Meath east byelection, Helen mcentee, labour party, sinn fein, fine gael, fianna fail, politics

Meath east byelection, Helen mcentee, labour party, sinn fein, fine gael, fianna fail, politics

Like Sinn Fein the Labour Party need to rid themselves of the scourge of Grumpy Old Men feathering their nest while youthful politicians look into the obese.

The Irish Observer had predicted over one week ago that Helen McEntee would top the poll, Fianna Fail would be second and Labour would be wiped out. The reason for this prediction was simple, nobody expects a centre-right party such as Fine Gael to do anything other than centre right politics, that means strong fiscal balance coupled with decisive leadership. Labour on the other hand are expected to look after the people who elected them to do the right thing, that means looking after the interests of workers and the less well off. Thousands of people all over Ireland have personally signed letters from Eamon Gilmore prior to going into Coalition where he and other Labour leaders promised not to cut Rent Allowance and other hand to mouth necessities, Labour have abandoned their core supporters and they will pay a very heavy price. Good and decent TDs such as Dominic Hannigan will lose their seats because the leadership of the Labour Party are more concerned with comfortable Ministerial pensions for the rest of their days than they are with the career prospects of youthful politicians who can really make a difference in this country if given the chance.

Like Sinn Fein the Labour Party need to rid themselves of the scourge of Grumpy Old Men feathering their nest while youthful politicians look into the obese.

There was a considerable level of shock among members of the Labour parliamentary party at the outcome of the byelection in which the party’s candidate, Eoin Holmes, won less than 5 per cent of the vote. This compared to the 21 per cent taken by Labour in the constituency in the 2011 general election.

In contrast to Labour, Fianna Fáil enjoyed an encouraging result, with 32.5 per cent of the vote, far better than its 19 per cent showing in 2011.

One Labour Minister of State privately told colleagues yesterday that he had lost confidence in Eamon Gilmore’s leadership. Another TD, a backbencher who has been critical of the leader in the past, said the same mistakes had been made in the byelection that had been made in the general election.

“The people who devised the silly Tesco ad in the general election came up with a stupid leaflet insulting Enda Kenny in the final days of this campaign. The only conclusion is that there has to be a change of personnel if we are to have any chance of recovering,” said the Labour TD, who did not wish to be named.

The Labour leaflet, circulated on the final day of the campaign, portrayed Enda Kenny as being in the same category as Bertie Ahern and Gerry Adams. It provoked serious annoyance among Fine Gael Ministers.

Some Labour members of the Cabinet were also taken aback at the tone of the leaflet, which appeared to denigrate the Taoiseach and Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan.

‘Juvenile response’

“This was a juvenile response to a difficult situation which was created by the very same people in the Labour Party who tried to fight this byelection on issues like gay marriage rather than the economy,” said the backbench TD.

Mr Kenny last night described Helen McEntee’s victory as a “stupendous performance in the face of probably the most difficult economic circumstances our country has ever faced”.

Speaking at the count centre in Ashbourne, Mr Kenny said he had never seen a byelection taking place in such challenging circumstances. The byelection was brought about by the death of Ms McEntee’s father, Shane McEntee, last December.

“To say I am delighted is an understatement. I really am proud of what Helen McEntee has achieved here . . . This is a vote by the people of Meath East but this is not just a vote in respect of her late dad, Shane McEntee,” Mr Kenny said. He described Ms McEntee as a formidable candidate in her own right.

Ms McEntee described her victory as “bittersweet” after she secured 9,356 first-preference votes, ending up with a total of 11,473 after transfers had been distributed.

“You had faith in Dad and I’m just absolutely delighted you had faith in me . . . and if I’m half the TD that he was I’ll be happy,” she said.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin paid tribute to Ms McEntee and the McEntee family.

He said the people of Meath East had given very strong messages on the doorstep on property tax and child benefit cuts.

Meath East byelection, Results, turnout, Helen McEntee, Fine Gael, Fianna Fail, Labour, Sinn Fein

Meath East byelection, Results, turnout, Helen McEntee, Fine Gael, Fianna Fail, Labour, Sinn Fein

Fine Gael candidate Helen McEntee is over 6 per centage points ahead of Thomas Byrne after tallies of 86 per cent of boxes in the Meath East byelection.

The latest tallies show a poor result for Labour’s Eoin Holmes with just 4 per cent of the vote.

With 96 of 111 boxes open, cross-party tallymen put Ms McEntee at 39.34 per cent, Mr Byrne at 33.26 per cent , Sinn Fein candidate Darren O’Rourke at 12.48 per cent, Eoin Holmes of Labour 4.05 per cent and others ( including Ben Gilroy of Direct Democracy Ireland) at 10.62 per cent.

Minister for Communications and Labour TD Pat Rabbitte reacted to the Party’s very poor showing in the polls.

It seemed that Labour had “ taken the brunt of the negative reaction. Labour voters didn't come out. They are making a protest. We have to listen to what they're saying, but we inherited the biggest mess left to a government since 1922,” he told RTE radio.

Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty said he was “very satisfied” with the “substantial increase” in the vote for his Party.

“I wouldn't be surprised if we don't poll stronger when all boxes are opened,” he told RTE Radio

Vying for fourth place with Labour is Ben Gilroy of new party Direct Democracy Ireland, who is performing better than anticipated.

Mr Gilroy said it was an “extraordinary” result. “We are doing extremely well because most people never even heard of us...we are the dark horse,” he told RTE Radio.

Counting got underway at about 9am. Heavy snowfalls and unseasonally cold weather contributed to a low turnout for the Meath East byelection with fewer than 35 per cent of eligible constituents believed to have voted.

As polling stations closed at 9pm, some sources predicted the turnout would not be much more than 30 per cent. Fine Gael sources said the figure might be a little higher, closer to 40 per cent.

The last comparable election was the byelection held in the former constituency of Meath in 1995 where turnout was 41 per cent. That election was won by Shane McEntee, whose death last December created the vacancy in the three-seat constituency.

While voting levels for this byelection were not expected to be high, the overnight falls of snow which left some roads in the country in a hazardous condition led to exceptionally low turnout in the first two to three hours of polling. By mid-afternoon, the weather had brightened but polling stations were still reporting turnouts of 15 per cent cent or lower.

The low turnout means parties will be relying on their core vote. Fine Gael’s Helen McEntee, daughter of the late Mr McEntee, and Fianna Fáil’s Thomas Byrne are joint favourites with bookmakers. Sinn Féin’s Darren O’Rourke is also expected to increase his party’s share of the vote significantly.

Candidates:

Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

Ben Gilroy (Direct Democracy Ireland)

Eoin Holmes (Labour)

Charlie Keddy (independent)

Mick Martin (Independent)

Séamus McDonagh (Workers Party);

Helen McEntee TD (Fine Gael)

Gearóid O’Brien (Independent);

Sean O Buachalla (Greens );

Darren O’Rourke (Sinn Fein)

Jim Tallon (Independent).

27/3/2013

Helen McEntee is expected to Top The Poll in the Meath East By-Election taking as much as a third of the vote with Fianna Fail following home in second place.

Voter turnout is low so far in the Meath East by-election. There are 11 candidates for the seat. Snow and weather conditions in general are impacting on early turnout, however, the evening is expected to see an overall turnout of approximately 45%. The fact that polls are closing two hours early is not expected to paly any significant role.

The general feeling talking to voters is that Helen McEntee has earned her stripes in the community and is an able politician. The poor taste of Fianna Fail being in power for 14 years remains and Byrne is not expected to surpass Helen McEntee.

One local said:

“Mc Entee is favourite 1/10 on and the rest have not left the stall”.

Some polling stations are reporting a turnout of just 3% with others reaching a high of close to 8%. The average seems to be around 5%.

In the southern half of the constituency turnout is lower than usual with the bad weather and later opening time for polling stations meaning many commuters did not vote before leaving for work.

