Smith Questions Quinn Cover-Up on DEIS Info

Even basic material on how decision made is being withheld

The Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn has refused to release any information on the decision to withdraw DEIS posts following an FOI request from Fianna Fáil.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Education Brendan Smith has questioned the decision.  He commented, "It is unacceptable that the Department of Education will not release even basic briefing material provided to the Minister in relation to his decision to withdraw 428 DEIS posts.  On Thursday, schools and families from all over the country will converge on Dáil Éireann to demand that the Minister reverse the cuts.  They have a right to see the information relied on by the Minister in making the decision in the first place.

"What makes the decision to hide this information even more frustrating is the fact that Ruairi Quinn is the man who consistently called for the remit of the Freedom of Information to be extended! Now that he is in Government, he withholds even basic material, going further than Cabinet colleagues who have released information used in the budgetary process.

"Families coming to the Dáil will be entitled to ask what the Minister is hiding.  Is the Department trying to cover up for the Minister and his admitted 'mistake'? Did the Minister receive any advice at all before taking this decision?  This decision was wrong.  We need transparency on how the decision was made.  I am calling on the Minister to make this information available ahead of the public demonstration on Thursday."

Even basic material on how decision made is being withheld

The Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn has refused to release any information on the decision to withdraw DEIS posts following an FOI request from Fianna Fáil.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Education Brendan Smith has questioned the decision.  He commented, "It is unacceptable that the Department of Education will not release even basic briefing material provided to the Minister in relation to his decision to withdraw 428 DEIS posts.  On Thursday, schools and families from all over the country will converge on Dáil Éireann to demand that the Minister reverse the cuts.  They have a right to see the information relied on by the Minister in making the decision in the first place.

"What makes the decision to hide this information even more frustrating is the fact that Ruairi Quinn is the man who consistently called for the remit of the Freedom of Information to be extended! Now that he is in Government, he withholds even basic material, going further than Cabinet colleagues who have released information used in the budgetary process.

"Families coming to the Dáil will be entitled to ask what the Minister is hiding.  Is the Department trying to cover up for the Minister and his admitted 'mistake'? Did the Minister receive any advice at all before taking this decision?  This decision was wrong.  We need transparency on how the decision was made.  I am calling on the Minister to make this information available ahead of the public demonstration on Thursday."

Tydavnet Gamer success on World stage– Forbes is an American publishing and media company well known for its lists e.g. Richest Americans, and it’s lists of billionaires. Terry Cavanagh, Tullyvogey, Tydavnet has just been listed in the most recent volume as number 5 of “30 under 30”to watch out for in the entertainment industry. Forbes states “These are the people who aren’t waiting to reinvent the world. Forbes presents the 30 people in 12 fields making a difference right now. Today’s disrupters and tomorrow’s brightest stars. Who is reinventing the world? Who should you be working for in 20 years? Who, in short, matters?” The magazine lists Terry as an Irish games developer who “designs smart experimental games like VVVVVV and At a Distance.” Also included with Terry in this elite group are Caroline Wozniacki, tennis player; Will Smith’s son Jaden for his box office mojo with the Karate Kid and Ronan Farrow, a precocious humanitarian activist, the only biological child of Woody Allen and Mia Farrow. Terry scooped a major international award at the IndieCade finals in LA in 2010 and exhibited at the same finals in 2011, after being shortlisted from 446 submissions. His game was also one of 10 nominees for Editor’s Choice Game of the Show at the recent Eurogamer show in London, an excellent achievement from all games playable over 4 days at the event. Terry’s game “At a distance” is one of 8 shortlisted Neuvo Award finalists at the IGF games in San Francisco from 5th to 9th March 2012, the longest-running and largest festival relating to independent games worldwide. The selection process involved all the IGF entries being distributed to more than 150 notable industry judges for evaluation, and their highest recommendations passed on to a set of discipline-specific juries for each award, who debate and vote on their favourites, before Terry was announced as one of the finalists last week, out of nearly 570 game entries. He also received “honorable mention” for another entry “Four Letter Word”, so called because the game’s title is a four letter word from an alien language and is as such unpronounceable. Best wishes Terry, fine achievements!!

