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 Alan Kelly Fine Gael TD and Tipperary North/South Offaly Candidate, Noel Coonan, has sharply hit out at MEP Alan Kelly, latter currently still AWOL and on walk about from the real job, for which he was elected by the people of Munster at the last European elections. Eamonn Gilmore’s ‘bright little hope’ and ready ‘scare mongerer’ in the Tipperary North/South Offaly constituency is claiming, in a press release to Tipp FM this morning, that the Fine Gael Party and Fianna Fáil, if in office, will cut teacher numbers.
Mr Kelly is obviously retaliating today, having read this weeks Tipperary Star Newspaper, in which Deputy Maire Hoctor, whose Fianna Fáil party supporters, need a garda escort to enable them to go canvassing in Offaly, claims that the Labour party will close rural schools.
In this case, though it grieves me greatly to say it, Maire appears to be correct. Mr Kelly, who had the worst voting record in 2009 in Seanad Éireann, voting just nine times out of a possible 55, appears to never read the Irish Independent, which published recently a report by his party colleague Deputy Quinn, (latter the ‘would be’ Education Minister in any unlikely Labour government,) that he favoured amalgamating small rural schools, using the HSE’s hospital ‘Centres of Excellence’ recipe model, latter which has left North Tipperary without any real medical services.
Thurles Information today contacted Deputy Coonan regarding this report and the Deputy laughingly stated:
“The date for voting is getting ever so close and this is a desperate measure by Mr Alan Kelly, who is throwing about anything that he believes the public want to hear, instead of dealing honestly with the real problems facing the education sector. His claims are completely incorrect and are also hugely disappointing, coming as they do from an MEP, who has obviously not studied his homework. He should know at this stage that Fine Gael in power is in a position to credibly commit to an increase of 2,500 teachers from the 2010 levels by 2014 in order to maintain current pupil-teacher ratios.
The Labour MEP’s attacks on Fine Gael policy smacks of complete desperation and Alan Kelly’s untrue accusation further undermines his credibility, following his pledge to the people to serve as an MEP for five years, but backing away from this responsibility less than two years into his term of office.
Labour is a high tax party and, unlike Fine Gael, does not have any credible plan to fix the economy. Fine Gael is determined to protect vital front line services in the public sector, especially those provided by teachers in rural schools, and I think Mr Kelly would be better placed wasting his energy on formulating just one original policy of his own.
We in Fine Gael will cut spending levels across all Departments in order to protect the quality of the educational experience received by our children. We will not increase class sizes and to achieve this objective we will work with education partners to seek further efficiencies in work practices, in line with the Croke Park Agreement, and to devolve more power to school principals and teachers to make tight budgets go further.
Meanwhile, Fine Gael scored highest overall when it came to proposals for political reform according to the academic group, Reformcard, who examined proposals under five headings: Oireachtas, Electoral, Open Government, Public Sector and Local Government Reform and marked each party’s plans out of 100 marks.
Fine Gael was ahead on the group’s ratings for political reform plans with an overall score of 73 out of 100. Labour followed on 68, Fianna Fáil on 58, the Green Party on 53 while Sinn Féin was on a low 26 on the scoreboard.
Fine Gael pledges to open all government data, protect whistleblowers, make public sector budgets more accountable and appoint a minister of Public Service reform, greatly impressed this group.
Continue reading Alan Kelly MEP ‘Desperate’ States Coonan
 Dr Martin Mansergh Fianna Fáil Minister of State Dr Martin Mansergh looks set to lose his Dáil seat in Tipperary South, according to an Irish Times /Ipsos MRBI constituency poll.
The poll also shows Mattie ‘The Deer Hunter,‘ McGrath, a former Fianna Fáil TD, who turned Independent in an effort to improve his chances in the upcoming General Election, will be in a battle for the final seat in the three-seat constituency with Labour Party senator Phil Prendergast.
