Alan Brogan with Derek Keating TD

Former Taoiseach John Bruton to address public meeting in Lucan -

Time: 8pm
Date: Monday 14th May
Place: Scoil Áine Naomh beside St Patrick’s Church. at SuperQuinn roundabout

Fine Gael Deputy, Derek Keating, said he is delighted that former Taoiseach, John Bruton, will address a public meeting in Lucan, hosted by Deputy Keating on the Stability Treaty Referendum Campaign on Monday, 14th May.

Deputy Keating has also extended an invitation to Colin Culliton, the CEO of the local print company, The Printed Image, to attend and to address the meeting in advance of the referendum taking place on Thursday 31st May.

Deputy Keating said: ‘This is a crucial time for our country and this referendum is an important in terms of securing our future and continuing to attract future inward investment. I am arranging this meeting to ensure that every voter has an opportunity to clarify facts and to put questions to an expert on European affairs, such as John Bruton’.

“There are people all over the world who are protesting for the vote; in Syria, Africa and the Far East. My wish is that every voter who has questions will come to a public information meeting, join the debate, inform themselves of the facts and then go out and vote.

“Lucan has a proud tradition and record in voting but the younger voters especially should be encouraged to attend the meeting and to get involved.

“One of the very large employers in the area is The Printed Image, which has been charged with printing Fine Gael’s posters for the national campaign. The company’s CEO, Colin Culliton, will also be available to answer questions on Trade and Employment on the night.

“I am asking all constituents in Dublin Mid West to make a special effort to attend and ask the questions they want answered so that they can make an informed decision before going out to vote. I am hoping for a successful outcome with a strong Yes vote on the 31st May and am encouraging the people of Lucan and beyond to give consideration to what is being asked of them and what it means for Ireland’s future.”

What are the main provisions of the Treaty?

1.    Balanced Budget Rule: Government budgets should be balanced or in surplus, with any annual structural deficit set at a lower limit of a 0.5% of GDP. The requirement to correct deviations from this level must exist in national legislation.

2.    “Debt Brake” Rule: Countries with a debt/GDP ratio of more than 60% must reduce their ratio by one-twentieth per annum.

3.    Sanctions: A fine of up 0.1% of GDP can be imposed and payable to the ESM for eurozone countries.

4.    Eurozone Governance Arrangements: Eurozone countries will have two informal Euro Summits annually or more as required.  The Commission President will attend, and the Presidents of the ECB  and the European Parliament may also be invited to attend or be heard.

How much of this is already in place?

5.    There is very little in the Treaty that is new. Most of its provisions (particularly the Balanced Budget Rule and the “Debt Brake”) were already provided for in the Stability and Growth Pact (1997) and in the so-called “Six Pack” measures which were implemented in 2011 to re-enforce the SGP. Crucially however, the Treaty addresses one of the failures of the SGP: large Member States will no longer be permitted to avoid the consequences of breaching the rules by ganging up to out-vote the smaller Member States. This is an important consideration for Ireland.
What’s the difference between the “deficit” and the “structural deficit”?

6.    The deficit is the gap between tax receipts and public spending. This gap is bridged through borrowing.

7.    The structural deficit is a deficit that results from a fundamental imbalance in government receipts and expenditures which exists irrespective of one-off or short-term factors (such as the current banking/property crash) and which will remain even when the economy returns to its full potential. Structural deficits tend to persist for some time, even when an economy returns to growth, and coupled with large debt/GDP ratios they can lead to a crisis of confidence among markets and potential lenders. Reduction of structural deficits has been a feature of European policy for many years.

Why did the Taoiseach sign the Treaty before the people had a chance to vote on it?

8.    The signature of the Treaty by the Taoiseach does not give it legal force in Ireland, nor does it mean that Ireland has ratified it. This is merely a formality and is the first step in the ratification process.

9.    In order for the Treaty to apply to Ireland, its provisions will need to be implemented in Irish law by the Oireachtas following approval by the people in a referendum.

