FF/GREENS VOTE DOWN FG PLAN TO RESTORE ROADS AND WATER SERVICES TO CORK NORTH WEST

Fine Gael Front bench spokesperson Michael Creed T.D. has expressed his disappointment at Fianna Fáil and the Greens decision to vote down the Fine Gael Dáil Motion this week that would have restored roads and radically shaken-up the water services in Cork North West.

The Fine Gael Dail Private Members’ Motion addressed the recent weather crisis and called for an immediate release of emergency funding through the NRA to restore damaged roads and for responsibility for water services to be into a new State utility company – ‘Irish Water’.

“As was clearly seen in Cork North West, before, during and after the weather crisis, Fianna Fáil and the Greens completely dropped the ball on the provision of water and on providing safe roads.

“For people across Cork North West the fact that the same Government has now voted down proposals that would have restored the damaged roads and overhauled how water is provided can only be considered another slap in the face.

“I have raised this issue time and time again in the Dáil and was delighted when Fine Gael brought forward plans to sort out the mess with our water services and roads. As Environment Spokesman, Phil Hogan TD, pointed out, the Fine Gael proposals would have immediately released emergency funding through the NRA to restore damaged roads. All across the constituency roads were not only damaged by the floods but, often, all but destroyed by the freeze that followed.

“The provision of water was even more chaotic with many houses and business left without water. Ireland has a fragmented, outdated and inefficient water network that demands new solutions rather than just patching up a few pipes. The Fine Gael plan would have revolutionised how water is provided by creating a single water utility company which would be fully responsible for water supply and investment across the country. This would fund interconnection across Irish water supplies to ensure constant supply. We can rapidly increase investment in water infrastructure through this water utility company as it will be funded through existing charges and raised finance.

“Unfortunately, Fianna Fáil and the Greens voted down the Fine Gael plan. A little leadership and modest amount of will power was all that was needed to sort out our roads and water. Unfortunately the Fianna Fáil/Green Government refused to provide this and it is to the cost of everyone in Cork North West that they chose to play politics rather than sort out the problems across the county and the country.

“I will continue to push for our roads to be restored and for decent provision of water and hope those Government T.D’s who voted this plan down see the error of their ways.”

72% OF 2009 REPS 4 PAYMENTS STILL OUTSTANDING TO CORK FARMERS

Fine Gael Agriculture Spokesperson Michael Creed has highlighted the major backlog in REPS 4 payments to farmers participating in the scheme.  Speaking after it was revealed that out of the 3,147 particpants in the scheme in County Cork 2,273 are still awaiting payment for ’09.  Deputy Creed said;

 

“Well over half the participants in the REPS 4 scheme, are desperately awaiting ’09 payment three weeks into 2010.  This situation is exaserbating an already critical cashflow situation at the farmgate.  The past twelve months have been a turbulent for farmers with the average farm income collapsing by 30%.  This situation has not been helped by the failure of the Government who have continously cut farm gate schemes in succesive budgets.  The Ministers failure to ensure payment of REPS 4 on time merely adds fuel to the fire of financial difficulty”.

“Minister Smith must now take personal reponsibility to ensure the outstanding payments are issued as swifty as possible.  Many farmers are struggling to get information from the Department on why their payment has been delayed.  The very least particpants in REPS 4 should expect is a straight answer as to why they haven’t been paid, and when they will be”.

FUNDING NEEDED URGENTLY TO REPAIR DAMAGED ROADS

Fine Gael frontbench spokesperson Michael Creed TD, has called on the Transport Minister Noel Dempsey and Environment Minister John Gormley to reverse their decision not to provide emergency funding to repair roads damaged by the recent bad weather. Deputy Creed said the current state of the roads will cost lives if they are not repaired.

“This is not a matter of book keeping, it is a road safety issue and it’s crucial that a county wide road audit is undertaken immediately to establish where the most damage has been done. An Emergency Committee has now been set up to deal with the crisis, however Minister Gormley and Minister Dempsey have stated that there will be no additional funding made available to local authorities to carry out the work that is needed. “The N22 between Cork and Tralee is in a particularly poor state, specifically in Baile Mhic Íre/Baile Bhuirne and in the Farnanes area. This is one of the busiest roads in the Country, and is completely ripped apart due to the adverse weather conditions. I have made representations to the County Council and the NRA to take emergency action, in order to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians.”

 “In last month’s Budget, the Government slashed the road maintenance budget by nearly 10%, making the current situation even more critical. Without additional financial assistance, local authorities will be unable to restore our roads adequately. Significantly the Macroom area office of Cork County Council, which has responsibility for the largest number of road kilometres in the County, received the smallest funding allocation for 2010. The Ministers responsible must act now”.

