99.9% safety at Enniscorthy Parish School

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal District meeting

Safety concerns outside St. Aidan’s Parish School on Nunnery Road, Enniscorthy, was on the agenda at Tuesday’s monthly meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council where it was revealed that a survey of parents unanimously returned a verdict of ‘no complaints’ and they believe that the new crossing completed by the Safe Routes to Schools scheme is “safer now than ever.”

Director of Services at Wexford County Council, Eamonn Hore, attended the meeting chaired by Cllr Aidan Browne, and outlined details of three separate safety audits involving a number of agencies including the RSA, An Garda Siochana, Safety Officer at Wexford County Council David Codd and representatives of the Parents Committee at the school concerning a 200-metre stretch with controlled crossings provided under the Safe Routes to School application costing over €300,000.

Parents Committee representative John Roche told the meeting that “They had monitored arrival and dismissal at the school over the past two months and the vast majority of parents and pupils use the dedicated pelican crossings. A small number are jaywalking!”

Mr Roche said 99.9% of parents are satisfied with the safety measures, the ramps are working well, average speed is 5-10kms, traffic flows well and there are no tailbacks.

School Principal Frank Murphy said the school’s job is to teach the children of parents who are not always with them, agreed that the new system is “a major improvement” and his only concerns are the HGV’s and commercial traffic. He concluded by urging to “make sure everything is working properly and to keep the markings up-to-date.”

Cllr Aidan Browne felt “uncomfortable” as a parent as he felt there was nothing to stop the traffic – no red light – but he felt it is “safer” and a “great system” but there is nothing to stop the traffic.

Cllr Jackser Owens said “it was a massive mistake” taking away the school warden – there used to be three wardens in the 200-metre space. “It is an accident waiting to happen. I want that on the record!,” insisted Cllr Owens.

Cllr Barbara-Ann Murphy referred to the experience of Mr Roche with over 40 years experience – he was a member of An Garda Siochana and retired Chief Superintendent – recalled the 5-10kms speed readings, belived that red lights only “speed up and slow down” traffic, she didn’t agree with the school warden returning, she felt the children are learning and pointed out that “the road markings set it out as a school zone.”

Cllr Pat Kehoe said that child safety is paramount. He pointed out that “€300,000 was spent to make it safe.”

Cllr John O’Rourke referred to the data and the voice of the parents. “We don’t have the power or the voice to reverse the decision, “said Cllr O’Rourke, who added; “The system is working well, but when the plan was first brought to us here at the Council there was no mention of the school warden.”

In conclusion, Mr Hore said; “This is the safest system and the children are getting used to the system,” and he promised that the matter would be kept under review.  

Verona Murphy is new Ceann Comhairle

VERONA MURPHY speaking in the Dáil today ahead of her election as Ceann Comhairle of the 34th Dáil.

By Dan Walsh

Wexford Independent TD Verona Murphy has been elected Ceann Comhairle of the 34th Dáil and becomes the first woman ever to hold the office.

She will also chair the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, overseeing the running of Leinster House and the Dáil and the Seanad.

Speaking in the Dáil earlier, Ms Murphy said: “If you choose to elect me as the first female Ceann Comhairle in the State, it will signify a very diverse, inclusive and forward-looking 34th Dáil.

“If elected, I will execute the office of Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann without fear or favour,” she promised.

On the first count Ms Murphy was ahead with 76 votes but got no transfers when the 21 votes for Fianna Fáil’s John McGuinness were distributed on the second count.

At that stage Aengus Ó Snodaigh of Sinn Féin was on 54 votes and Mr Ó Fearghaíl was on 42. Ms Murphy picked up 13 votes from Mr Ó Fearghaíl on the third count, which put her over the line.

Ms Murphy’s selection is endorsed by the leaders of both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and paves the way for a new government comprising Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Regional Independent Group.

Prior to entering politics, Ms Murphy, who is a native of Ramsgrange, was a businesswoman, haulage company owner and representative for the haulage industry.

She was elected president of the Irish Road Haulage Association in 2015 and led that organisation as she took her first foray into politics in 2019.

Verona Murphy ran for Fine Gael in the 2019 Wexford by-election

Mick Wallace’s election to the European Parliament caused a by-election in Wexford that year and Fine Gael announced Ms Murphy would be the party’s candidate.