10.    The same process was followed for the Lisbon Treaty, which was signed in December 2007 by the then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, but did not come into force until December 2009 following the Irish Yes vote.

Why is a referendum required? And what is the timeline for the referendum?

11.    The Government stated from the outset that a referendum would be held if the Attorney General advised that one was necessary in order for the Treaty to comply with the Constitution.

12.    As the Taoiseach announced in the Dáil last week, the AG has advised the Government that because of the unique inter-governmental nature of the Treaty it does not enjoy the Constitutional protection which other treaties (such as the Nice and Lisbon Treaties) have and that therefore a referendum is required.

13.    The Government is examining a suitable timeline for the holding of a referendum and will announce a date in due course.

What is the ESM?

14.    The European Stability Mechanism is an emergency fund of €500 billion guaranteed by members of the eurozone for the purposes of providing loans to eurozone countries in need of emergency funding.

15.    It was brought into being by a separate treaty which will be ratified by the Oireachtas. However, future funding from the ESM will be dependent on ratification of the Fiscal Treaty.

16.    Ireland and other programme countries do not need to contribute to the ESM until they come out of their Programme.

Is access to the ESM bailout fund dependent on ratifying the Treaty? And if so, why?

17.    The Treaty makes it clear that a Member State must ratify the Treaty in order to qualify for assistance from the ESM.

18.    There is a logic to this requirement. The creditor countries in the eurozone who are providing the lions share of the funding for the ESM naturally need some assurances that they are not putting money into a black hole. They must go back to their parliaments, as we do, and explain to taxpayers why they are investing money in these funds, in which there is always a risk involved. Therefore, they are seeking some type of assurance from countries who may seek funding from the ESM that they will make every effort to reform their economies, reduce their deficits and debt levels and abide by rules which apply to them.

19.    The Government remains committed to market re-entry after the current Programme expires in 2013. We believe that a condition of market re-entry and leaving the Troika programme will be the availability to Ireland of a credible funding back-stop from the ESM. In other words, it is the very availability of the back-stop from the ESM that will minimise the chances of our needing a second programme.

20.    The Government does not intend to access ESM funding, but it is an important insurance policy for Ireland to have.

21.    The best way for Ireland to avoid the need for a second bail out from the ESM is to regain the confidence of the markets and investors. Ironically, a rejection of the Treaty would lead to a serious loss of confidence which could ultimately lead to us requiring another bailout, while at the same time cutting us off from the ESM.

Does the Treaty force the Government to make deeper spending cuts? Will it be an “austerity treaty”?

22.    The Treaty will not have any impact on the Government’s overall budget targets. The plan to shrink the deficit to under 3% of GDP by 2015 as agreed with the troika will not be affected by the Treaty. The Government has already announced its €17 billion Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme running until 2016. The Treaty will have no effect on this plan.

23.    The Fiscal Responsibility Bill, which will implement many of the provisions of the Treaty, was already part of the Government’s agenda since it was appointed.

24.    Long before the agreement of Treaty, the Government was committed to reducing our debt burden to safer levels. The Treaty provides for nothing new in this regard, and merely provides a roadmap for this reduction.

25.    Ironically, those who have labelled it an “austerity treaty” fail to realise that if Ireland chooses not to ratify the Treaty, we will not qualify for funding from the ESM bailout fund, should we need it. This lack of funding is what would bring about the real “austerity”.

Does the Treaty ban future stimulus measures? Does it outlaw Keynesianism?
26.    Many left-wing commentators have claimed that the Balanced Budget Rule on structural deficits will “outlaw Keynesianism”, in that Governments will not be permitted to intervene in their economies with stimulus packages during times of recession.

