A look at what's been going on in Young Fine Gael

1. National Conference
January 2011
National Executive Profiles
Are You Ready To Win? GE2011
Young General Election Candidates
KEANE’S CORNER
For most people, every
BUDGET OFFERS NO CREDIBLEJOB
new year is the same.
We make the same OR STIMULUS PACKAGE
resolutions and it this FINE GAEL ONLY PARTY WITH JOB CREATION PLAN
stage they're probably
already broken Once again Fianna Fáil has shown that it is incapable of
offering young unemployed an alternative to the dole
I hope this year, that will change for you and queue or emigration. Their plans for 15,000 'activation
me as members of Young Fine Gael. We places', to be commended only for being a carbon copy
need only one resolution and one resolve - of Fine Gael's much larger plan, is but a mere drop in
that 2011 will see Fine Gael in Government
and that Enda Kenny will be Taoiseach.
the ocean of what is needed.
Fianna Fáil is happy to let our young people emigrate to solve their problems. This
2011 will be the year, where for the first time in year more people will emigrate than the population of Limerick City. The 65,000
the history of the state, Fine Gael will be the people leaving the country would fill 'Vicar Street' for 65 nights.
largest party in Dáil Éireann. But before this
happens, we have a lot to fight for. We have Despite the fact that 43% of those people leaving are under 25 there is no stimulus
to convince the people that Fine Gael is the plan in this budget to keep them in the country. The measly 'activation' measures
only party with the positive plans and policies give no hope to them. In particular there is no mention of apprentices in the budget.
that can get this country back to work.
Even if a young person has a job, today the Government decided to cut the mini-
We are the only party that have detailed plans mum wage by 12%. This is greater than any pay cut applied to anybody else.
to stop the tide of emigration and cure the
plague of unemployment through “NewEra” Fine Gael is the only Party with a plan to keep young people in a job. Through
and “Hope for a Lost Generation”. 'Hope for a Lost Generation', Fine Gael will get 30,000 young people off the dole in
a single year. 'NewEra' will create 100,000 jobs.
We are the only party that has a plan to fix our
What Ireland needs is a new Fine Gael Government that has the policies, like
health service with “Fair Care” and to modern-
ise the public service with “Reinventing Gov- 'Hope for a Lost Generation' and 'NewEra', that will create jobs for young and old
ernment”. people alike. That is the only way out of the economic mess we are in.
Both you and I know this, but our single duty
from now until the election is to spread the NEW YFG NATIONAL EXECUTIVE ELECTED
word of Fine Gael across the Country. If you
Pictured with President of
make one resolution this year, I ask you to
YFG, Eric Keane following
resolve yourself to the service of Fine Gael
and the future our great country and to get out the first National Executive
there and ask people to “Vote Fine Gael” meeting; Colum Roche,
Colm Taylor, Brid Murphy,
In the meantime, Happy Canvassing! Conor Crean, Carol Madi-
gan, William Quill, Patrick
Eric Keane Molloy, Cillian Griffey &
President of YFG Graham Dullaghan.
Young Fine Gael Informer; edited by Graham Dullaghan, Director of Communications

2. National Conference 2010
Charleville, Co. Cork
The Young Fine Gael National Conference took
place in Charleville, Co. Cork during the weekend
of the 12th of November. The theme of the Con-
ference was „‟A Generation For Change‟‟ and fo-
cused mainly on the area of economics with a full
session on Economic Motions on the Friday night.
The Great Debate saw Stephen Behan and Peter Cosgrove
take the title and were awarded the Hugh Coveney Memorial
Shield.
On the Saturday evening, Enda Kenny TD hosted the Ban-
quet Dinner and presented the Awards including Member of the Year to
Orlene Ferrick of Monaghan YFG.
Best Speaker at Conference was awarded to Alex Layden and he was
presented with the Liam
Naughten Memorial Cup.
The Conference passed a
number of motions, including a
motion to scrap the Croke Park
Agreement (see page 4).
The Conference culminated in
the announcement of the new
National Executive which took
to the stage for the close of the MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Conference. (see page 3 for Joan FitzGerald Memorial Shield
profiles of the new National ORLENE FERRICK
Executive members). Monaghan YFG
HUGH COVENEY
MEMORIAL SHIELD
Stephen Behan and Peter Cosgrave
being presented with the Hugh
Coveney Memorial Shield by Barry
Walsh, outgoing
President of
YFG. Stephen and Peter were victorious in
the Great Debate on the Friday night of
Conference. The Award is in Memory of
Hugh Coveney TD.

