Other News In Brief

Gerry Adams Extends 'Solidarity And Condolences' Following The Death Of Annie Cahill

Sinn Féin TD Gerry Adams has extended his "solidarity and condolences to the family and many friends and comrades of Annie Cahill."

Annie Cahill – the widow of veteran IRA leader Joe Cahill – died in Belfast on Tuesday, 27 November.

Mr Adams said: "I have known Annie for over 50 years. She was a strong, determined, courageous woman and sound Republican. She was also a committed Gael, a staunch member of Seán Tracey GAC and a formidable Camóg. Annie mentored my wife Colette in camógie and her family and Colette's clann were next door neighbours for generations. She was a good neighbour and a friend.

"Like many of her generation she endured great hardship. She was a tower of strength when her husband Joe Cahill, was imprisoned or in the run and she worked hard to protect her family from the many challenges she and Joe faced in their lives.

"In her own right, Annie was an active Republican. She campaigned on behalf of the political prisoners and took part in many election campaigns. She was a proud member of the National Graves Association. In recent months she hasn't been well. Her death is a huge blow to her family and also to the greater Republican family. Her friendly smile and warm welcome and support and her great singing at republican events, particularly her rendition of Tom Williams, will be missed by all who knew her.

"On behalf of my family I want to extend my solidarity and deepest condolences to Tom, Maria, Stephanie, Nuala, Áine, Patricia and Deirdre and the wider Cahill Family. Their Mammy and Granny was a great woman. Her smile and gentle humanity will be missed by me and all who were honoured to know Annie.

"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis."

€2.8m Funding Approved For Údarás na Gaeltachta Projects

The Minister of State for the Irish language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Seán Kyne, has welcomed capital funding of €2.8m for projects under Údarás na Gaeltachta in the Donegal, Mayo and Galway Gaeltacht areas.

The funding permitted by the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund for these three successful projects under Údarás na Gaeltachta, includes:

• €1.5m permitted for the development of the undeveloped upper storey of gteic @ Gaoth Dobhair at Gaoth Dobhair Business Park and for the provision of 1,725 sq.m of new workspace/ offices;

• €548k for the development of gteic @ An Spidéal Digital Hub and Innovation Centre in Conamara;

• €795k for the development of eight Centres of Excellence /Digital Hubs/Innovation Centres in the Mayo Gaeltacht including Belmullet, Aghleam, Gaoth Sáile, Achill and Toormakeady.

Welcoming the funding, Minister Kyne, said: "I'm certain that this funding will help the Údarás to keep jobs in its client-companies in the Gaeltacht, and to entice further investments to the Gaeltacht areas. It's no harm to say that this is an extra provision for Údarás na Gaeltachta on top of the increased provision of €8.5m provided for this organisation for 2019."

Labour Call For Investigation Of Papal Visit Spending

Labour Spokesperson on Heritage and Culture has called on the Chairman of the Oireachtas Finance Committee to invite the OPW before the committee to provide clarification on spending regarding the Papal Visit.

Making the call, Deputy Burton said: "The Oireachtas Finance committee have received supplementary estimates of €20,000,000 required for the Papal Visit. The members of the Committee have asked that the Office of Public Works be called before the Finance Committee to explain the spending summaries relating to the Papal Visit.

"The bulk of the monies were spent on the Phoenix Park, and other venues used during the Papal Visit. Having read the accounts presented by the OPW today I have questions about who won the contracts for the events management and what criteria were used to assess the tenders.

"I raised the question about the public, and private events, held in the Phoenix Park and other venues managed by the OPW like Bloom in the Park, and concerts, and whether any of the generated capital goes back into the venues.

"Patrons are charged high entry fees to such events and yet it appears that the OPW and the Pheonix Park receive little of the funds generated, and are expected to find €20 million to invest in events such as the Papal Visit.

"The Office of Public Works did an excellent job of hosting the event. However, we need to see full details of the expenditure of the event and discuss this spending at the Committee. Some of the costs seem very high. We need a detailed breakdown and full accountability of the event."

(MH/CM)