Opening of M9 resembling Lannigan’s Ball – Daly

“Lannigan’s Ball could be the theme song for the opening of the N9” according to Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael who says that the organisation of the event leaves a lot to be desired.
“Area councillors were rushed to a meeting this week to be told that it was intended to open the most major project in the county within days. The unbelievable lack of organisation could only be compared to the lyrics of Lannigan’s Ball where “she stepped out and I stepped in again” as we had just recently been informed at County Council level that it would not be opening until some time next year. Then we received a text to tell us that it was opening on Monday and later a text to say that it would not open until January. Initially the project was due to open much later next year.
Each and every councillor is in favour of this project and wish it to be speedily completed. I am also aware of the local business interests who will inevitably suffer as a result of the diverted traffic and feel that all of this could have been avoided by proper planning and organisation. Realistic fears for the management of the new section of road could have been aired and addressed if the decision to suddenly transfer ownership had been properly handled.” Said Cllr Daly
If the opening was to be on Mon next why was it not flagged with the authorities with due notice? At the meeting with the authorities and the construction company I described it as akin to an episode of Father Ted where nobody seemed to know what was going on.
While I have no vested interest and don’t regard road openings as a significant “photo opportunity”, I am disappointed that this major piece of infrastructure and aid to commuting should have become a sense of embarrassment rather than an achievement. All of this could have been avoided with even a minimum of organisation. A major project does not “suddenly” reach completion.
I am happy that the road can open when it is safe to do so” he concluded

Athy RAPID secures €94K for local projects

Chairperson of Athy RAPID AIT, Cllr Richard Daly is delighted to announce that it has secured in excess of €94,000 for local community projects from the Dormant Accounts funding.
“Youth activities , Arts groups and community development programmes are all included in the €94,911 which has been sanctioned for Athy. I would like to pay special tribute to Helen Dowling the RAPID co-ordinator who assisted all of the groups in compiling their applications.
By supporting organisations like those who are today’s recipients we can try to positivily discriminate in favour of a town which has seen more than a fair share of economic decline over the years.
I am delighted to congratulate the RAPID team in progressing these applications” said Cllr Daly

Dormant Accounts funding for RAPID projects tackling economic and social disadvantage

Name of Group Address Purpose of Grant Amount Recommended Area Total
Son Seekers Youth Club Athy Youth Centre, Kilkenny Road, Athy, Co Kildare Purchase recording equipment and make a video about the club and Athy €4,287
Football Association of Ireland National Sports Campus, Abbotstown, Dublin 15 Run the RAPID Soccer Sisters Camps and Futsal Blitz in Athy €7,696
Athy Community Arts Company Limited Athy, Co. Kildare Refurbish Methodist hall into an arts space. €15,000
5th Kildare Athy Scouts St. John's Lane, Athy, Co Kildare Tarmac the surface outside the premises at St John's Lane €10,000
Athy Community Development Project Woodstock Street, Athy, Co Kildare Develop a community organic garden €4,500
Athy Community Development Project Woodstock Street, Athy, Co Kildare Run Incredible Years Parenting Programme €4,500
Aontas Ogra 6 Parc Bhride, Athy, Co Kildare Upgrade/refurbish Youth Centre, Athy Recreational Community Hall €9,652
Athy Community Council 82 Leinster Street, Athy, Co. Kildare Parenting courses, stress management programmes and homework clubs €10,007
Athy Recreational Community Hall (ARCH) Kilkenny Road, Athy, Co Kildare Refurbish toilets in the hall including over-sheeting of toilet roof €29,269 Overall total €94,911

Public Service to work for another month for nothing – Daly

A drop in income of 8% is the equivalent of working for a month for nothing according to Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael.

“This is not the first time that the public service has been hit by a similar cut. Only last year the public service were hit by a similar slash in their income which now means that public service are faced with working for two months for nothing.”said Cllr Daly

“Will the lending and mortgage agencies now readjust repayments to allow two months without repayments? Will utilities like ESB, Gas, telephone allow two months without payment? Can public service defer payment on car insurance, house insurance, car tax, etc for two months to reflect their drop in income.

The government have tried to demonise the public sector as a body who have done so well that they now need to be called to account. In reality they are the Gardai, the nurses, the firemen, the army, the teachers and many more who have never been the major beneficiaries of the boom years.

