News Entries
My week in the Dáil – 22nd May 2016
Added May 22nd, 2016
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O’Donovan “We must remember the Gardaí who gave their lives in the service of the State.”
Added May 11th, 2016
Limerick Fine Gael TD Patrick O’Donovan has paid tribute to the memory of Gardaí who lost their lives in the course of their service to the State. He raised the matter in the Dáil as the twentieth anniversary of murder of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe in Adare on the 7th June 1996 approaches. Patrick O’Donovan, speaking in a debate on crime in the Dáil said, that while members of the house had paid tribute to the work of An Garda Siochána, we needed to remember those who had their lives cut short in the course of their duty by those who targeted members of An Garda Siochána to pursue their own ends.
During the debate, Patrick O’Donovan paid tribute to Anne McCabe who he said “had kept his memory alive” and he also thanked the members of the Limerick Division of the Force for ensuring that he would never be forgotten by erecting a plaque in his memory in Adare. A concert in his memory will be held in the University of Limerick, at which the band of An Garda Siochána will take part.
After the debate Patrick O’Donovan said that it was vital that all public representatives who commit themselves to the rule of law must stand up and be counted in the defence of An Garda Siochána and our Defence Forces personnel.
“We must always remember the families of slain Gardaí whose grief will never go away. Here in Limerick we recall the memory of people like Séamus Quaid who was shot while on duty in Wexford in 1980. The security of our State has since 1922 depended on the courage and selfless commitment of people like Garda Séamus Quaid and others, who by in large, have operated as unarmed men and women in the service of their communities. For their families who are left behind it is important that the country they served, publicly remembers them, to show the current and future generations that these were true patriots who Ireland will for ever be indebted to.”
“We must never forget the events in our lifetime where certain groups and subversive organisations openly targeted members of An Garda Siochána and the Defence Forces in the pursuit of narrow unrepresentative political objectives. While Ireland is now in a new political era, those people who had their lives cut short because of the uniform that they wore must never be forgotten. We all have a duty to ensure that.”
My week in the Dáil – 8th May 2016
Added May 9th, 2016
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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 stresses importance of agriculture to Co. Limerick
Added May 4th, 2016
Limerick Fine Gael TD Patrick O’Donovan has stressed the importance of farming and the agri-food sector to the economy of Co. Limerick in a Dáil debate. Patrick O’Donovan used the opportunity to speak in the Dáil to raise a number of issues which he said were of concern to farming families across Limerick.
Deputy O’Donovan raised the issue of the price being paid to farmers at present together with the need for the new Minister for Agriculture to engage positively with representatives of the farming organisations. He congratulated the new leadership of IFA and paid a particular tribute to Co. Limerick farmer Richard Kennedy on his election as IFA Deputy President.
“I want to wish the new leadership of IFA well in their role, and together with ICMSA, ICSA and Macra na Feirme there is a need for everyone with an interest in the future of farming in Ireland to work together to ensure that farming families are delivered to.”
Patrick O’Donovan also raised the issue of the agricultural college in Pallaskenry, and again called for additional teaching resources for colleges like Pallaskenry. “I have raised this issue on many occasions in the last Dáil. It’s not that long ago that there was a question mark over the future of some of these co0lleges, and now we have a situation where they are experiencing massive demand for places. Our colleges need to be resources to ensure that we provide young farmers with the necessary start for them to take on family farms, and also to allow existing farmers have access to continuing professional development so that they can maximise their potential.”
The Limerick TD also spoke of the designation of lands for conservation of the Hen Harrier habitat. “Five years ago when I came into this house for the first time I was the only deputy raising the issue of the Hen Harrier. In the intervening time we have made progress but it has been slow, so I am asking the new Minister for Agriculture, whoever that will be, together with the Minister who will be responsible for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, to work together to deliver a solution for this issue.”
Patrick O’Donovan concluded his statement to the Dáil by emphasising the need for new markets for Irish produce, and he said that it should be criteria of any Minister travelling abroad on official business to promote Irish food as a safe, traceable and of a superior quality. He concluded his remarks saying “given how important the agricultural sector is to our economy locally in Limerick I will be using all avenues available to me as a TD for the area to ensure that the issues affecting farmers and those working in the agricultural and food sectors are heard by Government.”
