ON THE SECOND OF OCTOBER we are being asked to vote for the second time on the Lisbon Treaty. The fact that we are having a second vote is a bone of contention in some areas and as you might imagine misinformation is rife. A key point of interest is that all of the major political parties bar one are calling for a yes vote to accept the treaty.

We have a lot of fear, uncertainty and doubt being spread by fringe political parties and groups such as Sinn Fein and Coír that are getting out of hand and more ludicrous by the day.

Ridiculous claims that the minimum wage will be reduced, that abortion will be legalised and other nonsense are being constantly quoted by them but the fact remains that these claims by Sinn Fein and others are non-runners. These were never issues to begin with and these lies are being spread by them for their own personal gains and not for those of the Irish people for whom the ratification of the treaty will solidify our place in a fairer, more democratic and more accessible European Union. More accessible for businesses thereby providing for greater employment prospects, and more accessible for ourselves by allowing us to have a greater say in a more democratic European Union.

Firstly we need to get the facts regarding the Lisbon Treaty straight so I will begin by addressing the common issues that seem to get everyone fired up.

1. We will lose our European Commissioner:
False. If we vote yes then Ireland will keep its commissioner. On the other hand if we vote no then we do run the risk of losing our commissioner. An interesting point to note about EU commissioners is that they are expressly forbidden to represent their countries of origin. Their loyalty is to the EU first and foremost.

2. It will affect our neutrality:
False – The Lisbon treaty will have no bearing on Ireland’s neutrality. The treaty will enable the EU to develop its capabilities for conflict prevention and crisis management in a manner that is consistent with Ireland’s traditional policy of neutrality. A yes vote to the treaty will not mean that Ireland will have to increase its military spending. We are still a sovereign nation and it is entirely up to us what we decide to do with our defence forces. In fact the Lisbon Treaty will actually restate our prohibition on Ireland joining any EU common defence arrangement.

3. The treaty will lead to the legalisation of abortion:
False – Abortion and other issues such as euthanasia are outside the scope of the European Union. It is up to each member state to legislate on these issues accordingly. Indeed retention of these legislative matters is one of the key guarantees that the government have secured in the run up to the referendum.

4. The Treaty will undermine workers rights and wage levels and damage family farms:
False – workers rights and public services are included in the key guarantees secured in the run up to the election. It is up to each member state to decide their minimum wage, tax rates etc.  A yes vote will not affect any of our current workers rights and wage levels.  In fact the Lisbon Treaty demands an adequate social protection and contains new protections for worker’s rights. With regards to farmers, if ratified the treaty will for the first time allow MEPs to vote on issues relating to agriculture. If you are a farmer then it will allow your MEP to have a direct say on your behalf.

So with a lot of the misinformation out of the way perhaps it is time to look at just exactly what a yes vote to the treaty will mean.

1. The Lisbon Treaty will result in a more democratic European parliament.  The new Citizen’s Initiative will allow at least one million signatures from a significant number of member states to ask the EU to take a specific initiative. This gives power to people and their national parliaments.

2. Faster decision and law making. At present decision making within the European Union requires all 27 member states to be in total agreement. This has led to scenarios where a single member state can effectively veto any decision in their own self interest and possibly to the detriment of others. If ratified the treaty will be more democratic by implementing qualified majority voting. In a nutshell this should provide individual member states with a greater say in the creation if European Law.

3. The Lisbon Treaty if ratified will make the Charter of Fundamental rights legally binding. This charter lists the human rights recognized by the European Union. These fundamental include respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights including the rights of minorities.

It is up to you to decide whether the treaty will be ratified. The treaty provides for a much fairer Europe and it actually grants us as Europeans more say in the issues that affect us the most. The treaty will allow all member states to work for our mutual benefit. I hope that come polling day your vote will be cast as an informed one and the lies of Sinn Fein, Coír, Youth Defence and others will not influence your decision.

The Lisbon Treaty is essential for Ireland’s future it is imperative that we do not lose sight of that fact in the run up to polling day.

Disclaimer – This post reflects my own opinion and in no way reflects the opinions of any third party nor those of Fine Gael of which I am a member.