However, her campaign was soon engulfed in controversy over comments she made about migrants and Islamic State, Fine Gael became uncomfortable with its candidate’s views, party leader Leo Varadkar avoided campaigning with her and she ultimately failed to get elected.

She was subsequently deselected by Fine Gael from running in the 2020 General Election, and ran as an Independent, taking a seat in the then five-seat constituency.

Last month she topped the poll in the 2024 General Election for the new four-seat Wexford constituency.

As Ceann Comhairle, her seat is assured after the next election as the holder of the office is automatically returned to the Dáil.

She is also set to get a massive pay increase on top of her existing TD salary.

TDs earn €113,680 a year but her new position attracts an additional €141,513 annually, bringing her salary to €255,000 for as long as she stays in the job. The pay packet exceeds that of the Taoiseach by €12,000. There is also an additional perk of a State car and driver.

Wexford County Council Gender Pay Gap Report

By Dan Walsh

WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS AT CARRICKLAWN.

Wexford County Council has published its Gender Pay Gap Report, highlighting the percentage difference between what men and women are paid on average in the organisation, irrespective of roles or levels.

The 2024 report shows a Gender Pay Gap of -1.32 mean and -9.18 % median.

Employers with more than 150 employees in Ireland are required to publish their gender pay gap data before the end of 2024 and within six months of their reference date. Wexford County Council and all local authorities in the country chose June 30th 2024 as the reference date.

Commenting following the publication of the report, a Council spokesperson said: “Publishing our gender pay gap data helps to reinforce our focus on supporting an open and inclusive workplace at Wexford County Council. Our organisation is a place where all employees have the same opportunities for recognition and career development and are treated fairly and equitably at work.

“We continue to be committed to addressing workplace barriers to equality and creating an open and inclusive workplace community. Many equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives and supports are already in place, and we will continue to work in this area.”

Working in local government gives people the opportunity to play a key role in the positive development of their county and community. As an employer, Wexford County Council is committed to providing a positive and supportive environment for employees. The Council offer flexible and family friendly arrangements, blended working, and great career progression and education opportunities.

The local authority is encouraging anyone looking for a job to visit the website www.wexfordcoco.ie to find out more about the work they do.

Welcome for two new members at Wexford County Council

New councillors CLLR CRAIG DOYLE and CLLR VICKY BARRON were co-opted to casual vacancies at a special meeting of Wexford County Council today. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council special meeting

Two new members – Cllr Vicky Barron and Cllr Craig Doyle – were warmly welcomed to Wexford County Council at a special meeting held in the Council Chamber today (Monday) filling the vacancies created by George Lawlor (The Labour Party) and Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin (Sinn Féin) who were both elected to serve in Dáil Éireann in the November General Election. Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach, presided.

On the proposition of Cllr Catherine Biddy Walsh and seconded by Cllr Michael Sheehan Cllr Vicky Barron replaced George Lawlor. Cllr Barron thanked everybody for “a wonderful opportunity to sit on the council with a colleague like Biddy” and she thanked George Lawlor for his encouragement. She told the members of her “excitement to work with you. It is an honour and a privilege.”

Cllr Barron is originally from Taghmon, but now a teacher living and working in Wexford town. A member of The Labour Party, Cllr Barron received 412 first preference votes at last June’s Local Elections and she was still standing at the 11th and final count when her vote had more than doubled and stood at 986 votes.

Craig Doyle was proposed by Cllr Tom Forde who described him as “a member of Sinn Fein, an activist in the party, well respected and a hard worker, he will be the youngest member of the Council and a good man for the job.” He was seconded by Cllr AoifeRose O’Brien who said; “Craig will be a great addition to the Council and I look forward to working with him.”

Cllr Craig Doyle from Allenwood Drive, Gorey, is at 28 years old the youngest of the 34-member council. He replaces Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin who was elected to Dáil Éireann for the new Wicklow-Wexford constituency.

Many councillors expressed their congratulations towards Cllrs Barron and Doyle, but former members George Lawlor and Fionntán Ó Súilleabhain were also fondly remembered for their fine work as councillors and wished well as members of Dáil Eireann.

Johnny Mythen, who was present in the visitor’s gallery, was congratulated on being re-elected to the Dail, while the many years of devoted service from retiring TD’s Brendan Howlin, who was in attendance, and retiring member Paul Kehoe were also strongly acknowledged.

