Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Interview with Peter Fitzpatrick (Fine Gael)
Interview with Peter Fitzpatrick (Fine Gael) "I never thought I'd get over the 7000, I'm lucky that I got so many of Sinn Fein's 152 votes, but I know myself, I'm fighting for the fourth seat, it's between myself and Fianna Fail. All I need is a bit of luck and for people's votes to be for me and I'll be in with a good chance to get the 2nd Fine Gael seat"
ANDREW MCKEOWN, Political editor
ANDREW MCKEOWN, Political editor
Interview with Paddy Malone (Fine Gael Louth Chairman)
ANDREW MCKEOWN, Political Editor,
Irish Youth times editor Andrew McKeown asked Paddy Malone what he thought of the 2nd count. He stated that "There's nothing of significance in this count and we won't see any patterns until Dearey is eliminated and his votes are shared out." He added that "Clare and Matthews' votes wll be interesting to see, if they'll go to Fine Gael or to elsewhere in the county to Nash." When asked if he was surprised that Gerry Adams topped the pole, he told us "no, this has always been a Republican area and It's not surprising. My first election was the '81 election when the H block were elected. I think this is amplified by the fact that people are frustrated, 'plague in your houses', and Sinn Fein has gained many of those votes. I think that these votes are mischannelled, however, as a party of protest isn't as much good as a party in government, like Fine Gael."
Irish Youth times editor Andrew McKeown asked Paddy Malone what he thought of the 2nd count. He stated that "There's nothing of significance in this count and we won't see any patterns until Dearey is eliminated and his votes are shared out." He added that "Clare and Matthews' votes wll be interesting to see, if they'll go to Fine Gael or to elsewhere in the county to Nash." When asked if he was surprised that Gerry Adams topped the pole, he told us "no, this has always been a Republican area and It's not surprising. My first election was the '81 election when the H block were elected. I think this is amplified by the fact that people are frustrated, 'plague in your houses', and Sinn Fein has gained many of those votes. I think that these votes are mischannelled, however, as a party of protest isn't as much good as a party in government, like Fine Gael."
Ged Nash (Labour) Interview, after 2nd count
ANDREW McKEOWN, Political editor
When asked how he felt after the 2nd count, Ged Nash told the Irish Youth Times that "I'm really pleased about where we are at the moment, we set to win this seat and it looks likely that we will at this stage." He added that he did not sure of what count Labour would attain the seat but that the vote for Labour had quadroupled since 2002. He paid tribute to his running mate, Mary Moran.
He expected Labour to gain seats in the region of the mid to late thirties, which would be a record fot the Labour party, the previous being 33 seats in 1992. "People are clearly rallying to Labour and we've virtualy doubled our reprentation in Dail Éireann."
3rd count to follow.
When asked how he felt after the 2nd count, Ged Nash told the Irish Youth Times that "I'm really pleased about where we are at the moment, we set to win this seat and it looks likely that we will at this stage." He added that he did not sure of what count Labour would attain the seat but that the vote for Labour had quadroupled since 2002. He paid tribute to his running mate, Mary Moran.
He expected Labour to gain seats in the region of the mid to late thirties, which would be a record fot the Labour party, the previous being 33 seats in 1992. "People are clearly rallying to Labour and we've virtualy doubled our reprentation in Dail Éireann."
3rd count to follow.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Day of Days
LIAM BLUNDELL, political commentator
With one day to go…
Some last minute decision making will be done by many voters, young and old alike, in the final day preceeding this election, which could well earn the title of the most important in the history of the State. The political candidates will be out in force and as we have seen from the previous articles, polls and news updates; Fine Gael could be in for a first one party government since 1987, when Haughey led Fianna Fáil in the 25th Dáil.
Now, 6 Dáil elections later and one in the throws of its imminent birth we find ourselves at the last week of canvassing. Who will get the chance to impliment their policies to rectify the mess left by the previous three Governments? Will it be the favourites, Fine Gael and Enda Kenny, to take the helm of the sinking ship, kept only from the choppy seas by the IMF and EU lifevests? Will it be the Labour Party? Has the “Gilmore Gale “ one last gust left before the 25th of February? Or will Sinn Féin stun the majority and form it’s first Government? Not very likely considering the lead Enda Kenny has built up over the course of this electoral campaign. Michéal Martin has salvaged what is left of the devastated Fianna Fáil, who’s destiny seems to lie in the doldrums.
