Ó RÍORDÁIN CRITICISES DCC 2ND ATTEMPT TO REZONE ST PAUL'S SWIMMING POOL LAND, SYBIL HILL ROAD, RAHENY
Statement from Cllr Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Tuesday July 6th 2010
Cllr Aodhán Ó Riordáin has criticised the City Manager's latest attempts to rezone the former swimming pool site at St Paul's school, Sybil Hill Road, Raheny. At the Draft Development Plan stage a joint motion from Cllr Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and Cllr Seán Kenny overturned the inclusion of the recommendation as part of the Draft Plan. However the City Manager has again made the proposal as part of the Development Plan Process proper.
'Despite the fact that our motion was passed halting the re-zoning going out as part of the Draft Development Plan, the manager has disregarded that decision of council and has now attempted to re-zone the site again. It appears that the unanimous view of the council on the previous occasion is of little interest to the planning department of Dublin city Council.'
'Now residents have informed me that a site notice (3074/10) has appeared at this site for eight-storey blocks of apartments, totally pre-empting the vote on the re-zoning proposal. The current Z15 zoning is much more community friendly than the proposed Z1 zoning. It is a shame that the manager doesn't agree with me, and has decided to press on with his proposal regardless.'
'I can assure concerned residents that we will again be tabling a motion rejecting this proposal and that we will not agree to the rezoning of this site. The 20 Labour Councillors on Dublin City Council will be supporting this motion rejecting the manager's recommendation.'
ENDS
Thursday, July 01, 2010
McGRATH CHOOSES SAVING GOVT. OVER CREDIT UNION FEARS
McGRATH CHOOSES SAVING GOVT. OVER CREDIT UNION FEARS
STATEMENT BY CLLR AODHÁN Ó RÍORDÁIN
Labour Party Representative, Dublin North CentralThursday, 1 July, 2010
The decision of two Independent Deputies to vote with the government today saved Fianna Fail and the Greens from the potentially embarrassing situation of having to rely on the casting vote of the Ceann Comhairle to save them on a key financial measure.The government won the vote on the final stages of the Central Bank Bill 2010 by a margin of 69 to 65 votes. However, both Deputies Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central) and Joe Behan (Wicklow) voted with the government on this occasion. Had they voted with the opposition, the margin would have been 67 and 67 and the government would then have required the casting vote of the Ceann Comhairle to save it.
It is difficult to see how the government could have survived after having had to rely on the casting vote of the Ceann Comhairle on such a key financial measure as the Central Bank Bill. The decision of Finian McGrath to support such a flawed Bill is all the more surprising given the refusal of the government to support changes to the legislation sought by the Credit Union Movement and I am sure that they he will be asked to explain his position by credit union members in Dublin North Central.
With the growing number of defections from the Fianna Fail ranks, the government is clearly relying more and more on Independent Deputies for support and may be offering ‘incentives’ to encourage them to vote with the government. Deputies are, of course, entitled to vote whatever way they wish, but I think that the public are entitled to know if any deals have been done to secure the votes of Deputy McGrath.The people want to see this demoralised and politically bankrupt government out of office. Those nominally Independent TDs who opt to throw it a lifeline and keep it in office will pay a high price with the electorate when the election comes.
SEE BELOW STATEMENT FROM IRISH LEAGUE OF CREDIT UNIONS:
Credit Union deeply unhappy with Central Bank Reform Bill proposals as small loans will
Media Release: 01 July 2010
IRISH LEAGUE OF CREDIT UNIONS
CENTRAL BANK REFORM BILL 2010
The Irish League of Credit Unions is the representative body for over 500 Credit Unions on the island of Ireland. It is Ireland’s successful financial co-operative run by and for 2.9 million members. It accounts for €11.9bn of savings; €14bn in assets and (at over € 750m) is Ireland’s leading provider of social finance.
