DART underground

On December 14, 2011 An Bord Pleanala advised me that they have granted permission to Irish Rail to go ahead and construct a DART underground service between Inchicore and East Wall in Dublin. You can read the full permission HERE.

The decision by the board to grant permission was not surprising but what is most disappointing is that the concerns which I raised on behalf of the North Wall and East Wall residents at the Oral Hearing were adequately addressed in the permission order. The Government has indicated that it will not provide funding to allow the project proceed. I have asked the Minister to advise how much money has already been spent on this project and what are the implications of the decision not to proceed.

Mary.

Citizens Info Cabra

I am delighted to support the opening of a Citizens Information service in the Family Resource Center on Dowth Avenue in Cabra.  Citizens Information is a free confidential independent advice service available to anyone living in the area.  They can give advice on issues relating to social welfare, housing, financial matters, housing, health services and other entitlements.  You can phone them on 01 838 4377 or call in to the office Mon, Weds, Thurs 9.30-5.00 or Fri 9.30-1pm and FLAC, Free Legal Advice, is there the last Tuesday of every month from 6.45pm.  Citizens Information Service is also available every Tuesday from 9.30 – 1pm in the Navan Road Social Welfare Offices. Mary.   

Reilly’s Bridge bottle-neck

I continue to follow-up with DCC for a solution to the manual crossing at Reillys Bridge on the Ratoath Road. Earlier this year An Bord Pleanala granted permission for a fly-over bridge and the latest update I received from Dublin City Council indicates that "Irish Rail’s consultants are finalising the contract documents for the realignment of the Ratoath Road at Reilly’s Bridge (including a bridge over the railway and canal). Construction should start early next year if the required National Transport Authority funding is in place." I have asked the Natiional Transport Authority to confirm whether or not funding will be made available and as soon as I have a reply I will post it here.

On a related matter in December 2011 I again asked for an update on the proposal for a rail station in Pelletstown and DCC have advised me "It was hoped that the planning application for the proposed Railway Station at Pelletstown would be submitted by Irish Rail to Dublin City Council this month but it will now be in the New Year. When lodged the application will be brought to Area Committee for their attention and if required an information meeting with the Planning Information Unit will be arranged.” I will continue to follow-up on this issue.

Mary.

Martin Savage

Since I was a child Christmas for me has always involved attending the annual Martin Savage commemoration at Ashtown so I must be getting old if for the first time I actually led the event along with Cllr David McGuiness from Dublin West.  After I welcomed the relatives of Martin Savage and friends of Fianna Fail and thanked Bridget Maher, secretary of the Martin Savage Cumann I made the following remarks:

"In the crossfire Dan Breen was shot in the leg and seconds later Martin Savage fell mortally wounded after being hit by a bullet in the neck. He died in the arms of Dan Breen and his last words to Breen were "I'm done, but carry on....". Tom Kehoe and the wounded Dan Breen succeeded in carrying Martin Savage's body from the road and back to Kelly’s Pub while the gunfight continued."

So we do carry on and have carried on and 92 years later, almost to the day, we stand here to remember our dead hero Martin Savage and all our dead heros, brave men and women one and all and we honour their contribution to our history, our country and our traditions and we take hope for the future.  

The past year has been an extremely difficult one for our country.  There isn’t a family that hasn’t been affected by the economic crises that grips Ireland and Europe. The crises of the euro is not just a crises of a currency, it is potentially a crises of the great European project. 

The government has allowed Ireland and other small European nations to be pushed to the margins and excluded from meetings where real decisions are being made. 

They have put too much effort into the optics and spin and in the interim failed to make any meaningful contribution to implementing a solution. 

They have failed to address the root cause of our problems. 

The Government needs to reassert Irelands place at the center of Europe.

They need to work to get an agreement with our partners in Europe that will allow our country regain our financial sovereignty. 

They should be more like Martin Savage, they should be more courageous, more brave and more ambitious for our country like Martin Savage was.

All too sadly as we gather here today we are missing another brave patriot and friend.  Brian Lenihan was a giant amongst men and his passing has left us all diminished.  Before I call on Cllr David McGuiness to speak I will ask you to join me in a minutes silence as we remember Brian Lenihan, Martin Savage and all our brave patriot men and women.

Ar dheis de ar a anim. Mary.

