Comments for Tony O'Donnell.ie http://blog.tonyodonnell.ie A blog on community, sport and politics in Kildare Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:11:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on Controversial Newbridge Biomass Proposal Must Be Rejected by Tony http://blog.tonyodonnell.ie/?p=711&cpage=1#comment-1623 Tony Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:11:42 +0000 http://blog.tonyodonnell.ie/?p=711#comment-1623 Thanks for your feedback JP. I agree about the difficulty in taking positions on issues which have a lot of technical fine points. On this particular project, I was approached by a number of local residents about the application, and as a public representative I sought to raise awareness through my network of contacts. I don't class this as 'mopping up' anything; indeed if I had cynically wanted to do this, I could have used the local media. If you are in the area, you will see I did not actively do this. What struck me as I did my rounds, was the particular concern of the equine industry. They have taken the matter so seriously that their representative body has submitted an objection, and at least one local stud farm has submitted a very lengthy and detailed set of reasons for refusal. This is a vital part of mid-Kildare's economy, and I think it needs to be protected, and I am happy to play my part in this. Please bear in mind that a risk-based analysis does not always cut it when it comes to highly mobile, valuable and sensitive animals like thoroughbred racehorses, and that we must remove any hint of concern. Sentiment carries a lot of weight, and Aidan O'Brien's experience fills me with a justifiable worry that the smallest thing could result in a flight of business to stud farms elsewhere. Lastly, my own objection is not a rejection of biomass generally, but I do feel that the applicant has not proven the case for it at this location. For now, that is my opinion and the Council will I am sure factor in all points of view when reaching their conclusions. Thanks for your feedback JP.

I agree about the difficulty in taking positions on issues which have a lot of technical fine points.

On this particular project, I was approached by a number of local residents about the application, and as a public representative I sought to raise awareness through my network of contacts. I don’t class this as ‘mopping up’ anything; indeed if I had cynically wanted to do this, I could have used the local media. If you are in the area, you will see I did not actively do this.

What struck me as I did my rounds, was the particular concern of the equine industry. They have taken the matter so seriously that their representative body has submitted an objection, and at least one local stud farm has submitted a very lengthy and detailed set of reasons for refusal.

This is a vital part of mid-Kildare’s economy, and I think it needs to be protected, and I am happy to play my part in this. Please bear in mind that a risk-based analysis does not always cut it when it comes to highly mobile, valuable and sensitive animals like thoroughbred racehorses, and that we must remove any hint of concern. Sentiment carries a lot of weight, and Aidan O’Brien’s experience fills me with a justifiable worry that the smallest thing could result in a flight of business to stud farms elsewhere.

Lastly, my own objection is not a rejection of biomass generally, but I do feel that the applicant has not proven the case for it at this location. For now, that is my opinion and the Council will I am sure factor in all points of view when reaching their conclusions.

]]> Comment on Controversial Newbridge Biomass Proposal Must Be Rejected by JP http://blog.tonyodonnell.ie/?p=711&cpage=1#comment-1622 JP Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:32:47 +0000 http://blog.tonyodonnell.ie/?p=711#comment-1622 I think you are mopping up political good will from local residents who are probably without technical knowledge on the subject of biomass incineration. You have not given any technical or scientific reasons why a biomass plant should not be built. I would suggest that as a positive move you should firstly educate yourself a little more on the subject. Then you should gather a thousand residents in the immediate locality and measure the fumes produced by their homes (gas boilers, oil boilers, fire places). Then measure the output gases from a similar sized incinerator to the proposed one, you may be surprised at the results. You should bring Aidan O Brien along with you maybe. Education is king here, biomass facilities are a positive move forward and the ignorance of the general public and it representatives cannot be left to stand in the way of positive progress, indigenous and renewable sources of power and most importantly jobs! I can’t argue about weather Ireland can monitor these facilities or not, I don’t know. Maybe you should add this to Fine Gaels list of things to do (if you are correct). If Fine Gael is serious about a new republic then you should start by educating yourselves with regard to all matters of renewable energy and then educate the public while also insuring that the state has the tools necessary to monitor and regulate these types of activities. I think you are mopping up political good will from local residents who are probably without technical knowledge on the subject of biomass incineration. You have not given any technical or scientific reasons why a biomass plant should not be built. I would suggest that as a positive move you should firstly educate yourself a little more on the subject. Then you should gather a thousand residents in the immediate locality and measure the fumes produced by their homes (gas boilers, oil boilers, fire places). Then measure the output gases from a similar sized incinerator to the proposed one, you may be surprised at the results. You should bring Aidan O Brien along with you maybe. Education is king here, biomass facilities are a positive move forward and the ignorance of the general public and it representatives cannot be left to stand in the way of positive progress, indigenous and renewable sources of power and most importantly jobs! I can’t argue about weather Ireland can monitor these facilities or not, I don’t know. Maybe you should add this to Fine Gaels list of things to do (if you are correct). If Fine Gael is serious about a new republic then you should start by educating yourselves with regard to all matters of renewable energy and then educate the public while also insuring that the state has the tools necessary to monitor and regulate these types of activities.