It's expected there will be an increase in the number of voters through lunchtime and especially in the evening.

How big that rush actually is will depend on the weather and voter engagement in this by-election.

Polling stations remain open until 9pm with the counting of votes beginning 12 hours later.

Meath east byelection, enda Kenny, Helen mcentee, fine gael, sinn fein, finna fail, labour, Garda

Helen McEntee to take Gold as Kenny Roasted by local Garda

Taoiseach Enda Kenny was involved in a heated exchange with an off-duty garda over public sector pay cuts during a whistle-stop tour of the Meath East constituency yesterday.

The incident took place in a supermarket in Ratoath where the Taoiseach was canvassing with Fine Gael candidate Helen McEntee ahead of tomorrow's byelection to fill the seat left vacant by the death of her father Shane McEntee in December.

The garda, who did not disclose his name, expressed anger at Government plans to cut payments to frontline staff as part of the revised Croke Park agreement.

On the eve of polling, Ms McEntee remains the favourite to retain the seat for Fine Gael which won two of the three seats in the constituency in the last general election.

However, Fianna Fáil candidate Thomas Byrne has confidently predicted he can regain the seat he lost in 2011 when his party took only 19.6 per cent of the vote, compared to Fine Gael’s 40.9 per cent.

Similarly, Darren O’Rourke of Sinn Féin is confident his party’s support will rise significantly from the 8.9 per cent it received in 2011.

Much attention will focus on the performance of Labour candidate Eoin Holmes. If the junior Coalition party’s support drops into single digits from the 21 per cent it garnered in 2011, it is likely to put a strain on the authority of Labour leader and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore.

In yesterday’s supermarket confrontation, the garda, a father of three, told Mr Kenny that his shift work meant he often did not see his children when they were off school.

“I am entitled to an unsocial hours allowance,” he said, saying the €15.06 allowance currently being paid worked out at about €7 after tax.”

The debate between Mr Kenny and the garda lasted for almost 10 minutes and attracted the attention of dozens of shoppers.

The garda recounted how he had taken his sick daughter to Tallaght hospital on St Patrick’s Day where doctors, nurses, and catering and cleaning staff were all working.

“You are turning around and cutting their wages and taking other wages including my own which I feel I am entitled to,” he said. “It’s not my fault the economy collapses but I feel I’m being singled out,” he said.

Mr Kenny robustly defended Government policies saying “every public servant from the top down” had taken pay cuts. He criticised the Garda Representative Association for leaving the pay negotiations. “Fire officers and prison officers were all able to get a settlement and stay on the pitch,” he said.

On the overall situation, Mr Kenny referred to the public expenditure deficit which he described as very tough and challenging: “Do you think it’s going to sort itself out? You're a guard, which is a very important job. You’re an intelligent man. Who do you think will pay for the services?”

Both shook hands at the end with Mr Kenny praising the garda for fulfilling an important service in society, and the garda saying: “We will agree to disagree.”

agsi, gardi, minister alan shatter

Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has told garda sergeants and inspectors that their association is doing a disservice to the force by presenting itself as a protest movement.

Minister Shatter told the AGSI at its annual conference in Sligo this evening that both it and the Garda Representative Association have lost their way and lost sight of the specific purposes which they were formed.

The association accused the minister of telling lies about garda station closures, a claim which the minister rejected.

He said it was not possible to consult with every individual in relation to station closures which he described as an operational decision made by the Garda Commissioner which he would not second guess.

The AGSI opened this evening with a minute's silence in memory of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, shot dead on duty in Co Louth in January of this year.

The garda sergeants and inspectors remained silent for a different reason when the minister arrived and told them they had lost their way.

His speech was not well received.

Meanwhile, the AGSI is seeking a review of Government policing policies under the current rationalisation programme.

It says station closures, increased workloads, fleet depletion and the moratorium on recruitment are damaging the force.

It wants the garda Inspectorate or another independent body to carry out a cost-benefit analysis of the Government's policies.

It is also calling for Uzi submachine guns to be reissued to all detectives and has called for all plain-clothes officers in unmarked cars to be armed.

The AGSI, which is holding its annual conference in Sligo, opposes Government cutbacks in policing, pay and conditions.

Members are also seeking legislative change to ensure that anyone arrested must provide their PPS numbers.

They also said that when a suspect spends time waiting for or consulting with their solicitor in a garda station that this should not be counted as detention time.

agsi, gardi, minister alan shatter

Dissident republican group Óglaigh na hÉireann, G8 Summit Ireland

Dissident republican group Óglaigh na hÉireann (ONH) have claimed the intended target of an attempted weekend bomb attack in Fermanagh was the hotel where the G8 summit will be held.

Police believed Lisnaskea Station was the target of the bomb.

 

A 60kg device was found in a car in the Derrylin Road area of Fermanagh at the weekend. It was defused on Saturday and taken for further examination.

Senior officers believed the bomb was headed for the nearby Lisnaskea Police Station, but in a statement to UTV, which claims to be from ONH, said the target was the Lough Erne resort.

In June, some of the world's most powerful leaders will meet at the hotel for the summit - just 16 miles from where the device was discovered.

Using a codeword, ONH also stated they were responsible for a foiled mortar-type bomb attack on a police station in Belfast earlier this month.

The group also released images of the device, which sparked a security alert lasting almost 24 hours.
The caption with the image states: 'MK1 10KG mortar, Range 300 meters'.

An off-duty police officer spotted the potentially deadly device on the Ballysillan Road on Friday, 15 March.



Dissident republican group Óglaigh na hÉireann, G8 Summit Ireland

Fermanagh bomb, PSNI, Dissident Republicans, The IRA, Irish Republican Army

Fermanagh bomb, PSNI, Dissident Republicans, The IRA, Irish Republican Army

The IRA under the leadership of IRA Chief of Staff, Colin Duffy, are preparing for the most significant bomb attack against the PSNI since a PIRA bomb attack in Newry that killed several RUC Officers two decades ago. The IRA are confident that they can overcome the fact that their organisation has been heavily infiltrated by British Agents and Informers and kill several PSNI Officers in one spectacular attack.

A vehicle found abandoned and made safe in Northern Ireland was carrying a viable bomb that was destinted for an attack on a police station, the PSNI said today.

The device was found in a rural part of Co Fermanagh not far from the luxury Lough Erne golf resort where this June’s G8 conference of world leaders is being held.

The alert at Derrylin Road - the main arterial route between Enniskillen and Dublin - was raised early yesterday morning and caused local homes to be evacuated.

Dissident republicans are suspected of planting the bomb.

“The people responsible for this have no regard for the lives of anyone in our community,” PSNI district commander Pauline Shields said. “It is fortunate that no-one was killed or seriously injured as a result of this reckless act.

“Although investigations are at an early stage it is our assessment at present that this vehicle was destined for Lisnaskea PSNI station.”

US president Barack Obama, German chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian president Vladimir Putin are expected to attend the G8 meeting. A massive security operation will be mounted and thousands of police officers from UK forces will be drafted in to help bolster PSNI numbers. They will help provide security and safety at a range of key venues and will be able to exercise the same powers of arrest, stop and search.

Dissident republicans have launched a series of bomb attacks against members of the security forces in recent months.

A week ago the Police Service of Northern Ireland discovered a mortar-type device aimed towards New Barnsley police station in north Belfast. Also last week three officers escaped injury when an explosive device detonated within metres of them as they patrolled a coastal path on the outskirts of Belfast.

Earlier this month two men were arrested after police intercepted a van carrying four mortar bombs which were primed and ready to fire at a station in Derry.