The expected sharing of the load where the high earners pay their share did not happen in this budget. The very high earners have been protected from any drop in living standards. The expected reform of the public sector is totally absent from this budget. Job creation stimulation is absent from this budget.

This is a disastrous budget for those in the public sector and those on social welfare”

Little Choice for Mental Health students in Athy – Daly

Speaking at Athy Town Council Cllr Richard Daly criticised the continuing attacks on the most vulnerable in our society as the “Choices” programme for people with mental health issues in Athy is discontinued.

“There still seems to be no shortage of funding for ministerial expenses while the most vulnerable in our community have had their basic course axed. Once more this is a very vulnerable group in society paying for the misdemeanours of the government. Billions are available for bailouts for bankers while those with mental health issues are reduced to fending for themselves. “he claimed.

“The option offered to participants of bus transport to another programme in Maynooth shows how little the HSE are aware of the profile of the attendees. The very raison d’etre of the programme was to equip participants with the skills to take journeys like the one which would now become a prerequisite of the course.

The same HSE has in recent weeks shocked the population of Athy with the announced closure of a 26 bed ward for elderly patients now seem to be hell-bent on removing services to the most vulnerable.

There was a time when questions on health used to be answered in the Dail by the Minister for Health. Since the inception of the HSE there is no recourse to getting answers to questions like this.

“Those who suffer from mental health issues deserve consideration not neglect” said Cllr Daly

Daly nominated by Athy as a candidate for Fine Gael Convention

At the monthly Athy Fine Gael Branch meeting Cllr Richard Daly was nominated as a candidate for the forthcoming convention for South Kildare.

“I am very honoured to be chosen by Athy branch” said cllr Daly “ I am aware that a General Election could still be a long time away but it is important that the party select a candidate early.

Having been a candidate in the last General election I am familiar with the constituency and the issues affecting the people of South Kildare. Fine Gael have indicated that they intend to run one candidate which means that location will not be the major criteria but coming from an urban area should prove advantageous.

Regardless of the convention, I have been elected to represent the Athy area ,which stretches from Ballymore Eustace to Castledermot, and I intend to continue to do that in my role as County Councillor.

I appreciate the support which the branch have shown me and will work hard to earn it and hope to be successful in the convention” said Cllr Daly

Daly calls on County Council members to oppose closure of ward in St. Vincent’s , Athy

Speaking on the motion which he had put forward to Kildare County Council meeting opposing the closure of St. Camilus’ Ward in St Vincent’s Hospital, Athy, Cllr Richard Daly called on all of the councillors for support
“We sit here around this chamber wondering how we can make Kildare a better place to live while at the south of the county 26 elderly people have long term hospital beds removed. When events like this happen this is not a county or a country that we can be proud of. Yes, we know that there are economic difficulties to be faced and that €4 billion must be found to pay for the flagrant and irresponsible government of the past but I doubt that there is a person in this country who could approve of this injustice as an economic reaction.
My colleague on Mary O’ Sullivan on Athy Town council had unanimous support for a similar motion on the issue and my colleague Cllr Mark Wall successfully tabled a comprehensive motion on the issue at area Committee level and today it behoves us all to support this motion at county level.
There can hardly be a councillor here who is not aware of the good work done by St. Vincent’s hospital in Athy and there is hardly a family within the county which has not benefitted from the care and comfort of the facilities offered there.
I for one will not accept that this facility must suffer such a cutback. I will not see elderly people faced with costs of between €3000 and €5000 per month for private nursing care while at the same time those in banking and the top end of the public service are receiving obscene and exorbitant golden handshakes for their part in our downfall
A political party is a gathering of people who share a common vision and fight an electoral campaign to achieve power and implement that philosophy. I know the soldiers of destiny sitting here in this chamber must feel a sense of revulsion at this unkind assault on our elderly and I know them to be honourable people. I am asking them especially to support this motion and not just to support it but to carry loudly a message back to their organisation that they will not support the eviction of the elderly in county Kildare.
If you feel any doubt I can bring you to visit the affected families where grandparents are now in fear of having nowhere to go when the families can no longer care for them, where some couples will not this year get a break from their continual care of Dad because there is no respite bed for him, where another man hopes for speedy end because he cannot bear to see his son and daughter in law worry about how to find the finance for the nursing home care which he now requires.”
“This closure of St Camilus’ ward is not a temporary measure, it is not a final act but is the herald of future cuts in the provision of medical service to our region as the health authority for the region sinks deeper in debt in a country where the elderly and the young have become the collateral for the failed developer led economy” concluded Cllr. Daly.

