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31st May 2016 • Volume 23, Issue 18 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. EirCode: K67 P5W4. • Tel: 01 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie • www.northcountyleader.ie
Reilly Embraces Seanad Role With Gusto The decision to appoint former local Minister Dr James Reilly, as one of the Taoiseach’s 11 nominees for the Seanad, is one that is likely to be greeted with mixed feelings by some people in the area. Many will view the decision as good for the area, given that the new senator has vast experience, but can now focus on local issues, unlike during his term as minister. It may go some way to filling the
By Patrick Finnegan void left when the North County was left without a minister. It will also put a Fine Gael member of the Oireachtas in the northern end of the constituency. The County Leader
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spoke to Dr Reilly after his appointment and we asked him that, given his determination to have the Seanad scrapped last year, was it appropriate for him to accept his new role?. He replied, “The people spoke in the referendum and I am happy to accept their decision.” He once famously described the Seanad as unworkable with no power and we asked if that was still the case. “Of course the Seanad is badly in need of reform and this needs to be looked at as a matter of urgency. It is workable, but it needs to be part of the reform of the Oireachtas and I will be pushing for that reform,” he said. Reilly was very enthusiastic about areas where he can assert influence in the North County. “North County Dublin has fantastic potential with the youngest population in the state, if not in Europe. Our population is very diverse and these are huge strengths.” “Developing tourism and the delivery of Metro North are among his top priorities for the area. “We have a wonderful history and excellent beaches. I certainly will be focusing on these and I’m really looking forward to driving on the Metro, which I have been an advocate of for many years. Everyone knows how close the Metro project is to my heart,” he said. The new senator was
disappointed with the news that only two blue flags were awarded to North County beaches. I live in South Shore in Rush and I am fully aware of the fantastic amenity it represents in terms of health and well-being. That’s why it’s a priority that the work by Irish Water be carried out as expeditiously as possible. In this day and age we’re entitled to have our beaches clean and safe. As a former Minister for Health, Dr Reilly ensured that the new Primary Care Centre in Balbriggan was controversially added to a list of other agreed Primary Care Centres across the country. This led to
Senator James Reilly
strained relations between the coalition parties at the time, with Labour’s Junior Health Minister, Roisin Shortall resigning her position. However, Dr Reilly was very pleased to see the new Primary Care Centre nearing completion. “It’s great to see that building developing all the time and it’s great to know that local people now
Pictured at the raising of the Blue Flag and the awarding of the Green Coast Award at Velvet Strand, Portmarnock on Thursday last are, Michael John O'Mahoney (An Taisce), Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Simon Coveney, County Mayor Cllr David O'Connor, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council Paul Reid and Ronan Farren from sponsors, Coca Cola Ireland
have a major source of employment in an iconic building in the town, but that they are going to have the best of facilities to receive the best medical care. On trolley watch figures, he re-emphasised that, as Minister for Health, he managed to get the figures on trolleys down by a third, with in-patient waiting time reduced to eight months. These need to be continually worked on. “I think the Special Delivery Unit was something that worked extremely well and I hope to speak to Minister Harris, with a view to having it reinstated. Dr Reilly’s appointment was welcomed by Alan Farrell TD and by former councillor, and long-time Fine Gael campaigner, Tom O’Leary. Farrell said, “I would like to congratulate Dr. Reilly on his appointment to Seanad Éireann by An Taoiseach. In the last
general election, it was unfortunate that we were unable to deliver a second seat for Fine Gael in Dublin Fingal, and to have a second Government TD for our constituency. However, I am sure Dr. Reilly will be an effective member of Seanad Éireann and I wish him the best in his new role,” he said. O’Leary was very enthusiastic about Reilly’s appointment. “With his vast experience in government as a Minister in two departments and his key contacts at ministerial level, he will be a super advocate for The North County. He can drive forward a positive jobs and business plan for the area. This is possible as he will be without the heavy time consuming responsibilities of ministerial office, particularly the huge positive opportunities in Swords, the airport and in Balbriggan with its large industrial land bank,” he said.
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