Speaking on behalf of the staff and senior management at Wexford County Council, Chief Executive Eddie Taaffe paid tribute to Deputy Mythen, retiring TD’s Brendan Howlin and Paul Kehoe, and ex-councillors Lawlor and Ó Súilleabháin. He welcomed the new councillors coming in and promised them the full support of the staff and management at Wexford County Council.

Support Cllr Cathal Byrne for Seanad Éireann

CLLR CATHAL BYRNE is Fine Gael nomination for Sinead Éireann (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

The South Wicklow North Wexford Constituency met in the Coach House, Gorey, last Thursday night to discuss the recent election of Deputy Brian Brennan TD to represent interests in Dáil Éireann and to decide on a Fine Gael nomination to Seanad Éireann.

Early in the meeting, a call was made for nominations to Seanad Éireann, Cllr Darragh McDonald was asked to accept the nomination of the constituency but declined due to his local work and family reasons. Cllr McDonald stated that he is committed to the development of Gorey and the time is not right for him to take on a national role, while so much still needs to be achieved at a local level.

Cllr McDonald in turn expressed his opinion that the Constituency should lend its support to the neighbouring constituency of Wexford, which for the first time in history of the State is without a Fine Gael TD and support the candidacy of Cllr Cathal Byrne (Enniscorthy).

“Cathal has been a strong member of Wexford County Council for over 5 years and his popularity in Wexford is evident from his performance in both the local and general election. Wexford and particularly the South Wexford constituency needs strong representation to ensure its voices are heard and Cathal is the right person to give this voice,” stated Cllr McDonald, who added; “Deputy Brennan and Cllr Byrne together would provide strong representation of both counties and constituency within the next Government. “

The call to support Cllr Byrne’s nomination was unanimously supported from the floor. 

Mandate for Verona Murphy as next Ceann Comhairle

DEPUTY VERONA MURPHY has been given a mandate to contest election of Ceann Comhairle to 34th Dáil. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh

Deputy Verona Murphy convened a meeting of her campaigners and supporters together with the Wexford Independent Alliance councillors in a packed Slaney suite at Talbot Hotel, Wexford, to consult with them regarding her nomination by the Region Independent group to seek to position of Ceann Comhairle.

Deputy Murphy set out the circumstances surrounding her nomination and sought the views of her supporters in relation to it. Speaking at the meeting Deputy Murphy said; “My mandate as a TD is your mandate, I serve a TD at your discretion, on that basis it is necessary that you have your say in relation to this nomination, and if it is the view of the meeting that I should not pursue the nomination then I won’t”

Cllr Paddy Kavanagh said; “It’s a massive gain for Wexford to have one of its own in the role of Ceann Comhairle because it’s a position that yields such influence and respect.” He went onto say as Ceann Comhairle you are the face and voice of Dáil Éireann; it has never been held by a woman nor indeed a Wexford person.

“Wexford would make history if you’re appointed,” said Cllr Kavanagh, who added; “Further, it is incumbent on all the Oireachtas members in Wexford to park all political sniping, put on the Wexford jersey and go to Dáil Éireann and support Deputy Murphy for the for the position of Ceann Comhairle.”

Cllr Pat Barden said; “The Ceann Comhairle is the chairperson of our national parliament, without question it is a one of the most influential positions in Irish politics, and if you are successful your appointment it will only strengthen your mandate to deliver for the people of Wexford. “

“You will have far much more influence in that position then you would as an opposition TD, it’s a no brainer as far as serving the people of Wexford is concerned,” concluded Cllr Barden.

The election of Ceann Comhairle takes place at the first sitting of the 34th Dáil in Leinster House on Wednesday, December 18th at 10.30am in which 174 newly elected TD’s vote in a secret ballot to select the Ceann Comhairle.

Christmas message from Bishop Ger Nash

The annual Christmas message from Bishop Ger Nash, Diocese of Ferns, has been released and is reproduced in full here…

Dear Friends,

It is lovely, once again, to be able to share a message of greeting and gratitude as we approach the great celebration of Christmas. I hope the year has been kind to you and that you have been supported and encouraged by friends and family when things were difficult and that in turn, you were able to reach out to those who needed help on the journey of life. 