HANAFIN PICK POCKETING OF FARMERS PENSIONS A CYNICAL MOVE

Fine Gael Agriculture Spokesperson Michael Creed T.D. has accused the Minister of Social and Family Affairs of engaging in a smash and grab raid on farm spouses, who had been awarded pensions retrospectively, but are now being asked to refund what has been awarded to them by the Department. Deputy Creed said;

“Hundreds of pensioners, who have been awarded a contributory state pension in recent years, are now being asked at the behest of the Minister to refund the sum of their pensions to the Department. This despite the fact that in all cases the Department granted the pension, and in many cases demanded a PRSI contribution be paid retrospectively by the applicant.”

“This situation arises due to Minister Hanafin reneging on a commitment made to farming organisations which allowed applicants claim, despite having passed the age threshold of 66 years of age as described in the legislation. In all these cases the Department first required applicants prove that a farm partnership existed, and also sought a payment from the applicant to reconcile their PRSI record. This figure often amounted to thousands of Euro. The legislation clearly empowers the Minister to ignore the 66 year threshold and award the pension, as has been the case to date”.

“For the Minister to turn around and seek repayment from hundreds of pensioners is nothing less than vulgar and cynical. I will formally call on Minister Hanafin to reverse this appalling decision next week when the Dáil resumes”.

GOVT SHOULD ADOPT FG BILL AFTER U-TURN ON BANNING UNFAIR RETAIL PRACTICES

Following reports that a statutory code of conduct for grocery retailers is to be introduced, Fine Gael Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Spokesperson, Michael Creed TD, today (Thursday) urged the Government to accept legislation his party has prepared to outlaw unfair retail practices like ‘hello money’.

“As usual the Government is coming late to the party after Fine Gael and others have long been seeking action on the unfair retail practices which are threatening the viability of food suppliers and jeopardising agri-food jobs. Fine Gael published a Bill last August to outlaw these practices. However, as recently as the re-negotiated Programme for Government, Fianna Fáil and the Greens were intent on pursuing an unworkable voluntary code. Nonetheless, the U-turn is welcome and I hope we are now moving in the right direction”.

“Reports suggest that the code will prohibit unfair practices, like demanding payments for advertising, displaying or providing selling space for grocery goods, under the merged National Consumer Agency and Competition Authority, as proposed by Fine Gael. There should be no further foot dragging. Now that the Government has accepted the thrust of our argument, I invite the Minister for Enterprise to adopt our Food (Fair Trade and Information) Bill 2009 without delay.”

FUEL ALLOWANCE SHOULD BE INCREASED DURING ARTIC WEATHER CRISIS

Fuel allowance payments should be increased for the duration of the Arctic weather crisis in order to ensure that the elderly and vulnerable have adequate protection from the freezing conditions, according to Fine Gael T.D. for Cork North West Michael Creed.

“The Arctic conditions gripping the country are particularly difficult for the elderly and those living alone. The loss of the Christmas bonus and reduced social welfare bonus payments for the blind and people with disabilities has already impacted on their ability to buy fuel.

“The fuel allowance of €20 a week is normally available from September to May. However, I believe it should be increased to help the most vulnerable groups to cope with the extreme cold during this crisis.

“Social & Family Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin should immediately agree a temporary increase in the fuel allowance.

“Meanwhile, large numbers of social welfare recipients face their payments being returned to the Department by An Post if people fail to collect them within four days. This will create a huge logistical difficulty as people will have to re-apply to an already over-run Department to get the payments re-issued. It would make far more sense for the Minister to temporarily, for the duration of this weather, allow the payments to be collected until the crisis is over.”

MINISTER MUST ENGAGE WITH POTATO GROWERS

 

Fine Gael Agriculture Spokesperson Michael Creed T.D. has called on the Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith T.D. to engage with potato growers who face wipeout following a winter of devastating weather conditions. Deputy Creed said;

“It is important that Minister Smith shows empathy and understanding at this time with growers who face the wipeout of their entire crop. It is estimated that as much as 75% of the 6,000 unharvested acres of the Countries potato crops are already devastated, with the remaining 25% under increasing threat. The princible of the Minister intervening during adverse weather condidtions has been established during the recent flooding crisis, with the fodder scheme

“While I acknowledge the budgetary constraints facing the Minister, I believe it is crucial that the Minister at very least opens dialogue with those involved in the sector to discuss a range of solutions that may be available. Every possible scenario should be exhausted in order to aid those who are affected by these unprecedented conditions”.

