By Jennifer Hough
Saturday, July 18, 2009
IT is a sad day for people with disabilities in Ireland.
Martin Naughton, who suffers from a physical disability and works for the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI), maintains if implemented, the McCarthy report signals a mammoth step back for people with disabilities.
"I am still trying to digest everything. If you look at the bare cut, €50m, it looks as though we got away lightly but when you take everything as a whole there are cuts all over the place."
Mr Naughton, who has his own home and a job but still requires full-time support, feels the proposals would undo years of hard work to integrate disabled people and treat them equally.
For him, the symbolic proposals hurt more than the monetary.
Under the board’s recommendations the office for Mental Health and Disability would be removed from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and placed under the remit of the Department of Health.
For Martin, this is the ultimate betrayal.
"The social model approach to disability for the past 10 years was that people with disabilities should be supported to live like everyone else."
One of its major underpinnings was that disability reform came through the Department of Justice, that was a huge and logical boost. It was a move away from being pitied and blamed. "Most people may not realise but disabled people are often very healthy," said Martin.
"I feel sorry for any parent who has a child with a disability today. It is a struggle and the more you fight the more frustrated you can become."
The DFI says it is concerned about a recommended cut of €50m in funding to voluntary disability organisations, the €60m reduction to the funding of special needs assistants and the 5% reduction in the rate of disability allowance.
Allen Dunne, head of the DFI says the cuts are of "immense" concern as funding for disability services has already been cut repeatedly over the past two years, a process which began before the current recession was evident.
"The harsh reality is that there are still substantial unmet needs, and people with disabilities are already very vulnerable. Therefore their capacity to survive repeated knocks is very limited," she said.
Similarly, Inclusion Ireland slammed the cutting of front-line disability services such as psychologists and special needs school transport.
On the ground, Martin knows the pain this will cause – even just the suggestion.
"If you are a parent with a child with a disability, and you hear about teachers being cut back, you just feel you are being told ‘you are not welcome here’. It is telling people with disability – find somewhere else to go. It is very hurtful."
This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Saturday, July 18, 2009
Read more: http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/you-feel-you-are-being-told-youre-not-welcome-96652.html#ixzz0Law2QiY3
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Early Bird Trains
The CEO of Irish Rail, Mr Richard Fearns, has confirmed to Labour's Cllr Keith Martin that Mayo will be serviced by additional services to Dublin, one of which will be an early bird train which will have commuters from Mayo in Dublin by 8.50am. In his letter to the Labour councillor Mr Fearns said that the new service will begin on September 27th.
Cllr Keith Martin, who has lobbied continuously for the service, has warmly welcomed the news saying "This is great news for Westport and Mayo. We now have greater connectivity as a region and as a tourist town.
"In these terrible economic times this new service is vital to Mayo as we compete for business, investment and strengthen our tourist appeal. The service will facilitate Mayo's 125,000 population in connecting with the world and will make Mayo an easier place to get to.
"The new early bird service has great potential for tourism and for business as it means it is even easier than before to get to and from Mayo from Dublin and to make other train and travel connections such as flights and ferry connections. It is great news for the West."
In February of this year, in response to a unanimous resolution proposed by Labour's Cllr Martin, Westport's Town Clerk wrote to all of Mayo's Local Authorities and Chambers of Commerce soliciting their support for the campaign. The campaign received the full support of Westport Chamber of Commerce, Castlebar Town Council and Castlebar and Ballyhaunis' Chambers of Commerce.
The campaign was begun by the Council in light of Irish Rail's failure to provide a date for the promised extra rail services on the Dublin-Mayo line. These additional services were to include an early bird service.
Cllr Martin concluded saying he wanted to thank all the councillors, councils and chambers of commerce who lent their support to Westport Town Council's campaign.
