Waterford City South Area Committee - Report

I chaired a meeting of the Waterford City South Area Committee yesterday. The area committees were introduced about 5 years ago in order to deal with local issues. At yesterdays meeting I sought an update on the ongoing saga of the upgrading of the Old Tramore Road. In my opinion this road is one of the worst and most dangerous roads in the city. The plan is to upgrade the road but this won't happen until well into 2010. In the meantime I have asked for a temporary footpath to be put in place for residents in the nearby estates such as Greenfields, Bracken Grove, Fairfield Park, Avondale and Richardsons Meadow. There is also a new Childcare facility in the area. I have also requested that immediate works be carried out to make the road safer for pedestrian and motorist alike. This is an issue that I have been pursuing for the last while and will continue to do so until I receive a satisfactory conclusion.

Other issues discussed at the Area Committee included the very succesful Halloween Childrens party that was organised by the residents of Larchville and Lisduggan and the remedial works scheme in Clonard Park Ballybeg. Please contact me if you would like further information about any of these issues.

Do you know what your Public Servants do?

Interesting article in todays Irish Examiner by Fergus Finlay about our Public Service and the valuable work carried out by thousands of workers the length and breadth of this country.  Essential reading for our government and those who are continue to demonise public sector workers.  As part of my work as a local councillor I come in contact with public service workers on a daily basis and I can  see at first hand the pressure they are working under.  The vast majority of these do so for modest incomes.  So the next time you hear someone attack the public sector unfairly remind them of your family member, friend, relative or neighbour who you know are making a valuable contribution to society.

Advice Centres up and running

My two new Advice Centres are now up and running and are quite busy. In the Lisduggan / Larchville / Lismore Park area I hold a monthly advice centre in the Parish Rooms Lisduggan on the last Friday of every month at 6pm. The Parish Rooms are located next to Lisduggan Credit Union and all are welcome.

In the Ballybeg area I hold a weekly advice centre in the Ballybeg Neighbourhood Office 61 Clonard Park Ballybeg every Tuesday at 12 noon. Once again all are welcome.

Christmas payment must be restored

I was very pleased that Waterford City Council voted in favour of my motion calling on the government to restore the Christmas payment to those on social welfare.  The motion was up for discussion at Monday night's meeting of the Council and was backed unanimously.  I won't hold my breath that Minister Lenihan and Fianna Fail will have a sudden change of heart and allow pensioners and those on social welfare a little comfort this Christmas.  However in my opinion it is important that we use every opportunity to highlight these draconian measures.

Community Development Projects under attack

Of all the cutbacks announced recently one that has received little commentary is the proposed cuts to Community Development Projects throughout the country. These projects were set up to provide much needed services to local communities. The reason for their success is that they are managed by the local communities themselves. In my own electoral area the main two projects that are affected by these cuts are the Ballybeg Community Development Project and the Larchville Lisduggan Community Development Project. The management committees of these projects is made up of local residents. They provide important services for the community for example in Ballybeg and Lisduggan the projects provide much needed Child Care facilities, a modern sports hall, accredited training for local residents to name just a few services. The proposal from government seems to be to take the management of these projects away from the local communities.

In my opinion this is a major mistake. Yes, as in any organisation I am sure there are savings and efficiencies to be made but lets not lose sight of the key issue here. Local services are best delivered and managed by local people. I offer my full support to the Ballybeg CDP and the Larchville Lisduggan CDP and all the CDP's in their campaign.

Public Sector to be hit - again!!

Taoiseach Brian Cowen stated tonight that Public Sector workers are to face even further pay cuts as the government look to bring in a budget that will go some way towards economic recovery. The only problem with this is that the government continue to focus only on public sector workers rather than bringing in a total economic stimulus package that would set us on the road to recovery.

Public perception is that public sector employees are all top earners with a free pension. Nothing could be further from the truth. A perception fuelled by misinformation from the government, IBEC, ISME and their ilk as they attempt to divert attention away from the absolute waste in government and the huge payments made to top businessmen. The vast majority of workers in local authorities, government departments, hospitals etc are all modestly paid employees providing essential services. And as for their pension entitlements public sector employees pay for their pensions on a weekly or monthly basis. And yes before someone else posts here I am employed in the public sector myself and along with my colleagues I am fed up of being blamed for this current economic crisis. It wasn't public sector employees that caused the banking crisis or the current economic mess. I do think that the government will live to regret the divide they have created between public sector and private sector workers. Rather than being at loggerheads with each other all workers whether they are private or public must unite to work together to come out of this crisis.