27.    In fact, Article 3 of the Treaty states that Eurozone members may deviate temporarily from the Balanced Budget Rule in “exceptional circumstances”, which can include an “unusual event outside the control of the [Eurozone government] concerned which has a major impact on the financial position of the general government.” Such circumstances could also include “periods of severe economic downturn”, causing a “temporary deviation” in the budget that “does not endanger fiscal sustainability in the medium term”.

28.    It is perfectly clear from the wording of the Treaty that a Eurozone Government can still undertake a temporary fiscal stimulus if it is subjected to a severe economic blow.

Will the Treaty solve the Eurozone crisis?

29.    The Treaty is a vital tool in restoring stability and confidence to the Euro area. However, it is just part of a jigsaw of measures needed to prevent future crises. The Government still believes that more action will be required to address the present crisis such as ensuring that we have convincing and robust firewalls.

30.    The Government believes that the implementation of the Treaty will give the ECB increased confidence to play a more active role in stabilizing the eurozone sovereign debt crisis. Indeed, even the agreement last December to sign up to this Treaty led to a major injection of confidence which triggered a more liberal approach by the ECB.

Will the “Debt Brake” force us to make €5 billion in debt repayments every year?

31.    Opponents of the Treaty have claimed that the Debt Brake or “one-twentieth Rule” in the Treaty forces us to pay off €100 billion of our debt over the next 20 years – ie. A €5 billion repayment every year for the next 20 years. The Treaty says no such thing.

32.    Ireland is subject to an EU/IMF programme until 2015 and is therefore exempt from these provisions of the Treaty. Even then, we will be exempt from the “Debt Brake” rule for a further 3 years transition period after this. Therefore the “One Twentieth” rule will not affect Ireland until 2018 at the earliest. This transition period has been specifically designed to give Programme countries such as Ireland some breathing space to allow us to emerge from years of complying with very difficult troika obligations.

33.    The IMF have projected that our debt will fall from about 120% of GDP in 2013, to 111% in 2016. Another forecast has said that by 2018, we will be down to 105% of GDP. This will be achieved without making ANY debt repayments.

34.    After 2018, a 2% rate of economic growth and 2% inflation would reduce our debt/GDP ratio in line with the Treaty, without paying back a cent of the debt – let alone paying €5 billion per annum. Modest growth rates would bring the debt ratio down from 105% of GDP to 101% of GDP and all the way down to the 60% target over time.

35.    This is what happened between 1997 and 2007, when the total amount of our debt actually increased, but our debt/GDP ratio fell from over 50% to 25% due to the economic growth of that period. While no one expects growth of that scale in the years ahead, this does demonstrate the impact that economic growth has in reducing our debt levels.

Will the Government seek a debt write-down to “sweeten” the deal?

36.    The Government has consistently said that the negotiation of the Treaty and the level of our debt burden are two separate issues, involving separate discussions, and it would never have made any sense for the Government to attempt to link them.

37.    The Government has been working intensively with the troika for many months explore possible ways to reengineer the Anglo Promissory Notes in order to ease this portion of our debt burden.

If we vote No, will there be a 2nd referendum?

38.    Previous EU treaties such as Nice and Lisbon required ratification by all Member States before they could take effect, which effectively gave Ireland and every other Member State a veto over ratification.

39.    The Fiscal Treaty can take effect once 12 Member States have ratified it, therefore no one country can delay its implementation. The Member States which ratify the Treaty can simply move ahead without those who do not, so there would be no demand for a second referendum.

40.    The Taoiseach made this clear earlier this week when he said that there will only be one referendum on the Treaty. We will have one opportunity to say Yes.

What are the benefits of Ireland’s membership of the Euro?

The euro has been beneficial to Ireland on a number of fronts, including:
•    It has removed a large element of exchange rate risk with Ireland’s trading partners in the EU.
•    It has reduced transaction costs in international trade.
•    It shielded Ireland from a currency crisis in 2008 when the banking sector collapsed.
•    It has helped to increase trade from Ireland to the other Eurozone countries by 43 per cent since 2002.

