News Entries
My week in the Dáil – 15th June
Added June 16th, 2014
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New legislation tackles rogue clampers and protects Limerick motorists – O’Donovan
Added June 9th, 2014
Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O’Donovan and member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Transport, has, today (Monday) welcomed the Vehicles Clamping Bill 2014 published by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar TD.
“There has long been an issue of inconsistencies and complaints of unfair treatment regarding clamping on private property. I am delighted that the legislation introduced today will address this problem and provide a fairer environment for all.
“Legislation is already in place to regulate clamping on public property but there have been many cases where private clampers, in apartment complexes or on business properties, have acted inappropriately or unfairly.
“There are a lot of people living in my own constituency who have been affected by private parking rules. I am pleased that the Vehicles Clamping Bill will provide transparency and consistency across public and private parking to make things a lot fairer for people.
“This legislation, which was committed to in the Programme for Government, will protect motorists and legitimate clamping companies. It will introduce a new and simple two-step appeals process for motorists, and there will be a default maximum clamping release fee of €100. This is one measure I am very pleased about as I know some private companies charge up to €120.
“For operators, a code of practice will be introduced and there will be a new requirement that signs must always be displayed where clamping is in operation.
“Bad behaviour by rogue operators must be penalised, but business owners and apartment complex management companies need to be able to deal with nuisance parking. This Bill strikes a balance between the competing rights of individual motorists and businesses. The Vehicles Clamping Bill will ensure transparency for all forms of clamping at all times.”
My week in the Dáil – 8th June
Added June 9th, 2014
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O’Donovan welcomes funding for Cuan Mhuire in Bruree
Added June 5th, 2014
Fine Gael TD for Limerick Patrick O’Donovan has welcomed the decision of the Department of Environment to allocate €741,372 for the construction of five houses at Cuan Mhuire in Bruree.
Patrick O’Donovan said that the announcement was made by Minister Jan O’Sullivan as part of the Government’s €46million Capital Assistance Scheme. He praised the work of the Cuan Mhuire authorities for the commitment, leadership and dedication which they had provided over a number of years.
“This is great news for Bruree and will be particularly welcomed by those who will ultimately benefit from the accommodation that will be built. I know that people who are aware of the services which are being provided in Bruree will welcome the decision by the Government to allocate almost three quarters of a million euro to the project, because there is wide-spread respect for the work being done there. The announcement will also see construction activity in Bruree which I know will be welcomed by people in the local area. I want to wish the Cuan Mhuire authorities well in the delivery of this much needed project in Bruree.”
Protocol on the way to deal with major emergencies in schools – O’Donovan
Added June 5th, 2014
Minister for Education commits to emergency protocol for schools following questioning by Patrick O’Donovan TD
Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O’Donovan has welcomed the commitment of the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruarí Quinn TD to work with schools to establish proper protocols in the event of severe weather conditions. Speaking in the Dáil Deputy O’Donovan highlighted how during Storm Darwin last February, principals and teachers were left totally on their own to decide whether to close the school and call parents. He called for action from the Minister on this issue.
“I am very pleased that following questioning, the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD has committed to working with the patrons of schools, who have responsibility for dealing with emergencies. The Minister will work to come up with protocols for major emergencies like Storm Darwin which devastated many communities in February.
“The reality is that the current Department of Education circular to school principals which outlines contingency planning is inadequate and it leaves schools completely on their own. Now is the time to address this, not in another few months when we are looking into another long, cold and possibly stormy winter.
“In the twenty four hours running up to Storm Darwin, there was a major lack of information available to parents and teachers. Children and other vulnerable groups were put at unnecessary risk because key decisions had not been taken on a national basis, to properly communicate in advance, and to close schools.
“People in my constituency of Limerick have approached me on several occasions in the aftermath of the storm, and they have asked why there wasn’t a national protocol in place to deal with this. The lack of a joined up approach to planning for emergencies is very obvious and must be addressed.
“It is a miracle that many people did not lose their lives in the storm and we must pay tribute to the West Cork worker who died in the clean-up. During the height of the storm parents took their lives in their hands as they arrived at schools all over the country to collect their children.
“There is no doubt that the emergency services, the local authority and utility workers did an exceptional job. These people put their own safety second to the welfare of others in our community, but we need to work to ensure that these workers, as well as parents and children are not put at unnecessary risk in the event of another storm of this kind.
“It is positive that the Minister acknowledges that communication in relation to the type of storm which hit the country was not good enough, and that these issues will be investigated by Government. It is essential that we take the time to review the procedures currently in place and urgently make the necessary changes to improve these procedures.”
O’Donovan welcomes Rabbitte statement on LNG
Added June 4th, 2014
Fine Gael TD for Limerick Patrick O’Donovan has welcomed the statement of Minister Pat Rabbitte that he is continuing to engage with the promoters of the LNG project in Ballylongford. Pat Rabbitte was responding to questions from Patrick O’Donovan at the Oireachtas Transport and Communications Committee where the issue of Ireland’s future energy needs were being discussed.
The Limerick TD told the Committee that the LNG project had the potential to transform the economy of the entire Mid West region and he likened it to the impact that the Aughinish project had in the area back in the 1980’s. In replying to Patrick O’Donovan, the Minister agreed with his views in terms of the regional impact and he told the Committee that Ireland had to look at broadening the country’s energy base and drew attention to the current difficulties in Eastern Europe and its potential impact on Ireland’s recovery.
Also at the same meeting Patrick O’Donovan raised the issue of energy crops. He said that there needed to be clear protocols between the Departments of Agriculture and Energy in relation to deriving energy from biomass. He said that he had encountered major difficulties in the recent past where it was clear that there was a lack of overall national policy in the area and this was leading to uncertainty amongst members of the farming community in particular.
In reply Pat Rabbitte acknowledged that Patrick O’Donovan had been raising the need for a joined-up position on biomass for some time and he confirmed for the committee that the Government will be bringing forward a national policy on energy crops in the coming weeks.
Speaking after the meeting Patrick O’Donovan welcomed the confirmation of the Minister’s commitment to the bio-energy crop sector as he said that the potential for the industry into the future could be of significant benefit to rural counties like Limerick.
My week in the Dáil – 1st June
Added June 3rd, 2014
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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
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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.