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ÉAMON Ó CUÍV has said it’s breaking his heart that Fianna Fáil has not made more progress in recent times, as the party’s internal woes continue.
Speaking this morning on Adhmhaidin on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Ó Cuiv said that he held an hour-and-a-half long meeting with party leader Micheál Martin last night amid what he said was “low morale” within the party.
The Galway West TD said that he outlined his concerns to Martin, and that there was an exchange of views in relation to Fianna Fáil’s direction.
Despite this, he insisted the issue was not the leadership.
What is breaking my heart is that the party has not made more progress because Fianna Fáil has an important role in Irish politics. Our opinions differ on what is needed by the party in order to make some progress, but that is natural in any party.
Video: Timmy Dooley insists that Micheál Martin’s leadership is safe…
A succession of poor polls has led to several party figures publicly voicing their concerns, including Ó Cuív, the grandson of party founder Éamon de Valera, and longtime internal critic John McGuinness, who told local radio last night that he would not be silenced.
Martin is said to admonished his critics at a parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday afternoon, but reports of him describing some behaviour as ‘pathetic’ have been downplayed.
Speaking to reporters in Leinster House today, justice spokesperson Niall Collins had strong words for McGuinness.
I mean John McGuinness just needs to put his shoulder to the wheel. You know it’s not always about John McGuinness. It’s about Fianna Fáil, it’s about people, it’s about us reflecting people’s concerns out there and working with community.
“That’s what we’re about. I mean, if others just want to continually talk about themselves, fine. But that’s not reflecting the issues that are out there in society.”
Yesterday, Limerick TD Willie O’Dea urged Fianna Fáil’s internal critics to stay off the airwaves and voice their concerns within the party.
But Collins insisted that “nobody’s gagging anybody” and added: “Everybody just needs to pull together. That’s the bottom line, y’know?”
He insisted that Micheál Martin is doing “a very, very good job and the last local elections demonstrated that”.
“There’s a lot been said and written about this for the last number of days and weeks and really it’s largely irrelevant to the pubic out there and the issues that the public are grappling with in terms of their every single day lives.
He was speaking at the launch of a Fianna Fáil bill aimed at tackling crime in Dublin. The party is calling for a specific Garda task force for the capital to be established.
Collins said that Fianna Fáil has published 88 bills and 27 policy documents in recent years, claiming this is “significantly greater than any other political party” and something that “often gets lost in the narrative” about the party.
Information is power and hogan has taken away the most basic human right! Access to information.
The first person commented how there was no sound (and has now removed their comment, there is sound!! ) imagine the frustration you felt when watching the video, that’s our lives every day. Frustrating. Tiring. Limiting.
Return our ‘sound’
Yet another botched decision. , the craziness continues .
The video tells the tale. This is a shameless government, dismantling the few decent services that give some degree of dignity to those in need of them.
ISL should be enshrined in the constitution with full protection of rights!
I know it’s racist but, why don’t we take a few grand out of the foreign aid budget?
Over half a billion, and much of it thrown into a black hole. it’s absolute lunacy. If anybody disagrees, can they tell me if Africa is getting better or worse?
Sometimes I really do hope there is a hell and I hope those like Hogan burn there for eternity. The man should not be allowed to be in charge of opening a door.
Unfortunately that is not the case. Nature is cruel.
Why was that comment “there is no sound” been removed, for all you know that person may be deaf, ok so we all say he made a joke, try understand what the people are saying without reading the text I can just about lipread can’t sign and I can’t hear. People who know me who comment on here will know I am deaf, and not taking the piss.
A very sensible comment Declan .
Why would you need sound? See the world the way deaf people do!
I could have used this service had I known about it,now that I have its closed,then I may not have got because the household income might be €2 over the limit.
€8m is all that’s needed here!
Was even borrowing it and putting it on the “slate” considered?
Typical of Ireland and it’s backward government,hitting the needy and taking from the people that need services most.it can sometimes be very difficult for deaf people to integrate into society and now they are being victimised by their own government by the closure if deaforward they must feel further away from the rest of society than ever.The government shouod be embarrassed and ashamed but one thing is for sure,they are not!
Why am I not surprised? Oh yes because I live in Ireland.
It is with great dismay I read about the cut in funding to this vital service for the deaf community. The video above clearly illustrates how this service is needed so as to ensure that members of the deaf community are able to interact with bodies such as hospitals, government agencies and utilities companies in a dignified manner and on the same basis as any member of the hearing community.
For the government to cut this funding is tantamount to denying members of the deaf community the ability to access such basic human rights as to health and education. It is discrimination at the most fundamental level where the effect (intended or otherwise) is to marginalise 5,000 citizens of this country. It cannot be justified by raising budgetary concerns where less vital expenditure could be cut in its place.
i want our ids back, i don’t want be isolated again, need break the barrier, where can i go ? and access to health care, education etc, i wont go to gp if there is no interpreter, they gave me wrong med or no information. i have enough suffer in my childhood so enough is enough.
Totally agree Michelle! This decision is BEYOND shocking and an insult to every deaf person in this country!
This decision by Minister Hogan confirms his level of ignorance in dealing with people who have special needs. It’s obvious he neither understands nor cares about people who are challenged everyday in their efforts to live a normal life. These special services are a real and measurable lifeline for thousands of ordinary Irish citizens. “It’s a long road that hasn’t got a bend” and this decision will come back to haunt you Mr. Hogan
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