Please feel free to leave a comment in the comment box below or e mail news@youghalonline.com

Fifth Straight All-Ireland Ladies Football Titles For Victorious Cork

On Monday night last (28th Sept. 2009) the village of Inch in East Cork was a hive of activity, its not often a team can return home with one All Ireland under their belt never mind 5 in a row, which this  Cork team have achieved. Cork captain Mary O’Connor, Angela Walsh, Annie Walsh, Ann Marie Walsh and Amy O’Shea all from the Inch Ladies football club returned home to a heroes welcome. As they took to the stage at around 10.30pm the crowd roared their approval.
Report/Photo/Video  Shane Supple

As a child we all dream of winning the cup that makes us heroes, our dreams are filled with us scoring that winning goal or point, crossing the line for the last try of a game, serving an ace at Wimbledon, whatever sport it is, as children we are always on the winning side, sadly as we grow older these dreams and hopes are pushed to one side as we go through school, get a job, get married and grow older but for a dedicated team of ladies from Inch and Cork this dream was never pushed to one side, not forgotten, but worked on throughout the long winter months running up and down wet muddy fields, training and playing football.

All over the county these players who had already won 4 All Irelands in a row and didn’t owe the Cork fans anything more were working hard, planning ahead, getting fit, playing through the pain barrier, practicing, training living their lives around the game of Ladies Football. Doing everything it takes to make these dreams come true and on Sunday afternoon last in the stronghold of GAA Croke Park these ladies became one of the greatest ladies football teams ever by achieving the impossible 5 All Ireland Titles in a row. The dream was no more it was reality.

If you take the astonishing record of some of these players its amazing when you look at them so young and fit eager and happy with a full life still ahead of them. Take Mary O’Connor for example a young lady who so far has won an incredible 5 All Ireland Senior Ladies football medals, add to that the 7 All Ireland Camogie Senior medals you have what many players can never achieve. 12 All Ireland medals at senior level playing for Cork.

Some counties cant even win one and she has 12. Add in the rest of the girls Angela Walsh with her full compliment of Camogie and Football medals along with many of the 15 who played on Sunday its an amazing feat. We all talk of Kilkenny winning 4 in a row but five in a row in any sport is superhuman. Many things will be written about how good the men are, how fast how strong they are and how dedicated but today I have seen women far more dedicated to their own sport then many others, that is why Cork can celebrate 5 in row.

Last night at the welcome home for these girls I looked around the crowd at many of the younger players, they were mixing freely with these legends of sport chatting, Talking, playing and interacting with some of the greatest sportswomen they will ever meet, to those children who went home last night and dreamt of their day in the sun on the steps of the Hogan stand we wish them every success and pray they can do all it takes to make their dreams come through.

Every credit must also go to the back room team behind the girls, for local football wizard and Inch manager Noel O’Conner well done, to Eamon Ryan Cork Coach what can you say about this man that hasn’t been said, he is a great manager and a great tactician but most of all he knows football and has done Cork proud leading this panel of players to their fifth All Ireland in a row.

Video: Shane Supple

The homecoming was a great evening for all concerned with local singer Art Supple on hand to sing the Banks, the local hall filled to capacity, the ladies who made the tea and sandwiches, DJ Ollie McCarthy who entertained everyone with his disco and to the Cork Ladies Football panel in its entirety a big well done to you all for a great night of memories.

Click on image to enlarge

Ballymaloe celebrated their 45th year in business last Tuesday, Sept. 22nd. The Allen Family held a celebration dinner in honour of the occasion and especially to thank senior staff members who had worked there from the beginning.
Photo Malachy Harty          E Mail news@youghalonline.com

Ballymaloe House was opened as The Yeats Room Restaurant in May 1964, by Myrtle and her late husband, Ivan Allen. After travels abroad they concluded that the quality of Irish food was better than any other they had encountered. This gave them confidence to start a restaurant which would serve mainly their own high quality produce often cooked in a traditional way.

Myrtle paid a special tribute to those members of staff who helped to build up the business in all departments and to those families who had worked there through several generations giving the place a cohesion and continuity. The following were presented with long service awards, three of whom have been employed by the Allen Family for 50 years.

