- Long waiting lists for orthodontic appointment in Dublin North East will lead to greater problems down the road -

Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Bay North, Sean Haughey, says “hundreds of children are facing serious dental problems unless more effort is made to tackle the growing orthodontic waiting lists”.

New figures from the Oireachtas Health Committee reveal that 1,466 children in Dublin North East are waiting more than a year for an appointment.

Deputy Haughey commented, “The waiting list figures in themselves are worrying, but what is of greater concern is the fact that delaying essential treatment at an early stage will cause greater problems down the road.

“As we all know dental care and the timing of orthodontic treatment in young children is crucial and when dental problems are identified, they must be dealt with as soon as possible to avoid any long-term damage.

“I have been contacted by parents, worried that the primary school dental scheme is not being rolled out in their schools, to make matters worse their child has been placed on a list that continues to lengthen. These parents are waiting on a phone call that never comes.

“I regularly hear of cases where children are told they need treatment and are then left waiting for years before it is carried out. In fact, some are waiting so long on a waiting list that they are no longer eligible for public orthodontic treatment.

“Our public dental service is still dealing with the complexities of struggling to attract dentists to jobs within the public service and I am calling on Minister Harris to ensure that the HSE Service Plan for 2018 puts a special emphasis on prioritising early intervention.

“Tackling these waiting lists and delivering a timely treatment provision is now urgent for children across North Dublin”.

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-       Fire safety concerns raised in St Francis of Assisi NS and Belmayne ETNS -

Local Fianna Fáil TD, Sean Haughey has said that the breaches in fire safety standards found in two North Dublin primary schools are deeply concerning.

Fire safety audits commissioned by the Department of Education found lapses in fire safety standards at five newly built primary schools nationwide including St Francis of Assisi NS, Balgriffin and Belmayne Educate Together National School.

The Deputy has called on the Minister for Education to ensure that every possible measure is put in place to avoid significant disruption for staff and pupil while remedial works are urgently carried out.

He said, “It is deeply concerning to learn that the safety and welfare of hundreds of staff and pupils were not fully protected and were put at risk.

“The Minister and his Department need to move quickly to resolve the issues so that staff and parents can get back to supporting these young children’s education.

“Thankfully in this instance, any dangerous incident has been narrowly avoided but it is essential that every school premises across North Dublin, both primary and post-primary are inspected also.

“While it is ultimately a relief that these breaches have been identified before a fire or accident, it is frustrating that we have been made aware of these details a matter of days into a new school year.

“It would have been more suitable for all affected if these remedial works were carried out over the summer months. Nevertheless, the fact that they are completed now is most crucial, should there be are any possible delays then the staff and pupils of both schools need to be adequately accommodated.

“When lives are at risk, there is no time for a laid back approach to rectifying any safety concerns; these remedial works are urgent.

“I have written to Minister Bruton to share these concerns,” concluded Deputy Haughey.

-ENDS-

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Fly-tipping on the North Fringe  of Dublin is now a serious problem and must be stamped out once and for all.

PRESS RELEASE Seán Haughey Fly Tipping

Fingal County Council Press Release

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Dublin City Council has submitted a Part 8 planning application for a cycle route from Clontarf to the City Centre.

In February 2017 I made a formal submission on this proposal as part of the statutory public consultation process.

In my submission, I outline my concerns in respect of this project including;

1.The proposed removal of 56 trees at Fairview Park.
2. The loss of car parking spaces between Annesley Bride and Alfie Byrne Road
3. The installation of 4 new toucan crossing between Marino Mart and Annesley Bridge which will result in additional peak-time traffic congestion.
4. The need for a two-way segregated cycle track on one side of the street. 

In my view, these plans have not been thought out properly and need to be reconsidered.

Dublin City Councillors will vote on the proposal in September and I will be urging my Councillor colleagues to reject the current plans and to seek a fundamental re-design of this new cycle track.  

DCC Submission – Clontarf to City Centre Cycle Route

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-       Limited Garda resources in  place to respond to incidents    -

Local Fianna Fáil TD Sean Haughey has said we must examine measures to better protect local residents in the Darndale area that are experiencing persistent incidents of anti-social behaviour.

The Deputy was commenting following concerns raised by the Darndale Belcamp Village Centre who have organised a meeting to take place next Wednesday July 26^th to discuss the anti-social issues including joy-riding and vandalism.

“The Garda division serving our area has suffered significant cutbacks in recent years. It is deeply worrying that there has been a substantial drop in the number of Gardaí for front-line policing in the DMR North Division particularly as crime and anti-social behaviour has continued to become a major issue in our community,” explained Deputy Haughey.

