The Governmanr want to close the 24 hour A & E Service in Wexford Hospital. This means that if any thing happens after midnight you will have to drive to Waterford for A&E.
This is confirmed in the Irish Independent yesterday with the "downgrading of Carlow, Clonmel, Wexford & Kilkenny. How many people will be going to Waterford at this stage - all of the South East.
This is another example of how Fianne Fail have finally failed the country and a sahmbolic attempt at trying to save a few euros in the mess that we laughingly call the HSE. Just think about it, what country has a Health Board (I wouldnt even pretend to call them an executive - this gives the too much credit) that doesnt know what they are doing with in turn the Minister for Health not responsible for what happens in the HSE. Bloody horse-crap. This is another example of the government stealthily trying to remove services from the people of Wexford (particularly after Wexford people raising so much money for the hospital)
Please let all you friends and colleagues know what is planned and ask them to sign the petition on www.brendanhowlin.ie to stop this happening.
To follow what others think check out the following topics on boards.ie and gaire.com (and please add you tuppunce worth to keep the topics active):
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055574918
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055574920
http://www.gaire.com/e/f/view.asp?parent=1223855
Thanks
John
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
21st Century Commission
Well after a resounding 10 - 1 majority vote to accept the changes proposed in the 21st Century Commission report I fell its a good idea, after the dust has settled to put in my tuppence worth.
I doubt many of us would disagree that some changes are necessary and the proposals were widely accepted as being positive and progressive - 21st Century here we come. Then again I do not need a 100 page report to tell me that as a party we need to communicate better. Point in fact - how many members have received a copy of our new amended constitution with all the changes brought in! Neither do I need a 100 page report to tell me that as a party we need to use the internet/emails more often, fundraise better and recruit better. But at least now we have an idea where to go and a blueprint to work upon.
So, next thing, (say in July), I think all branches need to look at the proposed changes and see what we can do at a grass roots level. We know that from the top changes will start to filter down, but why dont we meet in the middle? How to do this - well each branch should discuss how to bring in the desired changes over the next 6 months - take one topic/area at a time at a branch meeting, discuss what we can do at the grass roots level and come up with new ideas and start implementing them.
Of course, we were also asked to examine the report and if necessary submit motions next year for any changes we feel necessary (when we were asked to vote for the motion) so whilst over the next 6 months the branches discuss the different areas of change we might also come up with some necessary changes to submit. The advantage of starting in July and taking 6 months to look at all the different areas gives us enough time to see what will work and gives us sufficient time to properly draft motions, if necessary, for the conference next year, rather than putting something together at the last minute!
Anyway, heres to the future !!!
John
I doubt many of us would disagree that some changes are necessary and the proposals were widely accepted as being positive and progressive - 21st Century here we come. Then again I do not need a 100 page report to tell me that as a party we need to communicate better. Point in fact - how many members have received a copy of our new amended constitution with all the changes brought in! Neither do I need a 100 page report to tell me that as a party we need to use the internet/emails more often, fundraise better and recruit better. But at least now we have an idea where to go and a blueprint to work upon.
So, next thing, (say in July), I think all branches need to look at the proposed changes and see what we can do at a grass roots level. We know that from the top changes will start to filter down, but why dont we meet in the middle? How to do this - well each branch should discuss how to bring in the desired changes over the next 6 months - take one topic/area at a time at a branch meeting, discuss what we can do at the grass roots level and come up with new ideas and start implementing them.
Of course, we were also asked to examine the report and if necessary submit motions next year for any changes we feel necessary (when we were asked to vote for the motion) so whilst over the next 6 months the branches discuss the different areas of change we might also come up with some necessary changes to submit. The advantage of starting in July and taking 6 months to look at all the different areas gives us enough time to see what will work and gives us sufficient time to properly draft motions, if necessary, for the conference next year, rather than putting something together at the last minute!
Anyway, heres to the future !!!
John
Photos of Labour Party Events
For anyone interested.