DCC Flooding Update

Since the flooding on the 24^th of October I have been following up with Dublin City Council regarding specific flooding events in our area.  At the DCC Engineering Strategic Policy Meeting held on December 15^th I addressed the issue and the RTE 1 news covered some of my comments.  You can watch the full meeting by clicking HERE. It was a long meeting but you can skip to my comments by using the index (1:47) or read my initial contribution below.

Areas in Dublin Central have been repeatedly flooded over the past decade dating from the Tolka flooding in 2002, 2005 and more recently 2008, 2009 and now again in 2011.

Accepting that the Manager says that no location in the city is free from flood risk and that the report identifies a minimum of 142 locations that were flooded on the 24^th of October I find the report to be too high level, too strategic and all to vague. It is significantly lacking in detail, solutions and timelines for action.

I have specific questions about East Wall, Glendhu park, Ashington, Cabra west, Cabra East, Phibsborough, Drumcondra, Glasnevin, East Wall, Ballybough, North Strand.  I have put those questions directly on email, I have raised those issues as questions to the City Manager,  I have put questions to area committee and city council meetings for written reply. 

The reports I have received are high-level and strategic in nature.   I have received replies that don't convey to me or residents that any real progress is being made.  At its worse I would consider the replies to have been a waste of what we are told are limited resources.

This forum of the SPC is not suitable for addressing local issues.  

The city council is refining its message on what it cannot do.  It cannot meet with residents. It cannot provide sandbags. It cannot solve the problem. The network is inadequate,insufficient resources are available,  it is the OPW, the DoE or some other bodies responsiblity etc.  More than anything, no pun intended, the overall effect of this approach is leaving me with a sinking feeling.

Over €120million has been spent over the last decade, the Tolka.  Another €100million will be made over the next decade. While this is less it is still very welcome and every effort must be made to ensure that Dublin City gets its fair share of those funds.

From a homeowners perspective in Dublin City today they do not feel that DCC is being responsive.   Clearly our approach is not working and we need to recognise this and address it.  Clearly there is a plethora of organisations dedicated to protect funding streams and hopefully the Government that has promised much change and greater efficiencies and economies will maybe take this issue of flooding and streamline the various organisations and channel all flooding and drainage activities in one body.

Dublin City Council has significant resources when it comes to long term strategic flooding and drainage expertise however we need to bridge the gap between that strategic long-term approach and the  real life events of ordinary homeowners and business owners in the city. 

We  have to do something to move DCC from appearing  like it is hiding behind big words, dense reports , legislation and convoluted procedures and instead move to establish a clear channel of communications between the city council and residents and business owners. 

Dublin City Council is the planning authority. Dublin City Council is the drainage provider.  Dublin City Council must take the lead on this issue. Dublin City Council needs to take action to establish a Dublin City Flood Forum now.

Finally, I wish to propose to this SPC that dealing with these matters at the SPC is wholly inappropriate and we should call on DCC to establish without any further delay Dublin City Flooding Forum.    DCC should make an application for funding for a Dublin City flooding fund immediately.

Fully accepting that mother nature will always have the power to overwhelm our efforts we need to be more proactive and the City Council needs to take a partnership approach with home and business owners in the city to protect their properties.

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Bealnagowan House

In accordance with the PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ACT 2000, Dublin City Council has given notice that it intends to add Bealnagowan House, St Mobhi Avenue, St Mobhi Road, Dublin 9 to the record of protected structures. Bealnagowan House is the property most recently occupied by the Fisheries Board. As a building it is considered a fine example of international modern design. 

The details can be examined at the Planning Department, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8 from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between the hours of 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. from Thursday, 15th December 2011 to Monday, 6th February, 2012, inclusive.

Submissions may be lodged in writing before Monday 6th February 2012 to The Conservation Office, Planning & Development Department, Block 3, Floor 3, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8 or made via email to conservation@dublincity.ie and will be taken into consideration before the making of the additions/deletions and amendments.

This notice may also be viewed on the Dublin City Council website, www.dublincity.ie.

Mary.

Small & Medium Enterprise

Small and medium enterprises provide local employment and are making a very important contribution to our economic recovery. It was disappointing that the recent government budget didn’t do more to support SMEs and I believe Fianna Fail needs to try and push this policy agenda. John McGuinness TD is Fianna Fails spokesperson on Enterprise and he is developing Fianna Fails policy in this area. If you have any ideas about what more can be done to support small and medium enterprise please email me or submit your ideas to enterprise@fiannafail.ie. Click HERE for more. Mary.

