should be viewed in tandem with the Withholding of Information Act and the National Vetting Bureau Bill. Under these three pieces of legislation individuals can be sanctioned or prosecuted if they are found to have put a child at risk by not reporting suspected abuse.
“The Children First Implementation structures, which will be put on a statutory footing through this Bill, will pave the way for further sanctions that include the withdrawal of funding from state-funded organisations which are not in compliance with Children First.
“Fianna Fáil failed to act while it was in government to strengthen protections for children at risk. It didn’t treat child protection as a priority, leading to fragmented services and an inconsistent approach.
“The series of measures put in place by this Government, under the stewardship of the Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald TD, is transforming the way we deliver child protection services in this country and will, I believe, make Ireland a safer place for children.”
“It has become entirely predicable for Fianna Fáil to give a negative kneejerk reaction to any legislation published by the Government, regardless of its merit. The Children First Bill will, for the first time, place the Children First Guidelines on a statutory footing.
“This was recommended in the Ryan Report in 2009, while Fianna Fáil were in government, but the Party did nothing to implement it. Fianna Fáil has a poor record on child protection; an area which was neglected during its 14 consecutive years in power, despite a litany of reports detailing shocking instances of abuse.
“Fianna Fáil is wrong when it claims that there are no sanctions for those who fail to report child abuse concerns. The Children First Bill is just one element of a suite of legislation which includes serious sanctions for those who withhold information about a child at risk.
“The Children First Bill should be viewed in tandem with the Withholding of Information Act and the National Vetting Bureau Bill. Under these three pieces of legislation individuals can be sanctioned or prosecuted if they are found to have put a child at risk by not reporting suspected abuse.
“The Children First Implementation structures, which will be put on a statutory footing through this Bill, will pave the way for further sanctions that include the withdrawal of funding from state-funded organisations which are not in compliance with Children First.
“Fianna Fáil failed to act while it was in government to strengthen protections for children at risk. It didn’t treat child protection as a priority, leading to fragmented services and an inconsistent approach.
“The series of measures put in place by this Government, under the stewardship of the Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald TD, is transforming the way we deliver child protection services in this country and will, I believe, make Ireland a safer place for children.”
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Legal letters from banks cannot be considered a ‘sustainable solution’
Fine Gael Meath East TD and member of the Oireachtas Finance Committee, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) called on the Central Bank to clearly redefine what it considers a ‘sustainable solution’ in terms of mortgage arrears. Deputy Doherty was speaking after representatives from Bank of Ireland appeared before the Finance Committee this morning.
“I have been less than impressed with the presentations given to the Finance Committee by the main banks in recent days, but comments from Bank of Ireland this morning were particularly disappointing. Serious flaws in how the banks are dealing with their customers in mortgage arrears have been revealed.
“It is not acceptable for banks to issue a legal letter to a distressed mortgage holder, and for that to be considered a ‘sustainable solution’. The banks are using these letters – which are being issued in their thousands – to claim that they are meeting the mortgage restructuring targets as set down by the Central Bank.
“The Central Bank needs to push the banks much harder on this issue. It must clearly redefine what it considers a ‘sustainable solution’. Otherwise the banks will continue to try to hoodwink us with claims that they are doing their best to accommodate homeowners in mortgage arrears.
“To put it plainly, none of the banks would be able to claim that they are meeting the Central Bank targets were it not for these legal letters, which do nothing to help those in arrears find a long term solution for their mortgage.
“I was appalled by the approach of Bank of Ireland at the Committee earlier, when its executives stated that the bank will not consider writing off any debt if there is security behind the loan. They claim they are engaging with the Personal Insolvency Service, yet they will veto every case involved a Bank of Ireland loan.
“The Bank of Ireland representatives not only showed contempt for the Committee, but also for its customers, for whom they are doing very little to help.
“The Governor of the Central Bank is due before the Committee this week, and I look forward to speaking with him about how the banks need to be tackled on how they are dealing with mortgage arrears.”
“I have been less than impressed with the presentations given to the Finance Committee by the main banks in recent days, but comments from Bank of Ireland this morning were particularly disappointing. Serious flaws in how the banks are dealing with their customers in mortgage arrears have been revealed.