Trade Unions representing public sector workers are currently in the process of balloting their members for industrial action if the proposed pay cuts materialise. Interesting times ahead!!

Kenny dithers Gilmore leads

If ever proof was needed that Enda Kenny just does not possess good leadership qualities it was seen yesterday as he dithered about the John O'Donoghue resignation issue.  True leadership was shown by Labour Party leader Eamonn Gilmore who was clear about what was required in the ongoing scandal of the Ceann Comhairle's expenses.  This was Gilmore at his best as he left the other opposition party leaders in his wake and took command of the situation.  The public were demanding action and action is what they got by the Labour Party leader who made it quite clear that he did not take his decision lightly.

Sinn Fein bullyboy tactics

Yesterday we saw a disturbing side of Sinn Fein when their supporters decided to disrupt a Labour Party press conference on the Lisbon Treaty.  There really is no place for these bullyboy tactics in a democracy.  Sinn Fein let themselves down badly yesterday by this action and their party leaders should condemn those who took part in this stunt.   What was even more disturbing was that this protest was led by an elected representative of Sinn Fein who should respect the right of any party to hold a political meeting or press conference.  Shame on them.

Lisbon Treaty not a done deal

I spent the last week campaigning for a Yes vote for the Lisbon Treaty with some of my Labour Party colleagues in Waterford City. I believe that it is in the best interests of the country that Ireland votes in favour of the Lisbon Treaty. Any progressive legislation that has been introduced in this country had its origins in Europe. For example workers rights legislation and equality legislation have all been fought for and won in Europe. Of course the Lisbon Treaty may not be perfect but I believe in the current economic situation it is essential that Ireland remains at the heart of the European project and this can only be done by voting Yes on Friday next. I also believe that the result is not a foregone conclusion and will be close so it is important that we continue to canvsass for a Yes vote.

Check out some of the reasons for voting Yes to Lisbon here

I am disappointed however that the Labour Party seems to be the only political party doing a door to door canvass for a Yes vote in Waterford city. Those advocating a Yes vote must not take the result for granted. Remember if a vote is worth getting it is worth asking for so lets get out there and canvass between now and Friday next.

Waterford City Council discuss jobs crisis

At a meeting of Waterford Council tonight there was a very good debate on unemployment and how it continues to effect our city.   The focus of the debate was around what we as a city can do to improve the economic situation in Waterford.  There has been some very good work carried out by the City Development Board of which I am a member.  However it was also pointed out that central government needs to play a greater role in this area.  In my own contribution to the debate I referred to the suffering of families that have recently experienced job loss.  I have met with a number of families and individuals who are threatened with house repossession because of problems emanating from the loss of jobs.  As usual we had calls for task forces, meetings with Ministers etc.  Personally I believe that we need a fresh approach to the situation in Waterford.  I made the suggestion that the government should appoint an individual and give him/her the resources to go out there and attract new industry and indeed work to retain the industry we have.  One thing is for sure and that is that doing nothing is not an option and as far as I can see there is no leadership being shown by government, no overall strategy or plan to get us out of this situation.  This must change.  Why not let me know what you think?

Gilmore for Taoiseach - why not?

Last night our new member of the European Parliament Alan Kelly MEP held a celebration night in Ballina County Tipperary. Unfortunately I was unable to make it due to previous commitments. Alan is someone I have great time for and I was delighted to read his call that Labour must demand a share of Taoiseach's position in any talks for government after the next election. It is not uncommon for governments in Europe to share the top position between party leaders so why should it not happen here? After all Eamonn Gilmore has consistently been the most popular party leader over the last couple of years. The public have connected with his honesty and his fresh approach to issues. No longer are people saying that you are all the same when they talk about the Labour Party . In the words of Eamonn Gilmore himself "We are neither Fianna Fail nor Fine Gael. We are Labour."

BreastCheck here at last

I was delighted to hear this week that BreastCheck the national breast cancer screening programme for  women has finally arrived in Waterford city. This follows a long campaign which included petitions, deputations and extensive lobbying and I would like to congratulate all of those people who gave of their time to campaign for this very successful service.  I received a number of calls this week from women who have received their first appointment from BreastCheck.  The service is located on the grounds of Whitfield Clinic, Butlerstown Cork Road Waterford and will remain there for the next few months.