Mullingar Town Council Motions Update



 

Posted by Cllr Ken Glynn

 

Questions from Mullingar Town Council Meeting:

2.5 Cllr.Glynn: To ask Westmeath County Council to provide litter bins in Raithin, in the vicinity of the main green area.

Reply: Mullingar Area Office does not provide litter bins in housing estates.

As a result of me raising this Council has assured me that they will support in any way litter prevention in any residential area in consultation with resident associations.

2.6 Cllr.Glynn: To ask Westmeath County Council what contact it has made with residents in Belvedere Hills and Rathgowan Wood regarding the taking in charge of these estates.

Reply: The taking in charge process commenced for these estates in April 2012 and the Council’s Legal & Enforcement section have written to Residents Associations where details are known.

I received commitment that every house in these areas would be leaflet drop explaining the process,I will not accept anything less and until this happens process is not going anywhere.

2.7 Cllr.Glynn: To ask Westmeath County Council to fully reinstate and enhance the entrance to Ardleigh Crescent, to the satisfaction of the local residents, following the works which were recently carried out.

Reply: Works have been completed.

Council are to carry out additional works at my request on behalf of the residents association.

2.8 Cllr.Glynn: To ask Westmeath County Council to immediately bring forward plans to replace the stone wall in Ardleigh Vale, which has proved easy to damage and has been unsuccessful as a boundary wall.

Reply: This wall forms a common boundary with Ardleigh Vale and Woodlands. Mullingar Area Office is following up on this matter and will be seeking the assistance of the residents in Woodlands before any works are agreed. A temporary fence has been erected where the wall has been damaged. A funding source for repairs is required.

This issue is ongoing and I am in daily contact with Council trying to have this matter resolved.

 

Bord Pleanala decision due

Cllr Aengus O'Rourke

 

 

 

Posted by Cllr Aengus O'Rourke

Over the coming days An Bord Pleanala is expected to announce their decision in respect of the Chinese International Trading Hub in Athlone. This project is so ambitious and offers so much employment potential that it could transform Athlone over the years ahead.

 

 In my view it presents one of the most exciting and dynamic employment opportunities anywhere in Ireland. If the Bord give this project the thumbs up, I think we will see progress, perhaps smaller than originally envisaged, none the less it has the potential to be a key driver of this regions economy for decades to come. Read the piece in todays Irish Times: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0430/1224315362508.html

 

Speech by Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin at the Annual Fianna Fáil 1916 Commemoration Arbour Hill

 

 

 

 