086 0691182
Sunday, July 12, 2009
I need your help please
Re; Sponsorship Opportunity – Strasbourg Freedom Drive 2009
My name is Thomas Chambers, I am participating of the Strasbourg Freedom Drive campaign organised by the European Network on Independent Living and the Centre for Independent Living, Carmichael Centre, Dublin 7. The Centre for Independent Living is an organisation supporting people with physical disabilities in order to achieve independent living.
The Independent Living movement is a world-wide community fighting for equal rights, opportunities, choices and responsibilities of disabled people around the world. It is indeed a very strong European movement liaising with MEPs since 2003.
Strasbourg Freedom Drive is a lobbying campaign attended by people with disabilities from all Europe aiming to establish a relationship between the participants and their national Members of EU Parliament. It is a unique lobbying exercise happening every second year since 2003. A rally on the building of the EU Parliament takes place as well and usually results in a meeting with the Disability Intergroup.
The Strasbourg Freedom Drive 2009 will take place in Strasbourg from 14th September to 18th September. All participants of the campaign have to cover the costs related to the trip to Strasbourg individually by fundraising or out of their own pocket. This is especially difficult task during the economic downturn Ireland is facing at the moment.
I would like you to consider supporting me and my Personal Assistant in participation of this year’s rally as in any way you can.
For more information about the campaign, please visit the following website:
http://www.dublincil.org/eu_&_international.html
Thank you for giving this your consideration.
Yours Sincerely,
……………….
Tom Chambers
My name is Thomas Chambers, I am participating of the Strasbourg Freedom Drive campaign organised by the European Network on Independent Living and the Centre for Independent Living, Carmichael Centre, Dublin 7. The Centre for Independent Living is an organisation supporting people with physical disabilities in order to achieve independent living.
The Independent Living movement is a world-wide community fighting for equal rights, opportunities, choices and responsibilities of disabled people around the world. It is indeed a very strong European movement liaising with MEPs since 2003.
Strasbourg Freedom Drive is a lobbying campaign attended by people with disabilities from all Europe aiming to establish a relationship between the participants and their national Members of EU Parliament. It is a unique lobbying exercise happening every second year since 2003. A rally on the building of the EU Parliament takes place as well and usually results in a meeting with the Disability Intergroup.
The Strasbourg Freedom Drive 2009 will take place in Strasbourg from 14th September to 18th September. All participants of the campaign have to cover the costs related to the trip to Strasbourg individually by fundraising or out of their own pocket. This is especially difficult task during the economic downturn Ireland is facing at the moment.
I would like you to consider supporting me and my Personal Assistant in participation of this year’s rally as in any way you can.
For more information about the campaign, please visit the following website:
http://www.dublincil.org/eu_&_international.html
Thank you for giving this your consideration.
Yours Sincerely,
……………….
Tom Chambers
Monday, July 06, 2009
US visitors put off by high costs
Friday July 03 2009
My wife and I just returned from our third trip to Ireland in five years. Each time we rented a car, stayed in B&Bs, ate in pubs and restaurants, took tours to the Aran Islands, the Skelligs, the Saltees and such, and did some shopping. In US dollars, petrol is $6.50 a US gallon. B&Bs cost an average of $58 per person per night. The least expensive cup of coffee I found was in a community centre and was $2.00 (It was usually $3 to $4). It is difficult to eat adequately in a pub for less than $20 per person and that doesn't include drinks. A pint of Guinness was around $6.50 in most pubs.
Overall, I would estimate that Ireland is about double the cost of making an equivalent trip in the US, and this doesn't take into account the round trip airfare which was approximately $1,000 per person. Even if the US dollar was equal to the euro, Ireland would still be expensive.
We love Ireland; however, until prices become more reasonable vis-à-vis the dollar, I'm afraid that we will not be back any time soon. I venture to guess that many other Americans feel the same.
As tourism is at the top of the Irish economy, the cost of touring Ireland could become a serious threat.
