Tipperary Independent TD Deputy Michael Lowry has again appealed to universities, colleges and private landlords who have failed to cancel or refund paid rents to students; to review their stance on this issue.
Thousands of students are no longer using student accommodation due to the current Covid-19 crisis, but are caught up in private lease agreements or have paid their rent in advance for on-campus accommodation.
“Despite numerous pleas and calls, since Universities and Colleges closed; to refund this money or cancel obligations under the terms of a lease, some educational establishments and landlords have opted not to do so. This is grossly unfair and very stressful for students and, in many cases, their parents, who cannot afford to lose this money at such a difficult time”, says Deputy Lowry.
Deputy Lowry is particularly critical of the providers of large scale on-campus student accommodation, where students can be obliged to pay in advance for their rooms. “These students paid their rent in good faith and did not choose to leave on a whim. Circumstances determined that they vacate their accommodation, and this should be taken into consideration in the essence of fairness”, says the Deputy.
Deputy Lowry says that there have also been reports of students being asked to find new tenants for their privately rented houses or apartments by landlords who are refusing to break the terms of their lease. “Many of these students have lost their part-time jobs, either because they have had to return home or because their jobs no longer exist. They are no longer able to pay rent on a property they cannot use and do not need, through no fault of their own”, he says.
“The Covid-19 pandemic crisis has led to hardship for many people”, says the Deputy, “but an understanding of the situation has prompted a positive response in most cases. I am calling on these Universities, Colleges and private landlords to show understanding to their student tenants at this difficult time.”
Examination Fees for Leaving Cert Deputy Lowry also feels that Examination Fees for the Leaving Cert class of 2020, should be waived. Currently students pay €116 on average to sit the Leaving Cert and the deadline for payment of this fee is April 30th. “Under the unique and unprecedented circumstances of this year’s exams and the current financial difficulties being experienced by families, I feel this is the fairest and most just approach”, he concluded.
“We must have deadline on Government formation talks”, state Regional Independent Group
The Regional Group of Independent TD’s that met with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael on Monday of this week; (latter group which includes Tipperary Independent TD Michael Lowry) have issued a joint statement following their discussions, stating that “It is time for a clear deadline from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael on when they expect a decision from smaller parties on whether they will enter discussions on the formation of Government or no. This indicated deadline would decide when substantive talks would start on an actual programme for Government”, continued the eight Independent TD’s who make up this Regional Independent Grouping.
Along with Deputy Michael Lowry(Tipperary); the other members of this Regional Independent Group include:- Cathal Berry TD (Kildare South); Sean Canney TD (Galway East); Peter Fitzpatrick TD (Louth); Noel Grealish TD (Galway West); Verona Murphy TD (Wexford); Matt Shanahan TD (Waterford) and Denis Naughten TD (Roscommon-Galway), [Convener].
The statement continued “We are now in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, facing into challenging economic times, with significant threats to jobs, as well as the ongoing challenges of housing, agriculture and health. The public needs leadership that can only be provided by a stable Government with a clear mandate and this needs to happen quickly”
Deputy Lowry stated, “Following a constructive meeting of Regional Independent TDs with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael on Government formation, the group has made it clear that it is willing to engage in meaningful talks on a Programme for Government – but only as an equal partner in such discussions and not as a last minute addition to make up the numbers.
“While the current caretaker Government, working with public health officials, have brought us to this stage in the management of the Covid-19 pandemic, to progress to recovery mode and provide certainty to the Irish people it is imperative that we move from talking about Government formation, into real and substantive talks on an actual Programme for Government”, Lowry concluded.
Tipperary Independent TD Mr Michael Lowry has stated that news which the Government signed into legislation last night (Tuesday April 7th) which granted emergency powers to Gardaí is very welcome, particularly in advance of Easter weekend and anticipated good weather.
Under this legislation Gardaí will retain these powers during the Covid-19 crisis, which grant them the ability to force people to return to their homes. Up to last night the Gardai could only advise people to do so.
The announcement was made on last night’s RTE ‘Prime Time’ programme by Minister for Health Mr Simon Harris, latter who declared that the legislation would be formally signed last night and that the decision had followed a meeting between himself, An Taoiseach, Garda Representatives and the Chief Medical Officer.
Gardai will continue their high-profile patrols, but now with additional powers to force people to return to their homes if they are out without a valid reason. However, Minister Harris stated that it is hoped that these powers will not need to be used.
He said that people have been responding responsibly to the public health crisis and have been following the advice given, but that now is not the time to slacken.
Deputy Lowry reiterated his recent advice to people to continue the fight against the Covid-19 virus and not to become complacent. He urged, yet again, that people follow the advice of the health experts in the days and weeks ahead, for their own sakes and for the sake of others.
Mr Alan Kelly TD & former FAI boss Mr John Delaney.