Posted on 29/04/12 by Micheál Martin


A Theachtaí Dála;
A Sheanadóirí;
A Chomhairleoirí;
A Mhuintir Fhianna Fáil;
Is mór an phribhléid dom a bheith anseo inniu i gCnoc an Arbhair chun comóradh a dhéanamh ar laochra stair na hÉireann atá curtha sa chré anseo.
Tá an Páirtí seo fíor-bhródúil riamh as fir agus mná Sheachtain na Cásca.
Bhí a gcrógacht agus a n-íobairt riachtanach i mbaint amach saoirse náisiúnta na tíre seo.
Agus dóibh siúd a shínigh an Forógra – An Piarsach, Ó Cléirigh, Ó Conghaile, An Pluincéadach, Mac Donnchadha, Mac Diarmada agus Ceannt – ba dhaoine agus ba cheannairí iad le fís agus le honóir.
An bhrionglóid a bhí acu ná síocháin agus rathúnas a bhaint amach do mhuintir na hÉireann.
Throid siad ar son neamhspléachas na hÉireann, chun poblacht chóir a bhunú, chun poblacht chothrom a bhunú agus chun poblacht dhaonlathach a bhunú.
Is iad na cuspóirí seo ár gcuspóirí, agus is iad an chúis a bhfuil Fianna Fáil ar an bhfód.
Exactly 96 years ago today, on 29^th April 1916, the Commander-in-Chief of the Forces of the Irish Republic and President of the Provisional Government, P.H. Pearse issued the following statement.
“In order to prevent the further slaughter of Dublin citizens, and in hope of saving the lives of our followers now surrounded and hopelessly outnumbered, the members of the Provisional Government present at Headquarters have agreed to an unconditional surrender.”
Pearse’s order brought to an end a Rising that was one of the most noble and courageous events in Irish history.
It was also one of the most visionary.
The heroes of Easter Week set this country on course for independent statehood.
They also bequeathed us a noble political philosophy and the Proclamation we have just heard encompasses the republican ideal which this Party exists to vindicate.
The leaders of the Rising were patriots of honour and integrity who were prepared to sacrifice everything so that the Irish people could be free.
The essential nobility of the leaders of 1916 was captured by a contemporary witness, Fr. Augustine, a Capuchin Friar based in Church St, a short distance from this place.
Following Pearse’s order, Fr. Augustine, with an awakening sense of national pride, watched as the Irish Volunteers of the South Dublin Garrison, led by Eamonn Ceannt, who is buried here, surrendered their arms. Fr. Augustine wrote:
“The whole column marched splendidly with guns slung from their left shoulders and their hands swinging freely at their sides. They wore no look of defeat, but rather of victory. It seemed as if they had come out to celebrate a triumph and were marching to receive a decoration. Ceannt was in the middle of the front row with one man on either side. But my eyes were riveted on him so tall was his form, so noble his bearing, and so manly his stride. He was indeed the worthy captain of a brave band who had fought a clean fight for Ireland.”
Being seen to have fought a clean fight was important to the men and women of 1916.
They wanted to win Irish self-determination with integrity and honour.
The Easter Proclamation states that anyone who serves the cause of an Irish Republic should not “dishonor it by cowardice, inhumanity, or rapine.”
I ruefully thought about the betrayal of that noble phrase earlier this week when I heard the name of Columba McVeigh on the news.
Columba McVeigh’s name is not a stand-out name in Irish history, but it should be.
It is a name that deserves to be mentioned at this hallowed ground.
Columba McVeigh was only a teenager in 1975 when he was abducted, murdered and then hidden by the Provisional IRA.
His body has never been found and this week, 37 years on from his murder, the search for his mortal remains is ongoing.
Columba’s elderly mother died in 2007 never having had the opportunity to give her son a Christian burial.
As true republicans, I think it is important for us today to express our solidarity with the family of Columba McVeigh and the families of all the other disappeared.
While the case of the Disappeared is deservedly well known and well supported, it is also just the tip of the iceberg in terms of Provisional IRA barbarity. Just today for example, 29^th April, there are seven families mourning the anniversary of a loved one cut down in their prime by thugs claiming a link to the patriots buried here.
The case of one of them sums up well why we reject that link. On this day in 1984, Thomas McGeary a 48 year old father of seven left his home to go and feed his cattle. On his way back from the farm, a booby trap bomb in his car exploded, killing him instantly.
It was the work of the IRA, but they wouldn’t put their name to it. Instead, they used an ‘Irish Freedom Fighters’ cover. Then, having killed him, and to add insult to injury, they spread a false and evil rumour in his community that he was a collaborator.
That’s how the Provisional movement did its business.
It is incorrect and historically dishonest to equate in any way the heroes who fought for Irish freedom in 1916 and in the subsequent War of Independence with the actions of the Provisional IRA.
The terrorist campaign that was waged in the North was not a clean fight.
It was dirty and nasty.
It cost thousands of lives and did untold damage.
It was unequivocally wrong.
And no amount of new historical revisionism, willful amnesia or media indifference can alter that fact.
I am glad that Sinn Féin seems to have, at last, recognised that the Irish people will make their decisions based solely on the ballot box and not the armalite.
But it took them too long to realize this and it caused immense human suffering.
In contrast, we in this true republican movement can be proud of the role Fianna Fáil played in espousing peace and unity.
This party helped to break new ground in terms of the Good Friday Agreement, the St. Andrews Agreement, the Hillsborough Agreement and all the positives that have flown from these landmark political negotiations.
It is the job of this generation of Fianna Fáil activists to build on that constructive work for unity island-wide.
As the centenary of the Easter Rising fast approaches, I believe we should never forget that, in the Proclamation, the leaders of 1916 envisaged the powers of Government being exercised for the benefit of the common good.
It is a lesson that the current Government would do well to reflect on.
The cuts that the Minister for Health is presiding over in regard to the care of the elderly are the antithesis of the common good.
The closure of public nursing home beds, combined with the reduction in funding to regional hospitals and for home-helps, is the cause of immense stress and worry for older people right across the country.
It amounts to a privatization of care for the elderly.
This is not good Government.
It constitutes an assault on a very necessary public service.
And it is not a proper way to treat our senior citizens.
We, in Fianna Fáil, of course, recognize that in the midst of a major economic crisis savings have to be found and that austerity is not easy.
But that is no excuse to lose sight of social justice which should always remain at the core of politics in a democratic Republic.
We all want to see Ireland emerge from this fiscal crisis as quickly and as unscarred as possible, but this won’t happen without fairness and compassion.
Protecting education for all our citizens particularly for people from disadvantaged backgrounds is a core value for Fianna Fáil.
James Connolly, in his day, used to say that Ireland meant nothing to him without its people.
Sadly the regressive approach of this Government has been budget cuts first, vulnerable people a distant second.
And that is not a political claim, it’s a simple fact.
The ESRI and others have confirmed that the Fine Gael/Labour Budget fell hardest on families who could afford it least.
At this difficult time, when so many Irish people are grappling with the painful effects of this recession, it is important that Fianna Fáil is a sane and sensible republican voice for those struggling most in our communities.
We are holding the Government to account .We do not want the brunt of cut-backs to be placed on the poorest people and the most vulnerable groups.
The whole purpose of a strong economic policy should be about having the resources to improve people’s quality of life and to create a fairer Ireland.
It should not be about restoring growth for growth’s sake or satisfying academic economists.
The focus should be on helping people first and last.
Fixing the economy should be seen as complimentary to the guarantee of “equal rights and equal opportunities” which the Proclamation envisaged for every single citizen.
And what this essentially means is using the wealth of this State to ensure that every Irish child is given the chance to succeed in life free from social and economic impediment.
The callous cuts of this Government – especially in targeting Special Needs Assistants, in hitting Family Income Supplement and in their disgraceful assault on the disability sector at the last Budget – undermine social solidarity.
These cuts and many more like them are divisive.
They favour those who have the most.
They disenfranchise those most in need of society’s help.
And they mean that this Government’s approach can never underpin a workable and lasting economic recovery.