VC Joffrion
North Carolina, USA
My wife and I just returned from our third trip to Ireland in five years. Each time we rented a car, stayed in B&Bs, ate in pubs and restaurants, took tours to the Aran Islands, the Skelligs, the Saltees and such, and did some shopping. In US dollars, petrol is $6.50 a US gallon. B&Bs cost an average of $58 per person per night. The least expensive cup of coffee I found was in a community centre and was $2.00 (It was usually $3 to $4). It is difficult to eat adequately in a pub for less than $20 per person and that doesn't include drinks. A pint of Guinness was around $6.50 in most pubs.
Overall, I would estimate that Ireland is about double the cost of making an equivalent trip in the US, and this doesn't take into account the round trip airfare which was approximately $1,000 per person. Even if the US dollar was equal to the euro, Ireland would still be expensive.
We love Ireland; however, until prices become more reasonable vis-à-vis the dollar, I'm afraid that we will not be back any time soon. I venture to guess that many other Americans feel the same.
As tourism is at the top of the Irish economy, the cost of touring Ireland could become a serious threat.
VC Joffrion
North Carolina, USA
US visitors put off by high costs
Friday July 03 2009
My wife and I just returned from our third trip to Ireland in five years. Each time we rented a car, stayed in B&Bs, ate in pubs and restaurants, took tours to the Aran Islands, the Skelligs, the Saltees and such, and did some shopping. In US dollars, petrol is $6.50 a US gallon. B&Bs cost an average of $58 per person per night. The least expensive cup of coffee I found was in a community centre and was $2.00 (It was usually $3 to $4). It is difficult to eat adequately in a pub for less than $20 per person and that doesn't include drinks. A pint of Guinness was around $6.50 in most pubs.
Overall, I would estimate that Ireland is about double the cost of making an equivalent trip in the US, and this doesn't take into account the round trip airfare which was approximately $1,000 per person. Even if the US dollar was equal to the euro, Ireland would still be expensive.
We love Ireland; however, until prices become more reasonable vis-à-vis the dollar, I'm afraid that we will not be back any time soon. I venture to guess that many other Americans feel the same.
As tourism is at the top of the Irish economy, the cost of touring Ireland could become a serious threat.
VC Joffrion
North Carolina, USA
My wife and I just returned from our third trip to Ireland in five years. Each time we rented a car, stayed in B&Bs, ate in pubs and restaurants, took tours to the Aran Islands, the Skelligs, the Saltees and such, and did some shopping. In US dollars, petrol is $6.50 a US gallon. B&Bs cost an average of $58 per person per night. The least expensive cup of coffee I found was in a community centre and was $2.00 (It was usually $3 to $4). It is difficult to eat adequately in a pub for less than $20 per person and that doesn't include drinks. A pint of Guinness was around $6.50 in most pubs.
Overall, I would estimate that Ireland is about double the cost of making an equivalent trip in the US, and this doesn't take into account the round trip airfare which was approximately $1,000 per person. Even if the US dollar was equal to the euro, Ireland would still be expensive.
We love Ireland; however, until prices become more reasonable vis-à-vis the dollar, I'm afraid that we will not be back any time soon. I venture to guess that many other Americans feel the same.
As tourism is at the top of the Irish economy, the cost of touring Ireland could become a serious threat.
VC Joffrion
North Carolina, USA
Thursday, July 02, 2009
THE CORN CRAKE by Pat Watson
THE CORN CRAKE
When we were young in the nineteen fifties we used to discuss what the birds said. We could never agree about the black bird, the thrush or indeed any other songbird but we all knew what the corncrake said. He went 'grake grake, grake grake, grake grake' and everybody knew that meant, stand back, stand back, stand back. At that time there was a corncrake in every field in Ireland. At this time there was a certain young girl who had just turned sixteen and she had her mother annoyed to let her go to a dance in the town but there was no way her mother would agree as she did not have a chaperone and towns fellows were not to be trusted.
