Latest News

**********************************************
See Events Schedule for upcoming events and meetings
**********************************************

Lisbon Treaty - A special Thank You

To all the members, supporters, and friends of YFG who worked so hard for a Yes vote right across the country in the past three months, a thousand thanks for your contribution to YFG and to the democratic process.

YFG ran an energetic and positive campaign - one which we can be proud of. We fought on the basis of the facts, and the benefits of the EU to young people, in a way that underlined how proud we are to be the most pro-European political organisation in Ireland.

In YFG and FG we don't do mourning periods or extended post-mortems. And that is why, as of Monday next, we will continue to build for the future by diverting our full attention to planning for the Local and European elections, which are a year away almost to the day.

While our efforts were so badly disappointed on this occasion, your continued support into the future will yield far greater electoral rewards when that day arrives.

Le bhur dtacaíocht, beidh lá eile againn!

Barry Walsh
YFG President

YFG LAUNCH COLLEGE CAMPAIGN
Tues 11 Sept 2007

YFG’s college campaign “Be the Life and Soul of our Party” will hit over 20 colleges. YFG aim to re-affirm their position as the largest political youth organisation in the country. Contact Orlene or click here to join!

ONE IN FIVE SUFFERERS DIE FROM EATING DISORDERS
URGENT ACTION NEEDED
Thurs 6 Sept 2007

YFG Highlight Dangerous ‘SIZE 0’ Fad Young Fine Gael (YFG) have launched an info/ policy document (5.4 MB pdf, when the document opens you should increase the magnification to 100% or more to read it comfortably!) to highlight the lack of support available to people experiencing eating disorders, especially those who are not in a financial position to seek help.

Eating disorders are serious psychiatric illnesses with a 20% mortality rate. YFG Councillor, Anne Marie Martin, who has suffered from an eating disorder, is calling on the Government to introduce a dedicated service that young women and men can depend on to offer them expert help in this area.

“With students returning to school this week we believe it’s an opportunity to start a debate on Irish societies attitude to the ‘size 0’ fad, which affects many young people. One of the fundamental changes needed in our health system and society is to break down the stigma attached to people who are experiencing an eating disorder.

Young Fine Gael Vice President, Barry Walsh, stated, “Young Fine Gael is calling for urgent action on this. At present there are only 3 beds in specialist eating disorder services. This must be increased.

“Between 1% and 2% of young females are affected by anorexia. Between 3% and 5% of young females are affected by bulimia. It is not just a situation that affects women, it is estimated that 10% of new eating disorder cases are male.

YFG TD Lucinda Creighton, added, “The numbers of people suffering from eating disorders is rising every year. Up to 7,000 Irish adolescents are currently living with bulimia or anorexia. 500 of those with anorexia will die of medical complications or suicide.

”Suicide risk among girls with anorexia is 200 times higher than in the general population. Yet there is no funding allocated to preventing suicide among people with an eating disorder”, said Creighton.

courtesy of yfg.ie

Latest News

Archives