Trees

In early January 2013 initial preparation of the Grangegorman site for construction work commenced with the pruning and felling of some trees on the campus. The GDDA confirmed to me that "the trees to be removed are only those that have been identified in the planning permission for the site infrastructure and public realm. Other trees will be cut back to varying degrees, but this is to be carried out by arbourists and is being done as essential work for the health of the trees. This work will be concentrated around the playing fields and the location of the future St. Brendan’s Way (the new main street of the development). The direct felling and maintenance work is due to last until the beginning of March and after this the debris will be removed." The preservation of the natural habitat is key to achievement of a sustainable campus. Should you have any queries please drop me an email. Mary

Street Cleaning

Since Dublin City Council withdrew from the collection of domestic waste and the provision of a bin waiver in the city they also abandoned the policy of sweeping streets after bin collections.

I have raised this issue with the City Council because it is having a negative impact on the city's image.  It is really important that residential streets in our city are properly cleaned. All property owners are responsbile for the cleaning of paths in front of their own property.  I encourage residents to take pride in their area, to clean their paths and to monitor cleaning of their roads by Dublin City Council.  You can check Dublin City Councils schedule for cleaning your street by clicking here.  You can report areas in need of attention from Dublin City Council by calling the Litter Hotline 1800 248 348.  Mary

Smithfield Horse Fair

At the January meeting of Dublin City Council I approved the passing of new bye-laws for the Smithfield Horse Fair.

While the City Council has come a long way from the first draft of the bye laws, to meet the needs of residents, businesses and horse owners, it should not consider this the end of their work. 

The horse fair should be treated as a managed event in the city. It should be family friendly, easy to access and free to access.   I proposed that City Councillors will review the way the bye-laws are working after six or twelve months and I renewed my call for DCC to appoint an event manager.  Mary

Community Grants

Dublin City Council is currently accepting applications for funding under their Community Grant Scheme. Key priorities for funding 2013 are community development, social inclusion, children and young people, digital inclusion, integration, marginalised groups and local issues.  To download an application please click here.  Please note that the closing date is 5pm Thursday the 31st January 2013.
It is envisaged that successful groups would receive their award by end of May/beginning June 2012.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance. Mary

Educate Together 2nd Level

I have long supported the campaign for Educate Together 2nd level schools in Dublin.  There is strong demand for a 2nd level Educate Together School and a number of ideal sites in Dublin Central.  There is a public meeting taking place this Wednesday 23rd January @ 7.30pm in Wynns Hotel on Abbey Street.  The guest speaker is Ms Olivia O'Leary.  Please come along and support this campaign. If you can't come along to the meeting, but are interested in supporting the campaign, you can register your interest and support here.   Mary

Docklands SDZ

At the January Meeting of Dublin City Council the City Manager gave a report on the proposed Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) for the Dublin Docklands.
I welcomed the work done to date and the Minister's approval for the development of a strategic development zone in the docklands.
Recent socio economic mapping of the area shows significant levels of economic disparity. As City Councillors we need to work towards social and economic regeneration in a balanced and inclusive way. We must ensure that the SDZ is not just another planning document gathering dust on a shelf. I have repeatedly raised the issue of social housing and community facilities at the Central Area Committee and as Chair of the Dublin Central Joint Policing Committee I have tasked Dublin City Council to address these issues.
I see the SDZ as a real opportunity to properly address these issues and I will work to make the SDZ deliver some real progress.  Mary

JPC Review

The Department of Justice is carrying out a review of the Joint Policing Committees. As part of this review, the Department has invited all interested persons and groups to make a written submission by the end of January 2013. This is an opportunity for any member of the public to give their observation, make a suggestion or comment. Mary

Bad Weather

We woke to a light dusting of snow this morning in Dublin.  It is very cold and wet outside.  The kind of day that it is best to stay inside unless you really have to go out. 
Dublin City Council put together an information leaflet that provides some good advice on how to prepare for and deal with severe weather events.  It also has some useful contact details and phone numbers.  Click here to have a read.
It is most important to stay warm and dry and, if you can, check-in with anyone you know who is living on their own.  Stay warm ! Mary

Claremont, Clareville & The Willows

Following my request Dublin City Council's Environmental Officer inspected street cleaning in the Claremont, Clareville and The Willows estates in early January 2013. Following the inspection they advised me that the three estates Claremont / Clareville / Willows are on a 12 week cleaning schedule as per the litter management plan. The procedure whereby DCC followed bin collections with street sweeping no longer takes place since DCC ceased domestic waste collection services. The estates were cleaned using mechanical sweepers and a small amount of leaf mulch was present but the shores appeared to be free from blockage and the streets litter free. I requested that the shores and gullies also be inspected and, if necessary cleaned. I ask residents to report any dumping in the area to the Litter Hotline 1800 248 348. Mary

Iona Road

Following the road accident and tragic death of an elderly person on Iona Road at the junction of Crawford Avenue in December 2012, I made renewed calls to Dublin City Council at the January 2013 Meeting of the Central Area Committee to upgrade the street lighting on Iona Road.