3. OUR COUNTRY OUR FUTURE
Fine Gael are inviting You to Join The Conversation
“One of the great failings of politicians is they talk too much and do not listen
enough. What I am going to do now is to stand down the Fine Gael website for
a number of weeks and I am going to replace it with a facility that will allow peo-
ple to send in their complaints, ideas and proposals about what we should do.”
Enda Kenny TD
Join The Conversation
www.finegael.org
Are You Ready To Win? Preparing, Working, Winning
Written by; Eric Keane Written by; Brid Murphy
In a few short weeks we shall enter the most important General Election, Young Fine Gael branches across the country are preparing for General Election
not just in our lifetime, but since the foundation of the State. The decision2011, out canvassing with their local candidates, spreading the word amongst their
taken by the people of Ireland at this General Election will affect the fu- friends. Young Fine Gael are integral to winning this election, we are not taking
ture of this country for generations to come. Government for granted, it is
All our energy and work from now until Election Day must go towards something which must be
getting Fine Gael candidates elected to Dáil Eireann. At this stage most fought for.
of our General Election conventions have been held and nearly all our Training is being held across
candidates have been selected. All Young Fine Gael branches and mem- the country to ensure that all
bers must now get ready for the election. Please arrange for your our canvassers are fully briefed
branches to meet and discuss a General Election and be ready for it on Fine Gael's plans for getting
when it comes.
Ireland back on track.
Fine Gael is the only party with the policies, the plans and the people that
are ready to transform the way this country works and get people back to This election is like no other, 150,000 young people have emigrated from Ireland,
work. It is our job, as members of Young Fine Gael, to inform people that they are people we went to college or school with, neighbours, friends, family. Fine
Fine Gael is the only party with a credible jobs strategy through "New Gael offers these emigrants hope, hope that Ireland will get back on track. We must
Era" which will create 100,000 new jobs and with "Hope for a Lost Gen- ensure that we outline, for our futures, why people must vote Fine Gael at the next
eration" that will keep a further 30,000 in employment. Fine Gael is the election, why it is essential that Fine Gael goes into Government and gets its plans
only party ready to transform the public service with our "Reinventing for Ireland to work.
Government" policy and the only party with a plan to transform our health NewEra, Hope for a lost Generation, Reinventing Government, FairCare, these are
system with "Fair Care". No party in the history of the state has been so what will fix our country, what will provide hope. If you wish to get in contact to or-
ready to serve the people and to get this country working again. ganise training for your branch, contact your regional organiser and we will provide
Only with your help can Fine Gael win through on Election Day. I ask you you with the tools. This election is about our futures, it is about ensuring that we
to get involved in any way that you can and be part of the most important have a future in Ireland, Fine Gael is the only party which can ensure that this hap-
and exciting election campaign this country has seen for generations. pens.
Young FG calls for Croke Park Agreement to be scrapped
Young Fine Gael President, Eric Keane, has called on the Government to rescind the Croke Park Agreement.
Mr Keane said “Under section 28 of the agreement the Government has the right to scrap the deal if the country‟s fiscal position de-
teriorates. “This condition has clearly been met. The Government has brought our country to financial ruin and we are on the brink of
one of the largest bailouts in modern history. The Government wants to cut the minimum wage and tax the poorest in our society yet
they intend on implementing this agreement. The arrival of the IMF and EU must call an end to the agreement.
“Our country simply cannot afford the terms of the agreement. Moving civil servants from one department to another, which is what
the agreement envisages, will not solve either our country‟s problems or how the public service is paid for and what it delivers.
“The simple fact is that higher public servants are paid too much and there is no way of rectifying this problem under the Croke Park
Agreement."

4. PROFILES
PRESIDENT
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE 2010/2011
ERIC KEANE—President
I am a 23 year old accountant. I am a graduate of Law and Accounting in the University of Limerick where I first got involved in YFG. While originally from Clare, I
am currently living in Dublin.
Firstly, I would like to thank everybody that came to canvass in the Donegal South West Bye-Election. Scarcely five days after our National Conference eighty mem-
bers made to trip to campaign for Cllr. Bary O'Neill. Thanks are also due to the many people who came to Donegal earlier in the year when so much groud work was
done. Barry performed very well, coming in second.
