Archive for 2009
Nenagh Hospital Protest
Posted on February 21, 2009 by Alan Kelly
On Saturday (Feb 21st), we had a very successful protest march in favour of maintaining the services in our local hospital.
I was particularly delighted to welcome Labour leader Eamon Gilmore to the march and rally. Also present was our health spokesperson Jan O'Sullivan and a large Labour presence as usual.
The rally went excellently and a short video of the proceedings can be seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2EECART6G0
Permanent link | Categories: Health • Eamon Gilmore • Jan OSullivan • Health
Campaigning in Cork
Posted on February 20, 2009 by Alan Kelly
I was recently campaigning in Cork city with my party colleagues Ciaran Lynch and Deputy Party Leader Joan Burton. We addressed a large gathering of Labour members and spent two days canvassing. The reception we got was fantastic. Joan is very well liked by the public and people really respect her work in Finance, where she communicates with everyday people about the complex economic happenings in our country in a very simple, rational and effective way.
Permanent link | Categories: Ciaran Lynch • Joan Burton • UCC
On the Canvass Trail in Newcastlewest
Posted on February 17, 2009 by Alan Kelly
I was out canvassing recently with our local election candidate in Newcastlewest, Stephen Goulding.
I go out canvassing with many local election candidates all the time, but this was different. Newcastlewest is an area that to date we have not been strong in, but the reaction towards us was absolutely fantastic.
Stephen is an exceptional candidate.
He is a teacher by profession. HE has so much energy and enthusiasm for canvassing, that it is quite infectious.
I have no doubt that he will be successful in June and he certainly has a good team behind him.
Permanent link | Categories: Newcastlewest • Limerick • Stephen Goulding
Valentines Day in Nenagh
Posted on February 15, 2009 by Alan Kelly
My colleagues in Nenagh decided to bring some cheer to the streets of Nenagh this Valentine's day by giving out valentines cards, roses and good spirit to the people of the town. It was done with a sense of fun and the people reacted very well to us.
Nenagh has a strong history of supporting the Labour party and certainly the sense from the people was one of the party making progress locally and nationally. There is huge respect for the Labour leadership of Eamon Gilmore and Joan Burton, who are performing excellently.
Permanent link | Categories: McGee • ODowd • Kennedy • Meaney • Nenagh • Newport
On the Canvass Trail in Limerick
Posted on February 14, 2009 by Alan Kelly
I was canvassing in Limerick city with many of my colleagues recently. The response was excellent and I was very encouraged by it. Its very easy to canvass with my friend and colleague Jan O'Sullivan, as she is very popular with the locals in Limerick. I was also out with Joe Kemmy, Jim's brother, which is always a pleasure. I was always a huge admirer of Jim Kemmy. He was a man of huge integrity and kept his values and beliefs throughout his political life.
Permanent link | Categories: Enterprise Trade & Employment • Limerick • Joe Kemmy • Jan O Sullivan • Joe Leddin • Thomas Hannon • Mid West. Limerick • North Tipp • North Kerry
Campaigning in South Tipp and with James Heffernan
Posted on February 13, 2009 by Alan Kelly
I was campaigning all over South Tipp and Limerick recently. I got a great reaction in my home county and I had time to meet up with many friends. Tipperary is a very proud county and I'm certainly gettting a very good response throughout. Many people want to see someone from Tipp. I'd be the second person to represent the county in Europe if I was elected, TJ Maher was the first. South Tipp has great local Labour County Cllrs in Seanie Lonergan in Cahir, Darren Ryan and Gabrielle Egan as well as Denis Landy in Carrick on Suir. We also have Mark Hogan and Billy Bourke in Clonmel as well as Maureen O'Donoghue in Cahir and Jim Drohan in Carrick. Finally, of course there is my colleague in the Seanad Senator Phil Prendergast. Tipp SOuth is very important to the Labour party because it is where the party was founded in CLonmel in 1912 and we've had great representatives there in Michael Ferris, Sean Treacy, Richard Stapleton and William O'Brien.
Permanent link | Categories: James Heffernan • Limerick • South TIpp
Labour at 24% in Latest MRBI Irish Times Poll
Posted on February 12, 2009 by Alan Kelly
Great news from the latest Irish TImes MRBI poll in Feb 13th edition.
The poll was carried out on Monday and Tuesday, with a sample of 1,000 voters around the country.
It shows Fianna Fáil support down 5% to 22%, behind Fine Gael, 32% and we in the Labour party are up to 24%, which is a 10% increase, while our party leader Eamon Gilmore has the highest approval rating of any leader in the country.
The poll is a testament to the work being carried out by the party at national and local level. We were the first party to produce an economic stimulus plan and many of our suggestions are being now taken up by other parties as their policies.
Permanent link | Categories: opinion poll • gilmore
South Kerry Euro Campaign Launch
Posted on February 06, 2009 by Alan Kelly
I had my South Kerry campaign launch in Sheehan's pub in Killorglin on Friday, Feb 6th. It was a great night that began with the selection convention for the local area that put forward John Sheehan as the local Labour party candidate. We then launched my campaign in Sheehan's with some old friends of mine from Fexco and Gulliver, who I used to work with in Killorglin. Also present were the local Labour party members and the 'extended' family of my in laws. We certainly made an impression. Killorglin is one of my favourite towns in Ireland and I always enjoy being out and about there.
Permanent link | Categories: South Kerry • Killorglin
UCC Politics Society Honorary Award
Posted on February 02, 2009 by Alan Kelly
I was delighted to be chosen as the Honorary Life Vice President of the UCC Politics Society. The ceremony which took place on Monday Feb 2nd was a great occasion and I'd like to thank the society for choosing someone who has great affection for his former Alma Mater. It was a bit of a surreal occasion for me in Boole 2, having sat there previously on many occasions, listening to Joe Lee, Dermot Keogh and Donncha O'Corrain.
Permanent link | Categories: Education • UCC
Save Nenagh Hospital Rally
Posted on February 02, 2009 by Alan Kelly
On Saturday Jan 31st, over 1500 people turned up at the Nenagh GAA complex to protest against the planned cuts in services at Nenagh General Hospital. After leaking the initiall report that proved that these cuts were on the cards, I was delighted to see the crowd. These include A&E, surgery and intensive care. The crowd could have been much larger but for the lack of capacity in the hall and many were turned away or stayed outside listening to the proceedings on loud speakers.
The rally heard from many speakers including Peadar McMahon of the Monaghan Hospital Action Group. Other speakers fromt he platform included doctors, consultants and the the Mayor of Nenagh, who spoke on behalf of the town council.
The HSE failed to turn up.
Permanent link | Categories: Health • Nenagh Hospital • Health
