2 June 2010 Edition

Callely defends his expense claims

2 June 2010

Fianna Fáil Senator Ivor Callely is at the centre of an expenses storm after it emerged that the Dublin-based TD had claimed over €80,000 in subsistence and travel expenses from his property in west Cork. On Wednesday, he insisted that he fully complied with the regulations concerning his expense claims. Fianna Fáil leader and Taoiseach Brian Cowen is now coming under increased pressure to take action against Callely. Free article

Anderson calls for support of Destined Lottery Awards Bid

2 June 2010

Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Martina Anderson has called on people in Derry and Donegal to get behind a local charity in their bid to win the Access to Citizenship -Lottery Awards 2010. Destined is a voluntary organisation with charitable status which was established in August 2002 .It is based at Great James Street in Derry. It seeks to address the needs of people with a learning disability in a whole life context. The organization has as its core ethos the involvement and full participation of its members with a learning disability in all aspects of activity and at all levels of the decision making process. Free article

PPS 21 requires further improvement

2 June 2010

Following the publication today of the final building and environmental legislation on PPS 21, Sinn Féin Planning Spokesper-son, Cathal Boylan, MLA, said it needed further improvement. After an exchange with the Minister, Boylan said, "This revised policy provides increased opportunities to develop in the countryside. The new policy proposals includes less restrictive personal and domestic circumstances, building within existing clusters and a clearer definition of criteria for gap sites, as well as an opportunity to develop away from farm clusters. It is also proposed that a new Rural Design Guide is due to be published in the Autumn. Free article

The Irish unity pledge campaign in Canada

2 June 2010

A campaign has been launched in Canada to win support for an Irish Unity Pledge, following a conference there last November, which was attended by Gerry Adams. Last November, Friends of Sinn Fein (Canada) Inc. presented a Forum in Toronto entitled "A United Ireland: How Do we Get There?" The object of the conference was to generate discussion around how Canadians could help win Irish unity. Speakers at the conference included Gerry Adams M.P., Charlie Angus M.P. (NDP), former Canadian Solicitor General Warren Allmand, former Saskatchewan Attorney General, Chris Axworthy, and Montreal trade union leader Manon Peron of the Conference of National Trade Unions. Representatives of Irish Canadian groups from across Canada, including the G.A.A, also addressed the audience, which numbered over 300 people. Free article

Patients suffer cutbacks while Anglo-Irish Bank gets another €2 billion

2 June 2010

Sinn Féin Health & Children spokesperson and Cavan-Monaghan TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has described as "a danger to the health and safety of patients" Wednesday's announced closure of a range of hospital services in Cavan and Monaghan General Hospital over the summer months. He said it was "obscene" that patients are suffering cuts while the Government has just poured another €2 billion of taxpayers money into Anglo-Irish Bank. Free article

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Mortgage holders need assistance

2 June 2010

Measures must be taken to help mortgage holders struggling to meet payments, according to Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Arthur Morgan, TD. Morgan said recent figures from the Central Bank showed a 13% increase in the number of mortgages in arrears. Many of these people are paying mortgages on homes now in heavy negative equity. Free article

Domestic abuse victims on the rise

2 June 2010

Safe Ireland, which represents services delivering frontline support to victims of domestic violence, said on Wednesday that the number of women seeking shelter after being subjected to domestic violence has increased by 43% in the last two years. Free article

Waterford resists water charges

2 June 2010

Sinn Fein City and County Councillors David Cullinane, Brendan Mansfield and Pat Fitzgerald this week launched a local campaign of opposition to the introduction of domestic water charges. The councillors dismissed Government claims that any new charging mechanism is about water conservation. Free article

Seanad to debate Donegal job creation

2 June 2010

Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty has secured a debate in the Seanad on the need for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and innovation to make towns in Donegal South West a priority for future IDA investment. Doherty has called for a comprehensive strategy from the IDA to promote Donegal. Free article

Ritchie's public humiliation of O'Loan continues

2 June 2010

Margaret Ritchie's public humiliation of Declan O'Loan seems to be continuing apace, according to Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay. Free article


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