Rural Independent Group seeks immediate meeting with Taoiseach, Minister for Health & NPHET to discuss “Hammerblow” Pub Closures
The Rural Independent Group have this morning written to the Taoiseach seeking an urgent meeting with himself, the Minister for Health-Stephen Donnelly, Dr. Ronan Glynn and representatives from NPHET to discuss what they describe as a “hammerblow to the heart of rural Ireland” the decision to keep pubs closed for a further three weeks. Tipperary […]
Commitments On Fair Deal Welcome, but Urgent Clarity Still Required – Mattie McGrath
Independent TD Mattie McGrath has said that while he welcomes the government’s decision to introduce greater flexibility and fairness to the Nursing Home Support Scheme (Fair Deal Scheme), urgent clarification on important aspects of the changes remain. Deputy McGrath was speaking after Minister of State for Older People, Jim Daly, announced that he had brought […]
Our Motion Seeks To Strengthen Job Protection For Special Needs Assistants – Mattie McGrath
The Rural Independent Group has urged the Minister for Education, Richard Bruton, to acknowledge that a lack of job security as wells as an exhaustive application process are among some of the obstacles preventing the full participation of Special Needs Assistants in schools. Speaking ahead of the Rural Groups’ Private Members motion on the issue […]
Post Office Deal Must Not Become Trojan Horse For Pillar Banks – McGrath
Independent TD Mattie McGrath has said that serious question remain about the long term implications of the proposed deal between An Post and the Irish Postmasters Union (IPU). Deputy McGrath was speaking ahead of a potentially transformative vote on the matter when IPU members met to discuss the planned agreement: “There are many aspects of […]
Cost Saving Changes To Fair Deal Scheme Must Have All Party Support – Rural Independent Group
Members of the Oireachtas Rural Independent Group have welcomed the announcement of significant cost saving measures to be introduced as part of a revised Nursing Home Support Scheme (Fair Deal Scheme). Speaking on its behalf, Independent TD Mattie McGrath said that the measures are a reflection of the unanimous support that the Rural Independent Group […]
Narrow defeat for County Boundary Motion deeply disappointing – Rural Independent Group
Members of the Oireachtas Rural Independent Group have described the narrow defeat of their Dáil motion on the detrimental extension of county boundaries as a lost opportunity to protect rural Ireland. The Motion was ultimately defeated after a Fianna Fail counter amendment was supported by a margin of 66 votes for, to 62 against, with […]
Boundary Changes Must Not Target Urban Growth At Rural Expense – Rural Independent Group
Members of the Oireachtas Rural Independent Group are set to call on the government to ensure that any proposed changes to county boundaries do not adversely affect the possibility of future rural regeneration. The members were speaking ahead of a Dáil debate on the Group’s private members motion on the issue. The Motion is also […]
Fianna Fail Threats To Silence Smaller Dáil Groups Is Obvious Power Grab – Mattie McGrath
Independent TD Mattie McGrath has accused the leader of Fianna Fail, Michael Martin, of trying to reintroduce the parliamentary dominance of the two main political parties. Deputy McGrath was speaking as Mr Martin confirmed that he has sought support from incoming Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to severely limit the speaking times of smaller groups like the […]
Government defeat is a significant victory for farm families and the self-employed – Rural Independent Group
Members of The Rural Independent Group have expressed their delight after they achieved a successful Dáil vote on the motion they brought forward calling for immediate reform of the Fair Deal Nursing Home Support Scheme. The motion, which was carried by 51 votes to 48, represents a highly significant loss for the government and will […]
Rural Group Motion Can Finally Set The National Children’s Hospital Project On The Right Track – Rural Independent Group
The Rural Independent Group has committed its next Private Members time slot to bringing forward a Motion calling on all members of the Dáil to urgently reconsider the proposed location of the National Children’s Hospital, currently designated for St James’ Hospital in Dublin. The Group’s Motion is set to call on the government to forensically […]
