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”