The Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Fisheries, Martin Ferris TD has said that there needs to be more national control over domestic fisheries. He was commenting on a new EU proposal on enforcing compliance with Common Fishery Policy regulations which was discussed at Committee in the Dáil this morning.
Deputy Ferris said: "While the Commission presents its proposal as a means of strengthening the protection of fish stocks, Irish fishermen have long and grim experience of the reality of what the Common Fishery Policy has meant for them and their livelihood. The unfair distribution of quota and the abuse of our waters has left the Irish fishing sector struggling for survival.
"In that scenario what this country needs to be doing is asserting its right for more control over this valuable resource, and not to surrender even more power to Brussels. That has been a disaster since 1973 and will lead to the effective destruction of the Irish fishery if allowed to continue. Rather than acquiesce in any further restrictions on Irish fishermen, therefore, we must demand that the CFP be radically reformed to include an overhaul of the unfair distribution of the quota that underlines it."
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Ó Snodaigh calls for Garda Reserve to be scrapped
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has this morning called for the Garda Reserve to be scrapped. Speaking ahead of an Oireachtas Committee meeting with the Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy Deputy Ó Snodaigh said the reserve is a failed and costly exercise and should be scrapped.
Deputy Ó Snodaigh also gave his party's reaction to the publication of the Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern's priorities for the Gardaí in 2009.
He said, "We would have liked to see a commitment to scrap the Garda Reserve and the €1.3 million it costs annually redirected into quality community policing. It is a failed and costly PR exercise of a previous Justice Minister and has been deemed as such by both the Garda Representative Association and the Association of Garda Sergeants. It should be scrapped immediately before more money is wasted.
"The reserve has had little or no impact in terms of improving policing. Even aside from its budget allocation a range of other costs are tied up with its existence. A chief superintendent, a superintendent, several sergeants and a large number of Gardaí are tied up with training and supervising the tiny reserve force. .
"The Garda Reserve cannot be a substitute for quality community policing by full-time fully trained Gardaí.
"Minister Ahern's Garda priorities for 2009 are a real step backwards from the priorities determined by Brian Lenihan for the 2008 plan.
"Like the Gardaí themselves, Ahern's top priority is state security followed secondly by crime. Lenihan had reversed these last year - rightly in our view.
"Ahern has also dumped some of the more positive priorities determined by Lenihan last year which we had welcomed at the time and which were in fact clearly influenced by our own submission to that year's policing plan. Ahern has abandoned: the emphasis on JPCs; the priority of increasing the numbers of Gardaí on operational duties, the frequency of high visibility patrols and the numbers deployed in RAPID areas; and Crime Prevention and Reduction as a named priorities in the 2009 Garda Policing Plan." ENDS
Deputy Ó Snodaigh also gave his party's reaction to the publication of the Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern's priorities for the Gardaí in 2009.
He said, "We would have liked to see a commitment to scrap the Garda Reserve and the €1.3 million it costs annually redirected into quality community policing. It is a failed and costly PR exercise of a previous Justice Minister and has been deemed as such by both the Garda Representative Association and the Association of Garda Sergeants. It should be scrapped immediately before more money is wasted.
"The reserve has had little or no impact in terms of improving policing. Even aside from its budget allocation a range of other costs are tied up with its existence. A chief superintendent, a superintendent, several sergeants and a large number of Gardaí are tied up with training and supervising the tiny reserve force. .
"The Garda Reserve cannot be a substitute for quality community policing by full-time fully trained Gardaí.
"Minister Ahern's Garda priorities for 2009 are a real step backwards from the priorities determined by Brian Lenihan for the 2008 plan.
"Like the Gardaí themselves, Ahern's top priority is state security followed secondly by crime. Lenihan had reversed these last year - rightly in our view.
"Ahern has also dumped some of the more positive priorities determined by Lenihan last year which we had welcomed at the time and which were in fact clearly influenced by our own submission to that year's policing plan. Ahern has abandoned: the emphasis on JPCs; the priority of increasing the numbers of Gardaí on operational duties, the frequency of high visibility patrols and the numbers deployed in RAPID areas; and Crime Prevention and Reduction as a named priorities in the 2009 Garda Policing Plan." ENDS
Monday, January 26, 2009
Ó Snodaigh welcomes new measures to improve rented accommodations
Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has welcomed the announcement of a package of measures to improve standards in rented accommodation which are due to come into effect from February 1st. However Deputy Ó Snodaigh raised concerns that some of the measures included will not come into effect until 2013 for existing lettings.
Speaking today he said, "I welcome this much needed package of measures which, if implemented, will significantly improve standards in rented accommodation and effectively see an end to bed sits in Irish society. Enforcement is crucial if these measures are to be successful.
"However, I am concerned that some of these measures will not come into effect for a further four years for existing lettings. This does not reflect the sense of urgency which is required to bring accommodations up to standard for the thousands of renters who are suffering in substandard conditions.
"The Minister, in his statement announcing these measures, has encouraged local authorities to continue with rigorous and targeted inspections of rented accommodation. However, between 2002 and 2006, 33,644 dwellings were inspected under the existing regulations with 10,162 not meeting the legal requirements. Of those 10,162 only 79 legal actions were taken by local authorities. While continued inspections are important they are useless unless legal actions are taken against those landlords whose properties do not meet legal requirements.
"Extra resources could and should be provided to local authorities through the financial penalties of offending landlords." ENDS
Speaking today he said, "I welcome this much needed package of measures which, if implemented, will significantly improve standards in rented accommodation and effectively see an end to bed sits in Irish society. Enforcement is crucial if these measures are to be successful.
"However, I am concerned that some of these measures will not come into effect for a further four years for existing lettings. This does not reflect the sense of urgency which is required to bring accommodations up to standard for the thousands of renters who are suffering in substandard conditions.
"The Minister, in his statement announcing these measures, has encouraged local authorities to continue with rigorous and targeted inspections of rented accommodation. However, between 2002 and 2006, 33,644 dwellings were inspected under the existing regulations with 10,162 not meeting the legal requirements. Of those 10,162 only 79 legal actions were taken by local authorities. While continued inspections are important they are useless unless legal actions are taken against those landlords whose properties do not meet legal requirements.
"Extra resources could and should be provided to local authorities through the financial penalties of offending landlords." ENDS
Government attack on Irish Language would make Deputies of the first Dáil turn in their graves
Senator Pearse Doherty has this morning called on the Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe to withdraw his department’s circular 0044/2007 which seeks to end the total immersion method of teaching in Gaelscoileanna so that the unnecessary and costly legal challenge being brought against the Department by Irish Language campaigners can be withdrawn.
The Donegal Senator said:
“In 2007 the Department of Education issued a circular to all Gaelscoileanna instructing them to end the total immersion method of education which they practice. Two years on and despite numerous reports and relentless efforts by teachers, students and parents to have this circular withdrawn Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe continues to ignore the strong and blatant opposition to his departments measure.
“All international research points irrevocably to the fact that early total immersion produces significant benefits, not only for the minority language but also for the overall educational rounding of children.
“Recent research conducted by Donal O hAinifein, Principal of Gaelscoil Mhichil Chiosoig, Ennis, Co Clare, who is also the parents' representative on the Irish language education advisory body COGG, evidences these benefits and it refutes the notion often trotted out by the department that immersion education damages English learning. This is simply not the case.
“Donal O hAinifein’s research surveyed the English reading attainment tests of 3,298 children in Gaelscoileanna at the end of the 2nd and 5th classes in the last academic year. At the end of 2nd class it showed that the equivalent score achieved by the top 33% of children nationally was attained by no less than 43% of children who had enjoyed at least one full year’s early total immersion in Irish.
“The Department of Education, under the watchful eye of Batt O’Keeffe, seems intent on putting the final nail in the coffin of Tumoideachas. It is deeply sad for both the language and its historical importance that Irish language campaigners have been left with no option but to legally challenge the government on its decision to undermine the language. Their case is due before the court over the coming weeks. It is particularly sad in the context of last week’s ‘An Chéad Dáil’ 90th anniversary celebrations. The promotion and protection of the Irish language was one of the political cornerstones that brought together the brave men and women of 1919.
“It is nothing short of a scandal that tax-payers money is now to be squandered on defending this blatant attack on the Irish language by the state itself. Minister O’Keeffe’s time and indeed his department’s money would be far better sent replacing the rotten prefabs that litter our education system or aiding special needs children.
“I am calling on the Minister for Education to do the right thing by the Irish language and to withdraw circular 0044/2007 so as to avoid this needless and indeed costly court case. Sinn Féin believes that education is a fundamental right and the Irish people have a right to educated in their native tongue.” ENDS
The Donegal Senator said:
“In 2007 the Department of Education issued a circular to all Gaelscoileanna instructing them to end the total immersion method of education which they practice. Two years on and despite numerous reports and relentless efforts by teachers, students and parents to have this circular withdrawn Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe continues to ignore the strong and blatant opposition to his departments measure.
“All international research points irrevocably to the fact that early total immersion produces significant benefits, not only for the minority language but also for the overall educational rounding of children.
“Recent research conducted by Donal O hAinifein, Principal of Gaelscoil Mhichil Chiosoig, Ennis, Co Clare, who is also the parents' representative on the Irish language education advisory body COGG, evidences these benefits and it refutes the notion often trotted out by the department that immersion education damages English learning. This is simply not the case.
“Donal O hAinifein’s research surveyed the English reading attainment tests of 3,298 children in Gaelscoileanna at the end of the 2nd and 5th classes in the last academic year. At the end of 2nd class it showed that the equivalent score achieved by the top 33% of children nationally was attained by no less than 43% of children who had enjoyed at least one full year’s early total immersion in Irish.
“The Department of Education, under the watchful eye of Batt O’Keeffe, seems intent on putting the final nail in the coffin of Tumoideachas. It is deeply sad for both the language and its historical importance that Irish language campaigners have been left with no option but to legally challenge the government on its decision to undermine the language. Their case is due before the court over the coming weeks. It is particularly sad in the context of last week’s ‘An Chéad Dáil’ 90th anniversary celebrations. The promotion and protection of the Irish language was one of the political cornerstones that brought together the brave men and women of 1919.
“It is nothing short of a scandal that tax-payers money is now to be squandered on defending this blatant attack on the Irish language by the state itself. Minister O’Keeffe’s time and indeed his department’s money would be far better sent replacing the rotten prefabs that litter our education system or aiding special needs children.
“I am calling on the Minister for Education to do the right thing by the Irish language and to withdraw circular 0044/2007 so as to avoid this needless and indeed costly court case. Sinn Féin believes that education is a fundamental right and the Irish people have a right to educated in their native tongue.” ENDS
Statement issued by Pádraig Ó hAoláin, Chief Executive,
News Release
Údarás na Gaeltachta: 2008 Review
EMBARGO – 12midday 26th January 2008
Statement issued by Pádraig Ó hAoláin, Chief Executive,
Údarás na Gaeltachta
Gaeltacht maintains job numbers in 2008
1,269 full time jobs created
1,024 new full-time jobs approved involving a total investment of over €100m
Services and modern manufacturing sectors continue to increase
Employment in indigenous enterprises continues to grow
National and global economic conditions create challenges for Gaeltacht companies
A total of 1,269 new jobs were created in 2008. Employment in the services and modern manufacturing sectors experienced growth while employment in the traditional manufacturing sectors such as textiles, clothing and assembly-line operations in addition to construction related businesses experienced a decline.
Overall it is encouraging to see the containment of job losses and the sustaining of our jobs target despite the unprecedented change in the national and global economic climate.
Growing Sectors and Economic Impact
The sectoral composition of Gaeltacht employment has changed considerably over the past decade. Jobs are created and lost each year in every economy as certain sectors contract and others grow. It is the national, as well as the Gaeltacht experience, that the more traditional manufacturing sectors have declined substantially since the mid nineties. Traditional manufacturing employment in Údarás assisted companies declined by 5.5% in 2008. However the modern manufacturing, services and audio-visual and independent tv production sectors increased by 9.7%. Employment in the services industry now accounts for 3,046 jobs or 37% of the total. The majority of these are indigenous enterprises and provide the type of highly skilled jobs that An tÚdarás aspires to support in the Gaeltacht. The figures indicate the gradual restructuring of the Gaeltacht economy from lower technology sectors and therefore lower skills level to higher technology manufacturing and services sectors and therefore a higher skilled and educated workforce.
Results from the Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact 2007 (ABSEI) carried out in 2008 by Forfás in Gaeltacht companies highlights the significant impact Údarás na Gaeltachta has had on the Gaeltacht and indeed the national economy. The ABSEI, which surveyed companies that include approximately 75% of Údarás supported employment, indicates that total direct expenditure into the Irish economy by client companies amounted to €421m, with total sales by those firms at €784m, 44% of which were in exports. The survey also illustrates that 42% of Gaeltacht companies are engaging in R&D activities, with a spend of approximately €11.5m in 2007.
Sustaining Employment and Job Creation
Total employment in Údarás na Gaeltachta assisted companies now stands at 8,193. Employment figures are expressed as full-time equivalent employment, representing the number of full-time employees and the number of part-time aggregated into full-time jobs. Up until now, full-time equivalent figures included were limited to the aquaculture and fish processing sector. Full-time equivalent (FTE) is intended to create a common measure for comparing the flexible nature of employment. This inclusion brings An tÚdarás more into line with the reporting practices of other development agencies and highlights the contribution of the media, hospitality and social economy employment sectors in the Gaeltacht. The FTE accounts for approximately 300 jobs and these jobs were previously included in our part-time figures.
During 2008 a total of 1024 new jobs were approved involving a overall investment of over €100 million. These new jobs are expected to come on-stream over the next three year period. Employment in indigenous enterprises continues to grow and this is evidence that the Údarás strategy of continuous support for local entrepreneurship is bearing fruit. These supports are extremely important to enable companies to maintain their competitiveness and thereby sustain jobs.
The global economic conditions, however, continue to create difficulties for Gaeltacht companies. Towards year-end, a number of Gaeltacht companies trading in the Sterling and Dollar areas were under pressure with their margins being eroded by the weak exchange rates. The current credit squeeze is also another constraint that existing companies have to contend with and An tÚdarás will continue to work with these companies, within the state-aid guidelines, to try to minimise job losses in 2009.