As we prepare to celebrate a New Year in 2025, we are celebrating a Jubilee Year as we do each quarter of a Century. Pope Francis has designated 2025 to be a Jubilee of Hope and the invitation from him to each of us is to be “Pilgrims of Hope” 

BISHOP GER NASH, DIOCESE OF FERNS

Hope is a word we are familiar with – we hope our team will win this year, we hope that loved ones will get well, that someone we care about will get a job, a house, a longed-for new baby. 

These hopes are very special to us, they show how much we care about others and how we would like our world to be. But the power to make them happen lies outside us, in the gift of others. Christian Hope on the other hand invites us to look inward to ourselves and see ourselves as the source of Hope for the world, for our community, parish and families.

Christian Hope invites us to look at those who despite difficulties in life remain cheerful and faithful and who bring out the best in people through their courage and generosity of life.

This hope is not a fancy or woolly aspiration, a daydream that brightens a dull day or a feeling that makes us look forward to tomorrow, next week or next year. 

Christian Hope is rooted in faith and in love of God, seen at this time of the year in the story of Christmas. It is the fulfilling of the promise that God will always be with us, faithful to us even when we are unfaithful and that he will be found on the margins of life, among the poor just as he was two thousand and twenty-five years ago.

Hans Christian Andersen, the great writer of stories for children, began his stories with the words “Once upon a time” and he finished them with “And they all live happily ever after”. Our life stories are rarely that neat, but Andersen who was also a person of deep faith, did say once about real life that “Every person’s life is a Fairytale written by God’s fingers, and they all lived happily ever after”.  

The promise of “living happily ever after” in the presence of God is the source of all our hope. 

My wish for you and me and all our families and friends and communities of which we are a part, is that we will discover this Christmas and throughout the year ahead, a great deep well of hope within our hearts and communities and that we will bring it, like a deep drink of cool water to a world that is thirsting for Hope.

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, I send special greetings to those who will work over Christmas, in hospitals and care homes, in the Garda Siochána and the emergency services and those members of our defence forces who will be keeping the peace in different troubled parts of the world. 

May the work of all who bring peace and healing be blessed by the Prince of Peace and the Great Healer.

Bishop Ger

A video format for use on social media pages can be accessed here:

WB Yeats sails to Rosslare Europort from this week

The ferry WB Yeats on its first arrival at Rosslare Europort on December 19th, 2018. (Pic; Brian Boyce Photography).

By Dan Walsh

Transport Ministers Eamon Ryan and James Lawless, as well as the Department of Transport, are actively engaging with stakeholders to address the challenges to freight and passenger travel to and from Holyhead Port, following damage caused during Storm Darragh last weekend.

This morning, both were fully briefed by Department Officials, the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMD), Dublin Port and Rosslare Europort to explore all possible solutions so that trade supplies and passenger traffic can be accommodated through alternative ports as effectively as possible.

From this week, additional capacity is being provided from Rosslare. Irish Ferries is assigning the WB Yeats to replace the Isle of Innisfree this week. This represents approximately 100% extra capacity.

Stena Line Ferries has also introduced an additional sailing to Liverpool. While the Port of Cork currently has no direct UK sailings, it has indicated that it has the capacity to operate one sailing a day, possibly two, based on scheduling. The Ministers have also suggested that more Northern ports and routes could also be considered.

The Ministers will continue to engage with stakeholders over the weekend and intend to meet with Irish Ferries and Stena Line on Monday to ensure that there is optimal co-operation between companies so that freight, drivers and passengers can be accommodated ahead of the festive season.

COMMENT; I don’t normally comment on stories that we carry on WexfordLocal.com and this one is based on an official government press release issued today and we commend all the efforts being made to resolve the situation caused by Storm Darragh at Holyhead.

However, there is a lesson here for our public representatives and that is the essential necessity for upgrade and development at Rosslare Europort, not just based on the port’s everyday needs, but as a first-class operating port that can serve the country’s additional needs at times of emergencies or pressure points affecting other ports in our country.

Search for missing Rosslare teenager

By Dan Walsh

EVAN DENNEHY

Gardaí are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 17-year-old Evan Dennehy, who is reported as missing from Rosslare Co. Wexford, since Thursday, December 12th 2024.

Evan is described as being approximately 6 foot 1 inch in height, with slim build, brown hair and brown eyes.

When last seen, Evan was wearing a navy parka jacket with fur on the hood, a navy tracksuit and red runners.

Anyone with information on Evan’s whereabouts is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on (053) 916 5200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.