Tony O'Donnell.ie

There are few things worse than wasted potential. George Lee as an individual and as a symbol had a tremendous potential to shift our expectations of politics, and to open the door for a new type of TD.

He was more than just a celebrity candidate.

He was trusted by the ordinary citizen, as his thumping 27,000 vote bye-election victory proved. He had the academic and professional training needed to understand the complex economic issues that we collectively face. And perhaps most importantly, he repeatedly made the point that as an ordinary citizen he felt compelled to run because he wanted to change things.

As a newly elected representative, this final point really resonated with me.

I felt thrilled that someone as apparently capable as George Lee had made the decision to enter politics and to give his talents to serve the public. It made me feel that the process could still attract people of genuine vision and talent, and I hoped that his entry might encourage more people to follow suit.

Our current semi-hereditary system of parish pump cute-hoorism isn’t working, and George was opening the door to a new type of politics.

Unfortunately George has called it a day after only 19 weeks of Dáil business. After coming in with so much promise, his decision to walk away could deal a fatal blow to the renewal of politics. How many talented people in business, or the community sector will look on this debacle and say, ‘Well if even George Lee couldn’t change things, what chance have I got?’

I do not doubt his sincerity, but the fact that he couldn’t stick things out and work for reform from inside really disappoints me. He came in on a fanfare of repairing the system – he leaves having only scratched the surface and with no constructive or positive legacy whatsoever.

A former British Prime Minister once said, the problem with committing political suicide is that you survive to tell the tale. I think George’s hara-kiri will prove to be an enormous regret into his future, whatever it might hold.

Kildare patients may see a drop in prescription drug prices from this week, according to local Fine Gael councillor Tony O’Donnell.

Thanks to an initiative from the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA), many medicines will see a drop of up to 40% from 1st February 2010. A full list of the medicines concerned can be found online at www.checkthelist.ie, and it contains many common treatments including Augmentin, Difene, Losec and Prozac.

Local pharmacists are expected to introduce the reduced pricing as they replenish their stocks.

“I think this is a very welcome move from the IPHA and the pharmaceutical industry they represent.

“Irish medicine prices are very expensive by European standards, and they represent a huge burden on chronic sufferers. The drugs covered by today’s announcement include many common treatments for conditions such as high cholesterol, depression and ulcers, so the news will be welcomed by many Kildare families.

“It is especially welcome in light of the cuts in the Drug Payment Scheme introduced in the last two budgets.

“The news also means a better deal for the taxpayer as the cost of drugs provided under the medical card will also be reduced.

“I hope that the pharmaceutical companies continue to cut their prices into the future so that other chronic conditions get the same reduction in costs.

“Patients can learn more about the scheme by clicking on a special IPHA site – www.checkthelist.ie”

After all of the recent controversy and discussion in the local media on conference expenses, I thought it might be worthwhile to give a breakdown of how councillors are paid and the expenses that are available to us.

Members of City and County Councils are paid an annual representational allowance set at a quarter of the salary of a member of Seanad Éireann (approx. €16,000 since the last budget). In addition, members who chair one of the Council’s five Special Policy Committees receive an additional payment of €6,000 per annum.

Members of Kildare County Council get a monthly expenses payment to cover mileage, subsistence, phone, stationery, IT and general expenses. The monthly payment is based on a number of calculations such as the round-trip distance from home to the Council chamber. The only vouched part of the expenses is a requirement to furnish mobile bills on a regular basis (members can claim up to 50% of the cost up to a limit of €600 per annum). In order to claim expenses, members must attend 80% of their statutory meetings. Attendance is based on signing a register at the meeting, however no note is taken of whether the member remains for the meeting itself.

The final sources of payment are expenses claimed for attendance at conferences. This is set at a limit of €2,500 per member for 2010, and the selection of relevant conferences is agreed by the group leaders of the parties\independents. Members must now publish detailed reports and these will be now be published on KCC’s website along with the member’s expenses claim.

As part of the current ethics legislation, I made a statutory declaration of interests at the end of last month. These declarations are a matter of public record, however, I don’t know if they are automatically published online anywhere.

My own declaration states the following:

Other Employment\Directorships

* Employee of SAP BusinessObjects, Citywest

* No other directorships (apart from those held due to being a nominee of KCC)

Property\Shares

* I own my house at Drumcree Court and have no other property interest

* I hold no shares

Under the 2010 Council budget, every member has a fund of €40,000 to direct towards projects in their district. The projects are typically roads-related and may not be considered under the general roads programme (e.g. minor roadworks, traffic calming measures, works at junctions, lighting, footpath improvements, etc.)

If you have a project in the area that you would like me to consider for my allocation – please get in touch tony.odonnell@gmail.com.

Kildare County Council has passed a motion from Cllr. Tony O’Donnell backing the campaign aims of the county’s three Community Development Projects (CDPs).

The Athy CDP, the Bridge CDP in Newbridge and the North West Kildare CDP in Allenwood are facing into great uncertainty in 2010 as a result of Government cuts and restructuring.

The CDPs are community-based initiatives that provide a range of services to disadvantaged and marginalised citizens including childcare, education and social programmes.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr. O’Donnell outlined the motion’s aims.

“I believe that the CDP model is the best way to deliver support to disadvantaged and marginalised communities. It empowers the people on the ground to focus resources where they are most needed. The voluntary boards of management in the three Kildare CDPs have a strong track record of delivery, and they need to be left in place.

“The plan from Minister of State John Curran would bring an end to this key local link. It also has the potential to limit the CDPs ability to fundraise beyond their statutory grant. At present, the CDPs raise multiples of their government funding, and I would have serious concerns about whether this will be possible under the new scheme.

