Mitchelstown FF held their November meeting at the Ramble Inn on Monday, 4th November. Being a post budget meeting it was well attended by the members who were vocal in their opposition to the treatment by the coalition Government of the most vulnerable sections of our society.

Kevin O’Keeffe MCC explained to the meeting that people were in shock and were genuinely frightened by the savage removal of discretionary medical cards and the threat of a Medical Card review. This Government has once again targeted the people who are least able to contribute. People are once again attending Kevin’s clinics with issues that in this present economic climate seem insurmountable. Austerity is indeed a stark reality for people who have watched their benefits dwindle over the last 2 years.

Kevin spoke about the expanded Fermoy electoral area and the fact that FF will put three candidates forward for the Local Elections next year. The candidates are Kevin O’Keeffe MCC, Frank O’Flynn MCC and Ian Doyle. Although the most recent opinion polls are disappointing for FF nationally, Kevin felt that due to the level of anti- Government feeling seen at his clinics these polls are not a true reflection of the situation on the ground. Frank O’Flynn MCC who was also in attendance said that Health was clearly the key issue now and the Government didn’t even have confidence in their own minister to deliver the Health budget. Instead they have put a team of senior ranking ministers in place to do Dr O’Reilly’s job.

Other issues discussed at the meeting covered a broad spectrum of subjects and included such topics as the abolition of town councils, the retention of the Seanad, and the setting up of Irish Water. A lively debate developed on the subject of granting of tenders for construction projects in the Mitchelstown area. While everyone is delighted with the activity around the leisure centre and the planned expansion in Dairygold, some members strongly held the opinion that not enough work was being awarded locally. The amount of over regulation and red tape associated with any projects receiving European grant aid was also heavily criticised by the members. Both councillors O’Keeffe and O’Flynn explained that all projects receiving European funds have to go to E Tender and due to the large bonds now required from developers, some local firms might not even tender for the work. The meeting was very supportive of calls for people to look locally for resources and protect our neighbours’ jobs and livelihoods in this difficult period.

Votes of sympathy were expressed for the Quinlan, Burke, Brown and Davern families as a result of their recent bereavements.