Archive for January, 2011

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Seven Month Waiting Time for Redundancy Payment is ‘Shameful’

Monday, January 31st, 2011

Deputy Noel Coonan said this Government is ‘punishing’ people who have lost their jobs by making them wait more than half a year for their redundancy payment. Redundancy claims dating from June 2010 are currently being processed and the local Opposition TD said it is shameful that this Government has consistently failed to tackle the excessive backlog.

The Fine Gael TD is calling on the Government to redeploy staff to the redundancy section to reduce the burden; for example the plethora of inspectors based in the Department of Agriculture would be better placed speeding up the time it takes to issue redundancy payments.

Speaking on Friday, Deputy Coonan said: “At the end of 2010, there was a shocking 25,167 claims waiting to be processed nationally. Claims dating from June 2010 are currently being processed and this backlog is hugely unacceptable at a time when people who have lost their jobs are struggling to get by on a weekly basis. People are suffering unduly because this inefficient Government, and those who support it in North Tipperary, continue to run our country into the ground.

“I’m aware that in some instances the processing of claims can be delayed until necessary supporting documentation is provided but these extensive waiting times have been an ongoing problem over the last year, if not longer, and this defunct Government has yet to resolve the issue despite promises to do so,” continued the North Tipperary/ South Offaly Fine Gael TD.

“This backlog is also unacceptable bearing in mind the Universal Social Charge which was introduced in last month’s Budget. This flat-rate tax replaces the old health and income levies and is designed to bring more lower-income earners into the tax net. Most taxpayers pay 2pc USC on the first €10,036 of income, 4pc on the next €5,980 and 7pc on everything over that. This new universal charge is hitting people on the minimum wage, even if they’re outside the tax net.”

The information was released to Deputy Coonan following a parliamentary question posed to the Minister for Social Protection Eamon O’Cúiv TD.

In 2011, the Department of Social Protection is to undertake a review of the current redundancy claims processing procedures as part of the development of a new computer system which will be integrated into the Department’s service delivery modernisation programme. Deputy Coonan said this is a welcome move and if necessary staff must also be re-allocated to lessen waiting times.

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Posted in Nenagh, North Tipperary, Roscrea, Templemore, Thurles | No Comments »

Coonan calls on Minister Carey to clarify sale of Lisheen mines

Monday, January 31st, 2011

Fine Gael TD Noel Coonan today contacted Minister for Communications Pat Carey TD asking him to clarify the situation regarding the sale of Lisheen Mines. Newspaper reports suggested that owner Anglo American is putting huge pressure on Minister Pat Carey to finally approve the mining company’s planned sale of Lisheen Mines before the dissolution of the Dail tomorrow. Anglo has indicated that it plans to sell the zinc mine to Indian company Vedanta for €308m. However, Deputy Coonan said there have been widespread concerns about Vedanta’s poor environmental and human rights record.

The Tipperary North / South Offaly TD said, ‘‘I contacted Minister Carey and the Secretary General of the Department of Communications and Natural Resources to convey my concern about the sale of Lisheen Mines. Questions have been raised at the highest political level about Vedanta’s record in other countries. I fear that the musical chairs in Cabinet at the moment could put at risk the future of the mines which employs around 370 people.

“The Department has informed me this afternoon that any sale will be ‘conditional on the new owners continuing to ensure strict compliance with the terms of the State Mining Lease and all other statutory permits and enactments, including the planning permission and Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Licence (IPPCL), not only during the remaining life of the mine but also in its closure, restoration and aftercare.’

The future of Lisheen Mines is something which I have campaigned on throughout my political career. It is vital that this is not put in jeopardy by the current political paralysis in Government. Lisheen mines needs to be safeguarded and I believe a Fine Gael led Government will do this’’, concluded Deputy Coonan.

 

Pat Carey to finally approve the mining company’s planned sale of Lisheen Mines before the dissolution of the Dail tomorrow. Anglo has indicated that it plans to sell the zinc mine to Indian company Vedanta for €308m. However, Deputy Coonan said there have been widespread concerns about Vedanta’s poor environmental and human rights record.

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Drop of €1.2million for North Tipperary National Roads Programme 2011

Friday, January 28th, 2011

Local Fine Gael Deputy Noel Coonan has expressed deep disappointment with North Tipperary’s allocation of funding under the National Roads Programme 2011 which is €1.2million less than last year’s amount and one of the lowest allocations given to any local authority in the country.