O’Donovan and Keary welcome progress on Foynes flood scheme
Added April 15th, 2016
Limerick Fine Gael TD Patrick O’Donovan and Fine Gael Councillor Stephen Keary have welcomed news from Limerick City and County Council that work on the Foynes Flood Relief Scheme is to commence in May. The scheme is been funded by the Government through Minister Simon Harris TD at the Office of Public Works.
Patrick O’Donovan said he had kept in constant contact with the OPW and the Council in relation to the delivery of the scheme and had ensured at an early stage through his work with Minister Simon Harris that the scheme was included in the national investment programme for flood relief.
“Since I was first elected to the Dáil I have worked closely with the community in Foynes to ensure that the scheme was delivered and as a Government TD I used every opportunity to push the case for Foynes, often alone. Together with my colleague Cllr Stephen Keary from the Adare Rathkeale Municipal District we kept in constant contact with the Council who were asked by the OPW to award the contract. A number of state and local agencies were part of the process to design the scheme and I was pleased that OPW worked well with Limerick City and County Council, the Shannon Foynes Port Company, CIE and the local community in Foynes to bring the scheme to this stage.”
Patrick O’Donovan said that it was important to point out that the scheme is on target to be delivered on time. “I know that some people had concerns in relation to when the scheme would be delivered however I believe that this latest news from the Council will provide some further clarity locally. It was unfortunate that some people attempted to spread misinformation and fear in the area in relation to the scheme for some sort of political advantage and I was glad that the local community in Foynes saw this for what it was and accepted the plan that was laid out by the Office of Public Works.”
Cllr Stephen Keary said that he would be keeping a close eye on progress of the scheme within the Council and would ask for regular updates to be provided. He said “I am anxious to keep the community in Foynes updated on this because we all know the terrible damage that was caused to properties there from flooding and we want to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Patrick O’Donovan concluded his remarks by adding “This is good news for Foynes, and both Cllr Stephen Keary and I will continue to work to ensure the completion of this scheme on time and on target and as a TD for County Limerick I am delighted that the outgoing Government has delivered this.”
O’Donovan seeks urgent meeting on future of Shannondoc in Hospital
Added April 7th, 2016
Limerick Fine Gael TD Patrick O’Donovan has today written to the General Manager of Shannondoc, Mike Finucane following media reports this morning regarding the future of the service in Hospital in County Limerick.
“This morning on foot of the media reports I wrote to Mike Finucane, General Manager of Shannondoc to seek a meeting with him as a matter of urgency to discuss these reports with a view to ensuring that the current service in Hospital is retained”.
Census 2016 will enable us to plan for our public services – O’Donovan
Added April 5th, 2016
Limerick Fine Gael TD Patrick O’Donovan has welcomed the launch of Census 2016, which will take place on Sunday 24th April.
Commenting on this, Patrick O’Donovan stated: “Census 2016 will give the people of Ireland the chance to make their mark on the future.
“By participating in the census on Sunday 24th April, we will have a better understanding about life in Ireland today. The census will also show how, as a country, we have changed and are changing over time. We will also be equipped to make plans for the Ireland of tomorrow.
“Through the census, every single household provides information which is then used to plan important decisions which we make as a country, such as where to build new schools, where and what type of transport is needed, where the population is aging and in need of more support.
“In this year of commemorations, it will be interesting for us all to see how our country has changed and evolved since the events of 1916. In fact, Census 2016 will take place exactly 100 years to the day after the Easter Rising began.
“Census 2016 will better shape our understanding of what life is like here in Limerick. With the results of the census, we can make plans to invest in the vital series which we need in our communities and to improve the quality of life for all members of society.
Patrick O’Donovan concluded by thanking those enumerators who are currently calling to houses and asked that people would co-operate with the census officials as they call to houses across County Limerick.
We must reclaim our national flag for 1916 Centenary – O’Donovan
Added March 21st, 2016
Limerick Fine Gael TD, Patrick O’Donovan has called on individuals, community groups and businesses, to reclaim our national flag, as thousands of students across the State did last week, to mark the centenary of the 1916 Rising.”