MARIE O’HALLORAN

Fine Gael Dublin Mid West TD Derek Keating called on Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte to consider banning the numbers advertised on TV3, and to introduce legislation governing advertising standards.

Mr Keating, who raised the issue in the Dáil, said the “inspiration behind the question is that often, as I sit at home late at night awaiting what is for me and many others a very challenging political programme, I see young scantily dressed girls on TV3 encouraging and inviting people to participate with them by way of a call centre”.

“I wish to make no bones about it today: given the information I have, I believe this is a cover for prostitution.”

Mr Rabbitte said responsibility for the regulation of premium-rate telephone numbers and for advertising was a matter for the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) and he had “no direct role in the matter”.

The chat-line services Mr Keating referred to “are not defined as sexual entertainment services but rather as virtual chat services”, but the code of practice requires service providers to “ensure services are not used in any way to promote or facilitate prostitution”.

Mr Keating said: “I do not accept for a moment that what I see on TV3 every night is not sexual entertainment services.”

From the information available, “prostitution is rife in this country today and it is readily available in every city, town and village”. It was “inextricably linked with sex trafficking”.The issue could not be discussed without considering the knock-on effects on crime.

He said gardaí in Clondalkin were seeking help following a recent attack on a young girl in his constituency, and he believed the phone line advertisements were sexual entertainment services.

He accepted ComReg was the relevant authority but “we are the legislative authority”, and the Oireachtas could help ComReg by empowering it with additional legislation to deal with “this serious matter I feel most uncomfortable about”.

Mr Rabbitte said it was “not yet established that the BAI code in this regard is ineffective”. He found it “difficult to think of anything positive one could say about the advertisements in question. They are demeaning of women and . . . there is an issue affecting this country, as well as every other country, of trafficking of young women into this jurisdiction.”

Mr Rabbitte said that when the Bill on human trafficking was implemented, the belief was that “it was something that affected other member states but not this country to the same extent”. However, evidence now suggested “it is a matter of concern in this jurisdiction as well”.

The Minister said he would bring ComReg’s attention to the matter and to Mr Keating’s belief.

“I will not press him as to the source of his information . . . If the chat lines are a cover for prostitution then it would be appropriate to refer the ads to the Broadcasting Authority”.

Need for a Yes vote on Stability Treaty Referendum underpinned by betrayal felt by Irish people

Fine Gael Dublin Mid West Deputy, Derek Keating, has said the comments made by President Higgins that the Irish people are angered by the betrayal of trust by individuals and institutions that characterised the Celtic Tiger economy are an accurate reflection of the mood of the nation. Deputy Keating went on to say that the electorate has a chance in the Stability Treaty Referendum to put the measures in place to safeguard against such events happening again.

“The Stability Treaty is not the answer to all of our problems but it will help to provide the certainty that we need in terms responsible budgeting and good financial housekeeping for all who sign up to it. This will have the desired effect of bringing stability and certainty to the euro which in turn will instil confidence in Ireland and the rest of Europe where multinational investors are concerned.

“President Higgins is speaking for us all when talks of the anger felt by the Irish people over the betrayal of trust by those who characterised the Celtic Tiger economy. These comments which were made at a reception for Irish American groups at the Irish Consulate in New York, indicate one of the principle reasons why a Yes vote is needed on 31st May.

“But far from being defeated by circumstances, the Irish people have shown remarkable resilience and a determination to get back on our feet. The Government recognises the hardship faced by the Irish people and is working assiduously to turn the county’s fortunes around and get our people back to work.

“I am calling on people to inform themselves of the issues relating to the Referendum and to consider the implications of a NO vote and what that might mean for Ireland’s future. There has been considerable support in recent days for the Yes campaign with organisations such as the IFA, Glanbia, Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association, The Irish Hotels Federation and ICT Ireland, which includes companies such as Fujitsu, HP, IBM, Microsoft, Oracle and Ericsson calling for support for the Treaty.