Fianna Fáil has affordable policies which can make the recovery faster, fairer and more secure.
We’ve published a detailed proposal that would generate €5.6 billion for job-creating investments.
We have also published a series of measures to protect family homes and prevent repossessions.
Our Debt Settlement Office would secure binding agreements between homeowners and banks, reducing the debts of those under most pressure, to sustainable levels.
And as a fundamental principle of fairness, we believe those who earn most should contribute the most to government revenues.
Is bun-aidhm é dúinn i bhFianna Fáil labhairt na Gaeilge a leathnú agus a athbheochan. Tá an cuspóir seo leagtha amach go soiléir i gCorú Fhianna Fáil.
Ag teacht leis an gcuspóir sin, is cúis mhór bróid dom a fhógairt daoibh inniu go bhfuil dul chun cinn suntasach déanta againn i leith athbheochana na Gaeilge.
Sa daonáireamh a foilsíodh an mhí seo caite, bhí méadú do 7.1% le feiceáil ar líon na gcainteoirí Gaeilge sa tír seo. Chomh maith leis sin, tá méadú tagtha ar líon na ndaoine sa Ghaeltacht atá ag labhairt ár dteanga dhúchais.
Is toradh dearfach é an méadú seo ar pholasaithe Fhianna Fáil i Rialtas, agus tugann sé dóchas dúinn ar fad a bhfuil grá againn don teanga.
Anseo i gCnoc an Arbhair tá mé sásta a gheallúint go mbeidh an Ghaeilge mar chuid lárnach d’obair athnuachana an Pháirtí sna blianta amach romhainn.
Ritheadh rún ag an Ard Fheis go mba cheart Coiste Gaeilge a bhunú ar bhonn náisiúnta chun úsáid na Gaeilge a chur chun cinn i ngach gné d’obair an pháirtí.
Tá sé beartaithe agam an coiste seo a bhunú láithreach bonn chun é seo a bhaint amach. Is é an Seanadóir Labhrás Ó Murchú a bheidh mar Chathaoirleach ar an gCoiste nua seo.
It was Sean Lemass who had served as an adjutant to Padraig Pearse in the GPO in Easter week, who proposed Ireland’s European membership.
At the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis, fifty years ago in 1962, Lemass told delegates that the alternative to joining would be that “Ireland would be an isolated unit on the fringe of a dynamic European confederation.”
The last thing Ireland needs to do today is to retreat to the fringes of Europe.
The European Union will be at the heart of Ireland’s recovery.
And the upcoming Stability Treaty referendum is vital to Ireland’s future prospects.
That is why Fianna Fáil will be vigorously campaigning for a Yes vote.
This fiscal crisis has been a crisis of globalization.
It has transcended borders and many other nations, not just Ireland, are facing unprecedented pressures in controlling budgets and raising the money to fund public services.
A crisis of this massive scale requires collaboration, co-operation and a joined up approach to achieving solutions amongst the countries of Europe.
Many of the problems we face are shared by other countries.
It makes sense therefore that the best way to tackle them is for countries to work together.
That essentially is what the new EU Stability Treaty is about.
This Treaty reinforces the rules to make sure that budgets are better controlled so that major debt is avoided.
In return for agreeing these controls countries will find it easier to raise money to fund public services.
This Treaty is not the solution to all our economic problems but it is an important step forward to restoring confidence, growth and creating jobs.
It provides a more secure future for our country.
That is why all the people who create enterprise and employment are urging a Yes vote and it was why Fianna Fáil will be working hard to see this Treaty accepted.
In conclusion, I want to say I know that the past year has been a very difficult one for the membership of this party. However, we should not allow our critics to use this to besmirch a long and honourable republican tradition.
We, in Fianna Fáil, can be proud of so many people who have gone before us in this party and who served the Irish people with honesty and decency and who devoted themselves to public service.
The founders of this Party were people of great integrity and many of them had fought for Ireland in Easter Week.
We should never forget that they founded this party because they cared about their communities and because they wanted to see the people of this country shape their own destiny and prosper.
And even after many years of hardship and defeat in the Civil War, they remained staunchly committed to the egalitarian and democratic objectives of the 1916 Rising.
At the very first Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis, the party’s first Honorary Secretary Gerry Boland, who had fought in Jacob’s factory under the command of Thomas MacDonagh, explained to delegates that the name Fianna Fáil had been chosen “to convey…. the idea of an association of citizens, banded together for the purpose of rendering voluntary service to their communities and the Irish nation.”
That is the type of party we are working every day to renew and rebuild. That is the party I am asking people in communities across this nation to join and be part of.
A party of voluntary service, a party where citizens come together on an equal basis and a party which is solely about serving the community and Ireland.
A party passionately that believes in a united Ireland, in making education a priority and promoting the balanced development of both urban and rural communities.
And a party that understands that between left wing and right wing ideology there is a more credible middle way, which sees social and economic progress as inter-related.
That to me defines the republicanism which goes to this party’s core.
The past year has been an exceptionally difficult year for Fianna Fáil following the general election and the findings in the Mahon Report. There is no doubt that there had been a high tolerance of unacceptable behavior which aided and abetted the practices exposed by the Tribunal. I firmly believe that the tough laws introduced since 1997 by successive Fianna Fáil governments have completely changed this. As leader I have no intention of seeking to avoid accountability for my party and those who hold office as Fianna Fáil representatives. It is important that other political parties do the same so that there is no room for hypocrisy or double standards.
I want to thank members for their commitment over the past year and for their work towards the twin objectives of restoring Ireland’s prosperity and rebuilding Fianna Fáil. . I believe if we can continue in our united efforts, with a spirit of resilience and resolve we will succeed in these important political tasks.
Thank you.