]]> Comment on Minister declines request to add Crohn’s to the longterm illness scheme by Avril Muldoon http://blog.tonyodonnell.ie/?p=598&cpage=1#comment-1574 Avril Muldoon Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:30:43 +0000 http://blog.tonyodonnell.ie/?p=598#comment-1574 Hi My daughter has crohns, she had to drop out of college due to this "mild" disease.She is 21 and has had over 10 jobs which she had to leave over her "moderate" illness.She can not get social welfare because she does not have enough stamps,no medical card because both parents work.No vhi since her illness doubles the rate for a single women.10 days in st.vincents this year 650 euro.Humira injections weekly 120euro a month.Impending operation in st.vincents 75euro a day.It makes more sence to cover the cost of meds rather than surgery as worrying over paying makes her sick to start with.Please push for this to be added. Thanks Hi
My daughter has crohns, she had to drop out of college due to this “mild” disease.She is 21 and has had over 10 jobs which she had to leave over her “moderate” illness.She can not get social welfare because she does not have enough stamps,no medical card because both parents work.No vhi since her illness doubles the rate for a single women.10 days in st.vincents this year 650 euro.Humira injections weekly 120euro a month.Impending operation in st.vincents 75euro a day.It makes more sence to cover the cost of meds rather than surgery as worrying over paying makes her sick to start with.Please push for this to be added. Thanks

]]> Comment on Gender quotas versus democracy by Tony http://blog.tonyodonnell.ie/?p=447&cpage=1#comment-1568 Tony Fri, 13 Aug 2010 07:44:21 +0000 http://blog.tonyodonnell.ie/?p=447#comment-1568 Nice of Sarah Carey to quote this post in the Irish Times http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2010/0812/1224276632127.html Nice of Sarah Carey to quote this post in the Irish Times http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2010/0812/1224276632127.html

]]> Comment on Parallels with the Reformation by Tony http://blog.tonyodonnell.ie/?p=705&cpage=1#comment-1538 Tony Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:52:42 +0000 http://blog.tonyodonnell.ie/?p=705#comment-1538 Hard to disagree with any of that Des Hard to disagree with any of that Des

]]> Comment on Parallels with the Reformation by Des Groome http://blog.tonyodonnell.ie/?p=705&cpage=1#comment-1537 Des Groome Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:49:21 +0000 http://blog.tonyodonnell.ie/?p=705#comment-1537 Good post Tony, Your comparisons are valid and I agree Ireland is at a critical seminal moment in our history where the need for reformation is pressing and the national zeitgeist for change is palpable. The dominant hegemony or power-holders in Ireland still exist together in a matrix- a matrix of church, politicos,bureaucrats. That group rarely look beyond their matrix for wisdom or answers. Hence the stagnancy in public life and civic services; freshened up for a while by the PDs and now a little by the Greens. I fear your party wont do much to dismantle the matrix but I could be wrong and in fairness they've not had a chance. As one with your foot on the edge of the matrix you have stopped short of endorsing full reformation which is fair enough. Changes that this govt or the next could look at include; Reduction of TDs to about 140 by increasing the voter ratio to 30 to 40,0000 to one TD Abolition of the Seanad. Reduce the number of Councillors but raise their salary, make them full time, double their LEA sizes and population ratios. Abolish town councils , replace with local subcommittees of county councillors. Merge county councils into regional councils; economy of scale and less officials. Privatise most of the local services such as roads, water, bins thereby leaving a management/admin team only on councils skilled in management/procurement/negotiation/planning etc. There is much more Ireland could do and better detail to be applied to those ideas by people who like detail. The country needs the politico-mandarins to embrace change, maybe even rebuild their own carefully constructed bureaucratic matrix. To what extent change will happen depends on many things. Good post Tony,
Your comparisons are valid and I agree Ireland is at a critical seminal moment in our history where the need for reformation is pressing and the national zeitgeist for change is palpable.
The dominant hegemony or power-holders in Ireland still exist together in a matrix- a matrix of church, politicos,bureaucrats. That group rarely look beyond their matrix for wisdom or answers. Hence the stagnancy in public life and civic services; freshened up for a while by the PDs and now a little by the Greens.
I fear your party wont do much to dismantle the matrix but I could be wrong and in fairness they’ve not had a chance.
As one with your foot on the edge of the matrix you have stopped short of endorsing full reformation which is fair enough.
Changes that this govt or the next could look at include;

Reduction of TDs to about 140 by increasing the voter ratio to 30 to 40,0000 to one TD
Abolition of the Seanad.
Reduce the number of Councillors but raise their salary, make them full time, double their LEA sizes and population ratios.
Abolish town councils , replace with local subcommittees of county councillors.
Merge county councils into regional councils; economy of scale and less officials.
Privatise most of the local services such as roads, water, bins thereby leaving a management/admin team only on councils skilled in management/procurement/negotiation/planning etc.
There is much more Ireland could do and better detail to be applied to those ideas by people who like detail.
The country needs the politico-mandarins to embrace change, maybe even rebuild their own carefully constructed bureaucratic matrix.
To what extent change will happen depends on many things.

