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14th January 2014 • Volume 21, Issue 01 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. • Tel: 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie
Make Your Voice Heard This year will see an unprecedented flurry of political activity, with the local elections due to take place in late May. This will be the most important political event in the country this year and it’s coming to your area. The fact that there will be more councillors elected than ever, has added a new dimension to the campaign. But exactly how well do we know our local county councillors and candidates and what function do they have?. This election, which only comes about every five years, represents a golden opportunity for you to have your say in how money is spent in your area and what decisions will be made on your behalf. Candidates are now in the process of knocking on doors, looking for your precious Cllr. Eoghan O’Brien vote and you need to be well versed in asking probing questions to find out if they are suitable people to represent you at County Hall. They need to be asked what they can offer you in return for your vote. Remember that the principal decision-making
By Patrick Finnegan body in each local authority is composed of the members of the council, elected by universal franchise in local elections every five years. This gives voters a great responsibility to ensure that the correct candidate is chosen. So, get out and cast your vote and have your say in the running of your local area. This is where research is required, in an effort to find out if a particular candidate is genuine about solving local problems and issues, or if they are just looking for a handy job, where they can hide in the crowd. Local politics is utterly different to national politics, where TDs decide on the future of the nation. Local politics is all about you electing county councillors, who are members of the community. They will act as your voice at council meetings, where urgent business like budgets are decided and decisions are made on your behalf, on how best this budget is spent in the local area. This can have a huge impact on the quality of our lives, so the decision to use your vote in the most effective way, is of paramount importance. Of equal importance is finding out if you are entitled to vote at all. If you’re not registered
Local Clubs Can Apply For Sports Funding Local councillor, Tom O’Leary (FG), has highlighted that applications for funding under the Sports Capital Programme will be this week. “The Sports Capital Programme is the main channel of Government support for developing sports facilities and purchasing sports equipment for sports clubs and organisations across the North County and beyond,” O’Leary explained. “It’s important that local
clubs and organisations get their applications in now or at least sign up for an expression of Interest in a grant.” According to O’Leary, the deadline for applications is February 2014. “Under the programme, funding allocated will help pitches to be drained, floodlights to be installed, sports halls to be improved and dressing rooms to be built. Thanks to these grants, people will have more oppor-
tunities than ever to get active and stay active in a wide range of sports. It will also have an additional positive impact on job creation in construction,” he continued. The terms and conditions of the programme have been finalised and it will open for applications on 17th January. Applications for the 2014 programme will only be accepted online, and organisations must be registered in order to apply.
CIS Volunteers honoured in the European Year of Citizens 2013 Local Citizens Information Service volunteers who have given over 20 years service were honoured at a special ceremony recently. The contribution of 11 volunteers from CISs in Kerry, Offaly, Dublin, Wexford, Kilkenny and Tipperary were recognised and each volunteer received a certificate and a commemorative bowl at the event which was hosted by the Citizens Information Board (CIB) and the National Association of Citizens Information Services (NACIS). Pictured front from left: Pauline Giles volunteer from Citizen Information Service Fingal (North County), Sylda Langford Chairperson Citizen Information Board (CIB), Breda Corrigan, volunteer CIS Fingal North County CIS, Anna Flanagan Training Executive CIB (back from left): Yvonne Mc Kenna, CEO Volunteer Ireland, Eamonn Burgess County Wickow CIS Tony McQuinn CEO CIB, Philip Mc Cabe Chair of National Association Citizen Information Service (NACIS) and Mary Conway Chair Fingal (North County) CIS.
you can’t vote in the upcoming elections. Each voter is responsible for making sure they are correctly registered to vote. The current Voting Register runs from 15th February 2013 to 14th February 2014. Voter registration information for Fingal is available on www.fingal.ie/yourcouncil/voting-and-elections/. Voters can download an RFA2 form to allow them to register or an RFA3 form to amend their already registered details. Completed RFA2 Cllr. David O’Connor and RFA3 forms must be signed and returned to Franchise Section, Fingal County Council, County Hall, Main St, Swords. Non-national residents are fully entitled to vote, as long as they are legally resident in the area, and are on the voter register. The County Leader spoke with some experienced councillors about the importance of using your vote. Cllr Eoghan O’Brien (FF), who represents the Howth/Malahide Ward said, “The importance of casting your vote cannot be overstated. Citizens have the decision to elect councillors and have the decision on which ones are elected. They then become the link between the residents and the local authority. With the changes in local government in terms of municipal districts and plans for more control over where money is spent, it is more important than ever to cast your vote
in May,” he said. Experienced councillor, David O’Connor (NP), who represents Ballyboughal in the Balbriggan Electoral Ward said, “It’s very important that people understand why councillors are there in the first place and the function of the Council, which is very much to do with local issues. The job of a councillor is to connect with local people in their own areas by whatever means possible, like attending local meetings where they engage with people. Many people are cynical about voting in elections, but whingers will always be there,” he concluded. No matter where you go, be it to a pub, or to a football match, you are bound to encounter somebody who will give out about how politicians are letting everyone down. They have strong views, but when challenged, they will tell you that they never vote. This means they have no voice and no right to complain. All they do is whinge. Don’t fall into that category - get out and vote and make a diference.
Grow Your Business See page 15