“From speaking with local Gardaí it is believed that the district is down about 70 Gardaí since peak numbers in the force in 2009. I recently received reports from the local Joint Policing Committee meeting where local members of An Garda Síochana expressed concerns regarding poor resourcing and their incapacity to take on the level of anti-social behaviour in Darndale.

“The reality is that we need a serious increase in Garda numbers patrolling and policing Darndale, particularly as our area continues to experience changes in population and demographics.

“Vulnerable residents are feeling threatened, intimidated and isolated and it does not make sense that there are fewer Gardaí on the street while anti-social behaviour increases. A collaborative effort between community groups, youth services and parents would also help significantly to tackle challenging behaviour by some young people.

“Fianna Fáil remains fully supportive of our Gardaí and strengthening a force that is active, visible and effective in our communities. We will work to ensure that the use of Garda resources is maximised to support our community,” concluded Deputy Haughey.

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Fianna Fáil TD and Spokesperson on European Affairs and the EU Single Market has said that the European Commission decision to scrap roaming charges for using mobile phones when travelling within the European Union should benefit all EU citizens.

The new European Union law which comes into force today means that mobile phone users will be able to call, text and browse the internet for the same rate as they currently pay in their home country.

Commenting on the new rules Deputy Haughey said, “This is good news for consumers across Europe. Roaming charges are a cause of major stress for mobile customers, who often face extortionate bills after a holiday or trip abroad.

“To date, Ireland has been disproportionately affected because of the border. Many people living in the south have to travel across the border for work, and in some cases simply to get from one place to another, and have been hit with excessive roaming charges.

“Now that this artificial cost has been scrapped for our neighbours, tourists and business people, focus can be better placed on increasing cross-border trade, tourism and investment.

“The vast majority of phone operators across Europe are not seeking to penalise their customers and any attempts by Irish mobile operators to evade the end of EU roaming charges by increasing the cost of monthly plans must be rejected.

“Today’s news is a major achievement for the Commission and a welcome step towards forging a digital single market across the European Union. The introduction of this piece of practical, tangible policy will resound with the public and come as a relief for many,” he concluded.

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Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on European Affairs, Séan Haughey TD has said that today, Europe Day, serves as a pertinent reminder that nations work better together in the European Union and beyond.

Deputy Haughey commented, “In the midst of the many global challenges that have arisen over the course of the past twelve months and particularly in light of Britain’s vote to leave the European Union, it is easy to forget that the European project has been an agent of positive change in Ireland. There is no doubt that the European Union needs to reform and this should happen sooner rather than later.

“We are now living in the longest period of peace on the continent of Europe and there is no doubting the connection between this peace and the foundation of the European project. Europe has achieved incredibly positive progress in the last 60 years and rejected the destruction of the ideological extremes.

“Ireland has found itself at the very core of the potential impact that Brexit may pose, I am heartened by a Red C poll which has shown that Irish people remain strongly committed to maintaining our EU membership; with almost 90% of those surveyed agreeing that Ireland should remain part of the EU.

“Despite the difficulties that Brexit will impose on the European Union, it remains a unique political project and the world’s foremost economic and commercial power that offers unparalleled opportunities for Ireland.

“The European Union is at a crossroads but it is worth reforming and to achieve this we need leadership, urgency and ambition. Ireland is at the heart of change in the European Union and will play a crucial part in strengthening its advantages over the coming months.

“It is together that we will address the threat presented to Ireland ahead of the Britain’s exit from the European Union,” he concluded.

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- Three’s attempt to hike prices deeply disingenuous -

Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Bay North, Seán Haughey, has hit out at attempts by Irish mobile operators to evade the end of EU roaming charges by increasing the cost of monthly plans.

Deputy Haughey was commenting following representations from disgruntled customers. Three Ireland have increased their monthly contract amount by €5 in line with the new rules that scrap roaming charges from May 28th.

“There’s no mistaking what the company is attempting to do. They are applying a flat fee to cover lost revenues associated with complying with the new rules.

“This is deeply disingenuous, and flies in the face of the spirit of the new rules.

“Three Ireland should immediately desist from hiking up the cost of their contracts, and play fair with their customers.

“Ireland already has some of the most expensive mobile phone services in Europe. Additional price hikes because companies want to keep gorging on the cash cow that is roaming will only prove to show that greed is at the core of these businesses.

“There is no justification for this increase in price. The vast majority of phone operators across the Europe are taking the change to roaming rules on the chin, and are not seeking to penalise their customers.

“Three Ireland should recognise the lie of the land, and pull back from this attempt to continue gouging Irish mobile phone users,” concluded Haughey.

