Election – Vote for PPN Rep on Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)

PPN Member groups ONLY

Please find below details/bios of two candidates, Donal O’ Brien and Sean Doherty who have been nominated for the Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG). FLAGs are based on the LEADER model, but with a particular emphasis on fisheries and aquaculture dependant areas, by having a local structure/committee that first draws up a development strategy, and then considers projects for funding that are concentrated within fisheries and aquaculture dependent communities. Such projects are outside of what other funding bodies normally provide, such as BIM or LEADER etc.

There is only ONE vacancy and we are looking for your group to vote for the one you would like to represent the voice of the community on behalf of Waterford PPN.

Please email your organisation’s vote (one vote per organisation) along with your Group/organisation name to mtobin@waterfordcouncil.ie  by 5pm Friday 9th September.

Any votes received after that date/time will be ineligible.

Donal O’Brien

When B.I,M. set up the F.L.A.Gs I was appointed by the County Community Forum to represent the Community Sector on the South East FLAG.   In the 3 years I attended all the meetings, usually held in New Ross.

I also attended the launch in Dublin in 2013, and the annual conferences in Dun Loaghaire in 2014 and Galway in 2015.

I am a retired Science teacher and School Principal ( C.B.S. Tramore) , I have lived by the sea in Boatstrand all my life, where I have a small boat.  I was one of those instrumental in setting up and building Boatstrand Sea Safety Centre in 2007 ( which is the only Sea Safety Centre in Ireland, whose purpose is to promote safety at sea). The Centre is used by Rescue and Lifeboat services, by Irish Water Safety when they run swimming and lifesaving classes, by canoeing groups and groups who run classes in Marine Radio Certification, First Aid & First Responders (Defibrillation)
For 20 years I was a member of the lifeboat crew of Tramore RNLI (which was the first Inshore Lifeboat Station in Ireland).
During the refurbishment of the harbour in Boatstrand over the past two years, I represented the Community interests in liaising between the local Fishermen and the Constructing Team.

I am a keen beekeeper and was a founder member of East Waterford Beekeepers Association. I am an active member of Dunabrattin/Annestown Community Group, Copper Coast Geopark , An Taisce’s Clean Coast Group and D.F.B.A.

If the PPN elect me to represent it on the South East F.L.A.G. I would be honoured to continue the work representing the Community Sector.

 

Sean Doherty

My name is Sean Doherty I am applying for the position of PPN Rep on the South East FLAG. I am the harbour constable in Cheek Point on behalf of Waterford City and County Council. I have worked with the heritage boats of Ireland association and the sail training vessel BORU to bring their respective vessels to Cheek Point resulting in a number of successful events. Last summer I appeared on US and UK television on celebrity chef Kevin Dondon’s back to basics program that featured the heritage and seafood of the area. In 2016 I’ve been involved with a CITIZEN SCIENCE survey with IFI Inland fisheries Ireland. Following the tragic drowning of my three friends the Bolger brothers Kenny Paul & Shane RIP I became involved together with number of others around Ireland with the fisheries charity L.A.S.T. founded by Mr Noel McDonagh of Dunmore East. Noel will be heading up the south East flag. I was co chairman successfully organising the conference Empowering coastal communities in 2014. I have a good knowledge of FARNET and how the flags work having been involved on local flag groups and on drawing down funding for the traditional boats of cheek point project. One issue that has hindered coastal communities is getting information in to communities on time and in a open and public way. I would see my role if successful would be to get information to the PPN members.

 

I would propose to keep them updated by Email social media and in person I would also advocate on their part and bring their views to the FLAG meetings. one problem in coastal communities has been lack of representation for fishermen and without a voice the communities suffer from not having a REP on relevant bodies I am passionate about this as in cheek point the community missed out  on substantial funding from the salmon hardship scheme due to not being made aware of the fund on time. I would hope to use my experience of working all my life in the coastal communities as a fisherman a boatman and harbour constable i have fished all along the south east coast and i possess a knowledge of area and the local people in these communities. I have seen and felt in person the hardships that fisheries closures quotas and restrictions have had on coastal areas exactly what FARNET and FLAG are set up to redress. I have been nominated for the role by the St. John’s river kilbarry Bog Group, Waterford Marine Search and Rescue and by the Cheekpoint Fisheries Heritage Group I also have the support of LAST lost at sea tragedies

Further information contact:

 

John Hawkes – Programmes Coordinator – Waterford PPN –

City Hall – The Mall – Waterford – 051 849597 – 087 980 9985