So lets have a brief run-down of the political parties main policies against each other:
Fine Gael and Fianna Fail would both increase the college fees if elected. nLabour and Sinn Féin would reverse the minimum wage cut and want a greater empasis on tax. Fine Gael would abolish the HSE completely with the others keeping it but with a total re-organisation. My own opinion on this is the HSE needs a total wipeout with less bureacracy (I know some is needed to run the damned thing) and more emphasis on patient care as individuals rather than just a patient being a statistic. All parties agree on dealing with negative equity, albeit differently. Fianna Fáil and the Greens are the only two parties who would not renegotiate with some bank bondholders, Labour, Sinn Féin and Fine Gael would and the three major parties finally agree on something, renegotiate the interest rate paid to the ESF.
Ok, so it wasn’t very brief after all. All I can say is, if I were voting in this election, I would take some sound advice from Jesse Jackson, heard yesterday on RTE Radio 1 and not to vote with rage, but vote with passion.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Is Labour the catalyst to Ireland's revival?
On Friday the 18th. of February, Irish Youth Times editor Andrew McKeown and Political correspondent Tom Lawlor met with Labour leader Eamonn Gilmore.
ANDREW McKEOWN, Political Editor
I was when I was comtemplating how opposites can come together; how their respective basic elements bounce off each other; do opposites attract; can elements which have such differences in their nature co-exist in a stable environmnet. Yes, you have guessed it ... I was in chemistry class. It was during this class that I learned from a classmate that Labour party leader Eamon Gilmore was in town on canvasing tour. To fulfil my duty as a journalist , I attained permission to leave school to report and Tom and I made our way to the Town square, Dundalk.
Gilmore's campaign bus (emblazoned with the slogan step on board for mental health) was parked at the square and surrounded by members of the party, public and press. We introduced ourselves to the press officer and were kindly given time with Gilmore for a short interview.
When asked by IYT journalist why young people should vote for Labour, Gilmore replied "we want this country to have a future and our priority is job creation". He stated that Labour wish to prevent the emmigration of the youth of Ireland. "For the country to succeed in the future, our people must be well educated".
Gilmore stated that his party would reverse the minimum wage cut if elected into government as labour "disagree fundamentally with cutting pay from the lowest paid, you should start at the top. The wage must be sufficient to provide incentive for people to work."
We then asked, in reference to the slogan on his campaign bus, what Labour would do to support youth mental health iniatives. Gilmore told us that his party is, to his knowledge, the only party to publish a seperate policy on the matter. Mr. Gilmore told us that the best way to tackle the rising mental health issues is to prevent them before they become problems. "The Labour party is committed to the prevention of homophobic bullying, to general bulying in our schools and they should be dealt with straight away."
Our interview with Gilmore led me to ponder in Chemistry class 'Is Labour the catalyst to Ireland's revival or will it cause unwanted reactions?'
ANDREW McKEOWN, Political Editor
I was when I was comtemplating how opposites can come together; how their respective basic elements bounce off each other; do opposites attract; can elements which have such differences in their nature co-exist in a stable environmnet. Yes, you have guessed it ... I was in chemistry class. It was during this class that I learned from a classmate that Labour party leader Eamon Gilmore was in town on canvasing tour. To fulfil my duty as a journalist , I attained permission to leave school to report and Tom and I made our way to the Town square, Dundalk.
Gilmore's campaign bus (emblazoned with the slogan step on board for mental health) was parked at the square and surrounded by members of the party, public and press. We introduced ourselves to the press officer and were kindly given time with Gilmore for a short interview.
When asked by IYT journalist why young people should vote for Labour, Gilmore replied "we want this country to have a future and our priority is job creation". He stated that Labour wish to prevent the emmigration of the youth of Ireland. "For the country to succeed in the future, our people must be well educated".
Gilmore stated that his party would reverse the minimum wage cut if elected into government as labour "disagree fundamentally with cutting pay from the lowest paid, you should start at the top. The wage must be sufficient to provide incentive for people to work."
We then asked, in reference to the slogan on his campaign bus, what Labour would do to support youth mental health iniatives. Gilmore told us that his party is, to his knowledge, the only party to publish a seperate policy on the matter. Mr. Gilmore told us that the best way to tackle the rising mental health issues is to prevent them before they become problems. "The Labour party is committed to the prevention of homophobic bullying, to general bulying in our schools and they should be dealt with straight away."
Our interview with Gilmore led me to ponder in Chemistry class 'Is Labour the catalyst to Ireland's revival or will it cause unwanted reactions?'
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Will Fine Gael really answer Ireland's call when the whistle blows?
