Councillor John Paul Feeley has called at a meeting of Cavan County Council for the Minister for Agriculture, to intervene to assist beef farmers who are in severe difficulty at this time. ‘It is essential that the Minister move to force action by the factories to alleviate the situation which they created by encouraging farmers to feed young bulls for beef. It is vital that those farmers who are now facing delays of 40 days and more in having animals slaughtered adding further to the huge costs to farmers already under pressure are given urgent assistance and that requires ministerial intervention.’ Councillor Feeley also highlighted the need for urgent action to protect live exports and ensure that these are placed on a sustainable footing so that a level of competition is maintained to protect the interest of farmers. ‘The final area of concern are the artificial barriers that have been imposed by processors in the UK on the slaughter of livestock born in this jurisdiction. We are in the EU and the free movement of goods is a fundamental principle of the EU. Our Government must act to stop these barriers and in particular the levy imposed for veterinary costs which is a ridiculous and unfair imposition and barrier for trade.’ Concluding, Councillor Feeley stated that whilst he welcomed Minister Coveney’s later intervention inn calling a together the representatives of the meat processors, retailers and farmers actions speak louder than words. ‘Bringing people together is welcome but if the rights of Irish Farmers are being infringed in the UK then the full powers of the EU institutions need to be deployed and work done as between the Government and the authorities in the North of Ireland and Britain to ensure our farmers are able to trade freely between this jurisdiction and the rest of Ireland and the UK without artificial trade barriers.’ ENDS
Category Archives: Press Releases
Government should revisit law on assault on Gardai in reform of An Garda Sichana
Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley in welcoming much need reform of the structure of the Gardai called for this reform to include more appropriate protection for Gardai out doing their work in our community who are subject to assault. ‘In the light of recent controversies it is essential that sight of the great service given by An Garda Siochana on a daily basis and our duty as a society to protect Gardai and ensure that the those who assault them are subject to severe and appropriate punishment.’ The Garda Representative Association (GRA) have indicated that as many as 1,000 gardai will be the subject of severe assault this year and those who perpetrate such assaults are only subject to the standard penalties available under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act. There are separate and special penalties for those who commit Capital Murder, that is the murder of a Garda in the course of their duty but there is no extra penalty for those who assault and severely injure a member of the Gardai. ‘I believe that the assault of a member of the Gardai or indeed on a firefighter or ambulance personnel acting in the course of their duty should be treated as an attack on our wider society and dealt with accordingly There were proposals before the Dail to put in place a maximum five-year sentence but these were rejected by the Government parties. It is vital that this be now revisited.’ Concluding Councillor Feeley has urged that as part of forthcoming legislation that this matter be revisited and that urgent action be taken to ensure that Gardai on the ground get an appropriate and effective level of resources so that they can properly protect our community.
Works complete to open Cavan Burren for all – Feeley
A € 916,000 investment in the Cavan Burren near Blacklion is coming to conclusion which will transform access to the key Cavan site in the UNESCO Marble Arch Geopark to all. Welcoming the completion of work, Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley has called for a sustained programme to promote the region and further enhance the tourism product in County Cavan. ‘The investment in the Cavan Burren has truly opened the site to all. A large portion of the 4.245 kilometres of waking trails through the forest are fully accessible for those in wheelchairs or buggies so this site is now ideal for those who have an interest in the archeology and geology of the region, biodiversity, wonderful scenery or simply wanting to ramble off road in safety in a pristine environment.’ The investment of € 916,000 allowed for the provision of an un-manned interpretative building of 160m2 together with a toilet block, carparking for 37 vehicles and 9 minibuses and a turning area and a substantial amount of signage. The contract was awarded to P & S Civil Works, Stradone and commenced in July 2013 sustaining twenty jobs during construction. ‘Funding for this project has been in the making for many years and was brought about as a result of close cooperation between Coilte Teoranta as the owners of the property and Cavan County Council who have reached agreement on a leasing arrangement for part of the site and for the on-going operation of the Cavan Burren. The bulk of the funding has come through the Special European Union Programmes Body (SEUPB) as part of the INTERREG IVA Border Uplands Project.’ Highlighting the partnership approach to this project, Councillor Feeley noted the work of the local community through Killinagh Community Council and in particular local historian, Harold Johnston. ‘Back in the 1980’s in a very dark time in a village like Blacklion, Killinagh Community Council and West Cavan Community Council set about the development of the Cavan Way in conjunction Cavan County Council, with a 16 mile walking route from Blacklion to Dowra linking many of the Burren sites to Moneygashel Cashel, the Shannon Pot and onwards to the first village on the Shannon, Dowra. Much has changed since that time. I don’t think anyone realised the full potential of the Cavan Burren at that time. In particular and in more recent years, the work of another local historian, Jim Nolan who has tirelessly gone through the Burren looking at site, seeking out rock-art, evidence of the pre-ice-age coral sea and other parts of the unique geology and archaeology that has built up the case for the huge investment that has now taken place and really given a glimpse of the huge significance of the site.’ The connection of the Cavan Burren with the Marble Arch Caves and a network of other sites in the region to form the first cross border Geopark has brought international recognition to the importance of the site and adding to the UNESCO designation. This designation puts the Cavan Burren and the sister sites on a different level and should form the basis for further investment and provide a catalyst for the development of significant tourism in the region. ‘This investment is, in my view but another step on the way. This project is yet another reason why the development of the old Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties (SLNCR) Railway from Sligo to Enniskillen must be re-opened as a greenway for walking and cycling. The Cavan Burren and many other Geopark sites being easily accessible from that route. As it stands there is evidence of a substantial increase in numbers visiting the area and this investment is intended to increase numbers by a further 15%.’ ‘On a personal level, I am hugely proud to see this project come to conclusion, Having worked closely with the local community and with officials from Cavan County Council, Coilte and elsewhere, I am very proud of the work done by all to bring this about.’ Finally, Councillor Feeley called for an immediate investment in improving road signage and in a detailed marketing plan for the Cavan Burren the flag-ship project for Cavan Tourism into the future. At the new Interpretative Building, carpark & toilet block with Jim Nolan At Tullygobbin Tomb with Cuilcagh Mountain in the background On one of the ‘bog-bridges’ which allows access to some of the more environmentally sensitive sites
Job Schemes amount to exploitation- Feeley
Fianna Fáil Councillor has called for an urgent review of Jobbridge and related Schemes to ensure that young workers are not being exploited. Commenting in relation to recent cases brought to his attention he has called for Joan Burton TD, Minister for Social Protection and her Government Colleagues to instigate an urgent review of the Scheme. ‘In recent weeks a number of cases have been brought to my attention where people are clearly experiencing exploitation in that they are doing jobs that are clearly there and for which they are entitled to be paid. An unemployed person gets € 50 on-top of their normal payments to take up the position which involves essentially a normal working week.’ The Scheme is intended to offer an unemployed person the chance to gain experience but in many cases the persons involved are asked to take on full jobs for little or no pay. ‘These Schemes may be well intentioned but they are in fact an opportunity for exploitation and are used as massage the Unemployment Figures as a person on such a Scheme is not deemed to be Unemployed.’ Citing examples of abuse, Councillor Feeley referred to one case where a person was offered a position over 40 miles from where they were living and for which it would cost them a great deal more to make the trip daily. He also referred to another case where a person is getting only the € 50 per week a less than € 10 in Social Welfare Payments.