]]> Comment on Submission to KCC Regarding Kildare Town Traffic Scheme by Traffic plan passed with amendments « Tony O’Donnell.ie http://blog.tonyodonnell.ie/?p=105&cpage=1#comment-1515 Traffic plan passed with amendments « Tony O’Donnell.ie Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:14:20 +0000 http://drtod.wordpress.com/?p=105#comment-1515 [...] plan was originally put on public display in the summer of 2008, and at the time I submitted a detailed response as part of the public consultation. My particular issues then were around the terms of reference, [...] [...] plan was originally put on public display in the summer of 2008, and at the time I submitted a detailed response as part of the public consultation. My particular issues then were around the terms of reference, [...]

]]> Comment on Minister declines request to add Crohn’s to the longterm illness scheme by Keith O'Brien http://blog.tonyodonnell.ie/?p=598&cpage=1#comment-1507 Keith O'Brien Tue, 20 Jul 2010 07:48:11 +0000 http://blog.tonyodonnell.ie/?p=598#comment-1507 Hi, My brother has Crohns Disease. All of the above are really good thought out points. However the only way we will get this Govt or the oppostion to force this issue is by literrally bombarding them with emails letters phonecalls petitions. So get family and friends to email your local TD's and Senators to request a change. Thanks Keith Hi,

My brother has Crohns Disease.

All of the above are really good thought out points.

However the only way we will get this Govt or the oppostion to force this issue is by literrally bombarding them with emails letters phonecalls petitions.

So get family and friends to email your local TD’s and Senators to request a change.

Thanks

Keith

]]> Comment on Minister declines request to add Crohn’s to the longterm illness scheme by Tony http://blog.tonyodonnell.ie/?p=598&cpage=1#comment-1458 Tony Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:40:42 +0000 http://blog.tonyodonnell.ie/?p=598#comment-1458 Hi Claire I agree that there shouldn't be any exclusivity when it comes to these conditions, and that lists are by their nature exclusive. However, the fact that an arbitrary list does exist is also a problem. Perhaps it's time that the whole area of chronic condition management is re-examined - the system is nearly 40 years old, and I don't think it has changed much in the interim. Tony Hi Claire

I agree that there shouldn’t be any exclusivity when it comes to these conditions, and that lists are by their nature exclusive. However, the fact that an arbitrary list does exist is also a problem. Perhaps it’s time that the whole area of chronic condition management is re-examined – the system is nearly 40 years old, and I don’t think it has changed much in the interim.

Tony

]]> Comment on Minister declines request to add Crohn’s to the longterm illness scheme by Claire http://blog.tonyodonnell.ie/?p=598&cpage=1#comment-1457 Claire Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:34:15 +0000 http://blog.tonyodonnell.ie/?p=598#comment-1457 'is controllable in many cases by dietary management'. I suffer from Crohns and I wish it was as easy as Des seems to think it is to control however I don't completely disagree with some of his points. Crohns is a chronic disease with no cure. I have had had major surgery (spent 3 months in hospital) and take copious amounts of medication (120 per month), not to mention the cost of consultants, GPs, blood test fees and that's when the disease is in 'remission'.. There are numerous other expenses when I am ill. Then there is health insurance costs on top of these. I am young and i am lucky that i have a relatively decent job but the expenses I incur feel like such a heavy burden to bear sometimes that I wonder whether I should just give up and get a medical card. There is no incentive in this country to work hard. Every salary increminent i get means even more taxes and disproportionately more responsibilities. In my opinion getting a disease on the 'list' isn't the answer. There are so many other worthy diseases and if our system was managed correctly and fairly then this wouldn't be an issue. Creating an exclusive club of diseases to allow members to escape the horrors of non membership is not a solution. I don't expect to get everything for free but I will never get used to being penalised for being ill and wanting to do the right thing. While I understand your intentions Tony, i think using your position to campaign for a personal cause does everyone including yourself an injustice. There are huge injustices in this country, there is a much much bigger picture. ‘is controllable in many cases by dietary management’.

I suffer from Crohns and I wish it was as easy as Des seems to think it is to control however I don’t completely disagree with some of his points.

Crohns is a chronic disease with no cure. I have had had major surgery (spent 3 months in hospital) and take copious amounts of medication (120 per month), not to mention the cost of consultants, GPs, blood test fees and that’s when the disease is in ‘remission’.. There are numerous other expenses when I am ill. Then there is health insurance costs on top of these. I am young and i am lucky that i have a relatively decent job but the expenses I incur feel like such a heavy burden to bear sometimes that I wonder whether I should just give up and get a medical card. There is no incentive in this country to work hard. Every salary increminent i get means even more taxes and disproportionately more responsibilities.

In my opinion getting a disease on the ‘list’ isn’t the answer. There are so many other worthy diseases and if our system was managed correctly and fairly then this wouldn’t be an issue. Creating an exclusive club of diseases to allow members to escape the horrors of non membership is not a solution. I don’t expect to get everything for free but I will never get used to being penalised for being ill and wanting to do the right thing.

While I understand your intentions Tony, i think using your position to campaign for a personal cause does everyone including yourself an injustice. There are huge injustices in this country, there is a much much bigger picture.

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