Castledermot students need adequate road safety measures - Daly

Increased traffic, the lack of bus bays and inadequate pedestrian crossings are putting Castledermot students in danger according to Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael

“The current volume of traffic through Castledermot and the lack of adequate bus bays are becoming a hazard for students attending the schools each day. Parents have expressed their concerns with the lack of measures and buses have been able to use the church car park as a safe location for alighting students until recently.

The crossing outside the primary school has never been made operational and safe means of crossing the road will have to be installed. Personally I think the installation of a standard zebra crossing would be a very acceptable measure. The zebra crossing put the onus on both the pedestrian and the driver to take caution while the “green man” can lead to pedestrians assuming that traffic will stop.

Arrangements should also be made for safe alighting areas similar to the church car park to ensure that dozens of students do not simply spill onto the footpath.

Our young people and our road safety must be a priority” said Cllr Daly

ENDS

Clarity needed on Kildare decentralisation projects – Daly

Media reports today predicting uncertainty for the decentralisation programmes for Kildare are very disturbing according to Fine Gael’s Richard Daly.

“Already we have seen the proposed decentralisation of Revenue to Athy being put on hold indefinitely and now there are scares for the Defence decentralisation to Newbridge.

The delays in implementing these projects over the past few years have meant that their future has been put in jeopardy. If the government hadn’t dragged its heels during our boom these two decentralisations could have been completed long ago. Now as resources are diminishing their future is uncertain.

The 250 personnel who were to locate to custom built premises in Athy has been reduced to 40 who already live in the locality being catered for in rented offices

Our infrastructural investment was lacking during the boom years and has left us ill prepared for the world financial crisis. The Irish economy is the only one in recession amid this economic uncertainty. Projects like decentralisation which would bring enormous benefit to the county are now the possible casualties of years of incompetence.” Said Cllr Daly

Beautifully restored antique car accepted by Cllr Daly on behalf of Athy Town

Today on behalf of the town of Athy, leas cathaoirleach of Athy Town Council Cllr Richard received a 1902 Arrol Johnson beautifully restored motor car for Athy Heritage Centre. The car is a gift from Honor McCulloch whose father, William McCulloch, had sourced and restored the vehicle.

“Honor has been very generous in the past in donating items of historical interest to the town but today’s gift is overwhelming. The car is an antique and there is only one other such vehicle in the country. It will hold pride of place in our heritage centre where memorabilia relating to the Gordon Bennett race and Ernest Shackleton draw an audience from home and abroad.” Said Cllr Daly

William found the car in parts in Scotland in 1934 and assembled and restored it to working order. His interest in cars had been developed by watching the Gordon Bennett race in Athy in 1903

Cllr Daly expressed his thanks to all concerned in locating the beautifully restored vehicle in its current home and thanked Honor McCulloch on behalf of a very grateful town

Congratulations to Kildare south communities on Tidy Town results – Daly

Following a very fine performance by south Kildare towns and villages Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael said that the communities involved deserve great credit and should be very proud.

“The Tidy Town philosophy is not just about winning, it is about building communities and getting people winning together. The overall improvement in marks achieved by the towns and villages is a result of the cooperation which is required to make it happen.

South Kildare has had a huge growth in population in recent years, many of them coming from outside of the county and it takes a lot of effort to develop and involve a team who can show such pride in their locality.

Kildare is a beautiful county and the Tidy Town competition helps to show it off to its best to the visitor and the resident. It also makes good business sense in promoting tourism and attracting visitors.

Very well done to all concerned” said Cllr Daly

Cowans leadership like the emperor’s new clothes – Daly

Cowans leadership like the emperor’s new clothes – Daly

After being hailed as the financial and political genius who could take this country to new heights, never in recent history has there been such a lack of leadership and direction as displayed in the last 4 months under the current Taoiseach according to Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael

“It is akin to the fable of the emperors new clothes how all of us are expected to see the merits of a leadership which is bereft of any cohesive or coordinated plan to take this country forward. When we look at the talents of Brian Cowan we find the nakedness of his political planning.

Economic and political leadership are desperately needed as the country is facing challenges managing a recession. Each government department seems to be working in isolation as a general plan is absent. The loss of the Lisbon referendum, unsatisfactory pay talks, the collapse of the housing industry and spiralling unemployment are the hallmarks of Brian Cowan’s reign.

Even in the current cutbacks over €30 million has still been spend of self promoting advertising campaigns.

In South Kildare the fallout from the lack of leadership has seen the lack of infrastructural development, the reneging on the decentralisation of Revenue, the lack of building of schools, the closure of Batchelors, and the huge rise in the unemployment

Meanwhile commuters who should be assisted in using public transport will be hit with a €2 a day additional parking charge at many of our stations.” Said Cllr Daly

“Does a National Plan still exist? How much further does national confidence have to sink before we are appraised of an economic strategy? Is the hide the cheque book and hope for good news philiosophy the best we can expect under this administration?

The most recent opinion poll shows that there are many beginning to see that the emperor really has no clothes and the promises and abilities of our new Taoiseach really leave a lot to be desired.” he added.

Congratulations to Athy’s Olympic challenger – Daly

Leas Cathaoirleach of Athy Town Council Cllr Richard says that “Athy could not be prouder of an athlete than it is of John Joe Joyce whose performance in the Olympic Boxing competition brought credit to the town and the country. John Joe equalled his opponent on points and had to abide by a judges decision to award the contest to his opponent from the Dominican Republic.