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Uachtarán Fhianna Fáil

 Óráid i gcuimhne ar Mháirín Uí Eochaidh

21ú Márta 2017, Baile Átha Cliath

Oration in memory of Maureen Haughey

21st March 2017, Dublin

A Mhuintir Uí Eochaidh, a bhaill an Chléir, a dhaoine uaisle uilig, táimid bailithe le chéile inniu sa reilig seo chun ómós macánta ó chroí a thabhairt do bhean suntasach iontach a ghlac príomhról tábhachtach lárnach i stair na hÉireann, mar iníon Taoisigh, bean Taoisigh, máthair ghrámhar agus cara dílis do mhórán daoine a raibh sé de phribhléid acu bualadh le Máirín.

Bean chaoin cheansa, fháilteach ba ea í le bua na féile, agus ina theannta sin do bhí dínit uasal séimh ag baint léi.

Is cuimhin linn go léir an spéis ollmhór a bhí aici i ndaoine agus an grá don nádúr agus don saol timpeall uirthi. Mar is eol dúinn, thaitin na capaill agus pór na madraí go mór le Máirín.

Ar feadh a saoil fada, chonaic Máirin buaicphointí tábhachtacha i stair ár dtíre agus bhí sí mar cheangal láidir leanúnach idir míle naoi gcéad sé déag.

To those who didn’t know her, Maureen Lemass Haughey could seem like a quiet and reserved figure.

She was not.  However, she did not seek to be in the spotlight.

She never sought to claim or exploit mandates won by others in her family.

Through her 91 years she witnessed and often participated in events and movements essential to the growth of our independent state.

The Lemass family into which she was born in 1925 was already well known.

In the years ahead it would become even more prominent and would also be defined by an unmatched commitment to the progressive development of Ireland.

At the heart of this was a deep concept of public service. This wasn’t some cold and abstract ideal – it had a very real foundation in being loyal to the ideals of fallen comrades.

During last year’s centenary events Maureen attended as many as she could and spoke of what it meant to be the daughter of a 1916 volunteer. She said then that her father didn’t talk much about the rising but that the memory of those he served with was constantly with him.

We look at great historical events and see the heroism. For Seán Lemass and his young family the struggle for independence gave cause for great pride, but it always carried the pain of loss and sacrifice.

The Lemass family suffered immensely in those years through a series of tragic losses. The death of Maureen’s uncle Noel would in any other family have been the cause of great bitterness and anger.

However, Seán chose a different way and this was central to the drive and originality which defined his entire political career.

For him nothing could be more disrespectful to our revolutionary leaders than to imagine them as cold and inflexible people committed to an unchanging programme.

This was an opinion shared by the entire Lemass family, as can be seen in the work of Maureen’s uncle Frank in developing state enterprises.

Her father was in every way a practical republican who understood his duty to respond to today’s circumstances – to not just preserve the republican tradition but to constantly renew it.

When his first child Maureen was born he was involved in persuading others of the need for a radical new programme and to move on from the days of conflict.

Within a year, under the leadership of Eamon deValera, he helped to write such a programme and to found a new political party dedicated to implementing it.

In those early years the demands of politics and government often took Maureen’s father away from his family. Her mother Kathleen was the family’s rock. What has often been missed is that she shared in his work and in his beliefs.

When they married he had the reputation of being something of a hot-head – the exact opposite in fact of how he was during his long public career.

This would not have been possible without the strength, support, and guidance of Kathleen.

Those early years were full of excitement and positive ambition. Maureen was a close observer as her father assumed ministerial office and energetically went about building new industries, ensuring that the country could eat and meet its basic needs during the Second World War. He also undertook most of the practical work in building up a political organisation which went well beyond its base in order to win the support of a majority of the people

The Lemass house was a liberal one in terms of showing respect for people of all backgrounds and always being open to new ideas. Maureen personified this throughout her life.

Patriotism and service were the defining ideals which Seán and Kathleen passed on to their children. They encouraged their children to have inquiring minds, to study, and to be active readers.

Maureen was the first of her family to go to university and she did so at a time when it was still exceptional.

She attended UCD at an exciting time. Many of her contemporaries went on to achieve political and artistic prominence. While she studied commerce, her love of literature was cemented at this time, as was her interest in discussing and understanding Irish history.

It was also in UCD that she met her future husband Charlie Haughey. When he passed away in 2006 they had been married for 55 years.

Together they raised Eimear, Conor, Ciarán and Seán and saw them, in turn, start families. She was a constant and active support to him in his political career; whether at election time, knocking on doors and engaging with people on the ground, or supporting him as one of the most reforming cabinet ministers of his generation, as party leader, and as Taoiseach.

