Brian McDaid, better known as the photographer for the Donegal Democrat newspaper, is soon to take a 5,000km drive in aid of The Donegal Hospice. He’ll be leaving Letterkenny and driving to Monte Carlo in a red MIni. Brian is undertaken the trip in honour of his good friend, Eamonn Harvey, who passed away in Donegal Hospice in January 2004.

For more details on the trip, and to make a donation, visit the website at http://www.minitomontecarlo.com.

Thanks to Town Clerk, Paddy Doherty, and Joanne Sweeney in the Chamber of Commerce, I can now publish an outline of the road and traffic works which will be undertaken between now and the end of the year. This is particularly fitting now, as we see such gridlock in the town with the works to complete the new Ballyraine Roundabout finishing.

• Circular Road
  Construction of a right-hand turning lane into the entrance of the hospital car park. Work will take approximately four weeks (to 22nd November)
• Upper Main Street
  Construction of new pedestrian crossing outside post office. Work will begin early November and will finish mid-November.
• Oatfield Roundabout to Hospital Roundabout to above hospital car-park on Kilmacrennan Road
  Traffic disruption on this stretch from early November, lasting two and a half weeks.
• Tara Court to Golf Course Junction
  Kerbing, only minor disruption starting 25th October and lasting approximately three weeks.
• Tara Court to Golf Course Junction
  Resurfacing work causing traffic disruption until the end of November.
• Leck Road
  Road widening, traffic disruption ongoing until the end of November.
• Castleshanaghan
  Minor road works, ongoing until the end of November.
• Dual Carriageway
  Minor disruption to traffic during the month of November.

I had a good conversation with Mike Walshe, Director of Donegal Youth Services and his colleague Lorraine Boyle last week, regarding their latest development which will be opening soon in Letterkenny.

Working with Foroige, DYS are due to open a “Health Cafe” in Letterkenny early in 2006. The facility will be located in the new building which is being built on the site of the old Cinema, opposite The Grill Nightclub on the Port Road.

The Health Cafe will be a place for young people to hang out in a safe, enjoyable, alcohol-free environment in the Centre of the town. It will also act as an access point for the wide range of support and intervention services available to young people in the Town.

This development is long overdue, but all credit must go to those working on the project. During the local elections in 2004, I talked a lot about the provision of such a facility, and am delighted to see this project to fruition in the town.

The facility should be open around February of 2006.

The 2005 Fianna Fail Ard Fheis took place over the weekend in Killarney, Co Kerry. I attended, along with a number of other delegates from Donegal.

It takes a lot to be able to justify having travelled such a long distance (the drive took over 7 hours), but the Ard Fheis provides a unique opportunity for local Councillors and party members from around the Country to come together with members of the Parliamentary Party and, in particular, Ministers.

Before going to Killarney, I made sure to arm myself with a number of representations which I sought to make on local issues. I was able to meet with a number of senior Ministers, to discuss important local issues. These included:

• An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern: Regarding Cancer Care Services at Letterkenny General Hospital
• Willie O’Dea, Minister for Defence: Regarding Rockhill Army Barracks, just outside Letterkenny
• Mary Hanafin, Minister for Education and Science: Regarding the extension and renovation works to be undertaken at Saint Eunans College
• Brian Cowen, Minister for Finance: Regarding a special Cross-Border Tax Designation for areas of Donegal and Derry
• Dermot Ahern, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Regarding issues involving the North, Cross-Border Participation and Fianna Fail organising on a 32 County basis

The Ministers were aware of many of the issues which were raised, in particular the Cancer Care issue. The campaign for protection and extension of Cancer services was first brought directly to the Taoiseach by members of the Fianna Fail Women’s Forum from Donegal over two years ago. An official motion, moved by Cllr Ciaran Brogan and supported by the entire Ard Fheis, called on the Party to support the establishment of a Sattelite Cancer Care unit in the North West.

The Ard Fheis was important for Fianna Fail. The controversial “Equality Agenda”, which establishes quotas for the representation of Women in positions in Fianna Fail, was overwhlemingly supported. The issue of organisation in the North, which I have actively supported, was brought to the fore by the campaigning of members of Ogra Fianna Fail.

The Ard Fheis will also be remembered for the sudden death of former TD Liam Lawlor, and the abhorrent Press Coverage which followed.

Killarney served as an excellent venue for the event. The Gleneagles Hotel has excellent facilities, with the INEC capable of holding nearly 3,000 delegates at any one time. The area has a very good supply (and variety) of accommodation. The biggest problem is the distance, for those of us in Donegal. Hopefully in future we will be able to see the Ard Fheis brought closer to Donegal.

Another quick post to say Good Luck to everyone involved with Saint Eunan’s GAA Club, who take on Glenties on Sunday in the Donegal County Senior Football Final.

Highland Radio will have full coverage of the Final from about 3pm (local time) on Sunday. You can tune in from around the world on Highland’s website. I’ll be joining the crowds in MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey for what looks set to be an excellent game.