John Joe will no doubt continue to excel on the international circuit and both he and IABA President Dom O’Rourke deserve our praise and our thanks for their achievement to date.”

Minister considering distancing many Kildare students from third level education Daly

The news that Minister for Education and Science, Batt O’Keeffe is considering reintroducing third level fees is a very serious threat to all students, particularly those from the most disadvantaged background according to Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael.

“Since the abolition of third level fees participation in third level education from the most disadvantaged socio-economic group has doubled showing that fees acted as a serious deterrent for the less well off and middle income groups.

At a time when we need to be developing a knowledge based economy we should be making every effort to expand participation in education at all levels. The penny pinching approach by the government seems to have no policy basis but is a knee jerk reaction to years of mismanagement. Education and Health were the areas which were not to be affected by the cutbacks so instead the minister is considering reintroducing fees to offset the cost of the sector. This is not education policy but the lack of it.” Said Cllr Daly

“The higher earners and better off are more likely to be in a position to offset the cost of third level against tax thus creating an even more inequitable society where education becomes a privilege and not a right and will continue to be dominated by the most wealthy in our society.

Despite any economic downturn, education needs to be prioritised and the Minister needs to formulate policy and a plan which will develop education in Ireland. The condition of school buildings, the lack of certainty on third level fees and the development of comprehensive special needs resources are among the issues which need to be addressed and not deferred.

Parents of prospective third level students need to voice their feelings on third level fees to their local TDs and particularly to the partners in government who have opposed this issue on the canvass trail two years ago.” he added

ENDS

Athy Fine Gael Councillors express disappointment at delay on Town Centre development

The announcement that plans for the development of Athy Town Centre are once again delayed has been strongly criticised by the Fine Gael members of Athy Town Council.

“Negotiations and planning of this project have been ongoing for the past year and the developer has made himself available for consultation with officials, public representatives and residents.

Athy Town Council is unanimous in its support for centre town development and has urged the county planners to prioritise the projects which would reenergise the town. |It is frustrating to see planning applications being delayed ad infinitum while simultaneously we have bodies trying to attract development to the town. The planners should be making urgent and top level negotiations with developers to overcome any of the difficulties which exist.

It is incredible that a town which desperately needs the retail capacity which this development would allow does not seem to be getting the attention that it deserves from the planning authority.”

Cllrs Seán Cunnane, Richard Daly and Mary O’Sullivan

Athy once more neglected in decentralisation fiasco – Daly

Reports that the RAPID town of Athy is once more to be put on the long finger for completion of the decentralisation programme is another example of the lack of concern which the government has for the South Kildare town according to Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael

“As Táiniste Deputy Cowan was vociferous in his promises to expand to 250 the workforce of the Revenue office in Athy at the official opening of temporary premises earlier this year. This was proof that the government would stick to its word on decentralisation. Like the previous Taoiseach in 2000 who promised the speedy delivery of Athy Community College, Mr Cowan now uses the disadvantaged town as a scapegoat to pay for the financial mismanagement of the previous government.

Because Athy had fallen behind similar towns during the boom, it was assured of special treatment, of prioritisation, to bring it up to the similar economic and social level of the others. During the reign of the economic tiger delivery to the town was postponed and now as the economy seems to be in chaos, Athy is once more to pay the price as plans to establish a permanent centre for Revenue go on hold and not a block is laid for the Community College. The good times were wasted on inflating house prices and neglecting infrastructure and competitiveness.

Two hundred and fifty real jobs locating to the town would have given a significant boost to the economy at a time when the unemployment figures seem to be in freefall. Athy particularly has suffered excessive unemployment over the years. The local community has felt the pain of the closure of the sugar factory and Batchelors in recent times while projects like decentralisation have been dangled in front of them to in some way offset the loss to the community.

Neglect and broken promises cannot be tolerated by the South Kildare community and residents should be letting their representatives know their feelings.”according to Cllr Daly.

ENDS

School Buildings and Minor Works Scheme in Crisis in Kildare – Daly

Excluding the school building projects which have completed the tender process and are awaiting the finance to continue, there are a further 55 school building projects on the books in county Kildare, many of which have been categorised as urgent by the Department itself according to Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael.

“Nationally almost 1400 applications are with the Department of Education and Science, some in excess of ten years and currently none of them know where they stand or when they will be moved forward on the invisible list. The complete lack of disclosure of a list or of a transparent and equitable system has meant that schools must wait for the favouritism of a minister to be progressed.

The next announcement of any movement on school buildings is expected next September which will probably kick all projects into 2009 so that another school year will now be lost and most likely the projects which should have been advanced in 2008 will be the only ones considered for 2009.

At the moment there is overcapacity in the building industry and ver competitive rates could be achieved. With a slump in the overall building industry a concentration on school buildings could sustain employment in the building industry, develop our knowledge economy and remove many of the unsightly and uneconomic prefabs from our system.

Meanwhile the Grant Scheme for Minor Works to National School Properties which is normally received by primary schools in the last quarter of the year for infrastructure, equipment, etc has this year been “postponed” until next year which will have a very negative effect on the condition of schools this year.

