News Entries
Forestry sector has potential to create jobs in Limerick – O’Donovan
Added November 29th, 2013
Fine Gael TD for Limerick Patrick O’Donovan, has said that the forestry sector has the potential to create jobs and drive part of the Co. Limerick economy. He was speaking in the Dáil where the Forestry Bill was being debated.
Deputy O’Donovan said that Co. Limerick in particular presented major opportunities for the sector and he urged the Department of Agriculture to engage with the stakeholders including the forestry advisors, landowners, farm organisations and others to ensure that those working in the industry had every opportunity to help shape the future development of the industry.
Patrick O’Donovan also said that it was important to bear in mind that because of the nature of land ownership in the country that achieving increased levels of forestry could only be done with dialogue and engagement. He welcomed the fact that the funding for the sector had been secured in the budgets that the Government had presented since taking office and he wanted to see this continue.
The Limerick TD asked Minister Tom Hayes to consider other issues which the bill doesn’t address including the need for the Department to bear in mind the damage caused to rural roads in the areas adjacent to the forested areas and he asked that the Department would consider the possibility of providing funds to those local authorities who have concentrated amounts of forestry.
He also raised the issue of Pillar II of the upcoming Rural Development Programme and asked that the Minister of State with responsibility for forestry would engage with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to ensure that the issues confronting landowners in areas of Special Areas of Conservation would receive particular attention.
He said that he had seen at first hand the positive opportunities that exist in the forestry industry in Limerick and that with a concrete relationship between the department and those involved locally in the industry that further opportunities would be realised.
O’Donovan calls for bonus points for Physics, Chemistry and Applied Maths
Added November 26th, 2013
Fine Gael Limerick TD, Patrick O’Donovan, has called on the Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn TD, to consider introducing bonus points for higher level Physics, Chemistry and Applied Maths for students sitting the Leaving Certificate. Deputy O’Donovan raised the issue in the Dáil earlier today (Tuesday).
“We face a considerable challenge in increasing the number of students studying higher level Physics, Chemistry and Applied Maths. All of these subjects are important if a student is hoping to study a range of engineering, technology and science-based courses, which are increasingly in demand due to high levels of job creation in the tech sector.
“The low level of take up in these subjects is having a negative knock on impact in the third level sector. Many third level institutions are accepting students into engineering and science courses with ordinary-level leaving certificate maths and physics. The success rate of these students is then compromised, with many of them choosing to drop out because they don’t have sufficient competence in the required subjects.
“The introduction of bonus points for taking higher level Maths is clearly reaping rewards, as evidenced in the summer’s Leaving Certificate figures. If this approach is working, why not extend it to some other, more specialised subjects? For example, in 2011 approximately 1,000 students took Applied Maths in the Leaving Cert. Let’s do all we can to increase this figure.
“We need to recognise the level of difficulty associated with studying Physics, Chemistry and Applied Maths in particular. The results speak for themselves. In 2011, only 8.8% of Leaving Certificate students took higher level Physics, which was down from 10.2% in 2006. If we cannot encourage people to study these subjects at higher level, we will have a serious problem in filling the places on third level courses.
“I am urging the Department of Education, the Higher Education Authority and the various third level institutions to work together on this issue. The introduction of bonus points across the maths and science spectrum would be a good start in addressing the deficit in graduates in these disciplines.”
Creation of 58,000 jobs in last year shows Govt approach is working – O’Donovan
Added November 26th, 2013
Almost 5,000 jobs a month being created
Pro jobs measures in Budget will facilitate even higher job creation in 2014
Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O’Donovan, has welcomed the announcement by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) that 58,000 jobs have been created in the private sector in the last 12 months. Government’s Action Plan for Jobs is creating the conditions whereby almost 5,000 jobs per month are now being created in Ireland. Patrick’s comments were made following the release of the Central Statistics Office Quarterly National Household Survey Quarter 3 2013 report which showed that 58,000 jobs have been created in the last year.
