Ardfheis shorts

A selection of topics discussed at the Ardfheis.

A selection of topics discussed at the Ardfheis.

Greens 'scaremongering'

The Green Party and Sinn Féin are insulting the memory of Irish peacekeepers by opposing existing EU security structures and claiming they threaten neutrality, according to the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith.

He said parties such as the Greens and Sinn Féin, which portray the EU Rapid Reaction Force as a move towards a military alliance and a diminution of neutrality, were spreading "utterly irresponsible nonsense". Ireland was under no obligation to take part in any EU missions and would not do so unless there was a UN mandate.

READ MORE

"One has to wonder at the agenda behind this scaremongering and blatant distortion," he said. "Although I firmly believe the Irish people will see through it in due course."

Internet access plan

The Minister for Communications, Mr Ahern, announced details of a new 25 million scheme to bring Internet broadband access to small rural communities within three years.

Mr Ahern, who signalled his intention before Christmas to bring in such a scheme, said yesterday that it would be open to all small rural communities of fewer than 1,500 people. The Government will provide up to 55 per cent capital funding - the maximum allowed under EU rules. The scheme is open to all local community organisations and all entities capable of providing a broadband service, the Minister said.

Celebrating the family

The Government is providing 1 million in grants for locally-based family and community groups to mark the International Year of the Family.

The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Coughlan, told the ardfheis that families and their support groups could apply for awards of up to 2,000 to celebrate the family in the area. The money would be available to "community groups, support groups, a street-full of families, a parish council or any other such groups to assist them in celebrating the family in their area".

FG 'a basket case'

Fine Gael was a "basket case", Labour the party of "middle-class guilt" and Sinn Féin the party of the dole queue, the Minister for Communications, Mr Ahern, claimed. Mr Ahern contrasted the "reforming campaigning movement" that was Fianna Fáil with "this splintered, incoherent opposition".