Flood Warning UPDATE 12 NOON

DCC updated Weather Warning @ 12 noon 17th October 2012
Up to 20 millimetres of rain fell between 4am and 6 30am this morning. The City Council’s Drainage staff dealt the incidents of localised road flooding throughout the night.  The following preventative measures to deal with the predicted high tides and rainfall have been put in place:
· The Liffey Boardwalk defences have been closed.

· The car parks at Sandymount promenade and Clontarf have been closed. .

· The flood defences on the River Tolka have been put in place.

· Drainage crews have been mobilised.

· The flood gates on the River Dodder have been closed.
The first high tide this morning has passed with the predicted localised overtopping. Today’s tide, due just after 1 pm, is predicted to reach the City Council’s tide alert level. Overtopping of the defences at Clontarf is anticipated and will be monitored. The Sandymount area will continue to be monitored for minor overtopping.

Cabra's Got Talent

Last chance to enter the best talent show ever seen in Cabra !  Cabra's Got Talent will be accepting late registrations in Chillax Youth Cafe in the Boogies on Wednesday evening from 7.30pm.  Anyone who is young, talented and ambitious cannot afford to miss this opportunity.  Mary

Flood Warning

Met Éireann issued a weather warning for Dublin valid until 6 pm on Wednesday 17th. October. They forecast that “some local flooding is possible from the rain but coastal flooding is also a threat due to additional combination of spring tides, low pressure and SE gales and some high seas tomorrow”.

 

Between 1 am on Wednesday 17th October and 1 30 am on Thursday 18th. October there will be a total of three very high tides in a row. These high tides are above the City Council’s tide watch level and just below the Council’s tide alert level. Following a meeting of the City Council’s Flooding Assessment Group the following precautionary actions are being taken:

 

• The Liffey Boardwalk defences are being closed on Wednesday morning.
• The car parks at Sandymount promenade and at Clontarf are being closed tonight.
• The flood defences on the River Tolka are being put in place.
• Drainage crews are being mobilised.

 

The flood gates on the River Dodder have already been closed. There may be very localised wave overtopping in parts of Sandymount and Clontarf.

Mary

Cabra's Got Talent

Applications for the best talent show ever staged in Cabra are being accepted from 7pm this evening at Chillax Youth Cafe in The Boogies.  Anyone with talent and ambition won't want to miss their chance to enter this competition and win great prizes.  Mary

Cancel Metro North Levy

I have renewed my call to Dublin City Council to suspend the Metro North Development Contribution Scheme that compels property owners along the previously proposed Metro North route to pay €1000’s in additional levies for a project that is not going ahead.

The scheme needs to be suspended because it is bad practice for Dublin City Council to collect a levy for a project that has been indefinitely suspended, it is damaging the city economy and it undermines Dublin City Councils ability to collect legitimate charges.

The Metro North Development Contribution Scheme was approved by Dublin City Councillors in 2007 and is applied to any developments within a 1km distance of the proposed Metro North line. There are three rates in the scheme Residential, Commercial and Retail. All rates are increased annually at a compound interest rate of 5%. Already Dublin City Council has collected over €3million euro and over the 30year life of the scheme expects to collect over €100million. The scheme will be in place until 2037.

Since the Government postponed the Metro North Project I have repeatedly asked Dublin City Council to suspend the Metro North Development Contribution Scheme. I have put motions to City Council to this affect but unfortunately Labour and Fine Geal Councillors have opposed my motions.

In response to my continued representations the City Manager has recently agreed to review the scheme. I welcome this review and have sought confirmation from the City Manager that the objective of the review is to identify ways to suspend the scheme and refund the more than €3million already collected. When the review is completed I will again ask Labour and Fine Geal Councillors to put the City first ahead of their own party political interests.

Property Tax

Being in Government is rarely easy and governing in difficult financial circumstances is always going to be challenging. However what Roisin Shortall demonstrated last week is that being in Government is about making choices. At the end of the day, when this Government's blame game with Fianna Fail, the ECB, the IMF, other European leaders etc.is played out,  the uncomfortable truth for them is that the decisions they make are their own. 

I was opposed to the Household Charge and I believe this Governments proposal to introduce a value based property tax at this time is wrong. While the Government is considering the introduction of a value based property tax I am proposing a motion at the October 1st meeting of Dublin City Council opposing the introduction of a value based property tax on the grounds that it is unfair, anti-urban, undermines local government and is uncollectable.