“The announcement that almost 5,000 jobs a month are being created is hugely encouraging and shows that this Government’s plan to get Ireland working again is bearing fruit. The creation of 58,000 jobs in the last year is a welcome change to the situation under the last Government where 80,000 jobs per year were being lost in the private sector.
“This CSO report takes us up to the end of September 2013. The pro-jobs Budget announced on October 15th by Minister Noonan contained measures which will, I believe, further incentivise small and large businesses to create jobs in Ireland in 2014. The 25 separate measures that support job creation as part of a €500 million pro-jobs package in Budget 2014 will help us build on the excellent progress being made in encouraging investment in Ireland and tackling our unemployment problem.
“The Home Renovation Incentive Scheme is a particularly positive initiative, which will allow homeowners to claim back VAT on improvements carried out on their homes. This will generate significant amounts of work for registered tradesmen and contractors and, I believe, create jobs for people who were laid off when the construction sector collapsed under the last Government.
“The retention of the 9% VAT rate is hugely welcome for the tourism sector, which has enjoyed a surge in visitor numbers over the last two years. The lower VAT rate was originally introduced as a temporary measure, but Minister Noonan has taken the very pragmatic decision to maintain the low rate in a bid to sustain and further encourage growth in this area.
“The scrapping of the airline tax in last month’s budget has already resulted in the introduction of new routes and extra flights on existing routes to Dublin, Shannon and Knock Airports. This will create more jobs and bring more money into those regions in 2014. Ryanair CEO, Michael O’Leary, has directly credited the scrapping of the airline tax for the creation of these new routes.
“The unemployment rate has dropped from 13.6% to 12.8% between July and September of this year. While we still have a long way to go, these figures show that we are moving firmly in the right direction. Ireland has experienced a fall in unemployment for the last 16 months in a row and is about to regain its economic independence by exiting the bailout. With a budget in place for next year which will further incentivise job creation, I firmly believe that we are heading in the right direction.”
O’Donovan to raise issue of pork labelling in the Dáil
Added November 25th, 2013
IFA DNA tests indicate consumers could be misled by ‘Irish’ labels
Fine Gael Limerick TD, Patrick O’Donovan, will this week raise the issue of the labelling of pork products in the Dáil. Deputy O’Donovan is calling for urgent measures to be implemented to ensure proper country of origin labelling.
“DNA testing commissioned by the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has revealed worrying information about how pork products from outside the country are being presented as Irish produce. I am concerned that consumers are being misled, and that genuine Irish producers are suffering from a loss of business as a result.
“The IFA tests show that 52% of the rashers and bacon joints tested were not from Irish pigs. While nothing illegal has taken place here, I believe most people who buy pork labelled ‘Produced in Ireland’ would reasonably think they are buying Irish pork. But as the IFA tests have shown, this is often not the case.
“Irish meat producers adhere to strict quality controls, to produce the highest quality meat. Meat producers from outside the country should not be allowed to label their products in such a way that leads consumers to believe they are buying Irish meat. Country of origin labelling is the only way to ensure there is no confusion or ambiguity.
“It is also unfair to expect consumers to scrutinise packaging if they want to be sure that they are not being duped into buying meat that has simply been processed here, rather than produced here.
“Irish meat products are traceable; the importance of this measure was highlighted earlier this year with the horsemeat controversy. Irish consumers deserve to know what they are buying, and Irish farmers should feel confident that foreign producers will not get away with labelling their meat as Irish.
“Clear country of origin labelling is the only way to ensure consumers are not being duped.”
O’Donovan welcomes progress on new foreshore laws
Added November 19th, 2013
Fine Gael TD for Limerick Patrick O’ Donovan, has welcomed the decision of the Government to refer the Maritime Area and Foreshore Bill to the Oireachtas Committee on Environment. Patrick O’Donovan raised the issue this week in the Dail with the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny who told Patrick O’Donovan that consultation would now take place under the new method of dealing with bills which the Government introduced as part of Dáil reform,
Patrick O’Donovan told the Dáil that the bill is of major importance to the future development of ports including the development of Foynes, which Minister Leo Varadkar has designated as the only strategic port on the west coast of Ireland.