Two Motions of Importance for next month's Mullingar Area Committee Council Meeting

 

 

 

 

 

Cllr Ken Glynn

 

 

Posted by Cllr Ken Glynn

28/04/2012

I have placed the following two notice of motions on next months Mullingar Area Committee Council meeting.

That Westmeath County Council would bring forward plans for the long overdue provision of a skate park in Mullingar, which was first raised a number of years ago but without any progress.

Call on Westmeath County Council to take a leadership role in bringing the provision of a Youth Cafe to Mullingar.

Both these projects would have such a positive effect within our community and also improve facilities for all our young people.I am urging Westmeath County Council to take a leadership role on both projects as well as seeks expressions of interest within the community to find a way to provide these essential facilities.I am determined to make both these projects a reality and hope that my fellow public representatives will support my motions and make them happen.

Campaign continues for two hour parking in Mullingar

Cllr Ken Glynn

Posted by Cllr Ken Glynn.

27/04/2012

As I have indicated in the past I have again placed a joint notice of motion with Cllr.Davitt on the next of agenda Of Mullingar Area Committee to formally start the process of changing the current on street parking arrangements from one hour maximum to two hour maximum.

 

This will allow customers to get their business done without watching the clock and also hopefully help local businesses in these... difficult times. The Council will lose no revenue as the hourly charge will still remain but the key message is that six of the nine Councillors must support this measure so it is key that anybody who has a opinion on this proposal to express their opinions to their local Councillor and ensure that we help our town move forward particularly after the devastating closure of Columb Barracks.

Some of the terms in the upcoming Stability Treaty Referendum explained

Posted by Westmeath Fianna Fail

The following “jargon buster” aims to help you with some technical terms or acronyms you will read and hear about in connection with the Stability Treaty.

Balanced Budget Rule (sometimes called "Golden Rule") – this rule is set out in Article 3 of the Treaty and ensures that - balanced out in good times and bad taken together – your government doesn’t spend more than it can raise in taxes.



Enhanced co-operation – under the EU Treaties, a group of member states can voluntarily choose to co-operate more closely together on a specific matter, subject to certain conditions and safeguards.



ESM –The European Stability Mechanism is the new financial rescue fund which will eventually replace the EFSF (an earlier fund from which Ireland currently receives funding). The ESM is set up by an inter-governmental treaty that is expected to enter into force in July 2012.

The ESM and the Stability Treaty are both elements in the strategy to overcome the public debt crisis in the eurozone. They are linked as ESM funding will only be made available to countries which ratify the Stability Treaty.

Legislation to allow Ireland to ratify the ESM is to be considered by the Oireachtas before its planned entry into force in July 2012. The ESM Treaty will enter into force once it is ratified by countries who contribute 90% of the initial proposed funding (Ireland is to contribute just under 1.6% of ESM funding)



Euro Plus Pact – this is an agreement reached in Spring 2011 by the 17 member states of the euro area, joined by Bulgaria, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania. Under the Pact, these countries made specific commitments to foster competitiveness and employment, enhance the sustainability of public finances, reinforce financial stability and to discuss tax policy issues.



Excessive deficit - when a country has too large a gap between its income and its spending. Under existing EU rules (the Stability and Growth Pact, see below), where this emerges a country will enter an “excessive deficit procedure”. Recommendations are made as to how the excessive deficit can be remedied and there is also an ultimate possibility of sanctions. One major criticism of the Stability and Growth Pact has been that enforcement of these rules by the EU has been too weak. The Stability Treaty is designed to ensure a level-playing field by ensuring that all countries have mechanisms in their national law to correct such imbalances – Article 3(2). The Stability Treaty also introduces more effective monitoring at the EU level - Article 5.



Medium Term Objective (MTO) = target for the balanced budget rule as set out in the Treaty. Taking account of country-specific issues the Commission will bring forward a timeframe for countries to meet their targets



QMV – qualified majority voting is the way in which decisions are taken in most areas of EU policy (unanimity and simple majority are used to a lesser extent). Each member state has a number of votes weighted according to a scale which groups together Member States of similar population size. To be adopted, a proposal needs a certain majority of member states to vote for it.



Reverse QMV – reverse qualified majority voting means that a proposal is adopted unless a qualified majority of member states vote against it. There is an example under Article 7 of the Stability Treaty - countries who use the euro commit to support recommendations by the Commission under the excessive deficit procedure (see above) unless it is established that a qualified majority of those countries who use the euro are opposed.



“Six-Pack” – Much of what is contained in the Stability Treaty is already in EU law. One of the early steps taken by Ireland and its European partners in response to the crisis was to agree on a package of six pieces of legislation on economic governance. These measures strengthened the existing rules on how governments manage their debts and introduced a new system which will warn against any future economic shocks. They entered into effect on 13 December 2011 and are commonly known as the “six-pack”.



Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) – the Stability and Growth Pact is a set of rules on the coordination of economic policy first agreed in Dublin in 1996 to underpin the euro. It has been updated a number of times since then, most recently by the “six-pack” of legislation on economic governance (see above). The key criteria remain that all countries in the Eurozone should aim to:

keep their annual budget deficit below 3% of GDPkeep total public debt below 60% of GDP

The Stability Treaty builds further on these rules.



Stability Treaty – the short-hand title for the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Growth in the Economic and Monetary Union” signed by the Taoiseach and 24 other Heads of State and Government in Brussels on 2 March 2012.

Structural balance– the structural balance is what the public finances would look like if you were to exclude variations resulting from a country’s economic cycle – that is if the ups and downs that inevitably occur from year to year are smoothed out.



“Two-Pack” – Following agreement on the “six-pack” legislation on economic governance (see above), two additional pieces of legislation were proposed to further strengthen monitoring and surveillance. The measures are still the subject of negotiations in Brussels.

Robert Troy TD questions Minister for Education over School Cuts due in September.



Posted by Robert Troy TD

Longford-Westmeath Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy has been told “there is no scope” to revisit cuts that will hit schools from September

24 April 2012

Deputy Troy raised the issue of changes to the pupil-teacher ratio on ‘Topical Issues’ in the Dáil, stating that it will have a significant impact on schools for the next school year and is worrying many parents.

Deputy Troy told the Dáil: ‘The cut to the pupil-teacher ratio is a cut to front-line services which will predominantly affect small rural schools, schools of minority faith and Gaelscoileanna.’
The deadline has now passed for appeals to be made by small schools that face losing a teacher and having to cope with increased class sizes in September 2012.

Deputy Troy said: ‘Why has the Minister [for Education] put forward these proposals before he has consulted the value-for-money review which so many schools, boards of management and so on, lodged in March 2011? These reviews allowed teaching staff and boards of management to highlight where the necessary savings could be made.’

‘My local school is Ballynacargy national school, which faces losing a teacher in September due to a decrease in the number of pupils by one. There are excellent teaching staff in the school. Huge resources have been pumped in through the Department’s summer works programme over the last few years, and also through local fund raising. It is a fabulous school and it risks losing one teacher for one pupil.’

Minister of State Seán Sherlock (responding for Education Minister Ruairi Quinn) said: “There is no scope in this year’s departmental budget to reverse this measure or indeed any of the budget measures concerning teacher allocation at second level.”

Minister Sherlock also conceded that small schools are being treated differently. The Minister said: “In the case of primary schools, there is no increase in the staffing schedule general average of 28:1 for the allocation of classroom teachers at primary level. However, there is a phased increase in the pupil threshold for the allocation of classroom teachers in small primary schools.”

Deputy Troy responded: ‘The Minister has been disingenuous when he compares the pupil-teacher ratio in small rural schools and small schools with the larger schools. He is not taking cognisance of the multi-class setting in the one classroom.

On the issue of school patronage Deputy Troy said: ‘The Church of Ireland bishops stated that “No single issue has in recent years caused such a degree of anxiety amongst our communities as this one.” A number of schools in the Longford-Westmeath constituency are affected by this. The Church of Ireland and other minority faiths have come out quite publicly and said that this will have a detrimental effect on small schools.’

Following the debate Deputy Troy said: ‘I was extremely disappointed at the Government response to this issue. It is extremely important to communities across the country. It makes no sense to implement these cuts while a value-for-money review sits on the Minister’s desk unpublished. There has been no clarity or compassion from the Government here.’

Cllr Ken Glynn Town Council Motions Update

Cllr Ken Glynn

Posted by Cllr Ken Glynn

25/04/2012


Town Council Motions Update relating to Tudenham car park and the provision of a skate park.

4.3 Cllr.K.Glynn: That Westmeath County Council would install preventative calming measures at both entrances to the car park at Tudenham, Lough Ennell, in order to prevent the rapidly increasing problem of “souped up” cars using this area for anti social activities.

Reply: Mullingar Area Office will examine.

Council are to investigate what measures can be taken but local residents have been subjected to loud disruptive noise pollution late at night and this car park which was only tarmaced in recent years by taxpayers money, will be destroyed by this activity so action must be prompt and decisive. In addition the Garda are to be informed by letter of the situation.

4.4 Cllr.K.Glynn: That Westmeath County Council would bring forward plans for the long overdue provision of a skate park in Mullingar, which was first raised a number of years ago but without any progress.

Reply: Mullingar Area Office will bring this matter to the attention of the Community & Enterprise Section. A source of funding will be required if this project is to proceed.

I have asked Council to take a leadership role on this issue and they are to look at the Tullamore model for ideas on costings and insurance.I have received a expression of interest and have placed this motion on the Mullingar Area Committee agenda to formalise this project and try and get it off the ground.Council have also agreed to sound out interested parties.

Questions and Responses from Mullingar Town Council from Cllr Aidan Davitt

Cllr Aidan Davitt

Posted by Cllr Aidan Davitt

25/04/2012

Please find Motions From Mullingar Town Council in relation to Playground/Skatepark and canal water levels

4.5 Cllr.A.Davitt: To call on Westmeath County Council to outline what steps are to be taken to return normal water levels to the canal.

