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Maynooth YFG
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YFG National Conference Overview
This year’s Young Fine Gael National Conference was held in Maynooth. This was the first time. Instead of getting away for a weekend Maynooth YFG had the honour of hosting this year’s event, saving the branch funds in the process! Deputy Bernard Durkan, TD for Kildare North, opened the Conference, welcoming all delegates to the Glenroyal hotel. Following deputy Durkan’s address, 12 teams competed in the “Great Debate” chaired by Fine Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton. Following a great deal of banter, the Maynooth team of Conor Neville and Clive Nicholson were unfortunate not to make the semi final. Following the debate delegates rushed to the bar to hear the views of candidates seeking election to the National Executive over a well earned drink. On Saturday morning an emergency motion was added to the Conference programme calling for the resignation of Health Minister Mary Harney over her handling of the dept. Of Health. This motion was unanimously passed while motions calling for an age of consent of 16 and 24 hour drinking licences were narrowly defeated. At 12.30, the candidate debate began with Mel Farrell and Orlene Ferrick having their chance to address delegates from the podium about their plans for Young Fine Gael. Each expressed their pride in being able to host a National Conference in Maynooth and their belief that Fine Gael was on the verge of a major breakthrough under the leadership of Enda Kenny. Orlene and Mel were enthusiastically received by the large Maynooth contingent gathered in the audience. Prime time session followed with fine speeches from Lucinda Creighton TD, and outgoing YFG President Elizabeth Munnelly. Party Leader Enda Kenny was enthusiastically acclaimed by delegates before delivering an impassioned speech outlining the principles of Fine Gael and how we could help solve some of the problems facing the country. Delegates then prepared themselves for the gala banquet hosted by Enda Kenny. After an enjoyable meal guest of honour George Hook addressed the room. He joked about the party leader’s dress sense before praising the phenomenal work rate Enda Kenny had displayed since becoming Fine Gael leader. Delegates were entertained by a band and then a DJ until well into the early hours, with some still in high spirits during breakfast!! It was a great Conference and everyone went away with renewed hope and a spring in their step. It was an honour and a privilege for Maynooth YFG to host this major event and we wish to thank the Committee and all the Branch members for helping with the preparations and over the weekend itself. There was a great attendance from our own branch and branches all over the country and we thank you for making it such a memorable occasion. Report As the Chairperson Simon Harris was unavailable, Leinster Organiser Liam Quinn took the Chair. There was a busy agenda to get through so we got down to business. Members focussed on the party's performance in the recent General Election and how Young Fine Gael could be utilised more effectively and how it could get its message across during hectic election campaigns.
The Commuter belt constituencies leading to Dublin were quickly identified as our week point. YFG had a major role to play in these areas if FG was to gain enough seats to form a governemnt at the next election. Voters here had most to lose economically and decided to stick with the devil they knew rather than risk change. This was hardly surprising in light of our main opponent's resort to negative campaigning during the final stage of the election campaign. Our organisation could not be faulted nor could our policies, it was our inability to counter FF's negative campaiging that cost us crucial seats in Leinster.
The LRC agreed that the election of so many new young Fine Gael TDs provided the party with a golden opportunity to become a coherant alternative government to FF. Over the coming years these young TDs will have a chance to shine and articulate a fresh approach to politics. Members agreed that as a party we now have a opportunity to press on with these articulate new TDs in convincing enough people that we can be trusted to run the country more efficiently.
Counting down to the next local and European elections the LRC recognised the need to identify issues that could help FG's local candidates. We discussed policy in Education and Housing that could be developed further by YFG in Leinster. The possibility of YFG members running in the local elections was also discussed and it was agreed that this ought to be encouraged in the party in advance of the 2009 poll.
Following on from this discussion, each branch gave a report of recent events and outlined concrete plans for the coming months. The election had clearly been the major event of the year and all branches had maintained a clear election focuss up to May. The breathing space in the wake of the election is giving them a chance to focus on YFG related activities once more.
Following the LRC, many delegates retired to the Roost for dinner before heading back to Mel's place to prepare for what proved to be an extended night out with some members staying up 'til well past dawn and nursing hangovers on the way back home!!!
Mel Farrell
LRC secretary and Maynooth YFG member
Pre-Conference Information Maynooth YFG will host the National YFG Conference on 23-25 November 2007 at the Glenroyal hotel Maynooth. We would ask that as many branch members as possible to attend this major event in the YFG calendar and to support our local election candidates Mel (running for Leinster Organiser) and Orlene (running for the National Panel). Please contact Orlene or any committee member to lend your support. Conference Banquet Dinner The highlight of the weekend is the Gala Banquet Dinner to be held at 8pm on Saturday 24 November. The Party Leader, Enda Kenny, T.D will host the Banquet. The Guest Speaker at this years Banquet Dinner will be Rugby Commentator, radio Host and Raconteur George Hook. At the banquet, the awards for Member of the Year and the Debating awards will be presented. In order to book your place please contact the National Youth Officer, Fine Gael Headquarters, 51 Upper Mount Street, Dublin 2 OR email yfg@finegael.com OR phone 01-6198444
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