“I welcome President Higgins’ words of support for the Irish people and encourage everyone to come out and vote in favour of Ireland’s future by voting Yes on 31st May.”

Wednesday 25th April 2012

Senior was losing 5 we saved 3

Junior was losing 10 we saved 7

Deputy Derek Keating today, Wednesday 25th April, received confirmation from the Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn TD that  our appeal secured or saved 10 teachers from a possible loss of 15 at Archbishop Ryan’s schools in Lucan  following his appeal directly to the Minister and to the Appeal Board.

It was expected that up to 15 teachers could have been lost, as a result of the state of public finances that this Government inherited.

A vote of confidence in Lucan

Speaking about the good news Deputy Keating said “this is a major decision and vote of confidence in the staff of the two schools for our area, considering the central role that these two schools play in our community”.

I am delighted with the news that experienced teachers will not be lost and that a full complement will continue to be available from September.

I am also delighted to have led the campaign on behalf of the schools and local families directly to the Minister.

I have also spoken to the Department of Education this week to seek information regarding the reclassification of DEIS status for Archbishop Ryan’s two schools.

I want to congratulate the two principals John Ring and Marie Mullins and their staff at the schools for the very controlled campaign that they ran with me to ensure that these schools had a full complement of teachers.

Historical Background

On the 11th December 2011 I had a meeting with the principal of the Senior School Mr John Ring regarding the possibility that the school would lose teachers following the budget announcement.

We must remember the crises our finances are in and the difficult job the Minister for Education has to do with 90% of the total budget used for salaries and pensions.

I immediately commenced representations to the department of Education in December  last and following this a number of meetings took place with both officials and on site where I met the teachers of the schools and discussed with them at length the process of an appeal in the event that teachers would be removed from the school staff.

On the 22nd February the school received the news with great shock that up to 11 teachers in the junior school and 6 teachers in the senior school would be transferred out of the school because they did not have DEIS status.

At that time I drew to the Minister for Education attention on the floor of the Dáil through a series of Dáil questions that 60% of the children coming from non-Irish families, that the teaching staff had developed a unique relationship with each pupil and the news was absolutely shocking and this could have a massive impact in the area of Mid /South Lucan.

In February I raised the issue directly with the Taoiseach who advised me that he would have discussions with senior officials of the Department of Education and directly with the Minister relating to all cuts in schools nationally.

Keating meets all teaching staff:

I immediately set about meeting all the teachers in both schools on that day, 22nd February, and made a personal commitment that I would set about having this decision reversed.

On the teacher’s request, I wrote to the other public representatives in Lucan seeking their support for my campaign to have this decision reversed.

I raised the matter again on the floor of the Dáil in March, and sought assurance from the Minster.  During my discussions with the Minister it was agreed that informal and behind the scene negotiations would take place in relation to devising a formal appeal to the education board.

I met with the principals of both schools and advised them on this and I personally made a substantial submission to the Appeals Board on behalf of the school and the parents in the community.( copy attached)

The Appeals Board commenced its investigations on all national appeals received last Wednesday 19th April last.

Today we’ve received the results of that appeal  I am absolutely thrilled with the news that the school and the work of the teachers has been recognised in the appeal and that no teaching posts will be lost to this excellent school complex of a senior and national primary school with over 600 students.

Prefabricated class rooms: unacceptable and must be sorted.

I am currently dealing with the fact that 200 students are still in prefabs in the two schools since 2004 and I have already commenced raising this issue as the pupil ratio in Mid/South is increasing every year.

Tuesday, 24th April 2012

Fine Gael TD for Dublin Mid-West, Derek Keating, has called for  Lucan & Clondalkin shopkeepers and other national lottery retailers to be protected in the event of the sale of the national lottery. Deputy Keating was speaking in Dáil Eireann today in the debate on the sale of state assets as recommended by the McCarthy Report.