Links as follows:
2009 Gorey (Wexford) Selection Convention - http://pix.ie/wexfordmusings/album/340119
2009 Enniscorthy (Wexford) Selection Convention - http://pix.ie/wexfordmusings/album/340120
2009 Party Conference - http://pix.ie/wexfordmusings/album/340121
I would also urge people if they want to share their photographs, (Labour Party and otherwise) to use our own home grown website - www.pix.ie - rather than flickr. Same service but all Irish!
regards
John Ryan
Wexford Town Branch
Links as follows:
2009 Gorey (Wexford) Selection Convention - http://pix.ie/wexfordmusings/album/340119
2009 Enniscorthy (Wexford) Selection Convention - http://pix.ie/wexfordmusings/album/340120
2009 Party Conference - http://pix.ie/wexfordmusings/album/340121
I would also urge people if they want to share their photographs, (Labour Party and otherwise) to use our own home grown website - www.pix.ie - rather than flickr. Same service but all Irish!
regards
John Ryan
Wexford Town Branch
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Our Future Project Update No. 1 - (Saturday, 10th January)
Firstly I would like to thank everyone that has donated computer equipment and all those people who have helped out so far. The first stage of collecting equipment is now nearly finished and we had a fantastic response, so much so that I ran out of storage room. I would like to thank the SIPTU offices that allowed me to use their space last week and I would like to thank the Friary who are letting me use their hall at the moment. So far the essentials I have collected are as follows:
34 Computers, 39 Monitors, 35 Keyboards & 25 Mice
And extras such as:
23 Printers, 16 Scanners & 14 sets if speakers.
We have wiped and reinstalled software on 6 computers so far and hope to have another 6 done by the end of the weekend. During the week we intend doing 3 computers every evening so by the end of next week we will hopefully have about 25 computers that can then be donated to schools in the town.
For anyone who would like to help out if you have an hour to spare some evening it would be fantastic, just give me a call. Even if you have no experience with computers, they all need a good clean and polish!
Alternatively, we will be short mice so if you have €3.99 to spare, pop over to Tesco’s and buy one of their own brand mice, or, buy a ream of paper to donate. Also, if you have upgraded the RAM on your own PC, it would be great if you could pass along your old RAM card to us to make the units we have work quicker.
Again, thanks everyone,
John Ryan
18 Francis Street
Wexford
Wexford.musings.2009@gmail.com
Tel: 086 395 3846
34 Computers, 39 Monitors, 35 Keyboards & 25 Mice
And extras such as:
23 Printers, 16 Scanners & 14 sets if speakers.
We have wiped and reinstalled software on 6 computers so far and hope to have another 6 done by the end of the weekend. During the week we intend doing 3 computers every evening so by the end of next week we will hopefully have about 25 computers that can then be donated to schools in the town.
For anyone who would like to help out if you have an hour to spare some evening it would be fantastic, just give me a call. Even if you have no experience with computers, they all need a good clean and polish!
Alternatively, we will be short mice so if you have €3.99 to spare, pop over to Tesco’s and buy one of their own brand mice, or, buy a ream of paper to donate. Also, if you have upgraded the RAM on your own PC, it would be great if you could pass along your old RAM card to us to make the units we have work quicker.
Again, thanks everyone,
John Ryan
18 Francis Street
Wexford
Wexford.musings.2009@gmail.com
Tel: 086 395 3846
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Equality for Some
Recent laws in Ireland (Employment Equality Act and the Equal Status Act) recognises and protects people from being treated differently under, the now famous “9 Grounds”. Conveniently, this is also a good starting point in saying that the government recognises that there are different groups of people in the modern Ireland of today (and we can give them many titles from disadvantaged, special needs, minority groups etc). For me I prefer not to use any label and to say that there are many different types of people with unique problems and issues that need to be addressed. For those not aware of the “9 Ground”, they are:
· The gender ground: A man, a woman or a transsexual person (specific protection is provided for pregnant employees or in relation to maternity leave);
· The marital status ground: Single, married, separated, divorced or widowed;
· The family status ground: A parent of a person under 18 years or the resident primary carer or a parent of a person with a disability;
· The sexual orientation ground: Gay, lesbian, bisexual or heterosexual; (The Court of Justice in PSV held that discrimination against a transsexual constituted discrimination on the grounds of sex.)