Dublin City Council advised me that "The Public Lighting Section will examine the lighting on Iona Road and any improvements deemed necessary will be considered for inclusion in a future lighting programme subject to the necessary finances being made available."

 I will continue to follow-up on this issue with Dublin City Council and hopefully we will see an upgrade of the public lighting on this busy road soon. Mary

Gullies & Shores

Following my request, Dublin City Council Drainage Dept inspected the street shores and Gullies in Claremont, Clareville and The Willows Estates.

Below is a report on the cleaning of gullies in Claremont /Clareville and The Willows. Where Gullies are not cleaned it is nearly always because a vehicle is parked on it and it is not possible to clean it.

Claremont Close Gullies checked 10/12/12 5 of 5 gullies cleaned.

Claremont Court Gullies checked 10 - 17/12/12 34 of 38 gullies cleaned.

Claremont Crescent Gullies checked 17/12/12 23 of 25 gullies cleaned.

Claremont Lawns Gullies checked 18/12/12 23 of 24 gullies cleaned.

Clareville Court Gullies checked 18/12/12 7 of 7 gullies cleaned.

Clareville Grove Gullies checked 14/1/13 13 of 15 gullies cleaned.

The Willows Gullies checked 17/12/12 14 of 15 gullies cleaned.

To help avoid surface flooding, please report any shore or gullies in need of attention to 1800 248 348 or email me with the details. Mary

Drumalee Deaths RIP

I was saddened to hear of John Glennon and Debbie McEvoy's deaths in Drumalee Court in Stoneybatter last week.  I offered my condolences to their families and friends. 

It was extremely upsetting and unacceptable to think two people could die in City Council Housing from Hypothermia. Upon hearing of the deaths I asked the City Manager to provide a report on the causes of their deaths. I specifically want to understand the condition of the accommodations and what actions Dublin City Council can take to ensure that this situation cannot recur.

For a long time I have criticised Dublin City Council for its failure to provide better housing. I have repeatedly called for St Bricins, St Finbars Court and other housing units in the Central Area to be upgraded.  I will continue to follow-up on this issue.  Mary

Claude Road

In December 2012 I requested Dublin City Council clean the area under the pedestrian bridge from Claude road to Lindsay Road, Dublin 9.  There was a large accumulation of rubbish under the bridge but also along the tracks. Dublin City Council cleaned up under the bridge and also contacted the Environmental Officer for Irish Rail with regard to having the area adjacent to the rail tracks cleaned also.  It is disappointing but not surprising, considering the failure of Labour Councillors to provide a waiver,  to see an increase in the level of illegal dumping of domestic waste in our area.  Please report any illegal dumping to 1800 248 348.  Mary

New Mater

The new Mater General Adult Hospital opened its new main entrance in the Whitty Building on the North Circular Road, Dublin 7 on January 14th 2013.  This replaces the old entrance on Eccles Street.  The new entrance is open from 6.30am to 8pm. All public access via the main entrance on Eccles Street ceased from January 14th 2013. Check out www.mater.ie for further information.  Mary

How to spend €2.2m ??

2013 has started with some good news for Dublin City. The City Council has an extra and unexpected €2.2m to spend this year and I want the money to be used wisely to support services to citizens and employment in the city.

On November 26th, 2012 the Lord Mayor and City Councillors of Dublin met in City Hall and agreed a budget for 2013. At that meeting, as leader of the Fianna Fail group and in the interest of good governance, I proposed that the meeting be deferred until after the National Budget was announced and the City Council advised of its funding allocation from National Government.

A majority of Labour and Fine Gael Councillors rejected and defeated our proposal to defer the meeting and they approved a budget for the city without having all the relevant information available to them. Now it transpires that Dublin City Council had over-estimated the cut it was to receive to its funding from National Government and has in fact an unexpected €2.2m extra to spend this year.

This is good news and all Councillors should engage with Dublin City Council management to ensure that the extra funding is spent wisely and used to deliver better services to the people of Dublin and support employment in the city.

As leader of the Fianna Fail group of Councillors I have requested the Lord Mayor of Dublin City to convene a special meeting of Dublin City Council so that we can make a new city budget for 2013.
I am interested to hear from constituents on how they would like the extra money to be spent, already some ideas include Homeless Services (DCC already spends more than €40m on Homeless Svces.), Bin Waiver for elderly, sick and unemployed, Tall Ships Festival in 2016, Moore Street/1916 Museum....how would you like to see the money spent ?  Drop me an email and let me know.  Mary

Moore Street National Monument

I attended the second meeting of the Dublin City Council Committee established to review the plans and make recommendations for the National Monument site on Moore Street took place in City Hall this morning.

The national, historic, cultural, educational, commercial and tourist potential of the site cannot be overstated and must be developed and promoted by the state.

