Tag Archives: Timmy Dooley

Things went pretty much according to plan at Friday night’s Clare Fianna Fáil general election selection convention, with TD Timmy Dooley and GAA county board chairman, Michael McDonagh safely through. A lot of delegates were of the opinion that a third candidate would help them sweep up more votes and get two seats back for Fianna Fáil after the election. The fourth seat has been keenly contested over the past number of elections, with small margins deciding the outcome. With Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy the third placed convention candidate, ahead of Rita McInerney from Doonbeg, the likelihood is that she will be the one added to the ticket if party headquarters take on board the wishes of Clare Fianna Fáil. Following Dr John Hillery’s strong performance in the last election, it is expected that Fianna Fáil supporters in West Clare will be making an all out effort to give their area a voice in the person of Michael McDonagh, a …

THE publication of a so-called fictitious internal Fianna Fáil poll with percentage ratings for five general election candidates in Clare was designed to hinder the election chances of some contestants. That’s the charge levelled by Clare GAA County Board chairman, Michael McDonagh, who issued a scathing attack on the unnamed source who provided information for a media report. Mr McDonagh, who will be one of the five general election candidates seeking a party nomination before the closing date of June 22, launched his broadside as senior party figures at local and national level insisted no official poll was completed on their behalf at this stage. The contents of the report prompted Mr McDonagh to vent his anger in a hard-hitting statement issued to The Clare Champion. “When an individual, well-placed and trusted Fianna Fáil media source gives an interview to the press about the results of an internal Fianna Fáil opinion poll that has never taken place, you know you …

CLARE’S five Government Oireachtas members are divided over the possible implications of the decision to press ahead with the €1.4 billion sale of Aer Lingus to International Airlines Group (IAG). Furthermore, Fianna Fáil’s Timmy Dooley has added a twist to the debate in claiming the Irish Government might have no option but to sue IAG if the Aer Lingus Heathrow slots are sold. Fianna Fáil said it will table a Private Notice Question in the Dáil on Thursday, in a bid to suspend the proposed vote to sell off the national stake in Aer Lingus. The move follows the emergence of a report prepared by aviation consultants Nyras for Aer Lingus, in which the company sets out a range of cost reductions across the airline, including a proposal to outsource part of aircraft maintenance to Eastern Europe. The Government is recommending the sale of the State’s 25.1% stake, worth €335million, in Aer Lingus to IAG and put a motion to …

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Transport Timmy Dooley has questioned whether the Labour Party was ever taking seriously the concerns around the possible sale of the State’s shareholding in Aer Lingus after it was indicated the Cabinet would only make its decision when it knew the intentions of Ryanair. Deputy Dooley said the comments attributed to Tánaiste Joan Burton “exposed the lack of genuine concern within the Labour Party about maintaining a strategic national interest in Aer Lingus.” Deputy Dooley said, “It is very disappointing to hear that Labour and the Cabinet are prepared to take their cue on Aer Lingus from Ryanair. Not only is Ryanair a competitor of Aer Lingus it is a major shareholder and will make its decisions based on commercial interest not national interest. The Labour Party should be making its decisions as part of the Government in the long-term interests of the country and shouldn’t be waiting to a get a steer on what direction it should go from Ryanair. “The …

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Transport, Timmy Dooley has cautioned the Government that they must work with bus unions to avert planned strikes by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann workers. Members of SIPTU and the National Bus and Rail Union are planning to hold two 48-hour stoppages on May 1 and 2 and May 15 and 16 in a row over the privatisation of bus routes. Deputy Dooley commented, “The Government, and Minister Paschal Donohoe in particular, needs to take whatever action is necessary to prevent these strikes from going ahead. The timing is particularly serious as it will affect tens of thousands of commuters, passengers and tourists on a busy bank holiday weekend. The fact that major rail engineering works are planned for that same weekend, resulting in the cancellation of a number of DART services and the closure of certain train stations adds to the imposition on travellers. “Commuters are understandably annoyed at the prospect of another strike. A previous strike in August …

The decision by Aer Lingus to suspend Shannon Airport’s only year round route to Boston over the Easter holiday period has been deplored by Clare TD Timmy Dooley. He said that the service cutback will have a negative impact on the hospitality sector across the West of Ireland. Deputy Dooley made the comments after Aer Lingus confirmed the linkwould be temporarily suspended due to operational reasons. Deputy Dooley said,“The announcement by Aer Lingus that it is cutting its only year round route to Boston during the Easter holiday period is alarming. The cancelling of flights between March 29 and April 8 will have a negative impact on the tourism industry across the west of Ireland. “Easter is traditionally a busy time of year for the hospitality sector and this service cutback will undoubtedly lead to a loss of business in the region. The disruption caused to tourists will also damage the image of Shannon and the west of Ireland for years to …

Clare TD Timmy Dooley has called on the Revenue Commissioners to reverse its decision to terminate the employment of 63 temporary clerical officer (TCO) positions in Ennis. He says  Revenue is looking to relocate the jobs outside of Clare. Deputy Dooley commented, “It has come to my attention that 63 TCO’s working at the Revenue Commissions offices in Ennis have been advised that their contracts will not be renewed in the coming weeks. This is despite their workload having increased in recent months and them being busier than ever. “Given the increasing workload, it is clear that there is still work to be done at the Revenue Commissioners offices in Ennis. However, I fear that, by ending the employment of these 63 TCOs, management in Revenue is looking to move the jobs outside of Clare. This cannot be allowed to happen.” Deputy Dooley said it is appalling to think that the work will be transferred elsewhere and in the process …

The Government should come clean and tell Clare residents how much of its €30.7m paid over in motor tax last year has been handed over to Irish Water to help cover the costs of its “lavish set-up”. That’s the challenge laid down by Clare Fianna Fáil TD, Timmy Dooley. He said,“At a time when people are crying out for real change and more transparency, this Government is raiding the local tax revenues paid over by Clare residents for our roads to prop up Irish Water. This is a failed entity with no public confidence or support. It should not be a further drain on the resources of our people.” Continuing, Deputy Dooley said, “During last year, drivers in Clare paid out €30,764,199 in motor tax. My colleague Sean Fleming has confirmed through meetings of the Public Accounts Committee that €290m from motor taxation nationally was given as a subvention to Irish Water by the Department of Environment last year. I …