Bruton reflects on major changes in Navan
by John Donohoe Updated: Wednesday, 3rd March, 2010 4:51pm
Mary Foley, Noel Foley and Nicola Dowling make a presentation to John Bruton following his chairing of the local Fine Gael branch annual meeting.
Navan Fine branch of Fine Gael welcomed home one of Meath's most famous sons when former taoiseach, John Bruton, accepted the invitation to its annual meeting.
In his address to the meeting, Mr Bruton reflected on the major transformation which Navan underwent since he left office, particularly in the context of social change.
He stressed the need for a new economic model, one that would restore Ireland's competitiveness in a global market. The extension of the World Trade Organisation brought other economies in direct competition with Ireland, which posed a challenge to Irish productivity.
Mr Bruton was optimistic that this challenge could be met as the Irish workforce proved it could be flexible and respondent to the needs of the labour market. He emphasised the need to engage young workers, particularly school-leavers and graduates for whom unemployment had far-reaching consequences.
Councillors Suzanne Jamal and Jim Holloway congratulated Mr Bruton on his role as EU Ambassador to the United States and applauded the great esteem in which he was held by the people of Meath.
Noel Foley extended the branch's appreciation to John Bruton for taking the time to chair the meeting.
Damien English, TD, echoed this sentiment, outlining the major contribution which John Bruton made as TD for Meath and later as taoiseach, not least the development of the IDA Industrial Park in Johnstown, Navan. Deputy English noted the importance of a jobs strategy for Meath, which he was keen to develop under the labour affairs and small business portfolio.
Outgoing officers Noel Foley (chairman) and Nicola Dowling (secretary) were re-elected to their existing posts with Hilary Lynch, Betty Mealey (co-treasurers), Mary Foley (assistant secretary), John Joyce (vice chairman), Margaret Dooley, David Browne (PRO and membership officers) and Paddy Flood (branch organiser) taking up new appointments.
At the weekend, Mr Bruton insisted there was no difference between his views on the economy and those of his party, Fine Gael, in national media reports. Mr Bruton said that while he supported the action taken by the Government to deal with the problems in the public finances, particularly pay, he agreed with Fine Gael that it had failed to take innovative measures on the jobs crisis.
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