Speaking after receiving the response from the Taoiseach, Patrick O’Donovan welcomed the decision to progress the bill. He said “The current method and legislative process of development in ports and along the shore line is antiquated and is in bad need of reform. We need to be able to deal with applications in a much more modern way that ensures that they will be dealt with within a time frame set out under law. There is no doubt in my mind but that the current system is deterring investment and the news from the Taoiseach which I received in the Dáil is a welcome first step.
O’Donovan congratulates Limericks ‘Pride of Place’ Competitors
Added November 18th, 2013
Fine Gael TD for Limerick Patrick O’Donovan has congratulated the residents and committee of Castleview, Newcastle West who won an overall award at this years Pride of Place awards ceremony in Derry.
Deputy O’Donovan said he knew from his time as a Councillor for the Newcastle West area that the committee and residents had made a huge effort with the Council in enhancing Castleview and improving the quality of life for all who live there.
“This achievement by the residents of Castleview is inspirational and should be held put as an example to communities and residents groups from all over Limerick on what can be achieved.”
Patrick O’Donovan congratulated all of the Limerick representatives and groups who took part in this years Pride of Place event and said the he believed that the competition was an excellent way of empowering and building communities. The other groups to take part were Foynes Community Council and the Limerick Youth Service, who was runner up in their category of “Enterprise and Youth Project”.
Patrick O’Donovan said that each one had brought their own uniqueness to the contribution and great credit was due to Limerick County Council for supporting the event.
“I believe that the efforts of this years participants and winners can inspire others to do the same and I hope that the number of those taking part grows in the years ahead on the back if these Limerick successes.”
Bailout exit will help attract jobs and investment – O’Donovan
Added November 15th, 2013
Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O’Donovan, has said that Ireland’s exit from the bailout will help attract jobs and investment to the country.
“While we are not there yet, exiting the bailout is a milestone on the road to economic recovery for Ireland. The fact that, from December 15th we will no longer be a bailout country will send a further signal to home-grown and foreign investors that Ireland is a great place to base their business and create jobs.
“The EU/IMF arrived three years ago this month. Having our economic sovereignty taken from us was possibly the lowest moment in the history of the State. However, the contrast between then and now could not be greater.
“Our economy is experiencing growth for the third consecutive year and 3,000 new jobs are being created every month. The number of people on the live register has dropped for the sixteenth consecutive month and is now under 400,000 for the first time since 2009. The NTMA has more than €20 billion in cash reserves and interest rates on Irish Government bonds are historically low.
“Our focus from day one has been on job creation and it remains so to this day. Employment grew by 1.8% in the second quarter of 2013; the strongest growth rate recorded in five years.
“This Government has had to take difficult decisions to help Ireland emerge from bankruptcy. However we have tried, as much as we can, to improve the situation for families by removing 330,000 people from paying the Universal Social Charge; by restoring the minimum wage; by reducing the lower rate of VAT to 9%; by not increasing income tax rates and by protecting our corporation tax rate, which supports thousands of jobs right across Ireland.
“I am disappointed with the response of Fianna Fáil to the bailout exit. Having mismanaged Ireland to the point of bankruptcy and then sleepwalked us into the bailout, Fianna Fáil has poured scorn on the fact that we are exiting the programme. This is because they are all too aware of the contrast between their drastic reign and this Government’s considered and sustainable management of the economy.
“Challenges remain, but this is a very significant step forward for Ireland. A clean exit from the bailout bodes extremely well for continuing our economic recovery and creating more jobs.”