Then luck struck. The local GAA club hired a big tent in which to run a carnival for two weeks and it was close by the girl's house. Now she could go dancing. She cycled to town and bought a lovely piece of material and a pattern. The material was spread
out on the kitchen table, the pattern carefully spread on top. There was great excitement. The mother was jitterier than the daughter. They had just got in the electricity. They had a brand new singer sewing machine. We will put in shoulder pads and you can wear your new bra. I will lend you my black patent belt to match the shoes; sure it would go twice round your little waist.'
These were modern times. For the moment meals were suspended. The men could grumble and wait. Oh it was wonderful, Harry Belafonte was singing on the wireless,
'I see woman on bended knee, cutting cane for her family,' 'Well God be with the days.' 'I see man by the waterside, casting nets at the surging tide.' 'He might as well be, as looking for a bit to eat round here.' In spite of those unhelpful remarks and a few minor glitches the needlework classes paid off, the project was successful and the dress was completed. Now for the hair! All hell broke loose.
After tea, her mother rolled her hair on her
finger and held each curl in place with a pipe
cleaner. It took ages and was sometimes painful
but there were no complaints. You have to suffer
to be beautiful.
Next day, when the pipe cleaners were removed the
hair brushed out perfectly. On the night when she
put on the multi-coloured dress over the new bra,
with the shoulder pads and the patent belt, she
was beautiful. Even the hungry grumblers agreed.
'Mammy' she said, 'what is it a Gra?' (Love)
'If a boy wants to walk me home after the dance, will it be alright?'
'I suppose as the place is well lit up and if he is a nice respectable country boy, it will.'
'Mammy.' 'What is it now child?' 'If the boy wants to kiss me will I let him?'
The mother thought for a moment, her mind was racing, racing back to her own youth, her dreams, her dilemmas, her desires, 'You can if you both agree to obey the corncrake and when he calls stand back you're to stand back.'
As it happened, the boy who walked her home on the night was a friend of mine and next morning I waylaid him. 'Well how did you get on?' 'How did I get on?' says he, with some agitation. 'I'll tell you how I got on! You know as well as I know that the sweet girl lives only a hundred yards from the marquee, and I walked her home all
of five miles but we never did get away from the blooming corncrake.'
'The Corn Crake' is one of sixty lyrical yarns from 'Original Irish Stories' by Pat Watson, Creagh, Bealnamulla, Athlone, Ireland. First published in May, 2006.
To get your copy email the author here:
When we were young in the nineteen fifties we used to discuss what the birds said. We could never agree about the black bird, the thrush or indeed any other songbird but we all knew what the corncrake said. He went 'grake grake, grake grake, grake grake' and everybody knew that meant, stand back, stand back, stand back. At that time there was a corncrake in every field in Ireland. At this time there was a certain young girl who had just turned sixteen and she had her mother annoyed to let her go to a dance in the town but there was no way her mother would agree as she did not have a chaperone and towns fellows were not to be trusted.
Then luck struck. The local GAA club hired a big tent in which to run a carnival for two weeks and it was close by the girl's house. Now she could go dancing. She cycled to town and bought a lovely piece of material and a pattern. The material was spread
out on the kitchen table, the pattern carefully spread on top. There was great excitement. The mother was jitterier than the daughter. They had just got in the electricity. They had a brand new singer sewing machine. We will put in shoulder pads and you can wear your new bra. I will lend you my black patent belt to match the shoes; sure it would go twice round your little waist.'
These were modern times. For the moment meals were suspended. The men could grumble and wait. Oh it was wonderful, Harry Belafonte was singing on the wireless,
'I see woman on bended knee, cutting cane for her family,' 'Well God be with the days.' 'I see man by the waterside, casting nets at the surging tide.' 'He might as well be, as looking for a bit to eat round here.' In spite of those unhelpful remarks and a few minor glitches the needlework classes paid off, the project was successful and the dress was completed. Now for the hair! All hell broke loose.