Dail Eireann will today discuss the Central Bank Reform Bill 2010. Contained within the Bill are proposals to change the day to day operations of credit unions for the future. The Irish League of Credit Unions is deeply unhappy with many of the provisions contained within the Bill and have had several meetings with the Minister and the Department of Finance to express our views. We do not feel that our concerns and the concerns of our member credit unions have been taken into consideration either in the original Bill or the subsequent suggested amendments to it. Credit Unions exist to help their members. New regulations designed for Banks will prevent us from helping ordinary members with any financial difficulties. The new proposals will mean too much red tape and extra costs will hinder credit unions in helping members reschedule loans in these difficult times.
The ILCU feels that the Minister for Finance and the Registrar of Credit Unions are attempting to control credit unions in an unreasonable and unnecessary way which will ultimately mean that credit unions will be unable to continue to meet members’ needs into the future. The sections which we object to relate to the long term micromanagement of credit unions by the Regulator initially contained within a proposed new Section 35A and 35B, and which are now, for the most part, present under a proposed new Section 35 (2) of the Credit Union Act, 1997. All constituency co-ordinators have been contacted with a view to lobbying their local representatives.
STATEMENT BY CLLR AODHÁN Ó RÍORDÁIN
Labour Party Representative, Dublin North CentralThursday, 1 July, 2010
The decision of two Independent Deputies to vote with the government today saved Fianna Fail and the Greens from the potentially embarrassing situation of having to rely on the casting vote of the Ceann Comhairle to save them on a key financial measure.The government won the vote on the final stages of the Central Bank Bill 2010 by a margin of 69 to 65 votes. However, both Deputies Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central) and Joe Behan (Wicklow) voted with the government on this occasion. Had they voted with the opposition, the margin would have been 67 and 67 and the government would then have required the casting vote of the Ceann Comhairle to save it.
It is difficult to see how the government could have survived after having had to rely on the casting vote of the Ceann Comhairle on such a key financial measure as the Central Bank Bill. The decision of Finian McGrath to support such a flawed Bill is all the more surprising given the refusal of the government to support changes to the legislation sought by the Credit Union Movement and I am sure that they he will be asked to explain his position by credit union members in Dublin North Central.
With the growing number of defections from the Fianna Fail ranks, the government is clearly relying more and more on Independent Deputies for support and may be offering ‘incentives’ to encourage them to vote with the government. Deputies are, of course, entitled to vote whatever way they wish, but I think that the public are entitled to know if any deals have been done to secure the votes of Deputy McGrath.The people want to see this demoralised and politically bankrupt government out of office. Those nominally Independent TDs who opt to throw it a lifeline and keep it in office will pay a high price with the electorate when the election comes.
SEE BELOW STATEMENT FROM IRISH LEAGUE OF CREDIT UNIONS:
Credit Union deeply unhappy with Central Bank Reform Bill proposals as small loans will
Media Release: 01 July 2010
IRISH LEAGUE OF CREDIT UNIONS
CENTRAL BANK REFORM BILL 2010
The Irish League of Credit Unions is the representative body for over 500 Credit Unions on the island of Ireland. It is Ireland’s successful financial co-operative run by and for 2.9 million members. It accounts for €11.9bn of savings; €14bn in assets and (at over € 750m) is Ireland’s leading provider of social finance.
Dail Eireann will today discuss the Central Bank Reform Bill 2010. Contained within the Bill are proposals to change the day to day operations of credit unions for the future. The Irish League of Credit Unions is deeply unhappy with many of the provisions contained within the Bill and have had several meetings with the Minister and the Department of Finance to express our views. We do not feel that our concerns and the concerns of our member credit unions have been taken into consideration either in the original Bill or the subsequent suggested amendments to it. Credit Unions exist to help their members. New regulations designed for Banks will prevent us from helping ordinary members with any financial difficulties. The new proposals will mean too much red tape and extra costs will hinder credit unions in helping members reschedule loans in these difficult times.
