James Bannon (Fine Gael)
candidate Dáil election

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year born

1958

professional qualification

Farmer

occupation

Teachta Dála

residence (town, city, district)

Legan

constituency

Longford - Westmeath ,
1^st preference votes: 9.129, 15,9%, elected

Landeslistenplatz

(...) Fine Gael will double the proportion of Irish students sitting the Higher Level Leaving Certificate exam by 2018. We will overhaul the curriculum at second level and we will critically examine the effect of current training methods of teachers to teach. Irish as an optional subject for Leaving Certificate will only apply following consultations on both matters. We will allocate 50% of marks to oral Irish exams. (...)

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Issue education

11.02.2011

By:

A chara,

I live in your constituency. I am a young person, I am proud Irish speaker and I am a vote. I am, along with many others, very concerned about Fine Gael´s policy regarding Irish in the Leaving Certificate syllablus. Enda Kenny has released his plans to remove Irish as a compulsory subject from the Leaving Cert, a plan which he seems to think will solve the Irish language problem in the education system. But in all seriousness, when the policy is considered properly, it is a hugely arrogant concept that insults our language and its speakers. The problem lies not with the fact that Irish is a compulsory subject but in its teaching and curriculum. This policy makes absolutley no sense and if implemented, will do irreversable damage to our language.

If you are elected, will you support keeping Irish as a core Leaving Certificate subject?

answer sent by James Bannon

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recommendations

17.02.2011

A chara

Thank you for your question regarding Leaving Certificate Irish. I appreciate your interest. Fine Gael will double the proportion of Irish students sitting the Higher Level Leaving Certificate exam by 2018. We will overhaul the curriculum at second level and we will critically examine the effect of current training methods of teachers to teach. Irish as an optional subject for Leaving Certificate will only apply following consultations on both matters. We will allocate 50% of marks to oral Irish exams. A study on a double curriculum to Leaving Cert will be investigated, one on the current system and a second in communicating Irish. The questions of extra points for third level entry will be investigated. We will ensure teachers are equipped with the right tools to instil a love of the language for all students and the curriculum is designed to inspire students to continue speaking the language after leaving school. Fine Gael believe that reinventing the way we teach Irish will encourage more students to study the language and engage with it beyond the school system. We believe compulsion has not fostered growth or commitment to the language. Fine Gael supports the continued development of Gaelscoileanna and recognises the significant role the Gaelscoil movement has played in reviving the Irish language within and outside Gaeltacht areas. We will also work with Coláisí Samhraidh (Summer Colleges) to attract greater numbers to the Gaeltacht.

Regards
James Bannon

Issue environment

17.02.2011

By:

Dear James,

I have read today that Fine Gael intends to reverse the stag hunting ban. I am so disappointed to read this. How can your party justify this?

I thought that your party would protect the welfare of animals in the wild. I am at a loss why you would make a decision to reverse this ban at this time.

Will you please make representations to Enda Kenny NOT to repeal the ban introduced by the Fianna Fáil/Green Party coalition?

regards
Elaine

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Issue economy

20.02.2011

By:

Dear Mr Bannon

I wonder if you could expand on your pre-election plan to meet with the minister and request special tax breaks for the Longford area. You suggested that Dublin residents should be given tax incentives to move to unoccupied houses in Longford. The same tax breaks which have already destroyed our town and county by allowing greedy developers to build unnecessary housing, much of which was of poor quality. What I would like to know from you is:

1. Where are these people in Dublin and what banks would lend to them?

2. Why would they want to move to Longford, where our resources are very limited. Our swimming pool is open to children from 3-5pm on a Saturday for example. Same on Sunday.

3. What colour is the sun in your world? Because I don´t think you are living on the same planet as I.

Yours Sincerely

P M O´Brien

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recommendations

21.02.2011

Dear

Thank you for your e-mail re above. The emphasis on attracting people to Longford/Westmeath was focused on those retiring and relocating, either from Irish cities or abroad. Longford/Westmeath has a wealth of natural amenities for leisure pursuits. If we don´t believe in our economic growth based on what we have to offer, how can we expect others to do so. Longford/Westmeath have an excess of housing units due, as you so rightly say to tax breaks etc, and it is up to us to think of innovative ways to fill them.

Thanks again for your much appreciated interest.

Regards
James

Issue economy

22.02.2011

By:

Dear Mr Bannon

Nothing in your answer to my earlier question makes any sense!!

Do you really think that you can pull the wool over my eyes by cobbling together a few soundbytes? I will not fall for this empty propaganda.

Now, can you please answer the questions? I´m very worried now that my taxes have been paying your salary for the past number of years.

How in Gods name is our economic growth based on what we have to offer? We can offer a great people, but as regards amenities we are very limited. Our swimming pool in Longford closes at 5pm on a Saturday!! What use is that?

You suggested approaching the minister and asking for further tax breaks. This would kill off our region and indeed our country. As asked previously, what planet are you really on?

O´

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James Bannon (Fine Gael)candidate Dáil election

James Bannon (Fine Gael)
candidate Dáil election