Archive for 2009

Nenagh A&E The End

Posted on April 06, 2009 by Alan Kelly

Nenagh Hospital Vigil
Nenagh Hospital Vigil

Today begun with the first debate of the European campaign. The debate took place in Limerick 95s studio and was attended by four of the candidates including myself. It was an eventful day after that and this evening was quite a sad one for me as the doors of Nenagh Hospital closed at 8pm. From now on the HSE intend to transfer all self admitted A&E patients to Limerick Regional.

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Permanent link | Categories: HealthHealthNenagh HospitalLimerickClareEnnis

Campaign Launch Limerick - Kemmy endorses Kelly!

Posted on April 03, 2009 by Alan Kelly

Limerick Campaign Launch
Limerick Campaign Launch

Today we formally launched my campaign in Limerick and I was delighted to have my party leader Emaon Gilmore there. It was also attended by Jan O'Sullivan TD, as well as a host of Cllrs and local candidates. I was delighted also to have a number of the Kemmy family present as well to show their support.

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Permanent link | Categories: Arts Sport & TourismEducationEnterprise Trade & EmploymentHealthLimerickJoe KemmyJan O SullivanJoe LeddinThomas HannonMid West. LimerickNorth TippNorth KerryJoe KemmyJim KemmyTom ShorttGinger McLoughlin

Cork Campaign Launch

Posted on April 03, 2009 by Alan Kelly

Eamon and I with UCC President Michael Murphy
Eamon and I with UCC President Michael Murphy

I launched my European campaign in Cork today. I was delighted to have my party leader Eamon Gilmore present along with Cork TDs, Kathleen Lynch, Ciaran Lynch and Sean Seherlock. Also present was my colleague Senator Michael McCarthy along witha host of Cork city and county councillors. Furhermore, I was delighted to have a great turnout from the UCC branch.

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Permanent link | Categories: North CentralKathleen LynchCiaran LynchMichael McCarthySean SherlockUCCEamon Gilmore

Budget Proposals Launch

Posted on April 02, 2009 by Alan Kelly

2009 Labour Budget Proposals Launch
2009 Labour Budget Proposals Launch

Today I was part of the Labour team that launched our 2009 Budget proposals ahead of the emergency budget next Tuesday (7th). I was particularly glad to get some of my suggestions into the proposal, especially in relation ot the areas of re-prioritising Broadband in the NDP and securing more job placements for college graduates. In order to get this economy turned around we need to invest in new ideas and young people and these are two areas in which I think we can do just that.

The following are the key points from our proposals:

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Permanent link | Categories: FinanceBudgetEamon GilmoreJoan Burton

Gaelic Players Association Campaign

Posted on April 01, 2009 by Alan Kelly

With GPA CE Dessie Farrell, Tipp's Tom Stapleton and Limerick's Seamus Hickey
With GPA CE Dessie Farrell, Tipp's Tom Stapleton and Limerick's Seamus Hickey

Today I was at the launch of the GPAs campaign to maintain the grants that inter county players get as a contribution to the expenses they incur during the year. I was the first member of the Oireachtas to actually join the GPA and as far as I know I remain the only national politician who is a member of the organisation. I am a huge fan of GAA players and the commitment they give to their games. They offer a huge enhancement to cultural life in Ireland and they are great role models as well.

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Permanent link | Categories: Arts Sport & TourismGPAGAATipperaryLimerick

Visiting Cork Institute of Technology

Posted on March 31, 2009 by Alan Kelly

With Paul O'Flynn in CIT
With Paul O'Flynn in CIT

Was in CIT today where all the European candidates were invited by the Political Society to come and visit the students. It was an interesting day, listening to the the students, who have real concerns about their future(s). There is a serious issue with job placement in many courses and the level of this was startling.

I was delighted to be brought around CIT by their Sigerson Cup winning captain, Paul O'Flynn, a sound man. I also got to spend a good bit of time with Gearoid Buckley, who is the student president in CIT. My party colleague and lecturer in the college, Brendan Ryan also lent his support.

We had a good turnout with the usual support from all the lads in Cork, Keith, Mark etc.

Permanent link | Categories: EducationCITGAAStudents

Nenagh Hospital A&E Vigil

Posted on March 30, 2009 by Alan Kelly

Nenagh Hospital Vigil
Nenagh Hospital Vigil

Tonight members of the Nenagh Hospital Action Group (NHAG) began a Vigil for one hour outside Nenagh Hospital. This Vigil will take place every night from 7-8pm to protest at the imminent closure of the 24 hour A&E. As of now, we are of the understanding that the A&E will close next Monday, April 6th. That would simply be disgraceful.

Here we have a large, widely dispersed, geographical area in North Tipperary that will be left without a local A&E from 8pm to 8am. Yet there is no strategy for how the ambulance services are going to be run how this will work with local doctors, how Limerick Regional Hospital is going to seal with the extra patients etc.

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Permanent link | Categories: HealthHealthHarneyNorth TipperaryMid WestLimerickEnnis

Paddy Downey Convention Cashel

Posted on March 30, 2009 by Alan Kelly

Paddy Downey Convention
Paddy Downey Convention

Tonight I attended the Labour party's Cashel convention that selected Cllr. Paddy Downey as our candidate. Paddy is a fine candidate and a great local community activist across a broad range of activities.

The convention, which had approximately 100 people in attendance was chaired by my colleague Sean Sherlock TD. Senator Phil Prendergast, Cllr Darren Ryan and Cllr Maureen O'Donoghue also spoke at the convention. Many people spoke of their admiration for Maureen as she is standing down from Cashel Town Council after many years of service for the Labour party.

Its very important that we win back our seat in this area and I'm 100% behind Paddy and I look forward canvassing with him over the coming months.

Permanent link | Categories: Paddy Downey. South TipperaryPhil Prendergast. Darren RyanSean SherlockMick ByrnesMaureen O'Donoghue

National Conference 09

Posted on March 27, 2009 by Alan Kelly

With PES Leader Martin Schulz MEP at National Conf
With PES Leader Martin Schulz MEP at National Conf

Our National Conference was held over the weekend in Mullingar or 'Penrose' country as we like to call it after our local TD there. It was an excellent conference and I was highly impressed by the volume of new and young people I met at it. It was also a confernece that showed that my party is the party of values. Values that have stood the test of time and are more relevant now than ever before.

It was also a conference of ideas. So many motions were excellently researched and showed that there is a bright future out there if we could just as a country invest in our own creativity and capacity.

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Permanent link | Categories: Arts Sport & TourismEnterprise Trade & EmploymentFinanceHealthMartin SchulzEamon GilmoreConferenceMullingarWillie Penrose

Preparing for National Conference 2009

Posted on March 26, 2009 by Alan Kelly

Speaking at Conference
Speaking at Conference

Tomorrow I head to Mullingar for our National Conference. There is a huge volume of interest in our party at this time and the registration numbers of delegates are very impressive.

I have been attending conferences for many years, but I don't think I have looked forward to one as much as I have this one.

I have the honour of introducing the party leader, Eamon Gilmore on Saturday night for the keynote speech at 8.30pm. It is an honour to be asked to do this. I will also be speaking on health and tourism at the conference. And you never know, I may have to head to the podium on a few other motions as well!

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Permanent link | Categories: Conference

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