Northside to host historic cabinet meeting

THE Government is to hold a first ever cabinet meeting on the Northside next week.

The historic meeting will be held at the Marino Institute of Education on Thursday, January 9.

Minister for Disabilities Finian McGrath said he is thrilled with the news.  

“It’s a great honour and a privilege and I’m delighted,” said Minister McGrath. 

“The cabinet meeting will deal specifically with one major issue – disability.”

Minister McGrath, who has been living on the Northside for 30 years, said the meeting is taking place on his doorstep. 

It’s literally 500 yards from my front door,” he said.

“For the last 12 months, cabinet meetings have been taking place around the country – in Kildare, Kerry, Donegal and three weeks ago in Trim, County Meath, and I proposed that a meeting take place on the Northside. 

“The whole idea is to bring the cabinet meetings out into the community and away from Government Buildings.”

Separately, Minister McGrath doesn’t believe that the next general election will take place in February as has been touted in some quarters.   

“A lot of people are talking about a February election but I don’t think so,” added Minister McGrath. “I reckon it will be April or May.”

Minister McGrath will be bidding to retain his seat in the constituency of Dublin Bay North.