Challenging Times
There is no doubt that 2009 will be a challenging year for job maintenance and creation in the Gaeltacht as it will be nationally. It will be a major challenge for us to meet our development and employment targets. The reduced level of funding available from the exchequer, the decline in the sale of assets, and the deteriorating economic climate may impair the organisations ability to achieve it’s job-targets. Job approvals for the first half of the year are expected to be low as the organisation focuses on employment maintenance and reserves resources for what is forecast to be a more difficult second half of the year.
Notwithstanding that, An tÚdarás is determined to pursue a sustained strategy of developing and securing employment in the Gaeltacht. Emphasis will be placed on aftercare support and the focus will be on working to maintain and create new jobs in existing companies. A range of support measures, consistent with state-aid guidelines, will be offered to companies to improve their competitiveness, especially those experiencing severe market pressures. A range of high quality industrial space and modern services buildings are available throughout the Gaeltacht for new businesses.
We acknowledge the support of IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities in implementing our enterprise development programme and look forward to enhanced co-operation with them in the future.
The Aquaculture Sector
Salmon farming remains the main aquaculture activity in the Gaeltacht. The shift towards the production of an organic salmon product has given the industry new momentum and, while some difficulties with disease were experienced in 2008, the general trend is towards growth. The Irish salmon industry has worked in collaboration with the Norwegian and Scottish industries to resolve some disease issues and progress on this matter gives renewed hope that tonnages will recover to levels achieved in previous years.
An tÚdarás has in the past pioneered the farming of novel species in Ireland and this work continues with Gaeltacht fish farmers currently involved in projects growing species such as abalone, turbot and cod. Three abalone farms are currently operating in the Gaeltacht and the farming of turbot in a water recirculation system is being trialled in Acaill, Co Mayo. Success for these ventures could encourage further investment in the farming of these species over the coming years. The pioneering work done by Trosc Teoranta, which was supported by An tÚdarás, on the farming of cod in Connemara has led to the Marine Institute’s Eir-Cod project being supported under the Institute’s Sea Change Programme. This initiative to develop an Irish cod broodstock is further evidence of how joint co-operation between agencies such as An tÚdarás and the Marine Institute can assist in creating new opportunities in the sector.
The decision by An tÚdarás during 2008 to discontinue the activities of its Gaeltacht marine research subsidiary, Taighde Mara Teoranta, was made following an assessment by the organisation of the company’s future in light of changes in the marine sector in recent years. While there can be no questioning the contribution made by Taighde Mara to the development of the aquaculture sector in the Gaeltacht and indeed nationally in the 25 years of its existence, the changing circumstances which now sees a wide range of expertise available from organisations such as The Marine Institute, NUIG’s Martin Ryan Institute and various Institutes of Technology negated the need for An tÚdarás to continue funding a separate research function. An tÚdarás will continue to focus its energy on the provision of support for the development of the productive sector in both aquaculture and fish processing and will draw expertise directly from those specialised organisations as required.
Business Infrastructure
Throughout 2008 An tÚdarás continued in its efforts to ensure that a range of adequate workspace was available, particularly modern industrial and services type facilities, enterprise units, multifunctional centres and business incubation units. New premises were built and others were redeveloped or upgraded. These facilities are an invaluable resource in assisting to attract further investment to the Gaeltacht. These include:
the commencement of developments works on the first phase of Áislann Ghaoth Dobhair, Co. Donegal which will consist of cultural, art, educational, community and enterprise development facilities;
the completion of an Integrated Food Development Centre and Incubation Unit at Machaire Rabhartaigh pier, Co. Donegal at a cost of €1.1m;
the development of a €1.6m multifunctional services and enterprise centre on the Carna Industrial Estate, Co. Galway;
the opening of Nuálann Mhaigh Eo, a business innovation and incubation centre based in Béal an Mhuirthead, Co. Mayo, jointly funded by Údarás na Gaeltachta and Mayo County Council;
the commencement of developments work on Áislann Rann na Feirste, a resource, enterprise, heritage and community centre funded by Údarás na Gaeltachta, The International Fund for Ireland and The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs at a cost of €1.38m in Co. Donegal;
the purchase of a site in Baile an Fheirtéaraigh, Co. Kerry and receipt of full planning permission for the development of a third-level outreach centre by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, NUI Galway in association with the local community co-operative, Comharchumann Forbartha Chorca Dhuibhne;
the development of Páirc an Phobail, a recreational park with playground facilities for the local community on the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park, Co Donegal;
the establishment of a natural resources research centre by the Tralee Institute of Technology on the Údarás estate at Baile na Buaile, Co. Kerry;
the opening of a state of the art €1.1m Incubation & Enterprise Centre, Fiontarlann, in Cill Charthaigh in the South West Donegal Gaeltacht, funded by Údarás na Gaeltachta and the International Fund for Ireland;
the opening of the new offices of Comhchoiste Gaeltachta Uíbh Ráthaigh which will cater for community development, language and enterprise requirements in the area with assistance from the Department of Community Rural and Gaelacht Affairs and Údarás;
the receipt of planning permission for the development of office, educational, business and training space of approx 1200m.sq. on Údarás land in Baile na nGall Beag, An Rinn, Co. Waterford;
the drawing up of outline plans and a public consultation process regarding the re-development Coláiste Íosagáin, Baile Bhúirne, Co. Cork as an educational, training, tourism and cultural resource centre.
Physical Infrastructure
An tÚdarás has repeatedly emphasised the importance of upgrading infrastructure in the Gaeltacht regions so as to facilitate the attraction of investment. We welcome the commencement of the development works at Inis Mór harbour, Aran Islands during the year, the completed upgrade of Inis Meáin harbour and the development plans for the pier at Inis Oírr. These developments will underpin the sustainability of these islands and thus have a positive impact on the island populations. The critical need to develop deep-sea harbour and ancillary services at Ros a’ Mhíl harbour is generally accepted because of the huge potential such a development would have as a driver of economic development for Conamara and the Aran Islands.
The decision by ESB Networks to make two new submissions to An Bord Pleanála for the provision of a 110 kv substation and new 110 kv power-line to Connemara and West Donegal is also welcomed. There is an urgent need for the reinforcement of the electricity network to cater for the increasing demand for power in the Connemara and Donegal Gaeltacht areas to facilitate commercial development and continued investment in the Gaeltacht.
We welcome the allocation of funding for the design of the new Conamara roadway and while An Bord Pleanála’s decision on the Galway outer bypass is disappointing it is hoped that a new application will be prepared without delay for that part of the bypass which was refused planning approval.
Significant advances have been made in the provision of broadband services in both the Galway and Donegal Gaeltacht during the year. A new high speed telecommunications network was provided in the Galway and Donegal Gaeltacht areas as a result of a joint initiative undertaken by An tÚdarás, HEAnet and NUI Galway. The new network, which is operated by Airspeed Telecom in Galway, was provided at six of NUI Galway’s Gaeltacht centres and as a result was also made available to business users in the southern Connemara area. CNS (Community Network Services Ltd) provided the service to the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park and as a result of a joint-funding initiative between An tÚdarás, Donegal County Council, IFI and Interreg has also provided new a broadband network throughout Co. Donegal. Six Gaeltacht Eircom exchanges were upgraded to DSL capacity during the year and another 8 exchanges are due for upgrade during 2009.
The Irish Language
To date An tÚdarás has established 32 language service centres throughout the Gaeltacht and over 900 people attended Irish language courses in those centres in 2008. Approximately 350 of these learners are undertaking accredited examinations such as a third level diploma or the European Irish Language Certificate (TEG). As part of An tÚdarás’ language planning strategy, research was carried out in twenty eight Gaeltacht communities as regards their Irish language requirements in conjunction with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Findings from the research were in turn presented to the relevant language centres and each community’s expressed requirements will be incorporated the into the centres’ work programme for 2009. Language action plans are being implemented in eight other communities throughout the Gaeltacht.
Substantial funding was provided for the provision of third level education courses through Irish in the Gaeltacht where diploma, degree and postgraduate courses are now being delivered. The main provider is Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, NUI Galway, which is developing permanent outreach centres in the Gaeltacht. Third level courses delivered by the Waterford Institute of Technology in association with Nemeton Teo and by Galway Mayo Institute of Technology in association with Europus Teo were also funded. These courses have a significant social, economic and language impact in the communities where they are provided.
During the year, An tÚdarás reviewed its policy for its client-companies regarding their undertakings to promote the Irish language in their businesses. This revision was undertaken to align the state-aided private sector in the Gaeltacht with guidelines laid down for public bodies under the Official Languages Act 2003.
The Comprehensive Linguistic Study on the Use of Irish in the Gaeltacht, which was published by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in 2007, illustrates the critical and fragile state of the Irish language in the Gaeltacht. During the year a Cabinet Committee was established, under the Chairmanship of An Taoiseach, to formulate an action plan in response to the findings and recommendations of the Linguistic Study. The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs also commissioned specialist language consultants to prepare a 20 year Irish Language Strategy. An tÚdarás is committed to playing it’s own part in the implementation of the strategy to be adopted by the Government.
Exchequer Funding for 2009
The total exchequer funding granted to Údarás for 2009 is €38m compared to €43m in 2008.
Ends
Further information: Siubhán Nic Grianna – Communications Manager 091 503219 / 087 2217757
Údarás na Gaeltachta: 2008 Review
EMBARGO – 12midday 26th January 2008
Statement issued by Pádraig Ó hAoláin, Chief Executive,
Údarás na Gaeltachta
Gaeltacht maintains job numbers in 2008
1,269 full time jobs created
1,024 new full-time jobs approved involving a total investment of over €100m
Services and modern manufacturing sectors continue to increase
Employment in indigenous enterprises continues to grow
National and global economic conditions create challenges for Gaeltacht companies
A total of 1,269 new jobs were created in 2008. Employment in the services and modern manufacturing sectors experienced growth while employment in the traditional manufacturing sectors such as textiles, clothing and assembly-line operations in addition to construction related businesses experienced a decline.
Overall it is encouraging to see the containment of job losses and the sustaining of our jobs target despite the unprecedented change in the national and global economic climate.
Growing Sectors and Economic Impact
The sectoral composition of Gaeltacht employment has changed considerably over the past decade. Jobs are created and lost each year in every economy as certain sectors contract and others grow. It is the national, as well as the Gaeltacht experience, that the more traditional manufacturing sectors have declined substantially since the mid nineties. Traditional manufacturing employment in Údarás assisted companies declined by 5.5% in 2008. However the modern manufacturing, services and audio-visual and independent tv production sectors increased by 9.7%. Employment in the services industry now accounts for 3,046 jobs or 37% of the total. The majority of these are indigenous enterprises and provide the type of highly skilled jobs that An tÚdarás aspires to support in the Gaeltacht. The figures indicate the gradual restructuring of the Gaeltacht economy from lower technology sectors and therefore lower skills level to higher technology manufacturing and services sectors and therefore a higher skilled and educated workforce.
Results from the Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact 2007 (ABSEI) carried out in 2008 by Forfás in Gaeltacht companies highlights the significant impact Údarás na Gaeltachta has had on the Gaeltacht and indeed the national economy. The ABSEI, which surveyed companies that include approximately 75% of Údarás supported employment, indicates that total direct expenditure into the Irish economy by client companies amounted to €421m, with total sales by those firms at €784m, 44% of which were in exports. The survey also illustrates that 42% of Gaeltacht companies are engaging in R&D activities, with a spend of approximately €11.5m in 2007.
Sustaining Employment and Job Creation
Total employment in Údarás na Gaeltachta assisted companies now stands at 8,193. Employment figures are expressed as full-time equivalent employment, representing the number of full-time employees and the number of part-time aggregated into full-time jobs. Up until now, full-time equivalent figures included were limited to the aquaculture and fish processing sector. Full-time equivalent (FTE) is intended to create a common measure for comparing the flexible nature of employment. This inclusion brings An tÚdarás more into line with the reporting practices of other development agencies and highlights the contribution of the media, hospitality and social economy employment sectors in the Gaeltacht. The FTE accounts for approximately 300 jobs and these jobs were previously included in our part-time figures.
During 2008 a total of 1024 new jobs were approved involving a overall investment of over €100 million. These new jobs are expected to come on-stream over the next three year period. Employment in indigenous enterprises continues to grow and this is evidence that the Údarás strategy of continuous support for local entrepreneurship is bearing fruit. These supports are extremely important to enable companies to maintain their competitiveness and thereby sustain jobs.
The global economic conditions, however, continue to create difficulties for Gaeltacht companies. Towards year-end, a number of Gaeltacht companies trading in the Sterling and Dollar areas were under pressure with their margins being eroded by the weak exchange rates. The current credit squeeze is also another constraint that existing companies have to contend with and An tÚdarás will continue to work with these companies, within the state-aid guidelines, to try to minimise job losses in 2009.
Challenging Times
There is no doubt that 2009 will be a challenging year for job maintenance and creation in the Gaeltacht as it will be nationally. It will be a major challenge for us to meet our development and employment targets. The reduced level of funding available from the exchequer, the decline in the sale of assets, and the deteriorating economic climate may impair the organisations ability to achieve it’s job-targets. Job approvals for the first half of the year are expected to be low as the organisation focuses on employment maintenance and reserves resources for what is forecast to be a more difficult second half of the year.
Notwithstanding that, An tÚdarás is determined to pursue a sustained strategy of developing and securing employment in the Gaeltacht. Emphasis will be placed on aftercare support and the focus will be on working to maintain and create new jobs in existing companies. A range of support measures, consistent with state-aid guidelines, will be offered to companies to improve their competitiveness, especially those experiencing severe market pressures. A range of high quality industrial space and modern services buildings are available throughout the Gaeltacht for new businesses.
We acknowledge the support of IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities in implementing our enterprise development programme and look forward to enhanced co-operation with them in the future.
The Aquaculture Sector
Salmon farming remains the main aquaculture activity in the Gaeltacht. The shift towards the production of an organic salmon product has given the industry new momentum and, while some difficulties with disease were experienced in 2008, the general trend is towards growth. The Irish salmon industry has worked in collaboration with the Norwegian and Scottish industries to resolve some disease issues and progress on this matter gives renewed hope that tonnages will recover to levels achieved in previous years.
