MERRIGAN SLAMS ‘TACKY’ FINE GAEL FUNDRAISER

Fermoy town councillor, Peter Merrigan has branded ‘tacky’ a fundraising event that will see the proceeds split equally between Fine Gael local election candidate Pa O’Driscoll’s election campaign fund and depression support group AWARE. Cllr Merrigan said that he did not think it was right that an election candidate should ‘piggyback’ on a charity event to raise funds for a personal campaign.

“In these troubled economic times I can understand someone trying to raise money for their campaign,” Cllr Merrigan said, “ however piggybacking on a charity and worthy causes, the likes of AWARE, doesn’t sit right with my mentality.”

Cllr Merrigan said that he felt it was worth bearing in mind that the campaign is towards an office that awards a salary, and as such is a paid position.

“Of course it is true to say that if nothing happened then AWARE wouldn’t have benefited but I feel that if you are holding such an event either do it for charity or do it for yourself, not both. Us politicians have a bad enough name as it is,” he concluded. Mr O’Driscoll, who is a Fine Gael candidate for both Fermoy Town Council and Cork County Council said that he was “surprised and disappointed” at Cllr Merrigan’s public criticism.

“If Mr Merrigan had picked up the phone to ring me I would have happily outlined why I chose to run my table quiz with the intention of giving half of the proceeds to AWARE,” Mr O’Driscoll said.

“AWARE were informed of my intention to run a table quiz and have the funds shared, and were more than happy to support it. They will be sending literature for the night which will be available for those who are interested in knowing more about AWARE and the work they do.”

“When I was president of Young Fine Gael from November 2004 to February 2006 I organised and ran a campaign focusing on mental health and youth suicide. The campaign was titled ‘TALK’, and was born from my view that mental health and suicide awareness and prevention are not being addressed as national issues.

"It is rare that mental health or suicide is raised as an issue on the doorsteps so they have been largely ignored by successive governments,” Mr O’Driscoll explained, adding that he believed that lives would be saved should the Government give a similar level of support to for mental health and suicide awareness and prevention to the backing it gives road safety campaigns.

“At the time of the TALK campaign I was criticised by some people for making mental health and suicide ‘political issues’. I am of the opinion that they are ‘political issues’ because it is through my work in politics that I have been able to raise awareness and try to enact some change.

"The policy document that we researched and produced for the TALK campaign was subsequently adopted by Fine Gael in the 2007 general election manifesto and would have been implemented if Fine Gael had gone into government. Another part of the TALK campaign was a walk from Galway to Limerick which raised funds for AWARE,” Mr O’Driscoll continued.

“As we are in an economic crisis that looks like getting worse before it gets better, resources will undoubtedly be cut back. People are losing their jobs and are under severe pressure to meet financial deadlines. There is little opportunity for retraining or new employment.

" This economic crisis will ultimately lead to a social crisis, as the pressure on people over the next few years will affect the mental health of some. It will be up to elected representatives to work for greater resources and the promotion of awareness of these resources, and if elected I intend to do that,” he claimed.

HARD TIMES RESTRICT COUNCIL WORKS

Cork County Council will only consider traffic calming and road works suggested by councillors next year, a meeting of the Mallow/Fermoy Area committee of the local authority heard this week.

Speaking in Fermoy, senior engineer Aidan Weir said that Cork County Council would ‘commit to consider’ proposals put forward this week in 2010 but warned councillors that this commitment did not amount to a promise that the works would be carried out.

Mr Weir was speaking in response to motions by Fianna Fail county councillor, Frank O’Flynn who asked that the council put in place traffic calming measures and ramps in the Uplands Estate, Fermoy, advanced road signage at the approaches to Bride Rovers GAA club in Rathcormac and extended footpath and lighting on the Clonlough road, Mitchesltown.

Cllr O’Flynn said that the proposed measures in Fermoy and Rathcormac were in the interest of safety, prompted by the concerns of parents living in the respective areas.

The council, in its written reply to Cllr O’Flynn’s motion on Rathcormac said that in light of the existing signage at Bride Rovers, no further signage is proposed, however, council engineer Flan Groarke agreed that the entrance to the GAA club was at an unusual location.

Mr Weir said that funding was down on last year and the council was not currently in a position to consider such traffic calming measures until next year.

TENSE EURO BATTLE FORECAST AS O’KEEFFE GETS THE NOD

Deputy Ned O’Keeffe TD will have many a Munster mile to travel over the next two months as he takes to the European election trail.