The education area was to be protected from cutbacks but instead seem to be having all of its capital spending deferred into the future. There seems to be no plan available for what has become a school building crisis.” Said cllr Daly

Rail Commuters should be helped not penalised – Daly

Commuters using the Athy station will be faced with a €2 a day parking charge for the use of the car park from next September. This excess comes at a time when we should be trying to promote public transport and making it a s cheap as possible according to Fine Gael councillor Richard Daly.

“It is counterproductive to penalise those who make use of public transport by placing an additional €500 a year parking charge. This is going into the coffers of a company which is already subsidised to the tune of almost €200m per annum.

It is time for the government to get real about public transport and Minister Dempsey should immediately react by dropping the subsidy until this “park and pay” policy is reversed. We have an inadequate enough public transport service in Kildare South without driving away those who are taking the green option.”said Cllr Daly

“Commuters have already endured the effects of inflation and will no doubt see the price of their tickets being hit by fuel costs and this imposition of parking charges will be a further blow.

The Green parties professed promotion of public transport should have prompted an immediate reaction to this charge on commuters”

ENDS

New Taoiseach will face daunting task - Daly

Brian Cowen’s lacklustre term as Minister for Finance will now be his inheritance according to Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael.

“With an economy in tatters, a huge deficit in infrastructural development and tax revenue at its lowest in years Brian Cowen faces a very challenging time

Very little skills were required of a Minister of Finance who presided over tax receipts which exceeded anybody’s expectation over the past ten years. Future planning and developing infrastructure in schools and hospitals were neglected while the good times rolled. Increasing social welfare payments and pensions were the short term solutions instead of developing a greater knowledge economy and building on the successes of the past.

His lacklustre term as Finance Minister will now be his inheritance as Taoiseach. As he takes over the reins of power a year after an election which promised all, he is faced with a National Development plan which requires the finance which no longer flows in from tax revenue in the same volume. The hospitals, schools and garda resources which were overlooked during the good times are in a more needy situation years on.

Wage negotiations which require restraint are hard to preside over when you have just sanctioned yourself a serious increase.”

“For the sake of our country I wish the new Taoiseach well and hope that he has hidden talents to steer the economy through the ominous conditions ahead. I also hope that our neglected part of the midlands will benefit by having a neighbour at the helm” said cllr Daly

Athy should unite to showcase a tidy town - Daly

Keeping our town tidy is more than just pride – it is good business, according to Athy’s Cllr. Richard Daly.

“As Athy slipped back slightly in this year’s IBAL awards it is vitally important that all of the agencies both voluntary and statutory unite in addressing the issue. The benefits of this are many fold. Prospective business developments and prospective residents are all attracted to a town which takes pride in its appearance. In Athy we have all of the ingredients to make this a most picturesque and attractive town and should unite in perfecting it.

Over the past number of years success in the annual Tidy Towns competition has been encouraging and has been well supported by the Tidy Towns Committee, Athy Town Council, The Chamber of Commerce, RAPID and community and residents groups. This can now act as a catalyst for the future development of the town.” he said

“This is somewhere that the ordinary citizen can actively vote in favour of its town. Our River, canal, castles and Town Hall are the envy of the county and become a mecca for tourists. A community united behind making and keeping Athy the tidiest in the county could have as much economic benefit as the establishment of a small industry.

We constantly look towards outside agencies to promote the development of our town and can easily neglect something major which we could do for ourselves. Not only does uniting together to develop a very high standard of cleanliness have the economic benefit but it also helps to develop communities where people work together in a common cause.

As Spring Clean week begins we need all communities, schools, voluntary and statutory organisations to work together with pride to make Athy an example of how tidy a town can be.”

Lack of speed in delivery can cost lives on our road. Daly

While speed is a major factor in the number of deaths on our roads the lack of speed in installing speed cameras by the government can be seen as absolute neglect of its own road safety agenda according to Fine Gael’s Cllr Richard Daly

“I am appalled and annoyed that years after the government has been made aware that the installation of speed cameras will dramatically reduce road deaths it still has not introduced them.

We are still playing “hide and Go seek” with 3 speed cameras which move from location to location while European research claims to have decrease road carnage by over 20% by the use of fixed cameras.” Said Cllr Daly

“There is some forgiveness for a government not knowing how to address the crisis which we have on our roads but to have known the difference that this action would make and not to act is a shame.

The cost of the installation of dozens of cameras would be self financing and has been promised and re-promised for ten years now. In the meantime report after report has indicated the dramatic effect which they would have on saving lives.

The one area in our road safety strategy where we need speed, we seem to be at a standstill.”

ENDS

Education Minister neglects Kildare - Daly

The treatment by Education and Science Minister Mary Hanafin of all sections of education in Kildare shows her lack of commitment to the reality of education needs in the county according to Fine Gael’s Cllr Richard Daly

“A whole range of educational establishments which had completed the long acquisition, planning and tendering process throughout the county are left in the perpetual limbo of not knowing when they will be allowed to complete the schools which have been sanctioned for years.

There is no doubt about the need for any of these schools but all semblance of transparency and accountability have vanished from the process which seems to be purely in the hands of the minister. Schools in Naas, Athy and Athgarvan are among the bemused and bewildered who can not understand the ad hoc decision making process engaged in by the minister.” Said Cllr Daly.

“For any level of planning and education provision, school managers need to know when their projects are to be advanced. Many schools have worked through the process for seven or eight years and still have no definite finishing date. Even when all stages of the process are completed the minister still has to wait for the right moment for an announcement.

