Fund the Process, not the Parties
ELECTORAL REFORM: I’ve always liked the idea that everyone should have ‘an equal right to elect and to be elected’, that is fundamental in a democratic society. Is this what we have in Ireland, does every citizens have equal opportunity? Every year the established Political Parties received up to €15 million in state funding. We […]
Corruption in Our Councils
The following is the text of a talk given by Cllr Diarmaid Ó Cadhla on 19th February 2019 at a public meeting entitled: End Corruption at City Hall It is easy for us to call the dealings of City Hall corrupt, the evidence is all around us, unfortunately it escapes many who get fooled by […]
Tenants of Public Housing are Entitled to Privacy
In Ireland, tenants of Public Housing are treated as 2nd class citizens. The view is that Public Housing tenants somehow get something for nothing, so they must forfeit their rights and be grateful. This view is confirmed by Cork County Council’s ongoing Rent Review (the same happens in all local authorities), which again imposes on […]
Community Water Development Fund
The Local Authority Waters Programme have announced the launch of an open call for applications to a Community Water Development Fund 2019. Closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday 12th February 2019 at 7.00pm. The Community Water Development Fund aims to support communities in progressing water related projects and initiatives, delivering benefits locally whilst […]
Community Grant Scheme
Guidelines for the 2019 Community Grant Scheme have been published, it is now being advertised, with a closing date of 4.00 p.m. on Friday 15th February. The link to apply is: https://www.yourcouncil.ie/service/Community_Fund_Application_2019 In 2018, Council operated a dual system, accepting both online and manual applications, as it was the trial year for the online system. […]
HPV Vaccine – Informed Consent Must be Facilitated
Last week Cork County Council refused to even discuss whether we should write to the Minister for Health asking him why the HSE doesn’t distribute the manufacturers Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) with the HPV vaccine in our schools. Here is a copy of the Notice of Motion they rejected. The entire debate around the HPV […]
Water Fluoridation Must Stop
There is continuing speculation that fluoride in public water is linked to cancer, osteoporosis and genetic damage – however scientists disagree on this argument. Last week at Council I was delighted to receive unanimous support for asking the Minister to clarify matters. Here is the Notice of Motion adopted at my proposal. The stated reason […]
Community Development Initiative 2019
€1.5 million grant available for Cork Community Groups Cork County Council, in association with their Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), are releasing monies as Phase 1 of a €3.5M fund with €500k from Cork County Council’s own funds being put aside on a yearly basis over seven years from 2016 – 2022. The fund known […]
Cork County Council Arts Funding Opportunities Announced
There are a total of eight schemes with funding available to support a wide range of Arts activity, providing opportunities for Arts Organisations, Festivals Community groups, Schools and Artists seeking funding for projects and activities in 2019. Announcing details of the funding opportunities, Cork County Council Chief Executive Tim Lucey said “Local Authority funding of […]
Council Budgets – but Don’t Express an Opinion!
I had the experience of being ejected from the Annual Budget meeting of Cork County Council last week, because I refused to withdraw my expressed opinion that the Political Parties were manipulating Council policy. Here are the small amendments I wanted to propose to the Budget, however, my exclusion prevented this. I wanted to do […]