Email Joan

I welcome confirmation that the Government has committed to review its decision to slash disability allowance however I really think it is a reversal of this decision that is needed, not a review. On the Prime Time Budget Special last night Minister Michael Noonan seemed to agree when he even admitted that the cut was "worth looking at again" in the context of the social welfare bill.

This is an unnecessary and extremely unfair cut and while it will only save the Government €7m it will rob some young people who are unable to work of their sense of dignity. A young adult aged 16-18 is currently receiving €188 per week. Under the Government's plan they will be cut to approximately €71 a week while those aged 18-24 will see a cut of €88 weekly in their allowance, down to just €100 a week. The savings on this proposal are miniscule in the context of the overall budget and the Government should reverse this unnecessary imposition on vulnerable young people. 


If you feel strongly about this issue you should email Joan Burton the Minister for Social Protection at constituency.office@welfare.ie.

Mary.

Cabra Garda Station

Over the past couple of months I have made representations, as Chairperson of the Dublin Central Joint Policing Committee, to the Garda Chief Superintendent regarding the need to retain Cabra Garda Station as a fully functioning station for our area.

While it is extremely regrettable that the Minister for Justice has decided to close Whitehall Garda Station and I am seeking a reversal of this decision (click HERE for more), I do welcome the fact that Cabra Garda Station is to be retained. It is disappointing however that the Government has decided to change the public opening hours of the station. The key change is that, between 10pm and 8am the general public will not have access to the station.  This means that during the night the station desk will not be open to the public - however the station will remain fully active. The Chief has assured me that the Garda presence and their operations will remain unchanged at night the only difference is that instead of the Gardai being in the station they will be out in the community. He has assured me that there will be no change in community policing due to this decision.

I will continue to monitor this situation and work to ensure that there is no further reduction to the Garda resources that I have worked hard to secure for our area. If you have any feedback on this issue please email me.

Mary

Privatisation of Bin Collections

On Monday, buried in the midst of the National Budget announcements so as to spare Labour Councillors embarrassment, Dublin City Council announced that after more than 140 years it is to transfer the City Council's commercial and domestic waste collection business to Greyhound Recycling and Recovery.

This deal was made despite Dublin City Councillors recently voting on three occasions not to privatise the domestic bin collections in the city.

I am not opposed in principle to the privatisation of the domestic bin collection service however I remain resolutely opposed to this decision at this time because it is premature in the absence of legislation to facilitate the regulation of domestic waste collection in the city. I can't understand why the Labour and Fine Gael Councillors would not wait for their own government colleagues to legislate for the regulation of a privatised bin service before withdrawing the universal bin collection provided by DCC in the city.

Under the deal Greyhound will assume responsibility for collecting the green, brown and grey bins from the City Council's 140, 000 customers on 16th January 2012. It has been contracted to collect the City Council's green bin recycling waste for the last three years and the service has been, at times, very poor and led to many complaints from residents.

This deal means homeowners in the city will likely face an increase in bin charges in the new year and the waiver, which Fianna Fail introduced, for 40,000 low income households will almost certainly be removed. There is no commitment from Greyhound to accept any new waiver applications. Already DCC spends €350k a year to clean-up dumping of un-tagged bags of rubbish, this cost is likely to dramatically increase once the waiver scheme is taken way.

Dublin City Council were advised by Ernst and Young on the deal and the commercial details of the deal remain secretive. The Manager has refused to share details of the deal with Councillors. On the basis of "commercial sensitivity" he will not tell me what payment if any DCC is to receive from Greyhound for their customer base and other related assets or how much of the €14m bad debt associated with the service is to be assumed by Greyhound.

This deal has come about because Labour and Fine Gael Councillors supported the City Council Annual budget at a meeting on Oct 28th 2011. They were not similarly inclined to support the Fianna Fail proposal that the Councillors conference expenses of €150k be ring fenced for community services. This is a bad deal for the city it is going to lead to increased pollution, illegal dumping and unnecessary costs. It is a bad deal for householders because charges are going to increase and it is a really bad deal for low income households because it will hurt them most.

Mary.
Click HERE for later updates on this matter.

Cabra Christmas Tree

As a mark of respect it has been decided to cancel the official Christmas Tree lighting in Cabra this year. It was originally scheduled to take place on Friday 9th however due to the tragic road incident which occurred on Faussagh Rd last Friday 2nd December which caused the death of a young local boy, it has been decided to cancel the planned community festivities. The lights will be turned on by Public Lighting but as a mark of respect the ceremony will not go ahead.