An tÚdarás has in the past pioneered the farming of novel species in Ireland and this work continues with Gaeltacht fish farmers currently involved in projects growing species such as abalone, turbot and cod. Three abalone farms are currently operating in the Gaeltacht and the farming of turbot in a water recirculation system is being trialled in Acaill, Co Mayo. Success for these ventures could encourage further investment in the farming of these species over the coming years. The pioneering work done by Trosc Teoranta, which was supported by An tÚdarás, on the farming of cod in Connemara has led to the Marine Institute’s Eir-Cod project being supported under the Institute’s Sea Change Programme. This initiative to develop an Irish cod broodstock is further evidence of how joint co-operation between agencies such as An tÚdarás and the Marine Institute can assist in creating new opportunities in the sector.
The decision by An tÚdarás during 2008 to discontinue the activities of its Gaeltacht marine research subsidiary, Taighde Mara Teoranta, was made following an assessment by the organisation of the company’s future in light of changes in the marine sector in recent years. While there can be no questioning the contribution made by Taighde Mara to the development of the aquaculture sector in the Gaeltacht and indeed nationally in the 25 years of its existence, the changing circumstances which now sees a wide range of expertise available from organisations such as The Marine Institute, NUIG’s Martin Ryan Institute and various Institutes of Technology negated the need for An tÚdarás to continue funding a separate research function. An tÚdarás will continue to focus its energy on the provision of support for the development of the productive sector in both aquaculture and fish processing and will draw expertise directly from those specialised organisations as required.
Business Infrastructure
Throughout 2008 An tÚdarás continued in its efforts to ensure that a range of adequate workspace was available, particularly modern industrial and services type facilities, enterprise units, multifunctional centres and business incubation units. New premises were built and others were redeveloped or upgraded. These facilities are an invaluable resource in assisting to attract further investment to the Gaeltacht. These include:
the commencement of developments works on the first phase of Áislann Ghaoth Dobhair, Co. Donegal which will consist of cultural, art, educational, community and enterprise development facilities;
the completion of an Integrated Food Development Centre and Incubation Unit at Machaire Rabhartaigh pier, Co. Donegal at a cost of €1.1m;
the development of a €1.6m multifunctional services and enterprise centre on the Carna Industrial Estate, Co. Galway;
the opening of Nuálann Mhaigh Eo, a business innovation and incubation centre based in Béal an Mhuirthead, Co. Mayo, jointly funded by Údarás na Gaeltachta and Mayo County Council;
the commencement of developments work on Áislann Rann na Feirste, a resource, enterprise, heritage and community centre funded by Údarás na Gaeltachta, The International Fund for Ireland and The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs at a cost of €1.38m in Co. Donegal;
the purchase of a site in Baile an Fheirtéaraigh, Co. Kerry and receipt of full planning permission for the development of a third-level outreach centre by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, NUI Galway in association with the local community co-operative, Comharchumann Forbartha Chorca Dhuibhne;
the development of Páirc an Phobail, a recreational park with playground facilities for the local community on the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park, Co Donegal;
the establishment of a natural resources research centre by the Tralee Institute of Technology on the Údarás estate at Baile na Buaile, Co. Kerry;
the opening of a state of the art €1.1m Incubation & Enterprise Centre, Fiontarlann, in Cill Charthaigh in the South West Donegal Gaeltacht, funded by Údarás na Gaeltachta and the International Fund for Ireland;
the opening of the new offices of Comhchoiste Gaeltachta Uíbh Ráthaigh which will cater for community development, language and enterprise requirements in the area with assistance from the Department of Community Rural and Gaelacht Affairs and Údarás;
the receipt of planning permission for the development of office, educational, business and training space of approx 1200m.sq. on Údarás land in Baile na nGall Beag, An Rinn, Co. Waterford;
the drawing up of outline plans and a public consultation process regarding the re-development Coláiste Íosagáin, Baile Bhúirne, Co. Cork as an educational, training, tourism and cultural resource centre.
Physical Infrastructure
An tÚdarás has repeatedly emphasised the importance of upgrading infrastructure in the Gaeltacht regions so as to facilitate the attraction of investment. We welcome the commencement of the development works at Inis Mór harbour, Aran Islands during the year, the completed upgrade of Inis Meáin harbour and the development plans for the pier at Inis Oírr. These developments will underpin the sustainability of these islands and thus have a positive impact on the island populations. The critical need to develop deep-sea harbour and ancillary services at Ros a’ Mhíl harbour is generally accepted because of the huge potential such a development would have as a driver of economic development for Conamara and the Aran Islands.
The decision by ESB Networks to make two new submissions to An Bord Pleanála for the provision of a 110 kv substation and new 110 kv power-line to Connemara and West Donegal is also welcomed. There is an urgent need for the reinforcement of the electricity network to cater for the increasing demand for power in the Connemara and Donegal Gaeltacht areas to facilitate commercial development and continued investment in the Gaeltacht.
We welcome the allocation of funding for the design of the new Conamara roadway and while An Bord Pleanála’s decision on the Galway outer bypass is disappointing it is hoped that a new application will be prepared without delay for that part of the bypass which was refused planning approval.
Significant advances have been made in the provision of broadband services in both the Galway and Donegal Gaeltacht during the year. A new high speed telecommunications network was provided in the Galway and Donegal Gaeltacht areas as a result of a joint initiative undertaken by An tÚdarás, HEAnet and NUI Galway. The new network, which is operated by Airspeed Telecom in Galway, was provided at six of NUI Galway’s Gaeltacht centres and as a result was also made available to business users in the southern Connemara area. CNS (Community Network Services Ltd) provided the service to the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park and as a result of a joint-funding initiative between An tÚdarás, Donegal County Council, IFI and Interreg has also provided new a broadband network throughout Co. Donegal. Six Gaeltacht Eircom exchanges were upgraded to DSL capacity during the year and another 8 exchanges are due for upgrade during 2009.
The Irish Language
To date An tÚdarás has established 32 language service centres throughout the Gaeltacht and over 900 people attended Irish language courses in those centres in 2008. Approximately 350 of these learners are undertaking accredited examinations such as a third level diploma or the European Irish Language Certificate (TEG). As part of An tÚdarás’ language planning strategy, research was carried out in twenty eight Gaeltacht communities as regards their Irish language requirements in conjunction with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Findings from the research were in turn presented to the relevant language centres and each community’s expressed requirements will be incorporated the into the centres’ work programme for 2009. Language action plans are being implemented in eight other communities throughout the Gaeltacht.
Substantial funding was provided for the provision of third level education courses through Irish in the Gaeltacht where diploma, degree and postgraduate courses are now being delivered. The main provider is Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, NUI Galway, which is developing permanent outreach centres in the Gaeltacht. Third level courses delivered by the Waterford Institute of Technology in association with Nemeton Teo and by Galway Mayo Institute of Technology in association with Europus Teo were also funded. These courses have a significant social, economic and language impact in the communities where they are provided.
During the year, An tÚdarás reviewed its policy for its client-companies regarding their undertakings to promote the Irish language in their businesses. This revision was undertaken to align the state-aided private sector in the Gaeltacht with guidelines laid down for public bodies under the Official Languages Act 2003.
The Comprehensive Linguistic Study on the Use of Irish in the Gaeltacht, which was published by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in 2007, illustrates the critical and fragile state of the Irish language in the Gaeltacht. During the year a Cabinet Committee was established, under the Chairmanship of An Taoiseach, to formulate an action plan in response to the findings and recommendations of the Linguistic Study. The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs also commissioned specialist language consultants to prepare a 20 year Irish Language Strategy. An tÚdarás is committed to playing it’s own part in the implementation of the strategy to be adopted by the Government.
Exchequer Funding for 2009
The total exchequer funding granted to Údarás for 2009 is €38m compared to €43m in 2008.
Ends
Further information: Siubhán Nic Grianna – Communications Manager 091 503219 / 087 2217757
Preasráiteas, 26 Eanáir 2009
D’iarr an Seanadóir Pearse Doherty ar maidin ar an Aire Oideachais Batt
O’Keeffe chun ciorclán a roinne 0044/2007 a aistarraingt, arb aidhm dó
deireadh a chur le modh teagaisc tumoideachais iomláin i nGaelscoileanna,
le gur féidir an dúshlán costasach dlí a aistarraingt a thabharfar in éadan
na Roinne ag feachtasóirí Gaeilge.
Dúirt Seanadóir Dhún na nGall:
“Sa bhliain 2007 d’eisigh an Roinn Oideachais ciorclán chuig gach Gaelscoil
ag ordú dóibh deireadh a chur le modh teagaisc tumoideachais iomláin a
chleachtann siad. Dhá bhliain anonn agus d’ainneoin an iliomad tuairiscí
agus iarrachtaí leanúnacha ó mhúinteoirí, scoláirí agus ó thuismitheoirí
chun an ciorclán seo a aistarraingt tá Aire Oideachais Batt O’Keeffe go
fóill ag déanamh neamhairde den fhreasúra láidir agus soiléir in aghaidh
bheart a roinne.
“Is é a thugann gach taighde idirnáisiúnta chun solais gan séanadh ná go
bhfuil buntáistí suntasacha le tumoideachas iomlán, ní amháin don teanga
mionlaigh ach d’oideachas iomlánaíoch páistí.
“Rinne Dónal Ó hAiniféin, Príomhoide ar Ghaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg, Inis,
Contae an Chláir, atá ina ionadaí tuismitheoirí ar an chomhlacht
comhairleach Gaeilge COGG, taighde le gairid ina mbreacann sé síos na
sochair seo agus bréagnaíonn sé an tuairim a scaipeann an roinn go minic go
dtéann an tumoideachas salach ar fhoghlaim an Bhéarla. Ní mar sin atá sé.
“Is é a bhí i dtaighde Dhónail Uí Ainiféin ná suirbhé ar theisteanna
gnóthachtála i léitheoireacht an Bhéarla déanta ag 3,298 páiste i
nGaelscoileanna ag deireadh an Dara agus Cúigiú Rang sa bhliain acadúil
anuraidh. Is é a léirigh sé ag deireadh an Dara Rang go raibh an scór
coibhéiseach a bhí bainte amach ag 33% de pháiste ar bhonn náisiúnta bainte
amach ag 43% de pháiste a bhain tairbhe as bliain iomlán amháin
tumoideachais sa Ghaeilge.
“Is cosúil gurb é rún na Roinne Oideachais, faoi ghéarshúil Batt O’Keeffe,
creill an bháis a chur i gcónra an Tumoideachais. Is mór an t-údar bróin é
don teanga agus don tábhacht stairiúil nach bhfuil an dara rogha ag
feachtasóirí ach dúshlán dlí a thabhairt don rialtas mar gheall ar a
chinneadh chun an bonn a bhaint den teanga. Tá a gcás le bheith os comhair
na cúirte sna seachtainí romhainn. Is ábhar bróin é fosta toisc comhthéacs
cheiliúradh 90ú bliain na Chéad Dála. Ba é cur chun cinn agus cosaint na
Gaeilge ceann de na clocha coirnéil polaitiúla a thug le chéile na fir agus
na mná chróga de chuid 1919.
“Is ábhar scannalach é go bhfuil airgead cáiníocóirí le bheith curtha amú
ar chosaint an ionsaí shoiléir seo ar an Ghaeilge ag an Stát féin.
B’fhearr i bhfad dá gcaithfí am an Aire O’Keeffe agus leoga airgead a
roinne ar sheomraí ranga réamhdhéanta atá lofa fud fad ár gcóras oideachais
nó ar chúnamh le páistí le riachtanais speisialta.
“Tá mé ag iarraidh ar an Aire Oideachais an rud ceart a dhéanamh maidir
leis an Ghaeilge agus ciorclán 0044/2007 a aistarraingt le gur féidir an
cás cúirte costasach agus gan chall a sheachaint. Creideann Sinn Féin gur
buncheart é an t-oideachas agus go bhfuil an ceart ag muintir na hÉireann
oideachas a fháil ina dteanga dhúchasach.” CRÍOCH
O’Keeffe chun ciorclán a roinne 0044/2007 a aistarraingt, arb aidhm dó
deireadh a chur le modh teagaisc tumoideachais iomláin i nGaelscoileanna,
le gur féidir an dúshlán costasach dlí a aistarraingt a thabharfar in éadan
na Roinne ag feachtasóirí Gaeilge.
Dúirt Seanadóir Dhún na nGall:
“Sa bhliain 2007 d’eisigh an Roinn Oideachais ciorclán chuig gach Gaelscoil
ag ordú dóibh deireadh a chur le modh teagaisc tumoideachais iomláin a
chleachtann siad. Dhá bhliain anonn agus d’ainneoin an iliomad tuairiscí
agus iarrachtaí leanúnacha ó mhúinteoirí, scoláirí agus ó thuismitheoirí
chun an ciorclán seo a aistarraingt tá Aire Oideachais Batt O’Keeffe go
fóill ag déanamh neamhairde den fhreasúra láidir agus soiléir in aghaidh
bheart a roinne.
“Is é a thugann gach taighde idirnáisiúnta chun solais gan séanadh ná go
bhfuil buntáistí suntasacha le tumoideachas iomlán, ní amháin don teanga
mionlaigh ach d’oideachas iomlánaíoch páistí.
“Rinne Dónal Ó hAiniféin, Príomhoide ar Ghaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg, Inis,
Contae an Chláir, atá ina ionadaí tuismitheoirí ar an chomhlacht
comhairleach Gaeilge COGG, taighde le gairid ina mbreacann sé síos na
sochair seo agus bréagnaíonn sé an tuairim a scaipeann an roinn go minic go
dtéann an tumoideachas salach ar fhoghlaim an Bhéarla. Ní mar sin atá sé.
“Is é a bhí i dtaighde Dhónail Uí Ainiféin ná suirbhé ar theisteanna
gnóthachtála i léitheoireacht an Bhéarla déanta ag 3,298 páiste i
nGaelscoileanna ag deireadh an Dara agus Cúigiú Rang sa bhliain acadúil
anuraidh. Is é a léirigh sé ag deireadh an Dara Rang go raibh an scór
coibhéiseach a bhí bainte amach ag 33% de pháiste ar bhonn náisiúnta bainte
amach ag 43% de pháiste a bhain tairbhe as bliain iomlán amháin
tumoideachais sa Ghaeilge.