Helen McEntee, Fine Gael, Meath East byelection, politics, meath east election

Helen McEntee will top the Poll in Meath-East by-election with Fianna Fail’s Byrne taking Silver ahead of Sinn Fein’s New kid on the Block O’Rourke who will take Bronze

Helen McEntee - Fine Gael
Fine Gael candidate Helen McEntee is contesting the seat her father held until he died last year. Ms McEntee completed a degree in Economics, Politics and Law in DCU and then went on to complete a masters in Media and Communication. Her biography describes her as having worked with her father in Meath East and in the Department of Agriculture, when he became Minister of State.

There are a total of 11 candidates for the Meath East by-electionn, which takes place on 27 March.
The death of Fine Gael TD and Minister of State Shane McEntee last December cast a pall over the constituency.

The popular deputy from Castletown was immersed in community life long before he was elected in a by-election in 2005.

His 26-year-old daughter Helen is one of the candidates seeking election when voters go to the polls next Wednesday.

Even though Fine Gael and Labour won a combined 62% of the vote in the 2011 General Election, a win for the Government is far from guaranteed.

The task facing Labour candidate Eoin Holmes seems particularly daunting as his party’s support is falling, according to the latest national opinion polls.

Indeed, those same polls suggest one clear thing; Fianna Fáil is now the party with the greatest momentum.

In Senator Thomas Byrne it has a candidate with a high profile who was returned to the Dáil once before in 2007.

Sinn Féin’s Darren O’Rourke is also expected to significantly increase his party’s vote in the constituency where they won 9% of the first preferences two years ago.

The remaining candidates will hope the unpopular Government's austerity measures translate into votes that could see someone from outside the big parties returned to Leinster House.

The polls will open on Wednesday from 8am to 9pm.

Senator Thomas Byrne – Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil candidate Thomas Byrne was elected to Dáil Éireann as a TD for Meath East in 2007, and lost his seat in the 2011 General Election. He was subsequently elected to the Seanad.

Ben Gilroy - DDI
Ben Gilroy, 50, is a candidate for Direct Democracy Ireland. An anti-austerity candidate, Mr Gilroy also helped found the group People For Economic Justice.
Cllr Eoin Holmes - Labour

Labour councillor Eoin Holmes has been on Meath County Council since 2007. His Labour biography describes him as working on transport, zoning and planning issues at local level. A film and TV producer, he also runs a small coffee shop business.

Charlie Keddy - Independent
Independent Charlie Keddy has been contesting local and general elections in Greystones and Wicklow since 1991. He says his reason for running in this by-election is solely anti-home and anti-water taxes.

Mick Martin – Independent
Independent candidate Mick Martin is from Slane and a financial services adviser. This is his first time to go before the electorate.

Seamus McDonagh – Workers' Party
Currently the chairman of the North Meath Campaign Against the Household and Water Taxes, Mr McDonagh is a native of Wilkinstown and lives in Kells. Mr McDonagh previously ran for election in 1987 and 2011.

Helen McEntee - Fine Gael
Fine Gael candidate Helen McEntee is contesting the seat her father held until he died last year. Ms McEntee completed a degree in Economics, Politics and Law in DCU and then went on to complete a masters in Media and Communication. Her biography describes her as having worked with her father in Meath East and in the Department of Agriculture, when he became Minister of State.

Gerard O'Brien - Independent
Independent candidate Gerard O'Brien is a psychiatric nurse from Navan. This is also his first time to go before the electorate.

Sean O Buachalla – Green Party
Green Party candidate 31-year-old Sean O Buachalla is a youth development officer for Conradh na Gaeilge. He ran unsuccessfully in 2007 and 2011, polling just over 3% and 1% of the vote respectively.

Darren O'Rourke – Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin candidate Darren O'Rourke is a policy adviser to his party’s health spokesman Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin. Born and raised in Kells, Mr O'Rourke now lives in Ashbourne. This is his first election.

Jim Tallon - Independent
Wicklow farmer Jim Tallon has contested 15 elections and by-elections since 1981. Mr Tallon has previously declared himself President of The Republic of Glastnost - his farm in Arklow.

Breaking news, NTMA, Economy, Banking, Finance

Breaking news, NTMA, Economy, Banking, Finance

The National Treasury Management Agency issued €500 million worth of three-month treasury bills this morning, with an annualised interest rate of 0.24 per cent.

Bid cover came in at 3.4 as the total amount of bids received came to €1.706 billion.

A previous three-month auction took place in February and had an average yield of 0.24 per cent and a bid cover of 3.3.

Bid cover ratios since Ireland’s return to treasury bill auctions last July has varied from 2.8 times to 4.1 times.

The Gathering 2013, Gathering, Tourism Ireland, Gathering events, what is the gathering Ireland, Irish tourism, Irish festivals 2013, music festivals 2013, gathering accommodation

The Gathering 2013, Gathering, Tourism Ireland, Gathering events, what is the gathering Ireland, Irish tourism, Irish festivals 2013, music festivals 2013, gathering accommodation

Trinity College Dublin

Throughout 2013, Ireland is opening its arms to hundreds of thousands of friends and family from all over the world, calling them home to gatherings in villages, towns and cities.

 There are clan gatherings, festivals, special sporting events, music and concerts taking place all across the country, all year long.

Communities throughout Ireland are showcasing and sharing the very best of Irish culture, tradition, business, sport, fighting spirit and the uniquely Irish sense of fun.

Best Value Accommodation Dublin

Over 70 million people worldwide claim Irish ancestry. The Gathering Ireland 2013 provides the perfect excuse to reach out to those who have moved away, their relatives, friends and descendants, and invite them home.

The Gathering is the people’s party. It kicked off in spectacular style at the New Year’s Eve Festival in Dublin and is being celebrated through gatherings of the people and Ireland’s major festivals during 2013.

So now it is over to you. It is in your hands. Be part of it.

FAQs / Ceisteanna Coitianta

What is The Gathering Ireland?

The Gathering Ireland is not one single event. It’s an exciting year-long celebration of Ireland, its people and all that is great about its connections, both at home and abroad. The Gathering Ireland invites anyone who has a link to Ireland or just a love of the country, to come to Ireland for a series of events throughout 2013.

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Who is behind it?

The Gathering Ireland was launched by the Irish Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Tourism in May 2012 and is being supported by Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. It promises to be the biggest tourism initiative ever staged in Ireland.

Aren’t the people of Ireland being encouraged to get involved too?

Yes. At the heart of it, The Gathering Ireland is a people-led project. Everyone is being encouraged to create local gatherings and invite connections abroad to come and visit Ireland in 2013.

Why should I bother?

Ireland has had its share of doom and gloom the last couple of years. The Gathering is an opportunity to do something positive for our country and help stimulate local industries. More importantly, it’s an excuse to host parties, festivals and celebrations!

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When is it happening?

Right now and all throughout 2013. Check out the calendar of events on www.TheGatheringIreland.com to see what’s on.

Where is The Gathering happening?

All over Ireland – check out the map to see specific locations.

What kinds of events are happening?

There’s lots going on, but there are two main types of events:

1. Gatherings

These are being hosted by the people of Ireland. A gathering can be as little as you inviting back an old school friend to visit Ireland in 2013, or your local GAA club asking Toronto GAA to come over for a match.

2. Festivals and events

The Gathering Ireland will bring together hundreds of festivals and events throughout Ireland that celebrate the best in Irish music, art, literature, dance, culture, heritage, sport, film and food. The Gathering Ireland’s first sponsorship was The Emerald Isle Classic, an American football bout between Notre Dame and Navy held in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on September 1st.

Best Value Accommodation Dublin

Top tip! www.TheGatheringIreland.com will be a hub of info that pulls together festivals and events throughout Ireland in 2013. It’s a great resource if you simply want to know what’s going on and when.
Will there be any new festivals and events for The Gathering Ireland, or will it be the same as every other year?

Ireland has always been great for festivals, but 2013 is going to be bigger and better. Existing festivals like St Patrick’s Festival and New Year’s Eve Dublin will have a few surprising, international twists, plus The Gathering team is also working to create a number of signature themed event programmes – all based around what Ireland is famous for like literature and music.