Houses 14-17 Moore Street were designated a National Monument in 2007. It is a matter of great shame that to date the site has not been properly restored and developed into an appropriate commemoration of the heroic acts of the men and women of 1916.

At today’s meeting Chartered Lands, owners of the site, made a presentation to the Committee on their proposals for the site. Their proposal is currently being considered by the Minister whose consent is required and is subject to the preparation and approval of an Environmental Impact Assessment.

Their proposal includes the creation of a museum incorporating 14-17 Moore Street that proposes to authentically recreate the interior lay-out of the buildings as they were in 1916 and requires funding of approximately €10m.

The neglect of this National Monument has gone on for far too long. The centenary of the rising is fast approaching and the Government must take action to ensure that the National Monument is preserved and restored; it should provide funding for the creation of an appropriate commemoration on the site and creation of a museum.

I welcome the offer from Chartered Land that they are willing to hand-over 14-17 Moore Street to the State. The Government should immediately act to ensure that the National Monument site is taken into State ownership. A dynamic public museum should be created in 14-17 Moore Street that will bring to life the historic events of 1916 for current and future generations. I believe Dublin City Council is well positioned to operate such a museum and I will be seeking a commitment that DCC takes on the role of Museum operator if and when a Museum is approved for the site.

The Committee has invited members of the public to express their views on how the National Monument should be developed. I encourage anyone with any interest in the site to please send their submissions by e-mail to msac@dublincity.ie or by post to: The Chairman, Moore Street Advisory Committee, City Managers Department, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8.

The closing date for submissions is the 31st of January 2013.  Mary

Loyalist march cancelled

I understand the Loyalist march planned for Dublin City this weekend has been cancelled and I welcome this development.  In recent days residents and business operators in Dublin City were growing increasingly concerned about the prospect of street riots being visited on Dublin’s streets.


It is encouraging that the organisers listened to the clear message coming from Dublin City that while freedom of expression is cherished in our city, anti-social behaviour and disruption of the peace by anybody, whatever the cause, will not be tolerated.  The organisers appear to have understood this message, seen sense and there will be no Loyalist march in Dublin City this weekend. 

I am sure residents and business operators in Northern Ireland would welcome an end to street protests there and a channelling of issues through the democratic process instead.  Mary

Loyalist Dublin March

It is hugely disappointing that the peace in Northern Ireland that so many people on both sides worked so hard to achieve now appears so vulnerable. There is considerable and growing concern in Dublin over the on-going, at times violent, demonstrations in the North and the prospect of that being visited on the streets of Dublin next weekend.

As Chair of the Dublin Central JPC I have requested the Gardai provide a statement on the arrangements that the Gardai are putting in place for the proposed march next Saturday in Dublin City Center.

I have asked for details of the permission granted to the organisers, if background checks have been completed on the organisers, what undertakings the organisers have given that the parade will pass-off without incident and what arrangements are the Gardai putting in place to ensure minimum disruption in the city centre and maximum public safety for residents, workers and visitors.

I expect a comprehensive response from the Gardai that will robustly support the freedom of expression and the maintenance of public order and safety on the streets of Dublin City. Mary

Illegal Dumping

I have repeatedly raised concerns with Dublin City Council about illegal dumping and inadequate street cleaning in the central area.

As leader of the Fianna Fail group on Dublin City Council and the local Fianna Fail representative I strongly opposed Dublin City Council’s withdrawal from the collection of domestic waste in the city for a number of reasons including that I feared it would lead to increased dumping. As recently as last month the Dublin City Manager disputed my assertions that illegal dumping was getting out of control in parts of the Central Area but now the IBAL report confirms and supports the complaints I have being making.

Dublin City Council Area Staff are trying to respond to complaints and are trying to address the issue however illegal dumping in parts of the Central area is out of control. Not only are street bins over-flowing, many have had to be removed and dumping is occurring on streets, laneways, along the train tracks and the canal.

The City Manager can no longer deny the problem and I have asked him today to personally take responsibility to address the issue without any further delay. I have asked the City Manager to outline what action Dublin City Council will take to address the issue. I have asked that he put in place a dedicated action plan to address the issue of illegal dumping and that he uses part of funds dedicated to promoting "The Gathering" to fix the problem of illegal dumping in the North inner city ASAP.

I have asked the City Manager to outline what action Dublin City Council will take to address the issue. I have asked that he put in place a dedicated action plan to address the issue of illegal dumping and that he uses part of funds dedicated to promoting "The Gathering" to fix the problem of illegal dumping in the North inner city ASAP.

In the meantime I am asking all residents in the Central Area to report illegal dumping to Dublin City Council’s Litter Hotline 1800 248 348.

Croke Park Recycling

From Thursday 3rd - Saturday 19th January 2013 there will be free re-cycling of Christmas trees, cardboard and small electrical items at at Croke Park, rear of Cusack Stand(via St Joseph’s Avenue), Dublin 3.

Opening Times: Mon - Fri: 8.00am - 8.00pm, Sat - Sun: 10.00am-4.00pm