Be careful what we wish for

Scrap the Presidency, Cut the number of TD'S, Get rid of the Seanad, Abolish the Councils, Who needs Councillors?  These are some of the calls that have dominated our media in recent months.  However I believe we need to be careful what we wish for here.  I would be the first to agree that our system of government both national and local needs to be reformed however I do get worried when I hear commentators call for the scrapping of this elected office or abolishing another elected office.  Remember there are many countries in the world today that would only be too delighted to have a democratically elected President or Senate or Council. Reform yes Abolish No.  What do you think?

Keeping in Touch

Since I was first elected as a Labour Party Councillor in 1999 I have used every available means to keep in touch with those people I represent.  Of course the most important means of communicating with your electorate is by maintaining the personal touch.  I have done this by continuing to hold a weekly Advice Centre  in the Community House Clonard Park every Tuesday at 12 noon.  I also hold a monthly Advice Centre in the Parish Rooms Lisduggan on the last Friday every month at 6pm.

In this age it is also important to maintain an online presence.  I was the first elected representative in Waterford to maintain an online presence through my blog.  A View from the Left was first launched in 2006 and now 5 years on it continues to attract a loyal and increasing number of readers.  It has given me an opportunity to express my views and engage with readers on many subjects both national and international.  In the last couple of years I have begun to use my Facebook and Twitter accounts to great effect.

Twitter: www.twitter.com/seamusryan1
Facebook:  www.facebok.com/cllrseamusryan

Bicycle rental scheme for Waterford?

The following is a copy of a press release I issued this week.

Labour Party Councillor Seamus Ryan has called for the introduction of a bicycle rental scheme in Waterford similar to the one currently in place in Dublin.

According to Cllr Ryan there is great potential for having a successful bicycle rental scheme in Waterford City which could help alleviate some of our traffic problems.  He has been informed by the Roads Department in Waterford City Council that the Council has already engaged with the National Transport Authority on a proposed roll out of a bicycle rental scheme in the regional cities and a study has been undertaken for Waterford. Reports suggest that the National Transport Authority will be recommending a national roll out to the regional cities and I am calling on the Authority to include Waterford in the next phase of this roll out.  "The benefits of such a scheme could be great with two major routes from the City Centre to WIT and the City Centre to Waterford Regional Hospital being obvious locations for bicycle rental units.  Such a scheme will be particularly attractive to those in Waterford who don't own a bike " This is something I will be pursuing with the Roads Department in Waterford City Council and the National Transport Authority in order to ensure that the people of Waterford have an efficient, healthy,  pleasant and fun way to get around the city.

Presidential race wide open?

I had intended in blogging about the Presidential campaign today.  Not necessarily about David Norris but the events of the past week means that I should at least mention his campaign The past week has been a traumatic one for Senator Norris and his bid to become the next President of Ireland.  With members of his team resigning over the last few days and his struggle to gain sufficient backing to be put on the ballot papers it would seem that his campaign is doomed to fail.  However politics can be strange and who knows?  Up to now I have felt that he should be given the opportunity to have his name on the ballot paper and events of the last few days have not really changed my opinion on this.  After all surely the public are the ones that should have the opportunity to decide whether he showed poor judgement or not.  I know what I think.

This afternoon in Waterford I am going out to canvass with the person that I believe to be the most suitable candidate for the post of President - Michael D Higgins.  Labour's candidate Michael D has a history of campaigning for an inclusive,creative society where everyone is deemed equal.  He has championed many important social causes over the years. He will also be well known for his contribution and love of the arts.  Check out his website here where you will get more details of Michael's campaign.  As this is a subject I will no doubt be returning to again I will leave the last word with Michael D himself when he said

My vision for the Presidency is built on a lifetime of service at home and abroad and on my experience as a courageous public representative with a record as an advocate for political, social, economic and cultural rights.

This is my starting point in seeking to create a Presidency for Ireland that will affirm and enhance our citizenship at home and our reputation in the world.

I would be interesting in hearing your thoughts on the current Presidential campaign.  

New initiatives on literacy and numeracy welcomed

The new initiatives announced by Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn regarding numeracy and literacy are to be welcomed.  This is an issue that has been ignored for far too long.  The proposals aim to ensure that all children leaving school have mastered literacy and numeracy skills.  I commend the Minister following the launch earlier this week of ‘Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life’; the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy which was a key area for Labour in the Programme for Government.  Literacy and numeracy skills are basic skills all children should have. Without these necessary skills, it is harder for children as they become young adults to participate fully in society.

Some initiatives under the Strategy are already being implemented with circulars to be issued shortly to schools requiring them to increase the allocated time on their school curriculum to 90 minutes per day for literacy and 90 minutes per day for numeracy.  This is a really positive initiative and I am sure that we will see vast improvements in the areas of literacy and numeracy skills over the coming years.”

More details on the Strategy can be found at; http://www.education.ie/admin/servlet/blobservlet/lit_num_strat.pdf?language=EN&igstat=true. 

Campaigning with Labour Party Presidential Candidate Michael D Higgins

I had the pleasure of canvassing with Labour Party Presidential candidate Michael D. Higgins in Waterford at the weekend.  Accompanied by Labour Party Chairperson Brian O'Shea we began our canvass on Saturday morning at the Waterford Tall Ships Festival where Michael D, a frequent visitor to Waterford, received a wonderful reception from the crowds attending the festival.  I believe this is an election that Michael D Higgins can win and if the reception he received in Waterford is repeated around the country then this could be a successful campaign.  Speaking to Michael D in Waterford on Saturday it is quite clear that the Party has a great candidate in Michael D but more important than that it is clear that he will make an exceptional President of this country and that he possesses the characteristics that are required  for the office.  As Michael D says himself:

The vision I am offering is that of a radically inclusive citizenship in a creative society worthy of a real republic. A creative society and inclusive citizenship are, I believe, the necessary foundations for a strong economy and for a Republic which can invite respect and engagement within the wider world.