O’Keeffe’s candidature for the Ireland South constituency which will return 3 MEPs, confirmed last week at the FF convention in Cork, seems certain to introduce an element of tension to the race, and Brian Crowley is reported to be privately ‘non too pleased’ that he will have to battle for votes that he might have previously regarded as ‘certs’ in Deputy O’Keeffe’s home territory in North Cork, South Tipperary and parts of county Limerick.

There are also unconfirmed reports that O’Keeffe may have been prompted to run for Europe by former MEP, Gerry Collins of West Limerick, who crossed swords with Crowley and ultimately lost out in the Euro contest last time around.

At a convention held in Silversprings Hotel last weekend Deputy O’Keeffe joined Brian Crowley MEP on the Fianna Fail ticket after Senator John Hanafin withdrew from the race for the up coming European Elections in June.

Deputy O’Keeffe told The Avondhu, “I am shocked, surprised and honoured to be nominated by my party to run with Brian Crowley for the European elections. Coming from a farming and a business background I feel that it is important to have someone in Europe that understands these sectors.”

Brian Crowley MEP thanked the packed convention hall for their support and his re-nomination for Europe, “Our role in Europe is as important as it ever has been, when we first entered Europe it was all about what we could get from Europe, now the story is slightly different. What has been highlighted to us over the past few months is if Ireland wasn’t part of the Euro-zone we would be in tremendous difficulties now as the economic crisis deepens,” Deputy Crowley said.

Chairing the convention, Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe TD told the delegates, “Fianna Fail in Munster has chosen two very strong candidates for Europe and on behalf of the party I would like to say to Brian Crowley just how proud of him we are for all the good work he has done in the European Parliament for the people of Munster and indeed for the people of Ireland over the years.”

The Euro elections, scheduled for June 5, will see 27 countries go to the polls. With less than 10 weeks to polling day many of the delegates at the convention expressed their opinion that the candidates should have been confirmed at an earlier date to enable more canvassing to take place.

Deputy Ned O’Keeffe said, “I am looking forward to the campaign and to putting my ideas for Ireland in Europe to the people of Munster.”

A REAL FLAVOUR OF SUCCESS AS FERMOY SHOP EXPANDS

At last a good news story and it’s all in the name of fashion. Vanilla, a gem of a boutique in Fermoy, is moving premises, not because they’re downsizing but expanding!

Opened three years ago, by sisters Joy and Kate Browne, the boutique has been described as a real treasure trove by customers who travel from all over to seek out the Parisian chic and international labels.

Traditionally, skirts get shorter and the lipsticks brighter during recession, well whatever you’re looking for, whether maxi or mini, Vanilla will have something for you. Vanilla has something for everyone After several years of working in the fashion industry, the Browne sisters wanted to go out on their own and set about creating a boutique with a difference.

“Whether browsing or shopping, women want to feel special, “says Joy Browne, who worked as a buyer for the best part of a decade, “We wanted to provide a luxury shopping experience without the luxury prices, and unique pieces for all shapes, sizes and ages”.

The sisters describe their premises as a cross between Parisian-chic and circus-fun; a boudoir of fashion that celebrates the uniqueness of the female shape. From evening wear to smart casual, Vanilla’s unique chic includes shoes, bags and jewellery as well as a variety of accessories to set off any outfit.

“The real beauty of Vanilla, “Kate Browne explains “is style and sophistication at an affordable price with a team of experts at your beck and call. After all, we all want to look our best, and even more so during an economic slump”

And it’s a formula that’s certainly worked. Despite the tightening of belts all round, Vanilla is expanding. The boutique has become a favourite with savvy shoppers throughout the country and is now moving to brand new premises in Fitzgerald’s Place, Fermoy.

Calling all dedicated followers of fashion for champagne and strawberries The grand opening will take place on this Thursday, April 9 at 7.30pm, and Joy and Kate Browne are inviting you to sample their new collection over champagne and strawberries.

Can you think of a more pleasant way to kick-start the holiday weekend? Vanilla is open Monday to Saturday, from 10.30am- 6pm and its new premises are at Unit 2, Fitzgeralds Place, Fermoy.

DEPUTATION SEEK MEETING WITH NRA OVER FERMOY ROADWORKS DELAY

The Mallow/Fermoy Area Committee of Cork County Council have voted in favour of seeking a meeting with the National Roads Authority to air local concerns over long delayed road works in Fermoy.