Governments TDs take us for a spin on rural transport – Daly

Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael described as “disingenuous” the behaviour of Kildare’s government TDs who last week “took a trip” on rural Transport buses while at the same time their government is proposing the axing of this service.
“ It is really the general public who were being taken for a spin” claimed Cllr Daly when we see on one hand the Fianna Fail TDs telling us the value of the rural transport scheme while at the same time they will vote with their party when the time comes to end the service. If they genuinely wanted the service to continue the threat of the four Kildare Fianna Fail TDs alone would be strong enough to ensure its continuation.
For too long and on too many issues we have heard the government deputies claim that they support various issues but what can they do. The answer is very simple. They can vote against the measures that they oppose.
Deputies Power and O’Fearghail know who uses the rural transport scheme and it is the marginalised and isolated of our community. It is the elderly and the rural citizens who didn’t hear the Celtic Tiger growl. These deputies know what the loss of the scheme will mean to their constituents and they hold the power to speak out and vote on behalf of their people.”
“The silence of our government deputies has been deafening on the closure of St Camillus’s ward in St Vincent’s hospital and now as another assault on our elderly is being proposed I am asking our deputies to put people before party and vote to protect the rights of our citizens particularly our marginalised” he added

Improved Result for Athy in Tidy Towns – Daly

Speaking after the announcement of the 2009 Tidy Town Results, cllr Richard Daly said that great credit was due to Athy for having increased their result by 9 points on last year.
“I am personally pleased that my native hometown of Emly in Co. Tipperary is the overall winner of this year’s competition but particularly want to congratulate Athy for a marked improvement in its’ overall result. In 2008 Athy achieved a score of 253 and this year the total has gone up a remarkable 9 points to 262.
I particularly want to thank the Athy Tidy Towns Committee, the local Authorities of Athy Town Council and Kildare County Council, Athy Chamber of Commerce, ShopAthy and the many organisations, local resident groups and individuals whose work have improved the appearance of Athy.
Athy is a good place to live and is having a very successful year with several festivals and occasions from the County Show, the Bluegrass Festival, The TriAthy, The Shackleton Weekend, the National Ploughing Championship and much more.
We have seen new Youth Café, Swimming Pool, new Athy College and school buildings and the Methodist Arts Centre all open this year.
Recent successes of Eric Dovovan captaining the Irish Squad to the World Amateur Boxing Championships and Charmaine Kenny becoming this year’s Rose of Tralee ( with Romy Farrelly a very credible contestant) have made Athy known throughout and beyond this country.”
I don’t want to be accused of borrowing someone else’s phrase but we have a lot done and more to do.
“However Athy can be justifiably proud of all of its successes and well done to all” he concluded

Daly strongly opposes the impending closure of ward at St. Vincents, Athy

Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael has strongly criticised the proposed closure of a 26 bed ward for elderly patients at St. Vincents Hospital, Athy.

“I am strongly opposed to the diminution of the facilities offered to elderly patients at St. Vincent’s. The hospital has served the town and the county’s elderly population very well over the years and the reduction of service is to the most vulnerable sector of our community. How it could even be contemplated seems incredible.

Many patients come to St. Vincent’s following their release from Naas General hospital and St. Vincent’s assists their recuperation while they are not suitable to return to a domestic situation. In a caring society we should be prioritising and promoting such centres instead of cutting back on them.

I will be using every effort at County Council level to highlight this unfair situation and asking all to put pressure on the HSE to lift their embargo in the interests of continuing to provide a quality service to our elderly citizens. It is unacceptable that the weakest in our society are victims of government mismanagement of our finances over the years.”

Cllr Daly said that HSE proposals to develop quality primary cares centres and centres of excellence can not be at the price of neglecting our elderly patients. Health is a priority and this latest proposed cutback is shameful