Newsletter June 2022

This report should mark a new chapter for Fine Gael’s relationship with young people. One where we ensure their voices are heard. One where their views are respected. One where they are empowered to bring about change.

Youth movements have always shaped and informed politics. In Ireland, young people have been drivers of key social changes such as marriage equality, or climate action. Young Fine Gael (YFG) must be at the heart of this and so too must Fine Gael.

That does mean we will have to do things differently.

This Report contains 44 recommendations, of which 23 will be completed or established within six months.

The Commission makes some recommendations regarding YFG, with a particular focus on gender balance. It recommends a dedicated training programme be put in place to encourage female members and members from diverse backgrounds to seek internal offices and leadership positions. There is a specific responsibility to create a safe environment for young people who wish to get involved in politics, as well as formally promoting inclusive and respectful communications.

But the report is about much more than YFG. It is about how we as a political organisation support young people and, therefore, how we grow the future of our party. It’s about running campaigns on the issues that matter to young people.

It is about our party regularly engaging with youth organisations. It’s about ensuring we have structures in place for young people who want to play a role, but perhaps outside the normal branch structure. It’s about identifying the candidates and party officers of the future. It’s a report full of opportunity to future proof our party, our policies and our position.

Fine Gael must, and will, ensure our policy offerings are in the long-term best interests of young people, and reflect their priorities. We must also communicate that as effectively as possible.

That is why in my own Department we are working to reduce the cost of third level education and making the case for reform of the Leaving Cert.

It is why our party pushed for reductions in the cost of public transport and why we are working to eliminate sexual violence and harassment in this country.

I would encourage you to read the report and help us implement it and I expect you to see these recommendations come to life through our party in the coming weeks and months.

See the full report by clicking the button below

For example, it references a letter from a Postmaster to the GPO asking how the provision of services – in this case, the issuing of Dog Licenses - would be remunerated. I suspect payment for delivering certain services remains a live issue to this day!

But it also noted that the Union wished to create “an atmosphere of assurance and confidence” between itself and the Government of the day to allow the attainment of one shared goal – “the perfection of an Irish Postal Service”.

I have always been aware of the importance of the post office network and the role post offices play in the social fabric of this country, particularly during my time as chair of the Oireachtas Communications Committee. When I was fortunate enough to be appointed Minister with Responsibility for Postal Services, I was acutely aware of the challenges facing the network. I knew that the Postmasters who so expertly run our 900-strong post office network had been looking for certainty and an indication from Government that the important work that they do, that the essential services they provide, are recognised and valued.

It is also clear that post offices are a vital part of our community; a fact visibly evident in the monthly footfall of over one million visitors to post offices. They play a central role in both society as a whole and within Government through the provision of high-quality public services in towns, villages and cities right across the country.

On this basis, last week I announced what was a first-time move in the history of Government, where we are now providing direct financial support to Postmasters who operate much of our network.

I am confident that this €30 million scheme, amounting to €10 million each year for three years, will protect our post office network and will ensure that families and businesses nationwide can continue to access services from within their own communities.

rotating_lightThis is the first time that Government has provided direct financial support to our postmasters! This new scheme of €10 million every year for the next 3 years will protect our 900 strong post office network and help them grow into the future musclelove_letter @IrishPostmaster @Postvox https://t.co/K4T8JmieFm

— Hildegarde Naughton (@1Hildegarde) June 1, 2022

This isn’t just another Government support in challenging times; rather this is Fine Gael in Government ensuring that our post offices are protected and can continue to grow to meet the needs of rural and urban Ireland for another 100 years to come.