Deputy Noel Coonan said the Government must boost its funding to the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) so that the job-creating body can provide jobs for some of the 6,949 people who are unemployed in North Tipperary.

The Fine Gael TD was commenting following the dismal news that North Tipperary lost 188 IDA jobs last year; and was one of only three counties that failed to attract a single IDA job in 2009.

“North Tipperary is one of the worst hit areas in the country when it comes to securing IDA jobs. This was made blatantly clear by a recent IDA report which revealed that the constituency did not attract one single job in 2009. I firmly believe this Government is to blame for the disastrous result as it continues to forget about job creation.

“A recent example of this negligence was seen in the Government reshuffle which left no Government Department with the word employment or jobs in its title at a time when jobs should be first priority,” said Deputy Coonan.

“Alongside this, our poor quality of broadband is severely deterring foreign multi-national companies from investing in North Tipperary. Only yesterday I highlighted how the rollout of high-speed broadband throughout North Tipperary depends on this Government providing backhaul connectivity to link the constituency’s Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) to the wider national and international broadband network.

The Fine Gael TD continued: “Securing foreign direct investment is crucial if we are to pull our economy out of this hole. North Tipperary Government supporters Deputy Lowry and Deputy Hoctor should be ashamed that they did not help attract one single IDA job to the constituency last year. What is the point of people voting for these Deputies if they cannot provide for North Tipperary?”

An IDA delegation addressed the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment in mid-March and said that in the next 10 years, the IDA hopes 240,000 new jobs arising from overseas companies investing here.

However, Deputy Coonan said these “empty promises” do not provide any immediate aid to North Tipperary which is suffering hugely in the current economic crisis. The Fine Gael TD is calling on the Government to make more funding available to the IDA as a matter of urgency.

Deputy Noel Coonan said the rollout of high-speed broadband throughout North Tipperary depends on the Government providing backhaul connectivity to link the constituency’s Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) to the wider national and international broadband network.

The Fine Gael TD has been in consultation with Limerick-based company e|net which is managing the rollout of the fibre-optic broadband platform called Metropolitan Area Networks throughout Ireland.

“At Fine Gael’s National Conference recently I said live on television that before MANs in Nenagh, Roscrea and Templemore can function effectively they must have what is called backhaul connectivity to link them to the national and international network. We need this connectivity to increase the competitiveness of North Tipperary and attract foreign direct investment,” said the North Tipperary TD.

North Tipperary lost 188 IDA jobs last year and Deputy Coonan said the Government is “failing miserably” to attract investment to the constituency. IDA figures have shown that MAN enabled towns have increased their share of Foreign Direct Investment from around 25% a few years ago to nearly 90%.

“Cities such as Limerick, Kilkenny and Portlaoise have MANs platforms which stretch to smaller local towns but unfortunately North Tipperary is relying on this incapable and inefficient Government to provide sufficient backhaul facilities to link us up,” continued Deputy Coonan.

“e|net is very committed to improving broadband service in the locality and has highlighted that high-quality broadband is an essential pre-requisite to being able to attract any major business to towns around the constituency. The Limerick-based company has also indicated to me that it is vital the present Government gets on with establishing the proposed one-stop-shop whereby all State-owned ducting and fibre would be administered by a single State entity.”

The Tipperary North TD has consistently questioned the Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources on the provision of broadband to all corners of North Tipperary. Only recently Deputy Coonan asked Minister Ryan to stop ‘sermonising on the broadband issue’ and quit shifting responsibility to Comreg.

In a priority question to Minister Ryan in early March, Deputy Coonan asked when a one-stop-shop will be established to market State owned broadband infrastructure. As usual, the Communications Minister did not give a definite timeframe for same.

Ends
Noel Coonan TD

Deputy Noel Coonan has welcomed the appointed of Mary Hanafin TD as Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and wants the Tipperary-native to address several serious tourism problems affecting the Mid West region including North Tipperary.
Commenting after the Government reshuffle last week, the Fine Gael TD said: “Minister Hanafin in her new role must actively promote and enhance the abundant tourism opportunities throughout North Tipperary. As a Tipperary-woman she must address the problematic division between the South East region and Midwest region. There is a lull and a gap between the two regions meaning mid-Tipperary is not appropriately promoted in many areas including tourism. The Government needs to interlink the regions ensuring the entire county benefits from every tourism initiatives and is not left out in the dark.”

Deputy Coonan continued: “People in receipt of a Social Welfare pension in Ireland are entitled to free travel on road and rail. I believe this entitlement should extend to retired people from the UK and the continent who wish to visit here but find travel costs exorbitant. I’m talking about people who have their money made and their families raised and enjoy travelling but are deterred from visiting our island because of the very high rail costs with Iarnrod Éireann. If such people could travel at even a reduced rate I believe it would boost tourism.

“For example, a one way ticket from Templemore to Dublin today (Wednesday) it would cost me €34. A daily return ticket for the same route on the same day for any train before midday would cost me €32, less than a one-way ticket. If I booked a single train ticket from Templemore to Cork on Iarnrod Eireann’s website for the same day it would cost me €10 because of a special offer. This highlights the huge variation and inflated costs experienced by visitors to North Tipperary and Minister Hanafin must address this problem,” continued the Fine Gael TD.