They are as follows; Mick Cullinane, who single handedly looks after the vegetable garden, starting work on the farm in 1950. Joe & Rita Cronin, well known to many Yeats Room customers, who started work there in 1951. Jack Ryan, who recently retired and Johnny Daly, both working on the farm for many years. Ann MacNamara, head morning waitress. Maura Daly in charge of office and accounts. Mary Morrissey, Eileen Eaton, Margaret Lahive, Margaret Archer, Mary Hayes, Deirdre Walsh and Mary Walsh, housekeeping and laundry. Rosie McLeod worked as a chef for many years and now teaches at the Cookery School, Tom Morrissey groundsman.

The original ‘Yeats Room’ team from 1964 was Pat Swanwick, Rosie McLeod, Mary Morrissey, Wendy Whelan and Myrtle Allen. All were present.
Click on image to see who was at the Ballymaloe House 45th Birthday celebrations

Ballymaloe House celebrates its 45th birthday
Ballymaloe House, Shanagarry.
23/09/09

Malachy Harty Photography, 087 1213764

Mayor of Youghal Sandra McLellan and Deputy Mayor Michelle Hennessy are campaigning for a No Vote in next Friday’s Lisbon Treaty Referendum.
Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com    E Mail news@youghalonline.com

On October 2nd you are being asked to vote on exactly the same Lisbon Treaty that was rejected by 900,000 voters in June 2008.

Same Treaty – Same Answer – Democracy matters. Your vote matters

The Lisbon Treaty was a bad deal for Ireland and Europe then and it is still a bad deal.

Despite claims of the Fianna Fail government to have addressed the concerns of voters they have not secured a single change to the text of the Treaty.

The Lisbon Treaty will undermine Irelands voice in Europe. We will lose our permanent right to a commissioner from 2014.

The Treaty will undermine workers rights and wage levels and damage family farms.

The Treaty will commit Ireland to a common defence and foreign policy further weakening our neutrality.
There is an alternative. A better deal is still possible. Vote NO to the Lisbon Treaty on October 2nd.

Youghal U-12s girls soccer team won their first 3 points away to Riverstown on Saturday in a tense and exciting encounter.

Youghal started very brightly and within 3 minutes a brilliant move between Amy Benaim and Holly Twomey almost opened the scoring. Weaving between the Riverstown defence, Amy and Holly played a series of quick one-twos only to see the keeper save Holly’s effort. Riverstown were taking time to settle and when Holly Twomey broke through she looked certain to score. The forward watched her effort roll past the post and it looked like it might be one of those days. Youghal kept up the pressure and were well on top. Lynda Galvin picked up a great position in the box and when the ball broke to her she finished coolly to put the visitors 1-0 up. Riverstown finally grew in confidence and breached a strong Youghal defence, led by Sarah Roche, when the excellent Amy O’ Lehane dribbled the ball into the box and equalised for the home side: 1-1.  The game swung back in Youghal’s favour only 5 minutes later when hesitation in the Riverstown area was ceased upon by Holly Twomey and the number 9 was never going to miss from six yards. Youghal went into the break leading 2-1. Riverstown were expected to increase the pressure in the second half playing with a slight hill. However, Louise Dempsey, Sarah Roche, Jennifer Geary and Catriona Savage showed that they are growing as a strong unit and repelled Riverstown’s efforts. Aoife O’ Sullivan and Amy Benaim were outstanding on the flanks for Youghal. Their efforts allowed Holly Twomey to score her second and Youghal’s third.

The in-form striker turned beautifully at the edge of the area and pushed the ball into space. Too quick for her rivals she slid the ball home: 3-1. the goal affected Riverstown and Holly Twomey saved the best for last when she chased back, stole the ball from a midfielder and outran 4 defenders to complete her hat-trick with a trademark finish to the corner. With Youghal looking very comfortable at 4-1 they relaxed and allowed Riverstown back into the game. Riverstown’s number 8 Amy O’ Lehane was proving a handfull and scored twice with two fine individual goals to secure her hat-trick. At 4-3 Youghal started to look uneasy.