ANDREW B. MCKEOWN, Editor
Today, Sunday 20th February, around 1,000 people gathered in the Atrium of the Aviva stadium for the last of a series of Fine Gael public meetings. Party leader Enda Kenny was joined on stage by the FG Dublin candidates and spoke of Fine Gael’s Five point plan, summarised as:1.Protecting and Creating Jobs
2. Introducing Better, Fairer Budgets to keep taxes low
3. Creating a completely New Health System
4. A Smaller, Better Government
5. Transforming the Political System
2. Introducing Better, Fairer Budgets to keep taxes low
3. Creating a completely New Health System
4. A Smaller, Better Government
5. Transforming the Political System
“There is hope and, on Friday, the Irish people can vote for a plan to get Ireland working”, Fine Gael Leader, Enda Kenny, told a public meeting in the Aviva Stadium today. Lucinda Creighton likened Fine Gael to the Aviva stadium itself, declaring that FG is made of a combination of hard work, inspiration and action. There were several more sports references, with George Hook and Enda Kenny both referring to FG’s “team” and Enda said that “Fine Gael will always answer Ireland’s call”
The atrium was filled with cheering Fine Gael supporters who ardently showed their support for the party leader who, as told by George Hook “raised the tattered party standard and raised it higher than before”. Enda stated that “On Friday, I’m asking people to vote with pride. Pride in who we are and in what we can be. I’m asking people to turn their anger into action and vote proudly for something, not against” Enda promised reform and a freedom from the fetters of the corruption of the old economic system which had “Micháel Martin’s fingerprints all over it” . The party speakers promised to “change Ireland with the permission and mandate of the people” and assured the potential voters of the honesty, industriousness and integrity of their candidates. Enda Kenny said he will not draw any money from his teachers pension, and has challenged Fianna Fail leader Micháel Martin to resign from his own teaching position in the morning. Mr Kenny also professed that he will not accept any money from his teachers pension despite 'paying into it for many years.'
Enda Kenny was responding to comments on This Week on RTÉ Radio 1 by Mr. Martin that he should explain what he intended to do about a €100,000 payment he was entitled to from his pension fund. During his speech today Mr Kenny included a rebuttal: “I have not drawn one red cent from my teaching position in over two decades”, he said he had resigned from his post many years ago and it had been filled by a 'full time' teacher. 'Mr Kenny, a former school teacher, spent several years teaching before becoming a full time politician.
When the speech was over, Enda was surrounded by the Fine Gael youth, who donned yellow t-shirts emblazoned with the Fine Gael logo and wielded signs of Fine Gael's 5 point plan. These young fanatics reminded me of the Blueshirts of the past, who kept the media and crowd at bay. Thankfully, due to my fairly short stature and crowd infiltrating skills, I managed to get past these zealous soldiers to ask FG leader Enda Kenny a qyestion. When put with the question of why young people should vote for Fine Gael, Mr. Kenny told Irish Youth Time reporters Andrew McKeown and Tom Lawlor that “ they should vote for Fine Gael because we’re addressing the needs of our young people, we’re very proud of them, our focus is entirely on jobs and career oppurtunities. We want to send a message out to those who are away and abroad to watch this space because we’re going to change the way that business is done in Ireland. That’s why they should vote for Fine Gael.” He promised to all present that “If you honour us, I will guarantee that we will deliver”
Support for Fine Gael has increased since the election campaign began, according to recent polls, which also shows that Enda Kenny is now the preferred choice for Taoiseach.
When the speech was over, Enda was surrounded by the Fine Gael youth, who donned yellow t-shirts emblazoned with the Fine Gael logo and wielded signs of Fine Gael's 5 point plan. These young fanatics reminded me of the Blueshirts of the past, who kept the media and crowd at bay. Thankfully, due to my fairly short stature and crowd infiltrating skills, I managed to get past these zealous soldiers to ask FG leader Enda Kenny a qyestion. When put with the question of why young people should vote for Fine Gael, Mr. Kenny told Irish Youth Time reporters Andrew McKeown and Tom Lawlor that “ they should vote for Fine Gael because we’re addressing the needs of our young people, we’re very proud of them, our focus is entirely on jobs and career oppurtunities. We want to send a message out to those who are away and abroad to watch this space because we’re going to change the way that business is done in Ireland. That’s why they should vote for Fine Gael.” He promised to all present that “If you honour us, I will guarantee that we will deliver”
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Health and Education.
24% of 15-year-olds are effectively illiterate.
100,000- number of school children in classes of over 30 pupils.
569- Number of patients on trolleys and chairs in emergency departments on January 5th 2011.
1,045- number of hospital beds that were closef at the end of October 2010.
Sources: OECD, Department of Education and skills, The Irish Times, HSE, Department of Health
100,000- number of school children in classes of over 30 pupils.
569- Number of patients on trolleys and chairs in emergency departments on January 5th 2011.
1,045- number of hospital beds that were closef at the end of October 2010.
Sources: OECD, Department of Education and skills, The Irish Times, HSE, Department of Health
An interview with Cllr. Declan Breathnach (FF)
TOM LAWLOR, Political Correspondent,
On a cold Tuesday morning, on February fifteenth, Editor Andrew McKeown and I paid a visit to the office of Louth County Councillor and Fíanna Fáil T.D. candidate for North Louth, Declan Breathnach.
