This article is from page 42 of the 2009-02-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 42 JPG
THE chairman of East Clare Young Fine Gael has called for texts or emails to be sent to people when they turn 18 to congratulate them and re- mind them they can vote.
After a discussion last week about getting young people to exercise their franchise, Cillian Griffey said, “Getting more young people on the voting register was discussed and the tedious process that has to be gone through to get on the register. It was suggested that it should be linked in with the PPS system. We saw in America how they expressed so much pride in their voting rights there were long queues of people waiting to elect their leader. The voting system here should be made simpler and a more important emphasis should be given to voting. This might start to instil confidence and pride back into electing public representatives. Also, a text message or e-mail should be sent to a person when they turn 18 as a congratulatory token explaining that they can now vote.”
The east Clare branch also has elected a new Officer Board.
Elected were: Chairperson, Cillian Griffey; Vice chairperson, John Mc- Namara; Honorary Secretary, Re- becca Gregan; Joint Honorary Treas- urers, Johnny Pilkington and Sean Brody; Membership Officer, Ciaran Murphy; Organiser, Donal Carey and PRO Caimin Griffey.
“The average age of this committee is 20 years. The meeting was well at- tended and matters arising included the 23rd Young Fine Gael National Conference. This will take place on Friday, February 20 to Sunday, Feb- ruary 22 at the Sheraton Hotel, Ath- lone, County Westmeath,” a spokes- man for the group said.
“The conference is where Young Fine Gael’s policy platform for the coming 12 months is decided. It gives the membership a chance to interact with Fine Gael’s TDs and senators and it allows the party lead- er, Enda Kenny TD, an opportunity to meet with the Young Fine Gael membership,” the spokesman for the party said.
The highlight of the weekend is the gala banquet dinner to be held at 8pm on Saturday, February 21.
The party leader, Enda Kenny TD, will host the banquet and it’s planned for a number of Clare representatives to attend the conference.
Also discussed at the AGM last week were the local and European A Ceol aoe pe me NN lon
It will be interesting this year as Ennis, for the first time, will be split into two. The east Clare area of Kil- laloe will have its number of seats in- crease from four to six seats on Clare County Council.