Forbes is an American publishing and media company well known for its lists e.g. Richest Americans, and it’s lists of billionaires. Terry Cavanagh, Tullyvogey, Tydavnet has just been listed in the most recent volume as number 5 of “30 under 30”to watch out for in the entertainment industry. Forbes states “These are the people who aren’t waiting to reinvent the world. Forbes presents the 30 people in 12 fields making a difference right now. Today’s disrupters and tomorrow’s brightest stars. Who is reinventing the world? Who should you be working for in 20 years? Who, in short, matters?” The magazine lists Terry as an Irish games developer who “designs smart experimental games like VVVVVV and At a Distance.” Also included with Terry in this elite group are Caroline Wozniacki, tennis player; Will Smith’s son Jaden for his box office mojo with the Karate Kid and Ronan Farrow, a precocious humanitarian activist, the only biological child of Woody Allen and Mia Farrow. Terry scooped a major international award at the IndieCade finals in LA in 2010 and exhibited at the same finals in 2011, after being shortlisted from 446 submissions. His game was also one of 10 nominees for Editor’s Choice Game of the Show at the recent Eurogamer show in London, an excellent achievement from all games playable over 4 days at the event. Terry’s game “At a distance” is one of 8 shortlisted Neuvo Award finalists at the IGF games in San Francisco from 5th to 9th March 2012, the longest-running and largest festival relating to independent games worldwide. The selection process involved all the IGF entries being distributed to more than 150 notable industry judges for evaluation, and their highest recommendations passed on to a set of discipline-specific juries for each award, who debate and vote on their favourites, before Terry was announced as one of the finalists last week, out of nearly 570 game entries. He also received “honorable mention” for another entry “Four Letter Word”, so called because the game’s title is a four letter word from an alien language and is as such unpronounceable. Best wishes Terry, fine achievements!!

Blackwater learning successes – Well done to the 19 students from Blackwater Learning Centre who will graduate with a BA Degree in Business, Enterprise and Community Development in Athlone Institute of Technology in March 2012. This is a wonderful outcome for Maciej Sobolski, Eliz O’Hagan, Ciaran Deeney, Maria McCluskey, Ann McKenna, Pauline McAnespie, Josephine McKenna, Geraldine Maguire, Catherine McCague, Ellen Conwell, Ian O’Neill, Elaine Gunn – O’Connor, Louise Duffy, Mari Nolan, Malinda Lambe, Mary Mullen, Mary Sherry, Alice Daly and Nuala McKenna. This degree follows the Higher Certificate in Workplace and Community Practice delivered in the local Blackwater learning centre, and this is a wonderful outcome for their perseverance, the foresight of Fr Sean Nolan, and Equal Ireland in Galway who coordinated the courses.  Well done everyone, great results and a fine achievement.

Monaghan Comhaltas has great programme of events - A great night is promised at the County Monaghan Scór which will take place in Ardaghey Community Centre on Saturday 25th February 2012 at 7 pm. A full programme and a great night’s entertainment is assured. Tydavnet Feis will take place in Urbleshanny N.S. Scotstown on Sunday March 11th, starting at 10 am. Text entries to: Póilín Ní Ruanaidh - 047 89161 / 087 9655031 by March 7th. Monaghan town Comhaltas branch are having a Feis on Sunday 25th March in Gaelscoil Ultain, registration at 9.30 am that morning. Any queries can be made to Mary at 087-6154579. Carrickmacross CCE will host Féile Patrick Byrne workshops from Thursday 29th March to Sunday 1st April. . Check out http://comhaltas.ie/events/detail/feile_patrick_byrne_2012/ As a mark of respect to the late Pat Beagon who firmly established the  Corcaghan CCE  branch, their tutorial weekend has been postponed until further notice. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

Well done to the 19 students from Blackwater Learning Centre who will graduate with a BA Degree in Business, Enterprise and Community Development in Athlone Institute of Technology in March 2012. This is a wonderful outcome for Maciej Sobolski, Eliz O’Hagan, Ciaran Deeney, Maria McCluskey, Ann McKenna, Pauline McAnespie, Josephine McKenna, Geraldine Maguire, Catherine McCague, Ellen Conwell, Ian O’Neill, Elaine Gunn – O’Connor, Louise Duffy, Mari Nolan, Malinda Lambe, Mary Mullen, Mary Sherry, Alice Daly and Nuala McKenna. This degree follows the Higher Certificate in Workplace and Community Practice delivered in the local Blackwater learning centre, and this is a wonderful outcome for their perseverance, the foresight of Fr Sean Nolan, and Equal Ireland in Galway who coordinated the courses.  Well done everyone, great results and a fine achievement.