VICE PRESIDENT
BRID MURPHY—Vice President
From the outset of running for Vice President I was acutely aware that an election was only a matter of months away - no one could have predicted how close it
would be though.
The term hit the ground running has never been more apt then for this Executive's lifetime to date. We are in unprecedented times, we are on election footing. I
would urge every one of you to talk to your friends outside of Young Fine Gael and let them be in no doubt, the party to get them back to work is Fine Gael, the party
to look after their future is Fine Gael, the party to look after them should they have to attend hospital is Fine Gael, the country to provide their children with the best
education system is Fine Gael.
NATIONAL PANEL
GRAHAM DULLAGHAN CAROL MADIGAN WILLIAM QUILL COLM TAYLOR
Director of Communications/ National Secretary/ Director of Policy Policy Officer
Third Executive Council Seat Branch Development Officer
Hi! I‟m 24, from Bray. I stud- Hi my name is
So, you‟re reading the Informer, Hello all, hope you have all ied in Trinity doing History Colm Taylor and
well done ;) As Director of recovered from the confer- and a Masters in Politics. I am from the
Communications this is one of ence! Just like to take this great county of
As Director of Policy, I‟m
my gigs together with promot- opportunity to thank members Tipperary where my family
currently working with Eric and Colm on our
ing this organisation through social media. Over for their support. So now the hard work begins. I have a farm in the parish
YFG election manifesto and welcome any
the term of the Exec I hope to implement the am honoured to be the new national secretary Knockavilla which is just out-
input from members on why young people
ideas I outlined over the last few months. and branch developement officer. side the town of Cashel.
should vote Fine Gael. I plan to provide
Obviously our priority in the short-term is a Fine As secretary I‟ll be dealing with correspondence you with information on our main policy
Eric thought I would be good
Gael Government and I will be doing all I can to that the exec receives and replying to you all as areas to ensure you are fully informed!
as Policy Officer, so, I am
promote Fine Gael and communicate the Young soon as possible. As branch development offi-
Following the election YFG will be in a sitting here writing up docu-
Fine Gael message to the best of my ability cer I hope to assist branches in relation to press
position to promote our policies to a Party ments that could affect all our
through the channels available to me. releases and canvassing training.
of Government. I intend to bring policy lives! So if you or anyone you
Communications works both ways so I encourage I hope to work to ensure YFG play their part in discussion to branch level to give you the know have an idea just drop
you to forward on info and pictures to me as electing an FG Government! I‟ll also be advising chance to prepare position papers which me a line and I will get onto it
events occur so get in contact with me, email me, any branches who ask for help and working we can debate and develop to then allow straight away! I don't bite! I
ring/text, add me on facebook—I‟m looking for- closely with the regional organisers. Talk to you us bring these to ministerial level within look forward to hearing from
ward to hearing from you all!! all soon! Fine Gael. you!
REGIONAL ORGANISERS
PATRICK MOLLOY CILLIAN GRIFFEY CONOR CREAN COLUM ROCHE
Dublin Organiser North/West Organiser South Organiser East Organiser
I have a B.A. in Politics and History It's a great honor to have been I‟m a 22 year old I first joined YFG
and an M.Econ.Sc. in European elected to represent all Young student of econom- after the ‟07 GE in
Economic and Public Affairs from Fine Gael members in the ics and politics in Kilkenny. I am
UCD. I was selected as an IBEC North West Region. Studying UCC. From Mallow also a member of
CBI North/South Postgraduate Scholar for 2010/11 Economics & Sociology in UL. in the heart of the John Smith
doing Business Economics in Queens University. I Munster, my interests include read- Branch in UCD where I study Eco-
There is a challenging time ahead however we
am a member of the Alfie Byrne and John Smyth ing, grumbling & socialising. I am a nomics!