The ILCU feels that the Minister for Finance and the Registrar of Credit Unions are attempting to control credit unions in an unreasonable and unnecessary way which will ultimately mean that credit unions will be unable to continue to meet members’ needs into the future. The sections which we object to relate to the long term micromanagement of credit unions by the Regulator initially contained within a proposed new Section 35A and 35B, and which are now, for the most part, present under a proposed new Section 35 (2) of the Credit Union Act, 1997. All constituency co-ordinators have been contacted with a view to lobbying their local representatives.
STATEMENT ON SAVING OF 3 POOLS
O RIORDAIN WELCOMES DECISION TO KEEP 3 POOLS OPEN UNTIL END OF YEAR
Press Statement from Cllr Aodhán Ó RíordáinThursday July 1st 2010
The statement today from the City Manager that the 3 endangered pools in Sean MacDermott Street, Crumlin and Coolock will remain open until the end of the year is to be welcomed.
This decision will give councillors the opportunity to fight for their survival again during the estimates process. The pools were due to close this summer.
This totally vindicates the stance of the Labour Party Councillors who secured €600,000 in last years budget to prolong their opening, despite the fact that their closure was presented to councillors as an immediate proposal only a few short weeks previously.
This funding which we secured allowed councillors the necessary breathing space to find positive solutions to save the pools in the long term, and we are determined to do so in the next estimates process. There is no circumstance where I would stand over a situation where three pools in disadvantaged areas would be closed and City Management can be assured of my co-operation in finding a long-term solution to the issue.
ENDS
Press Statement from Cllr Aodhán Ó RíordáinThursday July 1st 2010
The statement today from the City Manager that the 3 endangered pools in Sean MacDermott Street, Crumlin and Coolock will remain open until the end of the year is to be welcomed.
This decision will give councillors the opportunity to fight for their survival again during the estimates process. The pools were due to close this summer.
This totally vindicates the stance of the Labour Party Councillors who secured €600,000 in last years budget to prolong their opening, despite the fact that their closure was presented to councillors as an immediate proposal only a few short weeks previously.
This funding which we secured allowed councillors the necessary breathing space to find positive solutions to save the pools in the long term, and we are determined to do so in the next estimates process. There is no circumstance where I would stand over a situation where three pools in disadvantaged areas would be closed and City Management can be assured of my co-operation in finding a long-term solution to the issue.
ENDS
Dublin City Council Report on 123 Bus Re-Routing
Dublin City Council Report on 123 Bus Re-Routing
Please see below the report submitted to Dublin City Council's Area Committee on the re-routing of the 123 Bus in Marino:
__________________________________________________________________
North Central Area Office,
Northside Civic Centre, Bunratty Road, Coolock, Dublin 17.
Oifig Ceantar an Lárthuaiscirt,
Oifig Cathartha an Taoibh Thuaidh, Bóthar Bun Raite,
An Chúlóg, Baile Atha Cliath 17.
15th June 2010.
To the Chairman and Members
of the North Central Area Committee.
------------------------------------------------------
Report Re: Site visit to examine issues with the 123 route in Marino.
Following on from discussions at the May 2010 North Central Area committee meeting between the Councillors and Mr Donal Keating of Dublin Bus it was decided to arrange a site visit to investigate the various issues discussed. The Area Committee Meeting was held on Monday the17th of May and the resulting site visit was arranged for 10am on Wednesday 26th of May. Present at this meeting where, Donal Keating, Derek Dixon and a Dublin Bus driver. As Dublin Bus are in the process of retiring all of their single decker vehicles a double decker vehicle was used to fully experience the difficulties stated by Mr Keating. Subsequent to the site visit Mr Keating issued the following account of the recent history of the 123 route.
In September 2008 the service was rerouted for a period of 9 months, following safety concerns associated with safe access at several locations. Dublin City Council in conjunction with Dublin Bus and local representatives carried out various works (road markings) in an effort to create a safer environment for buses to operate in this area, where the road network is far from ideal for vehicles of this size to operate.
