Oration by Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Justice & Equality Commemoration of Michael Collins Béal na Bláth

Oration by Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Justice & Equality

Commemoration of Michael Collins

Béal na Bláth

23 August 2015

Chairman, Colleagues, Ladies & Gentlemen,

We have gathered here these many years - down all the days since the man whose name means so much to us all died here. We meet to commemorate, to reflect, to celebrate and to learn from a life cut short in this place.

None of the soft words fit the death inflicted here. Even to speak of Michael Collins' life being ended here is to deny the shocking, the absolute sudden brutality of the event.

 And therein lies a danger - the danger that the manner of a man's dying might be allowed to define him. That would be to do a sad injustice to his greatness.

But more than that. It would be to lock Michael Collins into a time and a place and a destruction, which would be to miss how much his life mattered and still matters in twenty first century Ireland.

Ten New Gardaí for Clondalkin and Lucan Districts

· 97 new Garda members graduated in Templemore and 19 Garda Reserves
· 5 assigned to Clondalkin and 5 assigned to Lucan District
· The Taoiseach and Minister promise continuity on Garda recruitment

“Ten new Gardaí for Clondalkin and Lucan Districts” says Minister for Justice and local TD Frances Fitzgerald. Ninety-seven new Gardaí have just graduated from Templemore, and five will be assigned to the Clondalkin and Lucan Districts each.

 “Frontline and community policing is a priority for me” said Fitzgerald. “550 new Gardaí will have entered Templemore under this Government.  In September 2014, the Government oversaw the first recruitment of new Gardaí since 2009. We reopened the Garda College in Templemore and committed to not letting it close again,” she said.

Op-ED: EirGrid’s €20million plan for West Dublin represents a win-win for Lucan

In recent weeks, EirGrid, who are the Government agency responsible for managing the national electricity grid, announced the next phase of a public consultation on an ambitious new €20million project for West Dublin.

 The proposal is to provide a underground high-voltage220Kv power line and associated sub-station to service the Grange Castle industrial area. The underground line would do a full loop of the Grange Castle area, from the Outer Ring Road at Griffeen Avenue, around to the Nangor Road and around again to the Newcastle Road at Adamstown. 

 This plan represents a win-win for Lucan!

'A Productive Year' - Speech at the MacGill Summer School 2015

Speech the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD
MacGill Summer School
21 July 2015
A Productive Year

[Check Against Delivery]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

You all know the old question and answer:

Question:        How do you eat an elephant?
Answer:        In very thin slices.

I would propose to you that the same Q&A applies to reform. The temptation, if you are hungry for reform - and we all should be hungry for reform - is to try to do it all at once, in one big swallow.

It never works, that way. Reform needs to be in manageable chunks - but it also needs to be a continuum. I am  always wary of enthusiasts who want to do Big Bang reform: "We will  lay down all the rules for everything and then we will  be set."

Free GP card will result in real savings for over 70s

Fine Gael TD for Dublin Mid West and Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald has said that the start of registration for the Free GP Care service for people aged 70 and over is a great boost for the elderly and an important step towards universal healthcare.

“From August 5th, all those aged 70 and over in Lucan, Clondalkin, Newcastle, Palmerstown, Saggart and Rathcoole will be able to see their GP without paying fees. This is the second phase of universal GP care and applies to those who do not currently hold a medical or GP visit card.

 “A simple online registration system is available from today (Friday) on www.gpvisitcard.ie. Alternatively people can locall 1890 252 919 to receive a copy by post and the registration form will also be available in pharmacies and local health offices. People should note that persons over 70 who already hold a medical or GP visit card do not need to register. If anyone needs help or guidance they can contact the helpline 1890 252 919 (weekdays 8am-8pm).

“For the first time in Ireland, the eldest and youngest in our society will be able to access GP care without being charged, which is great news for families across our local area.

“Free GP care was a key Fine Gael election commitment and this is just a step along that road. Already this year we have introduced free GP care for under 6s. Now just under 40,000 people over 70 who had to pay for visiting their GP will no longer have to and this will result in real savings for pensioners. The free GP card for over 70s is an important step towards changing the health system from one that only treats sick people to one that keeps people well.”