AUTUMN 2014 MARKSENATOR DALY NEWS Ambulance Response Time Putting Lives at Risk After encouraging the calling of a public meeting to fight for the retention of ambulance services in the area, we were all delighted to be a part of the successful campaign by the Community which resulted in the retention of the Ambulance service in the area. However, by subsequently removing the second emergency ambulance from Killarney the Government is putting lives at risk in all of South Kerry. People are suffering, as the Kenmare ambulance has had to cover the loss of ambulance services in Killarney and in Millstreet. I am fighting, through the HSE, for the return of emergency ambulance services that have been withdrawn from the CAMPAIGNING FOR THE RETURN OF EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICES TO KERRY’ county. Wife of President Higgins, Mrs Sabina Higgins Invited to Dedication of Cumann na mBan Park This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of Cumann na mBan, the most important women’s organisation of the revolutionary decade. Women from the areas of Kenmare, Lauragh, Ardea, Bonane, Templenoe, Blackwater, Sneem, Tahilla, Kilgarvan and Morleys Bridge joined Cumann na mBan in large numbers, putting their lives at risk during the War of Independence. As PRESIDENT MICHAEL D HIGGINS WITH MEMBERS OF THE COTTER FAMILY AT THE well as playing a vital role in the 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF THE ASGARD GUN RUNNING. ORIGINALLY struggle for freedom Cumann FROM THE OLD BLACKWATER POST OFFICE. THEIR GRANDFATHER HELPED TOW na mBan also demanded equal THE ASGARD ASHORE INTO HOWTH. status and voting rights for into public ownership for the Commemorations, the Tunnel women. To celebrate the lives first time. I would like to thank under the Shannon in Limerick, of all those women, Mrs Sabina Councillor Dan McCarthy and and the Bridge at Athlone are Higgins, wife of the President of Councillor Norma Moriarty due be named after Cumann na Ireland, Michael D Higgins has for successfully ensuring the mBan in the coming weeks. The been invited again to dedicate motion was tabled and passed new ring road around Tralee was the land at Cromwells Bridge, by Kerry County Council on recently named after Cumann Cumann na mBan Parkland on this occasion. As a result of my na mBan following the motion the banks of the Finnihy River work on the Governments All- put forward by Councillor John after the land was transferred Party Consultation Group on Brassil and I. SENATOR MARK DALY CAHERDANIEL/ CASTLECOVE $EEH\,VODQGQHZ%XULDO*URXQGV Progress after 4 Decade Campaign Having eventually secured the has been progress with the new transfer of ground from the Office of graveyard. The €40,000 secured Public Works to Kerry County Council from the Council is to enclose the a process that took 4 decades there area and provide access. ABOVE: JOHN JOE O’LEARY FROM CAHERDANIEL AT ABBEY ISLAND IN 2013 LEFT: KERRYMAN NEWSPAPER ARTICLE DECEMBER 2013 RIGHT: PROGRESS AT ABBEY ISLAND BURIAL GROUND Despite dozens of local people signing an The Motion for the Restoration affidavit saying that they had used a right of way from the pier to the point at the mouth of the Finnihy at the Peninsula. It was of Right of Way at the Pier disappointing to see one local councillor not supporting the restoration of a right of Kenmare Successfully Passed way. The council has asked for members of the public to make submissions regarding by Kerry County Councillors public right of ways throughout the county. Many locals contacted me to ensure that the best interest of the community was despite one local councillor represented. I was delighted that others councillors supported the right of way and objecting the motion was passed. SENATOR MARK DALY SNEEM Government vote to charge half Commercial Rates on vacant properties Recently in the Seanad, I put properties or receive rent may Government is another attack forward a motion to annul a be forced to demolish their on rural Ireland, there have Ministerial Order which will premises as they are unable to been numerous unfair policies effectively charge commercial pay the commercial rates that implemented which adversely rates on vacant commercial will be imposed. Kerry County affect rural people. For instance, properties. The commercial rates Councils do not currently charge rural Post Offices have been could decimate rural