On a cold Tuesday morning, on February fifteenth, Editor Andrew McKeown and I paid a visit to the office of Louth County Councillor and Fíanna Fáil T.D. candidate for North Louth, Declan Breathnach.
Councillor Breathnach was very busy with his election campaign, but managed to fit us in for a 10 minute interview. As the parties are in full swing election mode, we opened with the question of why young people should vote for Fíanna Fáil, rather than the opposition parties. He cited the current condition of Dundalk town, and the surrounding area, "My view on that whole issue is that all you have to do is look around you, in this town of Dundalk and indeed this county. Wise investment has been made..." Citing the €38,000,000 extension to the P.J. Carroll building and referring to the infrastructure across the county as a "testament to Fíanna Fáil."
He did, however, allow that "People will always focus on the issues of discontent, and they are right to discontented at this minute in time," but re-affirming that Fíanna Fáil had "...stood this country, and indeed this region (Louth) in good stead in terms of investment in infrastructure and in terms of job creation," taking the opportunity to mention the Mullharlin Business Park, and the recent announcement that they have outlined planning permission for two advanced biocpharmacist factories, thanks to the marketing of the I.D.A. (Industrial Development Agency).
He believes that Flanna Fáil have set up this region to blossom in the post economic uncertainty, despite the hindrance of the banking crisis, which he admits "Certainly Fíanna Fáil have to take the blame for taking their eye off the regulator and taking their eye off the banks, but throughout all of that, I think wise investment has been made..." "....taking their eye off the banks" is probably nothing close to how other parties would describe Fíanna Fáil's handling of the banks, but Councillor Breathnach is very adamant in his view of Louth's post-recession prosperity. Many of the people of this county might disagree with Cllr. Breathnach and there are those amongst the public who believe that Fíanna Fáil have crippled the national and local economy.
Continuing this line of questioning, editor Andrew McKeown asked, "What would you do to improve the lives of Young People, if elected." Councillor Breathnach proclaimed himself a strong advocate for young people, and he says he is of the opinion that young people have a lot more to offer. "I believe that that mix of the wise head and the young head, has a lot to offer." He is a strong advocate of things like T.Y., believing that young people need to take a bigger role in community organisations, like sport, charity and even Tidy Towns.
He thinks that education system also needs to change to allow the under rated skills of young people to flourish, saying that he has often argued at County Developement board and County Enterprise board level that we are losing the skilled mix of our youth in the education system, in terms of multimedia, computing and musical capability. He gave us an example of how he believes this issue could be addressed in this region, thinking that the new multimedia facilities in the DKIT should be available to secondary school students. "You people are the employers of the future," carefully adding, "and I'm not faulting the education system in saying that, but I do feel you need a greater output to exercise those skills"
He thinks that education system also needs to change to allow the under rated skills of young people to flourish, saying that he has often argued at County Developement board and County Enterprise board level that we are losing the skilled mix of our youth in the education system, in terms of multimedia, computing and musical capability. He gave us an example of how he believes this issue could be addressed in this region, thinking that the new multimedia facilities in the DKIT should be available to secondary school students. "You people are the employers of the future," carefully adding, "and I'm not faulting the education system in saying that, but I do feel you need a greater output to exercise those skills"
As we knew that Cllr. Breathnach had been involved in Education for 32 years, this seemed like an appropriate time to branch into questions on the education sector. We questioned him on the Croake Park agreement, on the size of redundancies. His first point was on the Special Needs Assistants (S.N.A's). He was of the opinion that "too many S.N.A's were employed in the good times, and that has become unsustainable in the current economic downturn.”
The INTO has said primary teachers were extremely concerned at reductions in SNA levels in primary schools. The union said the inclusion of special needs children in schools requires adequate staffing to meet both the educational and the care needs of these children. Sheila Nunan, general secretary of the INTO said cutbacks in care staff will affect the education of all children in mainstream classes and have the potential to limit the ability of schools to integrate special needs children in schools. And with average primary school class sizes in Ireland being 24 (closer to 30 when you factor in the fact that resource teachers are included, despite not taking full classes) compared to 20 in Europe, we are inclined to agree that special needs students could fall through the cracks in the larger classes.
Cllr. Breathnach told us that the leader of his party, Mícheál Martin, had stated that Education was a sector that would not receive any further cuts, which Cllr. Breathnach welcomed. A view shared no doubt, by the INTO, although a statement met with scepticism by a union who feel, undoubtably alienated. He believes that "we should try to minimise any further impact, but I think it's recognised that we al have to take pain, including those in the education sector."
