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7th February 2017 • Volume 24, Issue 04 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. K67 P5W4. • Tel: 01 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie • www.northcountyleader.ie
Staff At Local Authority Donate Bus Last Friday, staff members of the County Council were delighted have the formal handover of a bus to Abhainn Adult Autism Service, which is part of St Michael’s House organisation. This was the culmination of a relationship dating back to 2014, where staff, as part of Health and Safety Week each year, held sponsored walks for charity.
By Patrick Finnegan The aim of Network Fingal Forum was to encourage staff to take more care of their Health and Fitness and to raise some money for a good cause along the way. In 2014 it was agreed that they would raise funds for a local charity in Swords. The Abhainn Adult Autism Service was chosen by consensus of the forum. The unit was in need of a new bus. Over the three years County Council staff raised a staggering €30,000. Ann Gibson from the County Council said, “This is a fantastic achievement and one that we are very proud of. Thank you to all those involved, including the members of the Forum and its sub-groups, to all the staff in the County Council who took part in the walks
Pictured at the handover of the new bus to St Michael's House by staff members of the County Council are, Anna Shakespeare (CEO St Michael's House), Ann Gibson (Fingal County Council) and Paul Reid (Chief Executive Fingal County Council)
or who sponsored a member of staff, to the sponsors of prizes for the raffle and to the staff of St. Michael’s House, especially the lads in Abhainn for all the support and hard work that went into raising the funds,” she said. Diarmuid O’ Donovan, Manager of Adult Autism Service at St Michael’s House stated that, “the bus has enabled all in Abhainn to access new and more varied locations and has helped us provide a better service”. He went on to say “watch out for the blue bus with the “Donated by the staff of Fingal County Council” sticker on it and know that it is making a difference”. St. Michael’s House CEO, Anna Shakespeare was present on the day to formally accept the generous bus donation. Paul Reid, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council was very proud of the staff who put this all together. He said, “ I have been at a lot of Council events and I’m always very proud of the staff. However, I have to say that this is one of the most inspiring ones I have been at. Seeing the outcome of what staff have done is inspiring for many reasons. Firstly, it seems to connect the indoor and outdoor staff, which is bril-
liant. The second aspect is the fact that it incorporates wellbeing and health, which is very important for us. Thirdly, when you think back to the time you were trying to Gourmet Food Parlour celebrated the 10th anniversary of their successful restaurant in Swords. The celebrations coincided with the launch of their newly extended and reviraise funds, it was at one talised restaurant last week. Pictured celebrating 10 years in business are Gourmet Food of the most difficult times Parlour owners, Lorraine Byrne and Lorraine Heskin, with Gourmet Food Parlour ambasat the height of the reces- sador and Dublin GAA footballer Paul Flynn. See pictures on page 4 sion, with pay cuts and restraints, just adds to the enormous achievement of staff,” he concluded. The process, known as “Network Fingal Forum” stems from Workplace Partnership which was established in 2000 when the first committee was set up to oversee its introduction. The partnership process involves management, unions and staff agreeing on common objectives and working together to ensure organisational success. Partnership continues to be an ongoing process in the County Council and requires the engagement of stakeholders across the organisation.
Concern Over Use Of Pre-Clearance Facility
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Local Fine Gael TD, Alan Farrell, their nationality alone is, in has voiced his concern regarding my opinion, unacceptable,” the implementation of the execu- he said. tive order, signed by Donald “The US has some of the most stringent vetting proceTrump, President of the dures for visa applicaUSA, at Dublin Airport’s tions and refugees in the US immigration prewestern world, however clearance facility. we have heard Farrell said, “I am numerous stories of concerned about the valid visa holders and implementation of refugees being detained President Trump’s execupon arrival at US utive order at the US airports. This is very immigration pre-clear- Alan Farrell TD disconcerting, particuance facility in Dublin Airport, and at Shannon Airport larly with the US embassy in also. Deciding as to whether a Dublin confirming that their preperson is suitable to enter clearance facilities in Irish airports any country on the basis of are acting in accordance with
President Trump’s executive order.” He continued, “Using nationality alone as a litmus test to determine whether or not a person can be granted entry to a democratic country flies in the face of the equality, human rights, and the principle of democracy itself.” “This executive order is in stark contrast with the inscription on the foundation stone of the Liberty Statue in New York: ‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…’ “The fact that President Trump’s executive order is being implemented on Irish soil, and in my own constituency, is extremely concerning and I have communicated my views in this regard to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD,” he concluded.