Brian McKenna slams ‘sneaky’ Taoiseach visit

North Monaghan Councillor, Brian McKenna, has stated that the visit by Taoiseach Brian Cowen to Monaghan on Monday was ‘sneaky’. The Sinn Féin representative slammed the fact that Mr. Cowen, just like his predecessor Bertie Ahern, has continuously refused to visit Monaghan General Hospital or to even meet with local councillors to discuss the issue of health services in this county.

Cllr. McKenna welcomed the news for the VEC and congratulated all elected opinion and VEC officials for their efforts in securing the new facility at the former barracks.

However, according to Cllr. McKenna “The manner of Brian Cowen’s visit says more about the Taoiseach and the Fianna Fáil party than anything else. Considering that the Taoiseach has refused numerous requests to visit Monaghan General Hospital or to even meet local councillors to discuss the issue it is strange that he can sneak into the county on a Monday morning without giving advance notice speaks volumes.

“His refusal to meet the elected representatives of County Monaghan to hear their concerns and the concerns of the people following the closure of services in our hospital is nothing short of a disgrace. Fianna Fáil, in a very underhanded way, ensured that Acute Medical Services at Monaghan General Hospital, were withdrawn only after the local elections.

“Now Fianna Fáil Councillors and TD’s are doing all in their power to have the issue ‘forgotten’ by the electorate. The fact that these local Fianna Fáil Councillors and TD’s collude in secret visits to County Monaghan by Ministers and the Taoiseach shows the commitment, or lack of it, that they have for the retention and development of services at our hospital”.

Cllr. Brian McKenna also stated that he, and his Sinn Féin colleagues, would always welcome good news for our county. He said that his party were particularly pleased that the site of the former barracks (which regrettably was closed down by this government) would be now used for the development of MIFET, gaelscoil, gaelcholáiste and other VEC facilities especially as the original proposal in this regard emanated from his colleague, Seán Conlon. However Sinn Féin he said would “not allow the Taoiseach or any other member of government to sneak into the county while so many other services and initiatives had been robbed from Monaghan by Fianna Fáil, not least from our local hospital.”

Sinn Féin launch campaign to fight education cutbacks

Clones Town and County Councillor Pat Treanor has called on the people of County Monaghan to support the Sinn Féin campaign against Government cutbacks in education spending. Speaking after his party launched the campaign entitled ‘Leave our Schools Alone’ Cllr. Treanor, who is a former chairperson of County Monaghan VEC, said the education budget should be exempt from Government cutbacks as it is crucial to our long term economic recovery.

He said the Government was slow to react to the recession and is now implementing short sighted measures which target our children and which are ultimately detrimental to our economic recovery.

Cllr. Treanor said “Sinn Féin will not tolerate any cutbacks in the education sector. We will not stand by while the Government foolishly destroys our education infrastructure.

“While we all know that we are in dire economic circumstances, we believe that our education budget must be exempt from Government cutbacks. In fact it makes no economic sense to be cutting the education budget as it is crucial to our long term economic recovery.

“We have launched the ‘Leave our Schools Alone’ campaign to fight these cutbacks and to highlight the harsh realities faced by families as a result of the Government’s reckless policy.

“We will be highlighting cuts faced by schools right across the state including County Monaghan and bringing to the people’s attention just what this incompetent government has done to our education system and to our children.

“We are demanding a first class education system that enables future generations reach their potential and that is properly funded through a fair and progressive taxation system rather than the current situation where under-resourced schools are increasingly dependent through parents’ contributions and fundraising efforts.

“As a member and former chairperson of County Monaghan VEC as well as a father I am utterly appalled at the cuts which will now come into affect as our children return to school.

“Class sizes are set to increase, resources will be slashed, book grants are abolished and children will continue to be educated in dilapidated, overcrowded buildings and prefabs even though building new schools would create employment.

“Parents and teachers have had enough. Our children did not cause this recession. They should not foot the bill for this government’s incompetence. Now is the time to fight back.
“I am urging all parents, teachers and all those who will not stand for attacks on our schools to join us in our campaign. Our message to the government is clear – LEAVE OUR SCHOOLS ALONE!”