I will be asking Councillors from all parties but especially the majority Labour Councillors to support the motion against the introduction of a value based property tax and to send a clear message to the government – the people of Dublin don’t want this tax and they can’t afford it. I hope the Labour councillors will stand with the people of this city and against their government masters in Fine Geal and oppose this tax.

The meeting starts at 6.45pm but it will probably be after 9pm before this motion is reached. You can watch the debate via live webcast here.
You can lend support for the motion by emailing your local councillor and asking them to support the motion as follows;

“The elected members of Dublin City Council are opposed to the introduction of a value based property tax. A property tax that is set, collected and spent centrally undermines local government. A value based property tax in the current unstable property market is unworkable and will disproportionately penalise homeowners in Dublin. A value based property tax that is not based on the "ability to pay" principle will be uncollectible. A value based property tax is unfair and anti-Dublin and the elected representatives of the people of Dublin call on the Government to respect their views and to abandon their plans for the introduction of a value based property tax.”

Mary

Route 83

I am glad to see that the campaign by bus users of the old 19 now 83, whose campaign I have supported, has resulted in Dublin Bus amending the new 83 Bus Service to better meet their needs.  The Key changes are :

• Route 83 is extended to Tolka Estate at hourly intervals, every day
• Morning Peak service will be adjusted to meet the peak communter requirements
• Sunday route 83 will terminate in Charlestown shopping Center

For more information on these and other Dublin Bus services go to www.dublinbus.ie.

Mary

Smithfield Horse Fair

Despite the fact that there has been a horse fair in Smithfield since the 1700s in recent times Dublin City Council repeatedly stated that it had no role in the management of the Fair. This hands off approach by Dublin City Council contributed to problems with the Fair the most high profile being the outbreak of violence at the March 2011 Fair. A significant multi-agency response was adopted since the violence that occurred at the Smithfield Horse Fair in March 2011 and I have worked with the Gardai, DCC and locals to ensure a safer Fair.

The Attorney General advised Dublin City Council that the fair can be regulated under existing legislation and Dublin City Council has drafted new bye laws to govern the running of the Horse Fair.

At the September meeting of Dublin City Council it was agreed to put the bye-laws out to Public Consultation. Observations can be made in writing or by email to casualtrading@dublincity.ie before 5.00pm on Thursday 29th November.
The main provisions include:
• Only 2 Horse Fairs per year will be permitted between the hours of 9.30am and 1.30pm.
• Only horses with the relevant documentation will be allowed to be sold.
• Strict entry & exit points will be enforced for those selling horses & attending.
• €1900 fines may be issued for those found in breach of the bye laws.

I support the continuation of a Horse Fair in Smithfield and will work to ensure that the Fair is safe for animals and humans and serves as a unique historical tradition and attraction in the heart of our city. Please feel free to email me any suggestions you might have on how the Horse Fair can be best operated in a sustainable and safer fashion.  Thanks,

Mary

Small Business Loan Fund

There are some fundamental flaws with the Micro Enterprise Loan Fund that is part of the Governments job creation “initiatives". They say it will make up to €25,000 available for small businesses through a Micro Enterprise Loan Fund.  While this sounds great and any initiative by the Government that might at last start to address the major unemployment crises in the city is welcome unfortunately there are real concerns about the way they propose to manage this fund. 

It is adding new barriers to small businesses who want to expand their business by making them first apply to a bank and be rejected for a loan BEFORE they can apply to the fund. Small businesses do not have surplus resources to be filling out forms and engaging in bureaucracy and this requirement will only act as a deterrent to “would be” entrepreneurs and/or start-ups. It is directly opposite to supporting small businesses expand and survive.

The fund will charge 9% interest on any loans. By any standards this rate is punitive

A new government organisation is to be established to administer this fund . This is an unnecessary expense and duplication of effort. Why does the government not use one of the already established and recognised lending/support organisations e.g. the City & County Enterprise Boards and/or the banks funded by the tax payers to disburse the funds?

As a member of the Dublin City Enterprise Board I raised these concerns at our recent Board meeting and asked the CEO to raise them with the Department.  I also emailed the Minister and asked him to address these issues and will post any reply I receive here. 

Mary.

