Mr Varadkar reheats Coveney statement but fails to provide costings or any other detail
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Darragh O’Brien TD has taken Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to task for his claim that he plans to double the country's diplomatic presence overseas by 2025. The Taoiseach was unable to provide any detail whatsoever regarding costs or even what countries we would be targeting. Deputy O’Brien commented, "Mr Varadkar's fondness for PR is well established and it is clear that he and his office have struggled to find reasons for his current visit to Canada. However, reheating this non-announcement, which has already been made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney and presenting it as a major development is too much. "The Taoiseach's announcement fell apart almost immediately, when he admitted that there is no plan, no costings, no priorities in terms of countries and no schedule. “This is the second time in just a month that a promise has been made by Leo Varadkar without even basic costings or details in place. “Of course the other irony in this latest PR stunt is that Mr Varadkar's time in Cabinet has been a period of halting diplomatic expansion and actually closing embassies. He added, “Fianna Fáil has repeatedly called for investment in our foreign affairs and trade presence overseas in response to the dangers posed by Brexit. This position now seems to have been adopted by Fine Gael, which is welcome; however the rhetoric and PR announcements have not been matched by Government action. “In information recently obtained by my party, we learned that key State agencies including Enterprise Ireland and the IDA have filled just 17 of 70 positions established to assist firms and employers preparing for possible post-Brexit tariffs or trade barriers. “It is clear that we do need to significantly beef up our diplomatic presence overseas. For it to be real and meaningful, we need a conversation about where we should be concentrating the effort and how much it is going to take to pay for it. The Taoiseach would be much better advised to get involved in the substance of this issue, rather than re-announcing non-plans in an effort to look like something is being done." Please see below the excellent news I have received from the NTA following my representations to secure school bus service in Knocksedan. Commencing 30 August 2017, the current school services which serve Holy Family / Colaiste Choilm / Loreto College will now include a stop in Knocksedan at Dublin Bus Stop 7654
"Dear Deputy I refer to your recent representations regarding public transport services in Knocksedan. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has no plans to extend Route 196 to Forest Road, Rivervalley and Rathingle as these areas are already well served by Dublin Bus and Swords Express. These locations can readily be accessed from Knocksedan via connections at Swords town centre. However, you will be pleased to know that the NTA has approved a variation to school services, which are provided by Dublin Bus under a Public Service Contract with the NTA. Dublin Bus sub-contracts these services to Fingal Coaches. Commencing 30 August 2017, the current school services which serve Holy Family / Colaiste Choilm / Loreto College will now include a stop in Knocksedan at Dublin Bus Stop 7654. The estimated time for morning pickup in Knocksedan is 8:10am. Pick up from Loreto College on Monday & Tuesday will be at 4:00pm and arrive at Knocksedan at approximately 4:45pm. Pick up from Loreto College on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at will be at 3:25pm and arrive at Knocksedan at approximately 4:20pm. Further information about the services, including fares, can be found on the Dublin Bus website at http://www.dublinbus.ie/Your-Journey1/Timetables/Contracted-Services/ Morning specific services are shown at http://www.dublinbus.ie/Global/23%20early.pdf Afternoon services are shown at http://www.dublinbus.ie/Global/23%20early2.pdf Yours sincerely NTA Oireachtas Liaison" Just finished briefing with Irish Water on Rush / Skerries proposed road closures.
See here the briefing document and map which they gave me with their answers to many of the questions put to them. Bottom line is they intend to proceed with road closure, however the whole 800m stretch will NOT be closed at the same time. Works will be done in 7 phases and they have assured me that local access at ALL times will be maintained. Shuttle bus will run on a loop throughout the day. I also pressed them on the need for a public information meeting. They are quite resistant to this, but following the meeting this morning they have agreed to strongly consider holding such a meeting. I told them very strongly that it is my absolute belief that a meeting in Rush must happen. Road closure licence due to be decided tomorrow Tuesday, at that stage I should have more information . New service will begin next Monday, 21st August 2017
Local Fianna Fáil TD, Darragh O’Brien has said that the new bus route serving Knocksedan to Swords, North County Dublin will support many rural residents to travel between townlands and villages across Fingal. Commenting on the new service, O’Brien commented, “The introduction of this bus route is something that both I and my colleague Cllr Darragh Butler have been working on together with local residents for a number of years now. “It is welcome news for all residents who have been relentlessly pushed for a better linkage of services to be provided between towns and villages across our county. “The Knocksedan to Swords Local Link is a service provided as part of the Rural Transport Programme and will play an important role in the backbone of public transport and supporting the local economy. “Many living in our community have waited for this bus route and will be relieved that it will be operating in their area at long last. “Cllr Darragh Butler and I continue to do our absolute best to ensure that the National Transport Authority is well aware of the merits to extending the service through Rivervalley to serve Holy Family National School and Loreto. He concluded, “I will keep you informed of progress in this regard.” - British documents highlight folly of their own negotiating position -
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Darragh O’Brien TD has said that as Britain have revealed its plan to request exemptions for all small traders and farmers in pursuit of avoiding EU border posts, Ireland’s emphasis must be placed on negotiating a deal in the interests of all Irish exporters. The Deputy commented, “Following the publication of two UK Brexit position papers, I have serious concerns for Ireland particularly regarding future customs arrangements and trade agreements. “It is essential that the EU negotiating team works to avoid the establishment of trade barriers in the agri-food sector and highlights the need to continue to develop Ireland's all-island energy market. “Despite confirming that they will leave the single market, the British Government supposedly prioritises barrier-free trade with Ireland. Furthermore, while it will exit the customs union, the UK have seemingly made it a priority to avoid the introduction of a new border around Northern Ireland. “It is therefore becoming increasingly apparent that the British Government is determined to retain all of the benefits of EU membership but without meeting any of their obligations.Their negotiating position is going to be extremely difficult for Europe including Ireland to agree upon. It highlights the folly of Britain insisting to leave the customs union in the very first place. “I have been clear on the importance for the UK Government to reaffirm its commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and the Common Travel Area; however, there are other elements of Brexit that are as potentially detrimental to Irish interests but have gained less traction. He added, “British consumption to date has held up well, and the Irish export figures support that. However, much analysis over recent months has shown that there is potential for this rate of current consumption to become reliant on credit including personal loans, credit cards or lower savings. “The British inflation figures announced this week indicate that it has remained at a steady 2.6%. At the same time, regular wage growth averaged just 2% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2017. In real terms wages are going down. “The obvious fear is that if Sterling depreciates even more, British price inflation will continue to rise. Should household income fail to match that, money must come from credit in order to keep consumption going at its current rate. “When this credit runs dry the British consumer will have no choice but to cut back on consumption and it will be at this point that Ireland may feel the full effects of Brexit on Irish trade and exports. “The measly €3 million euro that was allocated in last year’s Budget to diversify Irish exports market is woefully inadequate for Irish trade and business to possibly deal with the immense challenge that is quickly approaching,” concluded Deputy O’Brien. SC1-COMMUNITY ALERT:
A serious incident has developed on the Oberstown Campus. The Gardaí and Emergency Services have been notified. The incident is contained on the campus. |
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