“Is cosúil gurb é rún na Roinne Oideachais, faoi ghéarshúil Batt O’Keeffe,
creill an bháis a chur i gcónra an Tumoideachais. Is mór an t-údar bróin é
don teanga agus don tábhacht stairiúil nach bhfuil an dara rogha ag
feachtasóirí ach dúshlán dlí a thabhairt don rialtas mar gheall ar a
chinneadh chun an bonn a bhaint den teanga. Tá a gcás le bheith os comhair
na cúirte sna seachtainí romhainn. Is ábhar bróin é fosta toisc comhthéacs
cheiliúradh 90ú bliain na Chéad Dála. Ba é cur chun cinn agus cosaint na
Gaeilge ceann de na clocha coirnéil polaitiúla a thug le chéile na fir agus
na mná chróga de chuid 1919.
“Is ábhar scannalach é go bhfuil airgead cáiníocóirí le bheith curtha amú
ar chosaint an ionsaí shoiléir seo ar an Ghaeilge ag an Stát féin.
B’fhearr i bhfad dá gcaithfí am an Aire O’Keeffe agus leoga airgead a
roinne ar sheomraí ranga réamhdhéanta atá lofa fud fad ár gcóras oideachais
nó ar chúnamh le páistí le riachtanais speisialta.
“Tá mé ag iarraidh ar an Aire Oideachais an rud ceart a dhéanamh maidir
leis an Ghaeilge agus ciorclán 0044/2007 a aistarraingt le gur féidir an
cás cúirte costasach agus gan chall a sheachaint. Creideann Sinn Féin gur
buncheart é an t-oideachas agus go bhfuil an ceart ag muintir na hÉireann
oideachas a fháil ina dteanga dhúchasach.” CRÍOCH
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Áisitheoir Pobail in Gaeltacht na nDéise job axed
Áisitheoir Pobail in Gaeltacht na nDéise job axed
Local Sinn Fein Councillor Brendan Mansfield, was informed by a member of Comhlacht Forbartha na nDéise, during the week that funding was ceasing for the role of Áisitheoir Pobail in Gaeltacht na nDéise on the 19th of February. This is due to lack of funding from MFG, Meitheal Forbartha na nGaeltachta. MFG was founded in 1991 to implement the LEADER programme in Gaeltacht areas countrywide. The main aim of MFG is to empower communities through guidance; by encouraging self-confidence and self-development throughout the community in every aspect of community life. This includes economic development and development in social, cultural and environmental arenas. It is not only their endeavour to listen to the communities, but to pay attention to them. They pay particular attention to the needs of women and young people, and to challenges facing people living in remote areas. Job losses will also occur in Co. Meath and in West Cork.
The main role of the Áisitheoir Pobail is to help voluntary groups and individuals source funding, education and assistance from Government bodies. Currently there is an Áisitheoir Pobail and an Áisitheoir Teanga employed in Gaeltacht na nDéise under Comhlacht Forbartha na nDéise. This is a non profit company consisting of 3 representatives from An Rinn, 3 from An Sean Phobal and 1 independent member. Funding will continue for the Áisitheoir Teanga until next year. Funding for the role of Áisitheoir Pobail was available since 2006. Anne-Marie, the current Áisitheoir Pobail, was available to meet members of the community in Halla Phobail na Rinne or in Fó-Oifig Údarás na nGaeltachta in An Sean Phobail. Anne-Marie was involved in the set up of the parent and toddler groups in the Gaeltacht, she also ensured that local notes were sent in both Irish and English, to the local papers each week, keeping the community informed of local happenings. Anne-Marie also assisted in the setting up and running of evening classes through Irish in both parishes.
Currently there are discussions on going in relation to changes to the structure of the governing bodies of the Gaeltacht. It is thought that there will be one body distributing funding to all the Gaeltacht areas, this will result in more job losses.
Local Sinn Fein Councillor Brendan Mansfield, was informed by a member of Comhlacht Forbartha na nDéise, during the week that funding was ceasing for the role of Áisitheoir Pobail in Gaeltacht na nDéise on the 19th of February. This is due to lack of funding from MFG, Meitheal Forbartha na nGaeltachta. MFG was founded in 1991 to implement the LEADER programme in Gaeltacht areas countrywide. The main aim of MFG is to empower communities through guidance; by encouraging self-confidence and self-development throughout the community in every aspect of community life. This includes economic development and development in social, cultural and environmental arenas. It is not only their endeavour to listen to the communities, but to pay attention to them. They pay particular attention to the needs of women and young people, and to challenges facing people living in remote areas. Job losses will also occur in Co. Meath and in West Cork.
The main role of the Áisitheoir Pobail is to help voluntary groups and individuals source funding, education and assistance from Government bodies. Currently there is an Áisitheoir Pobail and an Áisitheoir Teanga employed in Gaeltacht na nDéise under Comhlacht Forbartha na nDéise. This is a non profit company consisting of 3 representatives from An Rinn, 3 from An Sean Phobal and 1 independent member. Funding will continue for the Áisitheoir Teanga until next year. Funding for the role of Áisitheoir Pobail was available since 2006. Anne-Marie, the current Áisitheoir Pobail, was available to meet members of the community in Halla Phobail na Rinne or in Fó-Oifig Údarás na nGaeltachta in An Sean Phobail. Anne-Marie was involved in the set up of the parent and toddler groups in the Gaeltacht, she also ensured that local notes were sent in both Irish and English, to the local papers each week, keeping the community informed of local happenings. Anne-Marie also assisted in the setting up and running of evening classes through Irish in both parishes.
Currently there are discussions on going in relation to changes to the structure of the governing bodies of the Gaeltacht. It is thought that there will be one body distributing funding to all the Gaeltacht areas, this will result in more job losses.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MLA, MP Address
A chairde, ar dtús ba mhaith liom fáilte ón chroí a chur roimh gach duine don ócáid anocht.
Is ócáid tábhachtach, spéisialta é seo ina bhfuil muid ag céiliúradh noacha bhliain ón céad Dáil Éireann.
I want to thank everyone who helped to ensure that today’s commemorative event reflects the reality and spirit of that historic First Dáil Éireann.
Ninety years ago, Ireland was at the centre of great change.
The Easter Rising of 1916 and the 1918 election had struck decisive blows against the British Empire.
It was a time when nations across the world were recovering from the devastation of the First Great War.
Many were demanding their freedom.
It was also the time when the British and other colonial powers were carving up the Middle East and laying the foundations for the conflicts that rage today in Palestine and in Iraq.
British imperialism has much to answer for.
But here in this hall, 90 years ago, the Irish people, through their democratically-elected representatives, stood defiantly against that empire and declared independence.
It must have been an emotional and joyous moment.
Bhí súile na hÉireann ar an áit seo ansin. Bhí dóchas cosmhuintir Impír na Sasanna orthú fosta.
Outside, the streets were crowded with thousands of enthusiastic people. Inside, this hall was packed to overflowing with visitors and journalists.
The atmosphere must have been electric.
I’m sure more than a few tears were shed as the roll call of TDs and the words ‘faoi ghlas ag Gallaibh’ rang out.
Nach deas an rud dá ndeanfainís a leithid!
Sitting in this hall, participating in or listening to those first speeches of a free Irish nation - given entirely in Irish - and knowing that the Republic declared in arms at Easter 1916, had been ratified by the people: it was a defining point in Irish history.
Not everyone who could have been here was here. The Unionist and Irish Parliamentary MPs refused to attend.
Dhiúltaigh siad glacadh le toil muintir na hÉireann.
And, of course, there were some 36 MPs being held in British prisons.
But those who were here were fulfilling the Sinn Féin manifesto pledge of 1918 that it would establish a national parliament able to “speak and act in the name of the Irish people, and to develop Ireland’s social, political and industrial life, for the welfare of the whole people of Ireland”.
The election had been hard fought.
Ní raibh na Sasannaigh in Éirinn ró-shásta riamh le daonlathas don tír seo.
There was massive intimidation by the British state.
Over 100 candidates and activists were jailed, election material was confiscated and republican newspapers banned.
However, the courage of those who took up arms in 1916, the public anger at the executions of the leaders, and the Sinn Féin manifesto for change, resonated with the voters, many of whom - particularly women voters - were going to the polls for the first time.
The only woman elected in Ireland and Britain was Constance Markievicz for Sinn Féin.
She became Minister for Labour in the First Dáil, one of the first women government ministers in the world.
The 1918 election was the last occasion on which the people of this island of Ireland voted in a single election.The landslide victory for Sinn Féin was an overwhelming endorsement of the desire for an independent and united Ireland.
Níor chóir dearmad a dhéanamh air seo. Creidim go bhfuil an fonn sin, fonn na saoirse ag muintir na tíre seo go foil.
The inaugural meeting of the First Dáil Éireann, here in the Mansion House on January 21st 1919, was an unequivocal act of national self-determination.
Tá an t-éileamh sin beo go fóill.
It was also the day in which the first shots were fired at Soloheadbeg, in County Tipperary, in what became the Tan War.
In the course of that first meeting, Dáil Éireann issued a Declaration of Independence and a ‘Message to the Free Nations of the World’.
In its message to the world it called on every free nation “to support the Irish Republic by recognising Ireland’s national status”.
Spreag na focail seo pobal na hÉireann agus daoine eile ar fud an domhain chomh maith.
In words that reverberate today for those throughout the world still struggling for freedom and justice, the internationalist message of the First Dáil Éireann was unambiguous.
It stated its belief in “freedom and justice as the fundamental principles of international law” and in a “frank co-operation between the peoples for equal rights against the vested interests of ancient tyrannies”.
And it asserted that peace can only be established by “the control of government in every land upon the basis of the free will of a free people”.
Today, Sinn Féin stands with those who seek freedom and self-determination.
We support the peaceful and democratic resolution of international disputes.
We welcome the recently-announced ceasefire in the Middle East.
But let me be very clear. Caithfidh muid bheith díreach fá seo.
The Israeli assault on Gaza and the slaughter of over a thousand Palestinians, many of them children, was an outrage.
Caithfidh deireach theacht leis an coimhlint i nGaza, caithfidh cainteanna fiúntach tharlú ansin idir achan pháirtí gan mhoill. Tá Sinn Féin ag iarraidh Sos Cogaidh anois.
It is now time that the conflict between the Palestinians and Israel was brought to a permanent end.
There must be direct dialogue.
And that will require a real and unrelenting international effort to construct a durable peace settlement which provides for two states, including a Palestinian state that is sustainable and viable.
Ag pilleadh ar cheist na hÉireann arís.
The First Dáil Éireann also set out a visionary Democratic Programme of social and economic goals based on equality.
It declared that Irish society would be “ruled in accordance with the principles of liberty, equality and justice for all”.
And it set as its standard that the first duty of the Republic is “to make provision for the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of the children, to secure that no child shall suffer hunger or cold from lack of food, clothing, or shelter, but that all shall be provided with the means and facilities requisite for their proper education and training as citizens of a free and Gaelic Ireland.”
Tá na focail uilig seo, agus an meid seo leanas tabhachtach inniu.
The Democratic Programme also stated that the sovereignty of the nation “extends not only to all men and women of the nation, but to all its material possessions, the nation’s soil and its resources, all the wealth and wealth-producing processes within the nation, and we reaffirm that all rights to private property must be subordinated to the public right and welfare”.
It declared “the right of every citizen to an adequate share of the produce of the nation’s labour”.
The Democratic Programme promised a new scheme of social welfare that would ensure that the aged and infirm would “no longer be regarded as a burden but rather entitled to the nation’s gratitude and consideration”.
The Republic also had the duty to “safeguard the health of the people”.
It pledged to build Ireland’s economy and reinvigorate industries, which would be developed “on the most beneficial, progressive, co-operative industrial lines”.
Nach deas na foclaí sin, ach is mór an trua nach bhfuil an rialtais i mBaile Átha Cliath a cuir i bhfeidhm iad sa lá ata inniu ann.
These are great words, reflecting the social and economic intent of the 1916 Proclamation and espousing the fundamental principles of freedom and democracy and social justice to be found in other similar declarations of independence around the world.
The challenges today
They are great words that speak directly to the challenges facing Ireland today, a place where British jurisdiction continues.
A place where partition has distorted and stunted the economic and political potential of the island.
A place where unemployment, poverty and homelessness are on the rise.
A place where too many citizens are on low wages; where there is inadequate protection for workers, poor public services and infrastructure, and much more.
And where Irish natural resources are exploited not for the public benefit but for the enrichment of private, multinational corporations, often to the detriment of local communities and the environment;
Cén sort fís é seo do pháistí agus sliocht na gceannairí ó na laetha úd?
This is not the Ireland envisaged by the 1916 leaders or by those who met in this building 90 years ago.
Yesterday, the Oireachtas met in this room.
That was a good and necessary event. It should have been here today on the actual date of the inaugural meeting of the First Dáil.
The problem is, no one in the Government remembered until the last minute and when they went looking for the use of this space, Caoilfhionn Ní Dhonnabháin and Dawn Doyle had already booked the Mansion House on behalf of Sinn Féin.
I’m sure that news was well received in Government Buildings.
Anyway, we are not Mé Féiners and when we were asked if we would let the Oireachtas in we said: ‘Yes, of course - if you make it a truly national assembly with co-equal speaking rights.’
‘That might be setting the bar too high,’ I was told. And it was.
A few days later, we were told: ‘Thanks but no thanks. We’ll go on our own on the 20th.’
So there you are. I suppose you could say yesterday was the provisional event.
Today is the real deal, though I regret that the Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, representing the South, and the joint First Minister, Martin McGuinness, representing the North, are not here today to co-celebrate this anniversary of An Chéad Dáil.
But the Minister for Agriculture, Michelle Gildernew; the Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy; the Minister for Education, Caitriona Ruane; Junior Minister Gerry Kelly; along with our MLAs, are all here with the joint First Minister, Martin McGuinness.