Primary schools can be located on second level grounds or sports clubs with no definite future arrangement for their re-location while the minister claims that it is possible to design and build schools within a year.

While I applaud the one location in Adamstown where school facilities are leading population development, it must not be at eh expense of the rest of the commuter belt. Every student has equal rights and their education facilities should not be dependent on the favouritism of a minister.”he added.

ENDS

Athy workers and farmers suffer in Bachelors closure – Daly

Devastating news that Bachelors factory in Athy is to close will hit workers and local farmers hard according to Cllr Richard Daly

“Since 1940 Bachelors has been a good employer and a landmark in Athy and it is with great sadness that we learn that the factory is to close this June. The 16 workers have been hit y the sudden announcement that the packaging operation is to move to Cabra and this workforce is a very local one who would not be in a position to commute even if there was transfer on offer.” Said Cllr Daly

“For the local farming community the prospects seem particularly bleak. While land would have been allocated for the crop at this stage they now have no delivery point for the harvest. While the company claim that they want to see continued supply from local farmers the writing is on the wall for pea farmers. The same locality which was hit hard by the demise of the beet industry now sees another crop facing extinction in the region.

While Athy has seen no investment in new industry in over a decade replacement employment for the most recent group facing redundancy was never more scarce. We have the highest unemployment rate in 10 years in Ireland and a building industry in decline.

Athy has been designated a RAPID town and must be prioritised for serious investment and job creation.

I sympathise with the workers and their families who see their jobs vanish in June and I urge our national politicians to put Athy centre stage for industrial development”

ENDS

Daly welcomes opening of new revenue office in Athy

The relocation of 20% of the planned number of revenue personnel to Athy is a very positive step in the fortunes of the town according to Fine Gael’s Cllr Richard Daly.

“I hope that four years after the announcement by Mr McCreevy of the decentralisation programme of the government that completion of the move will not take another four years. Athy has anxiously sought the location of a government department for the last number of years and welcomes the first 50 employees to the town. This is simply the advance party and we are anxious to see the real decentralisation of the promised 250 personnel.” Said Cllr Daly

“The relocation of these workers will have a strong economic effect on the economy of the town as these are the most secure of jobs. While we are seeing the closure of manufacturing outlets and the steady decline of the building industry on a daily basis we can be assured that taxation will be with us as long as we have government.

This initial development will further advance the plans of many of the entrepreneurs who are about to invest heavily in the town. We have seen Athy become an attractive location to invest in as our population increases with so many people choosing it as a place to live and while most of the fifty Revenue employees are already living locally there will undoubtedly be economic benefit to the local outlets

It is unfortunate that on the day the Minister Cowen officially opened the office that Ireland’s unemployment figure had reached its highest level in the last decade and that we are experiencing such high inflation just as Athy’s regeneration is commencing. The benefits of the Celtic Tiger did not reach as far as Athy over the past few years and now that the Minister for Finance has located members of his own department here perhaps he will prioritise investment in our schools, our rail network, our Southern relief road, our water supply, our broadband availability particularly our long promised MAN (metropolitan area network), and much much more.

It is also unfortunate that on the same day that the Minister officially opened the Revenue that his colleague in Education pared back her announcements of school buildings and has further delayed commencement dates for schools in the county including major projects in Naas and Athy. I would have thought that in times of economic decline that this government would have prioritised education before taxation.

A little done, a lot to do, Minister.” he concluded

ENDS

Daly welcomes opening of new revenue office in Athy

The relocation of 20% of the planned number of revenue personnel to Athy is a very positive step in the fortunes of the town according to Fine Gael’s Cllr Richard Daly.

“I hope that four years after the announcement by Mr McCreevy of the decentralisation programme of the government that completion of the move will not take another four years. Athy has anxiously sought the location of a government department for the last number of years and welcomes the first 50 employees to the town. This is simply the advance party and we are anxious to see the real decentralisation of the promised 250 personnel.” Said Cllr Daly

“The relocation of these workers will have a strong economic effect on the economy of the town as these are the most secure of jobs. While we are seeing the closure of manufacturing outlets and the steady decline of the building industry on a daily basis we can be assured that taxation will be with us as long as we have government.

This initial development will further advance the plans of many of the entrepreneurs who are about to invest heavily in the town. We have seen Athy become an attractive location to invest in as our population increases with so many people choosing it as a place to live and while most of the fifty Revenue employees are already living locally there will undoubtedly be economic benefit to the local outlets

It is unfortunate that on the day the Minister Cowen officially opened the office that Ireland’s unemployment figure had reached its highest level in the last decade and that we are experiencing such high inflation just as Athy’s regeneration is commencing. The benefits of the Celtic Tiger did not reach as far as Athy over the past few years and now that the Minister for Finance has located members of his own department here perhaps he will prioritise investment in our schools, our rail network, our Southern relief road, our water supply, our broadband availability particularly our long promised MAN (metropolitan area network), and much much more.

It is also unfortunate that on the same day that the Minister officially opened the Revenue that his colleague in Education pared back her announcements of school buildings and has further delayed commencement dates for schools in the county including major projects in Naas and Athy. I would have thought that in times of economic decline that this government would have prioritised education before taxation.

A little done, a lot to do, Minister.” he concluded

ENDS

Road deaths at unacceptable level – Daly

Following the weekends tragic accidents, Ireland’s road carnage has reached unacceptable levels according to Athy’s Cllr Richard Daly.