Monaghan Comhaltas has great programme of events - A great night is promised at the County Monaghan Scór which will take place in Ardaghey Community Centre on Saturday 25th February 2012 at 7 pm. A full programme and a great night’s entertainment is assured. Tydavnet Feis will take place in Urbleshanny N.S. Scotstown on Sunday March 11th, starting at 10 am. Text entries to: Póilín Ní Ruanaidh - 047 89161 / 087 9655031 by March 7th. Monaghan town Comhaltas branch are having a Feis on Sunday 25th March in Gaelscoil Ultain, registration at 9.30 am that morning. Any queries can be made to Mary at 087-6154579. Carrickmacross CCE will host Féile Patrick Byrne workshops from Thursday 29th March to Sunday 1st April. . Check out http://comhaltas.ie/events/detail/feile_patrick_byrne_2012/ As a mark of respect to the late Pat Beagon who firmly established the  Corcaghan CCE  branch, their tutorial weekend has been postponed until further notice. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

Ireland and Leinster rugby star  Gordon D'arcy will marry model Aoife Cogan in what will be the sporting wedding of the year this July at Castle Leslie, Glaslough.

Castle Leslie boasts a magnificent 1,000 acre County Monaghan estate, beside the picturesque cut-stone village of Glaslough, which has converted its Hunting Lodge into a luxury hotel with an organic spa and an equestrian centre.

The Castle is the jewel in the crown of one of the few remaining Irish castles still home to the original family, home to the Leslies for over 300 years. It is an enchanted place steeped in history yet gently refurbished to offer modern comforts and luxury. The castle is an oasis of calm with no television or telephones. It's a vast Victorian home filled with beautiful furniture, antiques and heirlooms.

Aoife (27) has revealed that she has found the perfect wedding dress but the Leinster Irish rugby star won't be getting a peek until the day. 'I have got my dress and I love it. I can't even say if it's an Irish designer or not. I don't want to say anything just yet,' she said.

But good news for Irish and Leinster fans, Gordon will be concentrating on an important few months for Irish rugby, the remaining games in the Six Nations Championship, and Leinster's bid to retain the Heineken Cup, before undertaking a tour with the Irish squad to New Zealand.

Born in Ferns, Gordon had his first taste of rugby at under-age level with Wexford Wanderers under the guidance of now retired well-known Wexford solicitor, James O'connor, before moving on to Lansdowne, where his vast talents quickly brought him onto the international scene, winning his 63rd international cap against France last Saturday.

Ireland and Leinster rugby star  Gordon D'arcy will marry model Aoife Cogan in what will be the sporting wedding of the year this July at Castle Leslie, Glaslough.

Castle Leslie boasts a magnificent 1,000 acre County Monaghan estate, beside the picturesque cut-stone village of Glaslough, which has converted its Hunting Lodge into a luxury hotel with an organic spa and an equestrian centre.

The Castle is the jewel in the crown of one of the few remaining Irish castles still home to the original family, home to the Leslies for over 300 years. It is an enchanted place steeped in history yet gently refurbished to offer modern comforts and luxury. The castle is an oasis of calm with no television or telephones. It's a vast Victorian home filled with beautiful furniture, antiques and heirlooms.

Aoife (27) has revealed that she has found the perfect wedding dress but the Leinster Irish rugby star won't be getting a peek until the day. 'I have got my dress and I love it. I can't even say if it's an Irish designer or not. I don't want to say anything just yet,' she said.

But good news for Irish and Leinster fans, Gordon will be concentrating on an important few months for Irish rugby, the remaining games in the Six Nations Championship, and Leinster's bid to retain the Heineken Cup, before undertaking a tour with the Irish squad to New Zealand.

Born in Ferns, Gordon had his first taste of rugby at under-age level with Wexford Wanderers under the guidance of now retired well-known Wexford solicitor, James O'connor, before moving on to Lansdowne, where his vast talents quickly brought him onto the international scene, winning his 63rd international cap against France last Saturday.