Current 5 level lockdown model must be replaced Denis Naughten TD has called on the Taoiseach to access the large amounts of data on Covid-19 infections that the HSE is storing in the cloud in advance of making decisions on how the lockdown is to be lifted. “Government is looking at some type of easing of restrictions that would …
€6m for local projects to help replace Bord na Mona jobs – Naughten
Local TD Denis Naughten has welcomed the allocation of just over €6m for 11 local projects across County Roscommon and East Galway and adjoining towns which, along with a further €9.4m in region-wide projects, will help to support local job creation. The funding under the Just Transition Fund is to help support local job creation as a result of the …
Government must guarantee gift vouchers from tourism & hospitality sector – Naughten
Denis Naughten TD is calling on Government to restructure the Stay & Spend scheme to ensure gift vouchers issued in the run up to Christmas can either be redeemed or refunded in 2021. “When we see iconic attractions such as Dublin Zoo under threat of closure, this will make many people wary of purchasing gift vouchers for hotels, restaurants or …
Naughten seeks tax incentive for peat sites
Denis Naughten TD will push for changes to the Finance Bill this week, seeking the introduction of enhanced tax incentives for those who invest in business and job creation at the Bord na Mona workshops and the sites of the power stations at Lough Ree & West Offaly. In his recent report, Mr Kieran Mulvey, the Just Transition Commissioner has highlighted the need …
We should scrap current Covid level restriction model – Naughten
Denis Naughten TD has called for the scrapping of the current 5 level ‘living with Covid-19’ model and it’s replacement with an Irish specific model that opens up as much of society as possible while ensuring the next wave of infection does not lead to a further lockdown. “Too many of the restrictions introduced here are based on advice from …
Greenway moves closer as Shannon bridge gets go ahead – Naughten
Local TD Denis Naughten has welcomed the allocation of €8.1m to construct the new greenway cycle bridge over the River Shannon and progress the route design from Athlone Castle to Spanish Arch in Galway City. “This investment is a significant boost to deliver this vital tourism project from Athlone through Ballinasloe and on to Galway City, which will be a …
ESB let more water into Callows as waters rose at Meelick – Naughten
We need action on Shannon flooding now, not new laws in a decade The ESB opened sluice gates in Athlone last July to allow more water into the Shannon Callows as flood waters rose at Meelick Weir. This exposes the fact that there is little co-ordination between the ESB and Waterways Ireland on the management of water levels on …
We need to change the way we manage Covid 19
The problem with lockdowns is that we don’t know what bits work and don’t work. Each and every one of these measures are having a direct impact on the mental health of every person in this country. We could potentially have further lockdowns for Valentine’s Day and our 4th lockdown over the June Bank Holiday Weekend. The only way to …
Ballinasloe Swimming Pool
This is an issue that I’m working very closely on with local Councillors Tim Broderick & Evelyn Parsons who are determined, as am I, to ensure that our local pool in Ballinasloe remains open to the public, subject of course to public health guidance. I know that the local Councillors have been engaging directly with Galway County Council on this …
Approval given to fast track reform of forestry appeals system – Naughten
Denis Naughten TD has confirmed that the Dáil Business Committee this morning approved the fast tracking of the Agriculture Appeals (Amendment) Bill 2020 to deal with the horrendous backlog in appeals of forestry applications. “On average 24 forestry appeal applications are submitted each month, with just seven being decided upon. This means it is taking over two years to decide on appeal applications, which is …