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New 40 Bed Unit For South Tipp. Gen. Hospital On Schedule.

Independent TD Deputy Michael Lowry in a statement today confirmed that there is no justification or need for hyped up exaggerated concerns regarding the opening of the new 40 Bed Modular Unit for South Tipperary General Hospital [S.T.G.H].


Ground works at S.T.G.H., showing the positioning of the new, welcome 40 Bed Modular Unit; as it looked back in early February of this year.

Mr Lowry stated, “I am pleased to confirm that work on the new 40 Bed Modular Unit at S.T.G.H. is running to schedule.

The new building is now fully erected on site. The works are ongoing. The contractors require another 14 weeks to install floors, fixtures, fittings and ancillary works; including the completion of forecourt paving and landscaping around the building. Internally each room has to be partitioned and fitted with a toilet, basin and shower. Heating and lighting has also to be fixed.”

We understand this two storey building which will have 40 ensuite single rooms will be ready for handover to the HSE in August. In the meantime, the capital funds, already allocated, will be used to source and purchase the equipment and medical devices to service this new unit.

Deputy Lowry continued, “Last Friday I walked through the new building. It is really very impressive. I am delighted with progress. It is a new concept, the first of its kind in Ireland. On my visit to the site on Friday, I met with the Chief Executive of the H.S.E. South/South East and with the Hospital Manager. Both are totally committed and eagerly anticipating the opening of this exceptional new facility.

The H.S.E. has also confirmed to me and the Hospital Manager that the necessary funds to staff and open the Unit, are available.

The Director of Human Resources, with the approval of the H.S.E. has already commenced a campaign at home and abroad for additional personnel. Interviews for some employment positions have already been held and panels now established. The New Unit will be open and available to patients towards the end of this year.

This fantastic, state of the art facility is well on the way to delivery. I am determined to see it through to conclusion”, Deputy Lowry concluded.

A Bedtime Story For Elected Public Representatives.

“Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered”. Proverbs 21:13.

It is Friday evening after all and the vast majority of Irish elected, public representatives will be back home with their families, most having completed yet another busy three day week in Dáil Éireann.

As you lie back with your slippered feet crossed, perched on the coffee table; your bottle of Italian Prosecco suitably chilled; we thought that perhaps a four minute short story, read aloud, might help you to fully relax, as you plot your next move in an effort to ingratiate yourself with those who mistakenly gave you power in the first place.

So, with your kids tucked safely in bed, don those headphones, keeping in mind that this short story is not at all suitable for the ears of minors.

“The Tooth” read by Annette Bening.

Written by Avi Slodovnick and illustrated by Manon Gauthier.

Trust you liked our story and, even more importantly, we hope you actually gleaned something from its content, but for God’s sake don’t let your children hear it.

Night, Night all.

M. Lowry – “An Post Meeting Now Finalised”.

Michael Lowry T.D.

In a statement this morning Independent Tipperary TD, Mr Michael Lowry has confirmed details in relation to the meeting with An Post and their proposed decision to vacate Liberty Square, Thurles, in favour of new offices at Thurles Shopping Centre.

Mr Lowry stated “After initiating discussions with An Post, I can confirm that a meeting will take place, on Thursday next April 11th, in Committee Rooms Dail Eireann at 12.00 noon.  The delegation will comprise of five (5) Tipperary TD’s plus 2 Fine Gael General Election Candidates.” 

Deputy Lowry continued, “Further to this, An Post have now accepted my request on behalf of six (6) members of the “Save the Square” Action Committee and all Elected Councillors for the Thurles Area”.

“This meeting now affords the opportunity to all representatives, to put forward various strands of the argument against An Post’s regretted decision.  It will also afford us the opportunity to put direct questions to the CEO of An Post and his Senior Officials who are responsible for developing policy and implementing such decisions.  Hard questions, in particular can now be put forward with regard to business logic and to hear how they underpin and substantiate this decision, on financial and social grounds”, Deputy Lowry concluded.

An Post Chairman & Chief Executive To Meet M. Lowry & Oireachtas Colleagues.

Tipperary Independent TD Mr Michael Lowry has confirmed that he has had discussions with Minister Richard Bruton yesterday, with regard to the decision by An Post, to re-locate Thurles Post Office.