This is a very sad time for everybody in Cabra, the boy’s family and friends are in the thoughts and prayers of the whole community.

I would appeal to the driver of the car to come forward.

Mary.

Whitehall Garda Station Closure

The decision by the Justice Minister Alan Shatter to close Whitehall Garda Station makes no sense and will be a big loss to the communities of Drumcondra and Glasnevin. 

Minister Shatter confirmed that he is shutting down Whitehall Garda station without any consultation with the local community or elected representatives.  Whitehall Garda Station is the only Garda Station on the main road between Dublin City Center and Belfast and it is often the first point of contact for visitors from Dublin Airport.  Whitehall serves a highly concentrated urban residential and commercial area.  There are more than 17 Schools and more than 20 licensed premises in an area with 1,000s of homes, three public parks and 100’s of commercial units.  Whitehall district is very busy. 

At a recent meeting of the Dublin Central Joint Policing Committee, of which I am Chair, Gardai outlined how the 35 Gardai in Whitehall using a combination of good old fashioned policing and special operations were succeeding to address 100s of crimes relating to burglary, public order and drugs offences.   The closure of Whitehall Garda Station makes no sense, economically or socially and is a major concern for the local community. 

At the next meeting of the Dublin Central Joint Policing Committee I will seek cross-party support for a motion calling on the Minister for Justice to reverse this crazy decision and to engage with the local representatives on this issue.

Mary.

Dublin City Budget

At the Dublin City Council meeting dealing with the 2012 Estimates I made the following statement as leader of the Fianna Fail Group. 

Fianna Fail group believes it would be irresponsible of us to vote for these estimates:

 

1. We are not opposed to the principle of competition for the bin service however we believe it is premature to privatise the domestic bin collections prior to legislation to facilitate the regulation of domestic waste collection in the city. 

2. We don't know what provision, if any, is made for the more than 40,000 households on a waiver.

3. No provision is made for an increase in illegal dumping which is already costing the city €300k per year. 

4. We can't understand why the Labour and Fine Geal Councillors would not wait for their own government colleagues to legislate for the regulation of a privatised bin service before voting to out-source the service. 

5. In simplest terms Dublin City Council is giving away €22m in revenue, retaining €13m of costs.

We are disappointed that Labour and Fine Geal don't do more for the city and use their combined power at local and national government to make real adjustments to the following issues: 

1. Amend current rates legislation to insure that National Govt pays rates and local authorities are given independent revenue raising facilities.

2. Amend the development levies legislation to allow Dublin City Council refund the more than €3m in levies paid by homeowners and business in the City for Metro North

The proposed VAT increase of 2% from the government is going to bust household budgets, kill retail activity, drive unemployment and force businesses to close – this combined with the paltry reduction in rates is going to close the city. 

We are concerned that the call-out charge for the fireservice is not going to save one cent but it could cost lives. For these and other reasons, which does not permit me now to mention, we will vote against these estimates.

Mary.

Dublin City Focus

On Wednesday 23rd November at 7.30pm in Wynn's Hotel, Abbey Street, I will be joining my Fianna Fáil colleagues on Dublin City Council at Dublin City Focus.

The objective of the meeting is for Fianna Fails Councillors in Dublin City to share with members and supporters some of the work they are doing in the capital and to get feedback from the members on issues they would like to see Fianna Fail address in Dublin City. While I will be addressing the issue of Water Charges other topics to be addressed will include Job creation, Privatisation of the bin collection, Rebuilding the party in Dublin and more. Uachtarain Fhianna Fail Micheal Martin will also attend and address the meeting.

An invitation is extended to all members and supporters of Fianna Fail however you are asked to register HERE.


Hope to see you there, Mary.

Homeless in Dublin

Official figures released last week for the number of homeless in Dublin indicate an increase in the number of homeless from 60 to 87. Eighty Seven people homeless in Dublin is eighty seven too many. Dublin City Council as the Housing Authority has a responsibility to address this issue.


In 2011 Dublin City Council had allocated €49million to spend on addressing homelessness in the capital. Latest accounts indicate the spend will be lower but still significant at €43million.

The question that must be asked is where is all the money going, what is it being spent on? With 87 homeless people and a spend of €43million that works out at €500,000 per homeless person, per year! The average price of a one bedroom apartment in Dublin City is no more than €150,000.

The City Council is proposing to increase the spend next year to €46million. Before Dublin City Councillors vote to spend this money I have asked the City Manager to provide a breakdown of how the money is being spent. We have to ensure that the money is being used to properly address the issue, that value for money is being achieved and the money is actually getting to those who need it most.