O’Donovan congratulates the Taoiseach and Minister for Finance for restoring Ireland’s economic sovereignty
Added November 15th, 2013
Limerick TD Patrick O’Donovan has congratulated Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister for Finance and Limerick TD, Michael Noonan for leading Ireland out of the bail out, and restoring Ireland’s economic sovereignty.
Speaking after the announcement was made in the Dáil today, Patrick O’Donovan said that today’s announcement by Taoiseach Enda Kenny, is as a direct result of the work that the Government had done since coming to office in 2011, and our ability to leave the bail out was due in particular to Limerick’s Michael Noonan and his staff in the Department of Finance.
Patrick O’Donovan said that international confidence in Ireland was now beginning to bear fruit with over 3,000 jobs a month being created and while a huge amount of work remains to be done to clear up the mess of the last Government, significant progress has been made.
He concluded his remarks by saying “we are fortunate to have people of the calibre and experience of Enda Kenny and Michael Noonan leading us at the moment, and I believe that the decision which was made today will be remembered by Irish people for generations to come as a mile stone in the restoration of our economic sovereignty and independence.
Local Government Bill is an opportunity for real political and administrative reform at local level – O’Donovan
Added November 15th, 2013
Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O’Donovan has said that the new Local Government Bill is an opportunity for real political and administrative reform at local level. Speaking in the Dáil this week, Patrick O’Donovan said that he believed, having served over seven years on Limerick County Council, that change needs to come quickly to our councils.
Patrick O’Donovan said that the decision of the Government to unite the two Limerick authorities was the right decision but he said that implementation needed to be properly monitored to ensure that no part of Limerick was placed at a disadvantage when the new authority came into existence.
The Limerick TD rejected the assertion of some members of the Dáil that the abolition of Town Council’s was a mistake, saying that it was clear to him that based on the comments he had received from employers and business people in Limerick that the uniting of the two local authorities was a positive step, and would be especially welcomed by rate payers.
Patrick O’Donovan asked that consideration be given by Government to increasing the amount of shared services between Local Authorities on a regional basis and he welcomed the recent establishment of a shared services centre in Portlaoise to cut back on the amount of duplication that exists in many local authorities.
Deputy O’Donovan said that the Government had committed itself after the election to reducing the number of local authorities and to increasing the powers to Councillors. This he said was the start of this process and while there will be teething problems he believed the bill is welcome. Patrick O’Donovan asked that a supervisory role be given to the Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Local Government, to ensure that officials of Councils, and Councillors themselves could appear before it in the future and account for particular decisions. He also asked that a fund be established within Council’s to allow members to obtain independent advice in the drawing up of plans where the wishes of the Council was different to that of the Manager.
Patrick O’Donovan said he looked forward to seeing the Bill put into force and he wished everyone that puts their names on a ballot paper for the 2014 Local Elections well in their campaigns.
O’Donovan “€29.3m paid by Department of Agriculture to Limerick farmers”
Added November 11th, 2013
Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O’Donovan has welcomed the fact that over 93% of Single Farm Payments and over 80% of disadvantaged area payments have been paid so far this year. The Department of Agriculture have paid €24.824 million to Limerick farmers under the single farm payment scheme out of a national of €582 million. In the disadvantaged area scheme €4.5million has been paid to Limerick farmers from a national fund of €175 million.
Patrick O’Donovan said that the payments from the Department of Agriculture were key to ensuring that Ireland is able to continue to produce food at the highest quality, and that the standards that are present inside and outside the Irish farm gate are the best in the world.
The Limerick TD paid tribute to the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney for his commitment to Irish Farming and the Irish Food Industry. “It is clear that this Minister has his finger on the pulse of rural Ireland and the support he has received from Limerick’s Minister, Michael Noonan has been critical to ensuring that Agriculture has a central place in our national recovery.”
Patrick O’Donovan said that he would continue to work with the farming organisations and their representatives in Limerick, to make representations on behalf of Co. Limerick farmers to the Minister to ensure that the emphasis on farming is not allowed to slip backwards.