Cabra's Got Talent

I am so proud of the young people from the Chillax Youth Cafe in Cabra who with help from Dublin City Council, Cabra Youth Services, volunteers and me are organising a talent contest for young people. The competition is open to any young person aged 10 to 21yrs. Amateurs only need apply. The Talent contest will take place on the October bank holiday weekend. This is a real case of young people doing it for themselves. I am delighted to work and support young people making something great happen for themselves and other young people. So if you are young, live in the Cabra area and have a talent that entertains you should start rehersing now and get yourself along to Chillax in Cabra Parkside, The Bogies on Monday 15th October @ 7.30pm to register. Mary

Excessive Salary : Update

On the 14th of September I wrote about the excessive salary being advertised for the role of Head of Student Experience at UCC. I wrote to Ministers for Education, Finance and Public Sector Reform asking them if they approved of the excessive salary and if not what action they would take to have the salary adjusted to a more reasonable level. So far I have received automatic replies from Ministers Quinn,and Noonan acknowledging my email but nothing more. Minister Howlin, who did a spectacular u-turn this week on public sector allowances, has replied stating that "Issues relating to pay in the education sector are a matter, in the first instance, for my colleague Mr Ruairi Quinn, TD, Minister for Education and Skills. I have, therefore, transferred your correspondence to Minister Quinn’s Office for direct reply to you." Clearly Mr Howlin is out of his depth in his own portfolio so lets hope Minister Noonan or Minister Quinn can find time to consider this issue. I will post any updates I receive. Mary

Rainfall Warning Over

@ 1pm on Weds 26th September 2012 Dublin City Council has advised that over 70 millimetres of rain has fallen since Monday. Throughout that time Dublin City Council drainage staff have closely monitored the drainage network, including rivers, streams and underground sewers. The rainfall warning is now over - here comes the sun ! Mary

DCC Rainfall Warning

10.30am  25th September, 2012
Dublin City Council advised that since yesterday, up to 50 millimetres of rain has fallen in the Dublin City Council area. Drainage staff dealt with close on 100 localised road flooding incidents and will continue to monitor the drainage network including rivers and streams throughout the day. Met Éireann have updated the City Council with a forecast of the possibility of 50 millimetres rainfall between today and tomorrow.  I will post further updates as they become available.  Mary

Excessive Salary

I was really shocked and outraged to learn of the salary being awarded for the Head of Student Services at UCC. 

In any “normal” circumstances a salary of almost €150,000 would be very generous but in the current economic circumstances it is excessive and obscene.   I have emailed the Ministers for Education, Finance and Public Expenditure & Reform and asked them if they approve of this salary and asked them to give their rationale for such extravagance?  I have asked them how many other posts within the Education System command an equal or greater salary scale and the justification for same?  and I have asked them to tell me what they would consider to be an appropriate salary scale for the position and what action they are going to take to ensure that a more appropriate salary scale be applied to the post?

I will post any replies I recieve from the Ministers here. By clicking Ministers for Education, Finance and Public Expenditure & Reform you can email the Ministers yourself and help to introduce some reality to their considerations.  Mary

Drumcondra & Glasnevin Local Community Policing Forum

The next meeting of the Drumcondra & Glasnevin local community policing forum will take place on wednesday 12th of September at 7pm in The Maples Hotel on Iona Road. Dublin City Council, Gardai, elected representatives attend the forum meeting to address issues of concern for the local community. This meeting is open to any member of the community to attend so if you have any issues you would like to raise with the Gardai, Dublin City Council or your elected representatives please come along. Alternatively please feel free to drop me an email. Mary

Cabra Youth



Well done to all the Chillax Youth Cafe Crew for their participation in the Cabra Traders Event



Review of Special Event Licences needed

Dublin City Council must review how Special Event Licences are sanctioned in Dublin following July’s concerts in the Phoenix Park.

I welcome the fact that MCD, the OPW, the Gardaí and Dublin City Council special Events Licensing Department attended the meeting of the Dublin Central Joint Policing Committee that I chaired today.

The Phoenix Park is a 350-year-old national heritage site and the events that transpired in early July there were unacceptable. Human life was endangered and the recreational amenity of the Phoenix Park was greatly undermined along with the residential amenity of the local community.

Events of this nature can never be allowed to happen again in the Phoenix Park and I am happy to work with all parties; MCD, the Gardaí, the OPW and Dublin City Council to ensure that they are not repeated.

Dublin City Council is the licensing authority for special events in the city and therefore must take the lead to ensure that Special Event Licences are only issued to events with proper safety and security measures in place.