When put with a question of the perceived disproportionate pay cuts with regards to teachers and civil servants as opposed to cabinet ministers, Cllr. Breathnach told us that we were talking about "different salary scales" and said that "it is recognised that ministers have taken a fairly large percentage cut in their wages like teachers and everybody else." An arguement we are sure the general public may not be too eager to totally agree with. He also told us that there is a "promise of reform of the Dáil system" and that he "wouldn't have a problem with further cuts in ministerial salaries", adding "I do think that the Dail has overpaid itself."
Later we pushed on, inquiring about the cap being placed on the pay of new teachers, with a possibility of new teachers being asked to work unpaid, indefinitely, and what he thought of the bad economics of investing in the education of these new teachers, and possibly losing them as an asset when they turn to emigration. Cllr. Breathnach answered "It is unfortunate, but the reality is, if you look at teachers pay in this country relative to our near neighbours in England, teachers start on a very high rung of the ladder here. The minister for finance and the government have to take difficult decisions.... but the reality is we have to cut the cloth to suit the measure." A hard line. One which some people would not be inclined to agree with, feeling that the 'cloth' is not being cut equally on all sides. He lightened the situation by suggesting that trainee teachers could complete there qualifications by community employment schemes with Fás.
An bhfuil tusa ag labhairt liomsa?
GRÁINNE LOUGHRAN,
Bhuel, an bhfuil? Considering the fact that most of us were learning to speak Irish since before we’d fully mastered our “s’s”, the number of us that don’t even have basic conversational Irish is pretty appalling. We’ve got the signs on the roads and, if we’re pushed, we can say the Hail Mary to show off our Gaeilge when we’re abroad, but why is it that the number of Irish people who can actually speak Irish is declining so rapidly?
Bhuel, an bhfuil? Considering the fact that most of us were learning to speak Irish since before we’d fully mastered our “s’s”, the number of us that don’t even have basic conversational Irish is pretty appalling. We’ve got the signs on the roads and, if we’re pushed, we can say the Hail Mary to show off our Gaeilge when we’re abroad, but why is it that the number of Irish people who can actually speak Irish is declining so rapidly?
The Big Three brawl over Economy and Jobs
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin challenged Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny to explain what he professed was a €5bn 'black hole' in the party's statistics.Mr Kenny said there was no black hole and that it was Mr Martin who 'had the explaining to do' after his role in the Fianna Fail Government in the past 14 years, saying “his thumbprints and fingerprints” were all over the economic chaos that the country is in. Mr Martin and Labour party leader Eamon Gilmore accused Fine Gael of hiding the details of the cuts it says it would make in Government. Mr Gilmore said it was impossible to cut €10bn out of the economy over three years without doing damage to employment and economic growth.
The TG4 debate will be broadcasted as Geailge with English subtitles at 7.00 p.m tonight
-Andrew B. McKeown
Sunday, February 13, 2011
The vote at 16?
TOM LAWLOR, Political Correspondent
With the general election looming, many young people are feeling disgruntled and misrepresented. Of course, the argument against the lowering of the voting age is that too many young people are out of touch from the issues and politics surrounding the country.
However now, of all general elections, I believe that the youth have something to say, but are being prevented from voicing there opinions. With the current economic climate, the policies of the next government will decide the future of our youth, and even determine how many of the 'Celtic Tiger Cubs' emigrate to the likes of Australia.
For example, many young people aspire to a career in teaching, in admiration for the great work done by their current teachers. But Fíanna Faíl are currently proposing to have new teachers work unpaid. A policy any young aspiring teacher would be very much opposed to, but cannot show their opinions by voting.
Another example would be Fine Gael's policy on mandatory Irish study for Leaving Certificate students. Some opposed, some against, but the principle of the matter is one that concerns the youth, and yet they cannot vote!
The National Youth Council of Ireland’s Vote at 16 campaign group met with the Joint Oireachtas Committee recently, but it is a little too late for the under 18's hoping to vote in one of the most important general elections in the history of the state!
More and more young people are forming their own opinions and taking responsibility for their own lives. Under 18's can join the army, work a full time job, see a G.P. and even be taxed! The slogan of the American war of independence 'no taxation without representation' seems very adequate. It's time the youth could, in my opinion, also VOTE in our 'Democracy.'
With the general election looming, many young people are feeling disgruntled and misrepresented. Of course, the argument against the lowering of the voting age is that too many young people are out of touch from the issues and politics surrounding the country.
However now, of all general elections, I believe that the youth have something to say, but are being prevented from voicing there opinions. With the current economic climate, the policies of the next government will decide the future of our youth, and even determine how many of the 'Celtic Tiger Cubs' emigrate to the likes of Australia.
For example, many young people aspire to a career in teaching, in admiration for the great work done by their current teachers. But Fíanna Faíl are currently proposing to have new teachers work unpaid. A policy any young aspiring teacher would be very much opposed to, but cannot show their opinions by voting.