Side by side with our leader in Leinster House, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, TDs Martin Ferris, Arthur Morgan, Aengus Ó Snodaigh; Senator, Pearse Doherty; our MEPs Mary Lou McDonald, Bairbre de Brún and Sinn Féin councillors from across the 32 Counties are all gathered here tonight.
So, Martin, you are not on your own.
But it is hardly surprising that the political elites behave as they do.
The First Dáil was suppressed and Ireland was partitioned.
No one should be surprised at the way the 26-county state has developed.
Liam Mellows put it well in these prophetic words:
“A political revolution in Ireland without a coincident economic revolution merely means a change of masters. Instead of British capitalism waxing rich on the political and economic enslavement of Ireland, we would have Irish capitalists waxing rich on the political freedom but contrived enslavement of Ireland.”
And so it has come to be.
New political managers and the business interests they represented came into the ascendancy.
The declarations of social intent in the 1916 Proclamation and the revolutionary programme of the First Dáil were abandoned and as occurred yesterday, occasionally resurrected by successive governments only for lip service.
Sinn Féin warned, time and time again, that this government was mismanaging the economy.
Let me make it clear: this mess is not the fault solely of Brian Cowen. It is the fault of successive governments and taoisigh.
There was no proper utilisation of resources or proper investment in infrastructure, education, health.
Tá sé scannalach nach raibh pleanáil ná ullmhú don am le teacht déanta ag an rialtas.
But this Government has been entirely and absolutely irresponsible.
It has protected its wealthy friends in the banks, the developers and property speculators and the private health insurers.
And it targeted the most vulnerable - the sick, the elderly and children.
Let me also make it clear that Fine Gael would do no better.
This is the time for new ideas, new thinking and real change.
A time for new political leadership and a new vision for the future.
Now is the time for a national conversation about the core values of our society; about how we as an island people wish to live our lives.
Now is the time for the people of Ireland to work together - to draw upon our strengths, to share and create a common purpose based upon our rights as citizens and our pride and confidence in our country and its people.
Now is the time once again for another great national revival of our language and arts, our culture.
Now is the time to build national morale.
Members of the First Dáil knew the importance of using and reviving the Irish language - indeed the proceedings of the inaugural First Dáil meeting were in Irish.
Today, much work needs to be done to ensure that Irish survives and flourishes.
It is the heritage of everyone in this country.
There must be a focus on ensuring that the Gaeltacht areas are not undermined and that Irish-language education is supported across the island.
D’fhulaing glún i ndiaidh glúine thar na blianta. Tá níos fearr tuillte againn anois.
Those elected to govern must be guided by the vision espoused in this hall in 1919. They must plan for the future - not the next general election.
The economic challenges before us are huge but they can be overcome with honest leadership and decisive action.
The starting point must be stimulating the economy.
It means putting in place measures to encourage economic growth, including economic strategies which invest in jobs, in people and in public services.
This will require significant new funding.
In the South, this will mean increasing state borrowing to fund capital projects and lowering consumption taxes (VAT) to boost consumer spending.
Steps need to be taken to protect existing jobs, prevent home repossessions and generate economic growth.
In the North, it means pressing the British Government for greater fiscal autonomy and the ability to raise taxes and manage our economy independent of British Treasury restraints.
It also means ending the nonsense of two competing economies on this island with two administrations, two health services, two education systems, two investment bodies with separate strategies, two different tax regimes, and much more.
Níl ciall ar bith leis an teorann gráine sa domhan, san Eorap ina bhfuil muid inniu.
An all-island economy makes sense.
Ireland, North and South, needs a new joined-up economic strategy for the 21st century and for the new realities of today.
Sheas mórmhór na ndaoine leis an Phoblacht nócha bliain ó shin.
Today, as in 1919, I believe the majority of Irish people, support the objective of an independent and United Ireland.
Sinn Féin is for a united Ireland.
Sinn Féin is for the construction of a new national democracy - a new republic - on the island of Ireland and reconciliation between orange and green.
Tá obair de dhíth - níl sé ag dul a tharlú gan sár-iarracht.
Now is the time to promote a united Ireland as desirable, viable and achievable in this generation through peaceful and democratic methods.
Republicans believe that the Union is a nonsense, even in these more enlightened times for unionists as well as the rest of us.
Working people, the farming and fishing sectors, the working poor, deprived communities afflicted by real hardship and disadvantage, now know that being unionist matters little.
The Union does not put food on the table or heat in the home.
Under the Union, unionists make up fewer that 2 per cent of the Kingdom.
They would constitute 20 per cent of the new Republic.
They would be citizens, not mere subjects.
They would have rights, not concessions.
They would belong.
They would be welcome.
We have to persuade them of that.
So too does the Irish Government.
The British Government also has its obligations.
But their obligations are of a different order.
We are the nation builders.
A key area of work in this will be reaching out to unionists and engaging with them on the type of Ireland we want to create.
Our responsibility is to ensure that unionists are comfortable and secure in a new Ireland.
It is their Ireland also.
So it must be a shared Ireland, an integrated Ireland, an Ireland in which unionists have equal ownership.
In seeking to achieve a united Ireland there is also a need to attract allies internationally and build on existing support.
There are tens of millions of people across the globe who can proudly trace their lineage back to Ireland.
The Irish Diaspora is strongest in the United States.
I returned from there today.
Tá an-speis ansin acú go foíll.
Yesterday, I attended the inauguration of President Obama.
Irish-America’s strength was evident in that election and in the many politicians I met.
Bhuail mé lena lán sean-chairde thall ansin.
There is considerable goodwill in the USA for a united Ireland.
We have to mobilise and organise with our friends there to advance our goals.
I want to welcome the President of the Friends of Sinn Féin, Larry Downes to our proceedings today.
I am also pleased to announce tonight that, this summer, Sinn Féin will be hosting two major conferences in the USA.
Sinn Féin will be inviting Irish-America to discuss with us how we can advance a united Ireland campaign.
Our intention is to engage with the Diaspora and seek to marshal its political strength.
That includes Britain.
The initial focus of the united Ireland campaign in England, Scotland and Wales will be to build towards a major conference in London early next year.
In the meantime, we are engaging with Irish communities, MPs, other politicians, trade unionists and others right across our offshore island - most recently in places like Leeds, Newcastle, Liverpool and Birmingham, as well as in London itself.
Other work has been started and will continue this year in both Wales and Scotland.
The planned London conference will not be the conclusion of this work - it will mark a stage in what must be a longer-term campaign.
So there are lots of challenges ahead.
But there is also great hope, not least because many, many people want a better Ireland.
And they are prepared to work hard for that better Ireland.
We have to harness that support and activism.
Republicans have vision of a united Ireland, a free Ireland, an Ireland where prosperity and equality are delivered in equal measure.
An Ireland in which Orange and Green can build a common future in co-operation and harmony.
We have a vision of an Ireland at peace with itself and its neighbours.
These are hard times for Ireland - North and South - though people in other regions have harder times.
But in hard times we are especially called upon to come forward.
The leaders of the Rising in 1916 or the First Dáil were called upon.
They did not retreat.
They came forward.
They had a sense of purpose.
That is what Ireland needs today.
Ireland needs citizens to step forward across this island to collectively shape a sense of common purpose.
To make a commitment.
To do whatever we can to improve the lives of our people and our communities.
We have a responsibility for each other and a responsibility to each other.
The economic future of Ireland must be built on solid, secure foundations. It must be based on fairness and decency.
Tá dúshlán romhainn uilig, tá Sinn Féin ag obair ar son agus ag ullmhaigh fa choinne Éire, soar agus aontaithe
On this 90th anniversary of the first freely-elected parliament of all the Irish people, I invite you to join with us in building that new and better Ireland for the 21st century.
Is ócáid tábhachtach, spéisialta é seo ina bhfuil muid ag céiliúradh noacha bhliain ón céad Dáil Éireann.
I want to thank everyone who helped to ensure that today’s commemorative event reflects the reality and spirit of that historic First Dáil Éireann.
Ninety years ago, Ireland was at the centre of great change.
The Easter Rising of 1916 and the 1918 election had struck decisive blows against the British Empire.
It was a time when nations across the world were recovering from the devastation of the First Great War.
Many were demanding their freedom.
It was also the time when the British and other colonial powers were carving up the Middle East and laying the foundations for the conflicts that rage today in Palestine and in Iraq.
British imperialism has much to answer for.
But here in this hall, 90 years ago, the Irish people, through their democratically-elected representatives, stood defiantly against that empire and declared independence.
It must have been an emotional and joyous moment.
Bhí súile na hÉireann ar an áit seo ansin. Bhí dóchas cosmhuintir Impír na Sasanna orthú fosta.
Outside, the streets were crowded with thousands of enthusiastic people. Inside, this hall was packed to overflowing with visitors and journalists.
The atmosphere must have been electric.
I’m sure more than a few tears were shed as the roll call of TDs and the words ‘faoi ghlas ag Gallaibh’ rang out.
Nach deas an rud dá ndeanfainís a leithid!
Sitting in this hall, participating in or listening to those first speeches of a free Irish nation - given entirely in Irish - and knowing that the Republic declared in arms at Easter 1916, had been ratified by the people: it was a defining point in Irish history.
Not everyone who could have been here was here. The Unionist and Irish Parliamentary MPs refused to attend.
Dhiúltaigh siad glacadh le toil muintir na hÉireann.
And, of course, there were some 36 MPs being held in British prisons.
But those who were here were fulfilling the Sinn Féin manifesto pledge of 1918 that it would establish a national parliament able to “speak and act in the name of the Irish people, and to develop Ireland’s social, political and industrial life, for the welfare of the whole people of Ireland”.
The election had been hard fought.
Ní raibh na Sasannaigh in Éirinn ró-shásta riamh le daonlathas don tír seo.
There was massive intimidation by the British state.
Over 100 candidates and activists were jailed, election material was confiscated and republican newspapers banned.
However, the courage of those who took up arms in 1916, the public anger at the executions of the leaders, and the Sinn Féin manifesto for change, resonated with the voters, many of whom - particularly women voters - were going to the polls for the first time.
The only woman elected in Ireland and Britain was Constance Markievicz for Sinn Féin.
She became Minister for Labour in the First Dáil, one of the first women government ministers in the world.
The 1918 election was the last occasion on which the people of this island of Ireland voted in a single election.The landslide victory for Sinn Féin was an overwhelming endorsement of the desire for an independent and united Ireland.
Níor chóir dearmad a dhéanamh air seo. Creidim go bhfuil an fonn sin, fonn na saoirse ag muintir na tíre seo go foil.
The inaugural meeting of the First Dáil Éireann, here in the Mansion House on January 21st 1919, was an unequivocal act of national self-determination.
Tá an t-éileamh sin beo go fóill.
It was also the day in which the first shots were fired at Soloheadbeg, in County Tipperary, in what became the Tan War.
In the course of that first meeting, Dáil Éireann issued a Declaration of Independence and a ‘Message to the Free Nations of the World’.
In its message to the world it called on every free nation “to support the Irish Republic by recognising Ireland’s national status”.
Spreag na focail seo pobal na hÉireann agus daoine eile ar fud an domhain chomh maith.
In words that reverberate today for those throughout the world still struggling for freedom and justice, the internationalist message of the First Dáil Éireann was unambiguous.
It stated its belief in “freedom and justice as the fundamental principles of international law” and in a “frank co-operation between the peoples for equal rights against the vested interests of ancient tyrannies”.
And it asserted that peace can only be established by “the control of government in every land upon the basis of the free will of a free people”.
Today, Sinn Féin stands with those who seek freedom and self-determination.
We support the peaceful and democratic resolution of international disputes.
We welcome the recently-announced ceasefire in the Middle East.
But let me be very clear. Caithfidh muid bheith díreach fá seo.
The Israeli assault on Gaza and the slaughter of over a thousand Palestinians, many of them children, was an outrage.
Caithfidh deireach theacht leis an coimhlint i nGaza, caithfidh cainteanna fiúntach tharlú ansin idir achan pháirtí gan mhoill. Tá Sinn Féin ag iarraidh Sos Cogaidh anois.
It is now time that the conflict between the Palestinians and Israel was brought to a permanent end.
There must be direct dialogue.
And that will require a real and unrelenting international effort to construct a durable peace settlement which provides for two states, including a Palestinian state that is sustainable and viable.
Ag pilleadh ar cheist na hÉireann arís.
The First Dáil Éireann also set out a visionary Democratic Programme of social and economic goals based on equality.
It declared that Irish society would be “ruled in accordance with the principles of liberty, equality and justice for all”.
And it set as its standard that the first duty of the Republic is “to make provision for the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of the children, to secure that no child shall suffer hunger or cold from lack of food, clothing, or shelter, but that all shall be provided with the means and facilities requisite for their proper education and training as citizens of a free and Gaelic Ireland.”
Tá na focail uilig seo, agus an meid seo leanas tabhachtach inniu.
The Democratic Programme also stated that the sovereignty of the nation “extends not only to all men and women of the nation, but to all its material possessions, the nation’s soil and its resources, all the wealth and wealth-producing processes within the nation, and we reaffirm that all rights to private property must be subordinated to the public right and welfare”.
It declared “the right of every citizen to an adequate share of the produce of the nation’s labour”.
The Democratic Programme promised a new scheme of social welfare that would ensure that the aged and infirm would “no longer be regarded as a burden but rather entitled to the nation’s gratitude and consideration”.
The Republic also had the duty to “safeguard the health of the people”.
It pledged to build Ireland’s economy and reinvigorate industries, which would be developed “on the most beneficial, progressive, co-operative industrial lines”.
Nach deas na foclaí sin, ach is mór an trua nach bhfuil an rialtais i mBaile Átha Cliath a cuir i bhfeidhm iad sa lá ata inniu ann.
These are great words, reflecting the social and economic intent of the 1916 Proclamation and espousing the fundamental principles of freedom and democracy and social justice to be found in other similar declarations of independence around the world.
The challenges today
They are great words that speak directly to the challenges facing Ireland today, a place where British jurisdiction continues.
A place where partition has distorted and stunted the economic and political potential of the island.
A place where unemployment, poverty and homelessness are on the rise.
A place where too many citizens are on low wages; where there is inadequate protection for workers, poor public services and infrastructure, and much more.
