Author Archives: John
My week in the Dáil – 1st June
Added June 3rd, 2014
Please follow the below link to read my
The rest of my updates can be found on my website under the My week in the Dáil section
O’Donovan welcomes Varadkar’s clarity on port policy
Added May 28th, 2014
Fine Gael TD for Limerick Patrick O’Donovan has welcomed clarification he has received from the Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar at the Oireachtas Transport Committee that the National Ports Policy is not being changed by the Government. Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister about the recent decision by Galway Port to apply for permission to redevelop their facility in Galway. He said that the Government’s National Ports Policy had identified Shannon Foynes Port Company as the only Tier 1 Port of National Importance on the western sea board and he added that it was important for the regional economy of the west and the mid west that the commitment to the designation of Shannon Foynes was maintained.
Leo Varadkar told Patrick O’Donovan that Shannon Foynes had a vital role to play in terms of the overall national port infrastructure and he highlighted the experience that the port has in handling bulk cargo. He said that Galway are entitled to lodge a planning application, however the Government had no intention of changing its policy or designation.
After the meeting the Limerick TD paid tribute to the board, management and staff of Shannon Foynes Port Company on the manner in which the Port was being developed and as a result the potential to create employment there. He said “What sets Shannon Foynes apart from all other ports in the west of Ireland is the depth of water together with the existing facilities that are available there. We need to ensure that it is put at the centre of the economic recovery of the region. As recent job announcements show there is great potential to see our ports used in a much greater way to create jobs. I want to see Foynes and the greater Shannon Estuary put centre stage in this and I welcome the restatement of the Government’s policy by the Minister.”
My week in the Dáil – 25th May
Added May 26th, 2014
Please follow the below link to read my
The rest of my updates can be found on my website under the My week in the Dáil section
O’Donovan & Riedy welcome Barnagh funding
Added May 20th, 2014
Fine Gael TD for Limerick Patrick O’Donovan and Newcastle West based Councillor Damien Riedy have this morning welcomed the announcement that funding has been approved for the N21 Barnagh Realignment ( Phase 2 ) outside of Newcastle West. The scheme involves a 1.5km realignment of the N21 from Killarney Pole to Barnagh southwest of Newcastle West. The scheme will tie into a 2km recently improved section and is the only road in Limerick to be approved in this round of investment.
The funding for this project is part of the €43 million stimulus for roads which was announced by the Government last week. This phase of the Barnagh Project will be delivered over the course of 2014 and 2015.
Local TD Patrick O’Donovan thanked Transport Minister Leo Varadkar for prioritising the work. “I met with the Minister and the NRA on several occasions in relation to the completion of these works over the last few months and impressed upon him the need to finish the work. He was well aware of the road as he travels it regularly so I was delighted to see today that he has stood by his commitment to the area.”
In welcoming the funding Councillor Damien Riedy said that “when I became a councillor three years ago, the Barnagh Phase 1 project was the First major road safety project carried out in Limerick for a number of years. As the local councillor in the area and as I live near the road, I can see first-hand the major difference these works have made on this section of roadway.
“Following the completion of Phase 1 it was disappointing that due to a lack of funds, the project could not be completed in its entirety and this is something that I have campaigned on over the last number of years. Barnagh Phase 2 has always been a priority for me to get this funding to have the project completed and has been raised by me a numerous local area and County Council meeting over the last number of years.”
“This road is the main artery from Limerick to Kerry with up on 18,000 vehicles using the road on a daily basis. I am delighted that the Department of Transport have taken on board the concerns of the local councillors like myself the monies had to be prioritised in order to complete this project.”
I would like to thank all the interested bodies like Limerick County Council and the Local residents who have been involved in this project. The works are expected to take place during 2014 and 2015 and will be carried out under the supervision of Limerick City and County Council.
My week in the Dáil – 18th May
Added May 19th, 2014
Please follow the below link to read my
The rest of my updates can be found on my website under the My week in the Dáil section
O’Donovan raises concerns over taxi and hackney licence knowledge test
Added May 15th, 2014
Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O’Donovan has again raised the issue of the knowledge test which people looking to operate as taxi and hackney drivers must sit in the Dáil today. Patrick O’Donovan told Minister of State Alan Kelly that the current system made it virtually impossible for an applicant to pass the test in a rural county.
