Young Fine Gael: Difference between revisions
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* [http://www.yfg.ie Young Fine Gael] |
* [http://www.yfg.ie Young Fine Gael] |
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* [http://www.finegael.ie Fine Gael] |
* [http://www.finegael.ie Fine Gael] |
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* [http://www.ucc.ie |
* [http://www.ucc.ie/yfg UCC Young Fine Gael] |
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* [http://www.maynoothyfg.com NUI Maynooth Young Fine Gael] |
* [http://www.maynoothyfg.com NUI Maynooth Young Fine Gael] |
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* [http://www.ucd.ie/yfg UCD branch of Young Fine Gael] |
* [http://www.ucd.ie/yfg UCD branch of Young Fine Gael] |
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Revision as of 16:44, 13 January 2007
Young Fine Gael (YFG) are the autonomous youth wing of the Irish political party Fine Gael. The largest political party youth wing in the country, it is a major presence in political cicles in third level institutions aswell as in most towns and constituencies in the Republic of Ireland. It offers its members scope to assist in formulation of political policy, and the day to day running of the senior party. It is a constituent member of the Youth of the European Peoples Party, the youth wing of the European christian democratic grouping. Its president is Elizabeth Munnelly.
History
Young Fine Gael were formed in 1977 as part of the internal reforms to Fine Gael instigated by Garret Fitzgerald who had become leader of the party. Like other youth wings, YFG is an autonomous organization, although they remain an active part of Fine Gael. Branches are in both college and constituency areas, with many members registered in both types.
They grew rapidly with over 100 local branches of YFG being formed by 1978.
During the 1980s they pursued a fairly liberal agenda, supporting the repeal of Ireland's homosexuality laws; a ban on the state funding on single-sex schools; and greater family planning options. There is however a broad range of centre to centre right opinions expressed by party members.
YFG has a range of policies that it developed in conjunction with its own members. It has policy committees ranging from the Social Affairs committee to the Northern Ireland committee.
YFG policies are often used by the senior party.
YFG structure is based upon the European election constitutions. Its consists of Dublin, Leinster (Ireland East), Munster (Ireland South) and Connaught/Ulster (Ireland West). Each province inturn has a regional council in which the individual branches can meet and engage in discussion and set out agenda. These regional councils are largely dominated by the University branches of YFG.
Some large branches include, University College Cork YFG, Trinity College YFG, University of Limerick YFG, National University of Ireland, Galway YFG, N.U.I Maynooth YFG, University College Dublin YFG, Kerry North YFG and YFG Letterkenny.
These branches carry various honours in each of their respective colleges of being amongst the largest societies and political groupings, and are mostly very active. –
President and Executive
A President and National Executive is elected at the national council of YFG, which must be held at least once every 18 months.
- President: Elizabeth Munnelly (UL/Ballina YFG)
- Vice President: Barry Walsh (UL YFG)
- Secretary: David McDonagh (Tubbercurry YFG)
- Director of Communications: Liam Quinn UL (Young Fine Gael)
- Director of Policy: John Carroll (Meath East/Trinity YFG)
- Branch Training and Development Officer: Maurice Fitzgerald (UCC/North Tipperary YFG)
- Dublin Organiser: John Kennedy (UCD/Dublin South YFG)
- Leinster Organiser: Simon Harris (Wicklow YFG)
- Munster Organiser: Catrina Burke (UL Young Fine Gael)
- Connaught/Ulster Organiser: Sean Finan (North Roscommon/ NUIG YFG)
- Colleges Organiser: Keith Stephens (Galway East/NUIG YFG)
Young Fine Gael National Chairs/Presidents
- 1 Roy Dooney 1978-1979
- 2 Richard Daly 1979-1980
- 3 Colm Burke 1980-1981
- 4 John "Jim" Finucane 1981-1983
- 5 Chris O'Malley 1983-1984
- 6 Annette Connoly 1984-1985
- 7 Michael O'Dowd 1985-1986
- 8 Brian Murphy 1986-1988
- 9 Ken White 1988-1989
- 10 Billy Stamp 1989-1990
- 11 Tim Rea 1990-1991
- 12 Colm Brophy 1991-1993
- 13 John Mullens 1993-1995
- 14 Tony Sutton 1995
- 15 David Byrne 1995-1996
- 16 Arthur Lynch 1996-1998
- 17 Conor Price 1998-1999
- 18 Patrick O’Donovan 1999-2000
- 19 Aida Goold 2000-2001
- 20 Gerard O’Connell 2001-2003
- 21 William Lavelle 2003-2004
- 22 Patrick O'Driscoll 2004-2006
- 23 Elizabeth Munnelly 2006-
Recent Campaigns
- Talk! Campaign (2005): To raise awareness of Mental Health and Suicide
- Voter Registration Campaign (2006): To encourage Youth Participation in Politics