Riverstown came very close on two occasions to leveling the score. However, Jennifer Geary closed down Amy O’ Lehane brilliantly and Youghal came back into the game. Aoife O’ Sullivan almost scored in the dying minutes after a great run on the right. The final whistle was very welcome. The girls now have their first win and Coach, Rose Sheehan expressed relief and joy at the result. “I was very proud of them. I thought we were going to throw it away but they all worked really hard at the end to get the win,” she said. After two games Holly Twomey now has 7 goals and the captain said the win will galvanise the team. “A win always gives a team confidence and this is a great boost for us,” she said. A great performance then but still lots to do for the young side. Holly Twomey takes the plaudits for her second hat-trick of the campaign but every player ran their hearts out for this well deserved if slightly nervous victory.

Cork Women’s Mini Marathon 2009 Photo Gallery
Sunday 27th September

The 2009 Evening Echo Cork Women’s Mini Marathon took place today Sunday, September 27th in Cork City centre at 1pm. The event is one of the biggest sporting participation events outside of Dublin and attracts women of all ages and abilities.
Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com   E Mail  news@youghalonline.com

The mini-marathon started on Centre Park Road and continued along the River Lee to the Marina, Blackrock Road, Maryville Road and finished at Kennedy Park.The race is 4 miles long and course details are available on www.corkminimarathon.com. All finishers received a commemorative medallion. The event raises a substantial amount of money for local and national charities.
The event is organised by the Cork County Athletics Board on a voluntary basis and all profits go to the promotion and development of athletics in Cork.
For hard copy of photo (7″ x 5″) please e mail   news@youghalonline.com
Click on image to start slideshow to see who was at this year’s  Cork City Mini Marathon 2009 (Allow a few seconds to load)

COMEDY – Bringing much needed laughter in times lacking good news and sunshine, Choke Comedy Improv’ from Limerick and Cork will be performing at the centre on Friday October 9th from 8pm.
By www.youghalonline.com Arts reporter   E Mail  news@youghalonline.com

‘Choke Comedy Improv’, have been going from strength to strength, with a sell out show and a Special Judges’ Award from Limerick Unfringed 2009 under their belt, the troupe have performed regularly in Java’s U.L., The Precinct, Listowel, Kilmallock, Birr and the Belltable @ 36 Cecil Street.
Choke Comedy sets foot on stage with no script or safety net. A show that is driven by its audience, If you enjoyed Whose Line Is It Anyway? Choke Comedy Improv are the night out for you.  Go on, have a laugh and pick up your tickets at Crees Card Shop for only €10.  For more details contact Oona on 083 360 6507.

Watch this space for news on Ireland’s most popular family comedian Brendan Grace coming to our doorstep on October 20th, a play on the life and times of Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh from the London Irish Theatre group and the very popular and very funny Jon Kenny.
If you would like details on upcoming events and concerts in the Mall Arts Centre, send an email to themallartscentre@gmail.com where you’ll be added to our mailing list and be the first to know whats on!

THE NEW SWANSEA TO CORK FERRY will bring huge benefits to businesses on both sides of the Irish Sea, according to the company behind the link. The service will sail for the first time on St David’s Day next year, and the people behind the project said it will be a major boost to tourism and trade, as well as strengthening ties between Ireland and Wales.

The new ship, the Julia, steamed out of Swansea last night after successful berthing trials in the city’s docks. From March 1 next year, the owners, Fastnet Line, hope the ferry will be carrying freight and thousands of tourists between the communities.

Conor Buckley, chairman of West Cork Tourism Co-operative which owns Fastnet, said: “The vision is to build this in to a long-term, sustainable business — as far as we are concerned this is a ‘forever’ deal. “When the old service stopped, it was a major blow — it caused real pain. “Access is the key to tourism success.  “The new service will be a massive boost for tourism businesses in Ireland and Wales.” The old Swansea to Cork ferry service was axed in 2007.

