Fianna Fail Councillor, John Paul Feeley has called on the National Transport Authority and Bus Eireann to provide real-time information for passengers on a twenty four hour basis at Cavan Bus Station. ‘Cavan Bus Station is the terminus of the Dublin to Cavan Commuter Route. It is also a stop on the Dublin to Enniskillen Expressway Service which provides a key link to Dublin Airport. Currently ‘real-time’ information is not available to passengers. This is particularly an issue for those accessing the late night and early morning buses when the bus station is closed with services operating from the public street.’ ‘Sometimes, passengers waiting for the service to Dublin Airport have been left standing on the side of the street waiting for a bus that has proceeded directly to Dublin as it is already full. These people have to make alternative arrangements at short notice to catch flights. This may be a rare occasion but it demonstrates the need for the provision of ‘real-time’ information for passengers.’ ‘The information is available on some Bus Eireann Commuter Routes and on many services operated by Bus Atha Cliath.’ On foot of raising this issue at the Cavan/Belturbet Municipal District, the Council will contact the National Transport Authority and Bus Eireann seeking the provision of real-time information and bus shelters at Cavan Bus Station and also at Belturbet and at the Hotel Kilmore Stop. ENDS
Category Archives: Press Releases
MacDiarmada’s connection to Tullynamoyle School, Dowra can inspire future generations- Feeley
Fianna Fáil, Councillor, John Paul Feeley, John Paul Feeley stated that the record and interest of Sean MacDiarmada in the Irish Language and the cultural revival of which he and the leaders of 1916 were so heavily involved should be an inspiration to the current and future generations. ‘MacDiarmada came to Tullynamoyle to learn Gaeilge from a native speaker, Patrick McGauran who thought at the school. He attended night classes for over a year as it was not on the curriculum in Corracloona National School near his home. He also learned book-keeping in his time there. In proposing the installation of a plaque I thought it important that the role of Tullynamoyle in the formation of MacDiarmada particularly due to the fact that the Irish Language and the Cultural Revival were key inspirations to him.’ The commemorative plaque was unveiled at the former National School by Cllr. Fergal Curtin, Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council. Signposts have been erected from the Dowra-Blacklion Road to the former School and along with the commemorative stone an information panel setting out details of the history of the school, its’ former teachers and pupils has been installed. ‘It was somewhat ironic to commemorate a 1916 leader at a National School given that Padraig Pearse has talked about the National School system established in 1832 as a ‘Murder Machine’ designed to form Irish Children into loyal British Subjects. A poem on the curriculum when MacDiarmada attended national school ‘I thank the blessings and the graces, which upon my youth has smiled, which has made me in these Christian Days a happy British Child.’ People like MacDiarmada, Pearse, Plunkett, Casement and the other leaders did not see themselves as a ‘a Happy British Child’ but rather embraced and led the cultural nationalism of the time through their interest and involvement in such movements as the GAA and the Gaelic League. The 1916 Leaders were very conscious of the importance of the language and of the need to revive and create a strong Irish identity. Pearse said ‘A nation should guard its language more that its territories – ‘tis a surer barrier, and more important frontier than fortress or river. He noted that thirteen of thirteen of the sixteen executed leaders of 1916 were members of Conradh na Gaeilge and six of the seven signatories spoke Gaeilge. In his last letter to his brothers and sisters he asked them to ensure that his nephews and nieces ‘learned the language and the history.’ Stating that we must look to the record of the 1916 leaders and see what new and innovative ways can be found to improve the use of the Irish Language and thus build on the legacy of MacDiarmada and the other leaders of 1916.’ ‘It is worth noting that the landscape moving from the shores of Upper Lough MacNean near which MacDiarmada was reared to the area around Tullynamoyle over looked Lough MacNean must have inspired him and that the region, which through the strong links of Tom Clarke with Carrigallen has provided two of the leading members of the Rising. ‘ ‘It was wonderful to see such a large crowd made up of local Councillors, Deputy Brendan Smith, former pupils, descendant of the aunt with whom MacDiarmada stayed during his time in Tullynamoyle, relations of former teachers including a niece and grand-niece of Patrick McGauran, the teacher during MacDiarmada’s time in the school. The local community took a great interest and pride in this event also.’ ‘The Cavan Ireland 2016 Committee organised a great programme of events. They have done a great job under the leadership of County Librarian, Tom Sullivan who played a huge role in organising the event at Tullynamoyle. His colleague, Martina Rooney did great work engaging with the local community and with the property owner, Karsten Koenig who facilitated the installation of the commemorative stone and information panel.’ ENDS John Paul Feeley County Councillor, Stranamorth, Blacklion, Co. Cavan Mob. (087) 6989304 Home (071)9853125 