Deputy Lowry stated, “I was adamant that it was not a sustainable position for the Chairman and Chief Executive of An Post to refuse my previous request for a direct meeting with their two most senior personnel in that company, latter who are directly responsible for the delivery of policy and implementation relating to company decisions.

I have now been advised by the Minister’s Office and An Post that the Chairman and Chief Executive, have both agreed to meet with myself and my four Oireachtas colleagues, next week.”

The Deputy concluded by saying that he welcomed this opportunity to debate fully this grossly unpopular decision, effecting Thurles town centre, introduced by An Post; while also gleaning a detailed explanation as to the reasons why this decision was taken in the first place and if at all possible, to try to find a compromise in this ongoing debacle.

New Approach Signs For Thurles.

“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools.”

[From a quote attributed to the Greek philosopher Plato.

Picture (1) Erin Foods closed in June 2008. Picture (2) Thurles.ie no longer exists on line. Picture (3) Disk Parking hasn’t existed for years. Picture (4) North Tipperary Co. Council ceased to exist in 2014.

It’s a local election year. We know this because new signage shown hereunder has now been unveiled to local sitting Councillors, who met yesterday to formally give their ‘sign of approval’ to the project.

New Signage For Thurles

Here on thurles.info we had raised the issue of this new required signage back in July 2018; and again, in March 21st, 2019.

On highlighting this issue, the public realised the 11 years of sheer neglect by our Templemore / Thurles Municipal District councillors, and a brief consultation process was recently began for the redesign of new insignia for Thurles.

This announcement, some 11 year too late, was announced on Tipp FM radio yesterday, mainly driven by the need to highlight individuals and party members, all wishing to ingratiate themselves to voters, prior to the upcoming Local Elections on Friday May 24th next.

This proposed re-branding was revealed by Ms Caroline Nesbitt of “Designedly”, at a recent Municipal District Council meeting. The simple design shows leaves attached to a branch, latter a continuation of the letter T and includes pictures and text noting the different facets of life in our town, e.g. sport, theatre, education and business.

We note the picture specifically highlighting ‘Culture’, namely ‘The Source’ building, was wisely taken at night, thus hiding its ongoing ground floor shabbiness and heavily featured graffiti, not to mention the unkempt overgrown river forefront. Nice job; good exposure.

Disappointingly, we note that while Thurles is more often referred to, (with some pride I hasten to add), as the “Cathedral Town”, no Cathedral building appears to feature in anything we have viewed. [Then again is not our small nation ruled over by decidedly unchristian officialdom?]

As well as a tree branch and photographs, this new signage also includes the phrase “Fan Tamall linn” meaning “Dwell Awhile”, no mention of the failed, TipperaryThe PlaceThe Time.

www.thurles.ie

One small fact however, the website shown on this new signage, namely www.thurles.ie, has so far not been activated for well over 6 years, due to the failure to pay for the cost of the ‘Host Name’, (About €12.00 per annum) Now, because of this failure, it was sold; before being purchased as a Swedish Casino site, by Mardukas Technologies Limited; latter who then cybersquatted on the host name, informing all Thurles visitors and local viewers that they could “Vi guidar dig till de bästa casinobonusarna” which when translated means, “We will guide you to the best casino bonuses.”

Tipperary Co. Council have now regained control of the host name, since the 8th August 2017; for 10 years before renewal again; but almost two years on in 2019, nothing has been done to put the site back on line. (So much for Tipperary Tourism). This proves yet again the amounts of money being wasted by Tipperary Co. Council Officials, supported by our locally elected and paid Councillors.

The Real Reason for Hikes In Tipperary Property Tax

We are not aware of exactly how much tax payer’s money was wasted in any buy-back arrangement with Mardukas Technologies Limited, for the site ‘thurles.ie’. We are aware however that the site, together with the build and administration costs, over the years prior to the purchase by Mardukas, exceeded well in excess of €10,000.

Two Questions; (1) Was the site content deleted when the new purchasers took possession? (2) Was the site ever backed up by Tipp Co.Co.? If No is the answer to both questions, expect another hike in your property tax this year.

Hopefully, those resident in Thurles will also get the opportunity to formally give their ‘sign of approval’ to this new signage, in the interest of public consultation you understand; guaranteed by Tipperary Co. Council and our local elected representatives. After all councillors have confirmed that same was paid for by that recent increase in our property tax.

One wonders did they spend it all on our signage.