“I welcome the sale of the National Lottery as recommended by the McCarthy Report. I believe it is of paramount importance that the commission provided to retailers is not affected. Since its inception in 1987 over €3.6 billion has been raised for a significant number of good causes. Over 3,700 retail agents sell lottery products for which they receive a 6% commission on ticket prices.

“Given the difficulties many of these retailers are facing as a result of the current economic difficulties and the fact that many people are not spending as much as they used to, I believe it is critically important that the commission received by these retailers is not affected in any way. I have called on Minister Howlin to ensure that as a condition of the sale of the National Lottery, the commission provided to retailers is not affected.

“I welcome Minister Howlin’s statement that he will investigate this issue and hope that the interests of shopkeepers and other retailers are protected in the sale of this important asset.

“It is important to bear in mind that retailers are crucial to the success of the national lottery. It is a weekly ritual for many people to call into their local shop to buy their lotto tickets. Two thirds of Irish adults regularly play played the lottery.

“The lottery is an extremely valuable asset and, given the Government’s commitment to spend money raised by the sale of state assets on job creation and economic recovery, I completely support the sale of this asset.

“Whoever, the successful bidder is, it is important that lottery ticket retailers are protected as they are the ones who have helped make the lottery the success it is.”

Monday 20th April 2012

Fine Gael Dublin Mid-West Deputy, Derek Keating today Monday said the comments made by  the General Secretary of the Garda Representative Association, PJ Stone, in relation to the closure of Garda stations are unpatriotic and an attempt to undermine our national recovery  calling his attack on the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter dangerous.

“The statement by the Garda Representative Association spokesman, PJ Stone, in relation to the Justice Minister and the Garda Commissioner is inflammatory and misleading and the allegations should be retracted at once.

“The Gardaí hold a special place in Irish society and play a fundamental role in maintaining order. Calls by the GRA for citizens who hear of local stations being earmarked for closure to do everything in their power to resist such moves are incitement and against the pledge a Garda swears when graduating to protect the peace.

14 years ago they introduced the “BLUE FLU” policy and lost credibility with the citizen.

Encouraging citizens of the State to rise up against the Government of the day by demonstrating against Government policy is, in my view, a step too far and grossly irresponsible.

“Mr Stone should be well aware of the crisis that this country faces financially, which has forced the present Government to make tough decisions.  “Mr stone should put on a uniform and go and do real work”

The Minster for Justice has given assurances the Dáil that any changes to An Garda Síochána will result in a modernisation of the Force, and any reduction in Garda station numbers will take account of advances in transport, communication and technology in recent years and will, in fact, mean more Gardaí on the beat.

Modern policing is not simply about a bricks and mortar presence in every locality, but the delivery of a professional service to every community using all the modern capacities of An Garda Síochána.

“The introduction of the infamous ‘blue flu’ approach to industrial relations damaged the confidence that was previously held in the Gardaí. Everyone acknowledges the difficult job they do on a daily basis, but every citizen, official and employee and has a role to play in the recovery of this State and the Gardaí are no different.

“Minister Shatter has indicated on many occasions that An Garda Síochána is an extremely talented Force and that he has confidence in the ability of the Commissioner to put measures in place to ensure that the organisation will be well placed to meet all the challenges that will arise.

I am calling on the GRA to play its part in our national recovery and to work with the Garda Commissioner and Minister Shatter in ensuring that Irish society is safer place where our finances are managed in the interests of every member of society.”

Full scale of problem must be made known if we are to deal with it
If coroners refuse to report the facts they should consider their position says keating

Fine Gael Dublin Mid West Deputy and Director of Pieta House, Derek Keating, has called for the standard operational procedures to be put in place for coroners, when it comes to the reporting of cases of suicides, to ensure that all deaths by suicide are reported as such.

Deputy Keating put down a Parliamentary Question to the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, to determine the Minister’s satisfaction with the current coroners’ practice of reporting suicidal deaths and to ask for details of any plans to review the current legislation.