I have asked the City Manager to consider making the following changes to the process;

• There must be broader advertising of applications for Special Event Licences

• The timescales involved in the process need to be reviewed. It is not acceptable that a Special Event Licence is issued days before the event. I propose that licenses be issued a minimum of 30 days before an event

• Special Event Licences should only be issued in Dublin City after a detailed risk assessment for the event and an appropriate security plan is agreed by the event promoter, the Gardaí and Dublin City Council Area Manager

• The Garda deployment plan should include the following ;

- Live CCTV, horse mounted unit, mountain bike units, drug units, public order units, traffic units, social media monitoring and undercover units.

- Once agreed, any changes to the plan that would result in a reduction of resources must be approved by the Garda Commissioner and City Manager

• Security plans for events in the Phoenix Park must include security of residential community and businesses in the Park and the 3km radius of the venue

• The fee of €2500 for a special event license paid to Dublin City Council (DCC) is inadequate and needs to be reviewed and increased

• The fee paid to the OPW for the use of the Phoenix Park should be ring-fenced and used for investment in public infrastructure for the local community

For the Phoenix Park, the Garda plan should include the following;

- Significant Garda presence in the surrounding residential communities at least five hours prior to gates opening

- Gardaí at entrances to all residential areas adjacent to the walls of the Phoenix Park

- Access to residential estates adjacent to the Phoenix Park should be restricted to residents only. Residents should be issued with permits

- A zero tolerance approach to the consumption of alcohol and other forms of public disorder in public areas outside the concert site

It has been agreed that DCC will undertake the post event clean-up of the area surrounding the venue for which DCC should be paid by the event promoter. The hoarding around the site will be removed over the coming days.

Dublin City Council’s Special Events Licensing Officer will attend the next meeting of the Joint Policing Committee to provide an update on progress. There are no further Special Event Licenses planned for the Phoenix Park this year.

Joint Policing Committee

I will Chair the next meeting of the Dublin Central Joint Policing Committee in City Hall on Thursday September 6th at 9.30am.

 Items on the agenda include Garda reports for Dublin Central, review of the concerts held in the Phoenix Park in July 2012 and the Strategic Response Groups report "A Better City for All".   The Gardai, Dublin City Council Event Licencing Department, the OPW and MCD will attend and address the meeting on the issue of the Phoenix Park Concerts.  Mr John Connolly will attend from the Strategic Response group to discuss their report.  If you wish to attend the meeting please email me or alison.king@dublincity.ie to arrange an observer pass.  Mary

Ramp Repairs

There is a problem in the City with speed ramps deteriorating.  I have raised this issue in past and requested that ramps on Blackhorse Avenue, the Old Cabra Road and other parts of our area be repaired.  At the September 2012 meeting of Dublin City Council I asked the Manager to please advise when the ramps on Lindsay, Iona and Hollybank Roads will be repaired?   If there are ramps in your area that need repair please drop me an email and I will ask DCC to undertake the work. 

CITY MANAGER’S REPLY
Road Maintenance will temporarily dress the ramps outside house numbers 24, 46 & 60 on Lindsay Road and also house numbers 41 & 108 on Hollybank Road.

The ramps on Iona Road are acceptable.

These works will be carried out within 6-8 weeks.

Contact: Ronan Connolly, Road Maintenance

Tel: 222 2576 

Seanad should be radically reformed, not abolished

In an effort to win electoral support Enda Kenny promised to abolish the Seanad. The proposal grabbed headlines but thats about all. Since winning electoral support and gaining power Enda Kenny's government has done precious little to progress political reform at any level in Ireland. I believe we need reform of politics in this country at all levels, local and national. Abolition of the Seanad does not equal political reform. Instead of abolishing the Seanad it should be reformed and here are six simple suggestions that if implemented will deliver increased accountability, transparency and effective democracy;

1. Members to the Seanad should be elected by the General Electorate on the same day as Dail Elections

2. The Seanad should elect Vocational experts on a regional basis*

3. The Taoiseachs nominees and University Panels should be abolished

4. Vocational Panels should be retained with two new ones created to deal with the Economy and the Environment

5. Senators should be allowed to introduce legislation and question ministers

6. The Seanad should have a veto over the Dail

* by regional basis, I mean according to the european constituencies e.g. Leinster, Munster, etc.

Mary