As the death rate on our roads is fast approaching one per day it is time for further serious examination of our Road Safety Strategy.. With 30 deaths already on record for this year our carnage statistics will exceed our worst fears this year. It is estimated that the number who suffer injury can be ten times the fatality rate so a large number of our population have already suffered because of road accidents this year.

Road safety is a political issue but more importantly it is a personal issue

How horrific and graphic must advertising campaigns be before each of us realises the grim reality that they are aimed at us and not the other driver. So many of us still drive with excess speed and yet criticise the other driver who overtakes us. We still occasionally have to take that urgent phone call while driving but constantly bemoan the fact that so many other drivers are driving while using a mobile phone. In order to save lives there is an individual responsibility on each of us.

My most sincere sympathies go to every individual who has suffered loss or injury as a result of road accidents.

One month into a new year and we have a shameful record on our roads. Driver behaviour must change and it must change with each one of us.

Kildare needs urgent medical attention – Daly

With an EU average of one doctor for every 1000 of the population Kildare has a staggering average of 3100 people to every doctor putting it as one of the highest in Ireland and in Europe according to Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael.

“The growth of population in Kildare has not been matched by a similar increase in the provision of GPs and the HSE has not increased the number of GPs to correspond with the demand. Annually hundreds of doctors attempt to qualify as GPs but are turned away by a 121 limit by the HSE. Despite promises to increase this number and despite the proven demand the number of places has failed to increase to 150.

Kildare has the second highest ratio in the country with 3105 potential patients to each doctor while some “lucky” counties like Sligo have a ratio of one doctor to every 1485, which is still 50% greater than the European average.

The shortage of GPs has significant consequences for the health of a county because inevitably diagnosis and treatment are delayed as appointments are more difficult to schedule and this could conceivably put lives at risk. Kildare GPs themselves are under immense pressure to expand patient lists and provide a service to numbers way in excess of what would be the norm anywhere else in Europe.

The Minister for Health needs to examine the situation, particularly in Kildare, as people moving could find that they can’t get included on doctors patient lists. The demand for GPs certainly exists in the county and it is the responsibility of the Minister and the HSE to ensure that there is adequate doctor provision throughout the county.” said Cllr Daly

Daly congratulates Athy boxers on National success

Congratulations are due to members of Athy’s St. Michael’s Boxing Club following fantastic success in the National Amateur Boxing Finals in Dublin last night according to Athy’s Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael.

“Athy must be very proud of the four boxers who gave excellent performances in the National Stadium last night and brought credit to the town, their club and their families. Not only did three of the boxers win national titles but they did it under the watchful eye of National President Dom O’Rourke.

Unfortunately Tommy Sheahan’s sterling performance was not enough for a title but Roy Sheahan, David Oliver Joyce and John Joyce won their categories and saw St Michael’s club win the lion’s share of the national titles.

Ross Hickey from Grangecon was also a title winner having beaten Athy’s Eric Donovan the previous night so another title also came to the locality.

These young sportsmen now prepare for Olympic qualification and are examples of perseverance and commitment to all of our young people.

I congratulate the club, Dom O’Rourke and the fine sportsmen who brought honour to the town once again.

Minister pours cold water on schools finances - Daly

For schools throughout the country that have been waiting for school buildings, extra staffing, resource teachers and classroom assistants the latest announcement that water charges are to be applied to schools comes as no surprise. The charge is in reality a cutting of the schools budget as it represents a new liability, according to Athy’s Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael

“Obviously conserving water should be a priority for all of us, schools included. Has the Department of Education included the provision of storage tanks for roof water in all of its newly built schools? Has the department included the provision of environmentally friendly renewable fuel burners in the heating system of all new schools? Has the Department of Education included the provision of solar panels, lighting timer switches, CFL bulbs, ICT paperless recordkeeping and administration systems within its organisation or many of the other “green” initiatives. Instead all of these issues are passed down to local school management.

The mixed logic of on one hand providing funding for school meals and simultaneously charging for the use of water seems to indicate a lack of thinking on this issue.

Conservation of water in schools is a design issue and the use of half flush toilets, recycled natural water, etc., require remedial and expensive plumbing changes. This year instead of prioritising an aggressive Summer Works scheme to address plumbing and water conservation issues in school in advance of water charges, the Department instead abandons the very scheme which could make inroads into these issues in older schools and declares that it will not be operating a Summer Works scheme this year.

The Minister for Education must begin to take responsibility for the operation of schools within her charge and should begin to address the water conservation issue in advance of punitive charges” said Cllr Daly.

Government has become like a Christmas Panto - Daly

As we start a new year the need for real government was never more apparent than at the moment with a complete lack of confidence and direction in and by a government which seems ill equipped for the job according to Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael

“At the end of last year we saw Noel Dempsey practice his “Oh yes, we will!/Oh no, we won’t routine” in his pronouncements about provisional driving regulations. Mary Hanafin also auditioned for the part of the jester with her dictate to charge schools for water usage “Oh yes, we will/ Oh no, we won’t”. Meanwhile in another theatre Taoiseach Ahern has treated audiences to “Oh yes, I did/ Oh no, I didn’t”. While this is the panto season the audiences are not laughing when they realise that the performance fees for the total government cast, although slightly deferred, have increased by an industrial wage.” said Cllr Daly

“At a time of such economic uncertainty we need strong government and well planned economic policy. The current programme is not the one advertised on the posters last Summer. The promised health and educational improvements which were promised have not materialised and six months later we are getting the mixed messages from the government parties who told us that they were the only ones who could ensure fulfilment of their election promises. So now is the time to deliver.