all saw how well Young Fine Gael can come
(UCD) branches of YFG. I look forward to working member of Cork East branch and
together in a common purpose during the My main aim for this term is to facili-
towards the development of the organisation in Alfred O'Rahilly (UCC) branches. I
Donegal South-West Bye-Election. Sadly Barry tate the growth and development of
Dublin and working with branches towards provid- am the new Munster Regional Or-
fell short however we can be proud of beating branches in Leinster. The big issue
ing greater levels of activity for the members. ganiser and as such I'm looking
Fianna Fail into third place. with the region is that there are not
forward to working with members
I look forward to helping to start new branches and Obviously the priority is the general election enough active branches. There are
from this area
assisting in the development of some of the newer however in the longer term, I want to make people in each county who want a
and smaller ones. I also hope to be able to organ- There is a lot of work to be done branch of YFG, but it is a matter of
inactive branches active again and launch new
ise events that will allow younger members to including the elections we are going finding them and getting them in-
branches where there is demand. Activity
become more active within YFG. I‟m also looking to face so I hope to count on your volved. Once we have a branch in
between branches must be increased and we
forward to the next General Election and towards support as we work together. I have every county, we can then focus on
must promote political youth involvement. I am
the great opportunities we will have to convince the lots of ideas for the region as many inter-branch activities and make
of course open to ideas on how to develop YFG
people of Ireland why Fine Gael offers the neces- of you will know but never hesitate to Leinster the active region it once
in the North West so feel free to contact me
sary change for Ireland. contact me if you have a suggestion was.
and I look forward to working with you all.

5. Have your branch activities and meetings included in the Informer.
Goings On…. for inclusion in the next edition email submissions to;
dullaghangraham@gmail.com
University College Cork YFG New Chair
Written by; Robert O‟Sullivan KILKENNY YFG
Paidi Manning was elected
The branch will hold our annual mystery tour on Chairman of Kilkenny YFG
January 13th where a fun night is guaranteed. A at their EGM on Wednes-
fresh recruitment drive will take place on January day 29th of December in
19th as part of the college's second societies day, the Ormande Hotel in Kil-
which will be followed that evening by lively debate kenny City.
on Fine Gael's plans for government and a social. He replaces Colum Roche who was
From January 25th -27th, 10 members of UCC recently elected East Organiser. They
got straight to work recently with a can-
YFG will travel to Brussels with Sean Kelly MEP for a tour of the European institutions, vass organised for Senator JP Phelan.
Brussels and the medieval city of Bruges. Election preparation will also begin in earnest in A massive turnout ensured a huge area
the New Year with canvassing workshops planned as well many initiatives to promote the was covered and the campaign to elect
Fine Gael message on campus in the coming months.
A massive turnout last Monday saw the launch of YFG‟s newest
MALLOW YFG
branch, Mallow YFG.
Chair: James Fitzgerald
Vice Chair: Clare Neville
Secretary: Kathryn Coakley
Treasurer 1: Paul Walsh
Treasurer 2: Eoin Stanton
PRO: Sean Nyhan
Organiser: Frances Nash
Policy Officer: Danielle O‟Riordan
OCM: Sean O‟Reagan
CANVASSING-DUBLIN AREA A note from Barry O’Neill
I wish to thank you for your great support, work and superb
Dublin Central 13/01/2011 @ 18:30 effort in the recent Donegal South West Bye-Election Cam-
Pascal Donohue’s Office paign. It was an unusual election, as regards the time of
year, the national media focus, the national issues and par-
Dublin West 15/01/2011 @ ticularly in the final few days when circumstances changed
nationally with a General Election being called by the Green
contact p.molloyfg@gmail.com for details Party.
The Campaign could not be faulted and I believe that our
final result of being placed second overall was a good result
BRANCH RELAUNCH for Fine Gael when every-
thing is taken into consid-
Laois Branch January 28th eration. I believe that the
Fine Gael organisation in
Contact: Colum Roche-yfgroche@gmail.com Donegal South West is
stronger today following this
BRANCH LAUNCH campaign and I take this
opportunity to thank you,
the members of Young
Sligo YFG February 5th Fine Gael for your loyalty, Barry O‟Neill pictured with Enda Kenny
TD during the Bye-Election Campaign
Contact: Cillian Griffey-cilliangriffey@gmail.com hard work and support. in Donegal South-West.
Information submitted by branches to dullaghangraham@gmail.com—Edited by Graham Dullaghan

6. YOUNG CANDIDATES SELECTED SO FAR
Cllr Patrick O'Donovan Joe Carey TD Cllr Catherine Yore Cllr Simon Harris Cllr Martin Heydon
Limerick Clare Meath West Wicklow Kildare South
Sen JohnPaul Phelan Cllr Peter Burke Leo Varadkar TD Cllr Liam Quinn Cllr Patrick O’Driscoll
Carlow/Kilkenny Longford/Westmeath Dublin West Laois/Offaly Cork East
Check out
www.finegael.org
Cllr Paul Lucinda Creighton TD Cllr Eoghan Murphy
for details of Connaughton Jnr
Galway East
Dublin South-East Dublin South-East
GE2011
Candidates