I live in Ireland, how can I get involved?

Think about who you’d like to invite to Ireland in 2013 and what you’d like to do. This will totally depend on your own interests and it can be as simple as setting up a Facebook event and hosting a family reunion or challenging an overseas company you deal with to come over for a five-a-side football tournament. Whatever you’re into, centre your gathering around it.

If you tell us about your event on our site, The Gathering team can offer you support and guidance. Even if it’s just a seed of an idea, we can help flesh it out!

I don’t live in Ireland, how can I get involved?

Whether visiting Ireland is on your bucket list or you’ve been before and always wanted to return, why not make 2013 your year to visit?

Maybe you have an Irish name or relative? Or you enjoy taking part in an Irish hobby? Maybe you’ve studied or worked in Ireland or maybe you simply love the music or literature? 2013 is the perfect year to come to Ireland and experience the céad míle fáilte (one hundred thousand welcomes) that the Irish are famous for.

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Take a look at www.TheGatheringIreland.com and see if any gatherings or festivals match your interests. Like soul music? Time your visit to coincide with Dublin City Soul Festival. Love running? Why not take part in the Great Ireland Run? It’s totally up to you!

Families and clans are meeting all over the country and Ireland’s favourite festivals have developed exciting new programmes to help visitors truly be part of it. If you’re planning an event for 2013, plan on having it in Ireland.

The Gathering Ireland. Be part of it.

Céard é an leagan Gaeilge ar The Gathering Ireland 2013?

Tóstal Éireann 2013 an leagan oifigiúil Gaeilge atá ar The Gathering Ireland 2013.

Cé mar a tháinig an smaoineamh Tóstal Éireann 2013 chun cinn?

Tháinig an smaoineamh faoi Thóstal Éireann 2013 chun cinn ag an gcéad cheann d’Fhóraim Eacnamaíocha Éireannaigh an Domhain a tionóladh in Farmleigh sa bhliain 2009.  Ba é ba chuspóir le Fóram Eacnamaíoch Éireannaigh an Domhain ceangal a bhunú leis an 70 milliún duine de Dhiaspóra atá againn agus clár a chur le chéile a bhféadfaí leas a bhaint as ar mhaithe le téarnamh na hÉireann.  Cuirfidh Tóstal Éireann 2013 an dá chuspóir sin i gcrích.

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Céard a bheidh i gceist le Tóstal Éireann 2013?

Is éard a bheidh i gceist le Tóstal Éireann 2013 go dtógfaidh muintir na hÉireann orthu féin cuireadh a thabhairt go hÉirinn do dhaoine a bhfuil baint acu leis an tír agus go gcuirfidh siad Fáilte Uí Cheallaigh rompu.

Is éard a bheidh i gceist iarraidh ar dhaoine a bhfuil fuil Éireannach ina gcuislí, a bhfuil baint acu leis an tír nó fiú mura mbeadh ann ach luí a bheith acu leis an tír a bheith inár dteannta le linn sraith d’imeachtaí iontacha agus éagsúla a bheidh ar bun i gcaitheamh 2013 agus a bheidh eagraithe ag muintir  na tíre seo ina n-onóir.

Ceiliúradh gach a bhfuil fíorbhreá agus uathúil i dtaobh na tíre seo a bheidh ann agus muintir na hÉireann féin ina bpríomheagraithe air; ceiliúradh a mhairfidh ar feadh bliana agus nach raibh a shárú ann go dtí seo.

Is í 2013 an bhliain ina mbeidh bailte agus pobail ar fud na hÉireann oscailte fáilteach chun cinntiú gur fearrde fós an sásamh a bhainfidh cuairteoirí as a gcuairt.

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Céard leis a mbeifear ag súil as Tóstal Éireann 2013?

Sa bhliain 2013 eagróidh pobail, sráidbhailte agus bailte ar fud fad na tíre féilte agus tóstail spleodracha go háitiúil le fáiltiú roimh dhaoine as gach cearn den domhan.  Féadfaidh lucht eagraithe a dtóstail a ghealladh ar www.thegatheringireland.com agus cuirfear an t-eolas ar na tóstail isteach faoi dheireadh ar léarscáil d’Éirinn áit ina n-aibhseofar é.

Beidh féilire lomlán d’imeachtaí náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta a bheidh ar siúl ar feadh na bliana agus ina ndíreofar ar chultúr, ceol, ealaíona, spóirt agus oidhreacht na hÉireann mar thacaíocht ag na féilte agus ag na tóstail áitiúla seo.

Táthar fós ag cur tuilleadh imeachtaí ar an bhféilire.  Tá siad seo a leanas ar na féilte seanbhunaithe a mbeidh cláir níos téagartha fós ag gabháil leo mar chuid de Thóstal Éireann 2013:

• Féile Oíche Chinn Bhliana
• Féile Lá ’le Pádraig
• Féile Ealaíon na Gaillimhe
• Córfhéile Chorcaí
• Seó Capall Bhaile Átha Cliath
• Bloom
• Féile Ceoldrámaíochta Loch Garman
• Trad Fest Bharra an Teampaill
Cuirfear líon áirithe d’fhéilte agus d’imeachtaí ar bun den chéad uair go heisiach le haghaidh an Tóstail. Táthar á bplé seo a leanas i láthair na huaire:
• Imeacht céaduaire Idirnáisiúnta de chuid CLG agus na cluichí ceannais ar siúl i bPáirc an Chrócaigh i mí Lúnasa.
• Féile Peile ina n-imreoidh clubanna agus peileadóirí as tíortha thar lear i gcluichí a eagrófar ar pháirceanna imeartha agus i staideanna thart timpeall na hÉireann.  Tá plé á dhéanamh freisin faoi chomórtas Chorn Domhanda an Diaspóra a imirt in Éirinn.
• Riverdance a thabhairt ar ais abhaile agus seó nua a bheith ann faoi stiúir John McColgan agus Moya Doherty.
• Tabharfaidh Féile Nollag agus Chinn Bhliana a bheidh níos iomláine agus a bheidh ar siúl ina lán ionad an bhliain chun críche go pléascarnach.

Gheofar an nuacht is déanaí i dtaobh imeachtaí atá deimhnithe ar www.thegatheringireland.com.
Cé a gheobhaidh cuireadh?

Tabharfaidh muintir na hÉireann cuireadh dá gcairde, dá ndaoine muinteartha agus dóibh siúd is ansa leo atá ina gcónaí thar lear teacht agus a bheith páirteach sna tóstail, sna himeachtaí agus sna féilte a eagrófar agus a chuirfear ar siúl go speisialta ina n-onóir.

Tabharfaidh Éireannaigh atá ina gcónaí thar lear cuireadh freisin dá gcairde, dá ndaoine muinteartha féin agus dá gcomhghleacaithe teacht go hÉirinn sa bhliain 2013.

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Tá 70 milliún duine a rugadh in Éirinn, ar de bhunadh na hÉireann iad nó a bhfuil an spiorad Éireannach iontu scaipthe ar fud an domhain. Dá bhrí sin tabharfar cuireadh do dhaoine a bhfuil bá acu le hÉirinn nó a bhraitheann go bhfuil ceangal acu leis an tír mar gheall ar ghnó, oideachas nó luí a bheith acu leis an gcultúr nó leis an gceol Gaelach páirt a ghlacadh sa cheiliúradh in Éirinn in 2013.

Cén difríocht mar sin a bheidh idir 2013 agus blianta eile?

Bliain iontach go deo a bheidh sa bhliain 2013 in Éirinn.  Ní fhágfar aon duine ar lár lena mbeidh de thóstail agus d’imeachtaí áitiúla ann i dteannta féilte idirnáisiúnta, ceolchoirmeacha, etc. a eagrófar go speisialta in onóir ár nDiaspóra.