Reply:

The Royal Canal is operated by Waterways Ireland and the Council has no jurisdiction over its operation or maintenance.

When the Royal Canal was... operating from the early 1800s to the late 1900s, Lough Owel was the main source of water for navigation. The Royal Canal Company and its successors own the water rights from Lough Owel. In 1985, after the Canal had fallen into disuse, Westmeath County Council reached agreement with CIE (the then owner of the Canal) to abstract 5 million gallons per day from Lough Owel for a drinking water supply and gave an undertaking to provide all works necessary for the supply of 5 million gallons per day to the Royal Canal if required in the future for navigation purposes. The water supply from Lough Owel is now largely used to supply Westmeath County Council’s domestic requirements.

The Council is meeting its current obligations to supply water to the Royal Canal and has not placed any restrictions on Waterways Ireland regarding abstraction from Lough Owel, other than the normal requirement to limit the demand as much as possible in the interest of maintaining lake water levels. Through its active water conservation activities, the Council for its part is also limiting abstraction for drinking water supply.

For reasons outside the control of the Council, Waterways Ireland closed the summit level to navigation recently but is still abstracting water from Lough Owel as before.
________________________

4.6 Cllr.A.Davitt: To call on Westmeath County Council to identify a site for a skate park and playground on the east side of Mullingar town in the general Pettitswood/Lakepoint area

Reply:

Mullingar Area Office will bring this matter to the attention of the Community & Enterprise Section. A source of funding will be required if this project is to proceed.

Burton needs to spell out progress on changing Child Benefit payment for non-resident children – Troy

Robert Troy TD

Posted by Robert Troy TD

25/04/2012

 

Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy has called on the Minister for Social Protection to outline what progress the Government is making in seeking changes to the EU rules covering Child Benefit payments for children not living in Ireland. The Government paid out €15.4m in Child Benefit in the last year to parents of such children.

Figures release to Deputy Troy by Minister Joan Burton following a Parliamentary Question show Child Benefit is currently paid to 4,928 families in respect of a total of 7,741 children who are resident elsewhere in the EU.

Deputy Troy said: “The Government gave a commitment over a year ago to seek changes to the EU rules governing this area. As a member of the EU Ireland is obliged to top-up the Child Benefit rate paid in the home country of the child to match the rate paid in Ireland while the parent lives here. This is resulting in substantial payments being made to parents of children living in countries where the cost of raising a child is often far less than it is Ireland.

“It is reasonable to expect that the Government should be making progress on this issue after a year and should be in a position to make changes in the December budget to Child Benefit paid for children not living here. Savings in this area would help maintain the rates of Child Benefit paid to parents raising their children in Ireland.”

Government TD's can help families by cutting Petrol and Diesel Costs

Robert Troy TD

Posted by Robert Troy TD

25/04/2012

 

 

Longford-Westmeath Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy has called on all TDs in the constituency to support a Fianna Fáil Bill this week to cut the cost of petrol and diesel.

The Motorists Emergency Relief Bill is proposing that the cost of petrol and diesel be reduced at the pumps by 5c with immediate effect.

Deputy Troy said: “The simple fact is that motorists have had enough. The cost for people to fill up their cars has become unmanageable and it’s time the government acted.

“The average cost of a litre of petrol has risen by almost 10 per cent since March 2011 and by 56% in the last three years. The figures are absolutely crazy and law-makers cannot sit-by doing nothing while people worry how they’re going to pay for a tank of fuel. December’s budget made the situation worse when the Government hiked Carbon Tax and VAT on fuel.

“It is not just motorists that are being affected, farmers and small businesses across Westmeath and Longford are struggling with these costs. An instant reduction of 5 cent at the pumps would make a real difference for many people.

“The Fianna Fáil proposal also calls for a review of fuel prices every three months instead of the current system of annual reviews at budget time. The global oil price is so volatile at the moment that it changes every day. If the Government is serious about reacting to the needs of ordinary households, it needs to become a lot more flexible.

“I am calling on the Government and back bench TDs from both Fine Gael and Labour in Longford-Westmeath to support the Fianna Fáil legislation this week and bring about some much needed relief for local motorists.”

Update on Motion regarding Skatepark in Mullingar

Cllr Ken Glynn

Posted by Cllr Ken Glynn

24/04/2012

• At tonights meeting of Mullingar Town Council I have asked Westmeath County Council to take a leadership role in the provision of a Skate park in Mullingar. The Council Executive are to visit the one in Tullamore and check costings involved. The Community and Enterprise section have also been asked to examine this project which would be of great benefit to young people of this area. I have also asked the Council to seek out potential sites and any expressions of interest in this project.

  
  I have placed this motion at next months Mullingar Area Committee Council meeting to formally seek the commencement of a plan and finally some interest in supporting the skate park has been expressed to me and this has been passed on to County Council.

  

  A view of Tullamore Skatepark
  

  
  

Support the Fianna Fail Bill to cut costs to Motorists

Cllr Ken Glynn

Posted by Cllr Ken Glynn

Cllr Ken Glynn has called on the Government to support a Fianna Fail Bill aimed at cutting the cost of Fuel. The Fianna Fail Bill would allow for the reduction of 4 cents per litre in both Diesel and Petrol. With VAT At 23%, the effective saving for the Motorist would be 5 cents per litre.