Downgrading A & E in Cavan General not acceptable
Downgrading A & E in Cavan General not acceptable – Feeley Having secured an Special Debate at a meeting of Cavan County Council, John Paul Feeley called on all public representatives in the County and the region to act together to prevent any move by the HSE to downgrade the A&E in Cavan General Hospital. ‘The publication in the Sunday Business Post of details of the Trauma Steering Group formed at the direction of then Minister Leo Varadkar TD which proposes to remove Trauma Care from nine hospitals has caused grave concern amongst staff and the wider community across this region who rely on Cavan General Hospital in there hour or need.’ Moving a Motion to suspend the Council’s Standing Orders to have an emergency debate on the matter, Councillor Feeley set out details of the report which stated that would see hospitals ‘having emergency services permanently axed’ which would mean ‘that they would no longer treat patients who have been in car crashes or has serious falls and have major head injuries, broken limbs and major wounds.’ ‘I am horrified that these proposals, if implemented would see no trauma centre available from Sligo in the West, to Drogheda in the East and as far south as Tullamore. The reality is also that Enniskillen is not an option as many of the services promised by the Stormont Executive for it have not been delivered as of yet. This is a vast area of our country for which there will be no Emergency Services available and that must not be allowed to come to pass.’ ‘It is disappointing that the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine, rather that demand the extra investment to provide for around-the-clock cover by Consultants in Emergency Medicine appear to believe that closing these centres is the answer. It should be noted that dating back to the days of the old North Eastern Health Board it was recognised that the spending per capita in the region is the lowest in the country and there is no evidence that this has changed in recent years. It seems that the Trauma Steering Group are punishing centres like Cavan for historic under-investment rather than demanding proper investment in the future.’ Noting that he had previously raised the inadequate resources available to the Ambulance Service has meant that the response times in rural Ireland are way below acceptable international standards, Councillor Feeley pointed out that there is no way that the Ambulance Service as it now stands cannot be relied on get patients to the centres that are now much further away from where they live. Councillor Feeley welcomed the decision of Cavan County Council to host a special meeting with all of the Oireachtas representatives in Cavan/Monaghan to discuss this very serious proposal. ENDS John Paul Feeley County Councillor Stranamorth Blacklion Co. Cavan Tel. (087) 6989304 Sent from my iPad 
UCD to minimise impact of Brexit on students from the North’
PRESS RELEASE ‘UCD to minimise impact of Brexit on students from the North’ Fianna Fáil Councillor and member of the UCD Governing Authority, John Paul Feeley raised concerns about the impact of the ‘Brexit’ Vote on students coming from north of the Border to UCD and other third level in this jurisdiction. ‘The result of last weeks referendum has created uncertainty across the board. One area of concern is for third level students. For various reasons, students in the North have a special affinity with Universities elsewhere on the island. UCD attracts a considerable amount of northern students who by virtue of our common EU membership are not treated as international students. The change in status of the UK would create an insurmountable fee barrier for many students coming from the North unless special provision is made for such students.’ Raising the issue at a recent Governing Body Meeting (28th June 2016), Councillor Feeley received reassurance from Professor Andrew J. Deeks, President of UCD, that ‘a UK exit does not impact on the fee status of any student from the UK currently in the University.’ He further stated that ‘Even after a UK exit, the impact on students from Northern Ireland and Britain who wish to attend UCD will be minimised, and we will put appropriate policies in place once the situation becomes clearer.’ ‘These are important reassurances for existing and future students. I am particularly concerned that students from the North would not be placed at a disadvantage. Professor Deeks also confirmed that all third level institutions can take a similar course of action to UCD and that he would raise the issue with his colleagues in the IUA (Irish Universities Association).’ ENDS