Deis uathúil ag cách a bheidh i dTóstal Éireann 2013 le bheith páirteach i dtionscnamh a bhainfidh leis an tír go léir agus a bheidh faoi stiúir na saoránach, tionscnamh trína ndéanfar teagmháil leis an diaspóra Éireannach atá scaipithe ó cheann ceann na cruinne d’fhonn iad a thabhairt abhaile i mbliain ina bhfeicfear an cineál ceiliúrtha bliana nach bhfacthas a shamhail riamh.  Deis againn go léir í lenár gcion a dhéanamh ionas go dtiocfaidh Éire i dtreis arís; le cionchuid shuntasach a dhéanamh ar mhaithe le téarnamh na tíre.

Best Value Accommodation Dublin

Is coincheap uathúil é coincheap Thóstal Éireann 2013, tóstal dá mhéid ní fhacthas in Éirinn riamh.
Céard iad na buntáistí a bheidh leis agus cé a bhainfidh tairbhe as?

Bainfidh gach duine tairbhe as Tóstal Éireann 2013.  Ceann de na cuspóirí atá leis mórtas as an tír a mhúscailt arís agus ardán agus deis a thabhairt do mhuintir na hÉireann agus dá diaspóra gach a bhfuil siad bródúil as a chur ar a súile dá gcairde, dá ndaoine muinteartha agus do na daoine is ansa leo.  Tabharfaidh sé seans d’Éireannaigh agus don diaspóra Éireannach caidreamh buanseasmhach a bhunú agus a bheith níos airdeallaí ar an tírdhreach, ar an gcultúr agus ar an tír.

Dá bharr, treiseofar íomhá na hÉireann an athuair mar thír a bhfuil sé de cháil uirthi a bheith oscailte agus go gcuirtear na céadta míle fáilte roimh chuairteoirí, ionas gur taithí ar leith nach mbeadh le fáil in aon tír eile ach amháin in Éirinn a gheofar.

Beidh sé d’aidhm le Tóstal Éireann 2013 caidreamh a bhunú idir Éirinn, a Diaspóra agus earnálacha eile gnó, trína leagfar síos bonn a bhféadfaidh Tourism Ireland agus Fáilte Ireland oibriú air agus é a neartú sna blianta seo chugainn.

Chuirfí an cuspóir i gcrích go náisiúnta dá dtiocfadh 325,000 cuairteoir sa bhreis go hÉirinn as tíortha thar lear agus dá nginfí €170 milliún sa bhreis in ioncam sa gheilleagar Éireannach sa bhliain 2013 agus dá gcruthófaí 2720 post nua.

Best Value Accommodation Dublin

B’fhéidir nárbh ionann na torthaí go háitiúil.

Is iomaí gné ag roinnt leis an tionscnamh seo agus ní mar a chéile a éireoidh le gach céim de ó ghlacadh a bheith leis go náisiúnta agus go háitiúil go dtí an líon r-chuirí a eiseofar, an líon imeachtaí a gheallfar agus an líon den Diaspóra a spreagfar chun an turas a thabhairt abhaile.

Tá an chumarsáid tosaithe cheana féin ar leathanaigh Facebook Thóstal Éireann 2013 agus bíonn daoine ag dul isteach ar an suíomh gréasáin. Tá daoine tar éis teagmháil a dhéanamh leis an bhFoireann Tionscadail agus lena chéile.

Best Value Accommodation Dublin

Cén chaoi a spreagfaimid daoine le bheith páirteach?

Tá an móiminteam agus an tacaíocht ag dul i dtreis.  Seoladh Tóstal Éireann 2013 go hidirnáisiúnta in 27 cathair agus cuireadh faoi bhráid 17,000 de lucht tionchair é ag 40 imeacht i gcaitheamh cheiliúradh Sheachtain Lá ’le Pádraig agus cuireadh faoi bhráid an tionscail turasóireachta é san.

Aibreán.  Seoladh an suíomh gréasáin nua go luath san Aibreán agus tá leathanaigh Facebook agus Twitter beo beathach.

Tionólfar cruinnithe pobail Thóstal Éireann 2013 ar fud na tíre ó Bhealtaine go Deireadh Fómhair agus beidh tacaí ar líne chun ugach a thabhairt don phobal cur le chéile, tacaíocht a thabhairt don tionscnamh agus páirt a ghlacadh ann.

Céard a dhéanfaidh an Fhoireann Tionscadail chun cuidiú le daoine a bheith páirteach?

Tionólfar cruinnithe i bpobail ar fud na tíre sa samhradh agus san fhómhar i mbliana agus cuirfear tacaí ar fáil ar líne.  Beidh ceardlanna ar siúl agus foilseofar treoracha ‘An chaoi le’ (An chaoi le himeacht a eagrú, An chaoi le maoiniú a fháil go háitiúil etc).  Soláthrófar r-chuirí agus póstaeir agus beidh teacht ag lucht eagraithe ar áis lena dtóstail a ghealladh ar www.thegatheringireland.com agus cuirfear an t-eolas ar na tóstail agus na himeachtaí go léir isteach faoi dheireadh ar léarscáil d’Éirinn
Cé atá ag tacú le Tóstal Éireann 2013?

Ní fhéadfar leas a bhaint as acmhainn uile Thóstal Éireann 2013 d’uireasa tacaíochta ó eagraíochtaí agus ó dhaoine aonair ar mór é a dtionchar agus ar as Éirinn iad nó a bhfuil baint acu leis an tír.

Best Value Accommodation Dublin

• Táthar tar éis ‘Comhairle Curadh’ a bhunú, comhairle dheonach ar a bhfuil daoine aonair a bhfuil stádas ar leith acu, a bhfuil teacht acu ar na líonraí, an saineolas agus an taithí a theastóidh chun an tacaíocht a fheidhmiú agus cur le cumas an Tóstail.  Áirítear leo sin:

¬ Moya Doherty (Léiritheoir agus comhbhunaitheoir Riverdance)
¬ Kingsley Aikens (sainchomhairleoir ar an diaspóra agus iar-POF, Worldwide Ireland Funds)
¬ Mark Mortell (Stiúrthóir, Fleishman Hillard International Communications, Baile Átha Cliath agus iarChomhairleoir d’Fhine Gael)
¬ Loretta Brennan Glucksman (Cathaoirleach, The American Ireland Fund)
• Tá líon áirithe Éireannach a bhfuil clú agus cáil orthu tar éis a dtacaíocht a ghealladh, daoine mar Pierce Brosnan, Liam Neeson  agus Paul O’Connell.

Best Value Accommodation Dublin

Tá eagraíochtaí comhpháirtíochta atá ag dul i líonmhaire ar bord anois lena n-áirítear:
• Cumann na mBainisteoirí Contae agus Cathrach thar ceann an 32 Údarás Áitiúil thart timpeall na hÉireann & Líonra Forbartha Áitiúla na hÉireann thar ceann an 52 cuideachta forbartha áitiúla,
• Gasóga na hÉireann, Cumann Comhlachas Tráchtála na hÉireann
• Bantracht na Tuaithe, Cumann Soláthróirí Bainne Uachtarlainne na hÉireann, Feirmeoirí Aontaithe na hÉireann
• Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Conradh na Gaeilge, Ireland Reaching Out, an Teastas um Oidhreacht Éireannach,
• Comhairle Spóirt na hÉireann, Cumann Rugbaí na hÉireann, Cumann Peile na hÉireann, Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Rásaíocht Capall Éireann
• Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, KPMG, PwC
• Cónaidhm Óstán na hÉireann, The Doyle Collection, Óstáin Manor House na hÉireann, Cumann

Tionscnóirí Turas na hÉireann, Cumann Bialann na hÉireann, Leaba agus Bricfeasta na hÉireann, Coláiste na Naomh Uile, Cónaidhm Fhíoncheananithe na hÉireann agus Dea-bhia Éireann.

