Local issues, election, discussed at FG AGM

The provision of a pedestrian crossing at Nicholastown at the entrance to the all-weather pitch area is to be a focus of attention from local Fine Gael representatives in the coming months, writes Brian Byrne.

Speaking at the recent AGM of Kilcullen Fine Gael, Deputy Martin Heydon also said that something needed to be done on the issue of providing safe crossing for children going to school from Cnoc na Greine.

At the moment, many children and their parents from Cnoc na Greine are using a makeshift and potentially unsafe crossing of Pinkeen Stream to the back of the Scoil Bhride grounds. If they walk all the way down the access road to the main Curragh Road, they then have to deal with volumes of motor traffic entering and leaving two entrances which are side by side.

Knowledge of such matters showed the importance of the local party team on the ground, the deputy said, taking the opportunity also to thank them for their help in having him re-elected to a second term in Dail Eireann. "We have a great network and a great team," he said. "I wouldn't be where I am without them. And being told where the issues are is the only way that I can then help deal with them."

On the election results, Deputy Heydon said that 'the wind was against' the Government, which meant that his running mate Cllr Fiona McLoughlin Healy didn't get elected. "But despite the difficulties, we brought in a strong Fine Gael vote."

He added that the party is now at a 'critical juncture', and that it has to be very careful that it doesn't suffer for 'doing what is best for the country'.

The meeting was chaired by Cllr Fintan Brett, who said he was 'very surprised' at the results of the General Election. "That the electorate will so quickly put people back in who ruined the country shows that eaten bread is soon forgotten," he said.

Cllr Darren Scully also addressed the meeting, commenting that the party leadership 'has to listen to the party members on the ground', and to the councillors to whom it hasn't always paid enough attention.

Deputy Heydon thanked those attending for coming, and said he was gratified to see new members amongst them.