Despite the efforts made the situation has improved very little and we are back to where we were in 2008. Normal residential and business activity in the area means that the buses are forced to negotiate already tight junctions, compounded by parked vehicles which restrict driver’s sight lines and actually cause blockages.We are mindful of the age profile of our customers in this area and we do not take this decision lightly.
The route is currently served by a fleet of single deck buses which are nearing the end of their serviceable life.The replacement buses will be larger and will add to the access difficulties currently being experienced on Brian Road and Morrogh Terrace.
An additional bus stop will be erected on Philipsburgh Avenue as soon as the legal requirements are completed.
In addition Dublin Bus will be reducing the running time on this route to reflect current operating conditions which will mean that delays caused by illegal parking will have a detrimental impact on the schedule.
For all of the above reasons we believe that our current alignment outbound using just Philipsburgh Avenue is the best course of action with the proviso that concerned customers can stay on board and alight on the inbound journey through the scheme.
It was clearly observed during the site visit that the Double Decker had considerable difficulty negotiating the Right Turn out of Morrogh Terrace even with no illegal Parking. There was also the need for a car to reverse back out of the way during one of these manoeuvres. There was also the need for stop start movements on Brian Road during the visit.
Derek Dixon
Senior EngineerNorth Central Area
Please see below the report submitted to Dublin City Council's Area Committee on the re-routing of the 123 Bus in Marino:
__________________________________________________________________
North Central Area Office,
Northside Civic Centre, Bunratty Road, Coolock, Dublin 17.
Oifig Ceantar an Lárthuaiscirt,
Oifig Cathartha an Taoibh Thuaidh, Bóthar Bun Raite,
An Chúlóg, Baile Atha Cliath 17.
15th June 2010.
To the Chairman and Members
of the North Central Area Committee.
------------------------------------------------------
Report Re: Site visit to examine issues with the 123 route in Marino.
Following on from discussions at the May 2010 North Central Area committee meeting between the Councillors and Mr Donal Keating of Dublin Bus it was decided to arrange a site visit to investigate the various issues discussed. The Area Committee Meeting was held on Monday the17th of May and the resulting site visit was arranged for 10am on Wednesday 26th of May. Present at this meeting where, Donal Keating, Derek Dixon and a Dublin Bus driver. As Dublin Bus are in the process of retiring all of their single decker vehicles a double decker vehicle was used to fully experience the difficulties stated by Mr Keating. Subsequent to the site visit Mr Keating issued the following account of the recent history of the 123 route.
In September 2008 the service was rerouted for a period of 9 months, following safety concerns associated with safe access at several locations. Dublin City Council in conjunction with Dublin Bus and local representatives carried out various works (road markings) in an effort to create a safer environment for buses to operate in this area, where the road network is far from ideal for vehicles of this size to operate.
Despite the efforts made the situation has improved very little and we are back to where we were in 2008. Normal residential and business activity in the area means that the buses are forced to negotiate already tight junctions, compounded by parked vehicles which restrict driver’s sight lines and actually cause blockages.We are mindful of the age profile of our customers in this area and we do not take this decision lightly.
The route is currently served by a fleet of single deck buses which are nearing the end of their serviceable life.The replacement buses will be larger and will add to the access difficulties currently being experienced on Brian Road and Morrogh Terrace.
An additional bus stop will be erected on Philipsburgh Avenue as soon as the legal requirements are completed.
In addition Dublin Bus will be reducing the running time on this route to reflect current operating conditions which will mean that delays caused by illegal parking will have a detrimental impact on the schedule.
For all of the above reasons we believe that our current alignment outbound using just Philipsburgh Avenue is the best course of action with the proviso that concerned customers can stay on board and alight on the inbound journey through the scheme.
It was clearly observed during the site visit that the Double Decker had considerable difficulty negotiating the Right Turn out of Morrogh Terrace even with no illegal Parking. There was also the need for a car to reverse back out of the way during one of these manoeuvres. There was also the need for stop start movements on Brian Road during the visit.
Derek Dixon
Senior EngineerNorth Central Area
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