· The religion ground: Different religious belief, background, outlook or none;
· The age ground: This applies to all ages above the maximum age at which a person is statutorily obliged to attend school;
· The disability ground: This is broadly defined including people with physical, intellectual, learning, cognitive or emotional disabilities and a range of medical conditions;
· The race ground: A particular race, skin colour, nationality or ethnic origin;
· The Traveller community ground: People who are commonly called Travellers, who are identified both by Travellers and others as people with a shared history, culture and traditions, identified historically as a nomadic way of life on the island of Ireland.
(Should you want any more information the first port of call should be the Equality Authorities Website at http://www.equality.ie/. – as they are experiencing some staffing problems at the moment)
This brings me to the problem. The Wexford Town & Environs Development Plan is currently on public display and there is a good attempt at a policy in the community development section as follows:
(page 53 – section 6.1.4)
“6.1.4 Special Need Groups
Some groups will have more barriers than others in accessing the same opportunities, services and facilities, whether through unemployment, disability, age, gender, location, origin or language barriers. These groups include children/young people, older people, women, people who are ill or those with various disabilities, members of the travelling community and members of Irelands existing and new ethnic minority groups.”
It seems to be a deliberate omission to not include the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community (i.e. the ground of “sexual orientation”) as the Council are well aware at this stage that we exist and that we want recognition. To rectify this matter and to force the council to recognize all the different groups we would ask that you write into the Council asking that the above paragraph be changing to read along the lines of
“6.1.4 Special Need Groups
Some groups will have more barriers than others in accessing the same opportunities, services and facilities, whether through unemployment, disability, age, gender, location, origin or language barriers. These groups include children/young people, older people, women, people who are ill or those with various disabilities, members of the travelling community, members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community, those of a different religious or ethnic or race origin and members of Irelands existing and new ethnic minority groups.”
Your submission should be in sent in immediately by post (on or before 28th January) to –
Forward Planning, Planning Department, Wexford County Council, County Hall, Wexford.
OR
The Town Clerk, Wexford Borough Council,Crescent Quay, Wexford.
or email niall.mcdonnell@wexfordcoco.ie
The full draft plan and maps can be found at:
http://www.wexford.ie/wex/Departments/Planning/DevelopmentPlans/ProposedAmendmentsDraftWexfordTownPlan/
You should also contact the Wexford Borough Councillors as follows:
Mayor:
Howlin, Ted
Labour
Rocklands, Wexford
Work phone: 053-9124686
Mobile phone: 087-9788959
Home phone:
Fax number:
Email: ted.howlin@wexfordcoco.ie
Deputy Mayor:
Carr, Thomas
Labour
76 St. Aidan's Crescent
Wexford
Work phone:
Mobile phone: 087 976 9080
Home phone: 053 914 1627
Fax number:
Email: tommycarr@eircom.net
Byrne, Gus
Fianna Fáil
19 Thomas Clarke Place
Wexford
Work phone:
Mobile phone:
Home phone: 053 912 2408
Fax number:
Email: gusbyrne@wexcouncil.com
Fenlon, Anna
Fine Gael
1 Wolfe Tone Villas,
Wexford
Work phone: 053-9146965
Mobile phone: 087-6615346
Home phone:
Fax number:
Email: anna.fenlon@wexfordcoco.ie
Furlong, Willie
Non Party
6 Harbour View
Maudlintown
Wexford
Work phone:
Mobile phone: 085 1426411
Home phone:
Fax number:
Email:
Hynes, David
Labour
48 Davitt Road South,
Wexford
Work phone:
Mobile phone: 087 2290248
Home phone: 053 912 2838
Fax number:
Email: dhynes@indigo.ie
Kelly, Anthony
Sinn Fein
3 Glenbrook
Wexford
Work phone:
Mobile phone: 087 1361785
Home phone:
Fax number:
