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Tag Archives: Dara Calleary

Dr Harty apologies for “lack of judgement” over attending golf dinner

  DR Michael Harty has apologised unreservedly for a “serious lack of judgement” over his decision to attend the controversial Oireachtas Golf Society dinner in Clifden on Wednesday last. In a statement issued to the Clare Champion, Dr Harty confirmed he did attend the dinner, which has already led to the resignation of Dara Calleary as agriculture minister. The former chairman of the Dáil Health Committee stated this was a “serious lack of judgement and concentration on my part for which I take full responsibility”. Dr Harty was among more than 80 people who attended the dinner, which is the subject of a Garda investigation on suspicion it breached the Covid-19 regulations. Senator Jerry Buttimer, who also attended the event held to mark the 50th anniversary of the Oireachtas Golf Society, resigned as leas cathaoirleach of the Seanad on Friday. Since late June, indoor gatherings have been restricted to 50 people under the Government’s public health controls in a bid to …

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“Minister Naughton appointment will be a boost Shannon Airport”

SENATOR Martin Conway has acknowledged the appointment of a senior minister from the Mid-West would have been beneficial for Clare but pointed there weren’t enough cabinet ministers to share amongst Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens in the new coalition. Asked about the criticism of the lack of a senior minister from Donegal all the way down to Limerick, he acknowledged this was fair commentary but believes the new role for Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton will be a major boost for Shannon Airport. He believes that the fact that Minister Naughton will have responsibility for aviation, international travel, road transport and logistics at the cabinet will be very beneficial for the Mid-West. “What is the point having a senior cabinet minister with a portfolio that may not necessarily impact on us in the Mid-West. “I think there is an awful lot more to be said to have someone sitting at the cabinet table holding a portfolio that can …

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Deputy Crowe emphasises importance of regional development

CLARE Deputy Cathal Crowe has emphasised the importance of the new Programme for Government delivering on regional development in the wake of stinging criticism of the lack of a senior cabinet minister from the West of Ireland. Deputy Crowe admitted he would have loved to have seen a senior minister from the Mid-West appointed to the cabinet. In an interview with the Clare Champion, he acknowledged quite a number of people had contacted him to express their concern about the lack of a senior minister from the region. However, the former Meelick Councillor pointed out he also respected it is the prerogative of the three party leaders to put forward names of deputies to become members of the cabinet. He was optimistic that the perceived geographical imbalance would be addressed by the appointment of junior ministers from the region. “It is always a good thing to have a minister in a county of from a region but we have seen …

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