 

. We welcomed this initiative and would encourage the Minister to show similar proactivity in this situation where the crisis is comparable if not worse”.

“Potato and vegtable growers have already faced a difficult time of late due to the purchasing activities of the larger multiples. Fine Gael have proposed a Fair Trade Bill in order to alleviate some of the problems which growers have faced. Dublin & Meath Growers are an example of a business which has closed its doors due to competitivness issues faced in recent years”.

“This is an opportunity for the Government to acknowldege the problems in the sector and engage with it, in order to maintain vital jobs”.

CRUELLEST OF CUTS IMPACTS ON SICK AND ELDERLY

 

Cork North West TD Michael Creed has hit out at what he described as the cruellest of cuts in Health, which is currently denying elderly patients, convalescence in Macroom Hospital. Having raised the matter with senior management in the HSE, Deputy Creed said;

 

“The recruitment embargo in the HSE, which is denying Macroom Hospital with replacement nursing staff, has meant the closure of the hospitals step-down convalescence beds. Elderly patients who require further care following surgery or illness depend heavily on these convalescence beds and the professional care provided.”

“Closure of these beds will mean patients will have to remain in treatment units for longer, or more worryingly they will be discharged home not having had the proper recuperation time. This situation is alarming to say the least and completely short-sighted”.

“Alarmingly there is increased fear that the respite beds in the hospital will close also due to staffing shortages. This would mean that elderly people who are granted a fortnightly stay in Macroom hospital annually, would no longer be able to avail of this service. This service is of huge importance to those who avail of the respite and their families; who benefit from the break they receive from full time care”.

“The HSE must take a more holistic view of how they allocate services. The convalescence and respite beds in Macroom hospital are easing the burden on Cork City’s main hospitals. Losing these beds will mean patients stay longer in hospital, and also risk re-admittance if discharged too early. This “penny wise pound foolish” approach will risk lives and the well being of those who need care the most”.

WHAT IS TAOISEACH TRYING TO HIDE BY REJECTING LOST AT SEA SCHEME QUESTIONS?

What is Taoiseach trying to hide by rejecting Lost at Sea Scheme questions? – Creed Fine Gael Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Spokesman, Michael Creed TD, today (Thursday) asked why the Taoiseach has rejected calls for an enquiry following the publication of the Ombudsman’s Report on the Lost at Sea Scheme.

“I asked for a commitment from the Taoiseach in the Dáil today that there would be statements on the Ombudsman’s investigation of the Lost at Sea Scheme early in the new year followed by an enquiry in the Agriculture Committee. The Taoiseach refused to give this commitment”.

“The significance of the Ombudsman’s action in laying this report before both Houses of the Oireachtas must be understood. It indicates her dissatisfaction with the Government’s stonewalling to date. The Taoiseach’s response suggests the Government is set to continue to stifle questions on the Lost at Sea scheme. We must ask ourselves why”.

“The fact is aspects of this scheme stink and the Ombudsman’s finding for compensation for one complainant rejected by the scheme means the taxpayer is potentially exposed to a financial hit. This Government has a track record of ignoring financial warnings but in this case something more sinister than their usual incompetence is going on. Circling the wagons around former Marine Minister Frank Fahey is not an acceptable reason to deflect essential questions on this scheme. I will continue to press for a full enquiry which will include questioning of Deputy Fahey and relevant officials.”

NO RELIEF FOR CRISIS HIT FARMERS IN BUDGET 2010

Fine Gael Agriculture Spokesperson Michael Creed TD has lamented the failure of Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith to halt this Government’s persistent targeting of farming for budgetary savings. Speaking after today’s Budget which saw a 13% cut in the Department’s Budget, Deputy Creed said:

“Hopes that the Minister might see sense at the eleventh hour and retain the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme have evaporated with the announcement of a mere €50 million allocation for the new agri-environment scheme for an estimated 10,000 applicants which marks a significant drop for REPS farmers.

“The spiralling decline of farm incomes which hit the 30% mark in 2009 will continue with this announcement and in turn the social welfare bill for farm assist will continue to soar. “The Government should have adopted Fine Gael’s proposal to exempt farm diesel from the carbon tax. Farming is a carbon heavy process where there is no alternative to farm machinery and vehicles. By failing to exempt agricultural diesel from this carbon tax the Government are merely taxing farm activity”. 

“The much heralded announcement of €116 million for the plantation of 7,000 hectares makes a mockery of the recent Programme for Government promise of a 10,000 hectares per annum plantation. The budget allocation similarly undermines the Government position as it amounts to a mere 2% increase on last year’s allocation.”