After tea, her mother rolled her hair on her
finger and held each curl in place with a pipe
cleaner. It took ages and was sometimes painful
but there were no complaints. You have to suffer
to be beautiful.
Next day, when the pipe cleaners were removed the
hair brushed out perfectly. On the night when she
put on the multi-coloured dress over the new bra,
with the shoulder pads and the patent belt, she
was beautiful. Even the hungry grumblers agreed.
'Mammy' she said, 'what is it a Gra?' (Love)
'If a boy wants to walk me home after the dance, will it be alright?'
'I suppose as the place is well lit up and if he is a nice respectable country boy, it will.'
'Mammy.' 'What is it now child?' 'If the boy wants to kiss me will I let him?'
The mother thought for a moment, her mind was racing, racing back to her own youth, her dreams, her dilemmas, her desires, 'You can if you both agree to obey the corncrake and when he calls stand back you're to stand back.'
As it happened, the boy who walked her home on the night was a friend of mine and next morning I waylaid him. 'Well how did you get on?' 'How did I get on?' says he, with some agitation. 'I'll tell you how I got on! You know as well as I know that the sweet girl lives only a hundred yards from the marquee, and I walked her home all
of five miles but we never did get away from the blooming corncrake.'
'The Corn Crake' is one of sixty lyrical yarns from 'Original Irish Stories' by Pat Watson, Creagh, Bealnamulla, Athlone, Ireland. First published in May, 2006.
To get your copy email the author here:
National News Home
By Tom Brady Security Editor
Tuesday June 30 2009
GARDAI will scale down the massive security presence at the Shell pipelaying project by the end of the week.
Some 300 gardai and two Naval Service vessels have been deployed at Glengad to keep the peace during the crucial phase of the work involving the pipelaying ship, the 'Solitaire', at Broadhaven Bay, Co Mayo.
But with the shore work due to be completed on Sunday night, it is expected that the 40 to 50 'peace camp' protesters will dwindle significantly in the coming days.
None of those detained yesterday are from the local area and their protests did not interfere with the Shell project. However, they caused severe disruption to residents, who had to take detours to reach their homes.
One protest involved the demonstrators lying in star formation in the middle of the road with their arms encased inside two pieces of piping and then joining hands while chained with snap shackles.
Specially-trained gardai were brought in to free the protesters, using equipment such as angle grinders, without causing any harm.
The three-hour operation to remove the demonstrators from the road ended at 1am yesterday -- four hours after the latest pipelaying phase had ended.
Taxpayers have paid €15m so far in garda overtime to police the project.
Nine protesters were arrested by gardai following two other roadblocking demonstrations at the weekend. They appeared in Ballina District Court at 5.30pm yesterday. Two were released on bail and the others were remanded in custody until Friday.
- Tom Brady Security Editor
Tuesday June 30 2009
GARDAI will scale down the massive security presence at the Shell pipelaying project by the end of the week.
Some 300 gardai and two Naval Service vessels have been deployed at Glengad to keep the peace during the crucial phase of the work involving the pipelaying ship, the 'Solitaire', at Broadhaven Bay, Co Mayo.
But with the shore work due to be completed on Sunday night, it is expected that the 40 to 50 'peace camp' protesters will dwindle significantly in the coming days.
None of those detained yesterday are from the local area and their protests did not interfere with the Shell project. However, they caused severe disruption to residents, who had to take detours to reach their homes.
One protest involved the demonstrators lying in star formation in the middle of the road with their arms encased inside two pieces of piping and then joining hands while chained with snap shackles.
Specially-trained gardai were brought in to free the protesters, using equipment such as angle grinders, without causing any harm.
The three-hour operation to remove the demonstrators from the road ended at 1am yesterday -- four hours after the latest pipelaying phase had ended.
Taxpayers have paid €15m so far in garda overtime to police the project.