While I have no sympathy for ‘Deer Hunter‘ McGrath – “If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.“- Quote from St. Francis of Assisi, and I have not voted for Fianna Fáil, since I cannot remember when, but I feel that for Dr Martin Mansergh to loose his seat as a public representative, would be a backward step for South Tipperary and Ireland.
To be rational and fair-minded this Tipperary-born Irish and Commonwealth historian has made a huge contribution to this island of ours, take a look at his record to date.
- Elected to Seanad Éireann on the Agricultural Panel after nomination by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association, 2002.
- Prior to appointment as Minister of State, member of the Excel Heritage Board, Tipperary and trustee of Cashel Bolton Library.
- Involved in the expansion of Overseas Development Assistance since 1992.
- Argued the merits of Fianna Fáil adopting the national minimum wage during the 2002 election.
- Promoted economic and tax strategy, including the introduction of tax credits.
- Argued the merits of reinstating the full Christmas bonus to Social Welfare recipients.
- Argued the merits of future public transport investment.
- Promoted historical and cultural projects, like the Pearse family home, the Irish College in Paris, the Boyne battle site, and Cathedral restorations.
- Member of the Delegation and of the official Steering Group for the Good Friday Agreement negotiations.
- Was Northern Ireland Advisor to three Taoisigh and leaders of Fianna Fáil over 21 years, 1981-2002.
- Conducted discussions with IRSP prior to INLA ceasefire and responsible for dialogue with Sinn Féin leadership and with Church intermediaries, including those in touch with Unionist and Loyalist leaderships, prior to first and second IRA ceasefires.
- He worked on the text of what subsequently became known as Hume-Adams and in expanded form the Downing Street Declaration.
- He was winner with Fr. Reid and Rev Roy Magee of the Tipperary Peace Prize.
He is also ‘cheaper to run,‘ than Mattie McGrath and uses public transport to get about. South Tipp Fianna Fail TD and play actor Mattie McGrath, between the 2007 General Election and September 2009, collected over €161,500, in expenses while Minister of State Martin Mansergh claimed a mere €73,272 during the same period.
Let us not “throw out the baby with the bath water” here, in our haste to rid this country of Fianna Fáil, we need persons of proven academic ability in the Dáil, even if they are in opposition and even Mattie will acknowledge that Mansergh has “bought and sold a banbh at a fair.”
I am still searching for Mattie McGrath’s major contribution to National Politics and as for Labour Senator Phil Prendergast of Clonmel, who attended only 18 out of 55 votes in Seanad Éireann in 2009, enough said.
 Marjorie McCorduck Congratulations to Marjorie McCorduck, a member of Roscrea and Courtown golf clubs, on becomming the 32nd president of the ILGU. Marjorie started her two-year term of office following the recent AGM of the Union and succeeds former president M/S Anne Wallace.
Marjorie, a native of Templemore, here in Co Tipperary, has previously held the post of lady captain of Roscrea in 1977 and represented Roscrea and Courtown in Senior Cup on many occasions, having achieved her lowest handicap of four.
Marjorie’s interest in golf has extended far beyond simply playing the game. She served as a District Selector at both Girls’ and Ladies’ level and is a fully qualified Rules Official, acting for the ILGU, LGU and R and A. She has officiated at numerous major overseas golf events including ‘The Open Championship‘ on four occasions and has represented the LGU on the R and A Rules of Golf Committee and CONGU Committee.
Additionally, she is currently a member of the National USGA Course Rating Committee and is a District Scratch Score Assessor working under both the LGU and USGA systems.
Her husband David, daughter Jayne and son Robert are delighted with Marjorie’s nomination for ILGU President and will offer their full support during her two year term of office.
On accepting the post Marjorie stated: “I am pleased and honoured to become the 32nd President of the Irish Ladies Golf Union and look forward to contributing to the ILGU’s ongoing development, also, to meeting many of the lady golfers throughout Ireland at our various ILGU Championships for all age groups.“
 Leo Varadkar to visit Tipperary North With Election Day looming closer than ever our local Fine Gael TD Noel Coonan has announced that he is holding his final rally in the Muintir na Tire Hall, Roscrea, this Friday night at 9.00pm.