“We have a long tradition here of hanging out club and county colours with great pride in the run up to our local and national sporting occasions to show our allegiance and support, and I believe we should all now use that tradition in this very special period on our history as we prepare is week to commemorate the 1916 Rising.
“In the United States of America and elsewhere, there is a long standing tradition of displaying their national flag to mark special events including the 4th of July. However here in Ireland we haven’t embraced our national flag in the same way. This may be due to the fact that for parts of our recent history, our flag was abused by a small minority of people, who turned a symbol of unity and hope into a symbol of sectarianism and division.
“When our national flag was first flown in 1848 it was then, and ever since, referred to as a flag of unity, respect and peace. The green nationalist Catholic tradition was united with the orange Unionist Protestant tradition across a white band of peace. That hope for unity of difference and of respect for others, with an aspiration of peace is as relevant in the Ireland of 2016 as it was when Thomas Francis Meagher first flew the flag in Waterford one hundred and sixty eight years ago.”
Patrick O’Donovan paid tribute to the teachers across the country who led ceremonies, which were in many cases open to the community, to celebrate and honour the flag.
“It is important for the next generation to see our flag as one for all the people of the country, regardless of their background, and not the property of one political grouping.
“In this, the centenary year of 1916, I would hope that groups and individuals would display the flag with pride from their homes, properties, and places of work, recognising what the flag stands for, and remembering in a dignified way the sacrifices of those who took the early steps in our quest for Independence one hundred years ago.
“The school children of Ireland have led the way, setting an example for the rest of us, to follow the words of George Bernard Shaw and hang out our brightest colours.”
Ardagh Post Office to reopen on Monday – O’Donovan
Added March 4th, 2016
Limerick Fine Gael TD Patrick O’Donovan has welcomed the news that Ardagh Post Office will reopen this coming Monday. This week I have received confirmation from An Post that Ardagh Post Office will reopen on Monday morning next.
“I have been in contact with An Post over the last number of weeks and months in relation to Ardagh Post office detailing the importance of it to the local area and the wider community. Following my representations as a member of the Communication Committee, An Post advertised for a new Postmaster and I am delighted that one has now been appointed.
“I know that there was great concern and fear in the area in recent times, that the Post office would be closed permanently. However I am delighted that An Post has agreed with me that Ardagh Post Office is a vital piece of community infrastructure for the people for Ardagh and the surrounding area”.
I want to wish the new Postmaster the best of luck for the future and I would urge the people of the area to support the Post Office once it reopens on Monday. This is great news for Ardagh, and is a clear example of the commitment of both the Government and An Post to the community.”
O’Donovan welcomes decision to progress Croom School Planning Application
Added January 6th, 2016
Limerick Fine Gael TD Patrick O’Donovan has welcomed the decision of the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (ETB) to lodge a planning application with Limerick City and County Council for the provision of a new second level school in Croom.
“I know from discussions that I have had with the ETB over a period of time that a lot of work has been done on this project and that the Board have been working very closely with Limerick City and County Council to move the issue forward. For many years the need for a replacement school for Coláiste Chiaráin has been debated, however this Government made the decision to allocate funds for the project and to allow the project to progress and the funding is in place. It was the decision of the Government to provide funding which has allowed the Education and Training Board to make this application”
Patrick O’Donovan said that the provision of a modern state of the art second level school for Croom is badly needed given the geographical area that the school covers. “Since this Government came to office we have seen new second level schools in Doon and Kilmallock, approval been given to extend the Desmond College in Newcastle West, and Coláiste Iosaef in Kilmallock. These projects, together with the fact that a new primary school is under construction in Kilmallock, together with numerous extensions and refurbishments to primary and secondary school across the county over the last five years proves the commitment of Fine Gael in Government to delivering to education here in Co. Limerick.”
Patrick O’Donovan said he would be meeting the Education and Training Board again in the coming weeks to review progress on the project. “Together with my colleague Cllr. Stephen Keary we have maintained close contact with the ETB on this issue and I have also used my position to keep the issue on the agenda of the Minister for Education and Skills. I am anxious to see this project completed and I will continue to work closely with the ETB in the months ahead .”