“It is not acceptable for banks to issue a legal letter to a distressed mortgage holder, and for that to be considered a ‘sustainable solution’. The banks are using these letters – which are being issued in their thousands – to claim that they are meeting the mortgage restructuring targets as set down by the Central Bank.
“The Central Bank needs to push the banks much harder on this issue. It must clearly redefine what it considers a ‘sustainable solution’. Otherwise the banks will continue to try to hoodwink us with claims that they are doing their best to accommodate homeowners in mortgage arrears.
“To put it plainly, none of the banks would be able to claim that they are meeting the Central Bank targets were it not for these legal letters, which do nothing to help those in arrears find a long term solution for their mortgage.
“I was appalled by the approach of Bank of Ireland at the Committee earlier, when its executives stated that the bank will not consider writing off any debt if there is security behind the loan. They claim they are engaging with the Personal Insolvency Service, yet they will veto every case involved a Bank of Ireland loan.
“The Bank of Ireland representatives not only showed contempt for the Committee, but also for its customers, for whom they are doing very little to help.
“The Governor of the Central Bank is due before the Committee this week, and I look forward to speaking with him about how the banks need to be tackled on how they are dealing with mortgage arrears.”
Friday, April 04, 2014
Doherty raises concerns about future of Climber Hall with the HSE
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) said that she has held discussions with the Health Service Executive (HSE) about the future of Climber Hall in Kells. Deputy Doherty raised concerns about the facility earlier this week after it was suggested that it may have to close to allow for the local reconfiguration of mental health services.
“I was extremely worried by suggestions made earlier this week that Climber Hall could be forced to close due to plans for the reconfiguration of local mental health services in Louth and Meath. The Kells facility provides a fantastic day service to about 40 people. Its closure would have a devastating impact on those who use the service.
“I have raised the issue in person and in writing with Dermot Monaghan, the HSE’s Area Manager in Louth/Meath, and Stephen Mulvany, the HSE’s Director of Mental Health Services.
“The HSE has confirmed to me that there are no immediate plans to close Climber Hall, but more importantly, the Executive has stated that no decisions will be taken without full consultation with service users.
“Crucially, the HSE says that no service will be removed without being replaced by a comparable service within the community. The HSE has also given a commitment that no patient will lose services.
“Existing services will continue to be provided while consultation on the reorganisation of community-based services is carried out. I am urging patients, their families and health care workers to make their views heard, so we can make it clear that this vital mental health day care service must be maintained.”
“I was extremely worried by suggestions made earlier this week that Climber Hall could be forced to close due to plans for the reconfiguration of local mental health services in Louth and Meath. The Kells facility provides a fantastic day service to about 40 people. Its closure would have a devastating impact on those who use the service.
“I have raised the issue in person and in writing with Dermot Monaghan, the HSE’s Area Manager in Louth/Meath, and Stephen Mulvany, the HSE’s Director of Mental Health Services.
“The HSE has confirmed to me that there are no immediate plans to close Climber Hall, but more importantly, the Executive has stated that no decisions will be taken without full consultation with service users.
“Crucially, the HSE says that no service will be removed without being replaced by a comparable service within the community. The HSE has also given a commitment that no patient will lose services.
“Existing services will continue to be provided while consultation on the reorganisation of community-based services is carried out. I am urging patients, their families and health care workers to make their views heard, so we can make it clear that this vital mental health day care service must be maintained.”
Wednesday, April 02, 2014
Where is Fianna Fáil’s health policy?
FF Spokesperson criticises UHI, but the Party has no policy of its own
Fine Gael Meath East TD and member of the Oireachtas Health Committee, Regina Doherty, has today (Wednesday) said Fianna Fail's attacks on the Government's White Paper on Universal Health Insurance (UHI) exposes the Party’s complete lack of a policy on health.
"After years of outsourcing health policy to the PDs, Fianna Fáil went into the last General Election with a manifesto that didn't even have a health section.
"Not much has changed in the meantime. In April 2013, Micheál Martin published a policy guide promising a detailed document on how the health system should work at a later stage. That detailed document still hasn’t materialised.
"Any claim that Fianna Fáil has published a document on health needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. The Party published a paper authored by Brian Turner, with the following disclaimer: 'The views expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the School of Economics, University College Cork or Fianna Fáil.'