Best Value Accommodation Dublin

Cé mar a fhéadfaidh daoine in Éirinn a bheith rannpháirteach?

Tionscadal de chuid na ndaoine is ea Tóstal Éireann 2013.   Baineann sé leatsa, le do mhuintir, do chomharsana, do chumann spóirt, do choláiste – le fírinnne, le cibé pobal nó grúpa a bhfuil tú ann  – agus sibh go léir ag tabhairt faoi imeachtaí speisialta a bheartú a tharraingeoidh aird ar na tréithe fíorbhreátha atá ag roinnt leis an bpobal sin agus le hÉirinn san iomlán.

Is iomaí slí sin ann le bheith rannpháirteach; b’fhéidir go bhféadfaí teacht  le chéile clainne nó treibhe, cruinnithe iarscoláirí nó comhghleacaithe oibre, comórtais spóirt, imeachtaí ceiliúrtha sa phobal nó imeachtaí gnó a eagrú.

Tá Tóstal Éireann 2013 ag iarraidh a chinntiú go n-inseoidh gach duine dá ndaoine muinteartha, dá gcairde agus do na teagmhálaithe atá acu gurb í 2013 an bhliain is fearr le teacht go hÉirinn le bheith páirteach i gceiliúradh gach a bhfuil fíorbhreá sa tír seo.

Best Value Accommodation Dublin

Cé mar a fhéadfaidh daoine atá thar lear a bheith rannpháirteach?

Teastaíonn uainn go n-inseoidh gach duine do dhaoine muinteartha, do chairde agus do theagmhálaithe atá acu cibé an trí ghnó, cumainn, clubanna nó go sóisialta gurb é seo an t-am le bheith ag pleanáil don bhliain 2013, an bhliain le cuairt a thabhairt ar Éirinn nó teacht abhaile.

Más féidir leat do thionchar a imirt ionas go dtiocfaidh club go hÉirinn, go mbeidh cruinniú, comhdháil nó aon chineál eile d’imeacht, is cuma a mhéid ná a laghad, ar siúl in Éirinn, beidh cuidiú le fáil agat uainn i bhfoirm uirlisí agus tacaí ar líne. Teastaíonn uainn go n-iarrfaidh tú ar do líonraí an focal faoi Thóstal Éireann 2013 a scaipeadh ionas go mbeidh sé i mbéal an phobail!

Deis uathúil a bheidh i dTóstal Éireann 2013 agat le suim a chur i do dhúchas an athuair. Deis é le do chion a dhéanamh le dúshraith do thodhchaí níos treisiúla a leagan d’Éirinn, todhchaí do do thír dhúchais a mbeidh do lorg uirthi go deo. Ní bliain í a shárófar ó thaobh deis a bheith ann an teagmháil a dhéanamh an athuair nó fiú dul i dtaithí den chéad uair ar a bhfuil de nithe fíorbhreátha sa tír iontach seo againn.

Cé mar a fhéadfaidh Gnólachtaí Turasóireachta Thar Lear a bheith rannpháirteach?

Táthar ag iarraidh ar ghnólachtaí turasóireachta thar lear leas a bhaint as an mbranda, an focal a scaipeadh agus cuireadh a thabhairt dá gcliaint páirt a ghlacadh sa cheiliúradh sa bhliain 2013.  Bheadh buntáiste le baint acu as trí shocruithe ar an talamh a éascú don lucht eagraíochta sin atá lonnaithe thar lear a eagraíonn imeachtaí agus/nó pacáistí nua a chur le chéile bainteach le himeachtaí agus tionóil idirnáisiúnta.

Best Value Accommodation Dublin

Céard a fhéadfaidh tú a dhéanamh anois mar sin?

1) Tosú ag comhrá le do dhaoine muinteartha agus le do chairde agus iad a chur ar an eolas faoin Tóstal. Féadfaidh gach uile dhuine páirt a ghlacadh ann!
2) Tosú ag cuimhneamh ar na rudaí is féidir leat a dhéanamh.
3) Bheith ar an airdeall le go bhfaighidh tú amach cén uair a mbeidh Cruinniú Pobail do Thóstail ar siúl agus dul ann.
4) Dul isteach ar ár suíomh gréasáin www.thegatheringireland.com agus clárú don nuacht is déanaí.  Seolfar suíomh gréasáin níos mó agus níos fearr i lár an Aibreáin agus beidh foireann uirlisí agus tacaí air don tionscal: uirlisí margaíochta; cur chun cinn ar líne; treoracha ‘cén chaoi’ agus sainchomhairle.
5) Muid a leanúint ar Facebook, sásamh a bhaint as ár leathanach agus inseacht do do chairde faoi  www.facebook.com/thegatheringireland
6) Muid a leanúint ar Twitter www.twitter.com/gatheringIRL
7) Féachaint ar an bhfíseán nua atá againn www.youtube.com/gathering2013 agus a bheith ag faire amach don fhógra spreagúil teilifíse – mar is fógra fíorspeisialta a bheidh ann.

GRA Protest, An Garda Siochana, Dail Protest, GARDA REPRESENTATIVE Association, Croke Park Deal

GRA Protest, An Garda Siochana, Dail Protest, GARDA REPRESENTATIVE Association, Croke Park Deal

THE GARDA REPRESENTATIVE Association is staging a placard protest outside Dáil Eireann against the Croke Park II deal that proposes to cut public sector pay.

The GRA says the deal now being voted on by the trade union movement is “blatantly unfair” and have questioned the Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s judgement for allowing it to be put on the table.

The association have also accused the government of “sidelining” An Garda Síochána by not offering them a seat in the negotiations between government and the trade unions.

The GRA’s General Secretary, PJ Stone, said it was disappointing that in order to make savings the gardaí were being targeted:

It is a disappointment to the GRA to learn that the Government were now intent on extending the Croke Park deal to facilitate savings to the magnitude of €60 million over three years from the pension and pay of members of An Garda Síochána.

The 24/7 Frontline Service Alliance says the deal will result in pay cuts of between 3 and 11 per cent for many workers, and are calling for it to be rejected. However, SIPTU, the union representing more than 200,000 members,  said that the proposals on the table were “the best that could be obtained through negotiation” and are urging for a ‘yes’ vote.

Peter butterly murder, real ira, the ira, dissident republicans, shamrock rovers, eddie mcgrath

Peter butterly murder, real ira, the ira, dissident republicans, shamrock rovers, eddie mcgrath

Shamrock Rovers concern: A dissident gunman who was arrested following the murder of RIRA chief Peter Butterly in Meath is the current manager of Shamrock Rovers U-18s team. Eddie McGrath (31) was one of five men arrested in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanstown, Co. Meath, minutes after Butterly was gunned down in cold blood.

On Friday, dad-of-three Butterly - a former RIRA leader in Louth - was buried in a low-key ceremony without any paramilitary trappings. Butterly had recently been expelled from the dissident organisation by the Northern-based leadership for allegedly pocketing RIRA funds. It is alleged that Alan Ryan’s Real IRA gang in Dublin had failed to hand over up to 200K to the newly named IRA.

Charged

Last Saturday, Tallaght man McGrath was charged with the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta handgun and ammunition. The suspected dissident was also charged with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself on the IRA. McGrath's arrest has sent shock waves through Shamrock Rovers, where he is on the coaching staff.

In 2005, he was a member of the fans' '400 club', who rescued Rovers from financial ruin by buying the soccer club. The photograph shows McGrath, from Land Dale Lawns in Tallaght, coaching a Shamrock Rovers team. McGrath remains a member of the club, is currently employed as the manager of club's U-18 squad and has previously been involved in coaching schoolboy teams.

A source said McGrath's arrest has "stunned" Shamrock Rovers, who did not know the coach was involved with dissidents. "He was a big supporter of Celtic and liked singing rebels songs but that's it," said a source.