Cllr Glynn insisted that the Bill would push down the costs for hard-pressed motorists, and felt that this would be welcomed by them. He believed that it would make Economic Sense to reduce the cost to Motorists, as they would spend the Savings on Fuel on other goods and Services in the Economy, thus helping the Economy in another way.

If the Bill was to be enacted, it would mean a €3 saving for the average fill in an an average car. Given the way that fuel prices have rocketed in the past few months, this proposal, if passed, would reduce the expenditure of the Motorist in a meaningful way.

Motions to Mullingar Town Council 24/04/2012

Cllr Ken Glynn

Posted by Cllr Ken Glynn

23/04/2012

• Town Council meeting tomorrow night and I am raising the following issues on your behalf;

  1-The provision of some litter bins for Raithin.

  2-Asking has Council contacted the residents of Belvedere Hills and Rathgowan Wood over the proposed taking in charge of these two estates.

  3-The entrance to Ardleigh Crescent which must be restored to the satisfaction of local residents.

  4-The provision of a more adequate wall on the boundary of Ardleigh Vale and Woodlands.

  5-The provision of preventative calming measures at the entrance to the car park at Tudenham which has often been turned in to a race track.

  6-The provision of a Skate park in Mullingar which I first raised some years ago and now want some progress.

  These issues have come by request of constituents and if you would like me to raise an issue on your behalf please  contact me on 0872362680, Email me at kenglynncllr@westmeathcoco.ie or pm me on facebook.

Support our Campaign to cut the price of Fuel for Motorists

Posted by Westmeath Fianna Fáil

This week Fianna Fáil will publish a bill to cut the price of fuel for motorists. Support our campaign, share this link and contact your TD to ask them to vote for the Motorist Emergency Relief Bill on Wednesday night.

Skatepark needed in Mullingar

Posted by Cllr Ken Glynn.

20th March 2012.

Thanks to all who participated on the Skate park issue last night. I raised this issue back around 2008 and while Mullingar has many great sporting facilities with many clubs and associations. Mullingar Arts Centre along with many other local performing outlets provide invaluable services but the need for both the Skate Park and a youth Cafe is greater than ever. Both these facilities can offer a different outlook for young people but importantly provide a activity different from those there already.
Many young people in this town have to travel to surrounding towns to avail of their Skate parks so let's keep that business in town and next Tuesday night I am again raising the issue of providing a Skate Park in Mullingar. I want Westmeath County Council to show leadership on this issue and time for talking and suggesting must stop,instead let's start the planning and see where it leads. There are many locations around town which can be considered but I am committed to making this work.
There is a Mullingar needs a skatepark page so please like it and show your support. The following is the link to their Page so I would ask you to take a moment and hit the Like button.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mullingar-Needs-A-Skatepark/277066179022830

Homeowners Kicked in the Teeth again.

Posted by Cllr Aengus O Rourke.

Local Fianna Fáil Councillor Aengus O'Rourke has described the confirmation that households will pay for water meters as a 'another kick in the teeth for hard pressed homeowners.'Cllr. O'Rourke said "personally I am totally against the idea of home owners paying for water meters, I think its an outrageous proposal. He said it was the latest in a line of fixed charges that the government was bringing in by stealth. Charging for installing meters is unfair and is another kick in the teeth for hard pressed home owners.  People simply have no more to give, Fianna Fáil will oppose this proposal strenuously and no doubt we will also see huge public opposition to this new charge.

Cllr. O'Rourke continued, "this is clearly not about water conservation, it is a money making exercise by the Government and homeowners are expected to just hand over €300.00.  If this was about water conservation and job creation as Minister Phil Hogan claims then instead of water meters the Government should upgrade the leaking pipe network which in its self would also create jobs.

Cllr. O'Rourke concluded, "if the Government thought that the Household Charge was problematic for them I predict that they haven’t seen anything yet, this €300 will be fiercely and doggedly resisted by the vast majority of the people."

Clonbrusk Junction Update

Posted by Cllr Frankie Keena.

Clonbrusk Junction Upgrade.

At long last it is great to see work has started at the junction for Clonbrusk on the N55 after my ongoing representation. This is a very difficult junction to exit for local residents due to the volume of traffic on the N55. The plan is to widen the junction and to provide traffic signals. There will also be traffic signals erected on the off ramps from the relief road in this area. This work programme is part of the overall works for upgrading the interchanges off the relief road which was approved by elected members in late 2010. The funding was approved by the Dept in January 2011. So far there has been great improvements to both the Garrycastle & Coosan interchanges.

TROY WELCOMES ATHLONE JOBS ANNOUNCEMENT

Posted on 19/04/12 by Robert Troy

Longford-Westmeath Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy has welcomed the announced that 50 new jobs are being created in the midlands.

Deputy Troy said: “I welcome the announcement from DPD Ireland that they are expanding their distribution base in Athlone.  This is an extremely welcome investment for the region and will add 50 jobs over the next 18 months.

“DPD Ireland, which employs 600 people, has been in operation for over 25 years and is the largest parcel delivery firm in the country.  DPD is handling over seven million parcels a year through its 38 depots around the country and is a significant support to the business community in the midlands.