“We have many major national roads in the North Tipperary/South Offaly constituency including the N62 and N52 for example and these routes carry very heavy volumes of traffic on a daily basis. These same roads require regular maintenance and improvements but I fear our roadways will be neglected again this year due to a severe drop in Government funding,” said Deputy Coonan.

The Government has allocated €2,952,197 for the constituency in 2011 in comparison to €4,216,200 last year, representing a 30% drop, explained the local TD.

“This amount is simply insufficient and will create enormous pressure for North Tipperary County Council who will be striving to maintain the same high level of maintenance and restoration on a much tighter budget. The Council is already operating on a shoe string budget as it deals with ravaged roads devastated by severe weather conditions throughout this winter,” said Deputy Coonan.

“Out of all the 33 local authorities nationally, North Tipperary County Council received the fourth lowest level of funding. The only other authorities nationally to fare worse were Waterford City Council, Carlow County Council and Dublin City Council.

“Local Deputies have been announcing and welcoming the funding saying numerous sections of roadways and schemes will benefit. While it is good news that the Congar/Ballyluskey realignment project for example will receive funding; the sharp drop in the level of funding cannot be ignored and is not to be welcomed. ,” continued the local Fine Gael Deputy.

The Fine Gael Deputy said projects to benefit under the funding include safety improvements at Church Street, Templemore and Sheehane in Roscrea. Works will also take place on the Thurles Bypass scheme. Pavement and minor works will occur in Borrisokane, Kilkillhara, Ardcroney and Two-Mile-Borris. The Congar, Ballyluskey realignment project will also be advance. Deputy Coonan said that he will continue to push for the progression of these projects for the betterment of the constituency.

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COONAN RAISES SAFETY ISSUES ON M7

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

Deputy Noel Coonan has raised concerns about safety of motorists at junctions on the new M7 Nenagh/Castletown motorway at Roscrea and Moneygall. Several accidents have occured since the opening of the motorway and immediate safety measures need to be put in place without delay.

“The design of these junctions is not in keeping with other junctions and is of a lesser standard. The junctions which have a tighter curvature misleads drivers who think that they can approach at same speed as other junctions on motorway. The exit from the M7 on to the N62 is particularly dangerous and I am seeking reassurances that safety issues be resolved without delay before there is serious accident ” said Deputy Coonan.

“I am asking the National Roads Authority to carry out an independent audit on these junctions without undue delay” concluded Deputy Coonan.

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Government Climate Change Bill is rash and ill considered

Monday, January 17th, 2011

‘Green Party vanity project will cause untold harm to the farming community’ -Coonan

Noel Coonan TD Fine Gael Tipperary North, today (January 17th) described the Government Climate Change Bill as ‘‘rash and ill considered’’. The Tipperary North/South Offaly Deputy described the bill as a ‘‘Green Party vanity project which could cause untold harm to the farming community.’’

‘‘If the Climate Change Bill as proposed by the Greens is enacted there will be severe implications for the agricultural community. The bill will hugely limit agricultural production and put an end to targets set in Food Harvest 2020. At a time when population is increasing we should be increasing productivity”, said the Fine Gael Spokesperson on CAP Reform.

‘‘Fine Gael believes that the passage of this legislation should be delayed until such time as an all party approach is agreed as it will create lasting obligations on future Governments. The target of cutting greenhouse gases by 28 percent in the next decade will devastate the national beef and daily herd. The manner in which the Bill is being rushed through the Oireachtas is another example of the need to reform the political and legislative process, ’’ continued Deputy Coonan.

‘‘I fully support the stance of John Bryan, President of the IFA, who has articulated the view across the agrifood sector that allowing the bill to go through as is, would have a serious effect on the potential of the industry to drive exports and jobs. The IFA will appear before the Oireachtas Climate Change Committee on Wednesday. It has been reported that many Fianna Fail Oireachtas members are unhappy with the Bill.

“The Labour Party is also split on this issue. They must come clean on their stance because at the moment they are running with the hare and hunting with the hound’’, concluded the local Fine Gael TD.

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Posted in Nenagh, North Tipperary, Roscrea, Templemore, Thurles | No Comments »

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