“The motion tabled by myself, Cllr. Brendan Weld and Cllr. Seamus Langan calls for the retention of the voluntary boards of management. It also asks that the three Kildare CDPs retain their independent status as distinct companies, and finally it requests that Minister Curran engages in meaningful dialogue with the CDPs about their future as part of any national plan.

“There is across the board support for the great work done by our local CDPs, and hopefully the support given by Kildare’s councillors will help to strengthen their campaign.”

The motion passed by Kildare County Council read as follows:

That Kildare County Council call on the Government to support the retention of the existing Community Development Programme structures, and in particular the three CDP’s based in County Kildare, so that they can retain their status as independent companies limited by guarantee, and that the Council supports the three campaign principles of the Kildare CDPs which are:

(a) The Community Development Programme and the three Kildare CDPs deliver a value-for-money support for community development in disadvantaged communities across Ireland. At this time of economic downturn, CDP’s are needed now more than ever. Rather than disempowering local participation and active citizenship, the Government should support it by maintaining the present structures.

(b) The CDPs should remain as independent companies limited by guarantee, ensuring that local people are leading the development of their own communities without being restricted by other agencies.

(c)  If any changes are to be made to the Community Development Programme, that CDP’s are consulted with and listened to in a genuine way and not merely as a token gesture.

I recently asked Fine Gael’s health spokesperson, Dr James Reilly TD, to put a question down in the Dáil requesting that Crohn’s disease be added to the Long Term Illness Scheme.

Crohn’s disease is chronic inflammatory bowel condition that has no known cure.

Sufferers are typically diagnosed in their 20’s and 30’s and face a lifetime of medication, GP sessions, blood tests, endoscopy and regular consultants’ visits. The medication can cost upwards of €80 per month while the consultants’ visits are not covered by health insurance.

As such, a Crohn’s patient will spend over €1,000 per year managing their condition with only a small potential for state support via tax relief at the standard rate. The treatment helps to keep the condition in remission, but it doesn’t prevent flare-ups that can be debilitating and painful for the patient.

The longterm illness scheme was established in 1971 to assist people with chronic medical conditions including:

• Mental handicap
• Mental illness (for people under 16 only)
• Diabetes insipidus
• Diabetes mellitus
• Haemophilia
• Cerebral palsy
• Phenylketonuria
• Epilepsy
• Cystic fibrosis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Spina bifida
• Muscular dystrophies
• Hydrocephalus
• Parkinsonism
• Acute leukaemia
• Conditions arising from use of Thalidomide

Medications required to treat conditions included in the scheme are provided free of charge to the sufferers.

Unfortunately, the Minister has declined to add Crohn’s to the list. I would be interested to know what the cost of adding it would be as it would make a huge difference to sufferers.

QUESTION NO:  104

DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister for Health and Children (Ms. Harney (Dublin Mid-West))

by Deputy James Reilly

for WRITTEN ANSWER on 24/06/2009

*  To ask the Minister for Health and Children his views on including Crohn’s disease under the long term illness scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

- James Reilly

Details Supplied: as it is a lifelong condition as it involves regular medical expenses,visits to gps, blood tests, regular medication, and hospital visits which amounts to considerable expenditure and expense for any patient with his lifelong disease, particularly if the patient is not entitled to a medical card but on relatively very low income

REPLY.

There are currently no plans to extend the list of eligible conditions covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme, which was introduced on a statutory basis in 1971.

Under the Drugs Payment Scheme, which was introduced in 1999, no individual or family unit pays more than €100 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines.  The scheme is easy to use and significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.

In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card.  In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.   Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of general practice consultations.

Along with my Fine Gael colleagues Brendan Weld and Seamus Langan, we have submitted the following motion to the December meeting of Kildare County Council regarding the local community development projects (CDP).

That Kildare County Council call on the Government to support the retention of the existing Community Development Programme structures, and in particular the three CDP’s based in County Kildare, so that they can retain their status as independent companies limited by guarantee, and that the Council supports the three campaign principles of the Kildare CDPs which are:

(a) The Community Development Programme and the three Kildare CDPs deliver a value-for-money support for community development in disadvantaged communities across Ireland. At this time of economic downturn, CDP’s are needed now more than ever. Rather than disempowering local participation and active citizenship, the Government should support it by maintaining the present structures.

(b) The CDPs should remain as independent companies limited by guarantee, ensuring that local people are leading the development of their own communities without being restricted by other agencies.

(c)  If any changes are to be made to the Community Development Programme, that CDP’s are consulted with and listened to in a genuine way and not merely as a token gesture.

Fine Gael’s Tony O’Donnell has welcomed Kildare County Council’s decision to accept a radical overhaul in how councillors claim conference expenses. Cllr. O’Donnell proposed a number of reforms to the expenses system, and these were adopted at a meeting of KCC’s Protocol Committee and noted by the full Council at their November meeting.

Cllr. O’Donnell’s motion requires that members produce detailed reports on their attendance, and that these reports be circulated at the next Council meeting and then published to KCC’s website. The reports will also include the member’s expenses claims.

“I am delighted that my fellow councillors have adopted this much-needed overhaul of the expenses system.

“My proposal is good for the public as it means greater transparency in how their money is spent; it is good for the elected reps as it means that all members can benefit from the experience gained by councillors who attend conferences\training events; and it is good for KCC as it means that resources normally tied up dealing with Freedom of Information requests can now be refocused as the information will be proactively published for all to see.

“Local authorities spend hundreds of thousands on conference expenses every year. By adopting this motion, I believe Kildare will now lead the way when it comes to transparency and openness in how this money is used.”

The motion read as follows….

The Council resolves that members’ conference  expenses claims and reports should be circulated to members at the next ordinary meeting of the Council following their submission, and that these expenses and reports should be published to the Council website thereafter.