 Mary

Grangegorman

The announcement recently from the Government to cut all funding for the Grangegorman Development is hugely disappointing and shocking when you think of their election promise of 100,000 jobs.  It shows an unbelievable lack of imagination and begs the question was anybody in the Government parties promoting the project or even vaguely defending it ?  More worryingly the decision shows a real lack of commitment to recovery through development, education and employment not to mention regeneration of the north inner city and provision of quality health, education and community facilities.  I spoke first thing yesterday with the CEO of the GGDA and the authority is already working on a plan to save the project.  We have a  board meeting next week and I will give a further update then. Mary.

Phibsborough Road Works

Dublin City Council has begun a programme of carriageway renewal works across the city which if you have driven or cycled on any of the work that has been completed I am sure you will agree it is a great job and makes a huge difference.

We are getting some of the benefit of this programme of works in our area. This weekend to allow for resurfacing on the Phibsborough Road a road closure will be put in place this Saturday 12th on the Phibsborough Road at the junction with the North Circular Road (Doyle’s Corner). This closure will start on Saturday at 21.30 and reopen on Sunday at 10.00, and close again on Sunday at 19.30 to reopen Monday by 06.00. Dublin City Council apologise in advance for the disturbance these works will cause but once the work is completed it will reduce noise levels considerably.

Mary.

Innovation Dublin

Innovation Dublin celebrates and showcases the innovation and creativity that happens in Dublin. The festival is in its 3rd year running and it is really encouraging in these economically depressed times to witness such creativity and energy in so many different fields, it gives great hope for the future. You can check out the full schedule on www.innovationdublin.ie.

As part of the festival there is a photo competition open to everyone that runs until 20th November, so get snapping and you could win €300.

Information available on http://www.techinnovations.ie/photocompetition. Mary.

Grangegorman Hearing

The Grangegorman re-development will reach another important milestone when An Bord Pleanala begins its hearing on the project on 24th November 2011. The Grangegorman Planning Scheme was adopted by Dublin City Council at a special meeting in July of this year. Following this process An Bord Pleanala received four appeals two observations to the decision which it will now be heard at an oral hearing. Mary

Dublin City Flooding

At a meeting of Dublin City Council last night I was critical of Dublin City Councils response to the flooding of October 24^th and as leader of the Fianna Fail Group I proposed the following emergency motion which received unanimous support:

Emergency Motion from Fianna Fail Group

Dublin City Council should express our condolences to the families and friends of Garda Ciaran Jones and Nurse Celia de Jesus.

Dublin City Council should undertake the following:

• A comprehensive review of the flooding event of October 24^th 2011 with a view to identifying what actions can be taken to reduce the risk of flooding in the city
• Establish an early warning system with Met Eireann to alert home owners in “at risk” areas of increased flood risk using text,email and web alerts
• Agree with Gardai a procedure for closing roads in areas “at risk” of flooding once an emergency has been declared
• Make an application to the Government for funds to be made available to people who are without insurance to cover repairs to their homes and temporary accommodation
• Immediately make available locally sand bags to properties that are “at risk” of flooding and seeking funding from the Government to make available “flood gates” to homes that have been repeatedly affected by flooding
• Liaise with other Government Departments and organise information sessions to inform people what they can do in advance to protect their properties from floods, what to do if a flood occurs, how to deal with any repairs/clean-up and any risks  remaining in properties and what they can do to protect themselves (health wise).  All information should be available on www.Dublincity.ie , distributed to all properties “at risk” and in all DCC libraries.
• DCC needs to provide a report on the effectiveness of the Swales in Glendhu and Park Road. 
• DCC should provide an updated survey of the drainage system and make specific recommendations for drainage improvements to prevent future flooding in the following areas:

Cabra East (Cabra, Leix, Offally, Imaal Roads and surrounding roads)  

Cabra West (Carnlough, Dingle, Drumcliff Roads)

Blackhorse Avenue, Martins Grove, Sprinfield & Park Crescent)

Nephin Road

Glenhdu Park & Ashington Grove

Park Road

East wall

Clonliffe, Ballybough and North Strand

Harolds Cross

Ringsend

Landsdown Road

Ballygall/Fairways

Maryfield Crescent & Avenue

Ardmore Park and Drive

Swords Road

Effra Road

Claymoyle Road

All the best, Mary.