Tag Archives: Deputy Cathal Crowe

HARSH criticism was levelled at the Taoiseach over his response to Clare TDs when they asked him about this county’s access to the defective blocks grant scheme. A meeting in Ennis last Friday (December 3), of those affected by pyrite, was told Deputies Joe Carey and Cathal Crowe had been “dismissed” and “insulted” by Micheál Martin. Vice-chair of the Clare Pyrite Action Group, Mary Hanley said the Taoiseach’s response to questions about the revised defective blocks grant scheme, which makes no mention of this county, was also an insult to homeowners here. The retired school principal from Drumline, who showed her home to Minister Darragh O’Brien in August, said: “Basically, the Taoiseach dismissed Joe and Cathal. He was rude. He didn’t give a continental about us. … He was so dismissive. It really insulted me. … It was an insult to you, Cathal and to Joe. “As far as I’m concerned, ye are doing as much as ye can. If …

POLITICAL promises on the delivery of a grant scheme to Clare homeowners affected by pyrite were put to the test at a meeting in Ennis last Friday night (December 3). The politicians who attended – Deputies Joe Carey and Cathal Crowe; senators Timmy Dooley and Martin Conway and Mayor of Clare, PJ Ryan – were quizzed intensively over their efforts to support those whose homes are crumbling due to defective blocks. Concerns were also aired as to why technical aspects of the Council’s application to have Clare covered by the grant scheme are being queried by civil servants. “The government are not even kicking the can anymore, they’re kicking us down the street,” said Danny Moloney of Kilkishen. “We have to go back home and wonder if our house is going to fall down tonight. Where do we go from here? “Can the Oireachtas members from Clare give me, and the people here in this room, some hope that we …

Clare TD joins commission to refine party’s direction DEPUTY Cathal Crowe has been given a new role by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin to come up with a national strategy to give Fianna Fáil a major shot in the arm. The Meelick Deputy has been appointed on to a new commission, which will examine the aims and objectives of Fianna Fáil. He is clear on what position Fianna Fáil should hold in the political spectrum. “While Fianna Fáil will be measured on how it delivers in government, we have to stand for something greater. I see Fianna Fáil being a little bit left of centre, republican in outlook, supporting the marginalised by tackling rural isolation and poverty. “Fianna Fáil has a broad church of support but needs a bit of refinement and redefining.” A majority of Clare Fianna Fáil councillors expect a new party leader will be elected once Micheál Martin’s term as Taoiseach ends when Leo Varadkar takes over at …

BUS Éireann has ruled out providing an additional morning and evening transport service for pupils attending Parteen National School from the Westbury housing estate. Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Cathal Crowe recalled when he was teaching in Parteen National School there was a small road, which had very little traffic during the day, but would have 300 cars travelling on it at 8.50am. During a debate on transport issues, Deputy Crowe pointed out people can nip from one side of a town or city in Ireland very quickly during July and August when the schools are closed. “That tells us that most of the traffic congestion every day, more than 50%, is down to school runs. That is at peak times. I was a school teacher for 16 years. There was a small road in Parteen that would have no cars on it all day but at 8.50 a.m. we would have 300 cars going up it. That is crazy. …

Ennis training centre for paramedic BSc would be mutually beneficial, says Crowe THE possibility of an Ennis-based training centre for University of Limerick’s course in paramedic studies has been floated. A government minister has proposed the University of Limerick and the Clare Civil Defence should enter negotiations on the proposed establishment of a training centre for paramedics. Deputy Cathal Crowe recently asked the Minister for Education and Skills, Simon Harris if he would support proposals to develop a training centre for students of the University of Limerick’s bachelor of science in paramedic studies course at the new Civil Defence building in Ennis. Minister Harris said the best way forward would be for the Civil Defence and the University and any other relevant stakeholders to speak directly to see if there are mutually agreeable proposals that can be advanced. Deputy Crowe stated there is room to develop a paramedic training facility in Ennis. “There is a fabulous facility, which the Minister’s …

CLARE’S Fianna Fail TD has insisted that the Minister for Housing remains “committed in principle” to extending the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme to this county. Deputy Cathal Crowe also reaffirmed his belief that this will happen before Christmas. “I can’t see why the announcement can’t be made on the very same day the minister launches the updated grant scheme,” he said. “I’ve met and spoken by phone to Minister O’Brien a number of times since September and he’s confident there won’t be any delays.” Deputy Crowe’s comments come after further confirmation that the Department of Housing is to query the county council’s application to access the grant scheme. Last week, a written response was sent by the Department to Deputy Joe Carey. In recent days, Deputy Crowe received a formal reply from the housing minister, confirming that aspects of the council’s report on defective blocks in Clare are to be probed. The Fianna Fail TD was told by the …

A PROBE into the conduct of eight Gardai in the Midwest is “tearing many lives apart”, Clare’s Joint Policing Committee (JPC) was told this week. Deputy Cathal Crowe urged the Garda Commissioner, who attended the meeting on Monday (October 18), to engage more effectively on the issue. Deputy Crowe recently raised, in the Dail, the suspension last November of eight Gardaí, as part of an investigation into alleged corruption in public office in Munster. The investigation by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) centres on claims that Gardaí did not pursue enquiries into alleged road traffic offences against a number of individuals. At this week’s JPC meeting, the Meelick TD repeated many of his criticisms of the handling of the investigation. In advance of the meeting, he had tabled a question for Commissioner Drew Harris, asking if the principle of discretion is still part of the training at the Garda College in Templemore. After the Commissioner explained that …

A FORMER meat processing plant in Tiermaclane looks set to reopen under new management over the coming weeks, according to Deputy Cathal Crowe. The plant is being taken over by Asba, which has offices in Shannon, and specialises in the production, processing and supply of stun-free Halal meat products and seafood. Deputy Crowe said the new owners are on site on a managerial basis but noted the plant will not be operational until it obtains the necessary licence from the Department of Agriculture. Acknowledging the licensing process can be slow during normal times, Deputy Crowe confirmed he has been engaging with Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue, Department of Agriculture staff and the regional veterinary officers to fast-track the necessary paperwork as quickly as possible. Following talks with Minister McConalogue, Deputy Crowe confirmed progress is being made towards securing a possible reopening date. The Fianna Fáil Deputy confirmed the Halal method of slaughtering is currently under review by senior veterinary officers in …