Following the decision by Brendan Howlin to step down as leader of the Irish Labour, following the February 2020 general election, latter having spent four years in charge; today a new leader is expected be decided. With two individuals having thrown their hats into the ring, Mr Aodhán Ó Riordáin and Tipperary’s Mr Alan Kelly (Latter nicknamed ‘AK47’ because of his brash manner), will both go forward for election as the new leader of the now almost non-existent Labour Party.
Counting is expected to begin this very afternoon when the last postal ballots are delivery to the offices of accountancy firm Mazars, in Co. Dublin, by An Post.
To comply with the Covid-19 social distancing rules put in place by the current caretaker government; this entire count will be undertaken by a one-man operation, using social media to observe correct supervision.
Mr Ó Ríordáin a former popular Minister of state in 2014, has been a Teachta Dála for the Dublin Bay North constituency since the 2020 general election, and previously from 2011 to 2016 for the Dublin North-Central constituency.
A former teacher and principal of St Laurence O’Toole’s primary school in Dublin’s north inner city, Mr Ó Ríordáin served as a member of Dublin City Council from 2004 to 2011, and was Deputy Mayor in 2006. After losing his Dáil seat in 2016, he succeeded in successfully getting elected to Seanad Éireann, latter the upper house of the Oireachtas.
In the 2020 General Election, he struggled to be the fourth TD of five TD’s elected in Co. Tipperary. He was elected on the ninth count, with 13222 votes, several hundred votes short of the required 13,632 quota.
Mr Kelly claimed in the past that he has relaxed by watching “House of Cards” at night while confirming that, quote, “Anybody who says that power isn’t attractive is telling you a lie. Of course it is. It’s obviously a drug. It’s attractive. It’s something you thrive on. It suits some people. It doesn’t suit others. I think it suits me.”
Mr Kelly has regularly faced questions about his involvement with the now resigned former FAI boss, Mr John Delaney, latter who in 2016 revealed that both had worked closely on deals, involving soccer clubs.
In 2016 Mr Delaney, who more recently lead Irish football to the brink of complete bankruptcy, since saved by a bailout, was observed out and about in our beloved Tipperary constituency, in the company of the then Environment Minister, Mr Kelly.
Mr Delaney, who also in the past attended Mr Kelly’s 40th birthday party with his then partner Ms Emma English in 2015, had encouraged listeners to Midwest radio, to vote for Mr Kelly in the 2016 General Election.
The contest results are expected to be announced this evening or tomorrow.
“When we look back on this present time in the years to come, I believe that this (Referring to new funeral arrangements governing the Covid-19 pandemic) will be amongst our saddest memories of this extraordinary time and one of the changes; albeit very necessary, that will leave lasting scars on our hearts” – Quote Tipperary Independent TD Michael Lowry.
“The governments sensible announcement that no more than 10 people can attend funeral services in their normal places of worship or at gravesides or in crematoriums; will remain very difficult for Irish people”, says Deputy Michael Lowry.
“Over the recent past Irish people are and will continue to struggle to adapt to the many changes in their lives. Some are easier to handle than others, but some go against the very things that make us uniquely Irish”. Not being able to gather to mourn our deceased family members and friends, or offer support to grieving families in the way that we have always done in Ireland, is one of the most painful changes we have had to live with,” says the Deputy.
The Independent TD Mr Michael Lowry was speaking, after contacting one of the many grieving families by phone and feeling the frustration of not being able to shake their hands and offer words of comfort.
The Deputy says that people depend on each other in times of grief and without the strength, support and company of others, grieving families may feel lost and alone. “But that is what grieving families are now forced to face in these challenging times”, he stated.
“Ireland has a very special and cherished way of holding funerals”, he continued. “We listen daily to local media broadcasts to hear if a member of our community has passed away. We attend the home of the deceased person to be with their families and we go to the Funeral Home to shake their hands and let them know we share their grief. We attend the removal of the deceased to their place of worship and we attend their funeral service and then we stand beside the bereaved as their loved one is laid to rest. We offer strength and support through our presence. It’s what we do, it’s what we’ve always done, but we cannot do so at this time and it hurts”.
Deputy Lowry confirms that he is very conscious of the fact that every person who has died in Ireland as a result of Covid-19 has died alone in many cases, or without the closeness of those they deeply love. He acknowledges with great sadness that families cannot grieve together due to social distancing rules and that the funerals of those who have passed are attended only by their very closest family members.
Under the new rules announced yesterday, all funeral services from now; until restrictions are lifted, will be restricted to a maximum of 10 people and, even as people stand at the graveside of their loved one, social distancing must be observed.
Deputy Lowry says that he understands that mourners, funeral directors and celebrants must be protected from Covid-19 and that the new measures introduced are necessary to ensure that. “But, when we look back on this present time in the years to come, I believe that this will be amongst our saddest memories of this extraordinary time and one of the changes, albeit very necessary, that will leave lasting scars on our hearts; in the meanwhile stay safe”, concluded Mr Lowry.
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