House sales and manufacturing are suffering while oil prices are posing a new challenge to our economy. Crime and the prominence of drugs in our community are the hallmarks of the government which promised zero tolerance.

We need delivery of commitments to the people and we need strong economic strategy which will lead to investment in our country.

It may be panto season but it is time for our government to get its act together and get the show on the road”.

Kildare residents suffer under inadequate budget - Daly

Apart from the failure to live up to the dozens of promises in their election manifesto Fianna Fail has actually disimproved the lives of Kildare residents according to Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael

“Throughout the election campaign this year Fianna Fail promised tax cuts, school buildings, extra Gardai and whatever you are having yourself to the fast growing population of Kildare.

The extra Gardai needed on our streets to match the growth in population will not be arriving as the promised 2000 extra members of the force before 2008 are not factored into this budget. Instead the national increase has been reduced to 200.” said Cllr Daly

“Kildare parents were told that pupil teacher ratios would improve under this administration but the overcrowded schools in Newbridge and throughout the county will have to postpone this promise.

Increased investment in broadband could have begun to address the long commute suffered by Kildare workers by advancing the notion of working from home but there is no increased investment in future technologies in communication and we have fallen behind most European countries in our broadband provision.

Government fuelled inflation has increased the cost of living for Kildare residents and make Ireland and Kildare a dear place for business to locate.

The only people who seem to have gained under this government are the Taoiseach and government ministers who have experienced substantial increases to their salaries.” concluded Cllr Daly

New Childcare Subvention Scheme will have disastrous consequences for Kildare parents – Daly

New Childcare Subvention Scheme will have disastrous consequences for Kildare parents – Daly

Changes to the new Childcare Subvention Scheme which will come in next year will create great difficulties for many parents and will cause many Kildare crèches to close according to Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael.

“Because many low income families will no longer be eligible for subvention under the new scheme they will be forced to pay full price for their childcare which could cause them to give up work as a lower paid employment will not afford them this level of finance.”said Cllr Daly

“Parents on modest income who do not qualify for Family Income Supplement will be affected. Parents who are in employment and and do not receive social welfare will also be affected

This will not encourage the return to work for many parents and it will have a negative affect in communities

There are a number of community not for profit childcare services will find it very difficult to continue. These crèches currently cannot recruit staff on a permanent basis as they do not know if they will be able to pay future salaries.

Changes of this magnitude to the childcare provision will require much more consideration and alternative arrangement before implementation can be considered and I would recommend that Minister Smith “does A Dempsey” on this proposal and makes sure that families and childcare facilities do not lose out under this new arrangement.”he added

ENDS

“Because I’m Worth It” is not good enough justification for recent salary increases - Daly

Salary increases in line with industry are acceptable if the economy can stand it and if the service is being provided but in the current climate ministerial increases seem ill timed according to Fine Gael’s Cllr Richard Daly

“I have listened to Taoiseach Ahern and Minister Dempsey sounding more like cosmetic commercials than politicians justifying salary increases with “because I’m worth it” lines and I question both the timing and the amount of the increase.

In an economic climate when hospital queues are getting longer, the school building programme is years in arrears, employment in the building sector is spiralling downwards, Minister Cowan’s economic forecast is recommending caution and inflation is rising, the Taoiseach and his ministers have increased their wages by the equivalent of the average industrial wage.

Are we getting value for money? Is the increase benchmarked with performance? Take for example the largest salary and increase of Brendan Drumm of the HSE. Has the Health service improved to such a degree that Prof Drumm is awarded even more than the inflated salary of our own Taoiseach which in turn exceeds that of most world leaders in the western world.” said Cllr Daly

“Minister “because I’m worth it” Dempsey has last week been rewarded with a salary in excess of €200,000. The minister who made a complete mess of the impending road safety initiatives has performed similarly in the past. It was he who was not in sync with his Transport department in the six weeks preceeding the Shannon announcement. The same minister during his Education stint endeared himself to the teaching community by telling them that he would send out inspectors before Christmas to ensure that no school closed early. And wasn’t it Minister Dempsey, during his Environment ministry who set the electronic voting scene which has cost us a fortune in purchase and storage.

As employers now try to negotiate wages with employees their position is significantly weakened by the fact that despite the slowdown in our economy the policy of salary increase in firmly established and this will have inflationary implications.

If delivery of manifesto promises is the benchmark for pay increases then I fear that government ministers should more likely be expecting reduction in wages as they are beginning to acknowledge that most of the promises will never be realised. If benchmarking is to apply to other sectors let it also apply to our politicians. Said Daly.

ENDS

New driving regulations will require lead in time – Daly

While I welcome new moves to regularise driving regulation on our roads many provisional licence holders will require lead in time to make alternative arrangements to get to work says Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael

“I have been working over the past couple of years to lobby for an improvement in our road safety and fully support measures which will help to decrease injury or death among road users. However announcing regulations on the Thursday which will make it illegal for provisional licence holders to drive to work after t he weekend does not give adequate time to comply with legislation.

Up until today we have had a ridiculous provisional licence inconsistence which was difficult to enforce but over a weekend those who were on second provisional and entitled to drive unaccompanied have been told that after the weekend they have to have new arrangements in place for getting to work. Changes in legislation and enforcement require compliance time.