“Despite the fact that Micheál Martin is a former Minister for Health, his Party seems incapable of coming up with any health policies. This perhaps isn’t surprising given his disastrous stewardship of the health service and his establishment of the HSE. A couple of weeks ago, the HSE Chief Executive Tony O'Brien described the way in which the HSE was set up in 2004 as being 'like a high speed car crash'. Yet Fianna Fáil wants to stick with this failed system rather than making radical changes.
"No wonder all FF do is criticise. The Party doesn’t have the credibility, or the policies, to say anything else on health."
Fine Gael Meath East TD and member of the Oireachtas Health Committee, Regina Doherty, has today (Wednesday) said Fianna Fail's attacks on the Government's White Paper on Universal Health Insurance (UHI) exposes the Party’s complete lack of a policy on health.
"After years of outsourcing health policy to the PDs, Fianna Fáil went into the last General Election with a manifesto that didn't even have a health section.
"Not much has changed in the meantime. In April 2013, Micheál Martin published a policy guide promising a detailed document on how the health system should work at a later stage. That detailed document still hasn’t materialised.
"Any claim that Fianna Fáil has published a document on health needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. The Party published a paper authored by Brian Turner, with the following disclaimer: 'The views expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the School of Economics, University College Cork or Fianna Fáil.'
“Despite the fact that Micheál Martin is a former Minister for Health, his Party seems incapable of coming up with any health policies. This perhaps isn’t surprising given his disastrous stewardship of the health service and his establishment of the HSE. A couple of weeks ago, the HSE Chief Executive Tony O'Brien described the way in which the HSE was set up in 2004 as being 'like a high speed car crash'. Yet Fianna Fáil wants to stick with this failed system rather than making radical changes.
"No wonder all FF do is criticise. The Party doesn’t have the credibility, or the policies, to say anything else on health."
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Doherty calls for lower charges for homeowners with hard water
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has written to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), urging it to take issues such as hard water into account when it sets rates for water charges, which are due to be introduced at the end of this year. Deputy Doherty also raised the issue in a Parliamentary Question to the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan TD.
“Meath has a significant hard water problem, which has an impact on pipes, kettles, irons and washing machines. If scale builds up on heating elements it can shorten the life span of expensive home appliances.
“Rather than just being an inconvenience, hard water has a financial impact on homeowners, not only because appliances need to be replaced earlier than normal, but also because it requires the purchase of water softeners, descaling devices and water filters.
“This problem has been acknowledged by Meath County Council, which has issued a leaflet to homes offering advice on how to deal with hard water.
“I have written to the Chairperson of the CER, Dermot Nolan, asking him to enforce regulations which will ensure that the pricing structure agreed for Irish Water will take heed of issues such as hard water. I believe that slightly lower tariffs should be agreed for homeowners dealing with hard water. I have also raised the matter with Minister Hogan.
“I look forward to hearing back from the CER and Minister Hogan in relation to this matter.”
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Doherty welcomes commitment from Minister Hayes of €350k investment in heritage sites
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Wednesday) welcomed a commitment from the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Brian Hayes, that €348,000 is to be reinvested in heritage sites. Minister Hayes made his comments at a meeting of the Select Sub Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform.
“This money was generated by Heritage Services last year, but rather than allow it to be swallowed up in the OPW’s general budget, Minister Hayes has promised that it will be invested back into heritage sites in 2014, which is a very welcome commitment.
“The investment of this €348,000 will create a strong incentive to increase activity at heritage sites and improve business opportunities for locations around the country. With regards to my own constituency, I raised the issue of the visitor centre at the Hill of Tara directly with the Minister.
“The Tara visitor centre is closed more weeks than it is open due to staffing problems, and I am pleased to have received a commitment from the Minister that he will look at the situation in a bid to ensure that it could be open year round. The opportunity to improve access to Tara must be taken now, at a time when an increased national investment is being made in heritage sites.
“I also raised the prospect of private sector involvement in heritage sites, which I believe could pump some life back into some of the struggling sites across Meath. Minister Hayes was open to the idea, and I intend to pursue this matter with him further.
“The Minister also confirmed at the Finance Committee that after an absence of a number of years, the OPW is to reintroduce its apprenticeship programme. This will result in 20 places being offered on the apprenticeship programme in areas such as stonemasonry and craft carpentry.”
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