Nine protesters were arrested by gardai following two other roadblocking demonstrations at the weekend. They appeared in Ballina District Court at 5.30pm yesterday. Two were released on bail and the others were remanded in custody until Friday.
- Tom Brady Security Editor
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) chairman
By Caitrina Cody
Thursday July 02 2009
ROAD safety tsar Gay Byrne yesterday admitted to drinking and driving in the past but said it was part of the Irish culture at the time.
He also confided he used to regularly drive home while over the limit, sometimes after presenting the 'Late Late Show'.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) chairman made the surprising admission as he continues to campaign for responsible driving.
Great
"I remember the days when I drove home from the 'Late Late Show' late at night -- the great thing in those days was to have a drink or two, or three, in the green room with the guests to thank them for coming and all that," he said.
"Undoubtedly I was over the limit, night after night, until at some stage I was told by the controller of programmes that I wasn't to drive myself home from the show anymore, drunk or sober," recalled Mr Byrne.
The former RTE presenter said his behaviour would have been viewed as perfectly acceptable back in the 1980s.
"Certainly 10 years ago, perhaps even five years ago, if you told your pals that you had had 17 large brandies last night and drove yourself home -- just about making it through the gate -- you probably would have been clapped on the back for it."
Mr Byrne was announcing details of a new six-month RSA campaign to promote road safety when he made the comments and said that Ireland is currently undergoing huge cultural changes.
"I believe that most people in Ireland are trying to be safer," he said.
"Many of us thought nothing about drinking and driving back in the day but that is definitely changing."
He said Irish drivers are now more conscientious about not drinking and driving.
Culture
"It's a huge adjustment for this country and shows that you can change a culture, slowly but surely."
Mr Byrne said when he looked back now he was grateful he never hurt anyone.
"Thank God I got away with it -- thank God that nothing ever happened to anyone," he said.
"It was simply the done thing then and nobody ever thought twice about it. They told you to take care, but not that you shouldn't be doing it."
Nowadays he says that he is lucky that his wife chooses not to drink alcohol.
"I'm blessed with a wife that has no interest in drinking and is prepared to do the driving for both of us."
Thursday July 02 2009
ROAD safety tsar Gay Byrne yesterday admitted to drinking and driving in the past but said it was part of the Irish culture at the time.
He also confided he used to regularly drive home while over the limit, sometimes after presenting the 'Late Late Show'.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) chairman made the surprising admission as he continues to campaign for responsible driving.
Great
"I remember the days when I drove home from the 'Late Late Show' late at night -- the great thing in those days was to have a drink or two, or three, in the green room with the guests to thank them for coming and all that," he said.
"Undoubtedly I was over the limit, night after night, until at some stage I was told by the controller of programmes that I wasn't to drive myself home from the show anymore, drunk or sober," recalled Mr Byrne.
The former RTE presenter said his behaviour would have been viewed as perfectly acceptable back in the 1980s.
"Certainly 10 years ago, perhaps even five years ago, if you told your pals that you had had 17 large brandies last night and drove yourself home -- just about making it through the gate -- you probably would have been clapped on the back for it."
Mr Byrne was announcing details of a new six-month RSA campaign to promote road safety when he made the comments and said that Ireland is currently undergoing huge cultural changes.
"I believe that most people in Ireland are trying to be safer," he said.
"Many of us thought nothing about drinking and driving back in the day but that is definitely changing."
He said Irish drivers are now more conscientious about not drinking and driving.
Culture
"It's a huge adjustment for this country and shows that you can change a culture, slowly but surely."
Mr Byrne said when he looked back now he was grateful he never hurt anyone.
"Thank God I got away with it -- thank God that nothing ever happened to anyone," he said.
"It was simply the done thing then and nobody ever thought twice about it. They told you to take care, but not that you shouldn't be doing it."
Nowadays he says that he is lucky that his wife chooses not to drink alcohol.
"I'm blessed with a wife that has no interest in drinking and is prepared to do the driving for both of us."
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