Deputy Leo Varadkar will be the guest speaker on the night and all are welcome to come along for one last drive, to demonstrate their support and hear how Fine Gael intend to revitalise the constituency of North Tipperary and South Offaly, which have been decimated under the outgoing government and its supporters.
Speaking to Thurles Information this morning, Deputy Noel Coonan stated:
“Fine Gael will most likely be in Government, following the upcoming election and I cannot stress enough, how important it is that a constituency as large as ours retains its Fine Gael Deputy to represent it in Dáil Eireann. It is absolutely crucial that we keep our Fine Gael seat and that is why people are encouraged to vote “No. 1 Coonan, Noel.”
Deputy Leo Varadkar has kindly agreed to travel from Dublin to address the meeting and reiterate Fine Gael’s numerous comprehensive and costed policy plans that will help pull us out of our economic doldrums.
I’m looking forward to an enthusiastic attendance on Friday night in Roscrea similar to the hugely impressive crowds that attended our previous campaign meetings and selection convention in Thurles. I have been greatly encouraged by the level of support shown to date for Fine Gael in North Tipperary and South Offaly and I’ve no doubt that the public have seen the light and realise that this Government, supported by Independents, are now dead in the water.”
Deputy Coonan also warmly welcomed the good news that construction is to start this September on Borrisokane’s Day Care Centre. The local Fine Gael TD has been relentlessly pressing the Minister for Health for this project, which is to commence as a matter of priority and is “thankful that the persistence has finally paid off.”
The Deputy stated: “Mr. Brian Gilroy, Director of Estates in the HSE informed me that the project will go to tender by end of July 2011 with construction to start in September 2011 and an anticipated completion date before end of June 2012.
The procurement process for the design team has been completed and contract documents have been issued to the design team for formal appointment. The first project meeting with the design team took place at the end of January and the expectation is that a planning permission application will be lodged before the end of March 2011. Following that, the project will go to tender by end of July 2011.
I wish to again acknowledge the vital role played by the Borrisokane action committee in continuously pushing for the progression of this important facility and for displaying patience during the many dark days after the false dawn. As the only local Opposition TD, I was happy to work with the committee to keep the project alive.”
Deputy Coonan concluded by saying: “This day care centre will thankfully take pressure off the Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles and the Dean Maxwell Home, Roscrea, where there is a large demand for residency.”
 Paddy Ryan - Photo B. Delaney Paddy Ryan, a man with a rare form of dwarfism is to begin fundraising to raise money for research into his unusual condition.
Paddy is one of just one of 140 people in the world to suffer from this condition identified as Primordial Dwarfism Type II, which is a genetic disorder, severely stunting normal growth.
This rare condition is a form of dwarfism in which the body is properly and proportionately formed in every way, but the sufferer remains small in stature.
This disease differs from normal dwarfism, which is characterised by small stature resulting from a specific medical condition. One in every 100 people are characterised as dwarfs.
Mr Ryan, aged 33 and measuring 3ft 6in high, hails from Templederry, Co Tipperary and is one of the smallest adults in Ireland. There are approximately 140 only documented cases in the world similar to Mr Ryan’s and he is one of the oldest males in the world with his condition.
Low stature however does not hinder Mr Ryan, he drives a specially adapted Volkswagen Golf and has worked for some 14 years in Nenagh town, with MJM Electronics, prior to the factory being closed last year.
He is presently the only person in Ireland collecting for the non-profit “Walking With Giants Foundation,” which is a support and research group for people affected by dwarfism. His fundraising campaign will begin in Michael Hogan’s pub in Templederry on March 18th next, so do go along and support his efforts.
Remember: Venue – Michael Hogans Pub, Templederry, Co. Tipperary. Date –March 18th next, the day after St Patrick’s day.
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