“I want to wish the staff and management in company well and congratulate them on this investment.”

Results of our Poll on the Fiscal Treaty Referendum

Posted by Westmeath Fianna Fail

Our online Poll on the Fiscal Compact Treaty has now concluded. Many thanks to all that voted in our Poll. The result of the Poll was quite close with just 2% between Yes and No.

Question:

How will you vote on the Stability, Co-Ordination and Governance Treaty ( Fiscal Compact)?

Yes          51%
No           49%

We will have another poll shortly on a topical issue so keep up to date here.

Monday, 16 April 2012

Westmeath Comhairle Dail Ceanntair Meeting this Sunday 22nd April

Posted by Westmeath Comhairle Dail Ceanntair

The next meeting of Westmeath Comhairle Dail Ceanntair will take place this Sunday Night 22nd April 2012 at 8pm in the Pollard Arms Hotel, Castlepollard. All members are invited to attend this Meeting and will be very welcome.

The Guest Speaker at the meeting will be Dara Calleary TD, Fianna Fail Spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Defence. We ask all members to make a special effort to attend this meeting as we continue to renew and revitalise our Organisation.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday Night.

Saturday, 14 April 2012

Keena disappointed over Rural Water 2012 Allocation

Posted by Cllr Frankie Keena.

Keena disappointed over Rural Water 2012 allocation

This week Cllr. Frankie Keena said that he is hugely disappointed with the 72% reduction in the Rural Water Scheme allocation to Westmeath County Council by the FG/Lab Government for 2012. The total 2012 allocation of €288k to WCC compares with €980k in 2011.
This programme covers all new group water & sewerage schemes and also small scheme improvement works to local authority water and sewerage schemes. It is important for the public to be aware that due to this massive reduction in funding no new works will be started this year, he stated. The small funding provided will only provide for the completion of existing schemes throughout the county.
This is another indication as to the negative way this Government is treating people living in rural Ireland. So far small rural schools are being hit, rural Garda stations are being closed, turf cutters are not being allowed anymore to cut turf in SAC bogs and we have the proposed septic tank charges being implemented by Minister Phil Hogan, he declared.
It is ironic to say that on one hand the Minister is introducing septic tank charges for rural dwellers and on the other hand he has not provided any funding for pending group sewerage schemes to those who want to get rid of their septic tanks. This is really penalizing the rural dweller twice in these areas, said Cllr. Keena.
Examples of some schemes in the Athlone area that will not progress this year due to no funding from the Government are the group water scheme from Baylin to Mount Temple and the group sewerage schemes in Ballykeeran, he said.
It has also disheartened the enthusiasm of residents in the Moydrum / Bliary areas with their plans for a group sewerage scheme, although this is still only at an infancy stage, he concluded.

Wednesday, 11 April 2012

Motion to Westmeath County Council

Posted by Cllr Ken Glynn.

Following my recent motion on the poop and scoop bins which generated great interest I have submitted the following motion for full meeting of Westmeath County Council.

Call on Westmeath County Council to bring forward a policy for the provision of signage and scoop bins to deal with the growing problem of dog fowling particularly in residential areas which are often used by walkers.
I will continue to update you on any further progress.

Monday, 9 April 2012

Fiscal Compact Referendum

Posted by Declan Connolly.

The following is a link to the entire text of the Fiscal Compact. I would urge everybody to read the text in full, as we will be voting on this Referendum on 31st May 2012.

This Referendum will be a defining moment in our relations with our European Partners. We should go into this Referendum with an open mind.

I would welcome your views on the Referendum and you are free to post your comments at the end of this article. We also have a poll running on the Referendum. Have your say and vote in the poll.

http://www.irishtimes.com/focus/2012/fiscal-compact/index.pdf?via=rel?via=rel

Saturday, 7 April 2012

Town Council Update

Posted by Robert Troy TD and Cllr Ken Glynn



Town Council Update
I have been working alongside Deputy Robert Troy on this issue and we are hoping to see work done at the rear of Grand Parade very soon.

2.8 Cllr.Glynn:To ask Westmeath County Council to prioritise the road at the back of Grand Parade for surface dressing, as it is in poor repair.

Reply:Mullingar Area Office will arrange to carry out repairs under Routine Maintenance in the coming weeks.

Friday, 6 April 2012

Ardleigh and Ardilaun Update

Posted by Cllr Ken Glynn.

Town Council update for Ardleigh and Ardilaun areas,positive responses that this dangerous junction will be looked at in the interests of local residents and pedestrians from all areas when going to the shop on a daily basis.
I have also received a update from last months motion that works will commence in the coming days on the green in Ardleigh Vale and have advised local residents of this yesterday.

4.3 Cllr.K.Glynn:That Westmeath County Council would improve safety at the pedestrian crossing near the shop in Ardleigh, which is being ignored by many motorists and may require the provision of traffic lights.

Reply:Mullingar Area Office will consider this matter in the context of installing traffic calming measures at the adjacent entrance to Ardleigh Vale.

2.6 Cllr.Glynn:To ask Westmeath County Council if it will carry out immediate repairs to the stone wall at Ardleigh Vale, which has fallen into disrepair.

Reply:Mullingar Area Office will seek to repair the pre-cast concrete boundary wall to this estate, subject to sufficient funding remaining from the Developers Bond.

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