Another example would be Fine Gael's policy on mandatory Irish study for Leaving Certificate students. Some opposed, some against, but the principle of the matter is one that concerns the youth, and yet they cannot vote!
The National Youth Council of Ireland’s Vote at 16 campaign group met with the Joint Oireachtas Committee recently, but it is a little too late for the under 18's hoping to vote in one of the most important general elections in the history of the state!
More and more young people are forming their own opinions and taking responsibility for their own lives. Under 18's can join the army, work a full time job, see a G.P. and even be taxed! The slogan of the American war of independence 'no taxation without representation' seems very adequate. It's time the youth could, in my opinion, also VOTE in our 'Democracy.'
Let's talk suicide
ANDREW MCKEOWN, Editor
Suicide will claim the lives of over 500 people this year, twice the amount killed in road accidents, and yet suicide prevention schemes only receive 10% of the funding that road accident prevention schemes receive. Calls to the Samaritan, aware and Headstrong are on the rise. Research has shown that with proper support, suicide can be prevented.
The Facts about suicide:
•Most people who kill themselves have given definite warnings of their intent.
•Many suicides occur in a period of improvement when the person has enough energy and the will to turn despairing thoughts into delf destructive action.
•suicide occura in all groups in society.
•Most suicidal people are ambivalent about living and dying: they gamble with death but may retain the desire to live.
•It can happen to anyone.
•Suicidal thoughts may return, but they are not permanent, and in some people they may never return.
To help a suicidal person, show that you really care. Be non-judgmental. Talk openly about suicide. If the risk seems high, stay with the suicidal person until the crisis has passed or until help arrives.
•9,218- the amount of people treated for self harm in hospital in 2008.
•1 in every 156 adolescent girls were treated for deliberate self harm.
•9% of boys between 15-19 tried to hang themselves.
•42% of all cases involved alcohol.
We must act to stem the rising tide of suicides. We are losing great people every week to this menace, all of whom can be saved. If you or someone you know is suicidal, or you believe they may be, you can contact any of the following:
info@aware.ie
Info@headstrong.ie
The Samaritans
Because life is too precious. Cherish it.
Suicide will claim the lives of over 500 people this year, twice the amount killed in road accidents, and yet suicide prevention schemes only receive 10% of the funding that road accident prevention schemes receive. Calls to the Samaritan, aware and Headstrong are on the rise. Research has shown that with proper support, suicide can be prevented.
The Facts about suicide:
•Most people who kill themselves have given definite warnings of their intent.
•Many suicides occur in a period of improvement when the person has enough energy and the will to turn despairing thoughts into delf destructive action.
•suicide occura in all groups in society.
•Most suicidal people are ambivalent about living and dying: they gamble with death but may retain the desire to live.
•It can happen to anyone.
•Suicidal thoughts may return, but they are not permanent, and in some people they may never return.
To help a suicidal person, show that you really care. Be non-judgmental. Talk openly about suicide. If the risk seems high, stay with the suicidal person until the crisis has passed or until help arrives.
•9,218- the amount of people treated for self harm in hospital in 2008.
•1 in every 156 adolescent girls were treated for deliberate self harm.
•9% of boys between 15-19 tried to hang themselves.
•42% of all cases involved alcohol.
We must act to stem the rising tide of suicides. We are losing great people every week to this menace, all of whom can be saved. If you or someone you know is suicidal, or you believe they may be, you can contact any of the following:
info@aware.ie
Info@headstrong.ie
The Samaritans
Because life is too precious. Cherish it.
The Banks
€60bn: the size of the "black hole" at Irish banks after their losses
€30bn: the amount the state paid through NAMA for 11,000 property loans
€20.3bn-€25.3bn: the cost of bailing out Anglo Irish Bank
€85bn: cost of the financial aid from the EU and IMF.
Sources:Department of Finance, Financial Regulator, Central bank, memorandum of understanding with the EU/IMF and the National Asset Management Agency.
-Andrew B.McKeown
€30bn: the amount the state paid through NAMA for 11,000 property loans
€20.3bn-€25.3bn: the cost of bailing out Anglo Irish Bank
€85bn: cost of the financial aid from the EU and IMF.
Sources:Department of Finance, Financial Regulator, Central bank, memorandum of understanding with the EU/IMF and the National Asset Management Agency.
-Andrew B.McKeown
Creative Writing
LIAM DURNIN, AARON MCGAHON
Over the course of TY, we participated in a creative writing competition at Appletree Foundation hosted by South African novelist Nadia Williams. Together with groups of TY students from other local secondary schools, we are working to produce a collection of short students from other local secondary schools, we worked to produce a collection of short stories and poetry which contain contributions from each of us. We learned so much about character development and setting, as well as crafting a story that will interest the reader from beginning to end, which is another great skill for tje leaving cert!