"Eddie has been a dedicated member of the club for a long number of years."

On Thursday, McGrath was one of three Dublin men remanded in custody for an extra week in connection with the Butterly shooting. Both David Cullen, from Brackenwood Ave in Balbriggan, and Dean Evans (22), from Grange Park Rise, Raheny, were also brought before the Special Criminal Court. The three men had been charged in connection with the shooting at a special sitting of the non-jury court last Saturday night.

Evans and McGrath were each charged with the unlawful possession of a 9mm-calibre Beretta semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life. They were also each charged with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the IRA on March 6. Cullen was charged with the unlawful possession of a 9mm-calibre Beretta semi-automatic pistol.

A Spokesperson for Shamrock Rovers said anyone working with the club has to undergo rigorous garda vetting. "Shamrock Rovers has over 400 members. However, most have no involvement in the running of the football club apart from attending AGMs and contributing their monthly membership fee. Along with that, we have 3,000 season ticket holders.

"Shamrock Rovers also has over 100 volunteers who help the club in a number of different ways, from our schoolboy section, to match-day activities, to selling tickets. Those volunteering in our schoolboy section are Garda-vetted for the protection of the young people they work with."

However, Garda vetting is only related to actual convictions, 96% of persons who abuse children are never convicted, and someone with a terrorist conviction would not be banned from working with children.

Butterly (35) - a former commander for the RIRA in Co. Louth - was blasted in the chest and head in the pub's car park last Wednesday. The Gardai's elite Emergency Response Unit (ERU) arrived at the scene within minutes and arrested five men in a number of cars at the scene. It is believed that Gardai had the suspected dissidents under surveillance and had been monitoring the meeting between the group and Butterly.

However, they had no advance knowledge of a shooting. Butterly's murder is just the latest shooting in a bitter internal battle for control of the so-called new IRA.

On Saturday 16/3/2013, Butterly was laid to rest following a dignified funeral mass in his home parish in Co Louth. Hundreds of mourners turned out to pay tribute to the dad-of-three at his funeral mass Saint Colmcille's Church,Togher. His body was carried into the church in a coffin which had not been draped in the Tricolour - in stark contrast to the practice at most dissident republican funerals.

During the service, one of his daughters fought back tears and was comforted by Butterly's wife Eithne. Butterly is survived by his wife, his parents, Vera and Matt, and children Aoife, Ciara and Matthew. Unlike Alan Ryan's funeral last year, there was no visible sign yesterday of any paramilitary display at the funeral.

Rugby Ireland, 6 Nations Rugby, Irish Squad

Rugby Ireland, 6 Nations Rugby, Irish Squad

Paddy Steps in AGAIN, Paddy Jackson will start his third Test in succession…

If it wasn’t for Ireland’s bad luck of late, they’d hardly have had any luck at all; certainly not with regard to injuries. With a dozen Test internationals already laid low, it appeared this was to be offset by the return of Jonny Sexton, but no sooner was he named to face Italy at lunchtime yesterday after recovering from his torn hamstring than a scan revealed he has torn a tendon in his left foot.

Sexton had turned on his foot in training yesterday, to complete what has been a particularly trying time for both the Racing Metro-bound out half and Ireland .

A brief IRFU missive merely ruled the player out for this weekend, but medical opinion suggests he could be sidelined for up to four weeks.

In any event, Paddy Jackson will thus start his third Test in succession, with Ian Madigan drafted on to the bench again after cameos at both inside centre and scrum half last week _ which rather sums things up.

The only change

The net effect is the only change to the starting XV which kicked-off last weekend’s draw against France sees the fit again Craig Gilroy return for the injured Fergus McFadden.

Donnacha Ryan has been passed fit to start, but such is his importance to the pack, and the lineout especially, Devin Toner has been promoted to the bench in place of Donncha O’Callaghan.

This further fuels the feeling the 2013 Six Nations is marking the end of an era, given the omission along the way of Ronan O’Gara, the injury to Gordon D’Arcy and the doubts as to whether Brian O’Driscoll will play again for Ireland after tomorrow’s tournament finale.

It will be of small consolation to O’Callaghan that, along with Andrew Trimble, he has travelled over with the 23-man match-day squad as cover.

With Paul Marshall joining Stephen Archer on the bench, were both to appear in the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow, it would take Ireland’s tally of player used in this championship to 33.

Although Ryan at least took a full part in yesterday’s session, Declan Kidney maintained “Devin Toner is a purely selection issue. The Italian lineout is very strong so it’s just prudent to have a balance on that side of things this time. He has been going well for us in training so it’s a recognition of both.

“It’s tough on Donncha,” admitted the Ireland coach. “It’s always tough on anyone, whether it’s their first cap or a 100th. I would say Donncha is a long way from his first cap. That’s just the selection for this match. There’s many more to come. He’ll be playing away next year as well and there’s nothing to say he won’t be in for the next match.”

Good cheer

The Irish have at least spread some good cheer, as they’ve been credited with bringing some sunshine with them on arrival yesterday at the sun-kissed Eternal City after days of heavy rain.

Pope Francis, Argentinian Jorge Bergoglio, conclave, rome, vatican

Argentinian Jorge Bergoglio has been elected Pope, the first ever from the Americas and the first from outside Europe in more than a millennium.

He has chosen the name Pope Francis.

After announcing "Habemus Papum" - "We have a Pope" - a cardinal standing on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica revealed the identity of the new pontiff, using his Latin name.

Bergoglio had reportedly finished second in the 2005 conclave that produced Pope Benedict XVI, who last month became the first pope to resign in 600 years.

The 76-year-old archbishop of Buenos Aires has spent nearly his entire career at home in Argentina.

In his first words after being elected, Pope Francis said it seemed his brother cardinals "went to the end of the world" to find a new pope.

He thanked pope emeritus Benedict for his work for the church, and said the world should set off on a path of love and fraternity.

He delivered his first blessing to the huge crowd in St Peter's Square, asking for the prayers of "all men and women of good will" to help him lead the Catholic Church.

Francis becomes the 266th pontiff in the Church's 2,000-year history at a time of great crisis and difficulty.

Although a conservative, he is seen as a reformer and was not among the small group of frontrunners identified before the election.

He is the oldest of most of the possible candidates and is the first Jesuit to become pope.

Ireland Economy, Irish Government, Bond sales, EUIMF

Ireland Economy, Irish Government, Bond sales, EUIMF

Government takes leap of Faith with moves towards exiting bailout with 10-year bond sale

NTMA raises €5 billion via auction of benchmark 10-year notes

More Sharing Services Ireland took a major step towards exiting its bailout programme today by selling €5 billion worth of 10-year bonds.

The National Treasury Management Agency’s auction was seen as a major test of Ireland’s ability to raise long-term funds from capital markets.

The issuance, which matures in March 2023, was double the size that many analysts had forecast. It is understood the agency was guiding that it would issue €2 billion to €3 billion but had offers of up to €12 billion.

It was the first issuance of 10-year notes since the country entered its EU-IMF bailout in late 2010.

Traders said the new debt would yield around 4.15 per cent, compared to a yield of 3.7 per cent on Ireland's current benchmark 2020 bond.

At the height of euro financial crisis two year ago, the yield on Ireland’s 2020 bond climbed to over 15 per cent.

"This shows Ireland has firmly returned to the market," said a trader who took part in the auction. "It sends an important signal."

Today’s auction is likely to have a significant impact on the country’s credit rating.

"This represents an important milestone in the country's re-engagement with the bond market," said economist with NCB stockbrokers Philip O'Sullivan said.

"Today's launch of new 10-year issuance could have important ramifications for Ireland's credit rating."

The NTMA has set itself a target of raising €10 billion this year to help fund the country’s day-to-day spending.