The confidence and support of the public need to be combined with diligent enforcement but giving three days notice to those who have been driving to work legally on a provisional licence does not seem like good practice.

Over the weekend the alcohol/blood limit could be dramatically dropped and would have had a dramatic result but unfortunately this was put on the long finger.

Over the weekend regulation to introduce either the expansion or the privitisation of the speed camera network could have been introduced but unfortunately this was put on the long finger.

Driving test waiting time in this region is in the order of six months so it is impossible for provisional drivers to comply with the new regulation for at least that length of time.

This is a typical example of grasping defeat from the jaws of success when such good initiatives are introduced so badly”

ENDS.

“Don’t forget your shovel” is Daly’s response to new education fast track building programme

Minister for Education and Science’s declaration that the Department plan to complete school building projects from purchase to occupation inside a year means that either they have been wasting years and finance on previous projects or it is an aspirational spin by a minister who has a building programme which is out of her control according to Fine Gael’s Cllr Richard Daly.

“The announcement of this swift-build by the department was announced on the same day that the Minister visited Kildare, a county where primary school children attend school in prefabs on a second level school carpark because the same department and Minister could not read the projected population figures submitted five years earlier.”said Cllr Daly

“In the same county Taoiseach Bertie Ahern spoke to those assembled at the tree planting ceremony for Athy Community College in November 2000 and told them of how speedily this fast tracked project would be completed.

There are numerous school building projects sitting of the departments list for years with parents and management afraid to become aggressive in case they penalise the project.

Throughout Kildare South numerous parents, teachers, school managers complained of the lack of school accommodation in the lead up to the General Election.

Promising a new speed in the building programme further degrades those who have been waiting for years who obviously were not important enough to merit such attention from the minister.

I have personal experience of the school which I work in being sanctioned in the last century and is now only going through so I would love to know if it is all due to inefficiency in the past or is the Minister expecting a supersize Lego building kit for Christmas.

Yes, we need new schools and have needed them for years. We also need a minister and a government capable of delivering them so appropriately in Kildare the message to Minister Hanafin is “Don’t forget your shovel……”.

It is time for debate on Education in Kildare and nationally – Daly

The provision of schools and their governance are urgent issues which need open and serious discussion according to Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael..

“The lack of school places, the growth of several different styles of schools and the re-examination of by the Catholic Church of their commitment to education provision means that Irish education is at a crucial crossroads.

Gaelscoileanna and Educate Together schools are just some of the new types of schools which are growing throughout our county and country and the uniformity of provision of the past is changing. What types of schools and who should manage them are the questions which need to be discussed.” said cllr Daly

“As responsibility for the provision of schools is shared between several providers, adequate school places and a quality curriculum must be assured.

VECs which have an established role in education provision in every county must also be brought on board in discussions on the provision of education at all levels.

The Minister should initiate this debate sooner rather than later”

Daly Congratulates Roche, our Olympic Champion

Cllr Richard Daly today expressed his congratulations to Stephen Roche who has achieved a gold medal in the Olympics in China.

“Stephen is a great ambassador for our town our county and our country and we must all be extremely proud of him. He has united the Kilmead and Athy communities in their support for him and was a winner even before the Olympic competition.”said Cllr Daly

“I wish Stephen and his family my congratulations and look forward to celebrating the sportsman’s return.”

Daly criticises lack of standards in public office

It is not good enough that the ordinary citizen is asked to abide by legislation regarding his financial affairs while some of our legislators can make up their own rules claims Fine Gael’s Cllr Richard Daly

“It is a slur on both the law-abiding politicians and the ordinary taxpayer that some of our well paid leaders can claim loss of memory as reason for being able to give account of receiving very irregular financial donations. We have had a spate of illegal offshore accounts and false accounting by others who were involved in implementing laws by which the ordinary citizen must abide.

Our political process is being demeaned by the lack of standards in public office and sends out signal that not getting caught is all that is required of dubious financial dealings.” said Cllr Daly

“Fianna Fail have sent out the message that “political loyalty” is a more important trait than financial integrity and this mantra has been trotted out by Minister Cowan in case any of the party followers might question the dubious financial affairs of the Taoiseach.

I am disappointed that South Kildare’s Minister Power was among those sent out to bat in defence of his leader in his recent troubles.

For the politicians who are not in the habit of receiving envelopes or suitcases of cash and to those who pay their tax on their earnings the recent behaviour is an insult. The financial dealings of our leader have become the object of comedy throughout the media and it has eroded the integrity of us all.

Our children and our electorate deserve the highest standards from our leaders and the current political system encourages political cynicism when our leaders cannot account for their actions”.

Congratulations on winning Barrow Award 2007 - Daly

Cllr Richard Daly expressed his congratulations to all associated with Athy winning the Barrow Awards 2007.

The town of Athy and the many voluntary and statutory groups who have played a part in making our town and river so attractive must be congratulated. Athy has a unique position in having both the River Barrow and the Grand Canal flowing through its town. The river offers huge opportunities for tourist and recreation activities and can be regarded as a potential industry.

In recent years Trojan work has been done in organising Water festivals, rowing races and a Triathlon. Athy attracts many fishing visitors and our slipway is constantly active over the summer months. Exploiting the potential of the river and keeping the surroundings attractive and litter free have been the challenges faced by the many volunteers.