And where Irish natural resources are exploited not for the public benefit but for the enrichment of private, multinational corporations, often to the detriment of local communities and the environment;
Cén sort fís é seo do pháistí agus sliocht na gceannairí ó na laetha úd?
This is not the Ireland envisaged by the 1916 leaders or by those who met in this building 90 years ago.
Yesterday, the Oireachtas met in this room.
That was a good and necessary event. It should have been here today on the actual date of the inaugural meeting of the First Dáil.
The problem is, no one in the Government remembered until the last minute and when they went looking for the use of this space, Caoilfhionn Ní Dhonnabháin and Dawn Doyle had already booked the Mansion House on behalf of Sinn Féin.
I’m sure that news was well received in Government Buildings.
Anyway, we are not Mé Féiners and when we were asked if we would let the Oireachtas in we said: ‘Yes, of course - if you make it a truly national assembly with co-equal speaking rights.’
‘That might be setting the bar too high,’ I was told. And it was.
A few days later, we were told: ‘Thanks but no thanks. We’ll go on our own on the 20th.’
So there you are. I suppose you could say yesterday was the provisional event.
Today is the real deal, though I regret that the Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, representing the South, and the joint First Minister, Martin McGuinness, representing the North, are not here today to co-celebrate this anniversary of An Chéad Dáil.
But the Minister for Agriculture, Michelle Gildernew; the Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy; the Minister for Education, Caitriona Ruane; Junior Minister Gerry Kelly; along with our MLAs, are all here with the joint First Minister, Martin McGuinness.
Side by side with our leader in Leinster House, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, TDs Martin Ferris, Arthur Morgan, Aengus Ó Snodaigh; Senator, Pearse Doherty; our MEPs Mary Lou McDonald, Bairbre de Brún and Sinn Féin councillors from across the 32 Counties are all gathered here tonight.
So, Martin, you are not on your own.
But it is hardly surprising that the political elites behave as they do.
The First Dáil was suppressed and Ireland was partitioned.
No one should be surprised at the way the 26-county state has developed.
Liam Mellows put it well in these prophetic words:
“A political revolution in Ireland without a coincident economic revolution merely means a change of masters. Instead of British capitalism waxing rich on the political and economic enslavement of Ireland, we would have Irish capitalists waxing rich on the political freedom but contrived enslavement of Ireland.”
And so it has come to be.
New political managers and the business interests they represented came into the ascendancy.
The declarations of social intent in the 1916 Proclamation and the revolutionary programme of the First Dáil were abandoned and as occurred yesterday, occasionally resurrected by successive governments only for lip service.
Sinn Féin warned, time and time again, that this government was mismanaging the economy.
Let me make it clear: this mess is not the fault solely of Brian Cowen. It is the fault of successive governments and taoisigh.
There was no proper utilisation of resources or proper investment in infrastructure, education, health.
Tá sé scannalach nach raibh pleanáil ná ullmhú don am le teacht déanta ag an rialtas.
But this Government has been entirely and absolutely irresponsible.
It has protected its wealthy friends in the banks, the developers and property speculators and the private health insurers.
And it targeted the most vulnerable - the sick, the elderly and children.
Let me also make it clear that Fine Gael would do no better.
This is the time for new ideas, new thinking and real change.
A time for new political leadership and a new vision for the future.
Now is the time for a national conversation about the core values of our society; about how we as an island people wish to live our lives.
Now is the time for the people of Ireland to work together - to draw upon our strengths, to share and create a common purpose based upon our rights as citizens and our pride and confidence in our country and its people.
Now is the time once again for another great national revival of our language and arts, our culture.
Now is the time to build national morale.
Members of the First Dáil knew the importance of using and reviving the Irish language - indeed the proceedings of the inaugural First Dáil meeting were in Irish.
Today, much work needs to be done to ensure that Irish survives and flourishes.
It is the heritage of everyone in this country.
There must be a focus on ensuring that the Gaeltacht areas are not undermined and that Irish-language education is supported across the island.
D’fhulaing glún i ndiaidh glúine thar na blianta. Tá níos fearr tuillte againn anois.
Those elected to govern must be guided by the vision espoused in this hall in 1919. They must plan for the future - not the next general election.
The economic challenges before us are huge but they can be overcome with honest leadership and decisive action.
The starting point must be stimulating the economy.
It means putting in place measures to encourage economic growth, including economic strategies which invest in jobs, in people and in public services.
This will require significant new funding.
In the South, this will mean increasing state borrowing to fund capital projects and lowering consumption taxes (VAT) to boost consumer spending.
Steps need to be taken to protect existing jobs, prevent home repossessions and generate economic growth.
In the North, it means pressing the British Government for greater fiscal autonomy and the ability to raise taxes and manage our economy independent of British Treasury restraints.
It also means ending the nonsense of two competing economies on this island with two administrations, two health services, two education systems, two investment bodies with separate strategies, two different tax regimes, and much more.
Níl ciall ar bith leis an teorann gráine sa domhan, san Eorap ina bhfuil muid inniu.
An all-island economy makes sense.
Ireland, North and South, needs a new joined-up economic strategy for the 21st century and for the new realities of today.
Sheas mórmhór na ndaoine leis an Phoblacht nócha bliain ó shin.
Today, as in 1919, I believe the majority of Irish people, support the objective of an independent and United Ireland.
Sinn Féin is for a united Ireland.
Sinn Féin is for the construction of a new national democracy - a new republic - on the island of Ireland and reconciliation between orange and green.
Tá obair de dhíth - níl sé ag dul a tharlú gan sár-iarracht.
Now is the time to promote a united Ireland as desirable, viable and achievable in this generation through peaceful and democratic methods.
Republicans believe that the Union is a nonsense, even in these more enlightened times for unionists as well as the rest of us.
Working people, the farming and fishing sectors, the working poor, deprived communities afflicted by real hardship and disadvantage, now know that being unionist matters little.
The Union does not put food on the table or heat in the home.
Under the Union, unionists make up fewer that 2 per cent of the Kingdom.
They would constitute 20 per cent of the new Republic.
They would be citizens, not mere subjects.
They would have rights, not concessions.
They would belong.
They would be welcome.
We have to persuade them of that.
So too does the Irish Government.
The British Government also has its obligations.
But their obligations are of a different order.
We are the nation builders.
A key area of work in this will be reaching out to unionists and engaging with them on the type of Ireland we want to create.
Our responsibility is to ensure that unionists are comfortable and secure in a new Ireland.
It is their Ireland also.
So it must be a shared Ireland, an integrated Ireland, an Ireland in which unionists have equal ownership.
In seeking to achieve a united Ireland there is also a need to attract allies internationally and build on existing support.
There are tens of millions of people across the globe who can proudly trace their lineage back to Ireland.
The Irish Diaspora is strongest in the United States.
I returned from there today.
Tá an-speis ansin acú go foíll.
Yesterday, I attended the inauguration of President Obama.
Irish-America’s strength was evident in that election and in the many politicians I met.
Bhuail mé lena lán sean-chairde thall ansin.
There is considerable goodwill in the USA for a united Ireland.
We have to mobilise and organise with our friends there to advance our goals.
I want to welcome the President of the Friends of Sinn Féin, Larry Downes to our proceedings today.
I am also pleased to announce tonight that, this summer, Sinn Féin will be hosting two major conferences in the USA.
Sinn Féin will be inviting Irish-America to discuss with us how we can advance a united Ireland campaign.
Our intention is to engage with the Diaspora and seek to marshal its political strength.
That includes Britain.
The initial focus of the united Ireland campaign in England, Scotland and Wales will be to build towards a major conference in London early next year.
In the meantime, we are engaging with Irish communities, MPs, other politicians, trade unionists and others right across our offshore island - most recently in places like Leeds, Newcastle, Liverpool and Birmingham, as well as in London itself.
Other work has been started and will continue this year in both Wales and Scotland.
The planned London conference will not be the conclusion of this work - it will mark a stage in what must be a longer-term campaign.
So there are lots of challenges ahead.
But there is also great hope, not least because many, many people want a better Ireland.
And they are prepared to work hard for that better Ireland.
We have to harness that support and activism.
Republicans have vision of a united Ireland, a free Ireland, an Ireland where prosperity and equality are delivered in equal measure.
An Ireland in which Orange and Green can build a common future in co-operation and harmony.
We have a vision of an Ireland at peace with itself and its neighbours.
These are hard times for Ireland - North and South - though people in other regions have harder times.
But in hard times we are especially called upon to come forward.
The leaders of the Rising in 1916 or the First Dáil were called upon.
They did not retreat.
They came forward.
They had a sense of purpose.
That is what Ireland needs today.
Ireland needs citizens to step forward across this island to collectively shape a sense of common purpose.
To make a commitment.
To do whatever we can to improve the lives of our people and our communities.
We have a responsibility for each other and a responsibility to each other.
The economic future of Ireland must be built on solid, secure foundations. It must be based on fairness and decency.
Tá dúshlán romhainn uilig, tá Sinn Féin ag obair ar son agus ag ullmhaigh fa choinne Éire, soar agus aontaithe
On this 90th anniversary of the first freely-elected parliament of all the Irish people, I invite you to join with us in building that new and better Ireland for the 21st century.
Work of First Dáil not complete – Irish Unity and Equality yet to be achieved
Speaking at the First Dáil Éireann Commemoration organised by the Houses of the Oireachtas in the Round Room of the Mansion House, Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD said that the work of the First Dáil remains unfinished and that there was a mandate to bring about a United Ireland. He said the First Dáil’s Democratic Programme had not been implemented and that no Government committed to the Programme’s principles of equality could preside over the divisions in Irish society today. Deputy Ó Caoláin was joined at the event by Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Dublin MEP and National Chairperson Mary Lou McDonald, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly Francie Molloy MLA, Pat Doherty MLA, MP, Arthur Morgan TD, and Martin Ferris TD.
During the course of his speech, Deputy Ó Caoláin said:
“It was an All-Ireland Dáil that assembled here, a Dáil united in opposition to the intention of the British government to partition Ireland. We know the tragic outcome. Dáil Éireann was suppressed by the British government, which waged war on Irish democracy. Our country and our people were divided and the mass movement so strongly manifested here in January 1919 was split apart in January 1922.
“We salute all those who struggled for Irish unity and independence since the First Dáil Éireann met. We recall all those who suffered imprisonment and who gave their lives in the struggle for freedom, as so many of the first Teachtaí Dála did. No-one can credibly deny the spirit of freedom that links, to take but two examples, the Lord Mayor of Cork, Terence MacSwiney, TD for Mid-Cork who died on hunger strike in 1920 and the TD for Cavan-Monaghan Kieran Doherty who died on hunger strike in 1981.
“Our purpose today should not be simply to commemorate. The work begun on 21 January 1919 remains unfinished. Today should provide an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the need to end the division of our country and of our people. We are all mandated to work, by peaceful and democratic means, to bring about the unity of Ireland.
“We in Sinn Féin hold that as our central task. We take very seriously the need to address the fears and apprehensions of unionists. Our engagement with that community is very real and is ongoing. For the first time republicans and unionists are sharing power in the North-East of our country. The Good Friday Agreement is working, though much remains to be fulfilled. There is a new political dispensation. We have moved beyond the conflict of decades and have built a peaceful path forward. For us that path leads to a democratic Ireland, a nation built on unity and equality. As we mark the 90th Anniversary of An Chéad Dáil Éireann we look forward to the day when the elected representatives of all the people of our country will once more gather in the national assembly of a United Ireland.”
Democratic Programme
Deputy Ó Caoláin said that after nine decades the Democratic Programme of the First Dáil Éireann remains to be implemented. He said:
“If over the past decade the public right and welfare had been placed above the interests of private profit and property then our economy would not now be in recession.
“No Government truly committed to the sovereignty of the people over all the resources of the Nation and their development for the benefit of the people would have given away the massive Corrib gas reserves off our west coast.
“And a Government taking seriously the duty to ensure that no child should suffer from poverty, that all should share in the Nation’s wealth and that the health of the people should be safeguarded, would never preside over the inequality and division in Irish society today.”
During the course of his speech, Deputy Ó Caoláin said:
“It was an All-Ireland Dáil that assembled here, a Dáil united in opposition to the intention of the British government to partition Ireland. We know the tragic outcome. Dáil Éireann was suppressed by the British government, which waged war on Irish democracy. Our country and our people were divided and the mass movement so strongly manifested here in January 1919 was split apart in January 1922.
“We salute all those who struggled for Irish unity and independence since the First Dáil Éireann met. We recall all those who suffered imprisonment and who gave their lives in the struggle for freedom, as so many of the first Teachtaí Dála did. No-one can credibly deny the spirit of freedom that links, to take but two examples, the Lord Mayor of Cork, Terence MacSwiney, TD for Mid-Cork who died on hunger strike in 1920 and the TD for Cavan-Monaghan Kieran Doherty who died on hunger strike in 1981.
“Our purpose today should not be simply to commemorate. The work begun on 21 January 1919 remains unfinished. Today should provide an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the need to end the division of our country and of our people. We are all mandated to work, by peaceful and democratic means, to bring about the unity of Ireland.
“We in Sinn Féin hold that as our central task. We take very seriously the need to address the fears and apprehensions of unionists. Our engagement with that community is very real and is ongoing. For the first time republicans and unionists are sharing power in the North-East of our country. The Good Friday Agreement is working, though much remains to be fulfilled. There is a new political dispensation. We have moved beyond the conflict of decades and have built a peaceful path forward. For us that path leads to a democratic Ireland, a nation built on unity and equality. As we mark the 90th Anniversary of An Chéad Dáil Éireann we look forward to the day when the elected representatives of all the people of our country will once more gather in the national assembly of a United Ireland.”
Democratic Programme
Deputy Ó Caoláin said that after nine decades the Democratic Programme of the First Dáil Éireann remains to be implemented. He said:
“If over the past decade the public right and welfare had been placed above the interests of private profit and property then our economy would not now be in recession.
“No Government truly committed to the sovereignty of the people over all the resources of the Nation and their development for the benefit of the people would have given away the massive Corrib gas reserves off our west coast.
“And a Government taking seriously the duty to ensure that no child should suffer from poverty, that all should share in the Nation’s wealth and that the health of the people should be safeguarded, would never preside over the inequality and division in Irish society today.”