Email: cllrakelly@eircom.net
Lawlor, George
Labour
12 Richmond Drive
Wexford
Work phone:
Mobile phone: 086 8164128
Home phone:
Fax number:
Email: geolaw@indigo.ie
Nolan, Paddy
Fianna Fáil
9 Hantoon Road
Wexford
Work phone: 053 914 2233
Mobile phone:
Home phone: 053 912 2074
Fax number:
Email:
Reck, Padge
Non Party
"Sunrise", Mulgannon,
Wexford
Work phone: 053-9144666
Mobile phone: 087-6175675
Home phone:
Fax number:
Email: padge.reck@wexfordcoco.ie
Roche, Philomena
Fine Gael
Ballygoman
Barntown
Wexford
Work phone:
Mobile phone: 087 2058442
Home phone: 053 912 0618
Fax number:
Email: cllrphilroche@eircom.net
Ryan, Joe
Labour
40 Cromwellsfort Drive
Wexford
Work phone:
Mobile phone: 087 6149350
Home phone: 053 912 3031
Fax number:
Email: cllrjoeryan@eircom.net
· The gender ground: A man, a woman or a transsexual person (specific protection is provided for pregnant employees or in relation to maternity leave);
· The marital status ground: Single, married, separated, divorced or widowed;
· The family status ground: A parent of a person under 18 years or the resident primary carer or a parent of a person with a disability;
· The sexual orientation ground: Gay, lesbian, bisexual or heterosexual; (The Court of Justice in PSV held that discrimination against a transsexual constituted discrimination on the grounds of sex.)
· The religion ground: Different religious belief, background, outlook or none;
· The age ground: This applies to all ages above the maximum age at which a person is statutorily obliged to attend school;
· The disability ground: This is broadly defined including people with physical, intellectual, learning, cognitive or emotional disabilities and a range of medical conditions;
· The race ground: A particular race, skin colour, nationality or ethnic origin;
· The Traveller community ground: People who are commonly called Travellers, who are identified both by Travellers and others as people with a shared history, culture and traditions, identified historically as a nomadic way of life on the island of Ireland.
(Should you want any more information the first port of call should be the Equality Authorities Website at http://www.equality.ie/. – as they are experiencing some staffing problems at the moment)
This brings me to the problem. The Wexford Town & Environs Development Plan is currently on public display and there is a good attempt at a policy in the community development section as follows:
(page 53 – section 6.1.4)
“6.1.4 Special Need Groups
Some groups will have more barriers than others in accessing the same opportunities, services and facilities, whether through unemployment, disability, age, gender, location, origin or language barriers. These groups include children/young people, older people, women, people who are ill or those with various disabilities, members of the travelling community and members of Irelands existing and new ethnic minority groups.”
It seems to be a deliberate omission to not include the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community (i.e. the ground of “sexual orientation”) as the Council are well aware at this stage that we exist and that we want recognition. To rectify this matter and to force the council to recognize all the different groups we would ask that you write into the Council asking that the above paragraph be changing to read along the lines of
“6.1.4 Special Need Groups
Some groups will have more barriers than others in accessing the same opportunities, services and facilities, whether through unemployment, disability, age, gender, location, origin or language barriers. These groups include children/young people, older people, women, people who are ill or those with various disabilities, members of the travelling community, members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community, those of a different religious or ethnic or race origin and members of Irelands existing and new ethnic minority groups.”
Your submission should be in sent in immediately by post (on or before 28th January) to –
Forward Planning, Planning Department, Wexford County Council, County Hall, Wexford.