Winning this award gives recognition to the many people who have helped to promote our town and river

Daly supports provision of Taxi ranks in Kildare towns.

Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael has strongly supported the provision of taxi ranks in Newbridge and Kildare and indeed throughout the county.

“As a member of the Transport Policy committee of Kildare County I have already voiced the opinion that these ranks should be provided as soon as possible. Taxi ranks have already been provided in Naas and I see no reason why provision cannot be made in other towns.” Said Cllr Daly

“I have heard the arguments that parking spaces will be lost and that the taxi ranks may in future be required to comply with certain criteria. However the rights of the public who should be able to avail of the service and the rights of the taxi drivers who paid substantial amounts for their licences must take priority.

I would further maintain that we should be proactive in providing a simple solution before we are issued with prohibitive conditions without funding by the national regulator.

The negotiations between the Kildare County Council and the Taxi Regulator need to be progressed but in the meantime we need to be providing a taxi service for our population.

The issue will be coming before the next meeting of the Transport SPC where I will be supporting speedy resolution.”

ENDS

Daly accuses Greens of sell out on hospital Co-location

As Tallaght Hospital prepares to go to tender for a private hospital on its land, Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael accuses the Green part of selling out its values in return for inclusion in the government.

“What we are getting now is “a paler shade of Green” as policies become diluted into oblivion in return for the keys of the executive washroom. Core beliefs of equality in the health system and environmental and heritage protection on motorway routes will need a more committed Green party” claimed Cllr Daly.

“Despite the pre-election opposition to the whole notion of co-location the Green party seem to have gone silent as one of the most controversial PD proposals unfolds.

Tallaght is the first of eight hospitals which are to have private hospitals located on their grounds.

The propagation of a two tier health system where private patients have a different hospital to public patients is contrary to the opinion of the majority of this country and is a most exclusive system.

The Green party in its election manifesto promised to “scrap immediately the decision to subsidise building of private hospitals on public land” and to address “Our two-tier health system which discriminates between insured and uninsured patients”

The fact that a party could so blatantly renege on its own manifesto during its first weeks of government can justifiably lead to cynicism towards politicians. We have seen a similar U turn in relation to the routing of the M3 motorway where the Greens seem to have also lost their direction.

As the Green TDs mix their policies with those of Fianna Fail the environmentally focused voter will have to look elsewhere as one after one the “raison d’etre” policies of the party are conceded”.

ENDS

Daly calls for action on public consumption of alcohol

Calling for the erection of signage in Athy to indicate penalties for public consumption of alcohol, Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael said that a strong signal must be sent out to those who are involved in the activity.

“The enjoyment of many of our public amenities is being marred by a small group of people who abuse our facilities by public drinking. The amount of cans collected in the vicinity of the waterways in the advent of some of our water weekends shows an alarming amount of alcohol consumption taking place in our public areas.

I have called for the erection of signage adjacent to our waterways and in the People's park to remind people that we will be enforcing our Bye Laws, which have strict penalties for the public consumption of alcohol. My motion to that effect received the full support of Athy Town council and I look forward to seeing them in place” said Cllr Daly

“We are encouraging our residents, young and old to avail of our public amenities and not to have it marred by encountering groups engaging in public drinking which can lead to anti social behaviour. The time has come for us all to be more responsible in our communities.

The availability of alcohol at more off licences and supermarkets is leading to more public consumption and these premises should also post reminders of the penalties involved in breach of the law.”

ENDS

Lapple losses are a sign of our lack of competitiveness – Daly

The announced closure of the Lapple factory in Carlow will have a detrimental effect on a town and locality which is only coming to terms with the recent closure of the sugar factory according to Fine Gael Cllr Richard Daly.

“I offer my sympathy to the workers and their families employed in the Lapple factory, some of whom I know personally.

The exodus of so many of our manufacturing jobs is a wake up call for a government which has presided over an economy which has become uncompetitive on the world stage. We have government-fuelled inflation which allowed stealth taxes and energy costs to escalate to a point where manufacturers are looking outside the country to continue their business.

The town of Carlow is the latest to pay the price of a mismanaged economy where the policy of “carry on regardless” is putting workers back on the dole queue.

Towns in the commuter belt need secure industry being developed in tandem with the phenomenal housing development. It is not good enough to blame world economic trends for the demise of our industries. We need a re-examination of our competitiveness, the growth of high level value added industries and a halt in the escalating energy, telecom and insurance costs.

This is a serious blow for a workforce who represent a significant financial contribution to the area and I hope that we can start to attract rather than lose industry by developing more attractive economic conditions.” said cllr Daly

Kildare students will suffer as rents increase – Daly

Kildare students will be among those who suffer as a result of the major increase in rent which is being sought in our major towns according to Fine Gael’s Cllr Richard Daly.

“With supply of rental accommodation at an all time low there is enormous increase on the rents being demanded at this time. The surge in rental price heralds good news for the investors and the housing sector but in the interim it will place increased pressure on students who will have to compete with up to a 20% decrease in the amount of rental property and an average of 12% rental cost increase.

Students will have to compete with both the increase in interest rate and the arrival of thousands of new Europeans which are causing much of the increase in demand leading to higher rents.” said Cllr Daly

“First time college students who will need accommodation face the difficult task of trying to secure accommodation before they know their Leaving Cert results which will secure their college place.”