Blog Categories
Entries matching the category "rural"
IRELAND MUST FOLLOW FINLAND AND MAKE DIGITAL HISTORY
Posted on July 02, 2010 by Alan Kelly
Following the news that Finland has made broadband access a legal right for every citizen, I believe Ireland must follow their example and make broadband available to every Irish home and business.
Finland made digital history when it became the first country in the world to make broadband a legal right for every citizen.
From 1 July every Finn will have the right to access to a 1Mbps (megabit per second) broadband connection.
What we need now is an urgent review of Ireland’s broadband strategy. Ireland lags way behind the rest of Europe when it comes to broadband and the problem is worst in rural areas.
Permanent link | Categories: Communications • Foreign & European Affairs • Alan Kelly MEP • Labour • Tipperary • North Tipperary • Broadband • Finland • access • rural infrastructure • communications • Broadband roll out • strategy
FARMERS VULNERABLE TO MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA
Posted on June 21, 2010 by Alan Kelly
I am calling for a greater support system to be made available to farmers after a new study found that 57% of Irish farmers surveyed would not want others to know if they had a mental health problem
The results were found in the ‘Public Attitudes Towards Mental Health Problems’ survey, commissioned for the new mental health stigma and discrimination reduction campaign, See Change.
These figures indicate there is a still a very real stigma attached to mental health issues among Irish males and in particular those working in the agriculture sector.
For too long, Irish men have been afraid to discuss mental health, choosing to keep it behind closed doors.
Permanent link | Categories: Agriculture • Health • Alan Kelly • Labour • MEP • Farmers • mental health • stigma • See Change • survey • rural • agriculture
Hopping on the Rural Transport Scheme Bus
Posted on November 27, 2009 by Alan Kelly
On Thursday last, I took the Rural Transport Scheme’s bus from Lorrha to Roscrea along with regular users of the scheme. Locals have recently become fearful of cuts to this scheme, which would leave them isolated and without access to even the most basic of services. The rural transport scheme was set up in response to inadequate transport in rural areas and has become a lifeline to many without access to a car.
Permanent link | Categories: Community Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs • Transport • Rural Transport Scheme
Bringing it All Back Home
Posted on May 28, 2009 by Alan Kelly
It was amazing to round off a party leader’s tour with a trip to my own home village of Portroe. For those who don’t know, it represents the heart of the Labour party in North Tipperary and the village itself and the people I grew up with helped form my own political philosophy.
It goes back to the days when the slate quarry was the main employer locally, back over seventy years ago. The local Labour party formed around the unions of workers employed in the factory and that togetherness has held firm in the community ever since.
Permanent link | Categories: Community Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs
Morale of Public Service is a Major Worry
Posted on May 24, 2009 by Alan Kelly
Running across the country trying to meet as many people and shake as many hands as possible at the moment. Many of the conversations involved light-hearted banter, but when you get into the serious nitty-gritty with people, you come across some disturbing trends.
Right now, public service morale is at a disturbingly low level. Whether it is teachers, nurses, administrators, engineers, every public servant you meet has plenty of valid reasons to angry. The worry is if will this start affecting performance, as it is bound to and will the vulnerable people who need the public service the most, suffer the most?
Permanent link | Categories: Communications • Community Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs • Defence • Education • Finance
On the Road with Cllr Seanie Lonergan
Posted on March 11, 2009 by Alan Kelly
Yesterday I was campaigning in South Tipperary with Seanie Lonergan, who is our local Councillor in Cahir. Seanie is an excellent worker and effectively knows everyone in the area. I have evey confidence that he will get re-elected.
The response in the area was brillant. I know quite a few people around there and made many friends in college from that area. Many people knew me also from listening to me on Tipp FM and also Tipp Mid West radio.
Permanent link | Categories: Community Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs • Tipperary • Seanie Lonergan • Cahir • South Tipp
Open Letter to Kerry General Hospital Management
Posted on January 20, 2009 by Alan Kelly
Can Kerry keep 24-Hour A&E?
Dear Ms. Lynch,
I am writing to you to express my concern at certain developments within the HSE South area but to also offer support to the well-being of patients from the county Kerry area.
Firstly, I would like to thank you and your staff for the excellent treatment that many members of my family and in-laws have received down throughout the years. They have always spoken highly of Kerry General hospital and it would be my genuine hope that the doors of this hospital will always be open to the local community.
Permanent link | Categories: Community Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs • Equality • Health