OR
The Town Clerk, Wexford Borough Council,Crescent Quay, Wexford.
or email niall.mcdonnell@wexfordcoco.ie
The full draft plan and maps can be found at:
http://www.wexford.ie/wex/Departments/Planning/DevelopmentPlans/ProposedAmendmentsDraftWexfordTownPlan/
You should also contact the Wexford Borough Councillors as follows:
Mayor:
Howlin, Ted
Labour
Rocklands, Wexford
Work phone: 053-9124686
Mobile phone: 087-9788959
Home phone:
Fax number:
Email: ted.howlin@wexfordcoco.ie
Deputy Mayor:
Carr, Thomas
Labour
76 St. Aidan's Crescent
Wexford
Work phone:
Mobile phone: 087 976 9080
Home phone: 053 914 1627
Fax number:
Email: tommycarr@eircom.net
Byrne, Gus
Fianna Fáil
19 Thomas Clarke Place
Wexford
Work phone:
Mobile phone:
Home phone: 053 912 2408
Fax number:
Email: gusbyrne@wexcouncil.com
Fenlon, Anna
Fine Gael
1 Wolfe Tone Villas,
Wexford
Work phone: 053-9146965
Mobile phone: 087-6615346
Home phone:
Fax number:
Email: anna.fenlon@wexfordcoco.ie
Furlong, Willie
Non Party
6 Harbour View
Maudlintown
Wexford
Work phone:
Mobile phone: 085 1426411
Home phone:
Fax number:
Email:
Hynes, David
Labour
48 Davitt Road South,
Wexford
Work phone:
Mobile phone: 087 2290248
Home phone: 053 912 2838
Fax number:
Email: dhynes@indigo.ie
Kelly, Anthony
Sinn Fein
3 Glenbrook
Wexford
Work phone:
Mobile phone: 087 1361785
Home phone:
Fax number:
Email: cllrakelly@eircom.net
Lawlor, George
Labour
12 Richmond Drive
Wexford
Work phone:
Mobile phone: 086 8164128
Home phone:
Fax number:
Email: geolaw@indigo.ie
Nolan, Paddy
Fianna Fáil
9 Hantoon Road
Wexford
Work phone: 053 914 2233
Mobile phone:
Home phone: 053 912 2074
Fax number:
Email:
Reck, Padge
Non Party
"Sunrise", Mulgannon,
Wexford
Work phone: 053-9144666
Mobile phone: 087-6175675
Home phone:
Fax number:
Email: padge.reck@wexfordcoco.ie
Roche, Philomena
Fine Gael
Ballygoman
Barntown
Wexford
Work phone:
Mobile phone: 087 2058442
Home phone: 053 912 0618
Fax number:
Email: cllrphilroche@eircom.net
Ryan, Joe
Labour
40 Cromwellsfort Drive
Wexford
Work phone:
Mobile phone: 087 6149350
Home phone: 053 912 3031
Fax number:
Email: cllrjoeryan@eircom.net
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Selection Convention, 15th December 08
Selection Convention, 15th December 08
Well we had a fantastic convention last night with a huge turnout. Unlike Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, the Labour party gave its membership a democratic vote as to whom would be selected rather than running interviews and head-office dictating to the branch what to do, so to start with, its a victory for Democracy.
Labour will run 5 candidates in the local Wexford Borough Council Election next June (keeping in mind we currently hold 5 out of 12 seats anyway) as follows:
Theresa Walsh (fantastic)
Cllr. Ted Howlin (Mayor)
Cllr George Lawlor (Previous Mayor 07-08)
Cllr. Joe Ryan
Cllr. Davey Hynes
Labour will run 3 canidates in the Wexford County Council area (currently holding one out of 5) as follows:
Cllr. Ted Howlin (Mayor)
Cllr George Lawlor (Previous Mayor 07-08)
with a third candidate to be selected as soon as possible.
The campaign Manager and campaign team will be organised before Christmas and the team wil be hitting the highways and byways in the New Year.