This campaign is really only beginning now and whilst the initial polls are encouraging it is vital that we get the message out there that Michael D Higgins is the right person for the Aras.  Just before he left Waterford Michael D told me that he is looking forward to returning to Waterford during the course of the campaign.  We are also looking forward to that return visit Michael D!

Rachel Corrie and the Freedom Flotilla

The news this week that the MV Saoirse, the Irish Ship,  is bound for Gaza as part of the Freedom Flotilla has prompted me to repost a blog post I made a number of years ago about Rachel Corrie.  Those who doubt the importance of this flotilla might read the following.  Originally posted on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the death of Rachel Corrie.

Next week March 16th is the fourth anniversary of the death of Rachel Corrie. Rachel was a 23 year old college student and human rights and peace activist from Olympia, Washington who on March 16, 2003 was run over and killed by an Israeli military bulldozer in Rafah, Gaza, while defending a Palestinian home from demolition. Rachel had been working with the International Solidarity Movement to protest Israeli actions in the occupied territories when she was killed in 2003. In a series of emails to her family Rachel described what she experienced in Gaza. These emails and letters were later published by The Guardian and provide a unique insight into life in that troubled region.
"My Name is Rachel Corrie" a play composed from Corrie's journals and e-mails from Gaza and directed by British actor Alan Rickman, was presented in London in early 2005. The play was also scheduled to open at the New York Theatre Workshop however due to political pressure, the play was “postponed indefinitely." The life and death of Rachel Corrie is also captured by Billy Bragg in 'The Lonesome Death of Rachel Corrie' which he wrote on 20th March 2006 as a tribute to Rachel. Our own Christy Moore also dedicated his 2005 album entitled "Burning Times" to the memory of Rachel Corrie.

I post this today because I believe that as we approach Rachel Corrie's fourth anniversary it is important to remember and pay tribute to a person who made the ultimate sacrifice for a cause she believed in. When I think of Rachel Corrie I am reminded of the words of my granduncle Peter O'Connor who fought with the International Brigade against General Franco and Facism in the Spanish Civil War and said;
"You have to believe in something - in a cause that will make the world a better place or you have wasted your life."

Rachel Corrie did just that.

120 jobs for Waterford and Belfast - RTÉ News

120 jobs for Waterford and Belfast - RTE News

The news today that Dozens of jobs are to be provided by an American computer company in Waterford is to be welcomed.  Mycroft Incorporated has announced that it is to establish an operations centre in Waterford which will employ 50 people. I believe that this decision to invest in Waterford is a huge vote of confidence in the  region and in the local workforce.  I have often been a critic of the IDA for not delivering for Waterford but on this occasion they seem to have delivered.  Lets hope that this is the first of many such announcements.

Road improvements in Kilcohan and Kilbarry- Press Release

Labour Party Councillor Seamus Ryan has welcomed the news that a substantial upgrade to the Kilbarry Road is planned to cover the area from the Outer Ring Road to the Ballybeg Drive junction. Included in the scheme is a new roundabout at the Ballybeg Drive / Lacken Road junction, resurfacing of the road, public lighting and footpaths. This scheme is due to commence later this summer and will greatly improve road access for the residents of Lacken Wood and other estates along the Kilbarry road. These improvements along with the completion of the refurbishment of the Old Tramore Road sees major improvements in the Waterford City South area of the city.

The Old Tramore Road improvements include a realignment and upgrade of the road from the Outer Ring Road to Avondale and includes public lighting, footpaths and cycle tracks.

 According to Cllr Ryan these works will be welcomed by residents and businesses in the area and will greatly improve access and safety in the area. "I have worked with residents in both areas for the delivery of these improvements and I am pleased that the work is now complete or due to commence as is the case for the Kilbarry Road."

New Pedestrian Crossings welcomed

The news that 2 new pedestrian Crossings will be completed by mid Autumn is to be welcomed. The new crossings are to be located at Ballybeg Drive near St Saviours GAA Club and on the Cleaboy Road. Both of these roads are particularly busy roads in the city with high volumes of traffic using the roads on a daily basis.  It is also proposed to put a new roundabout at the top of Keane's Road in the city.
The crossing at Saint Saviours GAA Club will assist the many users of both the GAA Club and St Saviours Parish Centre while the crossing on the Cleaboy Road will also make the use of that road safer for pedestrians.  All of these improvements will  be welcomed by local residents in the area.

Letter to Minister for Health

The following is a copy of a letter I sent today to Minister for Health James Reilly seeking clarification on the status of the building of the much promised new 50 bed unit at Saint Patrick's Hospital Waterford.  I will keep you informed of any updates.

Dear Minister


I am writing to you in my capacity as a member of the Regional Health Forum South and a member of Waterford City Council. You will be aware that a couple of years ago St Brigid's Ward in St Patrick's Hospital Waterford was closed as part of the reconfiguration process. At that time the HSE committed to the building of a new 50 bed Community Nursing unit on the grounds of St Patrick's Hospital.
It is my understanding that some preparatory work was carried out by the HSE in relation to this project. It was also confirmed to me previously that the Project remains the first priority for Capital Development for Services Older People in HSE South. However I have since become aware that other Community Nursing Units have gone ahead in the HSE South Area. I am writing to you to ask you to clarify the position and to do all in your power to expedite this project.

Regards
Cllr Seamus Ryan
Member of HSE Regional Health Forum South