Archive for October, 2009

Local county councillor James Carroll has initially welcomed Minister Gormley’s inclusion of Monasterboice Graveyard’s monastic site in his draft new Tentative List of potential nominees to the World Heritage List.

“This historic site will only be added to the list following consultation with relevant stakeholders and interested parties.  On first viewing, this is very welcome and is an extra boost to our great local site.”

“However, I have reservations that major issues might arise over people’s ability to apply for planning permission a substantial distance from the actual site.  There also seems to be some concern over various farming techniques that might not be allowed.  We have seen problems like this arise in Newgrange and surrounding Clonmacnoise.”

“Any potential restrictions need to be cleared up first rather than have any imposed on the local people against their will.”

At present, there are two world heritage sites in the Republic: the Brú na Bóinne archaeological complex which was added to the Unesco list in 1993, and Skellig Michael which was added in 1996.

“There is much confusion locally between this process and then the totally separate process from the Department of Environment and Louth County Council plan on how to maintain and manage the Graveyard and Crosses in the future.  This is the process that I want to see actioned rather than getting caught up in whether we are or are not on the final UNESCO List.,” Cllr Carroll concluded.

Ends

Posted: Oct 31, 2009       Comments: 0       Add your comment      

Local Cllr James Carroll is calling on the people of Louth to make submissions which are now being invited by the Dáil Committee on Justice on the issue of the rights of homeowners to protect themselves against trespassers.

The local Fianna Fáil county cllr is encouraging any interested groups or individuals who have an interest in the issue to make a submission.

“This move is part of the Committee’s ongoing work to contribute to the development of the criminal justice system to meet modern day needs.”

“This is an issue which greatly affects people in rural Ireland and I know that there are many people in Louth who have strong opinions on the subject.”

“The Committee may hold a series of public hearings on the issue before making its final report which will be presented to the Houses of the Oireachtas.”

“Submissions should be made in writing to Clerk to the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women’s Rights, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 or by e-mail to: alan.guidon@oireachtas, colm.kennedy@oireachtas.ie or philomena.gavin@oireachtas.ie.”

The closing date for receipt of submissions is 5.00 p.m. on Friday, 30th October, 2009.

“During my canvassing during the local elections and for Lisbon Treaty, the issue of people worried about the balance of law favouring a trespasser rather than the homeowner arose time and time again”, concluded Cllr Carroll.

ENDS

Posted: Oct 13, 2009       Comments: 0       Add your comment      

Local Councillor James Carroll who is a new member of the HSE North-East Fourm has welcomed this week’s launch of the new website for young people www.letsomeoneknow.ie aimed at improving their awareness and understanding of mental health and well-being. The aim is to encourage young people to talk about their problems with family, friends or an adult they trust.

The website www.letsomeoneknow.ie aims to improve young people’s awareness about mental health and wellbeing as well as providing contact details for support and advice. There are tips and quizzes about looking after yourself and your friends. The website also features a personal action diary.

www.letsomeoneknow.ie has been developed as part of the HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention Your Mental Health Awareness initiative which was launched in October 2007 and is aimed at improving the general public’s awareness and understanding of mental health and well-being.

Cllr Carroll added “Ireland has the 4th highest rate of youth suicide in the EU, mainly amongst young men. The highest rates of self harm are amongst the 15 to 19 age group for women and the 20 to 24 age group for men. Repeated self harm is a strong indicator for suicide.  As a 26 year old cllr, I think this website’s production is really important at this time.”

To mark the launch, the HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention announced the findings of new research it commissioned:

(1)86% of Young People regarded isolation as something that hurts mental health

(2)while over 6 in 10 believe that family life can help mental health

(3)96% of young people agreed that ‘mental health is something we should look after’ and;

(4)84% agreed that ‘mental health has to do with feeling good about yourself and happy day to day living’.

The research shows that alcohol, peer pressure and drugs are the top 3 problems young people face today, while bullying and exam pressure are also in the top five. 53% said that ‘adults do not understand what it is like to be a teenager’.  63% of young people agreed that ‘Ireland is a fun place to be a teenager’, however 43% agreed that ‘the future for Ireland is not very bright’.

Cllr Carroll noted worringly that “the recurring theme that comes in the research is isolation.  Young people are willing to help each other but potentially it needs to be made “OK” to ask or offer help.”

Cllr Carroll concluded “The key message of www.letsomeoneknow.ie is that finding someone you trust to share a problem with can have a positive effect on how you are feeling.”

ENDS

Posted: Oct 10, 2009       Comments: 0       Add your comment