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Resignation of Coimisinéir Teanga must be a wake-up call to Government

Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley has expressed his surprise and disappointment at the resignation of Coimisinéir Teanga, Seán Ó Cuirreáin.

‘It is clear that An tUsail Ó Cuirreáin resigned out of sheer frustration at the lack political will and support for preserving and indeed promoting and developing our national language.

Mr Ó Cuirreáin has done immense work over the past 10 years and Councillor Feeley has said the news of his resignation must act as a wake-up call for the Government and indeed Irish Society.

“Seán Ó Cuirreáin has been a strong advocate for the promotion of what he describes as ‘our linguistic sovereignty’ over the past 10 years. It is deeply regrettable that he now feels he has no choice but to resign before the end of his term following successive cuts to resources, unnecessary delays in progressing policy and a general lack of interest and support for the issue,” said Councillor Feeley

“The promotion and use of the Irish language, a hugely important issue that goes to the heart of our national identity has slipped off the political agenda.  Before leaving office, the previous Government published a 20 year strategy on the Irish language but unfortunately little has been done since then except cutbacks to resources in the area.’

“Since 2011, the Government has dragged its heels on a review of the Official Languages Act, it has scrapped democratic elections to Údarás Na Gaeltachta, it has merged the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga with the Ombudsman’s Office without consultation and it has further cut the resources available for the protection and promotion of the Irish language.

Mr Ó Cuirreáin has expressed real fear that a cornerstone of our cultural identity, our heritage and our soul is in danger. Over one hundred years ago the desire to preserve our native language and culture led to the formation of the GAA and Conradh na Gaeilge, both organisations have played a vital role in Irish Society and their work proved a key inspiration to the revival of national spirit at the start of the 20th Century. Inspite of the great work done in our Gaeilscoilenna and in other organisations around the country some elements in Government and in some state agencies view our language as a burden, not an integral part of our national identity. Government and the State agencies pay lip service to the Irish Language and our national culture only making use of it and our music and dance when it suits a particular end. The emphasis must not be on preserving a language but of promoting and developing it and encouraging its use by all, however limited.’

Irish Water Operators hardly qualified to value properties for LPT

Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley has reacted with dismay to reports in today’s Sunday Business Post that those working for Irish Water in the installation of water meters will be assisting the Revenue Commissioners in the collection of the Local Property Tax.

Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government confirmed in response to a Parliamentary Question that ‘it is central to the e-government strategy on improved data sharing and linking across the public service that data should be shared between government departments and agencies.’

Reacting, Councillor Feeley stated that it is time absolute clarity is given to the role of Irish Water in relation to the LPT.

‘Those charged with installing water meters and taking reading are hardly qualified to second guess valuations provided by property owners or their auctioneers. This latest announcement is further clarification that implementation of the Local Property Tax is seeing this Government and the Revenue Commissioners stooping to new lows it their efforts to second guess compliant tax payers.’

Noting that the deadline for filing for 2014 had now passed Councillor Feeley stated that many people had outstanding queries resulting from the letters issued to them in October of this year.

‘Many people have received demands under the LPT for in excess of the amount they valued their house for in 2013, others have been told that they have more than one property when this is not the case. The LPT Revenue Helpline which is totally separate to the normal Revenue Helpline is completely under resourced and operates as a barrier to resolving issues rather than solving problems.’

Concluding, Councillor Feeley in calling for urgent action by the Government and the Revenue Commissioners also called for a system for Revenue to confirm that properties are uninhabitable so that property owners have certainty in terms of their liability. Noting than many Local Authorities had a similar system for the NPPR and Household Charge, Councillor Feeley called for Revenue to implement such a system without delay.

What has Fine Gael & Labour got against young people

Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley has condemned the proposal to further cut Social Welfare Payments to those Under-25.

 ‘At present Ireland 30% of our workforce, under the age of twenty-five are unemployed. Those under twenty one presently gets €100 per week whilst those between twenty-two and twenty four get € 144. Now those who apply for Unemployment Benefit Under 25 will face a 30% cut in payment.’

 ‘This Government has made a joke of the ‘Knowledge Economy’ by slashing Grants available for Post-Graduate Courses. They are not creating job opportunities and only offer Job-Bridge opportunities to allow our young unemployed work for less than the minimum wage or emigration.’

 ‘Young people, willing and able to work are given no real opportunity and in these Budget Proposals are been given no real choice but to leave. It begs the question: What does Enda Kenny and this Government have against young people?

 Concluding, Councillor Feeley stated that in Irish History when landlords attempted to clear the country of young people at the very least they paid the fair as they enforced emigration. This Fine Gael Government appears to be determined to solve the Youth Unemployment Crisis by forcing our young people out.