Of course, there are many othwr services on offer in the Appletree foundation, including counselling and advice, and the staff are so enthusiastic and helpful. We rate our experience with Appeltree 10/10. Go appletree!
Over the course of TY, we participated in a creative writing competition at Appletree Foundation hosted by South African novelist Nadia Williams. Together with groups of TY students from other local secondary schools, we are working to produce a collection of short students from other local secondary schools, we worked to produce a collection of short stories and poetry which contain contributions from each of us. We learned so much about character development and setting, as well as crafting a story that will interest the reader from beginning to end, which is another great skill for tje leaving cert!
Of course, there are many othwr services on offer in the Appletree foundation, including counselling and advice, and the staff are so enthusiastic and helpful. We rate our experience with Appeltree 10/10. Go appletree!
Junior Science Olympiad
Transition year will certainly be a year that Jonathan Lynn will remember. In November 2009, Jonathan participated in the Irish Junior Science Olympiad in DCU, sitting through a grueling three-hour examination that focused on Biology, Physics and Chemistry and emerged victorious as he secured his place as one of the six students to compete for Ireland at International level in Azerbaijan in December.
Competing in the individual section in The World Junior Science Olympiaad in Azerbaijan was an amazing experience for Jonathan as he mingled with the top science students from around the world. The blend of personalities and culture as well as the experience of the challenge of competition itself was certainly something that he will never forget. Jonathan arrived home from Azerbaijan sporting a bronze medal, which places him in the top 3% in the world in his category. St. Mary's College, particurly the TY group of 09-10, joins with his parents in being extremely proud of him. Congtatulations Jonathan.
Competing in the individual section in The World Junior Science Olympiaad in Azerbaijan was an amazing experience for Jonathan as he mingled with the top science students from around the world. The blend of personalities and culture as well as the experience of the challenge of competition itself was certainly something that he will never forget. Jonathan arrived home from Azerbaijan sporting a bronze medal, which places him in the top 3% in the world in his category. St. Mary's College, particurly the TY group of 09-10, joins with his parents in being extremely proud of him. Congtatulations Jonathan.
The Appletree foundation
LIAM DURNIN, AARON MCGAHON,
Hey there everyone, we're here today to talk to you about the Appletree Foundation, situated in Roden House between the library and St. Patrick's Cathedral. The Appletree Foundation is a facility that is underused in our opinion and we are delighted to get the chance to show what it offers the youth of Dundalk.
Pearl Deary, the "leader of el Appletree", tries to keep her finger on the pulse of what young peoe in Dundalk can benefit from. Over the years she has provided workshops on 'Music appreciation' and 'Radio presenting'. Twi of the courses we have been involved in were a film-making module and a creative writing workshop.
In the film-making module, we learned how to use various camera angles, tips on script writing and reading, and acting skills. All in all we learned what it's like to make a professional film, what decisions are made to get the perfect shot and how specific you have to be to create the illusion of real life on screen. With film studies being a module in the Leaving cert, experimenting wirh this genre was time well spent. We'll be writing more about Creative writing when we have the course done. Go appletree!
Hey there everyone, we're here today to talk to you about the Appletree Foundation, situated in Roden House between the library and St. Patrick's Cathedral. The Appletree Foundation is a facility that is underused in our opinion and we are delighted to get the chance to show what it offers the youth of Dundalk.
Pearl Deary, the "leader of el Appletree", tries to keep her finger on the pulse of what young peoe in Dundalk can benefit from. Over the years she has provided workshops on 'Music appreciation' and 'Radio presenting'. Twi of the courses we have been involved in were a film-making module and a creative writing workshop.
In the film-making module, we learned how to use various camera angles, tips on script writing and reading, and acting skills. All in all we learned what it's like to make a professional film, what decisions are made to get the perfect shot and how specific you have to be to create the illusion of real life on screen. With film studies being a module in the Leaving cert, experimenting wirh this genre was time well spent. We'll be writing more about Creative writing when we have the course done. Go appletree!
Irish Youth time takes to the streets-The Junior cert.
What's your opinion on the Junior cert?
"I think that the juniir cert should be kept because it's preperation for the Leaving Cert and it teaches you study skills. Plus the weeks of the junior cert are the best weeks of your life doing exams." -Aoife Minnock, 17
"It's good and bad. Bad because you dread doing it but good because three years of work pays off in the end." -Teresa McGrath, 16
"I feel that the junior cert should be kept because I'm doing it this year and I don't want to be the last one to do it." - Josh Gribben, 15
Published in Neon magazine, St. Louis TY mini company, in February 2010
"I think that the juniir cert should be kept because it's preperation for the Leaving Cert and it teaches you study skills. Plus the weeks of the junior cert are the best weeks of your life doing exams." -Aoife Minnock, 17
"It's good and bad. Bad because you dread doing it but good because three years of work pays off in the end." -Teresa McGrath, 16
"I feel that the junior cert should be kept because I'm doing it this year and I don't want to be the last one to do it." - Josh Gribben, 15
Published in Neon magazine, St. Louis TY mini company, in February 2010
Physician, heal thyself.