“The Minister, in his response, made the point that under the Coroners Act 1962, a coroner is an independent office holder who bears a heavy duty when reaching a verdict of suicide. And I accept this. However, there appears to be no consistency whatsoever among coroners when it comes to reporting deaths of this nature.

“While I acknowledge that a death by suicide bears an inordinate weight on a bereaved family, if coroners refuse to report suicidal deaths as such, the true scale of what has become an epidemic in Ireland will never be fully known. I welcome and congratulate the Kerry coroner for his stand today in demanding support for people who are isolated in their communities.

“As legislators, we have a role to play, to encourage debate and to influence change where we see fit. , I have first-hand and extensive experience in this area from my work with Pieta house.. This Government is intent on addressing the high rate of suicides in this country and secured €35 million in the Budget for mental health services.

“The 2007 Coroners’ Bill is currently under review by the Minister’s Department. Now would be an appropriate time to look at the ways in which we can improve in this area. I have called on the Minister to consider including a Directive in the Bill to ensure that different standards of reporting, when it comes to suicides, are not taking place in different counties.

“We can, and will, deal with the disproportionate number of suicides that are taking place in Ireland, particularly among our young people. But if we are to deal adequately with this issue, we first need to know the full extent of what we are dealing with.”

“I believe that our Defence Forces have an excellent record in peace-keeping, humanitarian works, aiding the civil power and providing essential services including the defence of our State when called upon. I am of the view that these services could be utilised as part of the “Internship Programme” introduced by the Minister for Social Protection.

Last year I had the opportunity to join the Minister for Defence on an official visit to Roger Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel and I saw at first hand the expertise that is available to the State on an hourly basis.

I believe that the Air Corps School, the Engineering School, the Infantry Divisions, the Equine School, the Naval School and the Military Cadet School can all offer a limited but valuable contribution to young people in our community who have an ambition to enter the Defence Forces as a full-time career.

There is also significant evidence to show that the Defence Forces can provide a valuable community-based service under the Reserve Defence Forces Division of our services providing leadership, commitment, personal development, physical training and comradeship for young people between the ages of 15 to 18 years in a structured and professional manner. I plan to raise this in the Dáil on Wednesday 14th March with Minister Alan Shatter.

Ireland has only to look around the world to see how Reserve Defence Forces in other countries, who offer a 6 month to two year membership for young people, can contribute to their personal development at weekends, during holiday periods and during transition year education breaks.

Wednesday 14th September.

As reported in the national press there are over 90 other similar cases pending before February 2012.
With the Dáil’s new procedure of “topical issues” there is no more topical issue at present.
I have also written to the Chairman of our Fine Gael  parliamentary Party to have the matter discussed  by all members as soon as possible.
The questions  for the Dáil are listed below
Submitted on Wednesday 14th for discussion on Thursday 15th.
Dear Ceann Comhairle,
I wish to raise as a matter of urgency the issue of bonuses, large lump sums, severance payments and pensions which have been paid or will be paid before February next to senior Civil Servants, senior Officials of the State, senior Gardai and School Principals and the need to stop the brain drain into retirement. I wish to raise with the relevant Minister matters to address this unacceptable situation and to clarify the cost to the Exchequer and if the Minister has plans to address this crisis.

Mr Gilmore also said if the Vatican relaxes the requirement that the Vatican embassy has to be housed in a separate building and be occupied by a separate ambassador it could be reviewed.

Derek Keating TD welcomes Gilmore endorsement

Speaking at a Fine Gael meeting today Monday 13th February,   Derek Keating referred to his press release of the 16th Jan before it was trendy to speak about the Tánaiste decision. a copy of that release is presented without any change and although former Ambassador Donlon has not conversed with Deputy Keating he makes the same points, which are welcomed
there are far more serious issues involving our citizens – education system – unemployment – crime – Banking the Vatican is low on my list for the Tánaiste.