Blog Archive
Budget Proposals Launch
Posted on April 02, 2009 by Alan Kelly
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:
Permanent link | Categories: Finance • Budget • Eamon Gilmore • Joan Burton
Gaelic Players Association Campaign
Posted on April 01, 2009 by Alan Kelly
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.
Permanent link | Categories: Arts Sport & Tourism • GPA • GAA • Tipperary • Limerick
Visiting Cork Institute of Technology
Posted on March 31, 2009 by Alan Kelly
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: Education • CIT • GAA • Students
Nenagh Hospital A&E Vigil
Posted on March 30, 2009 by Alan Kelly
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.
Permanent link | Categories: Health • Health • Harney • North Tipperary • Mid West • Limerick • Ennis
Paddy Downey Convention Cashel
Posted on March 30, 2009 by Alan Kelly
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 Tipperary • Phil Prendergast. Darren Ryan • Sean Sherlock • Mick Byrnes • Maureen O'Donoghue
National Conference 09
Posted on March 27, 2009 by Alan Kelly
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.
Permanent link | Categories: Arts Sport & Tourism • Enterprise Trade & Employment • Finance • Health • Martin Schulz • Eamon Gilmore • Conference • Mullingar • Willie Penrose
Preparing for National Conference 2009
Posted on March 26, 2009 by Alan Kelly
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!
Permanent link | Categories: Conference
New Ideas Conferences - Final Preparations
Posted on March 24, 2009 by Alan Kelly
The final preparations are taking place for the two 'New Ideas' conferences I am sponsoring tomorrow. The conferences are open to everyone and aim to promote innovation and look at how we can develop future business in the South and Mid West.
I am really delighted with the line up of speakers participating. The keynote speaker at the Limerick conference is the renowned economist Jim Power. The issue of leadership is going to be spoken on by Munster rugby legend Anthony Foley. The Cork conference has John Conroy of Merrion Capital as its keynote speaker, while Eamon Coghlan is speaking on motivation and leadership. There are many more interesting speakers as well. Full details at the conference can be found at www.newideas.ie.
Permanent link | Categories: Enterprise Trade & Employment • New Ideas • Conferences • Limerick
Out and About with Cllr John Gilroy
Posted on March 21, 2009 by Alan Kelly
Canvassing with Cllr John Gilroy in Glanmire was a pleasure. he is a great local Cllr and rarely have I seen someone to be so popular as John is. He is also someone who has worked extremely hard over the last five years on arange of issues, from health to education cutbacks to planning and environmental issues.
John is also someone who has been very helpful to me over the last few years, with various pieces of advice from time to time, especially when I said I was lookinf for the nomination. John is someone who always gets the job done!
Permanent link | Categories: North Central • Glanmire • John Gilroy
Campaigning in Cork North Central
Posted on March 21, 2009 by Alan Kelly
Yesterday was one of the best days on the Euro campaign trail. We were in Cork North Central with my colleague Kathleen Lynch TD and Cllrs. Catherine Clancy, John Kelleher and Michael O'Connel. Kathleen is a n excellent local TD and very popular. We visited Blackpool, Blarney St, Shandon St and a number of schools and community groups as well as doing quite an amount of press. It was great to be back on my old stomping ground. I really have an affection for that side of Cork from my time living in the city.
Permanent link | Categories: North Central • Kathleen Lynch • Catherine Clancy • John Kelleher • Michael O'Connell