Just as had been the case with her mother, Maureen did not seek the limelight and did not want to exploit her position to claim some form of separate personal mandate. But nonetheless she did play an important role.

When Charlie Haughey was Taoiseach, Maureen’s home was always a welcoming one for people of different ages and backgrounds. Not widely understood is how she was a great informal diplomat – working to put people at ease and helping to create a positive atmosphere.

I am reliably informed that at times there might be trade unionists in one room while the employers were in another – or sensitive delegations from London or Brussels had to be looked after. She never once failed to show visitors that they were welcomed and respected, irrespective of whether the guest was François Mitterrand, Bob Hawke, or a constituent with particular issues.

Her children’s friends will always remember her warmth, active encouragement, and interest in their lives.

Maureen was not a politician but she was always politically active.

In the council elections, by-election and general elections which Charlie Haughey fought over forty years she was always present, with her focus being first and foremost on the welfare of the foot soldiers, as well as having that sharp electoral antenna which oozed from her DNA.

Indeed in the last General Election she knew every detail of that campaign, both nationally and in Dublin Bay North, where she was thrilled to see her son Seán returned to Dáil Éireann.

In later years she attended party functions nationally and throughout the country with enthusiasm and a spirit of wanting to talk with, and listen to, whoever she met.

And just as she was always encouraging the next generation to become active in politics, she was highly supportive of efforts to increase the voice of women within Fianna Fáil and in wider elected office.

In this she showed the spirit of her father in believing in a politics which evolves with society –a politics which is inspired by the past but is never afraid to move forward.

It was particularly satisfying for Maureen to see her grandchildren participating actively in Ógra Fianna Fáil and out canvassing enthusiastically in the last General Election. Maureen was comfortable in the knowledge that the torch has truly passed on to the younger generation.

Maureen Lemass Haughey was not a loud voice but she was an important voice.

She was an active representative of a great republican family and tradition.

She showed respect for others and her loyalty and friendship was valued by all who knew her.

She was always interested – informed and inquiring.

She was stoic, dignified and considerate.

This daughter of the revolution saw many good days and many tough days in her life.

She was proud of her family and its work for Ireland for over a century.

She was, in so many ways, an exceptional person whose life we should honour and whose memory we should always hold close.

A Mháirín, táimid fíorbhuíoch díot as a bhfuil déanta agat ar son do theaghlaigh agus ar son na tíre seo. Bhí an t-ádh orainn go raibh aithne again ort agus ar do phearsantacht uasal séimh.

A dhaoine uaisle, ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dhílis.

The post Sadly, on St. Patrick’s Day 2017, my mother, Maureen Haughey, passed away. The Leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin TD, delivered an oration at her graveside in St. Fintan’s cemetery in Sutton. Herewith is his speech for the historical record. appeared first on Sean Haughey.

-       Design of new ED already over a year late -

Local Fianna Fáil TD, Sean Haughey has said that the government’s failure to deliver on its own commitment to develop a new emergency department at Beaumont Hospital is unacceptable and a severe lack of foresight.

Deputy Haughey raised his concerns about the significant delay in developing a new emergency department at Beaumont Hospital directly with the Taoiseach during a Promised Legislation debate on the floor of the Dáil on March 9^th.

“The hospital, one of the busiest in the country and which opened in 1987, treats in excess of 45,000 patients every year. Yet there has been no major investment over the past 30 years,” he commented.

“It is operating at maximum capacity while wards are forced to close to facilitate essential temporary refurbishment. Staff are being forced to work under difficult and stressful conditions with limited space and resources to effectively treat patients. The facilities in the ED at Beaumont are in urgent need of investment and improvement.

“As it stands, little or no progress has been made to meet the commitment outlined in the Programme for Government to construct a new modern emergency department that is fit to deal with the needs of a large growing population in North Dublin and beyond.

“Minister Harris has confirmed to me that funding for preliminary design works will be made available in the HSE Capital Plan later this year, over 12 months behind as promised.

“In fact, commencement of a design plan for the ED is already over a year behind and therefore the construction, which was due to begin as part of this year’s capital plan review will be delayed even further. This is simply not good enough.

“Our community has a large elderly population and these are the people that primarily rely on the services provided in the ED but they are fearful to attend the department given the current pressure it is under.

“The need for a new ED in Beaumont is a major concern for the whole area. As overcrowding goes on, the numbers of those on trolleys indicate that the health system continues to underestimate the challenges arising within the ED at Beaumont.

“We are nowhere near turning the sod on this project let alone opening its doors. Lives are being put at risk, yet it is clear that there is no plan in place to complete this project,” concluded Deputy Haughey.

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