With over 6000 new people on the register after the expansion of the Borough Boundary and over 1000 households not yet on the register, there is plenty of votes there for Labour to secure the necessary new votes whilst retaining and gathering more from the old town boundary area and are confident in reaching their targets.
I would like to take this opportunity to everyone who turned up tonight and allowed Democracy to win...
regards
John
Well we had a fantastic convention last night with a huge turnout. Unlike Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, the Labour party gave its membership a democratic vote as to whom would be selected rather than running interviews and head-office dictating to the branch what to do, so to start with, its a victory for Democracy.
Labour will run 5 candidates in the local Wexford Borough Council Election next June (keeping in mind we currently hold 5 out of 12 seats anyway) as follows:
Theresa Walsh (fantastic)
Cllr. Ted Howlin (Mayor)
Cllr George Lawlor (Previous Mayor 07-08)
Cllr. Joe Ryan
Cllr. Davey Hynes
Labour will run 3 canidates in the Wexford County Council area (currently holding one out of 5) as follows:
Cllr. Ted Howlin (Mayor)
Cllr George Lawlor (Previous Mayor 07-08)
with a third candidate to be selected as soon as possible.
The campaign Manager and campaign team will be organised before Christmas and the team wil be hitting the highways and byways in the New Year.
With over 6000 new people on the register after the expansion of the Borough Boundary and over 1000 households not yet on the register, there is plenty of votes there for Labour to secure the necessary new votes whilst retaining and gathering more from the old town boundary area and are confident in reaching their targets.
I would like to take this opportunity to everyone who turned up tonight and allowed Democracy to win...
regards
John
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Our Future Project
So, we've all heard from just about every party at this stage that one thing we need to do is attract the "high-end" jobs to Ireland, re-train the nation and get ready for the time when we leave recession behind. Of course this is made even easier by the government slashing I.T. funding in Schools by 39%...
I know in the medium to long term this issue will be addressed (starting with the INTO organised protest this Saturday to the time when the current Government gets changed) but in the short term this is an issue which the Labour branch in Wexford are going to address on a local level, with a simple, easy solution;
The Future Project over the next 3 weeks are asking all households that are replacing their computer this Christmans to donate their old equipment to us so that we in turn can redistribute it to schools. Most of the schools in Wexford town have been contacted at this stage and are interested in taking part. A full list of the participating schools will be available by the end of the week.
So, if you have any old computer that deserves a new home, let us know. If you have any other equipment that may be of use, for example a mouse, keyboards, printers, scanners, screens or even maybe an old digital camera hanging around let us know. If you would like to help but have no spare equipment, go up to Aldi and but a reem of paper to donate, costing around €2.00 - to borrow a line - every little helps.
If you are a business or know of a business that sells computers please let them know to ask customers to pass on their old equipment to us. If you collect any suitable items under the WEEE initiative let us know also.
Anyway for more information contact me John Ryan on 086 3953846.
Thanks
John
I know in the medium to long term this issue will be addressed (starting with the INTO organised protest this Saturday to the time when the current Government gets changed) but in the short term this is an issue which the Labour branch in Wexford are going to address on a local level, with a simple, easy solution;
The Future Project over the next 3 weeks are asking all households that are replacing their computer this Christmans to donate their old equipment to us so that we in turn can redistribute it to schools. Most of the schools in Wexford town have been contacted at this stage and are interested in taking part. A full list of the participating schools will be available by the end of the week.
So, if you have any old computer that deserves a new home, let us know. If you have any other equipment that may be of use, for example a mouse, keyboards, printers, scanners, screens or even maybe an old digital camera hanging around let us know. If you would like to help but have no spare equipment, go up to Aldi and but a reem of paper to donate, costing around €2.00 - to borrow a line - every little helps.
If you are a business or know of a business that sells computers please let them know to ask customers to pass on their old equipment to us. If you collect any suitable items under the WEEE initiative let us know also.
Anyway for more information contact me John Ryan on 086 3953846.
Thanks
John
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