YOUNG FINE GAEL NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2012

Young Fine Gael National Conference will take place on the 17th to the 19th of February in the Bridge House Hotel Tullamore County Offaly. 

Deadlines for Submission of:

Motions: 5pm Wednesday, 25th January, 2012

Constitutional amendments: 5pm Wednesday, 25th January, 2012

Nominations to contest elections: 5pm Wednesday, 25th January, 2012

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Young Fine Gael Policy Adopted at Highest EU levels

Proposals put forward by Young Fine Gael were presented to and agreed upon by the full EPP Congress in Marseille. The Congress was attended by over 22 EU leaders including President Nicholas Sarkozy, Chancellor Angela Merkel and Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD. The proposals were originally drafted by Colm Lauder, Deputy Secretary General of the Youth of the European People's Party (Youth EPP), in his then capacity as International Secretary of YFG.

Mr. Lauder and Young Fine Gael had developed a detailed critique of the European Union's response to the Basel III Banking Accords and suggested alternative proposals that should be integrated with EU policy. These proposals include a re-examination of the complex relationship between investment banking houses and retail banks, protection of EU banking competitiveness and the prioritisation of existing Basel III proposals to encourage a quicker restoration of confidence in the European banking sector.

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Priorities for Young Ireland

Today (Monday, 15 December), Young Fine Gael (YFG) launched a policy document entitled Priorities for Young Ireland. In this document, YFG detail their priorities for young people in the Budget and government policy in general.

YFG President, Eric Keane, stated: "Young people are amongst the hardest hit by the recession and the most recent figures show that 18% of those on the live register are under the age of 25.

"In his State of the Nation address, an Taoiseach stated that Government's policy was aimed towards creating: 'a country where our young people can stay at home to build their future here, rather than moving away'.

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Young Fine Gael Welcomes Minister Fitzgerald’s commitment to Youth Cafes

Eric Keane, President of Young Fine Gael has warmly welcomed Minister Frances Fitzgerald's announcement of increased capital funding and special one-off funding for 18 projects this year who applied for grants. In recent days, the Minister announced increased capital funding for youth projects (from €0.8m in 2011 to €1.5m in each of 2012 & 2013) and a special once-off provision of €200,000 for 18 youth projects across the country.

"Youth cafes provide an excellent venue for young people to meet without drugs or alcohol, and in many cases are run solely by or with the help of young people. They are a key facility for young people and I am very pleased to see the Minister go to such lengths to support and nurture them in our society. Youth cafes prove effective in helping to engage young people in their community, in their own peer group and in the youth café project – all of which are vital for inclusiveness, avoiding substance and alcohol abuse and community involvement," YFG President, Eric Keane, said.

Read more: Young Fine Gael Welcomes Minister Fitzgerald’s commitment to Youth Cafes