The enhancement and resurfacing works on the main Dublin-Cork road through Fermoy were first proposed in 2002, with the NRA first delaying the implementation of the project until after the opening of the M8 Fermoy-Rathcormac bypass.

This week Sophie Elabdaly, executive officer with the NRA, wrote to local councillors on the matter in response to the Fermoy/Mallow Area committee’s correspondence on the matter.

Ms Elabdaly explained that NRA funding provision for 2009 is ‘significantly less than expected’ and said that it was not possible to fund the project this year.

“We are no nearer to it now than we were when we sent our last letter,” Mayor of Fermoy Tadhg O’Donovan said, “It is incumbent on us as representatives of the people of Fermoy to keep writing to the NRA on this issue.”

Mayor O’Donovan claimed that Fermoy Town Council has committed €1.5million in street funding, without the NRA contributing to the town’s main thoroughfare.

“No town in Ireland would tolerate this situation. The NRA cannot continue to ignore this town. Not a penny has been invested despite all the promises. In 2002 we were promised it, then told it would be after the bypass was opened. That opened three years ago this autumn and we are no nearer now than we were back in 2002,” he concluded.

Mayor O’Donovan found support from Fine Gael Cllr Aileen Pyne who said that the work needed in Fermoy has been needed for a decade now.

“The NRA should be bloody well ashamed of themselves,” said Cllr Tom Sheahan, who drew parallels between the situation in Fermoy and that of Buttevant, where funding is also pending.

Cllr Frank O’Flynn said that it was disgraceful that locals were led to believe that contracts for the works would be signed last year. Cllr Kevin O’Keeffe took issue with some of the comments made, however, and argued that Cork County Council’s achievements in delivering infrastructure to Fermoy was being overlooked.

“On what grounds are councillors claiming that nothing is done for Fermoy? This council was one of the key agents in delivering a bypass to the town and implemented the Duntahane relief road,” he said.

It was agreed that the members would seek a meeting with the NRA when a deputation would outline their concerns.

O’KEEFFE DEFENDS USE OF OIREACHTAS LETTERS FOR CAMPAIGN

Fianna Fail Councillor Kevin O’Keeffe has defended sending letters seeking votes in the upcoming local elections to constituents in pre-paid Oireachtas envelopes despite numerous warnings from a government ethics watchdog that the practise amounts to an abuse of taxpayers money.

Letters on Cork County Council headed paper, signed by Cllr O’Keeffe, have been posted to registered voters in the Fermoy electoral area in which the Fianna Fail councillor outlines his case for re-election this June. The letter also carries the contact number for his father, Ned O’Keeffe TD. The letters were posted in envelopes issued to TDs, with the cost of postage covered by the taxpayer.

A letter from Deputy O’Keeffe has also been sent to constituents endorsing his son ahead of the elections on June 5.

Last week the Standards in Public Office Commission issued a statement in which it insisted that TDs and Senators should not provide pre-paid Oireachtas envelopes to candidates at the forthcoming local and European elections.

“The Standards Commission considers that it is entirely inappropriate for members to pass such facilities on to other persons - such as election candidates - for personal, electoral or party political gain. Oireachtas facilities such as free pre-paid envelopes are provided at public expense to assist members in the performance of their functions as public representatives and the relevant codes of conduct require that such resources are used only for the purpose for which they are granted,” a statement from the Commission read.

Speaking to The Avondhu Cllr O’Keeffe said that having checked the guidelines he is confident that his campaign letters are not in violation of any code of conduct as both carry his father’s name and as such qualify as appropriate use. His party colleague Cllr Frank O’Flynn this week aired his concerns surrounding the letters.

Cllr O’Flynn claimed that he has received calls from constituents who thought that the letter from Ned O’Keeffe TD indicated that his son was the only party candidate in the local election area.

“A lot of people rang me and were surprised as it looked like Fianna Fail were only running one candidate,” Cllr O’Flynn said, adding his criticism of the use of the Oireachtas envelopes.

“I think it is wrong. I will not be using Oireachtas envelopes for my campaign and they should not be used. There is a rule in the party against it and it creates an unlevel playing field. A lot of people have been upset by this, asking if Fianna Fail are only running one candidate. I was nominated last November, I am standing this June and I am actively engaging with the electorate in the run up to the elections,” he concluded.

The grant of free postal facilities amounts to 1,750 pre-paid envelopes per month per member of the Oireachtas. The total cost to the taxpayer is approximately €2.7 million per annum for postal charges and envelopes.