BY NOW we all know the gritty details of how much NAMA is going to pay out for these so called ‘toxic’ debts. €54bn is an awful lot of money isn’t it? Yet we are told that it is essential for the survival of our economy. No doubt you have perhaps read much about it elsewhere so I’m not going to delve into it in detail but if anything it has put a massive strain on relations between Fianna Fáil and The Green Party. A lot of people I have been talking to have been quite pleased about this because it is building up their hopes that there might be a general election sooner rather than later.
Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com   E Mail  news@youghalonline.com

Most people understand that the upcoming budget will hit everyone in some way or another but at least Minister Lenihan has said that he is ruling out tax hikes. However before you celebrate, no tax hikes does not mean no new taxes and a new tax that will almost certainly be introduced if the Green Party get their way is a carbon tax. Figures have already been thrown out and about such as an 8c per litre hike in the cost of petrol and 5c per litre of diesel. So called ‘dirty fuels’ such as peat and coal will face significant increases. With regards to petrol and diesel, 70% of what we pay per litre already goes on tax.

The common line that I have been hearing is that people are screaming out for a reprieve on more swinging cuts to their pay cheques (if they are lucky enough to still draw one) and getting Fianna Fáil and the Green Party out of government before the budget is seen as a means to an end in that respect.

The growing public hatred of Fianna Fáil and by proxy the Green Party, helped enormously by the irrevocable fiasco of John O’Donoghue’s expenses, has all the main political parties in a spin when it comes to the upcoming second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. The fear is that the people of Ireland will use their vote to punish Fianna Fáil and the Greens by voting no.

If you are curious then you can read this post from January 2008 where I correctly predicted a re-run of the Lisbon Treaty referendum if we were to vote no. In that post (which was a rant about the Green Party) I also predicted the demise of the Green Party for going into coalition with Fianna Fáil to begin with. Having just read over it again I mentioned in it that the Green Party in a member vote needed a 66% majority to decide if the party was going to support the Lisbon Treaty however only 63% of them agreed. It is interesting to see that this time around they appear to be whole heartedly in support. Their assimilation into Fianna Fáil seems to be nearing completion.

When it came to supporting the NAMA legislation, once again the Green Party put it to their members to vote if they should support it or not. Their members decided to support it but only if certain changes to the legislation were put into effect. One of these changes much trumpeted by Minister Eamonn Ryan was that the banks were going to take a share in the risk that the NAMA proposal could possibly bring about. I would have loved to been a fly on the wall when he was told that this risk sharing was only going to be a pathetic 5%. Yet another example of Fianna Fáil throwing the boot into their junior coalition partners letting them know just who is the boss.

What this serves to point out is that the Green Party are in a curious place. They are a coalition member of government in power for their first (and almost certainly last) time. As the governments majority in the Dáil is very small indeed the Green Party should be in a position to dicate terms and conditions to Fianna Fáil. They could (and should) threaten to pull out of the coalition if they don’t get their way. They should have Fianna Fáil over a barrel but they seem completely unable to use the strategic political position. Considering they only have six TDs they should still have the upper hand on their senior coalition partners. But perhaps that is the catch 22. Perhaps the Green Party need Fianna Fáil just as much as Fianna Fáil needs them.

As I said already this leaves them in a curious place. John Gormley has gone on record as saying that the Green Party are not ready to leave government yet as they still have many objectives to achieve. But one has to wonder that with their wholesale annihilation in the recent local and European elections, would it be better for the Green Party to bow out of government now and regroup? Salvage what remaining shred of credibility they have left and focus on the future.

I’m sure that if the Green Party were to issue a statement saying that they were leaving the coalition it would actually boost their credibility significantly. If anything else, collapsing the government would allow the people of Ireland to choose those who they deem most suitable for getting is out of this economic mess that Fianna Fáil are largely responsible for.

Finally, regarding the Lisbon Treaty I would like to take this opportunity to urge people not to use the referendum to punish the government no matter how much they deserve it. Make an informed decision and vote with this information in mind. The referendum is about Ireland’s future not about the future of the Green Party and Fianna Fáil.

Disclaimer – This post reflects my own opinion and in no way reflects the opinions of any third party nor those of Fine Gael of which I am a member.