The North Tipperary Deputy also said there is an opening for a new emerging tourism economy if Minister Hanafin can improve access to people from China, India and other countries from South East Asia who wish to include Ireland in their holiday plans. There are difficulties for these people at the moment in obtaining visas making it very hard for them to include Ireland in their itineries.
“I have had representations from a local bus company who said the Government could drastically increase the number of tour groups to Ireland at no extra cost if the current restrictive system was amended and if Ireland became a member of the Schengen visa scheme.

Deputy Coonan continued: “At the moment, this Government makes it very difficult for Chinese people to come to Ireland. To get a visa they must produce at least six months of bank statements, a certificate confirming they have no criminal record, a marriage cert and birth certificates for each of the applicant’s children. These documents are only some of those requested.”
“In contrast, the Schengen visa scheme allows visitors a simple ‘one stop shop’ visa system that grants visitors unrestricted access to all countries who are members of the scheme. Twenty-five other European countries are members and I believe if we were members too it would significantly boost Ireland’s tourism revenue and attract jobs,” concluded Deputy Coonan.

Ends Noel Coonan TD

The Clonakenny Branch of Fine Gael held its AGM on Monday last in the Norebrook Lounge where Fine Gael representatives in the area were described as the ‘drivers of change’. The meeting was addressed by local TD Noel Coonan who said tension in Dáil Éireann at the moment is ‘palpable’.

The gathering was well attended with new members joining the Party on the night. Mayor Denis Ryan and Cllr. Pauline Coonan were also present and thanked members heartily for their support to date.

Noel warmly welcomed everyone present and thanked them for coming to the Norebrook saying: “This country is crying out for change and I want to be part of that new Government that will deliver real change. I want to thank all of you who have put your heart and soul into helping me along the way. It’s important to have meetings such as this to keep public representatives informed of your local issues so we can deliver for you, your friends and family.

Commenting on the hotly-anticipated Government reshuffle, the Fine Gael TD predicted there would be little change made and An Taoiseach would not undergo a major reshuffle but “merely paper over the cracks and spray over the rust.”

“Government Chief Whip Pat Carey is likely to be promoted to Cabinet for a job badly done and Minister Tony Killeen by virtue of sheer geographical location in the MidWest. The Taoiseach is capitulating to the Greens by appointing a second Minister in Deputy Mary White. All I can say is God help the farmers and country customs beware.”

Denis, as the first ever Fine Gael Mayor of North Tipperary County Council, said the reduction in commercial rates in the Council’s last budget under his mayorship is a reflection of how Fine Gael in power would make life easier for the people of North Tipperary. This was the first time the rates had been reduced in more than 20 years. Mayor Ryan also said the Fine Gael Party has never been as strong and has the most powerful frontbench.

Cllr. Coonan thanked all those present and outlined the work she is doing in the area. Pauline also spoke about the dire consequences of rising water charges, the need for a new tag system instead of bin charges, the importance of keeping services in the Mid West especially health services such as those that have been stripped from Nenagh Hospital.

Officers elected on the night were: David O’Dwyer, President, Jim Kennedy, Chairman, Dan Greed, Vice-Chair, Linda Pearson, Secretary, Michelle Abbot, Assistant Secretary, Jack Treacy and Richard McNamara as Treasurers and Rose Maher, PRO.

It was widely agreed that Fine Gael is very capable and waiting to take over Government when the opportunity arises.

Ends

Deputy Noel Coonan has expressed serious concern over a two month backlog in issuing driving licences from North Tipperary County Council and the Fine Gael TD said this issue is very grave because people may incur penalty points and a fine as a result.

Deputy Coonan said: “The Council is currently processing applications for mid January and is endeavouring to address the arrears as soon as possible. People deserve a more efficient service than this from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government which governs County Councils. Applicants should not to be left without a valid drivers licence through no fault of their own. Constituents are frustrated with waiting times as they try to comply with policing laws, requiring persons to be in possession of driving licence when driving.

North Tipperary County Council’s Customer Action Plan 2005 – 2009 says you may apply for a new drivers licence or to renew your licence through the post or by calling to the Motor Taxation Section in Nenagh. On receipt of the completed drivers licence application, the section aim to issue you with your licence within three working days.

The Fine Gael TD said: “I’ve been in contact with the Council to assess the problem, seek a solution and offer any help I can give. Officials informed me that there is currently a backlog in the motor tax section in connection with the issuing of driving licences and this has mainly arisen since last November.

“The Head of Finance has informed me that in normal circumstances the staffing levels should be able to deal with the level of transactions in the section but due to circumstances outside of the Council’s control arrears have built up. The Council has recently allocated additional staff to address the arrears. It is also intended to re-assign additional staff to Motor Tax and Council management is seeking clarification from a Trade Union with regard to this proposal.

“I welcome this response from Liam McCarthy, Head of Finance and Corporate Services in North Tipperary County Council and the steps he is taking to help the situation. Staff working in Motor Taxation are undoubtedly working as usual to the best of their ability but hindered by inefficient Government policies that continues to fail the people of North Tipperary.

Deputy Coonan concluded: “I’m calling on Minister John Gormley to introduce efficiencies into local government to ensure the public gets the service it is entitled to.”

Ends

Noel Coonan TD