towns and Rates for properties which are villages. No Regulatory Impact vacant, a change to this may closed, over 100 rural Garda Assessment on this Ministerial jeopardise any hopes towns stations were shut, rural bus Order has taken place. Owners and villages have of recovering routes have been curtailed and who are currently unable to and enticing businesses to small schools have been forced conduct business in the vacant set-up again. This move by the to close. LAURAGH/ TUOSIST KILGARVAN *RYHUQPHQW0LQLVWHUFRQƞUPVWKDWWKHUH Water Rates Will be no Improvement in Broadband Unfair on Services Job Creation in Rural Ireland Families, DƝHFWHGDVDUHVXOW On the 1st of October in reply to the Elderly my question on the governments broadband plan for Kerry and and the nationally the Minister of Communication confirmed our Vulnerable fear that “there will be no change The new water charges to the level of service of speeds for domestic users for fibre-optic broadband in the provided” by broadband providers. introduced from 1 The Government has failed to draw same way as the group water schemes October 2014 have hit down funds from the EU Investment which has been implemented. the most vulnerable Bank. As Seanad Spokesperson The lack of broadband is hurting job on Energy, Communications and creation, as currently 40% of business in society, families Natural Resources I am working on is conducted online yet only a quarter and the elderly. The a policy which aims to allow local of Irish Businesses are engaged in Government and communities access to infrastructure e-commerce. Regulator have failed to put in place a fair TEMPLENOE/BLACKWATER/TAHILLA : scheme. Free water allowances for children have been unfairly cut 13351RQ3ULQFLSDO3ULYDWH by a massive 44%, from 38,000 litres to 21,000 Residence Unfair to Second Home litres. The first bill will DQG+ROLGD\+RPH2ZQHUV be issued in January The unfair billing process of the Non Principal Private Residence charge 2015 in respect of has been raised with the Ombudsman and the Council. Many of those the period October– with second homes or holiday homes in the area have been levied December 2014. If you with enormous bills despite the fact that they were not made aware have any queries or that they had to pay. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to questions please feel contact me. free to contact me. SENATOR MARK DALY Government U-Turn Over Funding for 26 Disability Organisations including the ,ULVK'HDIb6RFLHW\ ON THE DAY THE TANAISTE MET US AND ANNOUNCED SHE WOULD REVERSE THE CUTS TO FUNDING History was made when I arranged the first Irish Sign Language interpreters to be present in the media gallery during Leaders Questions in the Dail where 200 members of the deaf community were present fighting to to reverse the cuts to funding of Irish Deaf Society . Street Trading Fire Services in Kerry I am continuing to work DQGb1DWLRQZLGH with the Council to resolve the street trading issue in I asked the Minister for the Kenmare. Environment, Community and Local Government, to outline the proposed changes to the Fire services in Kerry and Smoking Bill US AMBASSADOR TO IRELAND KEVIN Nationwide. Updates will follow I have worked with O’MALLEY AND SENATOR MARK DALY . Professor John Crown and Senator Jillian Van Immigration Reform for US Turnhout, on the Protection citizens living in Ireland Bill of Children’s Health I have recently proposed an (Tobacco Smoke in Immigration Reform for US citizens Mechanically Propelled living in Ireland Bill which will facilitate Vehicles) Bill 2012. Which employment permits for 10’500 US will ban smoking in cars citizens in Ireland. while children are present. ADVICE CLINICS Sean Daly’s Office, 34 Every Saturday SENATOR Kenmare Henry Street. morning MARK DALY Kilgarvan Kilgarvan Village Caherdaniel Blind Piper & Freddies Bar Castlecove Staigue Fort Hotel Sneem Sneem House st nd Blackwater Blackwater Tavern 1 and 2 Saturday of Seanad Éireann, Teach Laighean, Templenoe Pat Spillane’s Bar every month Sráid Chill Dara, Baile Átha Cliath 2. Dowros The Sailor’s Bar Tel +353 (0)1-618 3830 Ardea The Lake House Mobile +353 (0)86-803 2612 Lauragh Kilmackillogue Email [email protected] Bonane Bonane Web www.senatormarkdaly.org Call Mark’s Mobile to arrange a time suitable to you. If you would like an Irish Sign Language Interpreter for your meet- ing, text or email Mark to make an appointment.