Paschal Donohoe

Monday of this week saw the launch of the Fine Gael European Parliament election campaign. As the Director of Elections for our Dublin candidate, Brian Hayes TD, I have been engaged with the campaign for some time now. The importance of sending the very best to Europe has never been greater, as the decisions that are taken there directly affect us all every day. Fine Gael has put forward candidates of exceptional standard and experience. I encourage everyone, whatever your political persuasion, to come out and use your vote on 23^rd May. Canvassed in Cabra, Finglas and the North Circular Road laterMonday night with our local election candidate, David Rouse.

On Tuesday, I met with the Interdepartmental Committee on European Engagement to discuss EU policy issues that cut right across Government. Later in the day, I had a courtesy call from the Kazakh Ambassador to Ireland, Kairat Abusseitov. Was out canvassing in East Wall in the evening for and with Councillor Ray McAdam.

On Wednesday, I was in the Dáil for the day and later that night attended the GradIreland Awards. The calibre and commitment of the excellent graduates, universities and recruiters who were involved was inspiring. I was honoured to be presenting awards on the night. Also spent much of the day working on a lecture for the next day on the European Semester.

Was also delighted to see earlier on Wednesday that the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan TD, approved a commemorative centre at the national monument at numbers 14 – 17 Moore Street, which was the final headquarters of the leaders of the 1916 Rising prior to their surrender. This will allow the events and sacrifices of 1916 to be suitably honoured during centenary commemorations in 2016.

On Thursday, I gave an address to the Institute for International and European Affairs (IIEA) on the European Semester process which Ireland is involved in for the first time this year, since we exited the bailout. There has been little media coverage of the process so far but its importance to Ireland and the rest of Europe is immense. The rest of the day was spent in the Dáil and back out in East Wall later that night with Patrick Martin, one of our local election candidates. Attended the launch of Phizzfest in St Peter’s Church in Phibsborough.

Friday, was spent getting ready for Europe Week which takes place next week from 6^th May. There is a range of events taking place to celebrate our membership of the EU, the anniversary of the largest ever expansion of the Union a decade ago and all that the we have built together. Got a canvass in with the good people of Cabra with one of our local election candidates, Jimmy Prendergast in the afternoon.

On Saturday I was on Radio 1 with Clair Byrne discussing Gerry Adams, water charges and homelessness, which you can listen back to here http://www.rte.ie/radio/utils/radioplayer/rteradioweb.html#!0.

Good to note this week that the Live Register recorded another drop this month; the 22^nd in a row and that the banking inquiry is now being set up.

Phizzfest is taking place this weekend in Phibsborough which guarantees to be great fun. A fantastic way to bring the community together through family days, concerts and events for the kids. If you can make it, come down and get involved.