The agency had already raised €2.5 billion of the target with the issuance of five-year notes in January.

Yields on Ireland's current benchmark 2020 bond fell further last week after European Union finance ministers agreed to look at how to extend the maturity of emergency loans Ireland and Portugal have received under their bailouts.

Breaking news, garda raids, crime, fuel laundering, cybercrime, dissident republicans

Breaking news, garda raids, crime, fuel laundering, cybercrime, dissident republicans

Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter TD is determined to confront crime wherever it is detected, the Gardai are striking hard against Criminal activity in all its forms, be that crime white-collar, cyber or terrorist related.

Dawn raids have been carried out on almost 20 premises as 300 officers from north and south of the border targeted a criminal gang.

Documents and bank statements were seized during the cross-border operation led by the Criminal Assets Bureau.

Operation Loft centred on the activities of a prominent Co Louth republican and an organised crime gang, who are suspected of laundering and trading illegal fuel.

"The objectives of the operation are to seize evidence of assets deriving from oil fraud and money laundering, seize and dismantle illegal oil operations, seize cash or other assets including vehicles used in the criminal activity and to freeze bank accounts," said a garda spokesman.

Seven homes, 10 businesses and two warehouses were searched across the counties of Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Waterford, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath, Meath, Tipperary and Louth, where one property spanned across the border.

Gardai said 100 personnel from various agencies in Northern Ireland, including Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC), and more than 200 gardai and customs officers in the Republic of Ireland took part in the joint investigation.

A senior garda said a prominent republican is at the centre of the multi-agency probe into the profits being generated from the illegal fuel trade. "He is the centre of all the activity and it all spans out from that like a spider's web," he added. "We are collecting evidence to build up a case and are following the money." He said the case is not linked to the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, who was shot dead near Dundalk in January.

The raids, which began at 5am on Wednesday, were carried out at addresses and business premises of key members of the organised criminal group. It involved members from CAB, the Special Detective Unit and various regional uniform Garda units, who were supported by the armed Emergency Response Unit (ERU), Garda Air Support Unit and the Air Corps. HMRC and PSNI specialist teams searched locations in Northern Ireland, close to the border.

A Garda spokesman said investigations conducted by CAB to date have identified significant funds being generated and laundered from the sale of laundered diesel - with the colour marker washed out - and stretched petrol, which has been diluted with methanol. "The profits generated from this illegal activity are significant, as is the loss to the Irish Exchequer," gardai added. "This illegal activity has knock-on effects on legitimate businesses as well as on unsuspecting customers who have very often experienced damage to the fuel system of their vehicles from the laundered diesel or poor return per litre of petrol."

Garda later confirmed that no arrests were made during the operation.

Property Tax

Property Tax, Poll Tax…Can it be Fair?

After years of speculation and controversy, householders around the State will this week start to receive an estimate of just how much they owe the Revenue Commissioners for the new Local Property Tax (LPT).

Determining the market value of a property in today’s climate is not a straightforward task, while many homeowners, who forked out exorbitant amounts on stamp duty during the boom, rightly feel aggrieved at being further taxed on those same properties. However, whatever, you declare to Revenue, make sure that you understand that this will be the total value payable on your home insurance if anything goes wrong, you cannot for example tell Revenue that your property is worth only 100K and then claim insurance of 200K, the insurance companies will now have afall-back on any claims.

Remember those dinner party conversations which focused on the seemingly inexorable rise of house prices? Now it’s all about downplaying your home’s value while still ensuring you’re compliant with the tax. Below are the steps you need to consider when filing your LPT return.

1 Assess whether you’re liable

The Revenue Commissioners yesterday started sending out a tax return form as well as an explanatory booklet on the new tax. The letter may take up to four weeks to reach you, but once you get it you should find the process a little bit clearer.

The booklet will provide guidance on assessing the value of a property, working out how much LPT will have to be paid, completing the LPT return form and what range of methods are available to pay LPT.

If you get the form but don’t think you are liable for the tax – perhaps because you are a tenant or you have sold the property indicated – you will need to contact Revenue within 30 days, providing information as to why you don’t think you are liable. Failure to do this within this time frame will mean that you will be liable to pay the tax.

Remember, if you don’t receive a form, the onus is on you to file a return if you are liable for the tax, and if you haven’t received a form by the beginning of April, then you need to contact Revenue.

2 Consider whether you qualify for an exemption

While there is no exemption for those who paid exorbitant amounts of stamp duty during the boom, a number of homeowners will, however, be exempt from the tax.

Firstly, if you buy a new home from a builder or developer that was not lived in previously, you will be exempt from the tax until the end of 2016. This exemption will apply for purchases between January 1st, 2013 and October 31st, 2016.

If you’re a first-time buyer, an exemption also applies if you buy a property by the end of the year – provided that you live in it. If you are purchasing with a spouse/civil partner/co-habitant who isn’t a first-time buyer, you will jointly benefit from this exemption. A co-habitant is someone with whom you have children and have been living together for two years – or five years if there are no children.

Houses in so-called ghost estates are also exempt from the tax, while self-builds constructed after May 1st of this year and before November 1st 2016 will not be liable for the property tax until 2017.

An exemption also applies for pyrite affected homes, while mobile homes, vehicles and vessels are not subject to the tax.

Rugby Ireland, 6 Nations

Eoin Reddan will undergo surgery on a broken ankle and damaged ligaments today while Fergus McFadden has also been ruled out with fractured ribs, while Donnacha Ryan's bruised A/C joint is a source of concern.

Luke Marshall and Brian O’Driscoll (possible concussion) have only a week to satisfactorily complete the return to play protocol, and even O’Driscoll’s remarkably high pain threshold will be further tested by a dead leg and a cut ear.

The presence of his wife Amy and four-week-old baby girl Sadie was possibly an indicator that this was his last home game, as was his insistence on coming back on with his head bandaged. Beyond brave to the end, though then again nothing new there.

Conor Murray (knee) and Peter O’Mahony (dead leg) should be okay, all of which prompted Declan Kidney to quip “everybody else is fine”.

This is just as well as in addition to Gordon D'Arcy, the midfield resources are further depleted by Darren Cave, Paddy Wallace and Dave McSharry also being hors de combat, while Isaac Boss has fitness issues too and Paul Marshall has had little game time with Ulster.

Back in contention

Of the ten players sidelined for last Saturday’s latest bruiser, Craig Gilroy should come back into contention as might Jonathan Sexton and Declan Fitzpatrick. In the circumstances, Ireland are unlikely to do much work today or tomorrow, and will delay their team announcement by 48 hours to Thursday.

Of some consolation is that Italy have a six-day turnaround after their 18-11 defeat at Twickenham yesterday, but the way the Azzurri were pushing hard for an improbable draw to derail England’s Grand Slam bid underlined the magnitude of Ireland’s task.

Martin Castrogiovanni went off early with a hamstring injury, but as with Alberto de Marchi replacing the other veteran prop, Andreo lo Cicero from the off, the arrival of Lorenzo Cittadini only revived the Italian scrum and the rest of their performance. They’ll be targeting a first championship win over Ireland in Saturday’s 72,000 sell-out, and with good reason.

Victory for Wales over England in the Millennium Stadium by eight points would see them take the title on points difference, though in all likelihood a seven-point winning margin would suffice as they have scored seven tries to England’s five.

For their part, Ireland can still finish anywhere from third to sixth, and although the Six Nations do not divulge the breakdown of their estimated ¤13.7million prize fund, third compared to sixth could equate to a difference of almost 2 million.

‘Huge challenge’

“That’s not where you want to be but there’s that much to play for,” said Kidney.

“If nothing else, it will be another chance to play for Ireland and there will be some fellas who will get the chance that might have not got a chance so far and that will be a huge day for them but I’m sure the Italians will be licking their lips to have us in Rome. If you think that Italy beat France, it’s going to be another huge challenge for us.”