ANDREW MCKEOWN, Editor
I was one of the few lucky teenagers in Ireland who were lucky enough to be offered an invaluable insight ino Medicine and the life of a doctor with a week long woek experience with The Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI) and Beaumont hospital.
On Monday, 18th January, I arrived at the Royal College of Surgeons, Stephen's Green. There we received a Health and Safety lecture (yawn), filled out some forms and got through some administrative bureaucratic nonsense. Then, the real fun began. We undertook practial classes in Pharmacology (the chemistry of drugs) and Physiotherapy,
On Tuesday, we were stationed at Beaumont hospital. We worked with Cardiologists, looing at cases of Myocardial Infarctions (MI), and talked to a cardiac surgeon about stints and bypasses. Later that day we worked with Pathologists, exaamining growths and tumour cells, practiced clinical skills such as reading x-rays, usisng opthalmoscopes and aurascopes, measuring blood pressure and even drawing blood! We undertook a module on Forensic Medicine with state pathologist Marie Cassidy, where we looked at the effects of decompostion on the human body and about the crustaceans and maggots that feed on it.... Thankfully it was after lunch.
On Thursday, we started off with a lecture on advanced trauma life support, which included talking about gruesome cases of evisceration, disembowelment and the likes. A few people fainted, so perhaps Medicine is not for them! We had a lecture in pyschiatry to finish the day. Psychiatry is....... interesing.
We finished off our week in RCSI on the Friday. We received a lecture given by Cystic Fibrosis patients and their doctors. We learned of Isoleucine, Phenylaline, Glycine and Valine (they're necleotides, not drugs). We also attended a whistlestop tour of human anatomy with an oldschool professor and Q&A time with Operation smile, a great charity that sens doctors and nurses to developing countries to operate on cleft lips and palettes for free.
After an excellent week, I know a lot more about the lives of doctors and nurses, While some may think that it is fun to saunter around a hospital in a white coat, with good pay to boot, there is an awesome responsibility that comes with it. The doctor must always remember that they are treating a petient and not a fever chart or a cancerous growth, whose illness may affect their family and economic stability. A true doctor must adhere to the Hippocraic oath, have a firm understanding of science and physiology but, most importantly, a kind heart.
I was one of the few lucky teenagers in Ireland who were lucky enough to be offered an invaluable insight ino Medicine and the life of a doctor with a week long woek experience with The Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI) and Beaumont hospital.
On Monday, 18th January, I arrived at the Royal College of Surgeons, Stephen's Green. There we received a Health and Safety lecture (yawn), filled out some forms and got through some administrative bureaucratic nonsense. Then, the real fun began. We undertook practial classes in Pharmacology (the chemistry of drugs) and Physiotherapy,
On Tuesday, we were stationed at Beaumont hospital. We worked with Cardiologists, looing at cases of Myocardial Infarctions (MI), and talked to a cardiac surgeon about stints and bypasses. Later that day we worked with Pathologists, exaamining growths and tumour cells, practiced clinical skills such as reading x-rays, usisng opthalmoscopes and aurascopes, measuring blood pressure and even drawing blood! We undertook a module on Forensic Medicine with state pathologist Marie Cassidy, where we looked at the effects of decompostion on the human body and about the crustaceans and maggots that feed on it.... Thankfully it was after lunch.
On Thursday, we started off with a lecture on advanced trauma life support, which included talking about gruesome cases of evisceration, disembowelment and the likes. A few people fainted, so perhaps Medicine is not for them! We had a lecture in pyschiatry to finish the day. Psychiatry is....... interesing.
We finished off our week in RCSI on the Friday. We received a lecture given by Cystic Fibrosis patients and their doctors. We learned of Isoleucine, Phenylaline, Glycine and Valine (they're necleotides, not drugs). We also attended a whistlestop tour of human anatomy with an oldschool professor and Q&A time with Operation smile, a great charity that sens doctors and nurses to developing countries to operate on cleft lips and palettes for free.
After an excellent week, I know a lot more about the lives of doctors and nurses, While some may think that it is fun to saunter around a hospital in a white coat, with good pay to boot, there is an awesome responsibility that comes with it. The doctor must always remember that they are treating a petient and not a fever chart or a cancerous growth, whose illness may affect their family and economic stability. A true doctor must adhere to the Hippocraic oath, have a firm understanding of science and physiology but, most importantly, a kind heart.
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