YOUNG FINE GAEL NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2012

Young Fine Gael National Conference will take place on the 17th to the 19th of February in the Bridge House Hotel Tullamore County Offaly. 

Deadlines for Submission of:

Motions: 5pm Wednesday, 25th January, 2012

Constitutional amendments: 5pm Wednesday, 25th January, 2012

Nominations to contest elections: 5pm Wednesday, 25th January, 2012

Read more: YOUNG FINE GAEL NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2012

Speech: “Ireland in Europe” Minister Lucinda Creighton

For our grandparent’s generation, Europe was a no-brainer. For the originators of the European concept, the rationale was clear. All of them had suffered greatly – and witnessed unimaginable suffering – during World War II. You have heard this before and probably don’t need me to remind you.

But it is extraordinary. People who had seen the worst in human terms were prepared to believe the best of their fellow men. The nationalism which had caused two world wars within thirty five years would have to be suppressed for the greater good. Sovereignty would be pooled, and in being shared, it would be increased.

But since then there is no doubt that the concept of the European project has lost much of its public appeal, for which we can place some blame on the generation which ran the Union – our parents. The European Union has sadly lost some of its ability to engage on a political level with so many of its citizens. To some, it seems to be a series of closed doors; committee rooms full of indistinguishable suits and it appears to have lost the ability to protect its citizens.

Read more: Speech: “Ireland in Europe” Minister Lucinda Creighton

Priorities for Young Ireland

Today (Monday, 15 December), Young Fine Gael (YFG) launched a policy document entitled Priorities for Young Ireland. In this document, YFG detail their priorities for young people in the Budget and government policy in general.

YFG President, Eric Keane, stated: "Young people are amongst the hardest hit by the recession and the most recent figures show that 18% of those on the live register are under the age of 25.

"In his State of the Nation address, an Taoiseach stated that Government's policy was aimed towards creating: 'a country where our young people can stay at home to build their future here, rather than moving away'.

Read more: Priorities for Young Ireland

Young Fine Gael Welcomes Minister Fitzgerald’s commitment to Youth Cafes

Eric Keane, President of Young Fine Gael has warmly welcomed Minister Frances Fitzgerald's announcement of increased capital funding and special one-off funding for 18 projects this year who applied for grants. In recent days, the Minister announced increased capital funding for youth projects (from €0.8m in 2011 to €1.5m in each of 2012 & 2013) and a special once-off provision of €200,000 for 18 youth projects across the country.

"Youth cafes provide an excellent venue for young people to meet without drugs or alcohol, and in many cases are run solely by or with the help of young people. They are a key facility for young people and I am very pleased to see the Minister go to such lengths to support and nurture them in our society. Youth cafes prove effective in helping to engage young people in their community, in their own peer group and in the youth café project – all of which are vital for inclusiveness, avoiding substance and alcohol abuse and community involvement," YFG President, Eric Keane, said.

Read more: Young Fine Gael Welcomes Minister Fitzgerald’s commitment to Youth Cafes