Members of the First Dáil
Members of the First Dáil
Elected Members of The First Dáil EireannStart : 21 January 1919End : 10 May 1921Seats : 73
Mr. Robert Childers BartonConstituency: Wicklow WestParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Piaras BéaslaíConstituency: Kerry EastParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Ernest BlytheConstituency: Monaghan NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Harry BolandConstituency: Roscommon SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Seamus Aloysius BourkeConstituency: Tipperary MidParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Cathal BrughaConstituency: Waterford CountyParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Donal BuckleyConstituency: Kildare NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. J.J. ClancyConstituency: Sligo NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Michael P. ColivetConstituency: Limerick CityParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Con CollinsConstituency: Limerick WestParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Michael CollinsConstituency: Cork SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. William T. CosgraveConstituency: Kilkenny NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. James CrowleyConstituency: Kerry NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. John CrowleyConstituency: Mayo NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Bryan CusackConstituency: Galway NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Countess Constance Georgina de MarkieviczConstituency: Dublin (St Patrick’s)Party: Sinn Féin
Mr. Liam de RoisteConstituency: Cork CityParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Eamon de ValeraConstituency: Clare EastParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. James Nicholas DolanConstituency: LeitrimParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. George Gavan DuffyConstituency: Dublin County SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Edmund DugganConstituency: Meath SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. John EtchinghamConstituency: Wicklow EastParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Frank FahyConstituency: Galway SouthParty: Sinn FéinMr. Desmond FitzGeraldConstituency: Dublin (Pembroke)Party: Sinn Féin
Mr. Peter Paul GalliganConstituency: Cavan WestParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Laurence GinnellConstituency: WestmeathParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Arthur GriffithConstituency: Cavan EastParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Arthur GriffithConstituency: Tyrone North-EastParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Richard Francis HayesConstituency: Limerick EastParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Sean (Cork West) HayesConstituency: Cork WestParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Thomas HunterConstituency: Cork North-EastParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Thomas KellyConstituency: Dublin (St. Stephen’s Green)Party: Sinn Féin
Mr. David KentConstituency: Cork EastParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Frank LawlessConstituency: Dublin County NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. James LennonConstituency: CarlowParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Dermot LynchConstituency: Cork South-EastParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Fionán LynchConstituency: Kerry SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Joseph Michael MacBrideConstituency: Mayo WestParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Alasdar MacCábaConstituency: Sligo SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Joseph MacDonaghConstituency: Tipperary NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Seán MacEnteeConstituency: Monaghan SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Professor Eoin MacNeillConstituency: Londonderry CityParty: Sinn Féin
Professor Eoin MacNeillConstituency: National University of IrelandParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Terence MacSwineyConstituency: Cork MidParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Pierce McCanConstituency: Tipperary EastParty: Sinn Féin
Dr. Patrick McCartanConstituency: King’s CountyParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Joseph McGrathConstituency: Dublin (St. James’s)Party: Sinn Féin
Mr. Joseph McGuinnessConstituency: LongfordParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Liam MellowesConstituency: Galway EastParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Patrick James MoloneyConstituency: Tipperary SouthParty: Sinn FéinGeneral Richard MulcahyConstituency: Dublin (Clontarf)Party: Sinn Féin
Mr. Seán (Sceig) Ó CeallaighConstituency: LouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Pádraic Ó MáilleConstituency: Galway ConnemaraParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Art O’ConnorConstituency: Kildare SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Joseph O’DohertyConstituency: Donegal NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Brian O’HigginsConstituency: Clare WestParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Kevin O’HigginsConstituency: Queen’s CountyParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Patrick O’KeeffeConstituency: Cork NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Seán T. O’KellyConstituency: Dublin (College Green)Party: Sinn Féin
Mr. John O’MahonyConstituency: Fermanagh SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. James O’MaraConstituency: Kilkenny SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Count George Noble, Count PlunkettConstituency: Roscommon NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Dr. James RyanConstituency: Wexford SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. William SearsConstituency: Mayo SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Philip ShanahanConstituency: Dublin HarbourParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Austin StackConstituency: Kerry WestParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Michael StainesConstituency: Dublin (St Michan’s)Party: Sinn Féin
Mr. Joseph SweeneyConstituency: Donegal WestParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Roger SweetmanConstituency: Wexford NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. James Joseph WalshConstituency: Cork CityParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Peter Joseph WardConstituency: Donegal SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Elected Members of The First Dáil EireannStart : 21 January 1919End : 10 May 1921Seats : 73
Mr. Robert Childers BartonConstituency: Wicklow WestParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Piaras BéaslaíConstituency: Kerry EastParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Ernest BlytheConstituency: Monaghan NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Harry BolandConstituency: Roscommon SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Seamus Aloysius BourkeConstituency: Tipperary MidParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Cathal BrughaConstituency: Waterford CountyParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Donal BuckleyConstituency: Kildare NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. J.J. ClancyConstituency: Sligo NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Michael P. ColivetConstituency: Limerick CityParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Con CollinsConstituency: Limerick WestParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Michael CollinsConstituency: Cork SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. William T. CosgraveConstituency: Kilkenny NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. James CrowleyConstituency: Kerry NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. John CrowleyConstituency: Mayo NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Bryan CusackConstituency: Galway NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Countess Constance Georgina de MarkieviczConstituency: Dublin (St Patrick’s)Party: Sinn Féin
Mr. Liam de RoisteConstituency: Cork CityParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Eamon de ValeraConstituency: Clare EastParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. James Nicholas DolanConstituency: LeitrimParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. George Gavan DuffyConstituency: Dublin County SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Edmund DugganConstituency: Meath SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. John EtchinghamConstituency: Wicklow EastParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Frank FahyConstituency: Galway SouthParty: Sinn FéinMr. Desmond FitzGeraldConstituency: Dublin (Pembroke)Party: Sinn Féin
Mr. Peter Paul GalliganConstituency: Cavan WestParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Laurence GinnellConstituency: WestmeathParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Arthur GriffithConstituency: Cavan EastParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Arthur GriffithConstituency: Tyrone North-EastParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Richard Francis HayesConstituency: Limerick EastParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Sean (Cork West) HayesConstituency: Cork WestParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Thomas HunterConstituency: Cork North-EastParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Thomas KellyConstituency: Dublin (St. Stephen’s Green)Party: Sinn Féin
Mr. David KentConstituency: Cork EastParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Frank LawlessConstituency: Dublin County NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. James LennonConstituency: CarlowParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Dermot LynchConstituency: Cork South-EastParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Fionán LynchConstituency: Kerry SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Joseph Michael MacBrideConstituency: Mayo WestParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Alasdar MacCábaConstituency: Sligo SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Joseph MacDonaghConstituency: Tipperary NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Seán MacEnteeConstituency: Monaghan SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Professor Eoin MacNeillConstituency: Londonderry CityParty: Sinn Féin
Professor Eoin MacNeillConstituency: National University of IrelandParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Terence MacSwineyConstituency: Cork MidParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Pierce McCanConstituency: Tipperary EastParty: Sinn Féin
Dr. Patrick McCartanConstituency: King’s CountyParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Joseph McGrathConstituency: Dublin (St. James’s)Party: Sinn Féin
Mr. Joseph McGuinnessConstituency: LongfordParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Liam MellowesConstituency: Galway EastParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Patrick James MoloneyConstituency: Tipperary SouthParty: Sinn FéinGeneral Richard MulcahyConstituency: Dublin (Clontarf)Party: Sinn Féin
Mr. Seán (Sceig) Ó CeallaighConstituency: LouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Pádraic Ó MáilleConstituency: Galway ConnemaraParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Art O’ConnorConstituency: Kildare SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Joseph O’DohertyConstituency: Donegal NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Brian O’HigginsConstituency: Clare WestParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Kevin O’HigginsConstituency: Queen’s CountyParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Patrick O’KeeffeConstituency: Cork NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Seán T. O’KellyConstituency: Dublin (College Green)Party: Sinn Féin
Mr. John O’MahonyConstituency: Fermanagh SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. James O’MaraConstituency: Kilkenny SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Count George Noble, Count PlunkettConstituency: Roscommon NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Dr. James RyanConstituency: Wexford SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. William SearsConstituency: Mayo SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Philip ShanahanConstituency: Dublin HarbourParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Austin StackConstituency: Kerry WestParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Michael StainesConstituency: Dublin (St Michan’s)Party: Sinn Féin
Mr. Joseph SweeneyConstituency: Donegal WestParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Roger SweetmanConstituency: Wexford NorthParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. James Joseph WalshConstituency: Cork CityParty: Sinn Féin
Mr. Peter Joseph WardConstituency: Donegal SouthParty: Sinn Féin
Friday, January 16, 2009
Local Elections Exhibition
Waterford County Archives will be providing a talk on Local Elections in County Waterford on Thursday 22nd January at 8pm in Dungarvan Library. The talk is being held to accompany an exhibition produced by the Local Authority Archivists’ Group and features archives from local authority collections around the country.
Find out about the public meetings held across Waterford County to select the first County Council candidates in 1899. Discover more about the people who got to vote for the first time in the County on 6th April 1899. On 15th April 1899 the Munster Express reported from Dungarvan that:
Around the hills bonfires blazed. This was the rejoicing of the people, for, for the first time in the country’s chequered history the voice of the people was allowed to assert itself…
Find out about how the voice of the people was expressed in this and later local elections, the role that local government had in supporting the newly formed Dáil Éireann and learn more about the impact local people have had on their local councils since 1899.
The exhibition offers an opportunity to assess the history and impact that local elections have had in Ireland and the County Archive will have archives on display that provide details of local elections in Waterford.
For further information contact:
Joanne Rothwell
Waterford County Archivist
Waterford County Archives Services
Dungarvan Library
Davitt’s Quay
Dungarvan
Co. Waterford
E-mail: archivist@waterfordcoco.ie
Telephone: 058 23673
Find out about the public meetings held across Waterford County to select the first County Council candidates in 1899. Discover more about the people who got to vote for the first time in the County on 6th April 1899. On 15th April 1899 the Munster Express reported from Dungarvan that:
Around the hills bonfires blazed. This was the rejoicing of the people, for, for the first time in the country’s chequered history the voice of the people was allowed to assert itself…
Find out about how the voice of the people was expressed in this and later local elections, the role that local government had in supporting the newly formed Dáil Éireann and learn more about the impact local people have had on their local councils since 1899.
The exhibition offers an opportunity to assess the history and impact that local elections have had in Ireland and the County Archive will have archives on display that provide details of local elections in Waterford.
For further information contact:
Joanne Rothwell
Waterford County Archivist
Waterford County Archives Services
Dungarvan Library
Davitt’s Quay
Dungarvan
Co. Waterford
E-mail: archivist@waterfordcoco.ie
Telephone: 058 23673
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The Soloheadbeg ambush - Remembering the Past
On 21 January 1919, 90 years ago, the 3rd Tipperary Brigade of the IRA fired the opening salvo of the Tan War in Soloheadbeg.
Information had reached the Third Brigade in December 1918 that explosives were being transported in their area and they began preparations to seize these much needed munitions. Lar Breen, a brother of Dan, was sent to work in a local quarry to gather intelligence. He confirmed that a delivery was expected around 16 January but the exact date and route couldn’t be confirmed. The Volunteers organised a small tin hut as a base for their attack on the convoy; there they sent out spotters and waited day after day for word that the convoy was on its way.
Those involved on the day of the operation were four officers of the 3rd Tipperary Brigade IRA; Seán Treacy, Dan Breen, Seán Hogan (then only 17) and Séamus Robinson. They were joined by five other Volunteers: Tadhg Crowe, Mick McCormack, Paddy O’Dwyer (Hollyford), Michael Ryan (Donohill) and Seán O’Meara (Tipperary) — the latter two being cycle scouts.
Robinson, who participated in the 1916 Rising, was the organiser and Treacy, a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood since 1911, was the logistics expert.
In their planning, Treacy and the others were unsure of the size of the police contingent which would be guarding the gelignite and made preparations for various contingencies, including a guard of up to 12 RIC men. Tadhg Crowe was to guard the policemen when they were captured, while Paddy Dwyer was the lookout who was to follow the convoy from Tipperary Town.
Finally, after five days of surveillance, Paddy Dwyer saw the explosives, 160 pounds of gelignite, being loaded on a cart and heading off with a guard of two RIC men. He cycled ahead and watched as they took the long route to the Soloheadbeg quarry. He took the short route and informed the anxious Volunteers of the convoy’s size and movements. The horse was being led by two workmen, Edward Godfrey and Patrick Flynn, while the two policemen, Constables Patrick MacDonnell and James O’Connell, walked behind with their carbines slung over their shoulders.
As they passed Cranitch’s Field near the quarry, the RIC men were twice called on to surrender by the masked IRA Volunteers who had positioned themselves on the side of the road in a ditch. When the RIC men shouldered their carbines and took up firing positions Seán Treacy, followed by Breen and Robinson, opened fire with .22 automatic Mauser rifles and an automatic Colt.
Leaving the two RIC men dead on the road, the IRA men hurried to take the horse and cart out of the area. They left the two civilians alone but had they searched Patrick MacDonnell they would have found 30 electric detonators in his pocket. The IRA men then hid the gelignite by the side of the Dundrum-Tipperary Road. The horse and cart and two sticks of gelignite were dropped at another location to throw the crown forces off the scent. One week later, with massive searches continuing in the area and the risk of the munitions being discovered at any time, Tom Carew (who was later to be made IO of the 3rd Brigade) decided to move the hoard to a safe arms dump. With his brother he procured two carts laden with timber and drove out to where the IRA men had left the boxes of gelignite. They loaded these onto the driver’s seat and drove away. On the way to where they would dump the gelignite they were stopped by the RIC. The RIC questioned the cool headed Carew for 20 minutes but suspected nothing. Eventually they let him go, warning him that he shouldn’t be driving around with no lights on as it was dangerous.
