Bus Eireann resolution in principle

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51 Upper Mount Street         Contact:

Dublin 2                Samantha Long

Ireland                  Local Area Representative

086 2331489

Thursday, May 16^th 2013

Samantha Long
welcomes proposed deal for c.€5M Bus Éireann savings

Samantha Long, Local Area Representative for Terenure has welcomed today’s agreement in principle between Bus Éireann and unions on a savings plan of around €5 million at the company.

“This agreement reached between management and the larger unions at Bus Éireann represents an important breakthrough and I am hopeful that it will be sufficient to restore the company to financial health,” she stated.

“The priority has always been to protect services for passengers, get the company back on a sustainable footing, and secure the jobs. Passengers across Ireland will welcome this deal in principle.

“Staff members are now going to give their consideration to the proposal. Everyone acknowledges that this has been a difficult period for all sides involved in this dispute, and hopefully we are now at a point where a longer term resolution is in sight.”

ENDS

Can’t buy me love

Like every Sunday, we were up early for rugby. Standing on a cold windy field doesn’t always feel appealing at first but once you get there it’s lovely – bracing, lively, fun, brave.

The Under – 9′s don’t seem to feel the wind chill like us grown ups.

This morning was the local derby, Terenure vs Mary’s, a big one for the boys where neighbours and classmates face off as club allegiance takes over.

Julian has given heart and soul to his team since he started the game just over a year ago. Light and strong, he’s generally known as shy, sensitive, even timid. He works hard to do what doesn’t come naturally with his personality type and hard-wiring – tackle, take, shove, roar, win.

When he was awarded the trophy for “Most Improved Player” at the end of last season, the head coach said it was worth it just to see me crying with pride on the sidelines, and his Dad’s heart was bursting for our boy.

I didn’t hope for too much this morning,the weather was cruel and the boys were shivering before warm-up. My husband had said  ”find a gap,and keep going”. His coach whispered to him at kick off “You’re going to get a try today Julian”, calmly planting intent. I just asked him to do his best,afraid of overloading him with impossible expectations.

Mothers Day is nice, but as a person who doesn’t like ‘stuff’, I am impossible to buy for, and we’ve all come to accept that. Coffee in bed is a perfect treat.

When Julian’s try came in the last minute of the game it was momentous. He had to dodge,duck and weave his way through a sea of blue players to make it to the line. He told his Dad later that he couldn’t find the gap so he just bashed through. He told me when he made it over the line he was thinking of Brian O’Driscoll. The coaches were hoarse, roaring their support for his breakthrough moment as we couldn’t believe what we were seeing.

As he scored the try he made a loud declaration in his own head, a line from the movie Wreck-it Ralph:

“I LOVE MY MOMMA!”  -

My best Mother’s Day present ever – a try with my name on it. 

Government Suicide Prevention Strategy most welcome

51 Upper Mount Street             Spokesperson:

Dublin 2                                             Samantha Long

Ireland                                              LAR, Dublin South Central

                                                           Crumlin-Kimmage Electoral Area

           086 2331489

Saturday, January 26^th 2012

FG Local Area Representative welcomes Suicide Prevention campaign

Fine Gael Local Area Representative for Terenure and Walkinstown Samantha Long has welcomed news that the Government is to launch a nationwide suicide prevention campaign. 

For generations in this country suicide has been shrouded by a veil of secrecy and shame. With suicide on the rise, that has to stop,” Samantha Long said.

“In 2011, 165 teenagers and young men took their own life in the Republic of Ireland,” she
revealed. “Ireland now has one of the highest rates of suicide in Europe, and men are five times more likely than women to take their own lives.”

The downturn in the economy has impacted on suicide rates, a new study has revealed. “Common problems which impact on young men in particular include income, family and peer pressure, failure in school and low self esteem,” the Local Area Rep. explained. “As a parent of young children it is never too early to think of these factors, I believe.”

“I welcome news that the Government is to launch a National Suicide Prevention campaign. While there are services available for people suffering from mental health problems, there is a need for greater communication – both to the general public about the service’s ability to offer support, and between the services themselves.

“I commend and sympathise with all families who have been devastated by suicide who have had the courage to speak out about their experience. These brave steps are all playing their part in making us as a nation face our demons. I hope that the Government’s campaign will encourage debate at all levels about mental health and encourage people who aren’t feeling well to speak out and ensure they and their families get the help they need.”

ENDS

Suicide prevention – how?

New reports say that the suicide statistics in Ireland for teenage boys and young men are among the highest in Europe. The figures were collated over 10 years,with a spike in these latter recessionary years. The possible factors include finance, family, self esteem, unemployment.

A number of years ago,a close relative, slightly younger than me made attempts at ending his life. Possibly without even knowing the consequences through his blinded terror. It didn’t end up that way,and despite a rocky road and much pain he is now a happily married Dad. His children love him,need him.

There are no quick answers, and each and every devastating case has its own unique challenges. It can also be difficult to spot that which the sufferer works hard to hide.

If you feel someone is in pain,try to reach out,even if you’re not sure how.
Everyone has a value,always. Samaritans and Pieta House are there in the darkest hour.

Don’t leave. Please.

http://www.Samaritans.org
http://www.pieta.ie

Carpe Diem – All hail The Somedayers!

I could hardly wait to buy the The Irish Times this morning, and I have to admit that it was still dark out as I popped up to KCR to make my purchase.

At last, I can see the photos of some of the group of people who’ve become my online friends over the last two weeks – Catherine Cleary’s Somedayers.

It’s a great piece, everyone looks as lovely as they really are and I’m happy to share the link with you – enjoy…

Fine Gael introduces Samantha Long as Local Area Rep Jan. 2013

I am delighted to have been selected as a Local Area Representative for Fine Gael, click on the link below

SamanthaLong_IntroLetterhead

Somedayers (part 3) – The Lesson

I had promised myself that I would be sitting in the car 15 minutes before my instructor arrived so that I could settle my nerves, put the L plates on (straight), and put the new insurance disc on the windshield which adds me to the policy as a named driver.

I switched off my mobile phone, popped it into the glovebox, and pretended to casually read the Rules of the Road as I glanced incessantly in the rear view mirror for Liam Barry of Orwell Driving School to arrive.

I liked him before he even got out of his car. Visually, Liam reminds me of one of my favourite childhood TV characters O’Brien (Eugene Lambert), and in the best possible way.

I was tempted to ask him whether we could just sit in the car and chat for the first lesson, so I wouldn’t have to drive at all, but apparently that’s not how it works. My first date nerves wore off quickly and within minutes, after dutifully checking that all my documentation was in order, I was driving carefully and proudly around Terenure and Rathfarnham.

The most important aspect for me is that the hour flew, and I loved it. I’m ready to keep trying. It’s about twenty years since I first drove, and stopped, and started, and stopped again.

My aim in the Somedayers project is not to stop again. Catherine Cleary of The Irish Times is a great mentor, and the support network by email from the other participants is beyond all my expectations. I must also say hi and thanks to Emma in Dublin City Council’s Motor Tax Office in Clondalkin, another voice of support and fun over the phone.

My upper arms are aching, so I’ll sign off for now. I must have been clenching the steering wheel tighter than I thought, but it didn’t feel like that at the time.

Continued good luck fellow Somedayers, look out for us in The Irish Times Magazine on Saturday 12th January.