Politics - Thurles Information

Taoiseach Supports Lowry Request Re. Payments For Beef Farmers

Following a call from Tipperary Independent TD Michael Lowry to bring forward direct payments to beef farmers in light of the current crisis; An Taoiseach Mr Leo Varadkar says that the Deputy’s request ‘makes sense’.

Deputy Lowry informed the weekly Dail sitting that concerns about the beef sector are mounting and cash flow remains a serious concern for farmers during the Covid-19 crisis.

Deputy Lowry suggested to An Taoiseach that EU direct payments, which are due to be made in October, should be brought forward to July to help alleviate at least some of that financial pressure.

“Prices have slumped. Cash-flow is now a major issue for beef farmers both in Tipperary and around the country. Could your Government commit to bringing forward direct payments to beef farmers from October to July this year?” asked Deputy Lowry.

In response, An Taoiseach stated, “They are EU funds. The farmers would be getting them anyway so it might make sense to bring it forward. It’s not money they wouldn’t be getting anyway, but it might at least help with cash-flow.”

Covid-19 Update: Tue. 28th April 2020 – 59 Deaths – 229 New Cases

The Department of Health has confirmed this evening that a further 59 people have tragically died from the Covid-19 virus, here in the Republic of Ireland. These latest figures bring the death toll, from the virus, to 1,159.

A total of 229 new cases of the coronavirus have also, today, been identified here in the Republic, bringing the total since conception to 19,877.

Here in Co. Tipperary the number of virus cases reported has continued to increase. As at midnight on Saturday, April 26th last, cases confirmed were 370, an increase of 6 new cases over the previous day.

Nationally a total of 153,054 tests have now been carried out and over the past week, 41,470 of these tests identified 5,335 as being positive.

The National Public Health Emergency Team today were of the opinion that, as a nation, currently we are in no position to recommend any easing of current restrictions initially introduced to try stop the spread of the virus; latter due to lapse on Tuesday May 5th.

Sadly, our Irish TV channels appear to be giving more news time to the “Donald Trump’s” of Ireland, i.e. “professor” Mrs Mary Lou McDonald, leader of the “Bully Party” and that new leader of the “Famous Five”, (without Timmy the Dog), namely know-it-all “kite flying” Tipperary TD Mr Alan Kelly of the failed Labour Party.
Yes, we, the TV Licence paying public, would rather discussion with the National Public Health Emergency Team; Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anthony Holohan; Taoiseach and Physician Mr Leo Varadkar and Minister for Health Mr Simon Harris; latter group who are successfully attempting to get us through this unprecedented of times.
Following the Late, Late Show content last Friday night, perhaps it is now time to review paying your TV Licence fee; instead pay a subscription to Netflix.

Please listen, do as asked, social distance and isolate.

Limerick University Responds To Lowry’s Call For Student Fairness

Deputy Michael Lowry has received a response from the President of the University of Limerick, following his appeal for fairness for students, [See Here], latter who had paid rent or entered into rent contracts for accommodation.

The Deputy, in his representations to Limerick University, had stated that students and their parents, from his constituency had contacted him to say that the University is the only educational facility in Ireland that is not offering refunds to students for their on-campus accommodation. Lowry had stated publicaly that be believed that students should be refunded ‘as a matter of principle and good faith’.

In his response, the University President acknowledges that they have had queries in relation to the refund of accommodation fees “where a student has chosen to vacate in the current difficult circumstances”. He says “UL is in a process of quantifying the financial impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. It seems likely at this stage, taking into account that additional Government funding has not yet been provided to the University, that a significant deficit will be incurred in both the current year and next year.”

“We will continue to balance our limited resources to ensure our own sustainability and to support public health and associated challenges mindful of the legislative requirement to act within our significant but limited budget. In some cases, this might mean that while we are sympathetic to certain requests, now we cannot devote budget until we have sight of a funding source which may be forthcoming at a later date.” he stated.

“We are working with our regulator/funders to assess the financial impact of the third party and our own needs; to understand what may be possible to fund in the future and until that work is complete we cannot make a commitment to refund accommodation fees.” he concluded

Lowry Appeals for Fairness Regarding Student Rooming Costs

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.

Regional Independent Group State – “We must have Deadline on Government Formation Talks”

“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.