The Volunteers who had taken part in the raid then went on the run. GHQ was anxious that those involved would go to the US until the situation calmed down, but the Volunteers refused. Seán Treacy said “any fool can shoot a peeler and run away to America'’. Instead, he asked that a Proclamation directing all British troops to leave Ireland be issued. Condemnation for the killings was swift and from every quarter, even from some local republicans.
It wasn’t until April 1921 that Dáil Éireann, at Erskine Childers’ bidding, formally declared hostilities against Britain.
Tipperary was declared a “special military area” and all fairs and markets were banned. Military reinforcements were rushed in and a major hunt was on for the IRA men. A reward of £1,000 was increased to £10,000, but to no avail. The men remained on the run and they all saw regular action in the subsequent war, some making the supreme sacrifice for Ireland’s freedom.As with other ambushes of the time the sole purpose of the ambush in Soloheadbeg was the capture of explosives. An order curtailing military style operations from the IRA GHQ meant no major operation occurred for a few months after Soloheadbeg. The official newspaper of the Volunteers, An tÓglach, took a different line, stating ten days after Soloheadbeg that Volunteers could use “all legitimate methods of warfare against the soldiers and policemen of the English usurper, and to slay them if necessary to overcome their resistance'’
Information had reached the Third Brigade in December 1918 that explosives were being transported in their area and they began preparations to seize these much needed munitions. Lar Breen, a brother of Dan, was sent to work in a local quarry to gather intelligence. He confirmed that a delivery was expected around 16 January but the exact date and route couldn’t be confirmed. The Volunteers organised a small tin hut as a base for their attack on the convoy; there they sent out spotters and waited day after day for word that the convoy was on its way.
Those involved on the day of the operation were four officers of the 3rd Tipperary Brigade IRA; Seán Treacy, Dan Breen, Seán Hogan (then only 17) and Séamus Robinson. They were joined by five other Volunteers: Tadhg Crowe, Mick McCormack, Paddy O’Dwyer (Hollyford), Michael Ryan (Donohill) and Seán O’Meara (Tipperary) — the latter two being cycle scouts.
Robinson, who participated in the 1916 Rising, was the organiser and Treacy, a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood since 1911, was the logistics expert.
In their planning, Treacy and the others were unsure of the size of the police contingent which would be guarding the gelignite and made preparations for various contingencies, including a guard of up to 12 RIC men. Tadhg Crowe was to guard the policemen when they were captured, while Paddy Dwyer was the lookout who was to follow the convoy from Tipperary Town.
Finally, after five days of surveillance, Paddy Dwyer saw the explosives, 160 pounds of gelignite, being loaded on a cart and heading off with a guard of two RIC men. He cycled ahead and watched as they took the long route to the Soloheadbeg quarry. He took the short route and informed the anxious Volunteers of the convoy’s size and movements. The horse was being led by two workmen, Edward Godfrey and Patrick Flynn, while the two policemen, Constables Patrick MacDonnell and James O’Connell, walked behind with their carbines slung over their shoulders.
As they passed Cranitch’s Field near the quarry, the RIC men were twice called on to surrender by the masked IRA Volunteers who had positioned themselves on the side of the road in a ditch. When the RIC men shouldered their carbines and took up firing positions Seán Treacy, followed by Breen and Robinson, opened fire with .22 automatic Mauser rifles and an automatic Colt.
Leaving the two RIC men dead on the road, the IRA men hurried to take the horse and cart out of the area. They left the two civilians alone but had they searched Patrick MacDonnell they would have found 30 electric detonators in his pocket. The IRA men then hid the gelignite by the side of the Dundrum-Tipperary Road. The horse and cart and two sticks of gelignite were dropped at another location to throw the crown forces off the scent. One week later, with massive searches continuing in the area and the risk of the munitions being discovered at any time, Tom Carew (who was later to be made IO of the 3rd Brigade) decided to move the hoard to a safe arms dump. With his brother he procured two carts laden with timber and drove out to where the IRA men had left the boxes of gelignite. They loaded these onto the driver’s seat and drove away. On the way to where they would dump the gelignite they were stopped by the RIC. The RIC questioned the cool headed Carew for 20 minutes but suspected nothing. Eventually they let him go, warning him that he shouldn’t be driving around with no lights on as it was dangerous.
The Volunteers who had taken part in the raid then went on the run. GHQ was anxious that those involved would go to the US until the situation calmed down, but the Volunteers refused. Seán Treacy said “any fool can shoot a peeler and run away to America'’. Instead, he asked that a Proclamation directing all British troops to leave Ireland be issued. Condemnation for the killings was swift and from every quarter, even from some local republicans.
It wasn’t until April 1921 that Dáil Éireann, at Erskine Childers’ bidding, formally declared hostilities against Britain.
Tipperary was declared a “special military area” and all fairs and markets were banned. Military reinforcements were rushed in and a major hunt was on for the IRA men. A reward of £1,000 was increased to £10,000, but to no avail. The men remained on the run and they all saw regular action in the subsequent war, some making the supreme sacrifice for Ireland’s freedom.As with other ambushes of the time the sole purpose of the ambush in Soloheadbeg was the capture of explosives. An order curtailing military style operations from the IRA GHQ meant no major operation occurred for a few months after Soloheadbeg. The official newspaper of the Volunteers, An tÓglach, took a different line, stating ten days after Soloheadbeg that Volunteers could use “all legitimate methods of warfare against the soldiers and policemen of the English usurper, and to slay them if necessary to overcome their resistance'’
Adams to attend President elect Obama’s Inauguration
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP MLA will attend next weeks inauguration in Washington for President elect Barak Obama and Vice President elect Senator Joe Biden. Mr. Adams said: "The United States has played a consistently significant role in the Irish peace process over the last decade.
"President elect Obama has already committed to continuing U.S. support for the Irish peace process.
"The new US President has also made positive comments on trade and investment, and has acknowledged the need for immigration reform.
"Sinn Féin is committed to working with Irish America toward building on the positive relationship we have with both Democrats and Republicans and with the new administration in Washington.
"The coming into office of the Obama administration will present many positive new opportunities and challenges." CRÍOCH
"President elect Obama has already committed to continuing U.S. support for the Irish peace process.
"The new US President has also made positive comments on trade and investment, and has acknowledged the need for immigration reform.
"Sinn Féin is committed to working with Irish America toward building on the positive relationship we have with both Democrats and Republicans and with the new administration in Washington.
"The coming into office of the Obama administration will present many positive new opportunities and challenges." CRÍOCH
Caithfidh an tAE cuidiú le muintir Gaza - de Brún
Published: 14 January, 2009
Ag labhairt léi i bParlaimint na hEorpa inniu cháin Bairbre de Brún FPE ionsaithe Iosrael i nGaza. Dúirt Iníon de Brún gur chóir uasghrádú caidrimh le hIosrael a thréigean agus gur chóir na comhaontaithe atá i bhfeidhm faoi láthair a chur ar ceal go dtí go gcomhlíonann Iosrael a dhualgais faoi dhlí idirnáisiúnta. Dúirt Iníon de Brún: "Is mian liom tacú leo siúd ag cáineadh na n-ionsaithe a bhí déanta ag Iosrael i nGaza ar na mallaibh agus mo dhlúthpháirtíocht a léiriú le muintir Gaza. Fiú sular mhéadaigh foréigean Iosrael, chonaiceamar, le míonna anuas, pionós comhchoiteann ar mhuintir na Palaistíne in Gaza. Is ábhar uafáis ar fad é scála agus cineál an ionsaí ar Gaza déanta ag arm nua-aimseartha in éadan daoine faoi léigear atá lag cheana féin mar gheall ar leithlis agus imshuí. Tá an locht a cuireadh ar na daoine céanna úd contráilte - is gá dúinn bheith soiléir agus sinn á rá gurb iad na híospartaigh is mó muintir neamhchiontacha Gaza. Ní féidir a rá gur freagairt chomhréireach í ar ionsaithe roicéad Hamas ar Iosrael. Is gá don Aontas Eorpach a ghuth a ardú in aghaidh gníomhartha do-ghlactha Iosrael. Tá roinnt uirlisí againn ar féidir linn a úsáid chun ár dteachtaireacht a chur in iúl. Ba chóir uasghrádú caidrimh le hIosrael a thréigean agus ba chóir na comhaontaithe atá i bhfeidhm faoi láthair a chur ar ceal go dtí go gcomhlíonann Iosrael a dhualgais faoi dhlí idirnáisiúnta. Ba chóir dúinn deireadh a chur lenár n-ionramh fabhrach le hIosrael agus ár dtacaíocht a mhéadú ar son gníomhartha daonnúla ar mhaithe le híospartaigh chogadh Iosrael." DEIREADH
Ag labhairt léi i bParlaimint na hEorpa inniu cháin Bairbre de Brún FPE ionsaithe Iosrael i nGaza. Dúirt Iníon de Brún gur chóir uasghrádú caidrimh le hIosrael a thréigean agus gur chóir na comhaontaithe atá i bhfeidhm faoi láthair a chur ar ceal go dtí go gcomhlíonann Iosrael a dhualgais faoi dhlí idirnáisiúnta. Dúirt Iníon de Brún: "Is mian liom tacú leo siúd ag cáineadh na n-ionsaithe a bhí déanta ag Iosrael i nGaza ar na mallaibh agus mo dhlúthpháirtíocht a léiriú le muintir Gaza. Fiú sular mhéadaigh foréigean Iosrael, chonaiceamar, le míonna anuas, pionós comhchoiteann ar mhuintir na Palaistíne in Gaza. Is ábhar uafáis ar fad é scála agus cineál an ionsaí ar Gaza déanta ag arm nua-aimseartha in éadan daoine faoi léigear atá lag cheana féin mar gheall ar leithlis agus imshuí. Tá an locht a cuireadh ar na daoine céanna úd contráilte - is gá dúinn bheith soiléir agus sinn á rá gurb iad na híospartaigh is mó muintir neamhchiontacha Gaza. Ní féidir a rá gur freagairt chomhréireach í ar ionsaithe roicéad Hamas ar Iosrael. Is gá don Aontas Eorpach a ghuth a ardú in aghaidh gníomhartha do-ghlactha Iosrael. Tá roinnt uirlisí againn ar féidir linn a úsáid chun ár dteachtaireacht a chur in iúl. Ba chóir uasghrádú caidrimh le hIosrael a thréigean agus ba chóir na comhaontaithe atá i bhfeidhm faoi láthair a chur ar ceal go dtí go gcomhlíonann Iosrael a dhualgais faoi dhlí idirnáisiúnta. Ba chóir dúinn deireadh a chur lenár n-ionramh fabhrach le hIosrael agus ár dtacaíocht a mhéadú ar son gníomhartha daonnúla ar mhaithe le híospartaigh chogadh Iosrael." DEIREADH
latest cso figures breakdown
Government inertia as unemployment spirals out of control
Speaking as figures released this week showed the unemployment rate rose to 8.3% in December, Sinn Féin Cllr. Brendan Mnasfield said Brian Cowen and his Government have spectacularly failed to grasp the gravity of the current situation and have failed to react accordingly. Cllr.Mansfield said the coalition of Fianna Fáil and the Green Party has failed to produce one single proposal to kick start the economy and called for job creation plan involving major public infrastructural investment. An extra 128 people have joined the dole queue in Dungarvan in December alone, with the figure now standing at over 1569.
He said, “At a time when every member of the Government should be up on their toes, running around busily trying to come up with a plan to take us out of the current crisis, the image coming from Government is that they are all sitting back in their chairs bending paper clips and naval gazing.
“Brian Cowen lauded himself for being one of the first heads of state to intervene to save the banking sector. And he was – fair play. But where has he been since? Where is the package for creating jobs? Why has nothing been done to retain jobs? Did Brian Cowen and his Government sit back after intervening in the banking sector and think to themselves that their work was done because it certainly seems that they haven’t grasped the gravity of the current situation.
“The FF/Green coalition has yet to produce a single concrete proposal to kick start the economy and create employment. The Government’s economic stimulus package is worthless.
“The Irish government has been amongst the last governments in the EU to produce a stimulus package. While the public is watching the state go down the tubes the government continues to sleepwalk and unemployment figures continue to rise sharply reaching the highest level in Dungarvan in decades.
“Sinn Féin has repeatedly called for a job creation plan, which would involve major public infrastructural investment.
“The solutions and skills are out there to revive the economy and provide new employment. The problem is Government hesitation, indecisiveness and incompetence, and non sensical cuts such as those to the Community Employment schemes.'' concluded Cllr.Mansfield.
Speaking as figures released this week showed the unemployment rate rose to 8.3% in December, Sinn Féin Cllr. Brendan Mnasfield said Brian Cowen and his Government have spectacularly failed to grasp the gravity of the current situation and have failed to react accordingly. Cllr.Mansfield said the coalition of Fianna Fáil and the Green Party has failed to produce one single proposal to kick start the economy and called for job creation plan involving major public infrastructural investment. An extra 128 people have joined the dole queue in Dungarvan in December alone, with the figure now standing at over 1569.
He said, “At a time when every member of the Government should be up on their toes, running around busily trying to come up with a plan to take us out of the current crisis, the image coming from Government is that they are all sitting back in their chairs bending paper clips and naval gazing.
“Brian Cowen lauded himself for being one of the first heads of state to intervene to save the banking sector. And he was – fair play. But where has he been since? Where is the package for creating jobs? Why has nothing been done to retain jobs? Did Brian Cowen and his Government sit back after intervening in the banking sector and think to themselves that their work was done because it certainly seems that they haven’t grasped the gravity of the current situation.
“The FF/Green coalition has yet to produce a single concrete proposal to kick start the economy and create employment. The Government’s economic stimulus package is worthless.
“The Irish government has been amongst the last governments in the EU to produce a stimulus package. While the public is watching the state go down the tubes the government continues to sleepwalk and unemployment figures continue to rise sharply reaching the highest level in Dungarvan in decades.
“Sinn Féin has repeatedly called for a job creation plan, which would involve major public infrastructural investment.
“The solutions and skills are out there to revive the economy and provide new employment. The problem is Government hesitation, indecisiveness and incompetence, and non sensical cuts such as those to the Community Employment schemes.'' concluded Cllr.Mansfield.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
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