The Limerick TD, who is a member of the Oireachtas Transport Committee told the Dáil that he had raised the issue on several occasions in the past. He gave examples of people in his constituency who had sat the test and because of the nature of the questions, which did not examine the person on the area where they would operate, but rather tested them on the whole county of Limerick were not able to take up jobs. He gave examples of where people along county boundaries would be expected to know the geography of places up to 80 miles, and more away, but would not necessarily have to have any knowledge of places within a few hundred yards from their base because of what he has termed the “lazy way in which candidates are tested.”
Patrick O’Donovan said he supported the concept of knowledge tests. He said it was important that drivers were examined on their suitability to drive a hackney or taxi. However he said that the current system needed to be overhauled and he urged the Minister to address the Department’s policy and to instruct the National Transport Authority, who carry out the tests, to ensure that the the area served would be examined rather than the whole county which is currently the situation.
Patrick O’Donovan also said that, in his opinion, the lack of hackney services in some rural areas was due to the onerous and unrealistic knowledge tests, and he said that the decision to introduce special local rural licences was proof that this was the case on the ground. He concluded that he intends to continue to pursue the matter through the Oireachtas Transport Committee.
O’Donovan: “Limerick will benefit from €4billion Rural Development Programme”
Added May 13th, 2014
Fine Gael TD for Limerick Patrick O’Donovan has welcomed the announcement of the €4billion Rural Development Programme by Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney TD. Patrick O’Donovan said that the announcement of the programme is a badly needed injection into rural communities and he said not only would the Programme sustain existing jobs but would, together with the targets in Food Harvest 2020 create badly needed jobs in rural counties like Limerick.
Patrick O’Donovan said “The programme has a number of key parts that I believe will be welcomed by communities across Co. Limerick. These include: an allocation of €1.45billion for a new Agri-Environment Scheme called GLAS, a fund of €395million for capital investment on farms, €70miliion for locally led Agri-Environment Schemes, €44million for organic farming, €295million for a beef data programme and €112million for knowledge transfer and discussion groups. Separately the Rural Development programme contains €250million which will be administered by the Department of Environment under LEADER which will be targeted at rural employment, social inclusion and rural environmental issues.”
Patrick O’Donovan said that the announcement by Minister Coveney will be of huge importance in counties like Limerick which rely so heavily on agriculture. He said that the inclusion of a scheme for investment in equipment and buildings on farms would give a major boost to the local economy and will provide farmers with incentives to have their farms ready for the abolition of quotas in 2015. The Co. Limerick TD welcomed in particular the new Beef Data Scheme. He said that this was something which he had lobbied for and had discussed it on a number of occasions with representatives of Co. Limerick’s farming organisations. It will support the development of a national cattle breeding data base and further underlines the quality of Irish Beef both for Irish and international consumers.
“This announcement is very welcome and comes quickly after the publication of the Commission for Economic Developments in Rural Areas. It underlines this Government’s commitment, led by Fine Gael, to a world class agri-food sector which will drive the economic recovery in counties like Limerick. This will deliver real results in terms of jobs and incomes in parishes across Limerick and it will provide a clear pathway for the next generation of young farmers and agri-business people to develop their enterprises.”
My week in the Dáil – 11th May
Added May 12th, 2014
Please follow the below link to read my
The rest of my updates can be found on my website under the My week in the Dáil section
My week in the Dáil – 4th May
Added May 6th, 2014
Please follow the below link to read my
The rest of my updates can be found on my website under the My week in the Dáil section
2,715 students in Limerick to benefit from vital school improvement works – O’Donovan
Added May 2nd, 2014
Summer Works Scheme approved for 13 Limerick schools
Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O’Donovn, has today, (Friday) welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Education and Skills that 13 schools in Limerick will undergo works over the Summer. This is part of a national programme which sees €35 million invested in a further 386 schools.
“This is the second round of funding for the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) 2014 which will aim to upgrade toilets and roofs in primary and secondary schools nationwide.
“Limerick students deserve to learn and to be taught in safe, warm and secure schools. This is a significant investment by the Government and a strong indication of our dedication to prioritising investment in school buildings.
“More than 2,700 students will benefit from the second round of the Summer Works Scheme. These works are scheduled during the summer months when pupils are on holidays and there will be minimal disruption.
“This news is also a welcome boost for the construction sector in Limerick which has suffered during the economic downturn. These jobs will support the community while improving the facilities available to our children. It is estimated that 4,200 direct and 840 indirect construction jobs will be supported across the country as a result of the scheme.
“I am also very pleased to see that 80% of applications submitted for this funding have been approved. Schools in Limerick who identify and decide on projects they regard as a priority have a good chance of seeing their applications approved.”