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.”

Young Voters In Kildare South Gagged By Government - Daly

Fine Gael Candidate for Kildare South Cllr Richard Daly has described as a disgrace the fact that so many young people and commuters will be disenfranchised by the General Election being held on a Thursday.

“Fine Gael is committed to ensuring that all those entitled to vote are given the maximum opportunity to do so. Fine Gael recently proposed legislation in the Dáil to guarantee weekend voting, which would allow many more young people to have their say in the elections. The Minister for Education, Deputy Sean O Fearghail and the rest of the Government voted against this.

“Young people who have long commutes or are in college in another part of the country will suffer most by holding this election on a Thursday. Forty per-cent of young people who did not vote in 2002 cited being away from home on polling day or not being registered as a reason for not voting.

“There are 650,000 people in Ireland aged between 19 and 28 and we must ensure that every single one of these voters is actively encouraged to vote and are given the greatest opportunity to do so.

“It is quite obvious Fianna Fáil and the PDs know they have let young people down on a whole range of issues including the cost of housing, mental health services and road safety and now they are running away from them”, said Cllr Daly

“If the current Government had any regard for young voters they would have called a weekend poll. I encourage students and young commuters who make an extra effort to get home to vote to make their annoyance felt at the ballot box by voting for change; voting Fine Gael”.

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